24 Hours at The Dana: Your One-Day Itinerary at Our San Diego Hotel

The Dana on Mission Bay isn’t just one of San Diego’s premier hotels. We’re a destination unto ourselves! Our guest-first philosophy means that we’ve created an experience for visitors that goes well beyond just offering unbeatable accommodations. Wondering what a day at The Dana could look like? Here are some possibilities for how you could elect to spend your time with us while our guest. 

Morning

Your mom was right: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. That’s why our own Firefly Eatery & Bar serves all your early-bird favorites buffet-style, hot and fresh. Best of all, guests at The Dana can dig in for 50% off! Take a look at our breakfast menu, and start planning your plates.  

Then, kick-start your energy levels with a brisk walk around Mission Bay! There’s a footpath around our hotel that’s ideal for getting in some exercise, and nearby Sunset Park is a gorgeous green space you’re free to explore. And don’t worry — if you’d rather pedal, The Dana’s sister company Adventure Water Sports offers rental bikes that are absolutely ideal for exploring our beautiful neighborhood. 

If you’re feeling particularly active, Adventure Water Sports is also the spot to visit to rent WaveRunners, ski boats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and more. Mission Bay is truly beautiful out on the water, and our guests always remark upon how much they appreciate the opportunity to experience it. Or, if you’d rather take a dip a bit closer to home, our on-site pools are available to guests as well. 

Afternoon

The Dana’s neighbors up and down Mission Bay offer some fantastic ways to spend a very enjoyable Southern California day. Enjoying some time at the beach swimming, surfing, or sunbathing can be a great way to enjoy that famous West Coast sunshine.  

Traveling with kids? There’s no better way to keep them entertained than heading over to Belmont Park — a classic boardwalk-style beachfront amusement park that’s less than a mile away. Belmont Park offers a full day complete with rides, midway games, an arcade, county fair-style food and endless fun. Even if you don’t have the kids with you, chances are you’ve got some distance over the “YOU MUST BE THIS TALL TO RIDE” signs outside the pulse-pounding roller coasters! 

If you haven’t filled up too much with corn dogs and funnel cakes at that point, you may want to head over to Cannonball, a fun and funky sushi spot with a massive rooftop deck overlooking the Pacific. Cannonball is a favorite around here for their fresh, healthy food, stunning views and live entertainment.


Photo credit: @cannonballsd

Then, why not do a little shopping at some of the unique beach boutiques located along the Mission Beach boardwalk? Or, if you’ve got the time, head about five minutes north to Pacific Beach, which is the unofficial shopping nexus of the area. Take a look at this quick directory of locals’ favorite spots to plan your itinerary, or just throw caution to the wind and go exploring.  

Evening

Firefly Eatery & Bar isn’t just an amazing place to enjoy breakfast. Our all-day menu is also packed with delicious options for evening dining, like Nashville-Style Chicken and Waffles, BBQ Short Ribs, and Tempura Shrimp. And it’s impossible to go wrong with our made-to-order Dana Burger, with your choice of toppings. 

The Dana also offers a full-service drink menu, including several unique specialty cocktails that are ours alone. So feel free to kick back, relax, sip your favorite draft beer, wine or a mixed beverage around one of our fire pits, and drink in the sunset at the same time. The Dana’s terrace also hosts free movie nights for guests at our Tropical Pool every night at 8pm. 

No matter how you choose to spend your time with us, we’re glad you’re our guest. Swing by our Special Offers page to take a look at our current packages, and avail yourself of the one that’s right for you. We look forward to hosting your adventure!