San Diego International (SAN)
SAN is just a few miles from downtown, about a 10-minute drive, with rideshares, taxis and MTS buses connecting the terminals to the city.
One of the most convenient big-city airports in the country.
SAN Airport Info ↗Sunny Beaches, Spanish Revival Gardens & Harbor Views
San Diego,
California.
From Balboa Park's museums and gardens and the San Diego Zoo to La Jolla's sea lions, Coronado's beaches, the USS Midway and the Gaslamp Quarter: explore America's Finest City in near-perfect weather.
Information reviewed October 2026 · Live National Weather Service forecast for San Diego, CA.
America's Finest City
Balboa Park · La Jolla · Coronado.
01 / Getting Here & Around
Fly Into SAN, Then Ride the Trolley or Ferry.
Downtown, the waterfront and Balboa Park are close together, the trolley reaches Old Town, and ferries cross the bay to Coronado.
Trolley, Buses & Coronado Ferry
The MTS Trolley links downtown with Old Town and the San Ysidro border crossing, buses serve Balboa Park and the beaches, and a ferry crosses the bay to Coronado.
Pay fares with PRONTO or contactless options.
MTS Routes ↗Ocean safety: Swim near lifeguard towers, watch for rip currents, and shuffle your feet in shallow water to avoid stingrays. In La Jolla, keep your distance from sea lions and seals.
02 / Interactive Map
San Diego Bay & Beaches Map.
Filter by area or type, tap a pin for details, and save places to download as a shareable image.
03 / Iconic Stops
Garden Museums, Sea Caves & Island Beaches.
Museums, beaches and maritime history around the bay.
Balboa Park
A 1,200-acre park of Spanish Revival buildings, gardens and more than a dozen museums, home to the San Diego Zoo.
Park Guide ↗San Diego Zoo
A world-famous zoo with lush habitats and thousands of animals.
Tickets ↗La Jolla Cove
A small cove with clear water for snorkeling, sea lions on the rocks and tide pools nearby.
La Jolla Guide ↗Coronado Beach & Hotel del Coronado
A wide, sparkling beach in front of the 1888 Victorian Hotel del Coronado.
Coronado Guide ↗USS Midway Museum
Explore a historic aircraft carrier with dozens of restored aircraft and flight simulators.
Museum Tickets ↗Old Town San Diego
Known as the birthplace of California, with historic adobes, museums, shops and Mexican restaurants.
Old Town State Park ↗04 / San Diego Eats
Fish Tacos, California Burritos & Craft Beer.
Baja-influenced flavors and a famous craft beer scene.
Tacos & Burritos
San Diego's signature dishes are Baja-style fish tacos and the California burrito, stuffed with carne asada and fries. Little Italy and Barrio Logan have great options too.
San Diego Food Guide ↗Craft Beer Capital
San Diego is home to well over a hundred breweries, from North Park taprooms to waterfront brewpubs.
Brewery Guide ↗05 / 3-Day Plan
The Essential San Diego Itinerary.
Parks, beaches and bayfront history.
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Day 1: Balboa Park & the Zoo
Spend the morning at the San Diego Zoo, then explore Balboa Park's gardens, the California Tower and a museum or two.
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Day 2: La Jolla
Watch the sea lions at La Jolla Cove, kayak to the sea caves, and catch sunset from the cliffs at Torrey Pines.
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Day 3: Bay & Coronado
Tour the USS Midway, walk the Embarcadero to Seaport Village, ferry to Coronado's beach, and end in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Surf, Sun & Wildlife
Coastal Conditions.
Rip currents and shorebreak can be strong. Swim near lifeguards, follow posted flags, and never turn your back on the waves at rocky points.
Give seals and sea lions plenty of space, as they can bite. Coastal fog is common in May and June, and inland areas get much hotter than the beaches.
NWS San Diego Office ↗ · San Diego Lifeguards ↗
Balboa Park.
Museums · Gardens · California Tower
06 / Official Resources
Handy Links & Portals.
Tourism, transit, park and safety links for planning your San Diego trip.
Frequently Asked Questions.
When is the best time to visit San Diego?
San Diego is pleasant year-round. September and October are often the warmest and clearest at the beach, while May and June can bring a morning marine layer known as May Gray and June Gloom.
Do I need a car in San Diego?
Not for downtown, the Gaslamp, Balboa Park and Old Town, which are linked by trolley, bus and rideshare. A car helps for La Jolla, Torrey Pines and North County beaches.
Can I visit Tijuana from San Diego?
Yes. The trolley runs to the San Ysidro border crossing, but you'll need a valid passport or passport card to return to the U.S.
How does the saved places list work?
Clicking "Save" on any location card or map marker stores it directly in your browser's local storage. You can filter the view to "Saved" or choose "Save list as image" in the place list beside the map to generate a clean PNG containing all your chosen stops and addresses for offline navigation.