The Beach Cottages

This place is always a favorite for us in PB. It’s one thing to look for a hotel room with your average bed/​bathroom. But to get an actual cottage with a full bedroom and kitchen/​dining area STEPS away from the ocean is above and beyond. The cottages are very beachy. They aren’t luxurious or souped up/​upgraded, per say, but they are cute, laid back, and a great place to kick back and enjoy the ocean breezes. The beds are comfortable, the cottages are clean, and they maaaad hook it up with towels. The guys at the front desk are always friendly, even when we had to tell them about a drunken mishap that involved a mess that housekeeping would have to take care of. LOL. They were very understanding, even when I’m sure it was hard to be… haha. It is true that this place is right next to a pretty noisy bar. It is coined as a «family hotel,» and it’s not that I wouldn’t take my family here… buuuut PB IN GENERAL isn’t necessarily the first place I’d choose for a family vacation. I totally recommend this place for a fun weekend in PB. It’s such a cool step up from a regular hotel room.

My cousin had her wedding there this weekend, my family pretty much rented out the whole place. I was not able to get a room reserved prior to the wedding simply because I forgot and was too busy. As I showed up to the venue I went to the front desk to see about reserving a room. I spoke with Sergio who was amazing! Very helpful, efficient and got me a room right away. As the night went on, it turned out my husband was available to take me home, therefore I had to cancel the room. Yet again with no problem, Sergio gladly canceled the room and refunded me my money. I cannot say enough about how thankful I am for such great service! Highly recommend this hotel!

The Beach Cottages is our home away from home. We go every summer to spend vacation with our family who have been going there for 60 years! It’s a family tradition! We had the most beautiful wedding at the beach cottages! Thank you to all the staff for always welcoming my family every year!

I just spent the last 4 days at this paradise on the beach. I was literally 10 steps from the sand and smack dab in the middle of all of the restaurants, bars and entertainment. The cottage is right on the boardwalk so I was able to rent a bike and ride down to Mission Bay in 15 minutes and enjoy the famous Belmont roller coaster. I recommend this Quant place for singles and families alike. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. I look forward to going back very soon.

I can’t sing their praises enough! We came down the last week of April for a wedding and just had the BEST time! You have to stay in the cottages, we were in 506 and it was literally ON THE BEACH! It’s walking distance to everything! It was so nice having an actual kitchen instead of just a mini fridge, made the place really feel like home for the weekend. Although we wandered next door to Baja Beach Café for most of our meals! I’ll definitely be staying here again next time I’m in town!

A hidden gem in PB! As a former resident of San Diego (and Pacific Beach), I am picky about where I stay when I come back to visit, but The Cottages always does the job. I was recently there the first week of April and I couldn’t have enjoyed my stay more. Conveniently located steps from the sand and the best attractions to the area, they provide comfortable accommodations in a clean environment. The housekeeping is always kind and helpful, and the view cannot be beat (I was in room 311, a perfect corner room where I can see the ocean, but also keep my privacy). I love how I can walk to everything from here, and with the kitchen and family room set up in my room, I can feel like I am at home again. It’s a relaxing vacation when I want to enjoy the beach, sunset, and my local favorites (the pink boardwalk restaurant, Baja Beach Café [previously Green Flash] for my morning breakfast and the funky Open Bar [for when I need to reminisce with the locals over a cocktail])…but also I have the freedom to cook my own meals in the full kitchen and relax on the porch with a good book. I am already planning my next trip back, and The Cottages is definitely where I will be staying.

Ocean Spray, Beautiful View and Free Wifi. What more can a girl ask for?
Stayed here the first week of April in cottage 506 which is right in the middle on the beach. The Cottage has a full kitchen and a HUGE grill outside for communal use along with lounge chairs and a big picnic table with an umbrella looking out at the ocean. I was visiting PB for work so I was very concerned about the wifi situation and the modern conveniences needed to stay «in touch». It was as convenient as being at home, but with a better view.
This place is walking distance to EVERYTHING. I didn’t move my car for my entire stay because there are so many restaurants right outside your door. The pink place right next door serves food from morning ’til night and has one of the best breakfast burritos I’ve ever had in So-​cal. You can walk to Ralph’s, a nail salon, 3 different Sushi places, a Starbucks, bike rentals and so many beach bars I couldn’t count.
They have coin laundry onsite here or a Fluff and Fold across the street on Grand which in my opinion makes this place the «go-​to» over any of the neighboring hotels since no one wants to pack their sandy beach gear in their suitcase.
The front desk staff is helpful and friendly, particularly Jaffette and Hector. I arrived early on the day of check-​in and they were very kind to take down my number and call my cellphone when my room was available. Not many places will go above and beyond like that. This place is truly a seaside gem!

