“BEST OF THE WORLD DESTINATION”
-NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER
WELCOME TO SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
Boasting beautiful beaches, near-perfect weather, an abundance of adventures, and more than 100 vibrant neighborhoods, San Diego is the quintessential Southern California vacation destination. Located on the southwest corner of the country, San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States. It is one of the most biodiverse regions in the country, offering beaches, bays, mountains, lakes and deserts — all within a short drive from each other.
San Diego’s diverse cultural heritage dates to the earliest Native Californian period and fabled explorers, prominently displayed throughout the city in the form of colorful murals, street art, and museums. From Old Town to Barrio Logan to La Jolla, each neighborhood has its own unique style and culture, highlighting the best of San Diego’s welcoming nature. San Diego’s lifestyle embodies good vibes and a laid-back attitude where you can let joy lead the way on your next adventure.
Explore 70 miles of sun-soaked coastline filled with beach towns and good vibes. Spend the trip exploring the sea caves of La Jolla Cove, wandering the gardens and museums of Balboa Park, or discovering your new favorite draft at a neighborhood craft brewery. Catch the electric energy of a San Diego Padres game or San Diego FC match, hike coastal trails or inland peaks, stay out for music under the stars or a Michelin-starred culinary feast. Around here, there is always something new, something exciting, and something completely unexpected to lift your spirits. Get swept up in the outdoor lifestyle and family-friendly attractions, where fun comes naturally; smiles come easier, and laughter travels farther. Somewhere between the sunny beach days, bay breezes, vibrant arts and colorful culture, and relaxing lifestyle, your whole perspective shifts for the better. The good in life feels easier to see.
So, stay a little longer, take one more walk by the water, or find one more view worth sharing.
Come to the Bright Side in San Diego!
SUNSHINE & COASTLINE
DISTANCE FROM OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST
Tijuana, Mexico
Guadalupe Valley, Mexico
Disneyland/Anaheim
Los Angeles International Airport
Universal Studios/Los Angeles
Palm Springs
15 mi / 24 km / 0.5 hours
88 mi / 142 km / 2 hours
95 mi / 153 km / 1.5 hours
125 mi / 201 km / 2.5 hours
130 mi / 209 km / 2.5 hours
139 mi /224 km / 2.5 hours
Las Vegas 340 mi / 547 km / 5.5 hours
Phoenix
352 mi / 566 km / 5.5 hours
San Francisco 511 mi / 822 km / 9 hours
C ALIFORNIA
TEMPERATURES IN SAN DIEGO
“THE
#1 BUZZIEST BEACH TOWN”
-YAHOO! TRAVEL
ATTRACTIONS
From family-friendly theme parks to conservation institutions and museums preserving military history, San Diego has a must-visit hotspot for any itinerary.
SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO
Located on scenic Mission Bay, SeaWorld features educational animal presentations, live entertainment and dozens of exhibits featuring marine life from around the globe, such as “Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience,” along with the reimagined Shark Encounter that debuted summer 2026. Thrill-seekers can experience the Manta, Electric Eel and Emperor roller coasters, and the Arctic Rescue ride and kid-friendly play area Rescue Jr.
SESAME PLACE
Sesame Place welcomes families with all the familiar faces of Sesame Street. Dine with Elmo & Friends, enjoy interactive play throughout the park, experience family-friendly rides and 11 reimagined water attractions including a 500,000-gallon wave pool — one of the largest in Southern California.
LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA AND SEA LIFE AQUARIUM
Located north of downtown, LEGOLAND California delivers 128 acres of fun, creativity, imagination and entertainment with more than 60 interactive attractions and rides geared to children aged 2-12. The park recently welcomed Lego Galaxy in spring 2026, a land that transports visitors to outer space with interactive experiences, galactic food options and the all-new Galacticoaster, the first new rollercoaster introduced in over 20 years.
USS MIDWAY MUSEUM
The world’s most-visited ship museum, the USS Midway honors San Diego’s rich military history and features 29 restored aircraft, flight simulators and a self-guided walking audio tour in multiple languages. A powerful exhibition, “Captive Warriors: The Midway 11,” tells the story of 11 USS Midway aviators captured during the Vietnam War, highlighting their resilience, sacrifice, and enduring legacy through personal accounts and historic artifacts.
