Plan your journey to San Diego and discover the best ways to explore its beaches, neighbourhoods and surrounding Southern California attractions.
San Diego is located on the Pacific coast of Southern California, approximately 120 miles south of Los Angeles.
The city is relatively easy to reach by plane, train or car, although its attractions are spread across a large area.
Choosing the right transportation depends on where you plan to stay and which parts of San Diego you want to explore.
Flying to San Diego
San Diego International Airport is the city’s main passenger airport.
Located close to downtown, it offers domestic and international flight connections.
From the airport, you can reach downtown San Diego using taxis, rideshare services or public transportation.
MTS Route 992 provides a bus connection between the airport and downtown, including access to Santa Fe Depot.
If you are staying in La Jolla, Pacific Beach or other coastal neighbourhoods, allow additional travelling time.
Travelling by Train
Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner connects San Diego with several destinations along the Southern California coast, including Los Angeles.
Trains serve Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego and Old Town Transit Center.
The train is a pleasant alternative to driving, particularly if you are combining San Diego with other California destinations.
Getting Around San Diego
San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System operates buses and trolley services throughout much of the metropolitan area.
The San Diego Trolley connects downtown with destinations such as Old Town, Mission Valley, La Jolla’s UTC area and the Mexican border at San Ysidro.
However, not every beach or attraction is directly accessible by trolley, so you may need to combine different transportation options.
Do You Need a Car?
If you are mainly staying downtown and visiting attractions along public transportation routes, you may be able to explore San Diego without renting a car.
However, a rental car can be useful if you want to visit several beaches, explore coastal neighbourhoods or take day trips outside the city.
Parking can be expensive in popular areas, particularly during the summer.
Plan Your San Diego Visit
For a first visit, I recommend spending at least three or four days exploring San Diego.
Begin with Balboa Park and downtown, then spend time discovering La Jolla, Coronado and the city’s beautiful beaches.
If you have additional time, consider a day trip to nearby coastal communities or exploring more of Southern California.
San Diego is a destination where the journey can be just as enjoyable as the attractions themselves, particularly when travelling along its beautiful Pacific coastline.