San Diego is located in southern California. With around 1.4
million inhabitants, it is the second largest city in the state
after Los Angeles. San Diego originally belonged to the
settlement area of the Kumeyaay. San Diego Bay was discovered by
Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542 and claimed for Spain. The name
San Diego (Spanish for Saint Didakus) was given to the place in
1602 by Sebastián Vizcaíno, who charted the Californian coast
and whose flagship was called San Diego. However, the permanent
Spanish colonization of San Diego only began in 1769 with the
founding of the Presidio de San Diego and the Franciscan Mission
of San Diego de Alcalá. San Diego was the first mission in Upper
California (equivalent to today's US state of California) and is
therefore called the "Birthplace of California". It was also the
first European settlement in what is now the Western United
States.
From Mexican independence in 1821 until the
Mexican-American War of 1846-48, San Diego was part of Mexico.
At the end of the war, Mexico tried to keep at least San Diego,
but the victorious Americans insisted on keeping the entire San
Diego Bay as well, and the border was made a league (3 miles)
south of the southernmost point of the Bay of Guadalupe Hidalgo
in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo bay fixed. It is there to
this day.
San Diego received city rights in 1850 as one
of the first places in California (along with San Francisco,
Sacramento and San José and even before Los Angeles). The city
originally lay at the foot of Presidio Hill, on the site of
today's Old Town Park. But that was rather inconvenient, since
it was several miles away from the coast. In the second half of
the 19th century, a "new town" was therefore developed directly
on the coast, which corresponds to today's downtown and the
Gaslamp Quarter. In the 1880s, San Diego experienced its first
major population boom: within ten years, the population
quintupled. Around 1900 the city had 17,000 inhabitants. In
1915/16 and 1935/36, San Diego was the scene of two World's
Fairs, the Panama-California Exposition and the California
Pacific International Exposition, for which Balboa Park was
designed. In the 1920s, San Diego grew into a big city, in the
1950s the half-million mark was broken, and since the late 1980s
San Diego has been a city of over a million people.
San
Diego is an important US Navy base. From 1901 the Navy
maintained a coaling station here. The Naval Base San Diego was
founded in 1922 and is now the second largest naval base in the
United States. Two aircraft carriers, 15 amphibious assault
ships, eight cruisers, 14 destroyers, nine coastal combat ships,
three minesweepers and support ships have their homeports here.
26,000 military and civilian employees work at the base.
The coasts around San Diego are among the birthplaces of modern
surfing. The International Surfing Association is based here.
North: Bay Ho, Bay Park, Carmel Valley, Clairemont Mesa, Del Mar
Heights, La Jolla, La Jolla Village, Mission Beach, North City,
North Clairemont, Pacific Beach, Torrey Pines, University City
Northeast: Carmel Mountain, Miramar, Mira Mesa, Rancho Bernardo,
Rancho Penasquitos, Saber Springs, Scripps Ranch, Sorrento
Valley
East: Allied Gardens, Birdland, Del Cerro, Grantville,
Kearny Mesa, Lake Murray, San Carlos, Serra Mesa, Tierrasanta
West: Hillcrest, La Playa, Linda Vista, Loma Portal, Midtown,
Midway District, Mission Bay Park, Mission Hills, Mission
Valley, Morena, North Park, Ocean Beach, Old Town, Point Loma
Heights, Roseville-Fleetridge, Sunset Cliffs, University
Heights, Wooded Area
Downtown: Balboa Park, Barrio Logan,
Core-Columbia, Cortez, Gaslamp Quarter, Golden Hill, Grant Hill,
Harborview, Horton Plaza, Little Italy, Logan Heights, Marina,
Memorial, Park West, Sherman Heights, South Park, Stockton
Mid City: City Heights, College Area, Darnall, El Cerrito,
Gateway, Kensington, Normal Heights, Oak Park, Rolando,
Talmadge, Webster
Southeast: Alta Vista, Bay Terrace, Chollas
View, Emerald Hills, Encanto, Jamacha-Lomita, Lincoln Park,
Mountain View, Mt Hope, Shelltown, Skyline, Southcrest, Valencia
Park
South: Egger Highlands, Nestor, Ocean Crest, Otay Mesa,
Palm City, San Ysidro, Tijuana River Valley
San Diego International Airport (SAN IATA) (less than 10 minutes from
downtown San Diego). First-time visitors to San Diego may feel a bit
nervous as they land at the airport from the east side and come right up
to the downtown buildings. Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines are
San Diego's primary airlines. International flights are mainly from
Mexico and Canada, but also from Munich, London Heathrow, Tokyo Narita,
and Zurich. Visitors to California from other countries will most likely
fly through Los Angeles Airport (LAX IATA) or San Francisco Airport (SFO
IATA). However, San Diego has direct flights from most major U.S. hubs,
including Hawaii (via Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Southwest
Airlines), Atlanta, Chicago O'Hare, Dallas, Houston, and New York JFK,
and a few smaller non-hub airports. If traveling from Mexico, it may be
advantageous to fly domestically to Tijuana and enter San Diego via the
CBX pedestrian bridge directly from the airport. This allows you to skip
the border crossing at San Ysidro with its long delays.
Terminal
1 - There are two concourses, East and West, plus annexes at Gates 1 and
2. Remember, if you are connecting at Southwest, there are three secure
gate areas. If you are connecting aircraft, you will need to go through
security again.
Terminal 1 West - Allegiant Airlines, Frontier
Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country
Airlines, and other low-cost carriers
Terminal 1 East - Southwest
Airlines
Terminal 2 - Terminal 2 has two concourses, East and West.
Terminal 2 East - Served by American Airlines and Alaska Airlines
Terminal 2 West - Served by Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines,
all international carriers, and international arrivals of U.S.-based
carriers (also available if departing from Terminal 1).
Transportation to and from the San Diego airport is provided by an
airport shuttle company. The fare is usually about $15 per person; MTS
Bus #992 The Flyer ($2.25 per ride, $6 for a day pass to transfer to
another bus or trolley) takes 10 minutes from both terminals to the
Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego, and from there to other MTS bus
routes, commuter train coasters, Trolley, and Amtrak. There is also a
direct free shuttle from both terminals to the Old Town Transit Center
and trolley stop, where you can connect to Greyhound and additional MTS
buses/trams, or walk to visit famous Old Town.
