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14 Family-Friendly San Diego Resort Day Passes

best San Diego resorts pools day pass for families

The hotel resort scene is hopping thanks to resort day passes you and the family can access all year long

Summer is on the horizon and when the kids aren’t at camp, and you don’t have a pool, and you’re tired of the beach, there’s only one things to do—book yourself a resort day pass.The good news is you can treat yourself to a resort day pass at a luxe San Diego resort and take advantage of the coolest, most decked-out pools in town. And the best part? You don’t need to pack an overnight bag or budget for a pricey resort stay—just grab the SPF, and get ready to splash the day away. You’ll get all the best staycation vibes at these local hotel resorts near San Diego without the hefty price tag.

Resorts that Offer Day Passes in San Diego

1. Omni La Costa Resort & Spa

Everyone in your family from babies to big kids will love spending the day at the glorious Omni La Costa Resort & Spa pools. Even if your visit only lasts an afternoon, you’ll feel as rejuvenated as if you’d gone on a mini-vacation at this slice of paradise. You’re spoiled for choice with an array of pools that all beckon you for a refreshing dip.

The Sandy Beach Family Pool is perfect for tots and little kids due to its shallow beach entry and for the fact that kids can build sandcastles and play in the sand. The Splash Landing Pools will keep big kids entertained for hours. There are not one, but two 100-foot waterslides (an open slide and a tunnel slide) that kids will gleefully slide down again and again. There’s also a water play area/splash pad complete with plenty of fun features like a raining umbrella and squirt guns kids can aim. If you just want a general swim, there’s also the main swimming pool and a large hot tub.

Good to Know: The pool menu (available seasonally until 4:30 p.m.) boasts plenty of delicious food, and yummy drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and the wait staff is helpful and quick to serve. Also, for an additional charge, you can choose to add on any number of different activities to your pool day pass, such as kids’ dinner and a movie, fireside s’mores, low-tide sand art or a family art workshop. Complimentary self-parking is included with your day pass.

2100 Costa Del Mar Rd.
Carlsbad, CA
Online: resortpass.com

2. Town and Country San Diego

Centrally located in Mission Valley, Town and Country Resort, the 10,000 square foot pool complex includes a zero-entry pool, hot tub, children’s pool and 4-story, looping 150-foot waterslide. Enjoy poolside food and beverage service and free WiFi. Daybeds and cabanas are also available for an additional cost.

500 Hotel Cir. N.
San Diego
Online: resortpass.com

3. The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows

The iconic swimming pool at The Lafayette Hotel (reopening 2023 after a major renovation) has been making a splash in the seven decades since it was designed in 1946. Go for a swim in this heated pool and bask in the realization that Hollywood royalty including Ava Gardner has also lounged poolside at this locale. Channel your inner movie star, grab your favorite sunglasses and hit this scene.

2223 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego
Online: resortpass.com

4. Rancho Bernardo Inn

Get away from it all and feel a world away basking in the pools and Spanish-style architecture of the beautiful Rancho Bernardo Inn. There are two pools: one for adults and one for families, as well as a hot tub, poolside food and drink service, a fitness center and free WiFi and self-parking. Sip on one of their famous craft cocktails and work on your Vitamin D intake while the kids make a splash.

17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr.
San Diego
Online: resortpass.com

5. Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

Stay cool by the pool at this all-star downtown resort by the bay. When the brood wants to eat, order food and beverages from their MARKET | ONE grab-and-go. Rent a Family Pool Cabana and you’ll get special perks beyond the shade. Your day pass also gets you access to showers, basketball and volleyball courts and the 24-hour fitness center

1 Market Pl.
San Diego
Online: resortpass.com

6. Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

Flow into this luxury resort located near Torrey Pines in La Jolla for a day with the crew. Stretch out by the saltwater pool while the kiddies take a dip and order-up food and drinks. Go all out and book a shaded king-sized daybed or cabana that comes with sliced fruit, berries and smoothies. Even more, the day pass includes complimentary parking and WiFi.