I love this place so much! My daughter and I stayed here for a couple of nights near the end of last summer, and we got a room that had a small ocean view; the balcony overlooked the parking lot, but at night the restaurants and bars came to life and we could feel the vibe and hear music and laughter right through the open sliding glass door.
The balcony had lounge chairs and a table, and the room was huge. We had two queen beds, a couch, a TV in an armoire, and the cutest little kitchenette I have ever seen. We also had a large round dining table my daughter used for her work and a huge coffee table.
The actual beach cottages to rent are between the hotel rooms and the ocean, but you have to walk between them to get to the gate that opens right onto the walkway and the sand.
They have a PRINTER in the big lobby that you can use whenever the office is open. This was great for printing coupons and information about the places we wanted to visit. Wifi in the room was great and never went out for a moment.
There are lots of places to eat nearby, and the ocean sidewalk has a casual, hippie vibe with open-​air places to buy clothes and cool souvenirs. You feel like you’re on vacation here – it reminds me of being a kid.

Don’t stay in the ocean-​front cottage right next to the bar! I’ve been coming to The Beach Cottages forever, my grandparents used to stay there back in the day and it’s a family tradition. They’re in a fantastic location in PB, within walking distance of some great restaurants such as The Local (try the Lumpia!). We usually stay in the main building but we decided to try a cottage this time and I won’t do that again.
The cottage was teeny tiny — our room had 2 twin beds that tilted towards each other and no outlets) and was really in need of repairs. We could deal with that but what we had trouble with was that our bedroom was approx. 5 feet away from a very loud bar that seems to be open ²⁴⁄₇. We called the front desk after the first sleepless night but there were no other options available. They were very nice and offered to call them to ask them to quiet down (which of course did not work). So for our whole stay we were unable to sleep. We still love The Beach Cottages and while the bar situation is not their fault; I do think they should warn guests staying in that cottage.

Not real impressed we were warned that we will be thown if we continue to use foul language so we calmed down and the day after we all went to the football game half of us went to sleep the other half went to eat until till 2 am. Woke up with a message to leave. If our neighbors were not out and partying out it would be no b I g deal but I would not recommend this place unless you want to walk on eggshells, I mean we didn’t even have the TV on.

Location, location, location. That’s how this VERY BASIC mom and pop hotel gets away with looking old and a bit run down (like the entire surrounding neighborhood). If you want a place where you can walk a few feet and have your toes in the sand on a very nice beach, then this is the place for you. The easy parking was a plus. There are a zillion restaurants, stores, and a nice Starbucks within walking distance, so you won’t need your car once you arrive. We got a 1 p.m. check in and a late check out.
Here’s a few tips: Consider staying here in the spring or fall when the boardwalk is less crowded. If you stay in the summer, you’ll curse them for not having air conditioning. You’d have to leave your front door open all night to get a decent cross breeze.
Room suggestion: They have thin walls and floors, so insist on a top floor (3^rd floor) room. We had a family of elephants above us that woke us up with their loud heavy footsteps.
We rented bikes for just $ 10 a day at a place nearby (Purelife?) when you tell them you are a guest of the Beach Cottages. About a mile south is the Wavehouse for appetizers on the beach (the BBQ wings were awesome).

My parents came to visit for Mother’s Day and we decided to stay in a beach cottage here. It was so perfect for our needs. It’s not fancy, but it’s quaint and the location is great! We were able to cook our meals here, but bring your own utensils and pans if you’re local, the pans and utensils they provide are lacking. I took off one star for the poor quality and limited selection of kitchen items. Everything else was wonderful! We had our tent setup on the beach all day and only had to walk a few feet back to the cottage if we needed anything. I tried out all the neat coffee shops near by and recommend the Mexican Mocha at Pacific Bean Coffee Co. The off season rates are fantastic for a cottage literally ocean front and the weather was perfect! We will be going back soon!