The Airport
Consolidated Car Rental Center is located at 3355 Admiral Boland Way,
directly off Pacific Highway on the opposite side of the airport from
the terminal and north of downtown. The terminal is located along Harbor
Drive between downtown and Point Loma. A free shuttle bus runs regularly
between the airport terminal and the rental car center.
The USO
Neal Ash Airport Center for military personnel and their families
attending USMC boot camp is located across the street from the
international arrival doors.
For international travelers, it may
be cheaper to fly to Los Angeles (LAX) and then take ground
transportation: take the LAX Flyaway bus to Union Station and then take
Amtrak or Greyhound to San Diego.
Mexico's General Abelardo L. Rodriguez Airport or Tijuana
International Airport (TIJ IATA) is not far from San Diego. San Diego
has numerous domestic flights from many destinations in Mexico. This
allows many visitors from the Pacific Rim to bypass Los Angeles and San
Francisco airports when connecting to Latin America or arriving near San
Diego. Tokyo flights now go directly to Mexico City. Since this airport
is not located in the U.S., travelers entering the U.S. from Mexico will
need to have the appropriate documentation for their respective
nationalities, including passports and visas. However, Tijuana Airport
can be accessed from the U.S. side via the Cross Border Express Terminal
(CBX), a 120-meter (390-foot) pedestrian bridge across the airport
border that connects the CBX terminal to the Mexican side of the It
connects the main terminal. Passengers pay a toll of $19.95 to $26.95
one-way ($37.95 to $49.95 round-trip), depending on season and
direction, and walk across the bridge from the CBX terminal to the main
terminal to enter the United States for departure and arrival. The
bridge is privately owned, and a portion of the fee goes to cover labor
costs for U.S. Customs and Immigration officers. It is much faster than
going through the vehicle inspection lanes, often resulting in delays of
several hours. There is a shuttle that runs between the downtown Santa
Fe station and the Las Americas Premium Outlets mall in San Ysilo to the
CBX terminal. On the way back, they will take you to the San Diego
airport upon request. A cheaper but longer way to go south is to take
the "UC San Diego Blue Line" trolley to San Ysidro, walk across the
border into Mexico, and take a cab to the airport on the Mexican side.
White and orange "libre" cabs are cheaper than solid yellow cabs. Cabs
in other color combinations are shared-ride cabs that operate on a fixed
route like buses. If you are coming from the U.S., it is quicker to walk
across the bridge into the second CBX terminal and take the CBX shuttle
to downtown San Diego or the San Ysidro bus terminal. The wait is longer
to get to the U.S. than to Mexico, which avoids the wait for pedestrians
and cars.
Private pilots should use nearby general aviation
airports such as Montgomery Gibbs Executive Airport (MYF IATA) in
Claremont Mesa, Gillespie Field Airport (SEE IATA) in El Cajon, and
Brown Field Municipal Airport (SDM IATA) east of San Ysidro. Use. There
are several more airports in North County, including McClellan Palomar
Airport (CLD IATA) in Carlsbad. If flying from the east to the San Diego
area, keep an eye out for the 5,722-foot (1,744 m) Volcan Mountain near
Julian. Commercial aircraft have struck this mountain at night, often
with fatal results. Some air cab and air charter companies offer special
service from local airports to the San Diego area, including many small
airports in Los Angeles and the San Luis Obispo area.
Amtrak, toll-free +1-800-872-7245. Amtrak operates from the historic
Santa Fe Station (1050 Kettner Blvd.) in downtown. This station is the
southern terminus of Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner route, which runs north
to San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles. The station building is within
walking distance of downtown hotels and close to San Diego Bay.
There are also secondary rail stations in Old Town and Sorrento Valley,
primarily served by coaster (commuter) trains. Trolleys stop in Old Town
and downtown at the Santa Fe station, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner
stops in Old Town, Solana Beach, and Oceanside. If you are getting off
at the Old Town stop (OLT), check to see if your train stops at the Old
Town stop (OLT). If you are coming from or going to areas north of
downtown San Diego, such as La Jolla or Mission Valley, the Old Town
station is more accessible than the Downtown (SAN) station.
Coaster, ☏ +1-800-262-7837, is a commuter train that runs north from
downtown along the coast through northern San Diego County to Oceanside,
connecting to Metrolink commuter rail from Los Angeles and Sprinter
light rail from Escondido. Fares vary depending on the distance ridden,
with one-way fares ranging from $4-$5.50 ($2-$2.75 for seniors, July
2018). Tickets are purchased from ticket vending machines located at
each station.
San Diego is easily accessible by car via Interstate 5, 8, and 15:
Interstate 5 begins in San Ysidro at the U.S.-Mexico border crossing,
continues north through Los Angeles and Central California to Oregon and
Washington, and ends in Blaine, Washington at the U.S.-Canada border
crossing.
Interstate 8 begins near the San Diego coast and travels
east through eastern San Diego and Imperial counties into Arizona,
connecting with Interstate 10 midway between Phoenix and Tucson. From
Phoenix, AZ Highway 85 to I-8 in Gila Bend is often faster than I-10 to
I-8, except in the eastern suburbs; on I-8, there is a 4,200-foot (1,300
m) pass between desert and coastal areas. Snow and wind closures and
restrictions occur infrequently, and there is a Border Patrol checkpoint
just west of the Buckman Springs Rest Area (westbound lanes only).
Interstate 15 to Interstate 15 begins in southern San Diego County,
travels through Nevada, Utah, and Idaho, then north through the
California desert, and finally ends at the U.S.-Canada border in
northern Montana. The southernmost highway, between I-5 and I-805 within
San Diego, is labeled "California 15" because it does not meet
interstate standards, but it is the same highway.
In addition,
there are a number of other freeways that traverse San Diego County,
providing relatively easy access to most parts of San Diego. However, it
is often congested during weekday morning and evening commuting hours.
