San Diego, USA

Compiled by FatPassport's travel experts

Charming and friendly California city
San Diego, USA

Many Travelers? Some
Likes: Laid-back, warm, great beaches, lots for families
Dislikes: A bit more expensive in the summer

San Diego is the perfect representation of what you would expect from a California city. It’s got the warmth, the beaches, and the laid-back atmosphere… all of this in an urban vibe, without having the endless freeways and choking traffic of Los Angeles. Some visitors skip it, but it’s a great place and well worth a visit.

San Diego is a fantastic place for a family vacation, with the tremendous combination of beaches, Sea World, Legoland, and the justifiably famous San Diego Zoo. For other travelers, there’s beautiful Balboa Park, several museums, the entertaining Gas Lamp District, golf courses (famed Torrey Pines, in particular), good dining and some nightlife.

During the late summer there’s horse racing at the beautiful Del Mar racetrack, and this can be a great way to spend a day. If horse racing isn't enough to satisfy your gambling urges, then about an hour north is Harrah's Rincon, a Vegas-style casino featuring well over 1000 slots and most of the popular table games.

The city is divided into several different districts that are worth visiting. You can see the downtown area using public transportation, though a car is very handy to get to some of the key spots. Most areas are safe, though just outside of downtown there are some areas less desirable so don't wander aimlessly.

There are some good beaches in the area, including La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and Del Mar. If you're here primarily for the beach, then you may want to book a hotel in one of those areas. The water is a little cool, but still works for a beach vacation when the weather is warm.

San Diego is fairly convenient to the Mexican border, with seedy Tijuana on the other side of the border, and more interesting options such as Ensenada a couple hours away.

The climate is relatively comfortable all year round. Winters are a bit cool with some precipitation. Rain is a true rarity in the summer, although it can be foggy a few weeks each summer during a period the locals know as “June gloom.”

San Diego can be covered in about three days if one wants to hit all major attractions, or more if spending days at the beach is the purpose of the trip. It can be a little expensive, particularly during the summer. San Diego nicely fits in along with a visit to Disneyland and/or Los Angeles just to the north.

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