11 Best Hotels Near Sesame Place San Diego: Budget & Family-Friendly - La Jolla Mom (2023)

San Diego is a popular vacation destination, in part, because of its many family attractions and theme parks. This now includes Sesame Place San Diego in South San Diego County’s Chula Vista neighborhood.

Kids love meeting all their favorite Sesame Street characters and enjoying Sesame Street-themed rides and water slides. The whole family will also enjoy the interactive Sesame Street Neighborhood, parades, shows, dining, and shopping.

The hotels near Sesame Place San Diego on this list are perfect for when you’re looking for a location as close as possible to the theme park. They’re among the most affordable hotels you’ll find in the County and are family-friendly.

Note from Katie: I mention hotel booking resources I know offer the best prices via membership programs or ones that are popular with readers. Mentioned pricing and amenities are subject to change. If you book through links on this page, I may earn a small commission.

1. Ayres Hotel San Diego South (Chula Vista)

Notable Features: Mountain views, poolside bar, free breakfast

What to Expect: The sleek, modern Ayres Hotel San Diego South is bright and airy throughout. Spacious rooms are generally 490 square feet and have king and double queen options. ADA-accessible rooms have both options as well.

Accommodations include iPod docks, TVs, minifridges, coffeemakers, and microwaves. Starbucks, McDonalds, Jamba Juice, and various stores and restaurants are a short walk away, and the hotel is just 12 minutes from Sesame Place San Diego San Diego.

Amenities:

• 135 boutique-style guest rooms are spacious
• Heated outdoor pool, hot tub, pool bar
• A light-filled fitness center with Peloton equipment
• Pet-friendly rooms
• Business Center
• Signature Celestial Sleeper Beds
• Complimentary hot breakfast buffet (including omelet station)
• 5-night stays earn a 15% discount
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Free Parking
• Electric car charging stations
• Convenience store onsite

Good to Know: Check-in is at 3 p.m./check-out is at noon, pet-friendly – one-time $60 nonrefundable fee with two pet limit, $125 incidentals deposit credited back midnight after check-out, early check-in or late check-out is $30.

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2. Residence Inn by Marriott San Diego (Chula Vista)

Address: 2005 Centerpark Road, Chula Vista, CA 91915

Category: Moderate

Location: Chula Vista, 5.3 miles from Sesame Place San Diego

Notable Features: Full kitchens, grocery shopping service, apartment-style suites

What to Expect: Residence Inn by Marriott San Diego Chula Vista is an extended-stay hotel by design. Choose from king or double-queen studios with sofa beds, king or double-queen one-bedroom suites with sofa beds, or two-bedroom suites with a king bedroom, queen bedroom, and sofa bed.

Apartment-style suites, full kitchens, and complimentary shopping service make this a great choice for families with small children.

Amenities:

• All apartment-style suites with full kitchens
• In-room workstation
• Free grocery shopping service
• Complimentary hot breakfast
• Free coffee/tea service
• Free Wi-Fi
• Outdoor heated pool
• Complimentary parking
• Pet-friendly
• State-of-the-art fitness center

Good to Know: Smoke-free property, ADA accessible, check-in 3 p.m./check-out 11 a.m., pet policy – 2 pet limit with $150 non-refundable one time per stay fee, laundry, no restaurant onsite but several within walking distance.

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3. Homewood Suites by Hilton Chula Vista Eastlake

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Address: 2424 Fenton Street, Chula Vista, CA 91914

Category: Moderate

Location: Chula Vista, 7.1 miles from Sesame Place San Diego

Notable Features: Studios and one-bedroom suites with kitchens/kitchenettes, complimentary hot breakfast, evening social, game room

What to Expect: Built in 2019, Homewood Suites by Hilton Chula Vista Eastlake is a home-away-from-home option for families with small children.

The all-suites hotel offers several versions of studio suites and one-bedroom suites. All suites are either king or double queen and include full kitchens or kitchenettes and work areas.

The hotel does not have a restaurant but is close to Eastlake Village Marketplace, which has numerous stores and restaurants.

Amenities:

• Complimentary full hot breakfast
• Evening social
• Free self-parking
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Outdoor heated pool and hot tub
• Pet-friendly rooms
• Business center with complimentary printing
• Fitness center
• Game room

Good to Know: Smoke-free property ($250 fee for smoking in the room), $75 nonrefundable pet fee, check-in 3 p.m./check-out noon, no covered, secure, or valet parking, onsite laundry, numerous ADA accessible accommodation options.

