Sheraton La Jolla is a comfortable and convenient base for travelers visiting La Jolla. It attracts those connected to UC San Diego, its medical center, and nearby businesses. Sheraton La Jolla offers the same quality and service standards that are synonymous with the Marriott brand. Plus, I mention a few hidden gems unique to the property.
I talk to people about hotels in La Jolla quite often, so I know who chooses this hotel and why. I’ll share my observations as a local resident and hotel expert in this review. This way, you can decide if a stay here is worth it.
Sheraton La Jolla Reservations
Use the Marriott Bonvoy discount and book directly. Or, use your favorite online travel site. Sometimes, it’s available as part of a vacation package bundled with theme park tickets.
3299 Holiday Ct, La Jolla, CA 92037
WHAT I LOVE
- Beautiful landscaping and exterior design around the pool area
- Some rooms have a patio overlooking the gardens
- Well-stocked and modern fitness center
- Convenient location walkable to part of UC San Diego
- Close to the freeway but not too noisy
- Koi pond
GOOD TO KNOW
- The hotel is about twenty to thirty minutes from San Diego International Airport
- No airport shuttle service
- Guests can bring one dog up to 45 pounds per room
- Self-parking in outdoor lots is available for a fee
- The standard and large guest rooms have either a king bed (a rollaway bed is available upon request to sleep three) or two queens, accommodating up to four guests
- No rollaways or cribs can go in the two queen regular guest rooms
- The on-site restaurants tend to change hours, so if you plan on dining at the hotel, be sure to confirm ahead of time
Guest Rooms and Suites
Sheraton La Jolla is a multi-building hotel with 252 rooms. Choices include a standard guest room, a slightly larger guest room, and a suite. The hotel was built in 1968. Accommodations were last renovated in 2013. Design features include large windows with tan plantation shutters, matching wood furniture, and marble countertops in the bathroom.
In addition, each room comes with the expected Sheraton hotel amenities. These include premium movie channels, Le Grand Bain bath products, complimentary Wi-Fi, a microwave, and a mini fridge. Rooms are cleaned once per day.
Accessible rooms at Sheraton La Jolla include the following:
- King bed with roll-in shower: mobility accessible
- King bed with visual alarms and notification devices: hearing accessible
- Two queen beds with roll-in shower: mobility accessible
- Two queen beds with visual alarms and notification devices: hearing accessible
Guest Rooms
The standard hotel room at Sheraton La Jolla is 312 square feet and has a king bed or two queens, accommodating two to four people. Guests who opt for the king can request a rollaway bed or a crib. There isn’t enough space for these amenities in rooms with two queens.
All guest rooms have a shared sleeping and living area. Furnishings include a loveseat and personal work desk. A luggage stand and a few drawers store personal belongings. The bathrooms come with a single vanity and a shower, either a walk-in or a bathtub. You can select your preference when you book through the hotel’s website.
Sheraton La Jolla guests can also book rooms with larger windows overlooking the gardens. None of them have an outdoor patio or balcony.
Large Guest Rooms
This option can accommodate two to four guests like the standard guest room. The size is a larger 380 square feet compared to 312. The large guest room also has the same bed options with a king or two queens, though the living area feels more spacious (especially if you’re bringing several pieces of luggage).
Aside from the extra square footage, the large guest room has furniture and amenities similar to the standard room’s. You have an option to get a garden view. In addition, guests can book a large guest room with a furnished patio on the ground floor for direct access to the gardens.
Sheraton La Jolla also offers large rooms with club lounge access, either as a perk by itself or with a garden view and outdoor patio.
One Bedroom Suites
Sheraton La Jolla offers spacious suites with either a king bed or two queens. The latter can sleep up to five with a rollaway bed. The king suite is 518 square feet, and the queen is a bit larger at 572 square feet. Both options essentially have the same layout aside from the beds.
The biggest perk of the suite is the separate living area, which has more chairs, a larger coffee table, and an extra TV. There’s also more storage space and a larger kitchen area. Most of the furniture and decor are the same as in the standard room.
Guests can also book one-bedroom suites on the ground floor with a patio. This accommodation includes club lounge access automatically.
Dining at Sheraton La Jolla
Sheraton La Jolla has two restaurants on the property, Humphreys La Jolla Grill and Shooters Bar and Grill, and offers room service (hours vary). Guests are less than a block away from a few restaurants and a Whole Foods Market.
Humphreys La Jolla Grill
At the time of writing, this restaurant only serves breakfast. It has offered dinner in the past. The breakfast menu usually has small continental offerings like yogurt and oatmeal. You can order larger plates with pancakes, eggs, bacon, and other American breakfast staples.
I recommend verifying the hours in advance since they can change depending on the season. According to the front desk, Sheraton La Jolla might also renovate Humprehys La Jolla Grill in 2024, so these details are subject to change.
Shooters Bar and Grill
On the other hand, Shooters Bar and Grill is only open for dinner (usually at 5:00 p.m., but again, I recommend verifying with the hotel during your stay). This eatery serves standard American fare, such as club sandwiches, burgers, and salads, as well as cocktails, wines, and local craft beers.
Moreover, Shooters Bar and Grill usually has live entertainment a few days per week. On the weekends, guests can walk next door to Woo & Friends for karaoke and drinks. You can call the front desk directly to get the latest schedules, as they’re not posted on the website.
Nearby Restaurants and Stores
Sheraton La Jolla is right behind The Shops at La Jolla Village. This feature alone might be a reason to choose the hotel. I am in this complex all the time for the Whole Foods Market and several restaurants, including Snooze, an A.M. Eatery (breakfast), Rubio’s Coastal Grill (Mexican), Kinoyume Sushi and Grill, and BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, among others. Guests can walk a few minutes through the hotel’s south parking lot to access this plaza.
