If you’re a first-time visitor here to see the city’s top tourist attractions, downtown is one of the best places to stay in San Diego. If sun, sand, and sea are high on your list, you can stay northwest of the city at one of San Diego’s salt-laced beach towns, such as Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, or Ocean Beach.
What’s a good area to stay in San Diego?
The 15 Best Neighborhoods in San Diego for Tourists
- Downtown, Gaslamp Quarter, and Embarcadero.
- Little Italy.
- Balboa Park.
- Hillcrest.
- Mission Valley and Old Town.
- Coronado.
- Harbor Island.
- Point Loma & Shelter Island.
Where is the main part of San Diego?
Downtown[SEE MAP]
The Downtown area of San Diego is where you’ll find Victorian-era buildings and excellent nightlife in the historic Gaslamp Quarter; the scenic roads, boutique stores and delicious eateries of Little Italy; and the waterfront shopping opportunities in Seaport Village.
What is the main strip in San Diego?
Kettner Boulevard is one of the most popular streets in San Diego, better known as the main thoroughfare of Little Italy.
Can you stay in San Diego without a car?
San Diego is a very walkable city, so you’ll do just fine striking out on foot. Go for a stroll along Shelter Island for scenic marina views, or discover the bustling stretch of shoreline boardwalk between Mission and Pacific Beaches (which is packed with great restaurants, specialty shops, bars, and more).
Where should I stay in San Diego for the first time?
Yes, staying downtown is ideal for first-time visitors. Minutes from the airport, with easy access to public transportation, Balboa Park, the waterfront Embarcadero, Seaport Village, harbor cruises, skyline views, and restaurants, staying downtown offers a great introduction to San Diego.
What should I avoid in San Diego?
Top Bad Neighborhoods in San Diego
- Columbia. Having one of the fewest populations in San Diego, 1,941, this neighborhood is still riddled by its crime rate.
- Bird Land. For a population of 5,136, the crime rate seems to be leveled.
- Lincoln Park.
- Emerald Hills.
- Ocean Beach.
- Old Town.
Is downtown San Diego walkable?
Downtown San Diego is a walkable city laid out on an easy-to-navigate grid of lettered and numbered streets.
Is downtown San Diego safe at night?
There are many other neighborhoods that don’t have a perfect crime rating, but you won’t have to worry much about it. Is Downtown San Diego safe at night? Yes, it is.
How long should I stay in San Diego?
How long do you need for a visit to San Diego? America’s Finest City is full of food, culture, outdoor adventures, and endless unique neighborhoods to explore. We recommend staying at least three days and nights, but even then, there’s always more to do and see!
Is the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego safe?
Yes, it is safe to walk around the Gaslamp Quarter in the evenings. It’s advisable to stay on the sidewalks and avoid getting into the dark corners of parking lots or alleys. Basic rules of safety apply but overall Gaslamp is a very safe place to roam around alone or with friends.
Is Gaslamp Quarter worth visiting?
The atmosphere of the gaslamp district is really fun and it is a great place to spend the day walkinng and exploring. It has an almost vintage quality to it which is different than any place I’ve seen. Lots of really cool architecture as well, which makes it a great place for pictures.
Is it worth visiting Old Town San Diego?
Yes Old Town is worth visiting. It is where California began. The Old Town Historic State Park has some cool sites in it and the Mormon Battalion Historic Site and Heritage Park Victorian Village are worth seeing too. There are some tourist trap shops in Old Town, but some good restaurants too and a great cigar bar.
What is the best way to get around in San Diego?
The best way to get around San Diego is by car. You’ll find that the trolley and bus routes aren’t as well-connected as in other big cities, so to fully experience everything, you’re better off being the one in complete control for getting to point A and B.
Is driving in San Diego difficult?
Driving in San Diego can be quite difficult if you’re not used to congested roads and fast-moving traffic. The volume of cars matches the high population of people, so driving conditions can be hectic and slow-going. There are issues with red-light runners and speeders. So always drive offensively on San Diego roads.
Is San Diego Trolley Safe?
How safe is the San Diego Trolley? Statistically, the answer is clear. The number of reported crimes occurring on or near the trolley is extremely low. Langley Powell, president and general manager of San Diego Trolley Inc., said the service suffers .
What is the best month to visit San Diego?
The best times to visit San Diego are March through May and September through November. You can find some great deals on travel rates during the low seasons in comparison to the peak summer season.
What is the most beautiful beach in San Diego?
La Jolla Shores
A few minutes from Pacific Beach, La Jolla Shores is one of the most picturesque beaches in all of San Diego.
How far is downtown San Diego from the beach?
Can I drive from Ocean Beach to Downtown San Diego? Yes, the driving distance between Ocean Beach to Downtown San Diego is 7 miles. It takes approximately 8 min to drive from Ocean Beach to Downtown San Diego.
Is Little Italy San Diego safe at night?
This area of San Diego was near our hotel. It has many shops and restaurants. It is highly trafficked so you are safe there.
What is the safest city in San Diego?
- 7 Safest Neighborhoods in San Diego. California.
- Del Mar Mesa. If you are looking for one of the best places to raise kids but still get that urban feel, Del Mar Mesa is your top choice.
- Via de la Valle.
- San Pasqual Valley.
- North City Future Urbanizing Area.
- La Jolla.
- Black Mountain Ranch.
- Torrey Hills.