The San Diego metropolitan area is large and sprawling. Getting
around by car is the most efficient way to get around the city and
county. If you "want to see it all," rent a car. For less ambitious
itineraries, public transportation is an option with adequate planning
and time.
Most San Diego addresses do not include east, west,
north, and south directions. This is because the grid of addresses is
quite different on the north and south sides of Mission Valley, with
almost all addresses east of the ocean. The exception is the downtown
area, where streets west of 1st Avenue are designated "west." For
example, 234 Broadway in downtown is considered East Broadway, but 234
West Broadway never drops the word "west."
Unlike in the greater
Los Angeles area, freeways are referred to by their route numbers, not
their names. Most of San Diego's freeways actually have names, but are
rarely used in practice.
For cars
In downtown and beach
communities, street parking is metered. Parking meters accept coins,
prepaid parking meter cards, and in some newer parking meters, credit
cards. For more information on parking meters and policing, or to
purchase prepaid parking meter cards, visit the City of San Diego
Parking Authority website. Gasoline/petrol prices tend to be higher than
in other parts of the U.S., but gasoline is cheapest in suburban
communities such as El Cajon, Santee, Lemon Grove, PorWay, and Chula
Vista. U-turns are allowed at many signalized intersections. If making a
right turn at a red light, look both ways beforehand.
All major
car rental companies operate at the San Diego airport, but most require
a 2.5-mile shuttle through the terminal and behind the runway; to get to
the I-5 freeway, turn right at Sassafras Street and cross the railroad
tracks. Do not mistake the railroad crossing for Kettner Boulevard/I-5
South, as some travelers have done over the years (mostly after dark).
This track is heavily used by Amtrak and other rail services, and if you
go the wrong way, you are likely to be hit by a train. Likewise, the
rental car return location is near the railroad tracks, so do not
blindly follow the GPS before turning.
The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) provides bus service to much of
the county, but service is sparse and infrequent in many areas.
Weaknesses in the transit system include suburb-to-suburb travel and
poor links between some coastal areas. Buses may be suitable for travel
around the downtown area, but the frequency of service generally
decreases as one moves away from the center of the city. Some newer and
wealthier neighborhoods, such as Carmel Valley (east of Del Mar), have
no public transportation at all.
Buses run (at least on weekdays)
about every 15 minutes between downtown San Diego and many
tourist-friendly destinations. This includes the airport, zoo,
Hillcrest, North Park, La Jolla, and other areas (about an hour ride).
Frequent service to Sea World and Pacific Beach is provided from the Old
Town Transit Center, where the trolley stops. There is one bus
approximately every 30 minutes from downtown to Coronado and Ocean
Beach. All downtown buses intersect Broadway at some point. All kinds of
people use the buses during the day. Some may feel a little
uncomfortable at night, but it is generally not unsafe in the main part
of downtown.
MTS buses and trolleys (see below) use an electronic
fare system called PRONTO, where money can be loaded onto a physical
card (which costs $2 to purchase) or a virtual card via a smartphone app
for iOS or Android (no extra charge) The user can Tap the card when
boarding or scan the QR-like code on the app. Fares for regular and
Rapid buses are $2.50 and include two hours of free transit (including
trolley) after the first use ($5 for Rapid Express buses, but primarily
for commuters); $6.00 worth of rides in a day automatically results in a
day pass, with additional rides that day free.
The San Diego Trolley is a light rail system operated by MTS that
primarily serves tourists and residents along the line who need to get
downtown. The Trolley has three lines: Blue, Green, and Orange.
The Blue Line operates from the U.S.-Mexico border in San Ysidro, runs
through Chula Vista and National City to downtown, continues north to
University City and UCSD, and terminates at the Westfield UTC Mall.
The Green Line runs east from downtown to Santee via Old Town, Mission
Valley, and SDSU. This line runs near the Convention Center, while the
Blue and Orange Lines run through the heart of downtown.
The Orange
Line connects eastern El Cajon and La Mesa with downtown (generally less
convenient for tourists).
It operates daily from at least 5:00
a.m. to midnight. The frequency of service is variable, but generally
runs every 15 minutes, with service reduced to 30-minute intervals late
at night, on weekends, and on holidays.
Ticket machines are
located on the platforms at each station; as with the MTS buses (see
above), trolley fares and passes are paid for using Pronto. The new card
costs $2 and can be purchased from ticket vending machines at trolley
stations or by downloading a free smartphone app. Trolley rides will
cost $2.50, with free transfers to buses and other trolley lines for the
first two hours of use; riders who spend $6 on a single day will
automatically receive a one-day pass, with additional rides that day
free. Riders must charge funds to the card or app and then tap the card
or scan the app at the purple PRONTO reader on the platform before
boarding the train. There are no fare gates at the station or validators
on the train, but trolley guards will patrol the station and may ask to
see your card to verify that you have tapped/scanned your PRONTO
card/app before boarding. If you board without a valid fare, you may be
fined or asked to get off at the next station.
San Diego's climate is ideal for biking, but locks are a necessity.
Bicycles are a convenient way to explore the beachside community.
Many residents of the beachside communities use bicycles to get around
their neighborhoods due to tight parking spaces. The beach area is flat
and there are beach cruiser rental spots along the Mission/Pacific Beach
boardwalk.
In other parts of San Diego, the many
difficult-to-cross freeways, hills, valleys, and old roads make cycling
quite challenging, but doable for the avid cyclist. San Diego bicycle
maps are available online.
San Diego has a much better selection
of campgrounds for cyclists than the Los Angeles area, but campgrounds
for hikers and bikers are still extremely limited.
San Diego is a popular tourist destination. The attractions include:
1 San Diego Old Town wikipediacommons. The best way to get there is
by train, which as such is a rarity in the USA. You can take the Green
Line to the Old Town station. A nice collection of old houses from the
time when San Diego was first settled awaits you there. In the houses,
old forms of craftsmanship come to life again. In a historic candy shop,
for example, you can see how candy was made in the past. A postal museum
takes you back to the times of stagecoaches in the "Wild West". Old Town
can therefore only be recommended for a half-day trip (even after a jet
lag).
