San Diego Tourism Authority

Contacts

FAQs

Where is San Diego?

San Diego is the USA’s 8th largest city, and is located at the south end of the Californian coast, and the city’s metropolitan area is immediately adjacent to the US-Mexico border.

How far is Downtown from the airport?

San Diego International Airport is conveniently located, approximately 5kms from the heart of the downtown area. The airport is also served by the Metropolitan Transit System bus route #992. Most rental car agencies have airport facilities and/or provide service to arriving visitors.

How long does it take to drive to various places around the San Diego region?

A lot of people say that everything is “20 minutes away” in San Diego. While that’s not exactly true, most everything is conveniently located in San Diego. The table below will give you an idea of travel times from the city centre that can be expected under normal circumstances.

Coronado – 7 minutes
Escondido – 30 minutes
Hotel Circle – 10 minutes
La Jolla – 20 minutes
Mission Bay – 15 minutes
Oceanside – 45 minutes
San Diego International Airport (Lindbergh Field) – 10 minutes
Tijuana – 30 minutes
Ensenada – 2 hours

How long does it take to get to San Diego from Los Angeles?

San Diego is 2 hours south of Los Angeles. When normal travel resumes, from LA you can fly, get the Amtrak train from Union Station or Anaheim, drive or organise private transportation. Please be sure to check local regulations and travel advice.

How do I travel to Tijuana and Baja California, Mexico from San Diego?

Tijuana is approximately 16 miles (25 kilometres) south of downtown San Diego. Once international travel resumes, the recommended method to travel to Tijuana is to take the trolley to the border and walk across. Crossing the border by car generally takes longer, with long lines at the border crossing. You will need a valid passport to travel across the border. Check this page for more information on crossing the Mexican border.

How many different neighbourhoods are there within San Diego, and which one best suits which kind of trip?

With 100 distinct neighbourhoods in San Diego, here is a breakdown of the county:

  • Mission Beach & Bay Area – Home to Seaworld, beaches and a laid back vibe.
  • Mission Valley & Old Town – lots of shopping and history! A great central location to use the trolley/Light Rail to get around.
  • Downtown – the centre of the action with easy walking access to the Gaslamp quarter known for great bars and nightlife.
  • Coronado – its home to the famous grand Victorian Hotel Del Coronado a fabulous place for couples or if you have clients who are on a friends’ trip.
How far is LEGOLAND from San Diego downtown area?

LEGOLAND is 40 minutes from downtown located in Carlsbad. It’s best to do it either on your way to or from San Diego.

