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The Historic Penn Hotel

Property class: 2

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Photo gallery for The Historic Penn Hotel

A modern bedroom with a large bed, a TV, and a view of the city. - The Historic Penn Hotel (San Diego)
A modern apartment with a kitchen island, a grey sofa, a bed, and large windows with city views. - The Historic Penn Hotel (San Diego)
A modern bedroom with a bed, bedside tables, a TV, and a dining area with a table set for two. - The Historic Penn Hotel (San Diego)
A modern living room with a grey sofa, a black coffee table, and a mounted dartboard. - The Historic Penn Hotel (San Diego)
A modern kitchen with a dining area, stainless steel appliances, and a view of the city. - The Historic Penn Hotel (San Diego)
Located close to Petco Park and San Diego Convention Center, The Historic Penn Hotel has plenty to offer. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

6.8 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen

Off-peak, on budget: 30% or more off select hotels in our fall sale

Skip the crowds, keep the savings. AARP members save more after Labor Day. Book by Oct 7, 2026.

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 6 of 6 rooms

View all photos for Classic Double Room, Kitchen

A modern living room with a grey sofa, a round coffee table, and blue armchairs. There are three windows with white shutters, offering views of the cityscape.

Classic Double Room, Kitchen

  • City view
  • 51 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Standard Double Room, City View

A modern apartment with a kitchen, dining area, and living room.

Standard Double Room, City View

  • City view
  • 51 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room, City View

A modern living room with a blue sofa, two armchairs, and a kitchen area with a microwave.

Deluxe Double Room, City View

  • City view
  • 51 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Luxury Double Room, City View

A modern living room with a dining area, a sofa, a coffee table, and a TV.

Luxury Double Room, City View

  • City view
  • 51 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Studio Suite, City View

A modern bedroom with a large bed, a TV mounted on the wall, a round mirror, and a sofa.

Deluxe Studio Suite, City View

  • City view
  • 28 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Premium Double Room, City View

A modern living room with a grey sofa, a black coffee table, and a mounted dartboard.

Premium Double Room, City View

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Queen Bed OR 1 Queen Sofa Bed

About the neighborhood

Located in San Diego, The Historic Penn Hotel is in the city center. San Diego Zoo is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Balboa Park and Mission Bay. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at Petco Park. Visit our San Diego travel guide
Map
511 F St, San Diego, CA, 92101

What's nearby

  • A large, empty baseball stadium with tiered seating and a green field.
    Petco Park
    8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • A modern building with a curved glass facade and a pedestrian walkway.
    San Diego Convention Center
    8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • A pier extending into the water with a yellow fire hydrant and a pier cafe in the background.
    Seaport Village
    12 min walk - 0.7 miles
  • A historic building with ornate architecture and a reflective pond with lily pads.
    Balboa Park
    15 min walk - 0.8 miles
  • A naval ship docked at a port with a city skyline in the background.
    USS Midway Museum
    3 min drive - 1.0 mile

Getting around

  • 5th Avenue Station
    5 min walk
  • San Diego Santa Fe Depot
    14 min walk
  • San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)
    17 min drive

Restaurants

  • Tacos El Gordo
    1 min walk
  • Whiskey Girl
    2 min walk
  • The Tipsy Crow
    1 min walk
  • Taste & Thirst
    2 min walk
  • Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop
    2 min walk

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices)

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Family friendly

  • In-room full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • In-room kitchen
  • In-room microwave
  • Separate in-room dining area

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Memory foam mattress

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 42-inch smart TV with digital channels
  • Netflix
  • Streaming services

Food and drink

  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Freezer
  • Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • Kitchen
  • Microwave
  • Paper towels
  • Separate dining area
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Toaster oven

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 2:00 AM

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
There is no front desk at this property
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions and an access code; access will be through a private entrance
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
Prior to arrival, you must complete online registration via a secure link
You will be asked to provide the property with a copy of your government-issued photo ID after booking
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Access code, private entrance

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Service fee: 10 percent

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Property Registration Number 5520

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Frequently asked questions

Is The Historic Penn Hotel pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

This property doesn't offer parking.

What time is check-in at The Historic Penn Hotel?

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 2:00 AM.

What time is check-out at The Historic Penn Hotel?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Historic Penn Hotel located?

Located in Downtown San Diego, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Petco Park, San Diego Convention Center, and Balboa Park. USS Midway Museum and San Diego Zoo are also within 3 mi (5 km). 5th Avenue Station is only a 5-minute walk and Civic Center Station is 7 minutes.

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Reviews

The Historic Penn Hotel Reviews

6.8

8.0

Cleanliness

6.8

Amenities

7.0

Staff & service

7.0

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 21 out of 50 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 50 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 50 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 4 out of 50 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 13 out of 50 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Sonia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is by far the best hotel I’ve stayed at in a long time.. peaceful quiet convenient friendly clean and comfortable fully renovated
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Troy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Historic Penn Hotel - comfortable and spacious!

