Once upon a time, most San Diegans didn't know which hotels to recommend to visiting aunts and old classmates.
Since then, the hospitality industry of this burgeoning metropolis has learned martinis and mai-tais bring in a substantial cash flow and--perhaps more importantly--a loyal and local clientele.
With the urban revitalization of the downtown area, many locals can now speak with confidence when recommending hotels in America's Finest City--even if they're just recommending where to go for a drink, a view, and a fun crowd.
Feel like a poolside celebrity: Hotel Solamar's pool deck transforms into a chic bar at night.
Whether you're having an afternoon beer before the Padres game at next-door Petco Park, or sipping a vodka-Cran while watching the colored lights reflect off the pool's surface at night, JBar makes you feel like you're a welcomed guest at the home of a famous Hollywood star.
The bar encourages you to kick back and make yourself comfortable, and beckons you to look sophisticated while doing it.
Lounge with a view: The interior of Top of the Hyatt isn't anything to write home about - but the view? That's another story completely.
Top of the Hyatt takes full advantage of being the tallest waterfront hotel on the west coast, with floor-to-ceiling windows capturing panoramic views of the Coronado Bridge, Seaport Village, and the San Diego bay.
The crowd here tends to be a little more sophisticated than at the nightclubs on the streets forty stories below.
Insider tip: If you're looking for a quiet evening, be sure to check the conference schedules before you head downtown; the lounge can get quite crowded during big conferences.
Go to a downtown bonfire: A heated sand floor, fire pit, beach chairs, and rentable cabanas of the W Hotel's famed Beach Bar bring a bonfire feel to downtown.
But remember that this beachy bar is not really at the beach--be sure to abide by the standard downtown dress code to get in and fit in! Insider tip: Guests of the W can visit the front desk and receive a wristband that will rocket them to the front of the line.