For the money and location, this place was perfect. Definitely not a 5 star resort by any means, but the staff was nice and courteous, the rooms were old, but clean. Old place, so thin walls, could hear everything. But, it did get pretty quiet and peaceful in the evenings, even with several bars within ear shot. And literally right off the beach. A nice little pub/​bar to the side of it with great drinks and decent food. Within walking distance to many nice restaurants. Also next door to a bike rental shop ($ 5 for older bikes, $ 7 for newer). We rented bikes (far cheaper than most places) and rode to the Mission Beach Boardwalk and Belmont Park. Easy beautiful ride to have some fun. We’ll definitely be coming back.

The Beach Cottages are comprised of quaint little cottages and a regular motel. All are right on the beach (or, more accurately, on the walkway and then the broad expanse of the Pacific). The beach is immaculate. It’s so relaxing to walk the beach and watch the surfers plying the crashing waves.
There are many good restaurants within walking distance and if you don’t want to drive to the zoo, Old Town, the Gaslight District, etc., there is an excellent bus service.
The Beach Cottages have been here for many years and have that well-​worn feel to them. it was comforting to us, but if you want modern, you might want someplace else.
If you can’t get a cottage on the ocean, I’d recommend a room on the upper floor of the motel. You can still have a kitchenette and the view is better.
So much to do in San Diego! The zoo, hiking (all levels of trails), Torrey Pines. .. and the weather, ahhhhhh!

Had the most amazing vacation here with my boyfriend and family last week. Ive been coming to these cute little cottages on the beach ever since I was a little girl… and they’ve never dissapointed. Decent rooms with ocean views, comfortable beds, and reasonably priced you can go wrong. They even have a little common area that fully equipped with ping pong tables, shuffle board and areas to bbq. Sitting right on the boardwalk its perfect for beach access. With a friendly staff they make it a very pleasant experience also. Oh and did I mention its only 2 blocks away from Garnet Ave in Pacific Beach? With endless shopping/​dining/​and bars its prime location. If your ever traveling to San Diego I highly recomend spending it here.

As stated in my previous review, we listed this establishment for our wedding guests as our lowest price point hotel recommendation.
And the world «recommendation» is important. Well before our wedding my now-​husband and I toured oceanfront Pacific Beach hotels and took various aspects – location, rates, amenities, staff competency and friendliness – into consideration so that we could feel confident our loved ones were in good hands at hotels recommended by us. Ultimately, we decided The Beach Cottages would suit the needs of the majority of our guests.
That being said, I’d like to note that I wasn’t pleased to learn the following:
* Some of our guests reserved their rooms as early as this spring, and others just days or weeks before the wedding. Whatever the case, it seems the majority of our guests were told they snagged «the last room.» What a bunch of crap!
* Why some of our guests, before they even landed in San Diego, were told there would be consequences for being «too rowdy» is beyond me. My own mother – who, for the record, certainly isn’t a partier – even got this lecture when she made her reservation. Later, during a phone call with The Beach Cottages I mentioned the specific large cottage my parents would be renting, and the staff member (Japhet, our main contact at the hotel) actually suggested my parents stay in one of the cottages that has a private patio versus a communal patio so that my family doesn’t «disturb» other guests.
When my guy called – and identified himself as the groom, to boot – about 2 weeks before the wedding to reserve his mother’s room, Japhet insisted there wasn’t a single one of the least expensive motel rooms available for the requested dates. My guy, skeptically, booked another room. When he called back anonymously a few nights later, whattayaknow, there were «tons» of the cheapest rate rooms available, according to Sergio at the front desk. Japhet was quick to honor the rate change the following day when my guy called back and asked to speak with her.
I don’t appreciate being lied to. I suppose it’s feasible that «tons» of the cheap hotel rooms were booked and then cancelled within a period of a few days, but I doubt it. I suggest you double or triple check rates if you plan to stay here.
An A-​OK 3 stars for The Beach Cottages… if you don’t mind potentially following up multiple times, thanks to the apparent room rate bureaucracy, to achieve a very decent oceanfront Pacific Beach rate.

