Where Should I Stay In San Diego For The First Time?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Yes,

downtown is ideal for first-timers

. Minutes from the airport, with easy access to public transportation, Balboa Park, the waterfront Embarcadero, Seaport Village, harbor cruises, skyline views, restaurants, and more, staying downtown is a great introduction to San Diego.

What is the nicest area to stay in San Diego?

  1. Downtown, Gaslamp Quarter, and Embarcadero. …
  2. Little Italy. …
  3. Balboa Park. …
  4. Hillcrest. …
  5. Mission Valley and Old Town. …
  6. Coronado. …
  7. Harbor Island. …
  8. Point Loma & Shelter Island.

Is San Diego a walkable city?

According to Walk Score,

San Diego has an overall walkability score of 51 out of 100

, meaning some errands can be accomplished on foot.

Is San Diego worth visiting?

The city and all that the area offers is incredible, and this post will go into detail on the best things to do in San Diego! But between hosting the busiest border crossing in the world, some awesome parks, and endless gastronomic options,

San Diego is worth visiting without a doubt.

Is LA or San Diego cheaper?

The answer is

San Diego

. San Diego wins by a nose as it's, on average, 13% more affordable than LA. With a score of 160/100 for San Diego vs 173/100 for Los Angeles, one thing's for sure; both cities are expensive. (Just FYI, 100 is the national average.

What is the best month to visit San Diego?

The best times to visit San Diego are

March through May and September through November

. You can find some great deals on travel rates during the low seasons in comparison to the peak summer season.

What should I not miss in San Diego?

  • Balboa Park. Museum, Park, Zoo. …
  • San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Botanical Garden, Park, Zoo. …
  • Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. Park. …
  • Potato Chip Rock. Natural Feature. …
  • San Diego Comic-Con. Building, Architectural Landmark. …
  • Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Park. …
  • Check out the tiki scene. …
  • Las Cuatro Milpas.

How many days should I stay in San Diego?

We recommend planning

at least 3 days

for San Diego. This will allow you to explore the city center, visit one or two theme parks, and potentially also catch a glimpse of the beautiful coastal areas nearby. However, if you have more time, you can easily fill 5-7 days in San Diego and you'll find plenty to do.

Which is better Pacific Beach or Mission Beach?


Mission , which begins at Belmont Park going south, is the calmer of the two

. The boardwalk has more homes than hotels and far fewer amenities than Pacific Beach, making it good for families or those seeking a more relaxed beach experience. Pacific Beach, which starts north of Belmont Park, is much more lively.

How far is downtown San Diego from the beach?

Can I drive from Ocean Beach to Downtown San Diego? Yes, the driving distance between Ocean Beach to Downtown San Diego is

7 miles

.

Where is the hood in San Diego?

So what are the bad parts of San Diego?

The area east of downtown on both sides of Highway 94

. This 10-mile stretch is home to many of the 5000 documented gang members in San Diego. While most people in this area are great, this is a tough part of San Diego.

Can I do San Diego without a car?

All you need to do is

book a hotel near a San Diego Trolley Station or major transit center

(that covers almost every hotel in downtown, Old Town, or Mission Valley). With a train, bus or trolley pass in hand and a spirit of adventure, you'll be good to go.

How do you get around San Diego without a car?


Catch the Trolley

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System is an easy and economical way to get around San Diego County. Known as “The Trolley,” San Diego's metro trains service over 50 areas of the city and run on three lines — including the newly expanded Blue Line, which has recently added multiple stops.

Is driving in San Diego difficult?


Driving the freeways of San Diego can be difficult and treacherous at times

. Freeways here are not as bad as those north of us in Orange, Los Angeles, and Riverside Counties, but often they seem that way. And if you want to get most places there's no way of getting around it. So here are some safe Highway Driving Tips!

Is San Diego safe for tourists?

San Diego is

overall very safe to travel to

. Even though it's sometimes dangerous, the criminal activities that occur only apply to dangerous parts of the city, which are rarely frequented by tourists.

What is San Diego best known for?

San Diego is renowned for its

idyllic climate, 70 miles of pristine and a dazzling array of world-class family attractions

. Popular attractions include the world-famous San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California.

Is San Diego a good holiday destination?

Is San Diego worth visiting? In my opinion

yes, it's a great city to visit

. First of all, the city is located in the sunshine state of California and benefits from an appealing all-year round climate.

Should I move to Los Angeles or San Diego?

When you compare Los Angeles versus San Diego crime, you'll find

San Diego is a safer place to live

. LA crime rates are 15% higher than the California average while San Diego crime is 19% lower. Los Angeles has 3,261 reported crimes per 100,000 people, including 748 incidents of reported violent crime.

Is rent higher in San Diego or Los Angeles?


Los Angeles is 8.2% more expensive than San Diego

. Los Angeles housing costs are 6.8% more expensive than San Diego housing costs. Health related expenses are 0.4% more in Los Angeles.

Is San Diego more expensive than San Francisco?

The cost of living in San Francisco, CA is

37.9% higher

than in San Diego, CA.

Can you swim in San Diego in December?

Even though the air temperature may be warm enough to sit out on the beach, the water temperature of the Pacific Ocean is pretty cold in winter, so

it's not the best time to go swimming or surfing

(unless you have a wetsuit). Water temperatures dip to about 60 F (16 C) by December and stay there through February.

What is the coldest month in San Diego?

The cool season lasts for 4.1 months, from November 29 to April 2, with an average daily high temperature below 67°F. The coldest month of the year in San Diego is

December

, with an average low of 51°F and high of 65°F.

Can you swim in San Diego in July?

Weather in San Diego

San Diego is warmest from July to September, with average highs of 24 °C (75-76 °F). With lovely weather, sunny coastlines, and the tempting waves of the Pacific Ocean beckoning from the shoreline,

San Diego is the perfect place to go swimming

, surfing, and so much more.

What is the best way to get around San Diego?

The best way to get around San Diego is

by car

. You'll find that the trolley and bus routes aren't as well-connected as in other cities, so to fully experience everything, you're better off being the one in complete control for getting to point A and B.

Why is San Diego so cold?


San Diego has a marine climate, strongly influenced by cool Pacific Ocean temperatures

that annually range from the upper 50s to upper 60s. As the cool ocean air spreads inland it gradually warms, with much higher temperatures in the inland valleys.

What is San Diego like to visit?

San Diego is

home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country

. There are 70 miles of shoreline and a diverse selection of beaches to explore. If you like surfing, you'll be in heaven; if you prefer getting lost in your thoughts on a secluded sandy stretch, you'll also be in heaven.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.