United States of America > California > San Diego
Overview
San Diego is a typical Southern Californian beach city where travellers will find year-round sunshine and surf, a superb coastline with miles of sandy-white beaches, easygoing inhabitants, and a wide variety of world-class family attractions, tourists can't help but be drawn to 'America's finest city'.
Although California's second biggest city with an ever-increasing population of more than a million, San Diego prides itself on its small-town ambience, and has very little of the pollution, highway congestion and raciness of Los Angeles. In 1769 a Spanish missionary by the name of Father Junipero Serra established a Catholic mission and fortified settlement in what was later to become San Diego; it was the first permanent European settlement on the West Coast of the United States.
The city is a vibrant collection of colourful neighbourhoods and communities. It has award-winning restaurants, trendy shopping districts, attractions such as the world-renowned San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld, and a dynamic downtown district that includes the city's historic Gaslamp Quarter. There are many indications of its Mexican and Spanish heritage in the traditional architecture, typical Mexican cuisine, and strong links with the town of Tijuana just across the Mexican border.
San Diego is also rich in art and culture, and the city boasts the largest urban cultural park in the US, with beautiful gardens and Spanish architecture featuring 17 museums, art galleries and theatres to be found in Balboa Park. More than 70 miles (113km) of beaches around the city offer superb surfing and beach activities and provide the perfect introduction to this accessible and laid-back city.
In laidback and sunny San Diego life seems to revolve around the beach, and Spanish flair enhances the Californian charm. Typical of California, San Diego is a city of freeways and is spread out along stretches of magnificent Pacific beaches, chock-a-bloc with all sorts of attractions that make a holiday here a series of seemingly endless adventures. The city's Spanish and Mexican roots add to its excitement, particularly downtown, which remains the tourist hub.
San Diego offers everything from award-winning restaurants and fantastic shopping to historic and natural attractions. Visitors should not hesitate to take the whole family when they travel to San Diego for the quintessential California experience, as the city is very child-friendly.
Best time to visit San Diego
San Diego is a city for all seasons, so travellers will find something special to remember whenever they choose to visit, whether it be the spring flowers, migrating whales or autumn foliage cloaking the mountains.
What to see in San Diego
-Enjoy San Diego's many beaches and the city's almost ever-present sun.
-Treat the kids to a day out at colourful Legoland California.
-Meet the fluffier locals at San Diego Zoo, one of the most popular in the country.
-Visit the California Surf Museum for an education in surf history and surf-themed art.
What to do in San Diego
-Explore the many museums and art galleries of Balboa Park.
-Visit the beaches and 'The Del' on Coronado Island.
-Ramble, shop and eat out in downtown San Diego, including the historic Gaslamp District.
-Climb Mount Soledad for wonderful city views.
Beyond San Diego
Although not as famous as Napa Valley, San Diego Wine Country produces some excellent wines and exploring the vineyards is a fun excursion. Those looking for something more frenetic and exciting can visit nearby Tijuana, the Mexican border city renowned for partying and gambling opportunities. For glorious desert scenery, travellers should head to the nearby Joshua Tree National Park.
Getting there
San Diego Lindbergh Field Airport is said to be the third busiest single-runway airport in the world and is a popular Californian air hub. The airport is situated two miles (3km) northwest of San Diego.
Did you know?
-None of the lakes in San Diego allow swimming.
-The Whaley House, built in 1857, is the oldest brick building in southern California and is famously haunted.
-The world's oldest operational ship, the 'Star of India', calls San Diego home. The ship has circumnavigated the globe 21 times.
Climate
San Diego has a semi-arid climate and enjoys sunny and mild weather all year round, with only slight variation in temperature between the seasons. Occasional heat waves are caused by the hot Santa Ana winds blowing in from the desert, making it significantly hotter, but the temperatures in peak summer, between June and August, average between 62°F (17ºC) and 76°F (24ºC). Average temperatures in winter, between December and February, range between 48ºF (9ºC) and 65°F (18ºC). May and June are prone to fog. Rainfall is low, with most of it falling between November and April.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rain (cm) | 58 | 47 | 55 | 20 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 29 | 34 |
| Rain (inches) | 2.3 | 1.9 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 1.3 |
| Average Temperature (°C) | 13.4 | 14.1 | 14.5 | 15.8 | 17.2 | 18.8 | 20.9 | 21.9 | 21.3 | 19.1 | 16.1 | 13.7 |
| Min Temperature (°C) | 8.4 | 9.2 | 10.1 | 11.7 | 13.8 | 15.5 | 17.5 | 18.4 | 17.4 | 14.6 | 11 | 8.5 |
| Max Temperature (°C) | 18.5 | 19 | 18.9 | 20 | 20.6 | 22.1 | 24.4 | 25.4 | 25.2 | 23.6 | 21.2 | 19 |
| Average Temperature (°F) | 56.1 | 57.4 | 58.1 | 60.4 | 63 | 65.8 | 69.6 | 71.4 | 70.3 | 66.4 | 61.0 | 56.7 |
| Min Temperature (°F) | 47.1 | 48.6 | 50.2 | 53.1 | 56.8 | 59.9 | 63.5 | 65.1 | 63.3 | 58.3 | 51.8 | 47.3 |
| Max Temperature (°F) | 65.3 | 66.2 | 66 | 68 | 69.1 | 71.8 | 75.9 | 77.7 | 77.4 | 74.5 | 70.2 | 66.2 |
Getting Around
Getting around San Diego is relatively easy without a car, as three types of public transport service the city. Buses and the San Diego Trolley light rail cover the city, but service generally stops around midnight. The trolley is the best way to get to the border with Mexico for trips to Tijuana. Passes are available from the Transit Store for both bus and trolley fares; it also provides timetables and route information. The Coronado Ferry, as well as a water taxi service, shuttle passengers between the city and Coronado Island (also connected to the mainland by bridge).
Privately owned Old Town Trolley Tours offers hop-on, hop-off narrated tours of places of interest for tourists, though this option is a bit more expensive than the public trolley. Taxis must be ordered by phone and waiting times can be long. Ride-hailing taxi services, such as Uber, are also available. Cycling is a popular way to get around San Diego, and there are numerous bike hire shops and many designated bicycle lanes. Some bus routes, the trolleys, and the Coronado Ferry offer free passage of bicycles, allowing people to get to an area by public transport and then explore from there. Although it's possible to get around using public transport, many people prefer to rent a car in San Diego, as some areas are easier and quicker to get to by car.
Sightseeing
Sightseeing
Easygoing San Diego offers plenty of entertainment for holidaymakers, with lots of the city's attractions revolving around the lovely coastline and marine life. Top San Diego tourist attractions include the endlessly popular Sea World, the picturesque Seaport Village, Mount Soledad, Balboa Park with its 17 museums and cultural institutions, the pedestrianised Old Town and the quaint Gaslamp District. Animal attractions can be found at the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Of course, the beaches are a big drawcard in San Diego. The best beaches include Carlsbad State Beach; the beautiful La Jolla Cove; Mission Beach, which is a good spot for active beach games; and La Jolla Shores, the perfect place in San Diego to learn to surf. The laid-back Pacific Beach is popular with young locals, Black's Beach is frequented by surfers and sometimes nudists; and Coronado Beach is probably the best family beach in the city.
Those planning to do a lot of sightseeing should consider purchasing the Go San Diego Card, which offers discounts on about 48 top San Diego attractions.