Town and Country is the best-value resort in San Diego. For roughly half the nightly rate of comparable properties downtown or on Mission Bay, you get a renovated mid-century resort with 671 rooms, three pools, a four-story waterslide, five restaurants and bars, and a trolley stop steps from the lobby.

I’ve been booking clients here for years and know this property inside and out. It’s where I send families visiting the University of San Diego for orientation or move-in weekend, groups who want a central base without paying Mission Bay or Carlsbad resort prices, and locals looking for a fun staycation with resort amenities.

It is not a luxury hotel. The rooms are clean and comfortable, but the property’s origins as a sprawling motor lodge are still part of its character — outdoor corridors, room quality that varies by building, and thinner walls than you’d find at a newer build. If you go in expecting that (and book the right room), you’ll have an excellent stay at a price that leaves room in your budget for everything else San Diego has to offer.

What it does best: Pool complex with the Twister waterslide, fire pits with live music at Monkeybar, walkable access to Fashion Valley Mall and the trolley, excellent on-site dining at ARLO, and a genuinely dog-friendly atmosphere.

Good to know: Thin walls between rooms, $38/night parking with a garage that can be a long walk from your room, $30/night resort fee on top of the room rate, and no beach access (the closest sand is a 15-minute drive).

Book through La Jolla Mom: Daily breakfast for two, $50 resort credit, discounted parking ($35/night vs. $38), and waived $30/night resort fee. Request rates → or check prices on Expedia →

Where Town and Country Is Located (And Why It Matters)

Town and Country sits on Hotel Circle North in San Diego’s Mission Valley, a neighborhood that confuses many first-time visitors. It’s not on the beach. It’s not downtown. There are no views to speak of. But it is a centrally located area where multiple freeways meet. Once you understand that, the value proposition clicks. It tops my list of best Mission Valley hotels.

What’s Nearby

The resort is right off both the I-5 and I-8 freeways, which means you can reach major San Diego attractions in 10 to 15 minutes. The San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are less than five miles southeast. SeaWorld is about six miles west. Old Town is three miles north. The Gaslamp Quarter downtown is roughly six miles south. The airport is less than 7 miles away.

Fashion Valley Mall — with Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and dozens of restaurants — is directly across the San Diego River, an easy five-minute walk. That matters more than it sounds: if you want to grab dinner off-property without driving, you have good options at the mall.

The Trolley Changes Everything

The Fashion Valley Transit Center is steps from the resort, and this is one of Town and Country’s most underrated features. The Green Line trolley connects you to Old Town (5 minutes), the Santa Fe Depot downtown (15 minutes), and SDSU/Snapdragon Stadium. You can visit the San Diego Zoo by taking the trolley to Old Town and transferring, or just grab a rideshare from there.

For families visiting for a Padres game, an event at Snapdragon Stadium, or a concert at Viejas Arena, this trolley access eliminates the need to deal with event-night parking entirely.

Popular Base for USD families

This is the hotel I book most often for families visiting the University of San Diego, and it’s one of the details you won’t find in any other review of this property. USD’s campus is less than three miles away, roughly a seven-minute drive up Linda Vista Road.

During orientation weekends, move-in, and graduation, hotels closer to campus either don’t exist or charge surge pricing. Town and Country gives you a real resort experience with pools and restaurants at a fraction of what you’d pay at a downtown hotel, and the drive to campus is easy on surface streets.

Which Room to Book

Town and Country has 671 rooms spread across multiple buildings and towers, and the experience varies significantly depending on where you end up.

Best Value: Happy Camper and Marco Polo Rooms

Happy Camper rooms (250 sq ft, king or two queens) are the most affordable option. They’re located toward the back of the property near a smaller, quieter pool, which is actually a plus if you don’t want the main pool scene. The trade-off is size: these are genuinely small rooms with limited workspace. Fine for a couple using the room as a crash pad, but tight for a family.

Marco Polo rooms (250 sq ft, king or two queens) are the same footprint but located in two-story bungalows right by the main pool and Lapper restaurant. You’ll hear the pool activity, but the convenience of walking out your door to the action is hard to beat with kids.

Best Room for Most Guests: Royal Palm Tower

Royal Palm Tower rooms (365 sq ft, king or two queens) are the largest standard rooms on property and the ones I recommend most often. They’re in the resort’s main tower with modern mid-century furniture, plush platform beds, a wet bar, and spacious private balconies. Views vary — you’ll get either Mission Valley or resort views, and some are significantly better than others.

