"A lot of hotels near the bay reek of cliché coastal decor. Not so at this hip, midcentury beaut in Point Loma, a couple blocks from the water and midway between the beaches of La Jolla and the urban delights of Little Italy. The petite 23-room hotel feels like Palm Springs style with a low-key, tucked-away vibe. Built in 1959 by San Diego architect Robert Platt and originally dubbed Sportsman’s Lodge, The Pearl has been a hit for its central location and iconic oyster-shaped pool, but the rooms and decor always felt a little stale. Thankfully, hospitality collective Casetta Group took over in 2019 and modernized all 23 guest rooms and common areas, bringing in wood, linen, handmade ceramics, and other organic materials in desert-friendly hues. It still has an old-school Cali feel but with a more streamlined, less kitschy vibe." - Archana Ram, Beth Demmon