San Diego Travel Guide

By Katie Dillon • Last modified: April 19, 2025

My San Diego travel guide will help you plan a trip that suites your budget and interests whether visiting with kids, on business, as a couple or on your own

I’ve lived here for many years and am a travel advisor who helps people plan San Diego vacations and upgrade their stays through our insider connections and discounts.

This is a brilliant place to start researching the best places to stay, restaurants, museums, outdoor activities, water sports, and other fun things to do.

How to Start Planning a Trip to San Diego

People decide where to stay and when to come based on the following things:

  • Flight prices
  • Hotel prices
  • Weather and time of year
  • Preferred neighborhood

Hotel prices often determine which part of town to choose. For example, many families looking for nicer beach resorts choose The Seabird Resort in Oceanside if Hotel del Coronado in Coronado is pricing high. Your activity itinerary typically falls into place once flights and hotels are booked.

Best Time to Visit San Diego for…

Our local’s guide by month will help you decide when to visit San Diego, but here’s a quick run down.

Weather

Our average temperature is about 70 degrees year round. Some months are sunnier than others.

  • May and June can be overcast along the coast in the morning, and sometimes all-day. It’s still shorts weather though.
  • Mid-July through first or second week of October are typically sunny.
  • It can rain and it does about 40 days per year.
  • Layers are always advised.

Price

Shoulder seasons are the best times to plan San Diego travel because the kids are in school and there are no major holidays. These include:

  • Between Labor Day and mid-October.
  • First week or two of November.
  • January after winter break through February (MLK and President’s Day weekends excluded).
  • Mid-late April to the first week of May.

Which San Diego Hotels and Resorts to Choose

No one keeps tabs on San Diego hotels like I do. My lists are put together by neighborhood, travel style, hotel features, and budget. They will help you figure out where to stay. You can upgrade your stay by using the VIP programs I have access to at many 4+ star and luxury hotels around the county.

Or Browse by Type

Family Vacation Considerations

Most of the clients we help are visiting with kids. Because we are also a traveling family, I know what amenities are helpful to families traveling with babies, toddlers, grade schoolers, tweens, and teens. Traveling with multiple generations? No problem; we’ve got you covered.

If you’re traveling with kids, see our full guide for planning a San Diego family trip.

What to Do in San Diego

Whether you are visiting San Diego with kids, on your own, as a couple, or on a business trip, you will not run out of things to do. We have plenty of outdoor activities and gorgeous beaches thanks to our sunshine. You can tour famous theme parks like San Diego Zoo and world-class museums. Learn what you can do here.

Save Money with Sightseeing Passes

These are the two most popular sightseeing passes. Go City has more way attractions, but CityPASS is good if you’re going to LEGOLAND and/or SeaWorld.

go city san diego app illustration

Where and What to Eat

Our local restaurants have stepped up their game. While you should eat fish tacos and hearty cheap burritos, look forward to colorful farm-to-table cuisine, fresh seafood, local wines, and (lots of) craft beer at our fabulous San Diego restaurants ranging from fine to casual dining.

General San Diego Travel Tips & Discounts

I estimate that half of the people get rental cars while the other half rely on Uber and public transportation.

Guide to San Diego County Neighborhoods

Depending on which neighborhoods in San Diego you visit, you might find yourself in a vibrant arts and culture enclave, a charming 1950s-style small-town, or a laid-back beachy paradise. Not sure where to vacation in San Diego? You can find out a lot more about each San Diego neighborhood in our area-specific travel guides.

Need to Know

Language

English

Currency

US Dollar.

Transportation

A rental car is advised though you can use Uber. The public transportation system helps but is not robust.

Best Time to Visit

For weather, come between July–October. For price, come in shoulder seasons of September (after Labor Day)–beginning of November or January–mid-March. Families should try to come in October since it’s Kids Free San Diego.

San Diego Articles

By Neighborhood
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    Coronado Island with Kids: The Ultimate Family Planning Guide

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    Our Family Guide to San Diego Parks with Playgrounds

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    San Diego Discover & Go: Free Attractions Thanks to Your Library Card

    I’ll show you how to unlock one of San Diego’s best-kept secrets for affordable fun! Your free library card grants access to the Discover & Go program, offering free admission to amazing local spots.
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    Your Guide to Hassle-Free Parking at San Diego International Airport (SAN)

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    6 Fun San Diego Food Tours to Take

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    Oceanside is our second most booked place to stay in San Diego for families because of the beachfront hotels and the kid-friendly activities on this list.
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    Bahia Resort Hotel Review: A Value Retreat in San Diego’s Mission Bay

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  • Pacific Beach San Diego neighborhood

    You’ve Booked a Flights to San Diego and a Hotel — Now What?

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  • The San Diego Air and Space Museum at Balboa Park is participating in February's Museum Month where tickets are half-off.

    San Diego Museum Month: Get Half-Off Admission in February 2025

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  • Side by side San Diego CityPASS and Go City San Diego logos showing mobile tickets.

    San Diego CityPASS vs Go City San Diego: How to Choose the Best Pass For You

    I know which sightseeing passes our clients buy and why they choose them. Get our insider tips on whether to choose San Diego CityPASS or Go City San Diego Pass.
  • LEGO Santa at LEGOLAND California holidays.

    What to Expect at LEGOLAND California During the 2024 Holiday Season

    We just got back from Holidays at LEGOLAND. Here’s the fun you can look forward between now and January 5.
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Ready for Your San Diego Adventure with Our Tips?

We’re passionate travellers and La Jolla residents on a mission to simplify your travel planning with expert tips and insider knowledge so you can make the most of your San Diego visit. We’ll email you once monthly with San Diego best travel tips and special promotions.