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

by Adam Stuart | April 29, 2025 | 2 Comments

…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?

Also on BoardingArea
Frequent Miler
Earn up to a $600 bonus with a new SoFi checking/savings account (targeted?)
SoFi is again offering a stackable offer that can give you up to $600 back when opening a new checking/savings account. The shopping portal Rakuten is offering either a $300 bonus for opening a new SoFi Checking/Savings account by clicking through the portal link and making a $500 direct deposit...
View from the Wing
Chinese Scientist From Wuhan Arrested Smuggling Biological Materials Into Detroit—National Security On Alert [Roundup]
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips. Continue reading Chinese Scientist From Wuhan Arrested Smuggling Biological Materials Into Detroit—National Security On Alert [Roundup]...
{Tech} for Travel
United Airlines Spotify partnership brings free streaming onboard
Free seatback streaming is now available across 680 aircraft through the United Airlines Spotify collaboration, with music, podcasts, and audiobooks onboard. The post United Airlines Spotify partnership brings free streaming onboard appeared first on {Tech} for Travel.
The Bulkhead Seat
JetBlue Airbus A220 Slides Off Runway After Landing in Boston
JetBlue flight B6 312 had just arrived from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) when… The post JetBlue Airbus A220 Slides Off Runway After Landing in Boston appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Frequent Miler
Chase Travel Promotion: redeem points for flights with up to a 50% bonus (back again)
Update 6/12/25: This increased Chase Travel℠ promo had gone away, but appears to be back again, unfortunately with the same expiry dates as before. (h/t: DOC) ~~~ There is a targeted promo floating around for some Chase Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve cardholders that allows them to redeem points for...
You Are Travel
New Marriott in Buenos Aires Screams ‘Value Stay’: Recoleta Grand Joins the Tribute Portfolio
Tl;dr – There’s a new upscale option for Marriott stays in one of Buenos Aires most popular neighborhoods. …
The Bulkhead Seat
World of Hyatt Promo: Earn 500 Bonus Points Per Peloton® Ride Up to 5x Per Month This Summer
World of Hyatt® has been giving members 100 points for Peloton® rides when staying… The post World of Hyatt Promo: Earn 500 Bonus Points Per Peloton® Ride Up to 5x Per Month This Summer appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Travel Codex
Westjet Moves Closer to SkyTeam
WestJet Airlines, long known for its strong domestic presence in Canada, is quietly transforming into a global player. WestJet has grown across the Atlantic and Pacific with new international services om 787 services over the last several years. In doing so, Westjet has also grown closer to several international partners....
One Mile at a Time
American Flight Attendant Justifies Kicking Off “Defiant” Blogger
Earlier, I covered an interesting story where travel blogger JT Genter was kicked off an American Airlines flight by a flight attendant, over an overhead bin dispute. Be sure to read that post first, as I won’t recap it all here.
Points With a Crew
Chase Freedom Q2 2025 5% Bonus Categories – Last Chance to Activate
Finally, it's time to activate your Chase Freedom Q2 2025 Bonus categories, and there are some good ones. You must activate before earning 5% cash back and ...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Ends Mileage Upgrade Awards August 12, Switches to Costly Delta-Style ‘Instant Upgrades’ That Slash Value Of Miles
American Airlines is eliminating their mileage upgrade award chart August 12th. They're replacing it with 'instant upgrades' using cash or miles. You'll be charged a variable amount for upgrades, and you pay either the asking amount in money or the 'equivalent' in miles which will mean a low...
Frequent Miler
Southwest promo: Earn up to 20K bonus points with paid travel (targeted)
Southwest has launched a new targeted promo that awards up to 20,000 bonus Rapid Rewards points when flying with Southwest before the end of August. You can earn 5,000 bonus points with one round trip (or two one-ways), 10,000 after two, or 20,000 after three. You must be targeted for...
You Are Travel
Aman’s Bringing Its ‘Lifestyle’ Brand JANU to Turks and Caicos
Tl;dr – Aman’s ‘second’ brand, Janu, will open a boutique property within a national park on the island.…
Wingtips
From Grief, We Learn: Reflections on the Air India Flight AI171 Tragedy
On 12 June 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly… The post From Grief, We Learn: Reflections on the Air India Flight AI171 Tragedy appeared first on Wingtips.
Your Mileage May Vary
Why Citi’s Bonus Point Offers Require a Calculator
Every now and then, your credit card issuer might surprise you with a special offer to earn extra rewards. These spending incentives are a clever way to get you to…
Miles To Memories
Earn Up to 20,000 Bonus Points with 3 Round-Trip Southwest Flights [Targeted]
Southwest Airlines has a new promotion for select Rapid Rewards members. Those targeted can earn 20,000 bonus points, which also count towards the Companion Pass. The post Earn Up to 20,000 Bonus Points with 3 Round-Trip Southwest Flights [Targeted] appeared first on Miles to Memories.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Earn 500 Bonus World of Hyatt Points Per Night at New Hotel and Resort Properties
You can earn 500 bonus World of Hyatt points per qualifying night for staying at new hotel and resort properties around the world during specified offer periods, which became effective as of Wednesday, May 1, 2019……and because... The post Earn 500 Bonus World of Hyatt Points Per Night at New Hotel...
Altitude Yes
JetBlue A220 Slides Off Runway Upon Landing at Boston Logan Airport
No one was injured after JetBlue Flight 312 slid off the runway during landing. Logan Airport passengers should expect residual delays. The post JetBlue A220 Slides Off Runway Upon Landing at Boston Logan Airport first appeared on Altitude Yes.
One Mile at a Time
American Mileage Upgrade Changes: Instant Upgrades Replace Award Chart
American Airlines has revealed that it’s changing how members can redeem American AAdvantage miles for upgrades. I suspect that some people will like this change, while others won’t.
You Are Travel
136-Room Mandarin Oriental Venice Coming April 2026
Tl;dr – The Hong Kong-based hotelier will rebrand the current San Clemente Palace Hotel in Venice, Italy.  Mandarin…
View from the Wing
American Airlines Flight Attendant Claims ‘Defiant’ Travel Blogger Removed Over Bag Dispute—Here’s Their Side
On June 9, blogger JT Genter was kicked off of American Airlines flight AA106 from New York JFK to London Heathrow for moving a flight attendant's bags out of the premium economy overhead bins and into coach. The flight attendant whose bag was moved responded in the comments to my story...
One Mile at a Time
160-Key JW Marriott Crete, Greece, Opens, And It Looks Really Nice
The JW Marriott brand has just expanded to Greece, and I’ve gotta say, I’d really like to stay here at some point in the future…
ATX Jetsetter
JetBlue Airbus A220 Skids Off of Runway in Boston During Landing
A JetBlue Airbus A220-300 slid off of the runway after landing at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) earlier today. The post JetBlue Airbus A220 Skids Off of Runway in Boston During Landing appeared first on ATX Jetsetter.
Miles To Memories
The Banks Pay You: Earn Hundreds With These Nationwide Bank Bonuses (June)
We have compiled a list of the best nationwide bank bonuses right now. There are 5 offers that could net you over $3000 and are available to all. The post The Banks Pay You: Earn Hundreds With These Nationwide Bank Bonuses (June) appeared first on Miles to Memories.

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

  1. I finally went the next evening, 4/26/25, although had less time there since my flight was in the old Terminal 1 (with a separate security screening).

    However, I completely agree with your review and look forward to reserving more amenities another time! Interesting to note no obvious tip jar anywhere.

    By the way, did you happen to see any hours posted (or online) for Fly By Face Haus?

    Would be great to have an “overnight” option for those early morning flights. Would be nice to beat the crowds and chill than scrambling half-asleep through security. SAN is always so busy to board many flights departing right after curfew!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories

Our Bloggers