9700 N. Torrey Pines Rd.
La Jolla, CA
Online: resortpass.com

7. The Westgate Hotel

Swim in the old-world glamour and customer service of this posh downtown hotel that also boasts the largest rooftop pool in San Diego. Even more, you can order poolside lunch service. Also, dip into the hot tub while keeping a keen eye on the kiddos a few feet away. If time allows, grown-ups can steam and sauna in the luxury locker rooms.

1055 2nd Ave.
San Diego
Online: resortpass.com

8. San Diego Mission Bay Resort

Hightail it to San Diego Mission Bay Resort for a day of family fun. Enjoy the large resort pool, with waterfalls, kids wading pool and life-sized checkers, ping pong and board games). It’s “shore” to be a magical summer day.

For everything you need to know about San Diego’s hidden gem, check out our insider’s guide to Mission Bay.

1775 E. Mission Bay Dr.
San Diego
Online: resortpass.com

9. Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina

Jump in feet first at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. Not only are there two heated swimming pools, a hot tub and seasonal Shoreline eatery, there are also tennis courts, a fitness center and a basketball court. So grab the goggles and floaties and head to this centrally located resort.

1380 Harbor Island Dr.
San Diego
Online: resortpass.com

10. Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina

Slip into paradise at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina, voted the best hotel pool by San Diego Magazine in 2017. In addition to three fab waterslides (little riders must be at least 42″ tall to ride the two big ones) there are plenty of reasons to take a dip here. In addition the main pool, guests can enjoy a pool with a walk-in slope, plus another smaller pool and one large hot tub (yes, kids are allowed). Your day pass includes a 10% discount on poolside food and non-alcoholic beverages from Pelicans on the Bay pool bar and lounge and a 20% discount on water sport rentals from the Mission Bay Sports Center.

1441 Quivira Rd.
San Diego
Online: resortpass.com

11. Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa

Grab a morning day pass (9 a.m.-1 p.m.) or an afternoon day pass (2-6 p.m.) to enjoy this stunning pool and lounge around at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas resort. You’ll find a mountain of waterslides, a lazy river, sandy beach, and a large main pool plus play zones with fountains and sprinklers. Order up some food and drinks via poolside service from the Splash Grill. Note: Kids must be 42 inches tall to ride the water slides.

41000 Bob Hope Dr.
Rancho Mirage, CA
Online: resortpass.com

12. Blue Sea Beach Hotel

Pool and beach lovers rejoice! The only beachfront hotel pool in Pacific Beach also offers a resort day pass. A surf chic haven awaits you at the Blue Sea Beach Hotel, nestled right on the sand in Pacific Beach. Located near the world-famous Strand, you’re in the perfect spot to end the day on the white sandy beach.

707 Pacific Beach Dr
San Diego
Online: resortpass.com

13. Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa

Splish-splash in the family pool, then warm-up in the spacious spa. When you work up an appetite, there are five restaurants, including a Kid’s Cafe and poolside service too. Also, the day pass includes complimentary valet parking and WiFi. Step-up the luxury with a Family Cabana which includes a complimentary fruit bowl, bottled water, a T.V., chaise lounge chairs and day passes for six people. Cabana hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. The attention to detail and customer service are resort perfect.

7100 Aviara Resort Dr.
Carlsbad, CA
Online: resortpass.com

14. Paradise Point Resort & Spa

Located on none other than Vacation Road, a tropical oasis in Mission Bay, Paradise Point is brimming with options, and the resort day pass gets you access to many of them. There are five swimming pools, including a waterfall pool, a lagoon pool, and a meadow pool. They also offer a full-size marina and various sports courts and recreational activities for the whole family. So create your daycation story, including a trip to the mini-golf course. You might want to book that overnight trip, after all.

1404 Vacation Rd
San Diego
Online: resortpass.com