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What to expect: Aficionados of California Craftsman architecture appreciate this meticulously designed Five Diamond Resort, which features original Gustav Stickley furniture, Judson Studio leaded glass, pottery, paintings, and other period finery within the cherry-paneled lobby and public areas. Professional golfers, scientists, and families with children all fit in easily.

Amenity highlights: The lobby features views of the golf course and ocean, is furnished with Morris chairs, and warmed by a fire. A spacious outdoor terrace right off the lobby affords the same views. The deluxe spa provides facial and body treatments in private rooms, and houses a sauna and steam room. A “family room” features pool, backgammon, dominoes, and other games. The lodge is next to 2,000 acres covered by the protected and distinctive Torrey pine tree.

Insider tip: Two polished black towncars are on hand to whisk guests into downtown La Jolla, Del Mar, Torrey Pines Beach, or other sights within a 5-mile radius, for free. The front desk also provides free bottles of water for hikers and beachgoers.

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What to expect: Celebrities and leisure travelers choose this 40-acre tennis resort for its high-quality service and secluded surroundings. Guests enter a lobby with fresh flowers, rattan chairs, newspapers from across the country, and an adjacent fountain courtyard. The Mediterranean decor is marked by hand-painted tiles and lush landscaping.
Amenity highlights: The resort offers 18 hard tennis courts and expert instruction through clinics and private lessons (surcharge for both). Other fitness options include an outdoor lap pool and a fitness center with cardio equipment, free weights, and personal trainers (surcharge). Guests can relax with spa services (surcharge), including massage treatments, aromatherapy, and facials.

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What to expect: The lobby looks more like it belongs in hip South Beach or Los Angeles, with modern furnishings in crayon colors of red, yellow, and blue. Bold pop-art sets a high-energy mood. A softer ambience prevails in the intimate bistro and ebony-paneled cocktail lounge just off the lobby.

Amenity highlights: This hotel is justly proud of its art collection that includes works by Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Peter Max. The spectacular Starlight Ballroom, with a sliding roof that allows dining under the night sky, is available for private parties and business functions.

Insider tip: San Diego's picturesque waterfront and the Embarcadero, where boats leave for harbor excursions and Coronado, is a cheap cab ride from the hotel, or a nine-block walk down Broadway.

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What to expect: Vacationers and groups are drawn to this lushly landscaped 14 acres where accommodations are found in eight two-story buildings and in a 13-story tower. A large rock waterfall flows into a fish-filled pond in the South Seas-style lobby, where the posts and rafters are teak and the furnishings bamboo. The reception area, concierge, and parking attendants are all on hand near the main entrance.

Amenity highlights: In addition to its sandy beach, the resort offers lush gardens filled with nearly 100 species of palms and about 1,000 varieties of plants, including many rare specimens from other parts of the world. Koi and other fish swim in the many ponds, while colorful macaws and other parrots squawk overhead. Children also are provided with a video game room. Complimentary high-speed Internet access is available in all accommodations.

Insider tip: This resort is situated on what is reputedly the world’s largest aquatic park. In fact, Mission Bay offers a host of water diversions including pedal boats, kayaks, waverunners, ski boats, sailboats, and catamarans (most equipment can be rented at the resort). Free clinics as well as for-fee lessons are available for most activities. The hotel concierge can assist.

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What to expect: This pink stucco property offers a convenient yet peaceful retreat for vacationers and business guests. Although adjacent to the Hazard Center retail complex (with direct access via the 2nd floor), the property seems far removed from commercialism with its large off-street entry, curved portico, and parking valets. Guests enter the lobby through sliding glass doors where reception awaits with freshly baked chocolate-chip cookies.

Amenity highlights: The hotel offers extensive fitness facilities, featuring indoor and outdoor swimming pools and two lighted tennis courts. Private spa services can be scheduled for a fee, including facial and body treatments. Guests can access the Internet in the pool-view lounge via a wireless high-speed network (surcharge), or enjoy California coastal cuisine at the Fountain Cafe.

Insider tip: The San Diego Trolley stops directly across the street from the hotel, offering connections to such major attractions as Qualcomm Stadium, historic Old Town, downtown San Diego, the San Diego Convention Center, and the international border. Trolley tickets can be purchased in the hotel's gift shop.

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What to expect: The concierge and reception desks are next to a tropical atrium lobby soaring the full height of the hotel and filled with koi ponds, waterfalls, and lush foliage. A complimentary reception takes place among the greenery each evening. Located across from an upscale shopping mall 5 miles from La Jolla, the hotel attracts both business and leisure travelers.