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4. Hampton Inn by Hilton Chula Vista Eastlake

Address: 2424 Fenton Street, Chula Vista, CA 91914

Category: Budget

Location: Chula Vista, 7.2 miles from Sesame Place

Notable Features: Shares a check-in lobby with Homewood Suites, complimentary hot breakfast, pool and hot tub, outdoor fire pit, and gas grill

What to Expect: Hampton Inn by Hilton Chula Vista Eastlake, built in 2019, is adjacent to Homewood Suites by Hilton and connected by a shared lobby.

Two room styles include king and double queen. All rooms are nonsmoking and have minifridges. Most are ADA-accessible. Outdoor space features a pool, hot tub, sun deck, gas grill, and fire pit. The full, hot breakfast includes a waffle station.

Amenities:

• Complimentary hot breakfast
• Free Wi-Fi in rooms and lobby
• Free self-parking
• Nonsmoking rooms
• Outdoor pool, hot tub, sun deck
• Outdoor fire pit and gas grill
• Fitness center
• Pet-friendly rooms
• Business center

Good to Know: Check-in is at 3 p.m./check-out is at noon ($25 late check-out fee), self-parking is free, $75 nonrefundable pet fee, $250 fee for smoking in the room.

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5. La Quinta Inn by Wyndham San Diego (Chula Vista)

Notable Features: Kids 18 and under stay free, outdoor pool and sundeck

What to Expect: La Quinta Inn by Wyndham San Diego (Chula Vista) is a clean, affordable, straightforward hotel with four room styles. Choose from king, mobility accessible king, king suite, or 2 doubles. Rooms include mini-fridges, microwaves, coffee/tea service, work desks, and pillowtop mattresses on beds. Ensuites have bathtub/shower combinations. Some rooms have roll-in showers. All rooms are nonsmoking.

Amenities:

• Outdoor pool and sundeck
• Fitness center
• Free continental breakfast, plus a waffle station
• Free Wi-Fi
• Business center
• Pet-friendly rooms (service animals only)
• Free parking

Good to Know: Service animals are welcome, 24-hour front desk service, guest laundry facilities, check-in 3 p.m./check-out 11 a.m., mobile, early, and express check-in available.

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6. El Primero Boutique Hotel

Notable Features: Premier location within walking distance to a diverse collection of restaurants, parks, and shops and a charmingly quaint outdoor courtyard

What to Expect: If you’re looking for a budget-friendly hotel near Sesame Place San Diego, El Primero Boutique Hotel is the perfect choice.

It’s located near over 100 restaurants, shops, and attractions, including the Otay Ranch Town Center and Living Coast Discovery Center. Providing 24-hour concierge and innkeeper services, you’ll receive personalized care for all your requests.

Amenities:

• Small Art Deco-style boutique hotel with 20 well-appointed guestrooms
• Complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate in the lobby in the morning
• Complimentary breakfast buffet including vegetarian frittatas, bacon, sausage, and breads
• Outdoor courtyard with café-style seating
• Free onsite parking
• Free Wi-Fi
• Refrigerators included in standard king and two double bed guestrooms

Good to Know: Breakfast buffet is currently closed, smoke-free hotel, one ADA-accessible guestroom, no elevators, no pets, $10 extra guest/per night (regardless of age), rollaway beds available at $25/night, and 72-hour cancelation policy for a full refund.

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7. Best Western Chula Vista/Otay Valley Hotel

Notable Features: Closest hotel near Sesame Place San Diego, charming café-style breakfast area

What to Expect: Boasting modern thoughtfully designed guestrooms, Best Western Chula Vista is ideal for families traveling on a budget.

Conveniently located between San Diego and the Mexico border, you’re well-positioned for various activities, restaurants, and attractions. This includes picturesque beaches, Chango Mango, and Sesame Place San Diego.

Amenities:

• Complimentary full breakfast with café-style seating
• Free Wi-Fi
• Outdoor heated pool and hot tub
• Universal gym with stair steppers, treadmills, stationary bicycles, and weightlifting equipment
• Business center and fax services

Good to Know: Non-smoking hotel, 24-hour front desk, coin laundry facilities, dry cleaning, mail services, ADA pool lift, elevator, free parking, adjoining rooms, and accessible rooms available.

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8. Comfort Inn Chula Vista San Diego South

Notable Features: Free grab-and-go breakfast, Hotel Marketplace

What to Expect: One of my favorite hotels near Sesame Place San Diego, contemporary Comfort Inn Chula Vista San Diego South has everything you need for an incredible vacation.

The expertly designed rooms include conveniences like pillowtop mattresses, oversized walk-in showers, mini-refrigerators, and microwaves. A budget-friendly hotel with upscale features, select rooms include a wet bar, double sofa bed, and Whirlpool bathtubs.

Just a short drive from Sesame Place San Diego, it’s also near the Chula Vista Nature Center and Westfield Plaza Bonita Mall.