2 Gaslamp Quarter (or Gaslamp District; green line: Gaslamp
Quarter; orange or blue line: Civic Center) wikipediacommons. District
listed as a historical monument, which was essentially created in the
second half of the 19th century. The buildings are typically Victorian
in style. Known then as "Stingaree," it was the city's seedy-image
entertainment district, with a multitude of saloons, gambling dens and
brothels. After a period of decline and decay, it was revived as a
nightlife district in the 1980s and 90s, albeit less sleazy, and offers
a high concentration of restaurants, shops and nightclubs. It is also
the site of the Street Scene music festival, Mardi Gras (carnival) and
the St. Patrick's Day parades.
Mission San Diego de Alcalá, 10818 San Diego Mission Rd (Green Line: Mission San Diego) . First Spanish Franciscan Mission in Upper California. It was founded in 1769. However, the current church on this site dates from the 19th century.
1 Balboa Park (Bus 7 or 215: Park Bl & Zoo Pl). Largest public park
in the city. The park was designed for the 1915 Panama-California
Exposition. It houses a large number of museums and cultural
institutions housed in historicist buildings in the Spanish colonial
style.
2 San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Dr (Bus 7 or 215: Park Bl & Zoo Pl)
wikipediacommonsfacebookinstagramtwitter. One of the largest and most
famous zoological gardens in the USA with 650 different animal species.
San Diego Zoo was one of the first to replace indoor cages with large
outdoor enclosures that replicate the animals' natural habitats.
3
Mission Bay (accessible by bus routes 8 and 9 from Old Town Station) .
Artificial Lagoon. Surrounding them is the 17 km² Mission Bay Park, the
largest man-made water park in the USA. It consists of about half of
water and half of land (artificial islands and peninsulas). You can go
sailing, wakeboarding or jet skiing on the water surfaces. Camping,
biking, jogging, skateboarding, rollerblading and sunbathing on the
surrounding land.
4 Presidio Park, 2811 Jackson St (600 m northwest
of Old Town Park; Green Line: Old Town Transit Center; Bus 88: Taylor St
& Presidio Dr). Historical park on the site of what was once the
Presidio de San Diego, the first Spanish fort in Upper California. In
the park is the Junípero Serra Museum, whose exhibition is dedicated to
the founding phase of San Diego. Built in 1925 in Spanish Colonial
style, some mistake it for the historic Presidio.
USS Midway Museum, 910 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. Tel:
+1.619.544.9600. Converted into a museum. Aircraft carrier that served
from 1945 to 1992 (including the Vietnam War).
Streets and
squares
Horton Plaza, 900 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA.
Park-like square in the city center (Downtown). Here is the Broadway
Fountain, inaugurated in 1910, which is modeled on the ancient
Lysicrates monument in Athens.
Various
Point Loma (12 km west;
accessible by bus route 84 from Old Town Transit Center) . Peninsula
jutting out into the ocean that forms a natural barrier around San Diego
Bay. Rocky coastal landscape (Sunset Cliffs Natural Park), Fort
Rosecrans military cemetery, old lighthouse from 1855.
In part for historical reasons, San Diego's city limits are quite
jagged. While there are exclaves of the metropolitan area that are 20 or
even 30 miles from downtown, there are officially self-contained cities
of Coronado, National City, and Chula Vista that are much closer to
downtown San Diego and have effectively merged with the city without
that there was a discernible separation. In the following, therefore,
settlements within a radius of 30 km are listed, regardless of whether
they are districts of San Diego or independent communities.
3
Coronado – Beach resort on the peninsula off San Diego Bay known for the
plush Hotel del Coronado, a Victorian beach hotel founded in 1888 where
the 1958 film Some Like It Hot starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and
Tony Curtis was filmed. Accessible via the Coronado–Convention Center
passenger ferry or via the Coronado Bridge (bus route 901 takes 20
minutes from downtown)
4 La Jolla – residential suburb (20 km north
of downtown, 9 km from Mission Bay) with famous beaches (e.g. Black's
Beach), one of the birthplaces of the "surf culture" of the 1960s, seat
of the University of California , San Diego, and the Salk Institute for
Biological Studies, exclusive shops for the wealthy residents.
5
Miramar (14 miles north of Downtown) - Former home of the United States
Navy Fighter Weapons School ("Top Gun"), known from the film Top Gun
(1986) starring Tom Cruise and the series JAG (1995-2005). There is a
park and a 5-mile walk around Lake Miramar.
Along the San Diego coast, there are miles of beaches for swimming,
surfing, and general swimming. Each beach is unique, from popular white
sand beaches to harsh surf spots to La Jolla's clothing-optional Blacks
Beach. Wave conditions vary from beach to beach, and there are numerous
surf schools throughout San Diego.
Of San Diego's beaches,
Mission Beach and Pacific Beach are the most popular, with connected
boardwalks popular with bicyclists and rollerbladers, as well as many
stores, restaurants, and bars that draw large crowds. Pacific Beach has
a pier and Mission Beach has a seaside amusement park. This area tends
to be the center of the spring break scene, with swimming and surfing in
some of San Diego's calmest waters.
Ocean Beach to the south,
with its wide sandy beach, fishing pier, and designated surfing and
swimming areas, and Dog Beach at the northern end, is recommended for
those who want a taste of local beach culture away from the crowds of
Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. Further south, Coronado's main beach is
known for its sparkling white sands and family-friendly atmosphere,
while the Silver Strand, which stretches between Coronado and Imperial
Beach, offers excellent swimming and surfing spots.
La Jolla to
the north has some of the most scenic beaches around, including the
popular La Jolla Cove, frequented by swimmers, snorkelers, and scuba
divers. Surfing is prohibited at the Cove, but nearby Windansea Beach
and Marine Street Beach have a reputation as places to test your mettle
in rough seas. La Jolla Shores has some of the calmest waves in San
Diego, and Torrey Pines State Beach is one of the most scenic beaches,
with sheer cliff faces and a great place to escape the crowds. Further
north, the northern San Diego County coast offers several scenic and
popular beaches.