SAN DIEGO ZOO
The San Diego Zoo is a world-famous 100-acre wildlife park that is home to over 12,000 rare and endangered animals, representing more than 700 species and subspecies. A highlight for visitors is the return of giant pandas, once again making San Diego one of the few destinations in the world where guests can view these beloved animals in person. Visitors can also take a guided bus tour to see the Zoo and explore the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, an immersive wildlife experience featuring four different animal habitat zones and interactive learning opportunities.
SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK
Located northeast of downtown, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is an 1,800-acre preserve that is home to more than 3,000 animals representing nearly 300 species. Guests can see animals in herds of mixed species in expansive savanna habitats representing Africa and Asia. Elephant Valley, the largest and most transformative project in San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s 109-year history, opened in spring 2026 and offers a 13-acre space where visitors can observe the gentle giants roaming.
“A
OUTDOOR RECREATION
Endless ways to enjoy the great outdoors, starting at the shoreline and stretching to the inland peaks and desert.
BEACHES AND WATER SPORTS
San Diego’s beautiful beaches range from the white sandy shores of Coronado Beach to Torrey Pines State Park, set against dramatic 300-foot sandstone cliffs. Surfing, swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, paddle boarding, sailing and sport fishing are popular activities and can be enjoyed year-round.
GOLF
San Diego has 70-plus outstanding courses, located in every conceivable setting from the ocean to the mountains to the desert, and the region’s near-perfect climate allows golfers to play year-round. The most popular course is the world-famous Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, where the South Course has hosted the U.S. Open (2008, 2021) and continues to host an annual PGA Tour event.
“A TOP CITY FOR OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS”
-TRAVEL PULSE
ON LAND AND ABOVE LAND ACTIVITIES
Rolling hills, canyons, lakes, mountains and the vast Anza-Borrego Desert offer diverse outdoor recreational experiences on and above land, including mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, four-wheeling, fresh-water fishing, paragliding and skydiving. San Diego is also home to miles of scenic bike paths and protected urban bike lanes.
CULINARY
Get a taste of San Diego’s diverse and exciting dining scene, which is abundant with local produce and fresh seafood.
AWARD-WINNING DINING TO STREET FOOD
San Diego’s 8,000+ eateries range from Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants to casual, surfside taco shops. The region’s multi-cultural communities offer diverse cuisines from Afghan and Vietnamese to Lebanese and Ethiopian. Cali-Baja cuisine is a regional specialty, and fish tacos and California burritos are local favorites.
San Diego’s rising restaurant scene is reaching for the stars and has earned international acclaim in recent years, led by Addison by William Bradley at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, which is one of only eight restaurants with three Michelin Stars in California. Building on that excellence, the region’s culinary landscape continues to shine with five San Diego County restaurants that have earned stars from Michelin.
“AMERICA’S BEST CITY FOR FOODIES”
FARMERS MARKETS
With more than 50 weekly farmers markets, San Diego offers visitors plenty of opportunities to sample and shop for fresh local produce grown in the region’s small farms. Popular markets include Little Italy on Saturdays and Hillcrest on Sundays, with many also featuring food booths, arts and crafts, and entertainment.
BEER, WINE AND SPIRITS
San Diego County is home to more than 150 independent craft breweries, 100-plus vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms, as well as a burgeoning craft distillery scene. From a hazy IPA on the beach to a juicy Malbec from an urban winery to a blended bourbon whiskey, San Diego caters to all tastes.
NEIGHBORHOODS
San Diego has more than 100 different neighborhoods, each with its own unique style and culture. Here is a sample of top neighborhoods to visit that showcase the best of San Diego’s welcoming nature and diverse history.
LA JOLLA
Nicknamed the “jewel” of San Diego, this beautiful Mediterranean-style village is home to luxury and historic hotels, fine dining and shopping, world-class arts and culture, and diverse outdoor recreation. The scenic La Jolla Cove was named the “No. 1 Beach in America” by Tripadvisor in 2026.
CORONADO
Situated across San Diego Bay from downtown, the island of Coronado is home to white-sand beaches, beautiful gardens and parks, a rich history and culture, and a quaint village with unique restaurants and shops.
