Families love the Empress Hotel because of our spacious accommodations, gracious amenities and convenient location near world-famous attractions. Whether you are planning a trip to the San Diego Zoo or SeaWorld® in San Diego, our hotel is perfect and will provide a comfortable and enjoyable stay every time. Contact us if you would like to learn more about our location or hotel services.

The Birch Aquarium at Scripps 

Explore where the wonders of the ocean come alive! Enjoy ocean science education for all ages including Green Flash Concerts and Shark Week. The Birch Aquarium is located just 4 miles from the Empress Hotel, close to the University of California at San Diego (UCSD).

2300 Expedition Way
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 534-FISH

San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo, just a short drive from our hotel, offers visitors a unique chance to see and learn about several hundred different animal species. Special zoo activities include a guided bus tour, a Skyfari aerial tram and the Balboa Park miniature railroad. Families will also enjoy art classes, summer camps and Safari sleepovers.

More than a million plants on a total of 1,900 acres make the San Diego Zoo a botanical garden in its own right. Rare and endangered plant species can be seen here as well as plants that are cultivated for the animals such as Eucalyptus and Bamboo.

2920 Zoo Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
619.231.1515

SeaWorld

Sea World® in San Diego just minutes from our hotel, is one of the only places where visitors can feed dolphins, sting rays and sea lions and meet marine animal trainers in person. San Diego Sea World vacations have been a family favorite for years, and with exhibits like the Shamu Show, Penguin Encounter and the Shipwreck Rapids there's never a dull moment.

500 Sea World Drive
San Diego, CA 92109
619.226.3901

Wild Animal Park

View herds of exotic animals, as if you were viewing them in their native lands. Wild Animal Park is your chance to see exotic animals from all over the world in incredibly authentic habitats.

15500 San Pasqual Valley Road
Escondido, California, 92027
760.747.8702