Lia CabreraAs someone who’s been curious about personal growth and improving my work-life balance, I’ve spent some time exploring the life coaching scene here in San Diego. I wanted guidance that’s practical and actionable, without wasting months figuring it out on my own.
And guess what? I found some of the top life coaches in San Diego.
These coaches are known for their insight and results-driven approach. Many of them combine proven methods with innovative strategies, meaning you’re not just getting advice, but you’re also gaining a partner in your personal and professional growth.
With that, I’ve rounded up my top picks below.
How much do life coaching sessions cost in San Diego?
Life coaching sessions in San Diego typically range from $80 to $250 per hour, depending on the coach’s experience, specialty, and session format (in-person or virtual).
Packages for multiple sessions or ongoing coaching often include discounts.
1. On Track Success Coaching
Address: 3710 Carmel View Rd, CA 92130
Contact: +1 858 481 6757
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Monday: Closed
I love that On Track Success Coaching offers an initial complimentary consultation. Even better, they throw in a free 30-minute coaching session, so you actually get a taste of progress before committing.
They are not just about life coaching, but they also offer business, career, and spiritual coaching. All these make the experience feel well-rounded.
Sessions are supportive and tailored to you, though the only downside is that they don’t offer ongoing group coaching programs.
Kathy Nelson, the founder, brings 25 years of experience as a CTI Certified Master Coach, Licensed Spiritual Counselor, and Practitioner Emeritus. She also works with clients nationwide via Skype, Zoom, or phone, which is super convenient.
The company’s awards are impressive. They are the Best San Diego Career Coach 2023, Best Business & Career Coach 2021 by Corporate Vision, and IE 100 Magazine Recognizing International Excellence 2022.
They’ve also been featured on NBC San Diego, CBS, ABC10 News, and more.
Her approach has helped me to grow professionally and personally
“Kathy Nelson is an amazing coach. Over the years Kathy helped me build my business and when I got too busy to take a vacation she coached me and I took over a month off one summer. After an auto accident I was feeling down and not able to work Kathy helped me discover other interest in life besides just working I discovered spirituality, art and creativity that had been ignored for years.
Kathy knows what to say, questions to ask and how to challenge me while empowering me in every decision I make. Her approach has helped me to grow professionally and personally.
Kathy is one of the most inspirational and motivating people I know. She knows how to listen, inspire, and plants enough optimistic seeds in my brain to make everything I want to accomplish seem achievable.
Coaching with Kathy is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I highly recommend Kathy and have to friends, associates and clients”
- Christie LeVander, Google Review
She helped me widen my perspectives instead of being narrowly focused
“A friend recommended Kathy as I felt lost in my professional career and needed help figuring out my next steps.
I thought Kathy was very professional and highly organized. She has great tools and activities that help her clients uncover who they are and where they may need help.
She is an excellent listener and asks great questions (including the one you have been avoiding:) She is really good at helping you get more clarity.
Although, she has a defined schedule in mind, Kathy is always eager to focus on what her client brings to the session. I appreciated her flexibility and custom approach and felt energized and empowered in every session.
Kathy is very wise and I appreciated her perspective. She helped me widen my perspectives instead of being narrowly focused. I also liked that you feel empowered when coaching with Kathy. Everything is possible, it is just a matter of figuring out what makes you happy and pursue those things. Kathy has a very positive energy, a kind soul, I recommend her to anyone seeking an experienced and well rounded professional coach.”
- Coumba Kane, Google Review
2. Erin Sur: Coach & Consultant
Address: 4653 Carmel Mountain Rd #308, CA 92130
Contact: +1 858 314 9593
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Erin Sur Coaching combines professional life coaching with a thoughtful, relationship-focused approach to personal and professional growth.
As a Certified Life Coach, Erin works with clients seeking clarity and sustainable change. Her work focuses strongly on relationships, self-growth, and professional development.
I like her emphasis on understanding relationship dynamics rather than just addressing surface-level goals. She works across multiple areas, including families, couples, and friendships.
Beyond life coaching, Erin is also a Certified Enneagram Coach. She uses the Enneagram to help clients gain deeper insight into themselves and the people in their lives.
She brings clarity to motivations, communication styles, and behavioral tendencies. This added layer supports more intentional growth and healthier relationships over time.
Although based in San Diego, Erin works with clients nationally and internationally, offering sessions in person, via Zoom, or by phone.
She also provides Enneagram assessments and a free 30-minute phone consultation, which I find helpful for setting clear expectations.
One limitation is that her work focuses on individual and relationship coaching rather than ongoing group programs or workshops.
Erin has completely changed the way I see myself
“Working with Erin Sur has honestly been life-changing. I went to her because I was struggling with confidence and being transparent with the person I work for. Right from the start, Erin made me feel completely understood and safe. She didn’t just give me tips or quick fixes—she helped me understand why I think and react the way I do by using the Enneagram.
It was like everything finally started making sense. She has this amazing way of breaking things down so they actually click. Through her guidance, I’ve been able to let go of so much self-doubt. Now, I can have honest and open conversations with my boss without all the fear and second-guessing. My confidence has grown in ways I didn’t think were possible, and it’s had a ripple effect on other areas of my life too.
Erin is kind, approachable, and just really good at what she does. She has a way of seeing the real you and helping you see it too. If you’re on the fence about coaching or working on yourself, just do it. Erin has completely changed the way I see myself and how I show up in the world, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”
- Matthew Nehrir, Google Review
Her wisdom and support transformed my team member’s life
“I strongly recommend Erin Sur as a Life Coach. She recently helped a member on my team and did an amazing job of effectively balancing the needs of the organization and client. She worked with our team to set up goals for the sessions and sought our feedback to ensure that the goals were being met. She is very caring and empathetic and has a gift to inspire and motivate. She was able to empower my team member to break through barriers and achieve remarkable personal and professional growth. I was able to witness firsthand how her wisdom and support transformed my team member’s life, relationships, and career. I can honestly say that she helped my team member to be the best version of herself. Thank you Erin!”
- Michelle Tillman, Google Review
3. Mindset by Mackenzie
Address: 1001 N Coast Hwy 92054
Contact: +1 515 460 6003
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Mindset by Mackenzie combines high-level professional coaching with a warm, purpose-driven approach to personal business growth.
Mackenzie is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation, having trained under a Master Certified Coach through the Life Purpose Institute.
I like how she clearly builds her expertise. She earned her Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential in 2021.
She later achieved her PCC certification. This required extensive coach-specific training, a rigorous performance evaluation, and over 500 hours of coaching experience.
Beyond one-on-one life coaching, Mackenzie offers small-business coaching, consultations, and co-facilitated group programs. She also mentors aspiring coaches at the Life Purpose Institute, amplifying her impact beyond individual clients.
A highlight I love is Amplify, a three-day all-inclusive women’s retreat. It’s designed to uncover what keeps you stuck and to help you step fully into the life you’ve always dreamt of.
One limitation is that her coaching is intensive and premium, which may feel less accessible to those seeking short-term or lighter coaching options.
My business, personal life, and professional image have all improved
“Mackenzie is a master at her craft! Her skill with helping you break through barriers and pull in your own valuable insight is unmatched! I’ve never experienced another person who was able to get me to my root issues so quickly. She’s helped me navigate so many avenues, I can’t keep track. My business, personal life, and professional image have all improved threefold because of this magnificent woman. She’s kind, patient, and so understanding. Having her in your corner will never be a regret. So, if you’re still wondering if I’d highly recommend her or not, I have one response for you – does a one legged duck swim in a circle? YES!”
- Danielle Lewis, Google Review
I honestly don’t know how I would’ve done it without her
“I’ve been working with Mackenzie for the past year as I’ve launched and grown my own life coaching practice, and I honestly don’t know how I would’ve done it without her. She believes in me deeply—even when I doubt myself—and always holds me to a bigger vision.
She remembers everything I say, shows up fully every time we meet, and somehow always knows just the right question to ask. With Mackenzie, I have a space where I can tell the truth, raise my awareness, and keep moving forward—personally and professionally. It’s been one of the most steadying and life-giving parts of my year.
If you’re looking for a coach who really sees you, serves you, and helps you become who you’re meant to be, I strongly recommend Mackenzie.”
- Bonnie Tolbert, Google Review
4. Fiercely Optimistic
Address: 1237 Prospect St T, CA 92037
Contact: +1 347 268 0946
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Fiercely Optimistic combines heartfelt life coaching with a spiritually grounded and compassionate approach to personal growth.
The practice is led by Alisha Hawrylyszyn Frank, an NYU-certified life coach and relationship coach, Reiki Master, and meditation teacher. She’s the author of The Sacred Art of Living as a Spiritual Being.
She’s also contributed to MindBodyGreen and The Chopra Center. What really comes across is her empathetic nature, non-judgmental approach, and light-hearted humor.
Beyond life coaching, she offers relationship coaching and distant Reiki sessions, supported by multiple Reiki certifications, which adds a holistic layer to her work.
Sessions can be tailored to personal clarity, emotional healing, or relational growth. She also offers a complimentary consultation, making it easy for new clients to explore her approach.
One limitation is that personality assessments or progress frameworks aren’t prominently offered.
Alisha has and continues to help me let go of old limiting beliefs
“Every experience I have had with Alisha has been powerful, to say the least. I’ve attended two healing circles with her, and each time I walked away with clarity and reassurance. She has an incredible capacity for patience and “realness” that is hard to come by. There is nothing fake about this chick! She has an amazing ability to, not just listen, but hear the messages between the lines of what you are saying. She can see through your crap. She gives it to you straight while at the same time creating a space where you feel safe and cared for.
I most recently finished my Reiki level one training with Alisha, and I’m so glad that I did. I had been thinking about doing a Reiki training for over a year, but there was always something that had kept me back from taking the leap. I now know it was because I was waiting for Alisha to be my guide. It’s been about a month now since I’ve been attuned, and it continues to reveal new dimensions to how powerful it is to be FIERCELY OPTIMISTIC. Alisha has and continues to help me let go of old limiting beliefs. I am eternally grateful to her.”
- Michelle West, Google Review
Alisha has helped me to become my greatest cheerleader
“I am super happy to say Alisha is my life coach. I completed her six week program and am very pleased with the results, so pleased that I have decided to continue our sessions. Alisha has helped me to become my greatest cheerleader, find inner peace and decide that “this is it!” … this is the time to live a life that speaks to my passions, to unleash my creative powers, to love and trust myself fully! If you are looking for someone to bring similar inspiration to your life I highly recommend The Fiercely Optimistic Alisha, it has been such a treat to experience her guidance, perspective and all the lovely energy she has to share.”
- Bianca Moore, Google Review
5. Emerging Excellence Coaching
Address: 1761 Hotel Cir S #208, CA 92108
Contact: +1 619 822 3796
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
- Friday, Sunday: Closed
Emerging Excellence blends faith-based guidance with practical coaching to help women reconnect with their core values and rediscover their purpose.
I was curious about what made it so meaningful. From what I saw, the practice creates a warm, reflective space for women to explore personal growth.
I really like how their approach is both heart-centered and practical. They offer personalized financial coaching that feels compassionate rather than judgmental.
Using the E.M.E.R.G.E™ Framework, clients learn to build budgets, improve credit, and understand the “why” behind their financial habits. On top of that, life skills coaching helps women navigate relationships, career, boundaries, and self-leadership.
Emerging Excellence Coaching also makes it easy to know where to start, with a quick three-minute quiz to see whether life coaching or therapy is the right fit.
The three pathways—Purpose, Grace, and Emerge—give clients a sense of direction and clarity.
One limitation is that they don’t offer group coaching or community-based programs, which some women might enjoy for peer support and shared accountability.
Monisha has been an incredible catalyst for change in my life
“Monisha has been an incredible catalyst for change in my life, helping me uncover my true passion and purpose in a remarkably short time. Her guidance has not only reignited my self-confidence by highlighting my existing skills but has also equipped me with a detailed plan to achieve my goals. She believed in me and saw my potential, even when I didn’t believe in myself or was afraid of stepping into my purpose.
She is thoughtful, kind, considerate, and was very understanding when I needed to reschedule our session. I can’t recommend her enough; she deserves all the accolades for her transformative impact! If I could give 10 stars, I would.”
- Odette Francis, Google Review
Truly, I feel that a better version of me has emerged
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Monisha a few years back, and then again within these past couple of months. It has been so life-changing to be able to sit in her chair and really lay everything out on the table. She creates an inviting atmosphere where there’s truly a peace in the air. She has helped me walk through some hard things, some of those things I didn’t realize I even needed help with. My time with her has always been effective and I have always left her office feeling better than how I came in. I love that she is faith-based because I can’t imagine walking through decades of necessary healing without my creator. She takes note of this and if there is anyone out there who is about her Heavenly Father’s business, it’s Monisha. I’ve learned so much about myself, life and its many facets and I still utilize the wisdom I’ve gained in the different seasons as they come. My favorite part is praying it out together. There’s nothing like sealing a good session with a heavenly conversation. I’ve grown so much and truly, I feel that a better version of me has emerged every single time.”
- Andrea G. Google Review
