San Diego, USA

Compiled by FatPassport's travel experts

Charming and friendly California city
San Diego, USA

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

San Diego is the perfect representation of what you would expect from a California city. It’s got the warmth, the beaches, the laid-back atmosphere… all of this in an urban vibe, without having the endless highways of Los Angeles. Some visitors skip it, but it’s a great place and well worth a visit. The 6th biggest agglomeration in the country offers fun and diversified activities that will appeal to anyone visiting.

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.

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 things can be a little shady.

There are some good beaches in the area, particularly La Jolla and Mission Beach. The water is a little cool, but still works for a beach vacation. San Diego is fairly convenient to the Mexican border, with seedy Tijuana the closest, and more interesting options such as Ensenada a couple hours away.

The climate is relatively comfortable all year round. Winters are a bit colder 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, and better deals are to be had during the winter months. San Diego nicely fits in along with a visit to Disneyland and/or Los Angeles just to the north.

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