What is South Beach like?

Travellers are sure to enjoy a stay in Carlsbad's South Beach neighbourhood. Make sure that you visit South Carlsbad State Beach and Tamarack Beach as part of your South Beach travel plans.

What's a favourite place to stay in South Beach?

Based on our traveller data, Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach, a Hilton Resort & Spa is one of the top choices for your stay in South Beach. This resort offers a full-service spa and a restaurant. Other good options for your stay in the neighbourhood include La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Carlsbad - Legoland Area and Best Western Carlsbad by the Sea .

How many hotels can I expect to find in South Beach?

If you're searching for places to stay in Carlsbad, Expedia has something to meet your needs with 81 South Beach hotels and other accommodation options to choose from.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in South Beach, will I receive a refund?

Yes, most hotel room reservations are fully refundable if cancelled prior to the hotel's cancellation deadline, which is usually within 24-48 hours of check in. If you have a non-refundable reservation, you may still be able to cancel and get a refund within 24 hours of booking. Plug in your dates, click on "Search", then filter by "fully refundable" to view the best options available in South Beach.

What is there to do around this Carlsbad neighbourhood?

Enjoy a stroll along the shore at South Carlsbad State Beach, Tamarack Beach and North Ponto Beach while you're in South Beach. The Camp Store and Batiquitos Lagoon are also a couple of places to visit in the neighbourhood. LEGOLAND® California, Flower Fields of Carlsbad and Museum of Making Music are just a few of the places to visit in and around South Beach. Carlsbad Premium Outlets and SEA LIFE Carlsbad Aquarium are also worth a visit when you're out sightseeing in Carlsbad.

How can I get around South Beach and the greater Carlsbad area?

If you want to head out of town, you can hop aboard a train at Carlsbad Poinsettia Station.

Top 10 South Beach Hotels of 2026

A coastal road with a bridge over water, surrounded by snow-covered land and a sunset sky.

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Our top choices for South Beach hotels

A resort pool area with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and palm trees.

1. Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach, a Hilton Resort & Spa

South Beach

Angie

includes taxes & fees

4 Oct - 5 Oct

A pool area with a view of palm trees and a sunset.

2. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Carlsbad - Legoland Area

South Beach

Christine

includes taxes & fees

27 Sept - 28 Sept

A modern hotel lobby with a green sofa, a wooden coffee table with a plant, and a large abstract wall art piece.

3. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Carlsbad Beach by IHG

South Beach

Tuesday

includes taxes & fees

26 Oct - 27 Oct

A modern dining area with high tables and chairs, a kitchen counter with appliances, and large windows providing natural light.

4. Best Western Carlsbad by the Sea

South Beach

Rosie

includes taxes & fees

4 Oct - 5 Oct

A resort with a beach view, palm trees, and a wedding ceremony setup.

5. Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach

South Beach

Mark

includes taxes & fees

4 Oct - 5 Oct

A poolside area with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and a view of the ocean at sunset.

6. Carlsbad Seapointe Resort

South Beach

Sue

includes taxes & fees

27 Sept - 28 Sept

An aerial view of a hotel with multiple buildings, parking lots, and a surrounding urban area.

7. Motel 6 Carlsbad, CA Beach

South Beach

Roy

includes taxes & fees

26 Oct - 27 Oct

A swimming pool with lounge chairs and a building with multiple windows and balconies.

8. West Inn & Suites

City Center, 3.4 km from South Beach

Juan

includes taxes & fees

27 Sept - 28 Sept

Two wicker lounge chairs with striped cushions, a blue umbrella, and a small table with a decorative fountain between them.

9. Leucadia Beach Inn

4.2 km from South Beach

margaret

includes taxes & fees

20 Oct - 21 Oct

An outdoor seating area with a fire pit, surrounded by chairs, under a pergola.

10. Fairfield Inn & Suites San Diego Carlsbad

City Center, 3 km from South Beach

Andrew

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

A multi-story hotel with a modern design, featuring a covered entrance area and multiple balconies.

11. Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Carlsbad

City Center, 3.6 km from South Beach

Rosa

includes taxes & fees

4 Oct - 5 Oct

An outdoor patio area with turquoise chairs, a fire pit, and palm trees.

12. Home2 Suites by Hilton Carlsbad

City Center, 3.1 km from South Beach

cynthia

includes taxes & fees

18 Oct - 19 Oct

A staircase with wooden railings leading to a beach, surrounded by palm trees and a clear sky.

13. Rodeway Inn Encinitas North

4 km from South Beach

Lyndsay

includes taxes & fees

4 Oct - 5 Oct

A swimming pool area with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and safety signs.

14. Hampton Inn Carlsbad-North San Diego County

Aviara, 4.7 km from South Beach

Jamie

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

A poolside area with lounge chairs, a wicker basket, and a red hat on a cushioned bench.