There are plenty of boating opportunities on San Diego Bay, with many
anchorages and marinas to accommodate all boaters. Boating moorings and
marinas are located in Point Loma, Downtown, Coronado, National City,
and Chula Vista (see separate page for specific locations). Some
anchorages require a permit, others do not. If a permit is required, it
can be obtained at the Shelter Island Harbor Police Facility in Point
Loma (1401 Shelter Island Drive, ☏ +1 619-686-6272). For mooring
applications, contact the SD Mooring Company office on Harbor Island
(near the airport, 2040 N. Harbor Island Drive, ☏ +1 619-291-0916).
The calm man-made coves of San Diego Bay and Mission Bay are also
ideal for sailing, windsurfing, and jet skiing, with rentals and lessons
available in Mission Bay. Mission Bay's calm waters are also ideal for
kayaking, with numerous rental locations. Kayaking at La Jolla Shores is
also great, where you can see leopard sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, sea
lions, pelicans, and explore sea caves.
San Diego also offers
excellent scuba diving, including "Wreck Alley," where you can see kelp
colonies and explore the Yukon and Ruby E shipwrecks. In addition,
several dive boat companies operate regular trips to the Coronados
Islands off the coast of Mexico, where you can dive with sea lions.
Diving here is usually referred to as cold water diving, and the clarity
is not always the best.
For those who want to get out to sea more
casually, whale-watching cruises are also available. California gray
whales migrate south along the coast every February, and there are
several great places along the coast to view them, including the lookout
at Point Loma in Cabrillo National Monument. During the migration
season, several private companies offer sailing tours that allow
visitors to get closer to the whales.
Hang gliding – At the edge of cliffs towering above the Pacific
Ocean, the Torrey Pines Glider Port in La Jolla allows anyone to soar
over one of the most pristine sections of coastline in southern
California. Training and tandem glides with an expert are offered.
Golfing – There are many public and private golf courses scattered
throughout San Diego that suit nearly every budget. The Torrey Pines
Golf Course in La Jolla hosts the PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open
annually in January or February.
Hiking & biking - San Diego’s near
perfect climate, unique landscape, and low-crime rate make it one of the
most pleasant places in the country to enjoy outdoor exercise. Because
of this, visitors and locals alike will have no trouble finding a
biking, hiking, or walking trail to suit their needs. There are numerous
hiking trails and bike paths to choose from - big and small, highly
visible or hidden. Information on some of the most popular individual
trails can be found in the district articles.
Rock climbing - San
Diego offers some unique opportunities for rock climbing both outdoor
and indoor. Although San Diego is rarely considered a destination
climbing area, specialist climbing companies offer guided rock climbing
from professional climbers for the beginner to the experienced climber.
All the climbing companies provide all the required equipment such as
helmets, shoes and harnesses, and usually require an orientation meeting
the week of the climb for all participants. Most good climbing spots are
located either in North San Diego or Inland San Diego County.
San Diego sports fans have always struggled. Despite being one of the
largest cities in the country and blessed with beautiful weather, no
major league professional team in San Diego has ever won a championship,
and none of the two major college teams currently in San Diego have ever
won a national title in the popular sport.
Playing in beautiful
Petco Park in downtown San Diego, Major League Baseball's San Diego
Padres are the only professional team in San Diego. In their history,
they have developed greats like Dave Winfield, Trevor Hoffman, and, of
course, Tony Gwynn, and have twice made it to the World Series, coming
the closest to the elusive championship, but unfortunately losing badly
both times. It was also the birthplace of the widely beloved mascot, the
San Diego Chicken, whose popularity sparked a wave of cartoonish mascots
throughout professional sports in the U.S. In 2022, San Diego became
home to the San Diego Wave FC of the National Women's Soccer League. San
Diego is also home to the San Diego Gulls, a minor league affiliate of
the Anaheim Ducks field hockey team that plays in the American Hockey
League, and San Diego Royal SC, a men's soccer team in the second
division USL Championship.
In college sports, the San Diego State
Aztecs represent San Diego State University, San Diego's most notable
NCAA program. The basketball team plays its home games at Viejas Arena
on the SDSU campus in Mid-City, the baseball team at Tony Gwynn Stadium
(also on the SDSU campus), and the football team at the new 2022 Mission
Valley Snapdragon Stadium as its home. The city is also home to the
University of San Diego's San Diego Toreros, with the university's
basketball, baseball, and football teams playing at facilities on the
USD campus in Mission Valley. Royale SC has played at USD's Torero
Stadium since its opening in 2020; Wave FC started its first season at
Torero Stadium but moved to Snapdragon Stadium after it opened.
In the south of San Diego, directly on the border with Mexico, is the large shopping center 1 Las Americas Premium Outlets wikipedia with numerous discounted brand names. The outlet can be reached via I-5 South (last exit in the USA).
Like any other metropolitan area, San Diego offers a wide variety of
cuisines from many different countries. Cuisines representing almost
every world cuisine can be found somewhere in the city, and major
restaurant chains can be found in almost every district. Districts with
the most upscale restaurants include Downtown, Hillcrest, and La Jolla,
which offer plenty of dining options for locals and visitors alike.
Pacific Beach also has a lively, albeit more laid-back, dining scene,
and Mid-City (especially Kensington and North Park) has many excellent
restaurants for locals. There is also a concentration of Italian
restaurants and delis in downtown Little Italy and a number of Southeast
Asian restaurants and markets in Kearny Mesa, which is home to a large
Asian American population.
San Diego's proximity to the border
makes it no surprise that Mexican food is abundant. In addition to the
touristy (and generally overpriced) Mexican restaurants in Old Town, the
city has an endless choice of Mexican food, from hole-in-the-wall taco
joints to upscale restaurants. Ask the locals for their opinions.
Everyone in San Diegan has a favorite restaurant. The local specialty is
the rolled taco, which is beef or chicken wrapped tightly in a corn
tortilla, fried until crispy, and topped with guacamole and shredded
cheese. Rolled tacos can be found throughout Southern California, but
the best tacos are found in San Diego. Fish tacos and carne asada
burritos are two San Diego staples that should not be missed. Unlike
burritos in other parts of the country, which tend to use rice and beans
as filler, San Diego burritos are usually chock-full of carne asada
steak, with guacamole and pico de gallo mixed in for a very satisfying
meal. A variant of the carne asada burrito is the California burrito,
which contains a combination of carne asada, French fries, cheese,
cilantro, pico de gallo, sour cream, onion, and guacamole.