MISSION BAY & BEACHES
A paradise for watersport enthusiasts and beachgoers worldwide. With an impressive 27 miles of coastline, this breathtaking area offers many waterways, inlets and islets to explore. Several beach communities encompass the area, each with its own vibe. Take a stroll or bike ride along the boardwalk while Belmont Park, a historic oceanfront theme park, features entertainment for the entire family.
GASLAMP QUARTER
The historic heart of downtown, the Gaslamp Quarter combines beautiful Victorian buildings from the late 1800s with a dynamic urban setting to create an exciting dining, nightlife and shopping district. The Gaslamp Quarter is steps away from Petco Park, home to Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres and year-round concerts and events.
OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO
Dating back to the early 1800s, Old Town San Diego is known as California’s first city. Museums, art galleries and shops showcase early California, including the legacy and customs of the Kumeyaay people, who were the region’s original inhabitants before it became a center of Spanish settlement prior to California’s statehood.
LITTLE ITALY
Little Italy is a vibrant downtown neighborhood home to popular outdoor cafes, trendy bars and restaurants, art galleries, boutique shops and colorful annual festivals. Once a bustling hub for Italian and Portuguese fishermen, the area played a central role in San Diego’s early tuna industry, helping earn the city the title of “tuna capital of the world.” Today, spanning 48 square blocks, it is recognized as the largest Little Italy in the United States.
EMBARCADERO
Located along the San Diego Bay, this spacious waterfront area features a fascinating history of maritime activities, captivating public art, amazing restaurants with stunning views, and plenty of ways to get out on the water, along with popular attractions including the USS Midway Museum and the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
HILLCREST
San Diego is known for its vibrant and inclusive community, and Hillcrest is the epicenter of San Diego’s LGBTQIA+ scene. Experience the annual San Diego Pride, the largest LGBTQIA+ celebration in the region, or visit the eclectic shops and galleries that line the lively and colorful streets.
NORTH PARK
Explore one of San Diego’s trendiest neighborhoods: North Park. This diverse and vibrant community is packed with exciting experiences, from top-notch dining spots to an eclectic mix of boutique stores and cozy cafes to a buzzing nightlife scene.
BARRIO LOGAN
Home to Chicano Park, a National Historic Landmark, which features the world’s largest collection of Chicano murals, Barrio Logan is packed with art galleries, breweries, eateries, coffee shops and boutiques featuring locally made goods.
CONVOY
Located northeast of downtown, this neighborhood is a hidden dining hub of Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Thai and Chinese cuisine. San Diego’s rich pan-Asian culture shines through restaurants, bakeries and supermarkets offering everything from fresh produce to baked specialties and is a popular spot for karaoke lovers.
ARTS & CULTURE
Arts aficionados can experience everything from award-winning musicals to engaging museum exhibits, historic sites and the largest cultural urban park in the U.S.
BALBOA PARK
The U.S.’s largest urban cultural park, Balboa Park is home to the San Diego Zoo, striking Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, beautiful gardens, 17 unique museums and popular outdoor recreation.
COMIC-CON MUSEUM
Located in the heart of Balboa Park, the Comic-Con Museum offers pop-culture enthusiasts the chance to engage with its comic-inspired content year-round. Museumgoers can enjoy rotating exhibits; an education center; a 4K video theater and learning and presentation spaces; and a gift shop filled with comics, graphic novels and branded souvenirs.
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO
The La Jolla flagship campus features expanded gallery space, two levels of light-filled galleries, a public park and seaside terraces. Guests can also enjoy nearly 200 works of contemporary art with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, then dine at the on-site restaurant featuring an open-air deck with ocean views.
ONE OF AMERICA’S “MOST CREATIVE CITIES” -TRAVEL
PULSE
LIBERTY STATION ARTS DISTRICT
The 100-acre district is home to the former Naval Training Center and features Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. With 38 historic buildings, the district is home to art galleries, artist studios, shops, restaurants and creative businesses, including the popular Liberty Public Market food hall.
CABRILLO NATIONAL MONUMENT
Set on the tip of scenic Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument commemorates the landing of explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in San Diego Bay in 1542, and offers spectacular views of downtown, the ocean and the entire region.