15. The Cassara Carlsbad, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Carlsbad Ranch, 1.9 km from South Beach

Richard

includes taxes & fees

4 Oct - 5 Oct

A hotel room with two beds, a desk, and a chair.

16. Motel 6 Carlsbad, CA - Near Legoland

City Center, 1.4 km from South Beach

Roberto

includes taxes & fees

4 Oct - 5 Oct

A heated outdoor pool area with lounge chairs and umbrellas, surrounded by palm trees and a building with multiple balconies.

17. The Encinitan Hotel & Suites

7 km from South Beach

Corrine

includes taxes & fees

28 Sept - 29 Sept

A rooftop pool area with lounge chairs and tables, surrounded by palm trees and modern buildings.

18. Residence Inn by Marriott Carlsbad

City Center, 4.4 km from South Beach

Priyesh

includes taxes & fees

1 Oct - 2 Oct

A bedroom with a bed, a chair, and a window with a view of a parking lot and buildings.

19. Brisa Pacific Hotel Encinitas

5.8 km from South Beach

Vanda

includes taxes & fees

28 Sept - 29 Sept

A pool area with a LEGO play structure, lounge chairs, and a hotel sign.

20. LEGOLAND California Hotel

Carlsbad Ranch, 2.2 km from South Beach

Aelishia N

includes taxes & fees

27 Sept - 28 Sept

View all properties

Compare popular hotels in South Beach

Property	Property class	Guest rating
Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach, a Hilton Resort & Spa	4.5 star property	8.8 Excellent 1,011 reviews	View
Best Western Carlsbad by the Sea	2.5 star property	8.0 Very good 1,493 reviews	View
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Carlsbad - Legoland Area	3.0 star property	7.6 Good 1,744 reviews	View
Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach	4.0 star property	8.6 Excellent 1,007 reviews	View
Motel 6 Carlsbad, CA Beach	2.0 star property	6.8 2,106 reviews	View

Where to stay in South Beach

Find the best South Beach areas for the activities you enjoy most.

A family walking on a sandy beach with buildings in the background.

Carlsbad Village

If you're spending some time in Carlsbad Village, Carlsbad State Beach and Tamarack Beach are top sights worth seeing.

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A rocky beach with large boulders and pebbles, a clear sky, and distant hills.

North Beach

While visiting North Beach, you might make a stop by sights like Tamarack Beach and Carlsbad State Beach.

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A street intersection with a sign reading "CARLSBAD" and palm trees in the background.

City Center

If you're spending some time in City Center, The Crossings at Carlsbad and Flower Fields of Carlsbad are top sights worth seeing.

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A field of vibrant pink flowers, likely poppies, arranged in neat rows.

Olde Carlsbad

While visiting Olde Carlsbad, you might make a stop by sights like The Shoppes at Carlsbad Mall and Hosp Grove Trails.

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A coastal sunset with a stone jetty leading into the ocean, a road parallel to the shore, and a distant shoreline with buildings.

Aviara

If you're spending some time in Aviara, Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Nature Center and Batiquitos Lagoon are top sights worth seeing.

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Top South Beach Hotel Reviews

Hyatt Vacation Club at The Welk, San Diego Area

10/10 Excellent

"a"

Best Western San Diego/Miramar Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"Breakfast offerings were solid. Property was clean and well maintained. Front desk, very pleasant and courteous. Room was clean and modern with comfortable beds. If there’s anything worth mentioning, it would be a word of caution to those who return to the hotel late. Parking is limited. We returned both nights after midnight and had to park on the curb in front of the hotel. This presented no real problems as we were able to park pretty close to the hotel itself. Otherwise, I would rate the stay good value for the price."

Hotels in South Beach

Change your mind

Treat yourself

Be picky

Check prices for these dates

Filter by

Star rating

Guest rating

Our top choices for South Beach hotels

1. Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach, a Hilton Resort & Spa

2. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Carlsbad - Legoland Area

3. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Carlsbad Beach by IHG

4. Best Western Carlsbad by the Sea

5. Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach

6. Carlsbad Seapointe Resort

7. Motel 6 Carlsbad, CA Beach

8. West Inn & Suites

9. Leucadia Beach Inn

10. Fairfield Inn & Suites San Diego Carlsbad

11. Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Carlsbad

12. Home2 Suites by Hilton Carlsbad

13. Rodeway Inn Encinitas North

14. Hampton Inn Carlsbad-North San Diego County

15. The Cassara Carlsbad, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

16. Motel 6 Carlsbad, CA - Near Legoland

17. The Encinitan Hotel & Suites

18. Residence Inn by Marriott Carlsbad

19. Brisa Pacific Hotel Encinitas

20. LEGOLAND California Hotel

Compare popular hotels in South Beach

Where to stay in South Beach

Carlsbad Village

North Beach

City Center

Olde Carlsbad

Aviara

Top South Beach Hotel Reviews

Hyatt Vacation Club at The Welk, San Diego Area

Frequently asked questions

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