Located in the heart of sunny Mission Bay on Vacation Island San Diego, California, Paradise Point Resort and Spa is a luxurious stay on a 44 acre island.
But is it worth it?
Read on for helpful tips, ideas for things to do in Mission Bay, where to eat and other FAQs.
By the end of this post you’ll be able to decide if Paradise Point San Diego is this resort for you (or elsewhere!) and if Mission Bay is the right location for your vacation.
Paradise Point Resort & Spa is a luxurious stay, but at a price
While you can expect luxury at Paradise Point Resort & Spa, it’s not a budget hotel (read on for other options for other budget hotel options in the Mission Bay area).
On average, rates are $200 – $400 night (and up) depending on room type, whether you are traveling during high or low season and holidays.
You can get better rates by traveling off season (in winter) or mid-week. Occasionally they have promotions for a multi-night stay at a discount (vs. a shorter stay).
However, with a higher price point, you can expect nice rooms and lots of on site amenities. With over 400 bungalow style rooms, the resort is very large (and even offers free shuttle service) around Vacation Island.
*Note: the resort takes up about half of the 44 acre Vacation Island
Highlights of Paradise Point Resort & Spa
- 5 pools
- A popular resort spa for massages, body care treatments and more
- Well manicured tropical gardens to walk through
- Ponds throughout the property with seating areas and fuck food for sale so you can feed the ducks
- Two on site restaurants (and in-room dining)
- Bike, paddle, jet ski and boat rentals to enjoy Mission Bay
- Beach access with bonfire pits on the beach
- A sizable gym
- An observation tower to see the property and watch the sunset
- Easy proximity to enjoy Mission Bay
- And much more!
Where is Mission Bay San Diego
Mission Bay is located in the heart of San Diego 12 minutes North from San Diego Airport and 15 minutes South of other San Diego gems like La Jolla.
Within that, Paradise Point Resort and Spa is located in the heart of Mission Bay and is the perfect location for spending time enjoying the water, boating, kayaking, renting jet skis and more.
Paradise Point Resort and Spa is also very close to many surrounding activities.
Nearby places you can get to in under 30 minutes
- Point Loma to hike and see the tide pools (read more about Point Loma in this blog post)
- Downtown San Diego and the historic Gaslamp (read about things to do in this blog post)
- La Jolla to shop, eat and see the seals
- Balboa Park to stroll and see the museums
- Coronado to ride bikes, sit on the beach and visit the historic Hotel Del Coronado
This also means you need a car. While it’s possible to use ride shares like Uber and Lyft, you will likely want a car when exploring from Paradise Point.
Want to SEE a tour of this property with more helpful tips? Checkout the video below!
Consider eating off the property
There are 2 restaurants on the property. Tidal is a more formal restaurant whereas Barefoot is their casual restaurant. If you are looking for convenience, staying on site is your best option.
However, Vacation Island is located next to MANY great eateries.
Where to eat in Mission Bay, San Diego
- OB Noodle House for drinks and modern asian food
- Cesarina for cozy Italian food
- Waterbar for ocean views and cocktails
- Cannonball for sushi and views in Belmont Park
Other hotels and accommodations in Mission Bay
There is no shortage of other options in the San Diego area that often it can be difficult to choose.
The key question to ask yourself: what are the main activities you want to do and will you have a car (or be walking or taking ride shares)? This will help you to determine which part of San Diego you may want to stay in and if Mission Bay is the right area to be in.
For example, if you want to explore more of the Historic Gaslamp Quarter and have a vacation you can mainly walk to enjoy the sites, you may consider staying at the Hilton Gaslamp (read the full blog post here).
Or if you want to be near Downtown, but have an off the beaten path experience at a modern, trendy hotel at a fraction of a Mission Bay (or Gaslamp) hotel, consider staying at The Monsaraz in Point Loma (read the full blog post here).
Things to do in Mission Bay San Diego
Within Mission Bay and surrounding it, there is A LOT to do given it’s location in the heart of San Diego.
One thing to consider: do it all, but for less with a tourist pass! If you’re planning to see several San Diego attractions, do it at a discount with CityPass. In Mission Bay you’ll find SeaWorld, one of the attractions on CityPass.
You’ll find something similar with Go City. Consider checking both of them out and PLAN OUT your attractions before you make a decision on which to buy.
Kayaking Mission Bay and other popular activities for less!
Another option that many people do not consider while traveling is looking at Groupon! You can find tons of experiences that are deeply discounted. This is how I’ve been able to find kayaking rentals or boat rides for significantly less.
Other FAQs about Mission Bay San Diego
Below are some commonly asked questions about Mission Bay to help you plan the best vacation possible!
What is Mission Bay San Diego weather like?
Known for being “sunny San Diego” you can often get great weather when visiting. On average it rains about 42 days per year in San Diego with most of the rain happening late October to late April.
It’s rare for it to rain in San Diego during the summer months.
However, San Diego can get cold in the winter so if your intent is to enjoy Mission Bay by being in and on the water, consider booking the summer months. See the average weather by month here.
Where can I find Mission Bay Jet Ski rentals?
One of the top places to rent a jet ski in Mission Bay, San Diego is at the Mission bay Sportcenter. Rates are around $100 per hour (for up to 2 people). Find out why they have such a great rating on Trip Advisor.
In the times that I have ridden a jet ski in Mission Bay, it’s fun, but an hour is fine and then I’m ready for what’s next. Want to see some other top rated tours in the area? Check out this list from Viator.
Is Mission Bay San Diego Man Made?
Short answer: it is!
This saltwater bay isn’t small either. It’s about 2,000 acres of what used to be marsh and wetland that was dredged in the 1940s. Today this converted space is now the beautiful spaces we enjoy today.
The deepest parts of Mission Bay are about 20′ with most parts of the bay being around 12′ deep.
Bottom Line
Paradise Point Resort and Spa is a lovely property that does offer a luxurious stay. However, one of the key draws about the hotel is it’s location on Mission Bay. This is a great stay during the summer months, but when it’s not warm out, you may consider staying elsewhere.
The resort is fairly secluded on the island, which is great for a staycation-like getaway, but given it’s limited dining options and things to do (during non-summer months), you may find yourself going off property more often than staying on.