What to know: Some Palm Tower rooms face a concrete wall. First-floor rooms in this tower can open to the parking lot. Request a higher floor with a resort or valley view.

The Regency Tower: Decent but Know the Quirks

Regency Tower rooms (325 sq ft) have the same mid-century design, and some include balconies. The fitness center is in this building, which is convenient. A few things to note: the elevators are slow and loud (guests mention this constantly), and some lower-floor rooms can feel dark or have limited views.

Worth the Upgrade: Terrace Suites and Firepit Rooms

Trendy Firepit Terrace rooms are ground-level rooms with private patios and their own fire pit. They’re a fun splurge for couples or a small family who want that outdoor-living feel without springing for a full suite.

Terrace Suites (in the tower, king or two queens) offer a separate living area, upgraded amenities, and private terraces with sweeping pool and Mission Valley views. These include a retro record player with vinyl records, which is a nice touch. If you want the best room experience on the property, this is it without going all the way to the Skyline Suite.

Classic Suites are a solid middle ground, with spacious layouts and separate living areas, available in king or two-queen configurations. These are good for families who need more room.

Skyline Suite (1,100 sq ft) is the top-floor showpiece with wall-to-wall windows, a private parlor, a dining room, a wet bar, a king bedroom, and an oversized balcony overlooking the resort and Mission Valley.

The Thin Walls Situation

The single most common complaint across every review platform: the walls between rooms are thin. Multiple guests report hearing conversations, TV noise, and worse from neighboring rooms. This is the legacy of the property’s motel-era construction. Requesting an end room or a higher floor in the Palm Tower can help, but it’s worth keeping in mind.

Pools and Activities

The pool complex is the heart of Town and Country, and it’s genuinely one of the best hotel pool setups in San Diego at this price point.

The Pools

The resort has three pools. The main pool is the largest, surrounded by the mid-century landscaping, cabanas, and the Lapper restaurant for poolside food and drinks. It’s lively, social, and can get crowded on summer weekends — arrive early to claim a good spot.

Twister is the resort’s four-story waterslide, and it’s the kind of amenity that justifies the stay for families with kids. There’s also a kids’ pool with a walk-in entry, and a separate adult pool that’s noticeably quieter if you want to actually relax.

A hot tub is available near the main pool area. Private cabanas are available for daily rental if you want a reserved shaded spot with service.

Activities and Programming

Town and Country runs a surprisingly robust activity schedule, especially during summer and holiday periods. Regular programming includes dive-in movies projected poolside, s’mores nights around the fire pits, scavenger hunts for kids (ask at the front desk), flamingo races at the Twister pool, and live music or DJs at Monkeybar most evenings Tuesday through Sunday.

There’s also a sand volleyball court, the penthouse fitness center in the Regency Tower, and Riverside Park behind the resort for walking the dog or a morning stroll along the San Diego River.

You can download the resort’s app for activity schedules, digital check-in, and dining reservations during your stay.

Dining

Town and Country has five dining and drink options on the property, which is unusually robust for a hotel at this price point. You won’t need to leave the resort to eat well, though Fashion Valley’s restaurants are a five-minute walk if you want variety.

ARLO

The resort’s signature restaurant serves modern California cuisine in a striking space with palm-lined patio seating and a central fireplace. Brunch here is excellent and worth planning around. Dinner reservations are recommended to avoid disappointment.

The food is genuinely good. ARLO draws locals and non-guests, which is always a telling sign. Prices are in line with what you’d pay at a comparable San Diego restaurant though may feel out of line with the resort’s overall positioning.

Lapper Kitchen + Tap

Poolside casual dining with elevated comfort food — fish tacos, nachos, burgers, flatbreads. This is where you’ll eat most meals if you’re spending the day at the pool. The convenience is hard to beat. Open for lunch and snacks.

Monkeybar

The outdoor bar and social hub with fire pits, craft cocktails, wood-fired pizzas, and live music or DJs most evenings. The vibe is genuinely fun and not overly corporate.

MRKT

Grab-and-go market with La Colombe coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and wood-fired pizza. This is your morning coffee stop and your “I don’t want to sit down for a meal” option. Hours are limited (closes around 9 PM), so plan accordingly.

A Note on Value

On-site dining prices are higher than the room rate might suggest. Budget-conscious families should know that Fashion Valley Mall is a short walk away, with dozens of restaurant options at every price point, from fast-casual to sit-down chains. The resort also offers a shuttle to Fashion Valley, Old Town, and other nearby destinations.