Bars and clubs may remain open after 2:00 a.m., but alcohol sales are
prohibited after that time. Beer bars are open until midnight, and last
call for bars and clubs is around 1:30-1:50 am. At restaurants, medium
sized beers are generally $4-$5. The best bar scene in San Diego is in
the downtown Gaslamp Quarter area and Pacific Beach.
San Diego is
famous for its craft beer, especially hoppy beers. The city's craft
breweries include AleSmith Brewing Company, Stone Brewing Company, Karl
Strauss Brewing Company, Green Flash Brewing Company, and the San Diego
Brewing Company. Company, Green Flash Brewing Company, Coronado Brewing
Company, Ballast Point Brewing Company, and the Ballast Point Brewing
Company. Ballast Point Brewing Company, and Port Brewing Company. Craft
beer can usually be found in almost every bar in San Diego. In addition,
many specialty craft beer bars are scattered throughout San Diego and
boast some of the best and most unique beer selections in the country.
Happy hour specials are very popular in San Diego, offering some of
the cheapest and tastiest food and drinks in town. Pacific Beach and
Downtown in particular are known for their many bars and restaurants
that offer happy hour deals.
Hawthorne Suites, 1335 Hotel Circle South. Tel: +1 619 299-3501, Fax:
+1 619 294-7882.
Holiday Inn, 3805 Murphy Canyon Road. Phone: +1 858
278-9300.
Holiday Inn, 17065 W Bernardo Dr Phone: +1 858 485-6530.
Holiday Inn, 595 Hotel Circle South. Phone: +1 619 291-5720.
Four
Points By Sheraton San Diego Downtown, 1617 First Ave. Phone: +1 619
239-9600.
Holiday Inn, 4875 North Harbor Drive. Phone: +1 619
224-3621.
Holiday Inn, 1355 North Harbor Drive. Phone: +1 619
232-3861.
Holiday Inn, 3737 Sports Arena Blvd. Phone: +1 619
881-6100.
Holiday Inn Express, 4610 De Soto St. Phone: +1 858
483-9800.
Holiday Inn Express, 3950 Jupiter St. Tel: +1 619 226-8000.
Holiday Inn Express, 9888 Mira Mesa Blvd. Phone: +1 858 635-5566.
Holiday Inn Express, 3900 Old Town Ave. Phone: +1 619 299-7400.
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 5925 Lusk Blvd. Phone: +1 858
731-0100.
Holiday Inn Select, 9335 Kearny Mesa Rd. Tel: +1 858
695-2300.
SpringHill Suites San Diego Rancho Bernardo/Scripps Poway,
12032 Scripps Highlands Drive. Tel: +1 858 635-5723, Fax: +1 858
635-5725.
Staybridge Suites, 11855 Avenue Of Industry. Phone: +1 858
487-0900.
Staybridge Suites, 6639 Mira Mesa Blvd. Phone: +1 858
453-5343.
Cheap
Motel 6 San Diego - Hotel Circle, 2424 Hotel
Circle North. Tel: +1 619 296-1612, Fax: +1 619 543-9305.
Motel 6 San
Diego Airport/Harbor, 2353 Pacific Highway. Tel: +1 619 232-8931, Fax:
+1 619 237-0776.
Motel 6 San Diego Downtown, 1546 2nd Ave. Tel: +1
619 236-9292, Fax: +1 619 236-9988.
Motel 6 San Diego North, 5592
Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Tel: +1 858 268-9758, Fax: +1 858 292-0832.
Middle
Best Western Americana Inn, 815 W San Ysidro Blvd. Tel: +1
619 428-5521, Fax: +1 619 428-0693.
Best Western Bayside Inn, 555 W
Ash Street. Tel: +1 619 233-7500, +1 800 341-1818 (Toll-free), Fax: +1
619 239-8060.
Best Western Cabrillo Garden Inn, 840 A Street. Tel: +1
619 234-8477, +1 866 363-8388 (Toll-free), Fax: +1 619 615-0422.
Best
Western Hacienda Suites- Old Town, 4041 Harney Street. Tel: +1 619
298-4707, +1 800 888-1991 (Toll-free), Fax: +1 619 298-4771.
Best
Western Inn, Miramar/San Diego, 9310 Kearny Mesa Road. Tel: +1 858
578-6600, +1 800 827-2635 (Toll-free), Fax: +1 858 536-1368.
Best
Western Island Palms Hotel & Marina, 2051 Shelter Island Drive. Tel: +1
619 222-0561, +1 877 484-3725 (Toll-free), Fax: +1 619 222-9760.
Best
Western Lamplighter Inn & Suites, 6474 El Cajon Blvd. Tel: +1 619
582-3088, +1 800 545-0778 (Toll-free), Fax: +1 619 582-6873.
Best
Western Mission Bay, 2575 Clairemont Drive. Tel: +1 619 275-5700, +1 800
457-8080 (Toll-free), Fax: +1 619 275-5064.
Best Western Posada Inn,
5005 N Harbor Drive. Tel: +1 619 224-3254, Fax: +1 619 224-2186.
Best
Western Seven Seas, 411 Hotel Circle S. Tel: +1.619.291-1300,
+1.800.328-1618 (Toll-free), Fax: +1.619.291-6933.
upscale
Courtyard San Diego Central, 8651 Spectrum Center Blvd. Tel: +1 858
573-0700, Fax: +1 858 573-9818.
Courtyard San Diego Downtown, 530
Broadway Street. Tel: +1 619 446-3000, +1 800 321-2211 (Toll-free), Fax:
+1 619 446-3010.
Courtyard San Diego Old Town, 2435 Jefferson St.
Tel: +1 619 260-8500, +1 800 255-3544 (Toll-free), Fax: +1 619 297-2078.
Courtyard San Diego Rancho Bernardo, 11611 Bernardo Plaza Court. Tel:
+1.858.613-2000, Fax: +1.858.613-2010.
Courtyard San Diego Sorrento
Mesa/La Jolla, 9650 Scranton Rd. Tel: +1 858 558-9600, Fax: +1 858
558-4539.