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What's New

January 2023
  • San Diego’s food scene shines with first 3 Michelin star restaurant
    February 8 San Diego is now home of USA’s newest three-star Michelin restaurant. Addison restaurant at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar is now rated amongst of the top 14 three-star restaurants in the country, and one of 142 three-star restaurants in the world. Recognition from the most famous restaurant award cements San Diego’s reputation as the ultimate destination for foodies.
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  • Kimpton Alma San Diego finishes renovations
    January 20 Last autumn, a thorough renovation was completed on the Kimpton Hotel Palomar, and it has since been renamed — Kimpton Alma San Diego. The 211-room hotel renovation includes a refresh of all guestrooms and suites, a more inviting pool area, and updated meeting spaces. The new interiors are inspired by San Diego’s proximity to Mexico, with custom street art on its pool deck and murals from local artists. The hotel also ensures that guests can focus on wellness during their stay with in-room yoga mats and Japanese tea sets available in each room. The hotel’s new signature restaurant, The Desmond is a dinner-only space led by executive chef Jason Neroni, one of America’s top chef-restaurateurs. The restaurant’s menu celebrates the peerless ingredients of southern California, where technique is used to honor, rather than disguise, distinguishing flavors and textures.
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  • The Guild Hotel partners with Be Saha Hospitality Group
    January 20 The Guild Hotel, a landmark in San Diego’s downtown, has partnered with Be Saha Hospitality Group to - lead the food and beverage operations at the hotel. Be Saha Hospitality will open a new concept in the hotel’s courtyard (formerly Luca) this spring and will also reimagine the Guild Bar, garden and lounge, as well as handle all onsite events and room service. The Hospitality Group has brought on renowned Tijuana, Mexico chef Ruffo Ibarra and culinary director Janina Garay to spearhead the project.
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  • Palihotel San Diego will reimagine the historic St. James Hotel
    January 20 Palihotel San Diego will reimagine the historic St. James Hotel
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  • Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center now open
    January 20 The Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center opened in Barrio Logan in October, with the inaugural exhibition being the premiere of a collective historical narrative of Chicano Park and Logan Heights titled “PILLARS: Stories Of Resilience And Self-Determination.”
  • WNDR Museum now open
    January 20 WNDR Museum opened in downtown San Diego in January featuring more than 20 exhibits. The museum is an unparalleled immersive art and technology experience that redefines the traditional museum experience. WNDR invites the San Diego community to fully engage with local and international artists, collectives, technologists, designers and makers.
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  • Horton Campus coming soon!
    January 20 Scheduled to be completed by the end of the year, Horton Campus will transform from a shopping mall to a grand, wide-open development with inviting parks, retail shops and office and lab space. The renovated campus is projected to have 683,000 square feet of office and life science space and 264,000 square feet of retail space. For visitors, there will be 50-60 stores, a grocery store, and a gym.
  • Cali Breakfast newly opened
    January 20 Cali Breakfast opened in downtown San Diego’s Cortez Hill in November, serving breakfast dishes made from fresh local produce with a Latin twist. The menu combines breakfast and brunch options including breakfast tacos, avocado toast and sweets, and also offers a doggie-friendly selection. Cali Breakfast partnered with some of the local charities in the area and will be donating a percentage of its earnings to children with disabilities.
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  • Al Dente newly opened
    January 20 Al Dente, University Heights’ newest Italian dining destination, opened in December, specializing in offering traditional Italian recipes with a modern twist. From the team that brought San Diego Rusticucina and the newly-opened Zama in the Gaslamp, Al Dente promises to be both rich in Italian history and robust with innovative flavor combinations. The restaurant’s unique offerings will include specialties using wild game meat and classic homemade pasta made in-house.
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April 2023
  • Arctic Rescue, is set to open this spring.
    April 24 Attractions SeaWorld San Diego’s highly anticipated coaster, Arctic Rescue, is set to open this spring. This family-friendly multi-launch ride will invite guests to hop on a snowmobile and launch at up to 40 mph on a chilly adventure as they race through the unpredictable arctic climate to help endangered animals. The coaster will be the longest and fastest straddle coaster on the West Coast.
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  • LEGOLAND® California Resort’s all-new Miniland U.S.A.: San Diego debuted March
    March 23 Featuring famous landmarks, attractions and themes that make up the city's DNA, Master Model Builders drew inspiration from areas like the Gaslamp District, Coronado, Del Mar. Petco Park and San Diego’s incredible coastline. The section joins New York, Washington D.C., Las Vegas and San Francisco, all located in Miniland U.S.A, at the heart of the park.
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  • The Del Mar Racetrack is back with a 2023 racing season from July 21 to Sept. 10.
    July 1 The Del Mar Racetrack is back with a 2023 racing season from July 21 to Sept. 10. Fans will flock to the iconic racing track where the "turf meets the surf" to bet on the nation's top racehorses, trainers and jockeys while having fun in the sun. Aside from the high-quality racing, there will also be various trackside events available to attend. including the Del Mar Beer Fest on July 22, Taste of New Orleans on August 5 and Tacos and Tequila on August 26.
