By air
San Diego International (SAN), ~5 km from downtown
North America · United States
San Diego, United States
Sunny beaches, a historic harbour and Balboa Park
Getting there
Best time to visit
All year — mild, with the warmest sea from July to October
Don't miss
Balboa Park
The San Diego Zoo
La Jolla Cove
The USS Midway Museum
Things to do
Beach days and surfing
Balboa Park's museums
The zoo
Kayaking at La Jolla
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Dirk Hansen · CC BY-SA 3.0
What to pack
Layers, sunscreen, swimwear
A quieter corner
The sea lions of La Jolla Cove
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit San Diego?
All year — mild, with the warmest sea from July to October. What to pack: Layers, sunscreen, swimwear.
How do I get to San Diego?
Fly into San Diego International (SAN), ~5 km from downtown.
What is there to do in San Diego?
Beach days and surfing, Balboa Park's museums, the zoo, kayaking at La Jolla. A quieter find: The sea lions of La Jolla Cove.
What should I eat in San Diego?
Fish tacos, Mexican food and craft beer.
About San Diego
- Coastal
Where it is
San Diego is a city on the Pacific coast of southern California, United States, just north of the border with Mexico, around a large natural harbour.
History
San Diego was the site of the first Spanish mission in California, founded in 1769, and passed from Spain to Mexico and then to the United States in 1848. It grew into a major naval port in the 20th century.
People
San Diegans enjoy an outdoor way of life, and the city's closeness to Mexico shows in its food, its Spanish place names and the families who live on both sides of the border.
Known for
- Year-round mild weather
- Balboa Park and the zoo
- Beaches and surfing
- A naval harbour
Did you know?
The San Diego Zoo, opened in 1916, is one of the best-known zoos in the world.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.