What to Know Before You Book

Much of this is addressed on the resort’s FAQ page, which you should read before booking.

Parking

Parking is $38/night in the adjacent parking structure, and there’s no free parking on the property. To be completely honest, this is not an unreasonable price for San Diego. The downtown hotels can charge $60/night and more.

If you have heavy luggage, request a bellman or luggage cart at check-in. Electric vehicle charging stations are available.

Tip: The resort offers parking packages, and our current package includes discounted parking plus other benefits to help offset the cost.

Resort Fee

Town and Country charges a mandatory $30/night resort fee (plus tax) on top of your room rate. This is also not optional. Every guest pays it regardless of whether they use the included amenities. Here’s what the fee covers:

• Waterslide access at the Twister pool
• In-room Keurig coffee
• Discount tickets to the San Diego Zoo
• 10% off cabana and daybed rentals
• Resort activity programming (dive-in movies, scavenger hunts, flamingo races, etc.)
• Live music and DJ entertainment
• Fitness center access

Our package currently waives your resort fee. You still get full access to everything listed above — you just don’t pay the fee.

The resort fee amount and inclusions are set by the hotel and subject to change.

Pet Policy

Town and Country is one of the most dog-friendly hotels in San Diego. There’s a dedicated dog run on the property, three acres of Riverside Park for walks, and a portion of pet fees goes to a local animal rescue. Expect a pet fee per stay.

Check-In and Check-Out

Check-in is at 4:00 PM, check-out is at 11:00 AM. The resort will do its best to accommodate early check-in and late check-out requests. Digital check-in is available through the resort’s app.

Getting Around the Property

This is a large resort on 32 acres. Walking from one end to the other takes a few minutes, and guests in the Happy Camper and Marco Polo buildings are a real walk from the parking garage and front desk. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth knowing, especially for kids and people with mobility issues.

Shuttle Service

The resort runs a complimentary shuttle to Fashion Valley Mall, Old Town, RiverWalk Golf Club, Mission Valley Center, and Hazard Center. This is useful if you don’t want to move your car (and pay for parking elsewhere).

Conferences and Events

Town and Country has nearly 300,000 square feet of meeting and event space, making it one of the largest conference hotels in San Diego. During major conferences, the resort’s vibe shifts. The restaurants, pools, and the lobby bar get busier.

Who Town and Country Is Best For

Part of what we do is try to fit resorts into budgets, and this is a go-to when people want a central San Diego location and do not care about views or proximity to the beach. They’re looking at a comfortable price point below $350/night. We can catch this resort in the $200s/night or even lower sometimes, and that’s rare in San Diego.

Families with kids: The pool complex, waterslide, programming, and on-site dining make this an easy family choice. It’s also one of the few San Diego resorts where you can let older kids roam the grounds without worry.

Staycationers and locals: San Diego locals consistently rate this as one of their favorite staycation spots. The resort feel, trolley access, and proximity to Fashion Valley make it a genuine getaway without leaving the city.

USD families: Parents visiting for orientation, move-in, Parents Weekend, or graduation. Close to campus, resort amenities to enjoy between university events, and significantly cheaper than downtown alternatives.

Convention and event attendees: If you’re attending a conference at Town and Country, you’re already here. The resort is a perennial award-winner for meetings and events.

Dog owners: Between the dog run, Riverside Park, and the pet-friendly rooms, this is one of the most accommodating hotels for dogs in San Diego.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Couples seeking a quiet, romantic getaway: The thin walls and family-oriented/conference atmosphere may not be the best fit. Consider Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas, Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, or The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe instead. All three offer a more intimate, serene experience. See my full list of romantic hotels in San Diego.

Beach lovers: There’s no beach access here. If you want sand and surf, look at hotels in La Jolla, on the beach, or in Coronado.

Luxury travelers: The mid-century design is charming, but the finishes, service level, and room quality aren’t on par with Park Hyatt Aviara, Fairmont Grand Del Mar, or Rancho Valencia. See my best luxury San Diego hotels guide.

How to Book Town and Country Resort

We currently have access to a great deal that is about the same price as the Town and Country Beyond direct rate, which you can check online. (It doesn’t apply to the Advanced Purchase rate.)

Check Online Rates and Promotions

Town and Country frequently runs promotions through online travel agencies, especially during off-peak periods. You can also compare rates here:

Check rates on Expedia →
Check rates on Hotels.com →
Check rates on Booking.com →

Frequently Asked Questions