I personally go out of my way to go to La Jolla Shores. If you can find a Hotel in La Jolla that would be best. It isn’t far from downtown, you can go walk to see the seals, La Jolla Shores has surfing lessons and good restrooms, lots of shopping and food.
If you’re young, you would want to stay in Pacific Beach, which is more party centric.
Hotel Circle is also OK, but it is about 10mins from the beach, but it is by the Fashion Valley shopping center.
What are you looking to do in San Diego, btw?
I surf at Scripps and Blacks Beach. Black’s is great with the very high sand cliffs, but you may catch a glimpse of man sausage as it is a nude beach.