Take a Dip in These Elevated Oases in America’s Finest City
San Diego has always been known for its perfect weather and sandy beaches, but lately, its pool scene has begun to reach new heights (literally). Nestled along the breathtaking coastline, this Southern California paradise is known for its laid-back vibes, pristine beaches and, of course, its incredible rooftop pools. What makes it unique? Year-round sunshine and ocean views. On some rooftops, you can even sip a cocktail by the pool while still hearing the sound of the waves—it doesn’t get much better than that. We’ve rounded up a list of seven of our favorites, so grab your sunscreen and your favorite romance novel and get ready to dive in.
Andaz San Diego
Coming in hot with one of our favorites, Andaz San Diego is known for having the largest rooftop in the Gaslamp Quarter. With 4,500 square feet of space to dance to live DJs, enjoy cocktails from the bar, sunbathe by the pool, watch the sunset over the city or lounge by the fire pit, this top-floor oasis is a must-visit. The private cabanas and skyline views give it an elevated feel (no pun intended), and The Rooftop by STK is open day and night, dishing up specialty cocktails and shareable plates. On weekend nights, it turns into a high-energy open-air venue with a fully retractable roof and walls so you never have to take a rain check on your night out. The best part about this place is that there’s always something going on. From salsa making and local markets to Sunday drag shows and Friday night DJ sets, there’s something to get everyone flying high this summer.
Mission Pacific Hotel
Located right along PCH by the historic pier is Mission Pacific Hotel, one of the newer additions to the ever-evolving downtown Oceanside neighborhood. It opened in 2021, drawing in visitors and locals seeking an upscale oceanfront experience. Mission Pacific is home to the famous Top Gun House, now newly remodeled as a pie shop called Top Gun House: Home of the Famous High Pie. But more importantly, it’s home to the most gorgeous rooftop pool in town. Adjacent to the pool is The Rooftop Bar, which serves up signature cocktails and delicious bar bites like the watermelon salad with a jalapeño vinaigrette and the smashed potato bites with truffle oil. The entire space, from pool deck to bar, is coastal-chic in every way with olive trees and towering palms, beachwood flooring, comfy loungers and, of course, epic views of the Pacific. They’ve often got live DJs mixing chill house and electronic music for the ultimate summer vibe.
InterContinental San Diego
Looking for a five-star luxury lounging experience? InterContinental San Diego is perched right on the bay with floor-to-ceiling windows tha feature views of both the water and skyline. On the third floor, they’ve got an outdoor speakeasy called Garibaldi with delicious southern Italian cuisine, local seafood and sunset views. The entrance can be hard to find (hence why it’s a speakeasy)—just head up there and ask a staff member to guide you. If you’re just here for a swim, head up to the fourth floor to find a lovely pool surrounded by comfy lounge chairs, plush daybeds and shaded cabanas. There’s another bar up there (that’s much easier to find), serving handcrafted cocktails, fine wines and delicious light bites. They’ve even got a rooftop spa if you want to take the luxury up a notch.
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Pendry San Diego
You don’t even have to make it all the way to the roof to fall in love with Pendry San Diego (I mean, they have a literal champagne vending machine in the lobby). When you walk through the doors, you’ll find high ceilings, dangling chandeliers, a blazing fireplace and sleek, contemporary furniture. Head to the terrace to find The Pool House, a premier rooftop lounge in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter with views to prove it. This indoor-outdoor space hovers over the famous Fifth Ave, so you can enjoy a cocktail by the pool and watch everyone passing by below–who are wishing they were you. For the perfect Sunday Funday, The Pool House features live local DJs from 11 a.m. to sunset.
The Westgate Hotel
For all you wellness girlies, the AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club downtown simply can’t be beat. Adjacent to The Westgate Hotel, it features a rooftop pool deck with a Junior Olympic-sized lap pool and workout area with views of the city. If you’re an early riser, hop on a spin bike to watch the sunrise over the skyline while you sweat (before the pool crowds flow in). If you rolled your eyes reading that last sentence, there’s plenty more to check out once you’ve relaxed and had your coffee. AquaVie has a luxurious spa, sauna, hot tub, steam room and even group fitness classes. If you’re still rolling your eyes, yes, there’s also a full bar offering poolside food and drink service. What doesn’t this place have?
Kimpton Alma San Diego
Kimpton Alma in downtown San Diego describes itself as an “ego-less beacon of Southern California cool.” That sounds like an oxymoron if you ask us, but once we checked it out, we stood corrected. The lobby is filled with Mexico-inspired decor with tons of hanging plants, colorful artwork and a sleek lobby bar underneath a modern, black staircase. The rooftop pool and restaurant area is, well, cool. The walls are painted with artsy murals, the lounge chairs have fun, patterned pillows, and there are pops of color all around. They’ve got bright-yellow side tables, orange and blue dining chairs, a tiled fireplace and, again, tons of plants. The pool is small but classy (is that what they mean by egoless?) and perfect for a post-margarita dip.
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
If you’re looking for a day-to-night poolside experience, the Hard Rock Hotel’s Float Rooftop Bar is perfect for sunbathing during the day or lounging by a fire pit with some live music at night. If you’re a sports fan and don’t want to miss a game (or if your favorite sport is “The Bachelor”), reserve a private cabana with a flatscreen TV right by the pool. On Saturdays (noon-6 p.m.), they have a pool party experience called Liquid Sunshine, which turns the area into a 21+ day club with DJs, dancing and day drinking (note: add sunscreen and Pedialyte to the packing list). If you’re looking for a sky-high soiree, this is definitely the place to go.
