For Arizona families, San Diego has long been the unofficial beach town of choice.
It's close enough for a long weekend, easy enough for a spontaneous escape, and offers something for every generation. But according to Penny Campbell, founder of Ocean Sands Vacation Rentals, a boutique vacation rental company specializing in La Jolla and San Diego's coastal communities, the way affluent travelers experience San Diego is changing.
After more than a decade in the vacation rental industry and now managing more than 30 homes throughout the region, Penny has watched travelers become increasingly selective about where they stay and what they expect from a vacation.
"People are taking more trips, but they're often staying for shorter periods of time," she says. "When they travel, they want the experience to be exceptional."
That shift is reshaping luxury travel.
One of the fastest-growing trends is multi-generational travel, with grandparents, parents, and children increasingly vacationing together. Rather than booking multiple hotel rooms, many families are seeking homes that allow everyone to gather under one roof while still enjoying privacy and personal space.
Properties like Elements perfectly illustrate why.
Tucked into the heart of La Jolla Shores, the custom contemporary residence feels less like a vacation rental and more like a private coastal retreat. Just a short walk from one of Southern California's most family-friendly beaches, the home was designed around seamless indoor-outdoor living and the way families actually vacation today.
Large disappearing doors connect the chef's kitchen, dining spaces, and living areas to a lush backyard designed for gathering. A private hot tub, sauna, outdoor shower, barbecue, and multiple entertaining areas encourage guests to slow down and settle in rather than rush from activity to activity.
The detached casita has become one of the home's most sought-after features, providing privacy for grandparents, guests, or older children while allowing everyone to remain together under one roof.
Above it all, a rooftop deck delivers sweeping Pacific views that remind guests exactly why they came to La Jolla in the first place.
The amenities continue well beyond the walls of the home. Surfboards, kayaks, bicycles, ping pong, cornhole, and beach gear make it easy to embrace the coastal lifestyle from the moment you arrive.
It's a far cry from the beach rentals of a decade ago—and exactly what today's traveler expects.
According to Penny, guests are increasingly looking for homes that function like private resorts. Ocean views remain the most requested luxury feature, followed closely by outdoor living spaces, private spas, highly upgraded kitchens, and accommodations that allow families to gather without sacrificing personal space.
They're also looking for service.
Unlike booking a random property through a large online platform, Ocean Sands takes a decidedly boutique approach. Penny personally oversees the guest experience, often coordinating activities, arranging local recommendations, and welcoming guests at many of the company's luxury properties.
"People want local expertise. They want to know where to kayak, where to surf, where to take their kids, and how to make the most of their time."
That local knowledge becomes especially valuable in La Jolla, where each neighborhood offers its own personality and pace.
For Valley families, the appeal is easy to understand. Instead of booking adjoining hotel rooms, they can gather around one dining table, one backyard, and one unforgettable view.
And while luxury travel continues to evolve, Penny says one thing hasn't changed.
"The biggest wow factor is still the ocean."
Walk through the front door of Elements, make your way to the rooftop deck, and you'll understand exactly what she means.
oceansandsvacationrental.com/rentals/elements