Don’ts of San Diego: Travel Tips for Your First Visit
Greetings from sunny San Diego, California! Every travel blog tells you what to do when you travel, but we like to tell you what not to do, so you can be prepared for your trip. First of all, don’t pass up the chance to visit San Diego as it’s fantastic! That said, these are the “don’ts” of visiting Austin, Texas.
San Diego Travel Tip #1: Don’t Think Balboa Park is “Just a Park”
One of the best things to do in San Diego is to visit Balboa Park. But it’s more than just a park. In addition to beautiful green space, it also has 16 museums, theaters, gardens and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. You can fill up a lot of time by visiting Balboa Park, so don’t skip it.
San Diego Travel Tip #2: Don’t Confuse the San Diego Zoo with San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The San Diego Zoo is world-famous and is located in Balboa Park. It’s a typical park with animals in enclosures. It’s on the pricier side, but totally worth it. The San Diego Safari Park is about 45 minutes outside of town. The Safari Park is the kind of park you drive through to see wildlife on a “safari.” They’re both cool, but very different.
San Diego Travel Tip #3: Don’t Expect to “Do” San Diego in a Weekend
San Diego has so much to see, and is spread out over a large area, so it’s not possible to see it all in a weekend. To make the best use of your time, strategize which areas of the city you are visiting each day so that you aren’t driving back and forth all over. Each area, like Coronado Island, La Jolla, the Gaslamp District and Balboa Park all have enough attractions to spend a full day.
San Diego Travel Tip #4: Don’t Expect La Jolla to be a Cheap Beach Stop
La Jolla is a beautiful, rocky coastline just north of San Diego. It’s a perfect day trip from San Diego, but it’s very expensive there. The best way to see La Jolla is to visit in the morning, and then visit other areas for shopping and/or eating out.
San Diego Travel Tip #5: Don’t Mess with the Seals at La Jolla
Everyone loves to see the seals at La Jolla Beach, but they are wild animals. Trying to get a selfie with the seals is dangerous for tourists, and dangerous for the seals. Don’t approach them; it’s best to take photos from a distance.
San Diego Travel Tip #6: Don’t San Diego is Out Of Your Price Range
San Diego is actually pretty affordable for a vacation destination. San Diego is not super expensive, especially when compared to Los Angeles or San Francisco. It’s possible to find good, affordable hotels just 15-20 minutes from the city center. San Diego is a popular convention destination, and prices rise steeply when there’s a big convention in town, so plan ahead to avoid those. For some of the expensive San Diego attractions, check online or at your hotel for discounts.
San Diego Travel Tip #7: Don’t Run Into the Beach Boulevard
Often when you arrive at the beach, there is a boulevard between the parking lot and the beach. Look both ways before you step into the boulevard, as these are popular with cyclists, runners and skateboarders.
San Diego Travel Tip #8: Don’t Ignore the Flags on the Beach
Watch out for rip tides at the beach! There will be flags on the beach to indicate any dangerous conditions, so make sure to pay attention to the flags. There are often lifeguards around that you can check in with as well. (Don’t forget the sunblock, too!)
San Diego Travel Tip #9: Don’t Bring Alcohol or Glass to the Beach
Glass containers and alcohol are not allowed at the beach. There are plenty of beach bars you can visit for a cocktail, but that’s the only way to legally enjoy an alcoholic drink on the beach.
San Diego Travel Tip #10: Don’t Think San Diego is Just Beaches
San Diego has beautiful beaches, but there’s so much more to see. In addition to Balboa Park, there’s Legoland, SeaWorld, Mission Bay and lots of cool day trips to mountains and sand dunes. There’s kayaking, hiking, surfing, golfing and so much more! San Diego sunsets are an amazing experience, so make sure to catch at least one during your visit.
San Diego Travel Tip #11: Don’t Forget to Bring Your Kids
San Diego is great for kids of all ages. There are so many family friendly things to do, and the locals are very friendly and helpful. Even if you don’t have kids, San Diego is great.