RADY SHELL
The outdoor home of the San Diego Symphony is located on San Diego’s waterfront and serves as a magnificent place to enjoy a concert, watch summer fireworks, or have a picnic on its expansive lawn.
THE CONRAD
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center is home to the La Jolla Music Society and is a crown jewel of San Diego’s performing arts community. With four unique spaces within the venue, The Conrad boasts an extensive lineup of classical, jazz, global roots, contemporary music and other performances throughout the year.
JACOBS MUSIC CENTER
In 2024, the historic Jacobs Music Center, home to the San Diego Symphony, reopened its doors following an extensive renovation to the nearly hundred-yearold space. In addition to the Symphony’s indoor concerts, the space hosts comedy shows, corporate and civic events, film screenings and more.
THE JOAN
The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center — known as “The Joan” — is the home of San Diego’s Cygnet Theatre company, which stages an array of plays and musicals throughout the year.
Cygnet Theatre partnered with the NTC Foundation to bring this world-class performing arts venue to a historic formal naval building at ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station.
LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE
The La Jolla Playhouse has been a leading incubator of new work in American theater since its founding in 1947 by actor Gregory Peck. It has developed Broadway hits such as “Jersey Boys” and commissioned more than 120 world premieres. Theater-goers can enjoy dinner at Dora Ristorante, an Italian eatery, before a show.
SPORTS
There’s no shortage of teams to cheer on in San Diego, from national soccer leagues to Major League Baseball, and professional hockey and lacrosse.
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Get ready for a home run experience at Petco Park, the #1 Ballpark in America. Here, San Diego’s professional Major League baseball team, the San Diego Padres, play their home games. Beyond the action on the field, the ballpark is known for its locally inspired food and craft beverages, offering a true taste of San Diego alongside sweeping views of Downtown. The venue is also family-friendly, with a playground and mini baseball field for kids, and KidsFest activities during Sunday games.
SAN DIEGO FC
The addition of a Major League Soccer team, the pinnacle of men’s professional soccer, further strengthens the city’s already impressive list of professional sports teams. In 2025, San Diego welcomed the league’s 30th team, San Diego FC, to play at Snapdragon Stadium, a remarkable 35,000-seat venue located in Mission Valley. The team’s ownership group includes Mohamed Mansour, a prominent Egyptian businessman, the San Diego Padres’ superstar Manny Machado, and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, marking the first time a professional soccer team has had a tribal co-owner.
SAN DIEGO WAVE FC
A corner stone of San Diego’s vibrant soccer culture, the San Diego Wave FC compete in the National Women’s Soccer League and draws passionate fans to Snapdragon Stadium. Known for its electric match-day atmosphere, a San Diego Wave FC game is a must-see experience in San Diego’s dynamic sports scene.
SAN DIEGO SEALS
Experience the high-octane sport of lacrosse with the San Diego Seals. As San Diego’s premier indoor professional lacrosse team, the Seals’ games are immersive experiences, with thrilling action and a captivating atmosphere at Pechanga Arena that must be seen to be believed.
DIVERSE REGION
Beyond the city and the coast, there’s mountain towns and desert landscapes just a short drive from San Diego. The San Diego region is near the U.S.-Mexico border with Baja California, offering travelers a unique “two nation vacation.”
SAN DIEGO’S EAST AND NORTH COUNTIES
A rugged landscape unfolds as you travel from San Diego’s coast to rural East County. Here, you can visit quaint communities like the historic mining town of Julian, the 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert, the majestic Cuyamaca Mountains, Native American casinos and more.
San Diego’s North County coastline offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the nation. Visitors can drive along Historic Highway 101 from luxurious La Jolla to laid-back Oceanside and enjoy European-style spas, fun local shopping and eateries, and family-themed attractions and activities.
DAY TRIP TO MEXICO
San Diego features the novelty of a two-nation vacation, with Tijuana, Mexico conveniently located 15 miles/24 kilometers from downtown. Tijuana bustles with activity day and night and offers duty-free shopping, authentic Mexican cuisine, rich arts and culture, and glittering nightlife.
Located further south, the Guadalupe Valley is home to Mexico’s beautiful wine country, where more than 150 wineries produce a diverse assortment of varietals amid a stunning landscape that blends desert and sea. The region has also received acclaim for its boundary-pushing chefs and fine dining scene, as five restaurants in Guadalupe Valley have earned stars from Michelin.
