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San Diego visitor information centers answer more than 250,000 questions a year from visitors to the San Diego/Baja region. This section lists some of the most frequently "answered" questions to assist our visitors in planning their visit to San Diego.
San Diego International Airport is conveniently located, approximately three & one half miles from the heart of the downtown area. A typical taxi fare from the airport to downtown would range from $12 to $15 dollars. Several shuttle companies offer shared rides to and from Lindbergh Field and to other areas of San Diego County. There are numerous limousine and chauffeur services available for hire upon arriving at the airport. 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.
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 that can be expected under normal circumstances.
Drive Times from Downtown San Diego:
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park - 2 hours
Coronado - 7 minutes
Escondido - 30 minutes
Hotel Circle - 10 minutes
Julian - 90 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
Rosarito - 1 hour
San Diego offers plenty of convenient public transportation options that are safe, clean and efficient, from trolley, to the Coaster train, to the metropolitan bus system. Please visit the Metropolitan Transit System's web site for information on the bus, trolley and Coaster (local train service). There you will find current fare and schedule information.
A reward for service, tip, or gratuity, is common in the United States. In restaurants it is customary to tip 15% of the bill or 20% for above-average service. Gratuities are not necessary in cafeterias with self-service. At hotels and airports a $2 tip per bag or suitcase is customary for the bellboy or porter. Taxi drivers are usually tipped 15% of the total fare.
The combined sales tax rate for San Diego as of January 2017 is 7.75%.
A Balboa Park Explorer Pass is your ticket to experience Balboa Park Museums. A One-Day Explorer offers admission to 5 museums in the Park for $46, children ages 3-12 are $27. A Multi-Day Explorer, which is good for seven consecutive days, offers admission to 17 museums in the Park for $57, children ages 3-12 are $30. An Annual Explorer offers admission to 17 museums in the Park for one year for $129, seniors (65+) and full-time students are $99, and family passes (up to 2 adults, up to 4 children ages 3-17) are $229.
The Multi-Day Explorer/Zoo Combo includes the Balboa Park Multi-Day Explorer Pass plus a one-day admission ticket to the San Diego Zoo, all for one low price of $97, children ages 3-12 are $62.
All the Explorer Passes are available for purchase online at the Balboa Park Visitors Center, at participating attractions or at the MTS Transit store downtown. Prices subject to change.
The Go San Diego Card includes admission to more than 35 top attractions for one low price! Attractions include the San Diego Zoo, LEGOLAND California, all the museums in Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, San Diego Harbor Excursions, Birch Aquarium, USS Midway Museum and many more! Do what you like at your own pace on an unlimited basis. Cards are available in 1-, 2-, 3-, 5- and 7-day increments and a guidebook is included for free. The 3-, 5- and 7-day passes also include admission to SeaWorld San Diego.
We suggest you contact the San Diego Zoo directly for pricing specific to your group. However, an insider's note, October is Kids Free Month at the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and all children ages 11 and under will be admitted free. (Please contact the Zoo directly for group requirements.)
The San Diego Padres (Baseball), SoCal Surf (Soccer), San Diego Sockers (Indoor Soccer) and San Diego Gulls (Ice Hockey) are local professional sports teams.
Please visit our Stay section to find lodging that suits your needs.
Travelers will find a wealth of lodging options available. They include full-service hotels offering room service and well-appointed health clubs; cozy bed & breakfasts; clean and comfortable motels and hotels to suit the budget conscious; hostels offering the backpacker a bed for the night; and condominium and house vacation rentals for those who wish to be independent.
San Diego is very much a family destination and children are welcome. Several of the larger resort-style properties offer seasonal activities for children, while the more modest properties may offer a children's play area. For more information, please contact the International Visitor Information Center by phone at 619-236-1212 or via e-mail at sdinfo@sandiego.org.
The Transient Occupancy Tax (10.5% in the City of San Diego) is a tax primarily used for the purpose of promoting San Diego and is levied on hotel and motel rooms.
With an average daily temperature of 70.5 degrees Fahrenheit (21.4 degrees Celsius), few demands will be put on your wardrobe. Casual sportswear and layering options are ideal for San Diego's comfortable weather. You'll rarely need a topcoat or rain coat even in winter months. Evenings are cooler, even in the summer, so be sure to bring a jacket or a light sweater. The temperatures are on the warm side during the day so make sure to have shorts and swimming attire handy. A handful of San Diego restaurants require coats and ties for gentleman, but most welcome casual attire.
If "life's a beach," then San Diego County is the place to experience it to the fullest, with 70 miles of sand and sea stretching from Oceanside at the north of the County, to Imperial Beach close to the Mexican border. Within those limits lie more than 33 beaches, each with distinct features and personalities. There's a beach to satisfy the aquatic craving for each person in your group. For further information on locating the perfect beach, visit our comprehensive Beach and Sea Guide.
San Diego has a thriving theatrical community offering a delightful mix of musicals, comedies, drama and tragedies for your enjoyment. Visit the Arts & Culture section of our website for a complete listing. For bargain hunters, the San Diego Performing Arts League offers half price, day-of-a-performance tickets and full-price advance sales tickets for theater, music and dance attractions at their Arts Tix Booth at Westfield Horton Plaza.
With over 90 golf courses and a temperate climate, San Diego is a golf enthusiasts dream, year-round. Check this page for golf courses in San Diego. If you are looking for a golfing vacation, several lodging establishments are closely associated with or have their own golf courses. Want to try something pretty unique? Play a course in San Diego in the morning, cross the international border, and play a round of golf in Tijuana, Mexico, in the afternoon.
Tijuana is approximately 16 miles south of downtown San Diego. 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.
San Diego is home to numerous Indian gaming casinos that offer Vegas-style accommodations, amenities and gaming activities. Just 30-45 minutes from downtown, San Diego's Indian casinos provide 24/7 Las Vegas-style action and entertainment, while some offer full-service resort facilities, popular outlet centers, luxury spas, golf courses and museums, along with showrooms and live entertainment.
Developed by Native Americans on their tribal lands, these casinos reflect another facet of San Diego's rich cultural diversity. With a thriving community of 18 tribes, San Diego has the largest tribal concentration of any single county in the U.S. — many of them contributing in the region's successful Indian gaming business. While the casinos help the tribes to be financially self-sufficient, they also enable tribal governments to support charities and social programs serving the entire San Diego community. For guides to San Diego’s casinos, visit the Casinos and Gaming Section of the website.
San Diego Tourism Authority engages with industry partners and broader audiences alike through speaking events that discuss the importance of tourism marketing and sales and its impact on the local economy. Do you have a conference or an event that would benefit from San Diego Tourism Authority's participation and would like to request a speaker? Please complete this form.
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