There’s another shopping plaza across Nobel Drive, about one block further, called La Jolla Village Square. While it doesn’t have as many dining options as The Shops, this plaza is within walking distance of the hotel and has Ralphs Fresh Fare, Trader Joe’s, and Ike’s Love & Sandwiches.
Hotel Amenities
Sheraton La Jolla has several amenities, including a fitness center, outdoor pool, and dry cleaning service. As mentioned earlier, guests who book a large room or suite can upgrade to access the club lounge. The hotel also has a “Stay for Breakfast” promotion available until the end of 2024 for an additional fee.
Fitness Center
Sheraton La Jolla’s 24/7 fitness center is small but still has plenty of equipment, including weights, personal floor mats, medicine balls, cardio machines, and a few recumbent bikes. It’s one of the better-stocked fitness centers by hotel standards, and as a plus, it overlooks the koi ponds and gardens.
Outdoor Pool and Whirlpool
The pool and whirlpool are located in the middle of the property. The gardens are undoubtedly the most beautiful area of the hotel. The pool is large enough to use for lap swimming (when it’s not super busy) and heated year-round, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a sunny day in La Jolla.
Sheraton Club Lounge
Guests who book a room with club lounge access can expect several perks. These include complimentary breakfast, grab-and-go refreshments throughout the day, and plenty of spaces to work with colleagues or individually. The Sheraton Club Lounge also has a dedicated manager who can help with guest inquiries, similar to a concierge.
Stay for Breakfast
From February 20, 2024, to December 31, 2024, guests who book a room through the hotel’s website with promotional code S4B can get daily continental breakfast for the duration of their stay. It’s worth noting that the Stay for Breakfast rate is slightly higher than the standard rate.
Special Events
Sheraton La Jolla is a great venue for special events, with ten meeting rooms and over 8,000 square feet of space. The largest event rooms can hold 200 guests, and there is also an outdoor space in the gardens for wedding ceremonies. Hotel staff can also assist with audiovisual and event equipment, from providing spotlights to name cards.
Surrounding Area and Attractions
Sheraton La Jolla is right next to the I-5 freeway, so it’s relatively close to multiple attractions in La Jolla and San Diego. Most are ten to twenty minutes by car.
University of California, San Diego
I went to UCSD, which is a very big campus. Sheraton La Jolla is very walkable to Eleanor Roosevelt College, UCSD School of Medicine, and the VA buildings. It takes about 25 minutes to walk to the Price Center, considered the heart of the campus.
It’s one of the closest hotels to UCSD, making it an ideal spot for parents, prospective students, and instructors visiting the school.
La Jolla Shores
If you only have one opportunity for sightseeing, La Jolla Shores is arguably the best place to spend a day here, and it’s only about ten minutes from the hotel by car. It’s home to La Jolla Shores Beach, one of my personal favorites, with calm waters and various activities for visitors of all ages, including snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, guided tours, and more.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is the perfect spot for anyone who loves nature and hiking. It’s one of fourteen reserves in the state. You’ll experience native wildlife, vegetation, and maintained trails, offering some of the best views in the San Diego area. In addition, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve offers free park ranger tours. The beach below is one of the nicest beaches near the hotel.
La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove is another attraction with lots of things to do, from spotting sea lions to picnicking at Ellen Browning Scripps Park. There are a few caves to explore, as well as tide pools in the winter and plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. It’s located in the Village of La Jolla, one of the more popular tourist destinations in the area, so expect limited street parking, especially on the weekends. I have a very detailed La Jolla Cove guide you should read before visiting.
Staying with Kids
Families staying at Sheraton La Jolla might consider upgrading to a suite or requesting connecting guest room doors. The guest rooms feel small for more than two people. Moreover, the hotel doesn’t offer regular activities or amenities for children, though they’ll likely enjoy spending time by the pool and watching the koi. But that’s okay. Refer to my big list of San Diego activities for kids.
Why People Choose Sheraton La Jolla
Sheraton La Jolla is a low-rise, multi-building hotel with a few notable features that make it stand out from other hotels in the area. Travelers choose it because:
- It has a convenient location to nearby businesses and UCSD.
- They want to redeem or earn Marriott Bonvoy points.
- It provides reasonable value.
- Club lounge access. There aren’t many hotels with a club lounge here in San Diego.
- Easy freeway access. With the I-5 next to the hotel, guests can quickly find their way to other spots in San Diego, including LEGOLAND, the San Diego Zoo, and SeaWorld.
- Good fast casual dining and a Whole Foods located behind the hotel.
- Sheraton La Jolla looks like any other hotel from the outside. The courtyard in the middle of the property is filled with tropical landscaping, a koi pond, and a waterfall.
- It’s easy to spend hours here next to the pool.
- While it’s common for hotels to have parking, Sheraton La Jolla has multiple lots around the perimeter of each building, allowing guests to park closer to their rooms.
Events and Activities
Sheraton La Jolla doesn’t seem to hold specific recurring events, though the hotel can certainly plan and host special events for as many as 200 guests. Otherwise, La Jolla has a few notable events throughout the year not far from the hotel, notably theater performances at La Jolla Playhouse and other school-sponsored programs at UCSD.
For sports enthusiasts, the La Jolla Half Marathon and Rough Water Swims are always fun to watch, and the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course will entertain any avid fan. Plus, La Jolla puts on a spectacle for the holidays, from the Fourth of July drone show to the Christmas parade.