SHOPPING
There’s ample ways to find the perfect souvenir or gift in San Diego at a variety of price points.
OUTDOOR SHOPPING CENTERS
Visitors can shop outdoors year-round at numerous shopping centers including Fashion Valley Shopping Center in central Mission Valley with high-end department stores like Neiman Marcus, and Westfield UTC in La Jolla offering a unique mix of specialty stores, services and restaurants in an openair setting. Located in beautiful Del Mar, One Paseo is a glamorous oasis that provides a one-stop experience of modern luxury shopping, dining options as well as outdoor areas to relax.
POPULAR OUTLET MALLS
San Diego is home to three popular outlet malls that feature great discounted savings at many name-brand stores: the Viejas Outlet Center in San Diego’s East County, the Carlsbad Premium Outlets in San Diego’s North County, and at Las Americas Premium Outlets near the border of San Diego with Tijuana, Mexico.
“BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN CALIFORNIA”
-US NEWS & WORLD REPORT
ENTERTAINMENT
From concerts under the stars to high-energy sports matches and intimate evenings at indie venues, there’s never a shortage of ways to enjoy the evening in San Diego.
LIVE MUSIC
The Rady Shell is the outdoor home of the San Diego Symphony located right on the bayfront, and from spring through fall it hosts the Symphony’s Summer Series and is a premiere venue for acclaimed artists on tour. The Jacobs Music Center is in the heart of downtown and the home stage for the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. In Point Loma, a concert at Humphreys Half Moon Inn is a quintessential San Diego way to spend a summer evening — the landmark resort on Shelter Island is a retro tiki-themed property known for the Humphreys Concerts By the Bay series, where acclaimed artists perform in an intimate 1,400-seat garden setting.
Gallagher Square is a nearly three-acre space at Petco Park offering a prime downtown location for summer concerts, and the iconic Pechanga Arena in Point Loma is a landmark locale for large-scale shows (and recently celebrated its 60th anniversary). In Little Italy, Waterfront Park hosts the annual CRSSD Festival. For a more intimate evening, The Observatory in North Park and Casbah in Middletown are popular venues for indie and local bands.
FESTIVALS
San Diego’s social calendar is built on a steady rhythm of food fetes, music festivals and cultural celebrations. The La Jolla Concours d’Elegance luxury car show in La Jolla, San Diego Food + Wine Festival, Comic-Con International, San Diego Pride Parade and Festival, and the Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival are just a sampling of the annual events that draw visitors from around the globe to San Diego. See the calendar on Page 29 for a lineup of the region’s top events.
SPORTING EVENTS
San Diego’s sports scene is anchored by an electric mix of professional matchups and annual traditions. You can catch the San Diego Padres swinging for the fences at Petco Park, widely considered one of the best ballparks in the country. Golf fans regularly flock to La Jolla for the PGA Tour stop at Torrey Pines, while soccer has taken center stage with the San Diego Wave FC and the arrival of San Diego FC in MLS.
Looking ahead, San Diego is buzzing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup; while not a primary host city, its proximity to matches in Los Angeles and status as a premier training hub mean the region will be at the heart of the global soccer fever. In the 2028 Summer Olympics, San Diego will host 11 soccer matches at Snapdragon Stadium.
AWESOME ALL YEAR - 2026
In San Diego, good vibes are always in season with a jam-packed calendar of awesome events all year. Music and food festivals, horse races, air shows, sporting events, and more — all happening under the San Diego sun. Below is a sampling of San Diego’s signature annual events.
JANUARY MARCH
Trust & Will Holiday Bowl
The Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon Stadium showcases a thrilling matchup between college football’s most competitive teams.
PGA Tour
The world’s top-ranked golfers convene annually in San Diego for this premier stop on the PGA Tour.
San Diego Restaurant Week
Restaurant Week kicks off the year with special prix-fixe menus at more than 100 of the city’s top restaurants.
FEBRUARY
San Diego Museum Month
More than 60 area museums and attractions offer 50% off regular admission during the entire month of February.
San Diego FC Season Kicks Off
San Diego’s first Major League Soccer team commences its first home game.
