12 Jun 2025

How to Stay Cool in San Diego This Summer

By Pacific Terrace Hotel

With plenty of fun in the sun activities to keep you busy in San Diego this summer, you’ll want to know that when things heat up, there are a variety of ways to cool down near your suite at the Pacific Terrace Hotel. From sandy beaches and the best hotel pools in San Diego to some of the best summer treats and San Diego beach bars, there are so many fun and refreshing ways to stay cool in San Diego this summer. Here are a few of our favorites!

Best San Diego Beach Bars

The Grass Skirt (0.5 Miles to Hotel)

Cocktails in a tiki cup and a beer inside a tropical themed bar

San Diego beach bars like The Grass Skirt is what makes bars on the beach in San Diego so popular. This tropical San Diego speakeasy offers a variety of ways to stay nice and cool during summer in SoCal. The tropically themed beach bar is the perfect place to grab a booth or fire pit table and order a spiked punch bowl big enough to share with friends. Also, grab a delicious poke bowl to beat the heat and enjoy one of the best secret spots in San Diego.

Beach House Tequila & Taqueria (2.2 Miles to Hotel)

Boardwalk

This fun spot with live music and cabanas is located on the popular Mission Bay Boardwalk and is the perfect place to stay cool in San Diego this summer. One of the most popular bars in Pacific Beach San Diego CA, you can enjoy a tropical escape with tiki bars and fire pits while you sip cool, refreshing tropical drinks, dine on delicious food, and vibe to live music. Located just 2 miles from your suite at the Pacific Terrace Hotel, Beach House feels like it’s a million miles away, but is right in the middle of the action.

CannonBall (2.3 Miles from Hotel)

Five cocktails of different sizes and colors all lined up on a bar

Cannonball on Mission Beach is a great place to stay cool as you sip craft cocktails at San Diego’s largest oceanfront rooftop bar. Keep it light with ocean breezes and enjoy a fresh selection of sushi and sashimi for an amazing place to wind down and cool off at the end of the perfect beach or pool day in San Diego.

Beach and Pool Days in San Diego

Relax at One of the Best Hotel Pools in San Diego (Onsite at Hotel)

Swimming pool with the pacific ocean view

Relaxing with a cocktail for a seaside pool day is another popular way to stay cool in San Diego. The Pacific Terrace Hotel has one of the best hotel pools in San Diego and lets you beat the heat without even leaving the property. Located on the Pacific ocean, guests can relax and cool off in the sparkling oceanfront pool, which is a vacation destination of its own! Work on your tan, take a dip in the pool, or lounge in one of our seaside cabanas for a great way to beat the heat in San Diego at our premier beachfront San Diego resort.

Enjoy a Beach Day (1 Mile to Hotel)

Pier

Pacific Beach is just minutes from your suite at the Pacific Terrace Hotel and is a great way to stay cool on a hot San Diego day. Pacific Beach has a casual vibe with a lively atmosphere along the coast. Relax on the beach, go for a swim, and lounge in the sun at this popular San Diego beach. You can also get out of the heat and explore the shops, bars, and restaurants at Ocean Front Walk, the popular 3-mile long boardwalk in Pacific Beach.

Other Fun Ways to Stay Cool in San Diego This Summer

Baked Bear (0.3 Miles from Hotel)

Variety of hand-scooped ice cream in an ice cream shop

Who wants a custom ice cream sandwich to stay cool this summer in San Diego? The Baked Bear is one of the coolest places on the beach in San Diego! This specialty ice cream shop lets you create the perfect ice cream sandwiches from your choice of over a dozen different cookies and ice cream flavors! From chocolate chip cookies with mint ice cream to snickerdoodles with toasted Smore’s ice cream – a cool beach treat with a view is what you’ll get at Baked Bear in San Diego.

Belmont Park Plunge (2.2 Miles from Hotel)

Belmont Park

Get ready to immerse yourself in the ultimate aquatic experience at The Plunge San Diego. Spend the day swimming in the expansive pool at Belmont Park with floor-to-ceiling glass for perfect ocean views. The retractable roof for opens for summertime fun and lets you enjoy the pool even when there is an afternoon shower. Whether you are there for swim lessons or a day of fun in the sun, Belmont Park Plunge is one of the best ways to cool off this summer in San Diego.

Mission Beach Surfing School (2.9 Miles from Hotel)

a kid learning to surf

Learn how to catch a wave this summer with surfing lessons at Mission Beach Surfing School. Hang 10 and have the time of your life in a fun and safe environment. Mission Beach Surfing School has been voted The Best Surf School in San Diego for over 7 years in a row and offers the most unique way to stay cool in San Diego this summer.

SeaWorld San Diego (3.9 Miles from Hotel)

Big Whale jumping going back to the big pool

This popular theme park is a fun way to have fun and stay cool in SoCal in the summer. Enjoy educational exhibits and animal shows where you will get wet---if you’re lucky! There are also activities and events at the season’s Summer Spectacular, where the thrills are endless and include outdoor concerts, adrenaline-pumping adventures, and exciting fireworks! Spend your summer vacation visiting SeaWorld San Diego, where it is fun for the whole family.

Treat Yourself to a Refreshing Acai Bowl

The American Acai Café (0.5 Miles from Hotel)

Overhead shot of an acai bowl with fruit, coconut, and granola

This popular Pacific Beach café partners with local artisans to offer guests a selection of locally sourced brews and pastries. Choose from unique, organic, and high-quality açaí bowls with your choice of toppings, as well as smoothies, coffees, and Brazilian pastries like Coffee Cakes and Raspberry Jam Bars. A delicious way to cool off during your summer vacay in San Diego.

Ocean Café (1.2 Miles from Hotel)

Overhead shot of various cafe-type foods including coffee, avocado toast, and bakery items

Healthy ingredients and classic recipes is what you will find at the popular Ocean Café in San Diego. Choose from a variety of 100% Organic Acai bowls, refreshing smoothies, hydrating green Juices, and more from this authentic Brazilian café in the heart of Pacific Beach. Cool off with your favorite summer treat at Ocean Café.

Enjoy a Relaxing Summer Vacation at the Pacific Terrace Hotel in San Diego

Enjoy our resort-style amenities at the Pacific Terrace Hotel this summer to keep you cool. Take a dip in the pool, relax at the beach, enjoy a cabana with an ocean view, and other fun ways to beat the heat at our San Diego waterfront resort in Pacific Beach this summer.

Guests can choose from a variety of accommodations to best suit your traveling style and prepare for some fun in the California sun this summer!