Review: Chase Sapphire Lounge at San Diego International Airport (SAN), Terminal 2

…one of the best lounges in the USA!

A stunning décor, amazing artwork, pre-plated buffet and made to order food, showers and more amenities, make this one of the best lounges in the USA.

The summary

This lounge has it all: relaxation pods, a room where you can get a facial, an enclosed office, showers, stellar food options (pre-plated buffet and made-to-order), a stylish bar, and a décor that reflects Southern California (a wall of surfboards!), and an enthusiastic staff.

The lounge is near gate 47 in Terminal 2 at San Diego airport. The lounge is up one level and travelers have a choice between elevators or stairs. After entering the lounge through the automatic doors and presenting your credentials at reception, patrons face the bar straight ahead and, to the left, a wall of surfboards, created by a local San Diego artist. One interesting note: I did not have to show my priority pass membership via chase sapphire card to enter – just showing the card now granted me entry.

Lounge design

Design-wise, this lounge exceeds its east coast counterparts in Boston and LaGuardia because it better evokes the location. The surfboard wall is stunning. The lounge is broken up into several rooms, with a variety of seating options: sofas, tables for working or dining, comfortable and semi-private stylish chairs, chairs that face each other, and more communal style tables. The presence of blond wood throughout adds a measure of warmth to the space -without darkening it. The lounge features floor to ceiling windows with great views of the tarmac and surrounding neighborhood – Mission Hills (I think). There are tables with faux fire pits and plenty of greenery. Interesting artwork abounds. This is one instance where I will just let the pictures tell the story.

Food and drink

With both a pre-plated buffet and made to order items that can be brought to wherever you sit in the lounge (order via QR code), the food options are incredible. I visited at the end of breakfast into lunch. Any breakfast buffet that includes pre-plated French Toast with berries is a winner. I order Eggs Benedict with green chili and mushrooms. I had one serving of crispy chicken breast from the buffet at lunch. The made to order items include items that are featured at other Sapphire lounges (e.g., burgers), as well as locally inspired Mexican-style items. I can wait now till dinner! Soft drinks, serve your own cold brew, and more drinks are available throughout the lounge. There are coffee stations and espresso machines. The coffee is from Groundwork Coffee – a company based in SoCal. The bar of course has plenty of cocktails, both locally-inspired and more traditional choices.

Amenities

I availed myself of a shower – and the shower room was the largest I have experienced, with the exception of the shower at the Singapore Private room. (I should point out that the showers at the otherwise exceptional Sapphire Lounge at NY LaGuardia are only available to travelers who pre-book the reserve suites.) There is a wall-mounted touch screen where you can request additional items, such as additional towels or a comb. Other amenities included a private phone room, relaxation pods, and a facial room. Lounge patrons must reserve these amenities via the QR code at their seating area.

Other …

Not only was the staff always serving, cleaning, and restocking, they all seemed genuinely happy to be working in such a nice space. There are outlets everyone and the internet was very fast.

The wrap:

…The details. Date – April 25, 2025. Rating: Exceptional! Access: Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

..What I like: The food, amenities, décor, staff…

..What I don’t like: What’s not to like?