CRSSD Festival
The spring edition of CRSSD brings a weekend of electronic, house and techno music to Little Italy’s Waterfront Park.
San Diego Padres
The Padres, San Diego’s Major League Baseball club since 1969, are a huge part of the city’s history and identity. The home opener commences at Petco Park, deemed the best MLB ballpark in the nation by USA Today, with the season running through late September/early October.
MAY APRIL JUNE
La Jolla Concours
d’Elegance
The art of exquisite automotive design gets a world-class showcase against the breathtaking setting of La Jolla Cove with the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, featuring 170-plus classic vehicles on display.
Humphreys Concerts By The Bay
Enjoy a bayside concert under the stars at Humphreys Half Moon Inn. The landmark resort on Shelter Island is a retro tiki-themed property known for the Humphreys Concerts By the Bay series that goes on through summer and fall.
Mission Fed ArtWalk
San Diego’s original fine art festival fills the streets of the Little Italy neighborhood with more than 250 visual artists, four music stages, interactive art for families, food and fun.
Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival
The sprawling Wonderfront fest unfolds along San Diego’s sparkling Embarcadero with top musical headliners for three days of tunes, food and fun.
Gator by The Bay
This celebration of Louisiana culture features over 100 musical acts across seven stages — including Zydeco, Blues and Cajun — along with 10,000 pounds of fresh crawfish and authentic Cajun and Creole fare.
Rock ‘N’ Roll Running Series
The original Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon debuted here, and every year San Diego welcomes the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series that includes a marathon, half-marathon and 5K.
NASCAR San Diego
NASCAR makes its historic debut at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego this summer, with a 16-turn, 3.4-mile street course, one of the longest in NASCAR history.
San Diego County Fair
The largest county fair in California takes place every summer at the beautiful oceanfront Del Mar Fairgrounds, offering a huge range of food, entertainment, exhibits, rides and games until early July.
Blue Whale Watching
Summer brings a breathtaking sight to San Diego’s offshore waters: blue whales — the world’s largest animal — passing through on their way to North Pacific feeding grounds in the summer until September.
San Diego Symphony Summer Season
Top names in pop music join the San Diego Symphony for an exciting series of outdoor concerts at the stunning Rady Shell at Jacobs Park at the Embarcadero through the end of August.
JULY SEPTEMBER AUGUST
San
Diego Bay Big Bay Boom
Celebrate Independence Day in San Diego with the spectacular Big Bay Boom, the largest fireworks display in California launching from four barges across the bay.
Comic-Con International: San Diego
Comic-Con is the yearly epicenter of pop culture in the U.S., attracting tens of thousands of artists, celebrities and fans to the San Diego Convention Center for an epic celebration of creativity.
San Diego Pride Parade and Festival
A popular parade, vibrant festival, music and more celebrates San Diego Pride in the historic LGBTQIA+ community of Hillcrest. San Diego Pride attracts more than 250,000 attendees and the parade is the largest civic event in the city.
Del Mar Racetrack Summer Season
The famous track where “the turf meets the surf” hosts its renowned summer meet from July through September, featuring some of the top Thoroughbred racehorses in the nation.
ArtWalk Liberty Station
The festival showcases the creativity of more than 175 artists from around the U.S. and Mexico, featuring a wide range of artistic mediums.
CRSSD Festival
The fall edition of CRSSD brings a second weekend of electronic, house and techno music to Little Italy’s Waterfront Park.
MCAS Miramar Air Show
Experience an amazing lineup of more than 100 military and civilian aeronautical performers, including the world-famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels, at the largest military air show in the U.S. Admission is free.
Del Mar Wine + Food Festival
This weeklong, culinary-fueled experience brings beverages, bites and celebrity chef sightings to the Surf Sports Park in coastal North County.
San Diego Restaurant Week
More than 100 of the city’s top restaurants participate in Restaurant Week, offering special prix-fixe and multi-course menus.
NOVEMBER OCTOBER DECEMBER
Kids Free San Diego
San Diego is paradise for families in October, with free admission, meals and more for kids at 100 partner attractions, museums, hotels and restaurants all month long during Kids Free San Diego!
Mission Bayfest
Mariner’s Point in Mission Bay transforms into a three-day reggae music festival during the annual Mission Bayfest celebration.
