Guide · 1 Places

San Diego

United States

Before You Go

When to Visit

Year-round pleasant weather with temperatures from 18-24°C (64-75°F). May to October offers the warmest weather perfect for beaches. December to March is slightly cooler but still pleasant. San Diego enjoys over 260 sunny days per year. Summer brings marine layer fog in the mornings, clearing by afternoon.

Visa

Check requirements

International visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries can stay up to 90 days without a visa (requires ESTA authorization). Citizens of other countries need a B-2 tourist visa. Canadian and Mexican citizens have simplified entry requirements. Check requirements at travel.state.gov.

Getting There

Transportation

By Air: San Diego International Airport (SAN) is just 5km from downtown, one of the closest airports to a city center.

By Train: Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner connects to Los Angeles (2.5 hours) and other coastal cities.

By Car: I-5 runs north-south, connecting to Los Angeles and Mexico border.

Language

Communication

English is the primary language. Spanish is also widely spoken due to proximity to Mexico and large Hispanic population.

Currency

Money matters

US Dollar (USD). Credit cards accepted everywhere. ATMs widely available. Tipping is customary: 18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, $2-5 for rideshare drivers.

Getting Around

Local transport

MTS: Trolley (light rail) and buses covering the metro area. Get a Compass Card.

Uber/Lyft: Widely available.

Taxis: Available but less common.

Walking: Downtown, Gaslamp Quarter, and waterfront areas are walkable.

From the Airport

Arrival info

MTS Route 992: Bus to downtown (15 min, $2.50).

Uber/Taxi: $15-25 to downtown (10-15 min).

Rental Car: Available but not necessary for staying downtown.

Cultural and Artistic Venues

Cultural and Artistic Venues

Mingei International Museum

International folk art and craft museum in Balboa Park. Rotating exhibitions of decorative arts.