Residence Inn San Diego Central, 5400 Kearny Mesa Road.
Tel: +1 858 278-2100, Fax: +1 858 268-3926.
Residence Inn San Diego
Downtown, 1747 Pacific Highway. Tel: +1 619 338-8200, Fax: +1 619
338-8219.
Residence Inn San Diego Mission Valley/SeaWorld Area, 1865
Hotel Circle South. Tel: +1 619 881-3600, Fax: +1 619 582-7510.
Residence Inn San Diego Rancho Bernardo/Carmel Mountain Ranch, 11002
Rancho Carmel Drive. Tel: +1 858 673-1900, +1 858 673-1900 (Toll-free),
Fax: +1 858 673-1913.
Residence Inn San Diego Scripps Poway Parkway,
12011 Scripps Highland Dr. Tel: +1 858 635-5724, Fax: +1 858 635-5726.
Residence Inn San Diego Sorrento Mesa/Sorrento Valley, 5995 Pacific Mesa
Court. Tel: +1.858.552-9100, Fax: +1.858.552-9199.
San Diego Marriott
Del Mar, 11966 El Camino Real. Tel: +1 858 523-1700, Fax: +1 858
523-1355.
San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter, 660 K Street. Tel: +1
619 696-0234, Fax: +1 619 231-8199.
San Diego Marriott Hotel &
Marina, 333 West Harbor Drive. Tel: +1 619 234-1500, Fax: +1 619
234-8678.
San Diego Marriott Mission Valley, 8757 Rio San Diego
Drive. Tel: +1 619 692-3800, +1 800 842-5329 (Toll-free), Fax: +1 619
692-0769.
San Diego is considered one of the safest cities in California. Crime
does exist, although violent crime is on the decline overall, property
crime is still present. Currently, you can view real-time crime reports
for the areas you plan to visit. The same attention should be paid as in
larger cities. Avoid walking at night in southeast San Diego and the
Barrio Logan (near or under the Coronado Bridge). If you must walk, do
not walk through dark alleys or approach strangers. If you avoid buying
illegal drugs or prostitution, most people will not encounter problems.
Also, gangs are still present, although not as prevalent as in Los
Angeles.
In an emergency (when there is a risk of loss of life or
limb), call 911 and ask for the police or fire department to call an
ambulance. If you call from a cell phone, the 911 call will be forwarded
to the California Highway Patrol, which may delay contacting the city
police. (911 calls made from a landline will be forwarded to the
appropriate local agency.) 911 calls are free from all phones, including
pay phones.
In many cases, if you are in the city, it may be more
appropriate to dial the San Diego non-emergency number ☏ +1 619-531-2000
directly. For example, if a crime is in progress and you are not in
direct danger, it is best to call the San Diego Police Department (or
other local authorities) directly.
San Diego has a dedicated police department as well as a county sheriff's department. In addition, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) provides security on major highways. For non-emergency calls within the city, call ☏ +1 619-531-2000.
The City of San Diego Fire Department provides fire protection, emergency medical services, hazardous waste cleanup, and search and rescue. When you dial 911 in an emergency, the San Diego Fire Department is the first responder. During the summer and fall, there is always the danger of brush fires in urban areas, but tourists are rarely harmed.
San Diego's currents are notorious for their strength and sudden
appearance. Do not enter the water unsupervised by lifeguards or at
night. At La Jolla Shores, the rip currents can be so strong that people
standing waist-deep in the water (not swimming) have been pulled over
their heads. Avoid low tide as much as possible on this beach, except
when sunbathing. (Low tide is the largest of the two tides that rise and
fall in the course of a day.) Check the Scripps Pier newspaper weather
forecast or watch the Weather Channel.) All major beaches have
lifeguards on duty during the summer months, but only the most popular
beaches have lifeguards year-round.
Many of the sea cliffs are
made of compacted sandstone and are prone to collapse even when dry. If
walking along the beach cliffs, stay 25 to 40 feet away from them as
they are unstable and dangerous. Follow all signs. Several serious
injuries and sometimes fatalities occur each year. Heavy rains can
increase the concentration of bacteria and chemicals in saltwater. One
should be careful to read the newspaper or call the county health
department to make sure the seawater is safe for swimming. In general,
most people do not play in the water at the beach for 24 to 72 hours
after a rain event.
Access to the beach is safe via public
stairs. Stairs are well maintained (except at Blacks Beach) and free of
charge. The stairs at Blacks Beach are rough, so use at your own risk.
Do not attempt them unless you wear sturdy shoes, are in good physical
condition, and can climb back up the 91 meters from the beach. Beware of
fake trails down the cliffs as several people get stuck every year (the
worst!). The trailhead is a dirt gouge. The trailhead begins at the
south corner of the dirt glider port parking lot. Take a little time to
familiarize yourself with the area and observe where others are going.
It's a long way, but you can also enter from the north via Torrey Pines
State Beach. ($10-12 Monday-Thursday, $12-20 Friday-Sunday and holidays,
free along the highway). This route is not available at high tide, so
plan accordingly.
The bridge connecting Torrey Pines (north of
Blacks Beach) to Del Mar (old US 101) is old and in need of repair.
Avoid walking directly under it as concrete debris will fall from time
to time. For now, it is still considered safe to drive through. If you
are concerned, access the area from the south via I-5 and Genesee Avenue
(Exit 29), which soon becomes N. Torrey Pines Rd. Please supervise
children closely at all times at Sunset Cliffs and the Torrey Pines
Glider Port above Blacks Beach. You may need to hold their hand at all
times. If there are unruly children, do not go there.
Thefts can
occur on the beach and ruin a great day. Do not leave purses or
expensive personal items on the beach or in open cars. Car theft is
common in most beach communities and takes place in broad daylight. If
possible, do not leave valuables in your car, even if it is locked. Most
kayak and beach rental stores offer safe boxes free of charge and will
take care of your valuables while you are renting.
Also, be aware
that certain beach areas are heavily guarded and you may (inadvertently)
wander into military installations where the beach is either exclusively
for military personnel and their families or a training center.
