About San Diego
San Diego is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, next to the Mexican border. It is the eighth-most populous city in the U.S. and second-most populous city in California with a population of over 1.4 million, while the San Diego area with over 3.3 million residents is the 18th-largest metropolitan area in the country. San Diego is the county seat of San Diego County. It is known for its mild Mediterranean climate, extensive beaches and parks, long association with the United States Navy, and recent emergence as a wireless, electronics, healthcare, and biotechnology development center.
Cheap flights to San Diego
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $585 from New York, travelling 24 Nov – 1 Dec. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
Airlines travellers compared most often: American Airlines.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to San DiegoPlaces to visit in San Diego
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Balboa Park
Park · 1 mi from centreA large park with Spanish Colonial Revival buildings housing many museums, gardens and theaters, including the Botanical Building with its reflecting pond. Plan a full day to explore it properly.
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San Diego Zoo
ZooA large and well-designed zoo in Balboa Park known for its naturalistic habitats, wide range of species and the Skyfari aerial tram. Arrive early to see animals at their most active.
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USS Midway Museum
MuseumA decommissioned aircraft carrier on the downtown waterfront where you can explore the flight deck, aircraft collection and crew quarters with an audio tour. Former crew members serve as docents.
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La Jolla Cove
Beach · 11 mi from centreA small sheltered cove with sea lions and seals on nearby rocks, good snorkeling and kayaking, and the coastal walk past cliffs and tide pools.
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Cabrillo National Monument
Viewpoint · 5 mi from centreAt the tip of Point Loma, a monument with a historic lighthouse, tide pools and sweeping views across San Diego Bay and the city skyline.
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Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Historic · 3 mi from centreRestored adobe buildings, shops and Mexican restaurants recreate the area's early days, with free museums on its Mexican and early American periods. It is easily reached by trolley.
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Gaslamp Quarter
NeighborhoodA downtown district of Victorian buildings now filled with restaurants, bars and nightlife, near the convention center and Petco Park. It is easy to explore on foot and comes alive in the evening.
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Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Nature · 15 mi from centreCoastal trails among rare Torrey pine trees lead to sandstone cliffs and beach views, offering one of the area's most scenic short hikes. Go early for parking.
Things to do in San Diego by type
54 tours, tickets and experiences across 9 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 22 experiences "Old Meets New" Downtown and Old Town - GoCar Tour -
Transport & Rentals 13 experiences "Old Meets New" Downtown and Old Town - GoCar Tour -
Cruise & Water Tours 8 experiences Cruise - Best of the Bay Ninety Minute Harbor Tour in San Diego -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 7 experiences Go City - San Diego Explorer Pass - Access to up to 7 Attractions -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 5 experiences Conspiracy in San Diego: The President's Secret Society - City Exploration Game! -
Amusement Parks 4 experiences LEGOLAND California Resort -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 3 experiences San Diego Zoo -
Travel Services 2 experiences Travel Internet Hubby eSIM - USA -
Art & culture 2 experiences San Diego Seals Tour
- 1-3 hours 25
- Flexible 5
- 3-6 hours 4
- Up to 1 hour 3
- Over 6 hours 1
- Families with kids 1
- Couples 1
- Senior 1
- Families 1
- Youth 1
- Shore excursions 13
- Small group 2
- Private 2
Top experiences in San Diego
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 54 available.
San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour
From $48 per adult
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
From $69 per adult
San Diego Zoo
From $69 per adult
Go City: San Diego All-Inclusive Pass - Access to 39 Attractions
From $103 per adult
LEGOLAND California Resort
From $89 per adult
San Diego to Coronado Island - Electric GoCar Tour
From $92 per adult
Electric Scooter Rental - 1,2 or 3 Hours
From $51 per adult
Balboa Park and Downtown - Scooter Tour
From $79 per adult
Coronado Island - Scooter Tour
From $111 per adult
Speedboat Rides in San Diego on the Big Bay
From $87 per adult
Self-Guided Bike Ride
From $19 per adult
Go City: San Diego Pass Plus: 50+ Attractions
From $155 per adult
Where to stay in San Diego
Popular hotels in San Diego, out of 517 properties you can book.