Very spacious, clean, and comfortable. Very close to everything in the gas lamp and a short walk to the Convention Center and the ballpark. The host was very responsive.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Craig

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really nice apartment. Great location in downtown, lots of space & nicely decorated etc. The master bed was very comfortable so we both slept well.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ivy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice and clean. Good location.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Gisela

Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful apartment. Well decorated, good space. Wish it had been cleaner. Located in a very noisy street. Wifi never worked. There is no lobby and the entrance to the building is really dirty and smelly. It gives you a bad impression.
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

luz

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was right at the heart of downtown where everything is happening. No need to drive. Everything was walking distance. The place itself was great and clean.
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Brandon

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I left as soon as I arrived. This is not a real hotel but rather apartments/condos in a historic hotel building. There's no lobby, and the communication with staff was spotty. The entrance was crowded with trash cans and unhoused people. The elevator is extremely dated. The room was clean and updated, but all of the windows were cracked open when I arrived and one window didn't shut. Multiple lightbulbs out. The bed comforter/blanket had a cigarette burn in it. At night, the area is filled with people, music and police sirens. There's a club below it, so you can hear music throughout the entire night.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property do not have people attending, you do everythig by messages, you have places to eat arround that you can reach walking. The room is very nice, clean and comfortable
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Rey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a nice and very clean space. Very comfortable and the area is great! Parking is the only issue, but that is out of the control of the hotel. You have to find a close parking garage and they are quite expensive. Maybe the hotel can invest in making a parking lot for their guest?
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Kristen

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort

Great location in Gaslamp District!

It is in a great part of San Diego! I was very confused about it being a hotel and then when I arrived, it clearly was not. Everything was done by email/messenger which was fine. It was very clean inside. It would be great for multiple people. Overall it was a good place to stay for the purpose for which I was there.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Dawn

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Didn’t receive check in code by email until day after checked in. Had to call twice to receive code. We were warned that neighborhood as noisy… however the circuit breaker in the master bedroom was buzzing in our room or in walls between rooms? Seemed fixed after a text message but it only lasted a few hours the second afternoon. You may also want to look at the shower drain…. Very slow - if someone took a long shower there would be flooding. Did love the spacious room sizes and beds were comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Heather

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property is not a hotel really. It is an apartment building on top of a very popular taco stand. The entrance is next to the garbage cans for the taco stand and because activity --it's probably more safe than it feels because the taco stand has security. That being said, the unit itself was fine. It's an older building with an elevator that is truly old school with gates and swinging doors. Age shows throughout but the unit was clean and spacious; bedding was less than desired--pretty cheap linens. During busy & expensive convention season, this worked. The gaslamp district is popping and you can walk to the big Hyatt or Marriott no problem.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Kristi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Room was very clean. Would be helpful to have additional towels for the guest (face towels and hand towels)
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Todd

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The room was perfectly nice, although on the second floor my views were of other parts of the building itself and right above the noisy street level and taco place. The entry way/stairs/elevator/hallways were very out of date and worn. Not fun walking through the swarm of flies outside the entryway due to the garbage cans lined up. Room good, getting to and from a little less so.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Diana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very spacious and walking distance to local bars
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

marina

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
0/10 experience with my stay. stayed in room 204 and have videos/proof of my room and they still didn’t help me with what was going on. i had issues with the ac not working and 90 degree weather outside when i first arrived for check in. they said they would send a maintenance person but nobody ever showed up. went out for dinner later and when i came back my door was unlocked and opened but no ac fixed. called to let them know that i felt unsafe staying the night there knowing the door doesn’t lock safely, they couldn’t change my room because the hotel was fully booked. i understand but they couldn’t even call and offer me a refund or do something more about it. there’s nobody on the property to talk to so thats why they don’t really care about one’s problems. communicating was only talking over the phone no real in person to talk to about issues in the building. overall everything was very unprofessional and think they could have handled my situation better. do not recommend this place. should’ve known when i couldn’t find this place on apple maps that it was sketchy. and also no parking including so you have to find public parking garages or street. horrible overall do not recommend 👎
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

excellent customer service
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Habiba

everything is in poor tattered condition. There is no human/ actual person available on-site to help with anything.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Brad

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We had to book something quickly and found this spot. We didn’t realize it wasn’t a traditional hotel with a lobby and staff to greet you. It was a bit confusing how and where to go. The room was nice. Recently renovated and it was nicely done. Ours was a quick trip but the area around the hotel seems lively.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
No complaints at all.
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Jonathan

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
My stay was mixed. There is nobody there for checking in. Check-in was self-service, and it took additional steps to obtain the entry code. The room itself was clean with a comfortable bed, but the entryway area had an unpleasant odor, and parts of the interior looked worn. Noise from nearby nightlife was significant during the evenings, even with the provided earplugs. Some in-room amenities, including the dishwasher and trash can, were not functioning during my visit.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Garrett

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Horrible
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Nicholas

I didn’t even have the opportunity to stay here because the check in was entirely online and I received minimal information that made it difficult to check in and was also not issued a refund despite.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Daniel

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I was trying to contact them all day to get the access, I never got an answer of them… is not a hotel, its just an airbnb without front desk either personal concierge
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Heather

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The sofa looked like someone vomited on it several times over many years. And it looked like someone tried to beat the door down.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025