San Diego Hotels

If historic charm is higher on your wish list than hotel-style service, head to this utterly unique cluster of cottages sitting literally over the surf on the vintage Crystal Pier at Pacific Beach. This place is like a self-contained hideaway -- you'll get a separate living room and bedroom, a fully equipped kitchen, and a private patio with breathtaking ocean views -- all within the whitewashed walls of sweet, blue-shuttered cottages that date from 1936 but have been carefully renovated. Each of the Cape Cod-style cottages has a deck -- the more expensive units farthest out have more privacy. Six units are not actually on the pier, but still offer sunset-facing sea views; these accommodations are cheaper. Guests drive right out and park beside their cottages, a real boon on crowded weekends. But this operation is strictly BYOBT (beach towels), and the office is open only from 8am to 8pm. These accommodations book up fast, especially with long-term repeat guests; reserve for summer and holiday weekends several months in advance.

- Frommer's