Alcohol is prohibited on all public beaches and coastal parks in San
Diego. Violators are subject to fines of up to $250, and repeat
offenders are subject to fines of up to $1,000 and six months in jail.
The ban also applies to sidewalks and streets within the City of San
Diego.
San Diego has no history of major destructive earthquakes in modern times. The large San Andreas fault, which threatens San Francisco and Los Angeles, runs far east of San Diego and is actually close to the Arizona border. Nevertheless, the smaller Rose Canyon Fault runs through San Diego. While this fault is not capable of producing a top-class earthquake, its proximity has scientists concerned. If a "big earthquake" were to strike Los Angeles, San Diego would be affected to some degree. Even if local damage is minimal, there will be supply shortages. The same precautions should be taken as in other areas that may someday experience an earthquake.
The city has numerous universities. The two most important are UCSD (University of California San Diego) and SDSU (San Diego State University).
Position
San Diego is located on a man-made dock on the southern
tip of California, about a two-and-a-half hour drive south of Los
Angeles and about a half-hour north of Tijuana, Mexico. The city is
bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west. Mountains and the Anza Borrego
Desert Park form a natural boundary to the east. San Diego is divided in
two by the city of Chula Vista. The highest point in the city is Cowles
Mountain (486 m) in Mission Trails Regional Park; other elevations are
the Black Mountain with 475 m and Mount Soledad with 251 m. The urban
area expands further and further inland. In the south it extends to the
Mexican border. The San Diego River flows through the city.
The San Diego area is a wonderful place to visit any time of year.
Coastal temperatures are ideal, hovering around 24°C (75°F). However,
Southern California's climate is quite complex, with temperatures
changing rapidly as you move eastward from the coast. During summer
days, temperatures can rise as much as 1° Fahrenheit for every mile
eastward. In winter, especially at night, eastern areas are usually
relatively cool. In some valleys and other areas, weather conditions
vary widely due to topography and other factors. These are often
referred to as "micro-climates."
If you are visiting San Diego
expecting sunny weather, avoid May and June. San Diego is shrouded in
clouds most days, a phenomenon locals call "May Gray" or "June Groom";
September is usually the hottest month of the year during the day;
mid-September through October is the month with the highest risk of
wildfires because of the long periods of no consistent rainfall The
warmer months are also the hottest months of the year. Along the beaches
during the warmer months, it can be surprisingly cool after dark, even
if it is not so cold a little further inland; March and April usually
have the strongest winds; and the months of September and October are
the hottest months of the year. Along the coast, fog is common from
September through April, and it is not uncommon to have fog three to
seven days a month.
In late summer and fall, the climate reverses
from normal, and hot, dry air blows from the desert to the coast. This
wind is known as the Santa Ana Wind. Mild Santa Ana Winds produce
excellent dry air conditions, but powerful Santa Ana Winds can last for
days, significantly raising temperatures, significantly increasing fire
danger, and making the outdoors uncomfortable.
The area that is now San Diego was long inhabited by the Kumeyaay
Indians. On September 28, 1542, the Portuguese Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo,
who was in Spanish service, was the first European to land. He declared
his discovery possession of the Spanish crown and named it San Miguel.
Administratively, California was part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain.
The next Spaniard to visit the region was Sebastián Vizcaíno. On
behalf of Spain he sailed along the west coast to map it. In November
1602, on the feast day in honor of San Diego de Alcalá, he reached San
Miguel and gave the town its current name, San Diego.
It was not
until 1769 that Gaspar de Portolá established a military post and the
Franciscan Junípero Serra established the first mission, Mission San
Diego de Alcalá. Due to constant problems with the water supply and poor
soil, the priest Luis Jayme moved the mission about ten kilometers in
1774, and the first settlers soon followed. In 1775, the Spaniards
successfully defeated an indigenous revolt. As a result of these events,
Luis Jayme and two other people were killed. In 1776 Junípero Serra
returned and organized the rebuilding of the mission. In 1797 San Diego
de Alcalá was the largest mission in California with over 1400
neophytes.
In 1821 Mexico became independent from Spain. The
Viceroyalty of New Spain, Alta California and thus San Diego were merged
into the nation state of Mexico. In 1834 San Diego was declared a city
and the first elections were held. Juan Maria Osuna won the mayoral
election against Pio Pico and became the first mayor. In 1838, San Diego
lost its city status after a drastic population decline.
As a
result of the Mexican-American War, San Diego fell to the United States
in 1850 and became the city and seat of San Diego County. Joshua Bean
became the first US mayor.
In 1869, local gold discoveries
triggered a boom. As a result, San Diego was connected to the national
railroad network in 1885. At the end of the 1880s the gold rush ebbed
away; the population of San Diego fell from 40,000 to 16,000 residents.
In 1915/16 San Diego hosted the Panama-California Exposition.
In 1917, US entry into World War I brought numerous military
installations to San Diego.
In 1927, Charles Lindbergh
transported the Spirit of St. Louis, built in San Diego, from the
airfield later named after him in record time to Roosevelt Field in New
York on the east coast, the starting point of his legendary
transatlantic flight. At the same time, the aircraft industry was
beginning to take hold in San Diego.
In 1941, after the attack on
Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy moved the headquarters of its
Pacific Fleet back to San Diego. Since the Second World War, the
military has shaped the cityscape of San Diego and triggered an economic
boom. To this day it is the most important employer in the region.
On September 25, 1978, a Pacific Southwest Airlines Boeing 727
collided with a Cessna 172 light aircraft. A total of 144 people die in
the crash of Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 182.
On January
29, 1979, 16-year-old Brenda Ann Spencer shot two people and injured
nine others in front of Grover Cleveland Elementary School.
In
1981, the San Diego Trolley became the United States' first modern light
rail system.
On July 18, 1984, one of the worst killing sprees in
US history took place in the San Ysidro neighborhood: 41-year-old James
Oliver Huberty entered a McDonald's branch, shot dead 21 people and
injured 19 others before being shot dead by police.
After the end
of the Cold War, the military presence decreased significantly, and
since then the biotech and telecommunications industries have thrived in
San Diego. The inner main belt asteroid (3043) San Diego is named after
the city.