This review is for the motel rooms (rm 203) in the main building, and not the actual cottages.
Friendly staff, Basic rooms, inexpensive, decent view (on teh 2^nd floor, described as a partial view, but the room 203 balcony aligns in a way that you get a nice view of the beach), loud clientele.
We had to go to the front desk just for a iron and hair dryer. The ironing board we had to take from the laundry room in the adjacent building. The room itself seemed outdated, aside from the flat screen TV, and there was no AC, which worried us as we didn’t know how hot it was going to be. The fan sufficed for the time of year (early June), but i imagine you’d need something more in the warmer months. I had to actually fix the screen myself as it was damaged by previous guests, so that it would actually lock from the inside.
It’s in a GREAT location, right on the boardwalk, and on the main street with buses, cabs, across the street from a grocery store, near popular pubs and cafes.
Early to mid week was fine in terms of noise. There were a few families and other couples, but by Thursday, the entire dynamic of this place changed. Kids were running around (up and down the balcony, full gallop, stomping the whole time, shaking the structure of the building), kids with their scooters were going all over the place in the patio area, and then on Friday the jersey shore moved in. Loud obnoxious 20 somethings, drinking, playing loud music, yelling at the top of their lungs. One night at 3AM some moron locked himself out, started banging on the door, yelling «LET ME IN!!!». seriously?!
Unfortunately, that’s what you’re going to have to deal with in this part of town. If it’s not entire families with screaming kids, it’s dbags who try to recreate scenes out of the Jersey Shore.
All in all, great bargain for the location, but that comes at a price if you’re looking to relax. Families and Snookie alike love a bargain.

In a nutshell: basic, clean, well-​maintained. If you are thinking of staying here, there are things you need to know:
1. It is on the «boardwalk», but the biggest plus of the Beach Cottages — the view of the ocean — is not so great from many of the rooms. Get one of the hotel rooms on the third floor of the main building (not the North Building). The front row of cottages will also do fine. The other rooms have poorer views, or none at all.
2. When I say «basic», I mean basic. There is no hair dryer or beach equipment, a tiny elevator, only one small bottle of shampoo and a bar of soap — nothing more. There is no air conditioning, and the heat is gas powered: try sleeping with the flickering light from gas flames! That said, if what you want is a comfortable place to sleep and a small kitchenette, and NOTHING more, the Beach Cottages apartments will do.
3. Location is A+. Two blocks from the commerical center of Pacific Beach.

The beach is more than just the boundary of land and sea.
You work hard all year and save your change. Your finally ready to load up the car or book the flight and pack it up. But first you need a home. Forget the resorts, forget hotel circle. Maybe imagine spending the night for free in the parking lot of the San Diego Zoo listening to nocturnal primal screams. But consider The Beach Cottages. Pacific Beach CA.
This is a Mom and Pop. It doesn’t get any better than this. This region boast unbelievable beauty. The activities I loved: Sitting on my balcony overlooking the ocean, the boardwalk, the sunset. Glass of wine on my end table and the Tribune in my hand. Walking the beach. The water is cool but easy to acclimate. Walking and riding the boardwalk. Sexi people everywhere.
Restaurants. Bars. Too many to name. Little boutique clothing stores that reek with ambience you can taste from the moment you look in the window. This area is vibrant, culturally rich, youthful, energetic. A place to swim and surf. Bike and run. Eat and drink. Talk and laugh.
This is your opportunity to have a more intimate relationship with your Lover and the Sea. I encourage you sailor~

This is not a fancy place. It’s the place you stay for convenience. It’s right on the beach and right in the middle of Pacific Beach so there are plenty of restaurants and nightlife spots you can walk to. There is no air conditioning, which is probably okay if you’re not in San Diego during a heat wave. Unfortunately, I think we were. The night was fine because you can open your sliding glass door and turn on the fan and the cool night air filters in. The day, however, is practically unbearably hot.
It is clean though and the water pressure in the shower is fantastic. It sort of reminds me of a place that would have be featured in an 80s movie and that was it’s heyday. But, now it’s starting to get a little worn down.
The front desk staff are very nice, but the office is only open from 9 am — 9 pm so if you want to leave or arrive before/​after that you have to check in through a security guard which is no biggie. And you can borrow equipment to play ping pong or shuffleboard at the hotel in their «courtyard» while the office is open.