Amenities:

• Complimentary grab-and-go breakfast and café-style seating area
• Outdoor pool, tree-lined sundeck, and Whirlpool hot tub
• Small fitness center with free weights and cardio machines
• Business center with computer, printer, and copy and fax services
• Hotel Marketplace (convenience store with snacks and beverages)
• Spacious lobby with coffee /tea service
• Free Wi-Fi

Good to Know: Smoke-free hotel, no pets allowed except service animals, ADA accessible rooms, vending machines, late check-out available, onsite coin laundry facilities, multilingual staff, in-room coffee/tea service, and valet cleaning service.

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9. Red Roof PLUS+ Chula Vista

Notable Features: Kids under 17 stay free, outdoor pool open year-round.

What to Expect: One of my favorite budget hotels near Sesame Place San Diego San Diego, Red Roof PLUS+ Chula Vista has modern décor with elevated features like hardwood floors.

The hotel is conveniently located less than 10 miles from the San Diego airport. There are ten restaurants within a mile of the hotel, including BJs Restaurant and Brewhouse, Fuddruckers, and Buffalo Wild Wings.

Major nearby attractions include the Living Coast Discovery Center and, of course, Sesame Place San Diego San Diego.

Amenities:

• Modern well-appointed guestrooms including minifridges and microwaves
• Outdoor unheated pool and hot tub with sundeck
• Spacious meeting facilities
• Snack, beverage, and ice vending machines
• Contemporary comfortable hotel lobby with complimentary coffee and Wi-Fi
• Free parking

Good to Know: Smoke-free hotel, RediClean®, ADA accessible rooms and amenities, limited truck/bus parking available, coin laundry, portable crib/play yard available, one pet under 80 pounds stays free.

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10. Quality Suites San Diego Otay Mesa

Notable Features: Welcome coffee/tea station in the lobby and varied meeting and event spaces.

What to Expect: Offering a retro charm, Quality Suites San Diego Otay Mesa provides guestrooms with everything you need to enjoy your vacation.

Spacious, well-equipped rooms offer microwaves, minifridges, and coffeemakers. Bathrooms include Whirlpool two-person bathtubs.

Some guestrooms are outfitted with a double sofa bed and workstation. A popular hotel near Sesame Place San Diego, it’s also close to Las Americas Premium Outlets.

Amenities:

• Complimentary free hot breakfast, including waffle makers and café-style eating area
• A seasonally open outdoor pool and hot tub
• Exercise room with TV, plus cardio and weightlifting equipment
• Over 1,000 square feet of meeting room and event space
• Quaint business center nook with computer, printer, and copy/fax capabilities
• Free premium Wi-Fi

Good to Know: Smoke-free hotel, no pets allowed, laundry facilities, ADA accessible rooms and amenities, free car, bus, and truck parking, $100 incidentals deposit at check-in

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11. SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Chula Vista West

Notable Features: Children 12 and under are free, outdoor pool

What to Expect: SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Chula Vista West is a clean, comfortable, no-frills hotel. It’s the farthest from Sesame Place at 18 minutes but is closer to Imperial Beach and Coronado Island’s Silver Strand for beach lovers.

Rooms come in king, queen, and double queen options at this 50-room hotel. Expect refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee/tea makers in-room. Hot breakfast is available. There is a terrace with an outdoor pool.

Amenities:

• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Complimentary hot breakfast
• Outdoor pool
• Free self-parking
• Complimentary luggage storage
• 24-hour front desk

Good to Know: Smoke-free property, two ADA-accessible rooms at this hotel, check-in 3 p.m./check-out 11 a.m., express check-out and late check-out available, no pets allowed

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You Can Also Choose Downtown San Diego Hotels

Hotels in Downtown San Diego are also not too far from Sesame Place. If you prefer luxury or higher-end moderate hotels or need to be close to San Diego International Airport, I recommend staying here.

The drive takes about 25 minutes, give or take a few, depending on where in Downtown San Diego the hotel is located. These are some top family-friendly picks:

• Pendry San Diego (only if there are no weekend pool parties on the calendar)
• Manchester Grand Hyatt
• InterContinental San Diego

San Diego Mission Bay Resort is located on Mission Bay and near the freeway. So, the drive time from this resort is just under 30 minutes.

Score Sesame Place Tickets at the Lowest Prices

Don’t forget that we have discounted tickets to Sesame Place San Diego and that they are a SeaWorld park, which means you can also consider two park tickets that include SeaWorld San Diego. Or, bundle tickets with other San Diego theme parks and attractions like San Diego Zoo Safari Park, LEGOLAND California, Balboa Park, and San Diego Zoo.

What are your favorite hotels near Sesame Place San Diego?