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  • Downtown San Diego's Hotel Solamar is undergoing a $31 million renovation to transform into California's first urban location of Margaritaville Resort
    April 24 Downtown San Diego's Hotel Solamar is undergoing a $31 million renovation to transform into California's first urban location of Margaritaville Resort, set to open this summer. Located in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, the Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter will feature 235 newly upgraded guest rooms and signature Margaritaville food and beverage concepts that will replace the property's current offerings. The former Jsix restaurant will be transformed into Landshark Bar & Grill, and the poolside Upper East bar will become 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar. Both concepts offer a casual, beachy vibe focusing on American beach fare and blended cocktails. The lobby will also house a quaint Margaritaville Coffee Shop, offering an array of coffee, espresso, tea, and other soft drinks.
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  • The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) Downtown will develop a multi-disciplinary arts hub this year to nurture the visual and performing arts of the region.
    April 24 The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) Downtown will develop a multi-disciplinary arts hub this year to nurture the visual and performing arts of the region. MCASD Downtown will welcome people to artistic performances, exhibitions, events, and experiences following a flexible schedule. The campus will also participate in partnerships and collaborations with The La Jolla Playhouse’s Without Walls (WOW) Festival and Optika Moderna; the World Design Capital 2024, San Diego and Tijuana; and Blindspot Collective with DISCO RIOT.
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June 2023
  • New Leaf Restaurant - Hilton San Digeo Gaslamp
    New Leaf Restaurant serves an innovative, fresh California menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner with patio dining overlooking Martin Luther King Park, an adjacent palm-lined refuge in the center of the city with an optional private dining area. The outdoor Fire Pit is an ideal spot for a pre or post Gaslamp outing, with cocktails, appetizers and desserts served al fresco. New Leaf is a whatever your mood, refresh restaurant. Our small plates are designed with big and balanced flavors as a precursor to a meal, or just keep them coming.
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  • Nighttime Zoo
    July 7 As the sun goes down, the fun heats up this summer at the San Diego Zoo. From global rhythms and spectacular entertainment to one-of-a-kind moments with your favorite wildlife after dark, join us under the stars for wild and unforgettable experiences—perfect for the whole family.
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August 2023
  • San Diego’s own celebrity chef Brian Malarkey will be coming full circle this year
    December 1 San Diego celebrity chef Brian Malarkey and business partner Chris Puffer have taken over Herringbone in La Jolla. The Puffer-Malarkey Collective will transform their former haunt into Le Coq, a French-inspired steakhouse slated to open at the end of 2023. While the concept is still developing, the restaurant will transport diners to Paris in the 1920s with a menu of globally inspired fusion dishes and dry-aged meats.
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  • San Diego welcomes new Michelin star restaurant
    San Diego County has welcomed its fifth Michelin starred restaurant, with Valle in Oceanside receiving one Michelin star. Valle is the first-ever restaurant with Mexican cuisine to receive a Michelin Star in San Diego. Mabel’s Gone Fishing, located in the North Park neighbourhood was recently named a Bib Gourmand restaurant, a designation signifying the restaurant as having great food at a great value. Artifact at the Mingei Museum in Balboa Park was also added to the Michelin Guide this season.
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April 2024
  • New Restaurant: Union Kitchen & Tap
    Union Kitchen and Tap opened its third location in the heart of Pacific Beach in April. Menu highlights include Shrimp & Grits, Union Gumbo, Watermelon Salad, Prime Steaks, and decadent desserts. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays with bottomless mimosas. The beverage program features draft beers, wines, and craft cocktails like Purple Haze and California Soul.
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August 2024
  • The San Diego Zoo has Welcomed 2 New Adorable Pandas
    Cue the panda cuteness! The San Diego Zoo welcomed two new giant pandas named Xin Bao and Yun Chaun, which are available to view as of August 8. This is the first time that pandas will be on display at the zoo since 2019, and it will also make the San Diego Zoo the only place in the U.S. where guests can view the loveable creatures until new bears arrive later this year.
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  • Sesame Place San Diego Debuts ‘Dine with Elmo’ Experience
    Sesame Place San Diego has recently debuted the Dine with Elmo experience at the brand-new Sunny Day Café. The immersive experience allows guests to dine alongside their favorite furry friends and experience exclusive entertainment including singing, dancing, and photo opportunities.
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Training

The San Diego Specialist Program (SDSP) is designed to help raise awareness and knowledge of key drivers of travel to San Diego.

• Become a San Diego Specialist by completing the 25-question online quiz.
• Each question will have a multiple-choice answer.
• Click on the links offered after each question for more detailed information.
• Receive your San Diego Specialist Certificate immediately upon completion of the program.

This simple program will help you learn more about what San Diego has to offer, where to find detailed information, and the tools available to help you sell San Diego.

Find out why San Diego has become one of the most desirable vacation destinations. Become a San Diego Destination Specialist now and earn your certificate.

Available in English, Spanish, German & Japanese
Funded in part with City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District Assessment Funds.

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