Amenity highlights: An indoor pool, sauna, and fitness center are complemented by an outdoor spa and sundeck. High-speed wireless Internet connection is available throughout the hotel, for a fee.

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What to expect: This waterfront hotel offers spacious public areas and guestrooms. It is conveniently located within walking distance from the convention center, the Embarcadero, and numerous attractions such as the Horton Shopping Plaza, the historic Gaslamp Quarter, and the Civic Concourse for Theatre and Ballet. The trolley station next door provides access to the Mexican border.

Amenity highlights: The soaring, 12-story atrium is filled with ponds and waterfalls, home to colorful koi and turtles. In this lush setting, guests can order breakfast each morning, and return for the daily manager’s reception (5:30-7:30 PM) for complimentary cocktails, other beverages, and snacks. Also onsite are a 1940s-style seafood restaurant, corner bar with sushi and wide-screen TV, indoor pool, outdoor spa, and fitness center.

Insider tip: The business center, on the mezzanine level, is staffed from 7 AM until 4 PM. However, guests can get to the equipment 24 hours a day by asking the security guard to open the door, even in the middle of the night.

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What to expect: The five-story hotel is one of the more affordable lodging options in ritzy La Jolla. The hotel—which has the feeling of a European-style pensione --is popular with business and leisure travelers for its low-key charm and location two blocks from ocean cliffs and five blocks from the beach. Travelers enter a lobby with a white-marble floor, dark-wood columns, and plush couches.
Amenity highlights: Complimentary Continental breakfast is served daily in a breakfast room with an adjacent sundeck for outdoor dining. Featuring dishes from northern Italy, the hotel's restaurant is a local favorite. Guests can use a fitness room, spa tub, and dry sauna.
Insider tip: Three blocks from the hotel, the Museum of Contemporary Art overlooks the ocean from a cliffside perch. Its galleries feature multimedia artworks created after 1950.

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What to expect: Although it’s 2 miles inland, this ridge-top resort affords excellent views of the Pacific Ocean. Corporate travelers and vacationers alike converge on this 12.2-acre property, which offers exceptional amenities for all ages, and is adjacent to both LegoLand® and the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. The large, bright lobby separates the hotel portion of the resort from the condo section.

Amenity highlights: Adults 17 and older can use the peaceful, Olympic-sized swimming pool with an ocean view. Children and families can use the outdoor pool that features interactive water toys, plus an adjacent game room and activity center. Planned activities include such eclectic offerings as wine and jazz nights, beauty workshops, bubble gum-blowing contests, hula-hoop contests, and ping-pong tournaments.

Insider tip: Although the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch is famous for its dazzling spring displays of ranunculus (a buttercup relative with showy, rose-like blooms) and other flowers, it also shelters an All-American Rose Selection (AARS) garden, only one of 130 AARS accredited public rose gardens in the nation.

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What to expect: This hotel sits atop oceanfront bluffs, neighbor to the Torrey Pines Golf Course, the Torrey Pines State Reserve, and The Salk Institute. Sea World® is 11 miles away. This full-service hotel caters to medical and biotech visitors, golfers, and beach-going families.

Amenity highlights: Guests have access to the Torrey Pines Golf Course next door (advance arrangements necessary), and to numerous other area courses. Guests also have access to neighboring Shiley Sports Center (passes at nominal charge), and The Lodge at Torrey Pines, which features a full-service spa. The pool-level restaurant offers American cuisine, along with an exhibition kitchen, a cocktail lounge, pools, and waterfalls.

Insider tip: Guests looking for a special souvenir may want to take note of the paintings, sculptures, and other artwork in the hotel’s Torreyana Grille. On loan from local galleries, these exhibits rotate quarterly, and everything—from post-modern paintings to whimsical wooden figures—is available for purchase.

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What to expect: The atmosphere is friendly and casual. The entrance, with valet or free self-parking, leads to a well-appointed, sky-lighted lobby where a reception area awaits the corporate and leisure clientele. During the fair or racetrack season (approximately mid-June to mid-September), the place is packed with horseracing fans and fairgoers.

Amenity highlights: The pillared lobby features a light- and plant-filled restaurant at one end, and a step-down lounge with fireplace and TV at the other. A coffee bar, adjoining the gift shop, offers muffins and specialty coffees. A fitness room is located near the pool and spa, which are set within a courtyard splashed with chaise lounges and umbrella-covered tables.

Insider tip: Guests have more dining options than meet the eye. Although Silk’s Restaurant and Polo Lounge are at opposite sides of the lobby, guests who prefer the lounge ambience, or who want to watch TV, can sit in the lounge but order from the restaurant menu. The same goes for terrace, poolside, or room service dining—the restaurant comes to you. Silk’s sometimes offers great all-you-can-eat nights.

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What to expect: Built in 2000, this is one of the first new buildings in the Gaslamp Quarter in 100 years. With dozens of restaurants, bars, art galleries, theaters, and shops within a two mile radius, the convention center one block away, and the new Padres baseball park slated to open nearby in 2004, this stylish hotel is conveniently located for leisure and business travelers. The sweeping, loft-like lobby has a sleek, modern design with blond and dark wood accents, a fireplace, and warm-hued leather furnishings.

Amenity highlights: When it's time to relax, the hotel's 4,500-square-foot Artesia Day Spa offers massages and facials with European skin care products. Soft chaises surround the outdoor pool, which is flanked by a 24-hour fitness center. A business center is equipped with fax and copy machines, and computers with high-speed Internet access.

Insider tip: The San Diego trolley is a charming way to get around the city and stops 100 feet from the hotel's front door. It serves downtown, Old Town, Qualcomm Stadium and even Tijuana (a 40-minute trip from downtown). Horse-drawn carriages and pedicabs can be hailed on 5th Street, a half-block away.

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What to expect: This centrally located, 14-story hotel is popular with fans attending sporting events at Qualcomm Stadium, two miles away. Other guests include families visiting nearby universities, convention groups, and leisure travelers on a budget. The lobby has elegant accents, such as marble floors, murals of historic missions, and a winding staircase with brass banisters.

Amenity highlights: A wall painted with swaying palm trees gives the second-floor pool patio a tropical feel. The hotel's fitness center is equipped with cardio machines and free weights. A complimentary shuttle is available upon request to take guests to the trolley stop and shopping malls. Business travelers appreciate the hotel's menu planning service, audio-visual rentals, and 20,000 square feet of meeting space.

Insider tip: Two malls are across the highway from the hotel. Fashion Valley Center offers such stores as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Williams-Sonoma. Next door, the older Misson Valley Center has Loehman's, Nordstrom Rack, and a 20-screen movie theater. Guests may take the hotel's complimentary shuttle there, but walking is preferable on weekends, when traffic around the malls is heavy.

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What to expect: Surrounded by Mission Bay Aquatic Park (4,600-plus acres of beaches, coves, and islands), this hotel attracts leisure guests and families. New renovations, completed in 2003, have freshened accommodations and fitness facilities. This is an entirely nonsmoking property. Amenity highlights: The resort offers a private beach and dock, large swimming pool area with two spas, children’s pool, supervised children's activities, game room, indoor/outdoor dining room and lounge, and tennis center with lighted courts and tennis pro. The upscale Resort Club has a fitness room with all-new equipment and a full-service spa upstairs. Insider tip: In addition to the spas located in the large pool area, and one at the rear of the fitness center, there is another tucked inside the courtyard garden of the Villa Palacio building.

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What to expect: The refurbished interior of this landmark resort complements its wedding-cake exterior of white siding and red-roofed turrets. A uniformed operator still runs the original birdcage elevator, though the controls are now automated. The vast lobby bustles with families, conventioneers, San Diegans on weekend getaways, history buffs, and looky-loos imagining the days when Hollywood's elite trod the grand staircases.

Amenity highlights: Completely renovated in 2001, the "Del" (as it's known by locals) pampers guests with cabanas, poolside dining, and luxury health spa services, including in-room massages complete with candlelight and wine. There's also a fitness room, tennis courts, bicycle-, boat-, and jet ski rentals, and special programs for children.

Insider tip: Curious about who some of your fellow guests have been? Marilyn Monroe filmed Some Like It Hot here. Frequent guest and Wizard of Oz author Frank Baum designed the chandeliers in the spectacular Crown Room. Also as guests, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz concocted their I Love Lucy personae. There's even a resident ghost—Kate Morgan—whose poignant story is told in a lobby display.

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What to expect: Guests enter this intimate hotel on the second floor of a mixed-use building through an entrance tucked between two shops. A winding staircase (and an elevator) leads to a quiet, Asian-inspired lobby, which incorporates the elements of earth, wood, fire, water, and metal to create a modern sanctuary. In one corner is a fireplace; a trickling fountain rising toward a skylight creates natural music. The hotel’s public spaces are intimate and restful.
Amenity highlights: The hotel’s focus is serenity and wellness, evidenced in its carefully crafted design and decor. From the clean lines, neutral tones, and clusters of comfortable chairs in the lobby to the 40 spa treatments available in guestrooms, this place is about relaxation. A small fitness room and business center are on site, and complimentary Continental breakfast is served in the petite ballroom. Guestroom telephones include a direct line to a psychologist available for consultation 24 hours a day.