San Diego & Palm Springs Holidays

California coastal vibes, pastel pink front doors and hot desert retreat on San Diego & Palm Springs holidays

From sun-drenched desert and good-mood vibes to golden beaches and wild surf, San Diego and Palm Springs radiate California cool.

Luring the beach loving crowds and the laid-back surf set with Pacific Ocean West Coast waters and miles of golden sands, San Diego sits just 20 minutes from the Mexican border. Expect fantastic seafood, sandy toes and easy-going attitude. Head to artsy Encinitas for legendary waves and cruise along La Jolla for luxe beach village vibes. From soaring sea cliffs and secret coves to lively beaches and secluded sands, this is a city that sizzles with sunbaked hues and golden shades. Prefer a pop of pink in the desert? Palm Springs has been a Hollywood favourite sun scorched retreat since the Rat Pack used to hide out here. Those alluring retro vibes are still perfectly preserved with the addition of candy pink cafes, farm-to-table restaurants and some of the most Instagrammable front doors in California. Expect impeccable mid-century modern architecture and chic hotels that nod to vintage glamour. Take a beach cruiser along sultry downtown or lace up your boots and hike Joshua Tree National Park.

Want sunshine, sand and salty air? We offer handpicked inspiration and carefully curated holidays with easy booking. We’re powered by Kuoni, and you have the back up of our travel team if you need it.

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San Diego & Palm Springs Hotels

Our recommendations for the best places to stay in San Diego & Palm Springs

Hotel Del Coronado

The Del is truly iconic. With its turreted red roofs atop whitewashed redwood cladding, you’ll sp...

Hotel Indigo - San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

Hotel Indigo is part of a high energy scene in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. Gather around a rooft...

Kimpton Alma San Diego

Fun-loving yet sophisticated, Kimpton Hotel Palomar boasts a rooftop pool and laid-back Mexican c...

Pacific Terrace Hotel

The toughest choice at Pacific Terrace hotel is deciding whether it’s a pool day or a beach day....

Solamar San Diego

Warmly welcoming and with a knock-it-out-of-the-park rooftop pool, the Solamar Hotel is a great o...

The US Grant, A Luxury Collection Hotel

The US Grant is a palatial pad in San Diego and perhaps the city’s most storied hotel, thanks to...

Renaissance Palm Springs

A fantastic choice for golfers

Avalon Palm Springs

Luxurious spa hotel in downtown Palm Springs.

Andaz San Diego

Overlooking the Gaslamp Quarter, Andaz San Diego has an enviable address amid this lively destina...

Westin Desert Willow Villas

For the crowd that craves plenty of sports and leisure – golf, swimming pools, waterslides and wh...

Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel

Kimpton Rowan’s crown jewel might be its hip Champagne and swimming pool rooftop scene, but with...

Holidays in San Diego & Palm Springs

hotel
  • San Diego & Palm Springs
  • 5 Star

The Del is truly iconic. With its turreted red roofs atop whitewashed redwood cladding, you’ll spot it a mile off in all its Victorian splendour. Yet while the 1888 building is indisputably grand, newer additions to the hotel bring contemporary beach vibes to give you the best of both worlds.

hotel
  • San Diego & Palm Springs
  • 3.5 Star

Hotel Indigo is part of a high energy scene in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. Gather around a rooftop fire pit for cocktails with a city view before heading out to find some Californian fare and live music. 

hotel
  • San Diego & Palm Springs
  • 4 Star

Fun-loving yet sophisticated, Kimpton Hotel Palomar boasts a rooftop pool and laid-back Mexican cantina. With its central Gaslamp Quarter location, it’s just as easy to spend time out and about as it is to hang at the hotel. 

hotel
  • San Diego & Palm Springs
  • 4 Star

The toughest choice at Pacific Terrace hotel is deciding whether it’s a pool day or a beach day. This area epitomises a California beach break – surfers tackle the waves, and the boardwalk bustles with skaters and cyclists.

hotel
  • San Diego & Palm Springs
  • 4.5 Star

Warmly welcoming and with a knock-it-out-of-the-park rooftop pool, the Solamar Hotel is a great option when you like your hotels to have a bit of personality and buzz about them. Oh, and the super central address helps seal the deal on this one.

hotel
  • San Diego & Palm Springs
  • 4.5 Star

The US Grant is a palatial pad in San Diego and perhaps the city’s most storied hotel, thanks to its 1910 beginnings. It’s held on to its reputation for elegance and lavishness over the years and continues to be a magnet for lovers of luxury.

hotel
  • San Diego & Palm Springs
  • 4 Star

A fantastic choice for golfers

hotel
  • San Diego & Palm Springs
  • 4.5 Star

Luxurious spa hotel in downtown Palm Springs.

hotel
  • San Diego & Palm Springs
  • 4.5 Star

Overlooking the Gaslamp Quarter, Andaz San Diego has an enviable address amid this lively destination. Other than its location, it’s most lusted after for its rooftop pool, bar, and restaurant.

hotel
  • San Diego & Palm Springs
  • 4 Star

For the crowd that craves plenty of sports and leisure – golf, swimming pools, waterslides and whirlpools – Westin Desert Willow Villas is an easy-going escape. With mountains, desert and lively downtown hubs around, it also ticks the experiential travel box.

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Get to know San Diego and those important practicalities when planning your perfect holiday.

TIME DIFFERENCE

GMT -8 hours

CURRENCY

US dollars

FLYING TIME TO DESTINATION

11¼ hours

RELIGION

Christianity

LANGUAGE

English; Spanish is also widely spoken