San Diego Travel Tip #12: Don’t Forget to Turn with the Coronado Bridge
Any visit to San Diego will include a trip to Coronado Island. As you cross the Coronado Bridge to the island, you’ll get amazing views of the San Diego skyline. Beware, though, the bridge has very low sides, so don’t get caught up in looking at the skyline and not paying attention to the road. If you are afraid of heights, let someone else drive, or take the ferry over from downtown!
San Diego Travel Tip #13: Don’t Fight the Traffic
California traffic is legendary, and San Diego is no exception. Don’t try to fight it, just plan around it. A 20-minute drive can easily turn into a 2-hour drive during rush hour. This is why it’s critical to plan ahead and ensure you’re not driving back and forth; and if you’re taking day trips from San Diego, time them so you aren’t on the road at rush hour. Nobody wants to spend their vacation time sitting in traffic.
San Diego Travel Tip #14: Don’t Rely on the Trolley System to Get Around
You’ll see a trolley system in the downtown area, but it’s not super helpful for tourists. There are three lines, and access is pretty limited unless you are going to or from the convention center. Lyft and Uber are the best way to get around San Diego.
San Diego Travel Tip #15: Don’t Feel Bad to Valet Your Car and Leave it There
Parking is expensive around San Diego, and we’ve already mentioned the traffic, so driving in San Diego isn’t the most pleasant experience. Don’t feel bad if you just valet your car when you arrive and use rideshare apps during your stay. You will probably save money over paying for parking everywhere. (If you do drive around, don’t forget a credit card for the meters, unless you usually carry $10 in quarters!)
San Diego Travel Tip #16: Don’t Stay at a Beach Hotel Unless Your Main Goal is the Beach
If you are coming to San Diego to see the sights, like the zoo or historical attractions, don’t bother staying at a beach hotel. Beach hotels are super expensive, so unless you are really spending a lot of time on the beach, it’s not worth the premium price you will pay. Better to save some money and then Uber over to the beach once or twice during your visit.
San Diego Travel Tip #17: Don’t Visit During Major Conventions like ComicCon
ComicCon and other big conventions take over downtown San Diego. It gets super crowded, and very expensive. Hotels can be hard to come by, especially if you want to stay downtown. ComicCon is usually mid-July; it’s a fun experience in itself, but if it’s not the reason for your visit, try to avoid it.
San Diego Travel Tip #18: Don’t Plan on Clean Eating in San Diego
Of course, it’s possible to find great, healthy food in San Diego, but there are so many temptations. San Diego is a foodie mecca and craft beer haven. There are over 200 breweries and taphouses in San Diego. From craft burgers to fish tacos, the food in San Diego is fantastic.
Read: Five Things You Must Eat in San Diego
San Diego Travel Tip #19: Don’t Drink Beer That’s Not From San Diego
There is so much good beer made right here in San Diego, that it would be a shame to drink anything else. The local breweries are heavily involved in the local culture, and many of them are dedicated to charitable causes. You can even get local craft beer at the zoo.
San Diego Travel Tip #20: Don’t Laugh When the Locals Freak Out About Rain
San Diego is infamous for the best weather in the country, but even they get rain occasionally. What you’ll notice, though, is the locals aren’t used to rain at all. Since it’s so rare, they tend to freak out with a little bit of rain.
San Diego Travel Tip #21: Don’t Compare San Diego to Los Angeles
Even though they are both Southern California cities with awful traffic, they are very different. The vibe in San Diego is way different than the vibe of Los Angeles, and it’s not fair to compare the two. Most travelers have a favorite between the two; mine is San Diego hands down.
Watch: Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About California
San Diego Travel Tip #22: Don’t Get Complacent With Safety
Overall, San Diego is a pretty safe city, but there are definitely some things to look out for. Don’t leave valuables in the car, don’t ignore riptide warnings, don’t go hiking without letting someone know where you’re going. These are basic safety precautions to take anywhere you travel, but it’s easy to get complacent in such a beautiful, friendly city.
It is nearly impossible to have a bad time in San Diego; that’s how awesome it is. Don’t let these “don’ts” scare you off. Feel free to add more “don’ts” in the comments below! For more travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos: