Your guide to San Diego
San Diego highlights
Deep roots
No trip to San Diego is complete without stopping by the birthplace of California. While Old Town San Diego stands as a relic of Spanish settlement, the culture of the Indigenous Kumeyaay people is still felt today. Combine historical reenactments and the Whaley House — considered the most haunted home in the USA — with traditions like ‘Dia de los Muertos’ (Day of the Dead).
Seal of approval
Seals and sea lions love to bask on La Jolla’s shores, making it one of the best places in California to spot these flippered fellows. Favourite hangouts include Boomer Beach, Seal Rock and the Children’s Pool. For an even better vantage point, join a kayak tour of La Jolla’s famed sea caves. And no matter how cute or harmless the animals seem, be sure to always keep a respectful distance.
Epic road trips
The city's proximity to Tijuana makes a day trip across the border an essential experience. While it’s possible to walk, some tour companies can ferry you and even cover key locations across northwestern Mexico. Kick-start your appetite with a traditional tamale breakfast before embarking on an unforgettable foodie adventure. Don’t forget your passport.
San Diego: Know before you go
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Currency | United States dollar ($) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) and UTC-7 (PDT) |
| High season | July - August |
| Low season | January - February |
Find the best time to go to San Diego
Weather in San Diego
March – June: Consistent sunshine can be hard to come by in spring, an effect called ‘May Gray’ and ‘June Gloom’. Morning skies over the coast can be cloudy, though it sometimes clears by the afternoon.
July – August: With warm days and water temperatures fit for swimming, these are the prime beach-going months. Watch out for rip currents.
September – November: A slight chill sets in as autumn deepens. The Santa Ana winds start to blow through, worsening California’s year-round wildfire risk.
December – February: It never gets that cold in San Diego. A light jacket and jeans should cover you. Winter brings bigger swells that experienced surfers love. Low tides are great for tidepooling.
Events in San Diego
Farmers Insurance Open (January): A major event on the men’s PGA Tour, the Farmers Open draws crowds from all over to the stunning Torrey Pines Golf Course.
Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon (May or June): Tens of thousands of runners trace a 42.2-kilometre-long route through scenic Balboa Park and Downtown San Diego. Live bands provide the soundtrack.
San Diego Comic-Con (July): All things related to comic books, sci-fi, fantasy and animation flood the convention centre and streets of the Gaslamp Quarter. Expect celebrity-studded film premieres, cosplaying attendees and more.
San Diego Beer Week (November): The city’s breweries host ten days of exclusive releases, beer dinners and more in one of the country’s craft-brewing capitals.
The best neighbourhoods in San Diego
La Jolla
Wondering where to stay in San Diego for gorgeous beaches? Artists have long been inspired by La Jolla’s rugged coastline, and they aren’t the only ones — the seals and sea lions love it here too. Don’t miss the Sunny Jim Cave Store, a beachfront boutique with its very own sea cave.
Good for: Beaches, sea caves, boutiques
Old Town
Before San Diego became the gleaming metropolis we know today, it was a sedate outpost of European settlers. The preserved and reconstructed architecture of the Old Town makes this the best area to stay in San Diego for history enthusiasts. Coincide your stay with celebrations like Dia de los Muertos, and take your pick from award-winning Mexican restaurants.
Good for: Architecture, history, Mexican food
Pacific Beach
Young, fun and full of waves, Pacific Beach is the best neighbourhood to stay in San Diego for surfers. Yet to pick up a board? The gentle breakers of Tourmaline Surfing Park are perfect for beginners. Heat up the fire pit come sunset, and don’t forget the s’mores. A party vibe draws a lively crowd to Pacific Beach’s 5-kilometre boardwalk.
Good for: Surfing, sunsets, beach boardwalk
Things to do in San Diego
Free things to do
There are lots of free things to do in San Diego. Join the locals in a game of beach volleyball, snorkel at La Jolla Cove in search of leopard sharks (they’re harmless!), or admire dozens of murals in Chicano Park. Don’t miss the Sunday afternoon concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion — the historic instrument contains more than 5,000 pipes.
Shopping
Get your shopping done at Seaport Village, a shopping and dining complex modelled on a Victorian bayside outpost and a romantic spot to take in the city lights come evening. Downtown, the Gaslamp Quarter is 16 blocks of indie shops, bars and restaurants. La Jolla is the Rodeo Drive of San Diego, with upscale boutiques galore.
Take in the culture
Balboa Park has 490 hectares of greenery, Spanish Revival architecture and over a dozen museums to visit. The San Diego Natural History Museum fascinates visitors of all ages, while the San Diego Mineral and Gem Society dazzles with collections from around the globe. Costs can quickly build up, so invest in an Explorer Pass to save on admission fees.
Nightlife
The historic Gaslamp Quarter features some of the best nightlife in San Diego. Have your requests ready at duelling piano bar The Shout! House, or pick from a selection of popular comedy clubs. The ALTITUDE Sky Lounge offers 22-storey views of San Diego Bay, Coronado Island and the interior of Petco Park stadium. Go Padres!
Places to eat
Being this close to the border has its perks. San Diego is home to some of the best Mexican food in the US and consistently boasts the best fish tacos in the country. Try one at a relaxed restaurant or a Mexican-style taqueria. There are also plenty of Michelin-starred and fine-dining restaurants to be found here too. Feeling thirsty? San Diego is a craft beer powerhouse, famous for its hoppy ales.
Beaches
With so many great beaches in San Diego it’s all about finding one that suits your mood. Black’s Beach is known for its serious surf, while Mission Beach boasts epic views and a wooden roller coaster that’s been terrifying thrill seekers since 1925. Coronado Beach is backdropped by the iconic Hotel del Coronado, as seen in ‘Some Like It Hot’ with Marilyn Monroe.
Get ready for San Diego
Budget
Having a budget trip to San Diego takes just a little bit of planning. With plenty of fast-casual restaurants and surfside taco shacks, you can find an inexpensive meal for about 22 US dollars ($). Wash it down with any one of the hundreds of fresh, local beers for about $8. Short taxi rides cost around $10, and a cappuccino is usually less than $6.
Day trips from San Diego
The historic mountain town of Julian is worth the hour-long drive for freshly baked apple pie and occasionally snow dusted streets. Pack your passport and cross the border for a day of gourmet meals and wine tasting in the Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico’s equivalent of Napa Valley. In spring, head east to see the wildflowers in bloom at Anza Borrego State Park.
Getting around San Diego
San Diego boasts an extensive, efficient and clean public transport system. It includes trains, trolleys and buses. Pick up a PRONTO card to streamline ticket purchases. Pedicabs are a fun way to explore Downtown San Diego’s waterfront and the Gaslamp Quarter. A ferry connects Downtown with Coronado Island.