Fairmont Grand Del Mar
From $560 per night
Porto Vista Hotel
From $110 per night
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
From $177 per night
Wyndham San Diego Bayside
From $150 per night
Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Downtown/Bayside
From $171 per night
Hotel Republic San Diego, Autograph Collection
From $172 per night
Dextro, Little Italy, BW Premier Collection
From $165 per night
Town And Country Resort Hotel
From $1,109 per night
The Westgate
From $166 per night
The Sofia Hotel
From $158 per night
Horton Grand
From $150 per night
Hotel Del Coronado
From $523 per night
Best time to visit San Diego
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit San Diego is May to November, when average daytime highs are around 68–78°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
San Diego weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 74° 64° 49%
- Thu 22 Oct 71° 67° 94%
- Fri 23 Oct 71° 65° 23%
- Sat 24 Oct 77° 66° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 80° 69° 0%
- Mon 26 Oct 78° 70° 3%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/Los_AngelesUTC−7
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to San Diego
These are the airports closest to central San Diego. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- SAN San Diego International Airport2 mi (4 km) from the city centre
- MYF Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport7 mi (11 km) from the city centre
- NKX Marine Corps Air Station Miramar11 mi (18 km) from the city centre
- SEE Gillespie Field13 mi (22 km) from the city centre
Getting around San Diego
The San Diego metropolitan area is large and sprawling. Car travel is the most efficient way of navigating the city and county. If you want to "see it all", rent a car. For less ambitious itineraries, public transportation may be used with enough planning and time allotted for travel.
By car
Throughout the Downtown and beach communities, on-street parking is metered. Parking meters accept coins, pre-paid Parking Meter Cards, and some newer meters accept credit cards. For more information on parking meters and enforcement, or to purchase a pre-paid meter card, visit the City of San Diego Parking Administration website. Gas/petrol prices tend to be higher than elsewhere in the U.S., but gas is cheapest in the outlying communities of El Cajon, Santee, Lemon Grove, Poway, and Chula Vista.
Bus
The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates bus service to large portions of the county, although service in many areas is sparse and infrequent. The weakest points in the transit system are suburb-to-suburb travel and poor links between some of the individual coastal communities, both of which often require long trips to one of the transit hubs, then back out.
Trolley
The San Diego Trolley is a light rail system operated by the MTS which mainly serves tourists and people living along the lines who need to get to downtown areas. There are three trolley lines: Blue, Green, and Orange.
San Diego travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit San Diego?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit San Diego is May to November, when average daytime highs are around 68–78°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.
What is the weather like in San Diego?
August is usually the warmest month in San Diego, with average highs of 78°F (26°C). March is the coolest, with average lows of 50°F (10°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 103 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to San Diego?
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the closest airport, about 2 miles (4 km) from the centre of San Diego. Other nearby airports include Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (MYF, 7 mi) and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (NKX, 11 mi).
How much are flights to San Diego?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to San Diego in the last 30 days was $585 from New York, travelling 24 Nov – 1 Dec.
What time zone is San Diego in?
San Diego uses the America/Los_Angeles time zone (currently UTC−7). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around San Diego?
The San Diego metropolitan area is large and sprawling. Car travel is the most efficient way of navigating the city and county. If you want to "see it all", rent a car. For less ambitious itineraries, public transportation may be used with enough planning and time allotted for travel.
What are the best places to visit in San Diego?
Top sights in San Diego include Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and La Jolla Cove. A large park with Spanish Colonial Revival buildings housing many museums, gardens and theaters, including the Botanical Building with its reflecting pond. Plan a full day to explore it properly.
What are the top things to do in San Diego?
Popular experiences you can book in San Diego include San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour, San Diego Zoo Safari Park and San Diego Zoo. Destina Holidays offers 54 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in San Diego?
The most popular types of experiences in San Diego are city tours (22), transport & rentals (13), cruise & water tours (8) and tickets & attraction passes (7). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in San Diego?
Popular areas for hotels in San Diego include Del Mar, Downtown/Gaslamp District and Mission Valley. Well-reviewed options include Fairmont Grand Del Mar and Porto Vista Hotel.
How many hotels can I book in San Diego?
Destina Holidays currently lists 517 properties in and around San Diego, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