Día
De Los Muertos
Fall in San Diego brings the distinctive and colorful traditions of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a multi-day commemoration of those who have passed on.
San
Diego Beer Week
A 10-day celebration saluting local craft beer and promoting San Diego’s thriving brewing culture, with multiple events happening at participating breweries and restaurants.
San
Diego Food + Wine Festival
Hundreds of domestic and international wineries, craft brewers, culinary legends and more convene on the stunning Embarcadero for this multi-day event.
Gray Whale Watching (Until April)
There are few experiences more thrilling than the sight of a massive gray whale breaching the waters off San Diego’s coastline. Book a whale watch tour and get up close to these gentle giants during their annual migration toward Baja California.
San Diego for the Holidays
Turn up the good cheer with a winter trip to San Diego. Enjoy warm weather and good vibes at San Diego-style holiday events, from beachside ice skating to an illuminated boat parade on San Diego Bay, the festive December Nights celebration in Balboa Park and the annual run of Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” on stage at The Old Globe.
New
Year’s Eve
From grand and glamorous to intimate and romantic to family-friendly, there is a New Year’s Eve event in San Diego just for you!
GETTING AROUND
Whether you’re planning to arrive by plane or train, or are driving or sailing in, traveling to San Diego is half the fun. Once you’re here, there’s a variety of public and private transportation options for exploring the city.
SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
The main gateway for travelers coming to San Diego, the airport is conveniently located just minutes from Downtown and serviced by nearly 20 major and commuter airlines, including nonstop flights from Mexico, Canada, Japan, the U.K., Germany, The Netherlands and Panama. San Diego International Airport is consistently recognized for its efficient customs process, meaning international arrivals spend less time in lines.
Its central location means you can reach most major neighborhoods and hotels within minutes of landing. For a seamless connection to the city’s transit network, the San Diego Flyer is a free electric shuttle that provides a direct link to the Old Town Transit Center. A dedicated 24-hour shuttle ensures a quick trip to the consolidated Rental Car Center.
CRUISE SHIP
The Port of San Diego is a premier gateway to cruise vacations with more than 100 calls on major cruise lines. The B Street Pier & Cruise Ship Terminal is uniquely situated in the heart of the Embarcadero, and visitors can walk straight from the ship to the USS Midway Museum, the shops at Seaport Village, or acclaimed restaurants in Little Italy and the Gaslamp Quarter. The terminal is steps away from the public trolley, and for those ending their cruises in San Diego, the airport is minutes away.
“GREENEST CITY IN THE UNITED STATES” -WALLETHUB
TRAINS
The Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego is the main hub for Amtrak and the Coaster commuter rail. The North County Transit District’s COASTER trains connect downtown San Diego and Old Town with coastal communities north of the city, including Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside. These trains offer visitors car-free access to some of the most charming beach communities in the region, as well as a relaxing ride with breathtaking coastal scenery. There are also plenty of connecting services from the Oceanside station, including the SPRINTER inland rail that travels east to Escondido.
FREEWAYS
Navigating San Diego by car is straightforward thanks to a freeway system that connects the coast to the inland valleys and makes for a scenic road trip. For visitors traveling from Orange County, Los Angeles and the Central Coast, Interstate 5 is the primary north-south artery, hugging the coastline and connecting to downtown, the airport and U.S.-Mexico border. Travelers departing from Nevada, Riverside County and areas to the northeast will use Interstate 15, and Interstate 8 serves as the main east-west corridor from Arizona to San Diego’s mountain towns in Julian all the way to Mission Valley, Point Loma and Ocean Beach. For a scenic drive, State Route 163 traverses Balboa Park and under the historic Cabrillo Bridge.
ARRIVING FROM TIJUANA/U.S.-MEXICO BORDER
San Diego is a key part of the Cali-Baja region, as downtown is less than 20 miles from the U.S.-Mexico Border. Travelers flying into Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) can pay a fee to use the convenient Cross Border Xpress (CBX) pedestrian bridge facility that connects the airport to San Diego, and then arrange for ground transportation after passing U.S. customs. The U.S.-Mexico Border can also be crossed by foot or vehicle at the San Ysidro Port of Entry — wait times will vary significantly.