It is on the same level as Casablanca, has the charm of a bathing beach and at times the temperament of its Mexican neighbors. Unfortunately, San Diego is an all too often neglected jewel at the southernmost tip of California. The city is considered particularly privileged: a gentle breeze blows all year round and spoils residents and visitors with a pleasant climate. San Diego’s character has always been defined by the sea. The natural harbor not only attracted the Spaniards, but also gold prospectors and whalers. In 1904 the US Navy settled here and today San Diego is one of the world’s largest military bases.
The 122 km long coastline with long sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, bays and seaside resorts is particularly attractive. Miles of coastline dotted with gorgeous beaches make it easy for visitors to fall in love with this city. In the metropolis itself, the Mexican influence is omnipresent and influences culture and life in a pleasant way.
As the second largest city in California, in the far southwest near the border with Mexico, San Diego offers a big city atmosphere with small town flair. From the skyscrapers and bustle of downtown, it’s a short drive to Old Town San Diego, with quaint shops and restaurants that showcase the area’s Mexican heritage. Nearby is the bustling Gaslamp Quarter – the best place to experience San Diego’s nightlife. In the heritage-listed district, you can admire restored Civil War-era buildings that are now home to nightclubs, cafes, and shops. Right next door, at the state-of-the-art Horton Plaza Shopping Center, shopping dreams come true.
The biggest draw, however, is San Diego’s incredibly beautiful weather, with daily average temperatures of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). Residents particularly enjoy this on sparkling Mission Bay, a paradise for water sports enthusiasts, sunbathers and swimmers.
San Diego information
Location and size
According to medicinelearners, San Diego is located on a dock in southwest California near the border with Mexico. The city is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west. Mountains and the Anza Borrego Desert Park form a natural boundary to the east. The urban area covers an area of 963 km².
Population
With a population of 1.3 million, San Diego is the second largest city in California and the eighth largest in the United States.
Getting there
San Diego is about a two-and-a-half hour drive south of Los Angeles. Drive north from Tijuana, Mexico in 30 minutes. San Diego International Airport (SAN) is located about 6 km (3.5 miles) northwest of San Diego.
Transportation
Public buses and the San Diego Trolley connect almost every corner of the city. The popular Amtrak Pacific Surfliner takes you quickly up the coast to Orange County and Los Angeles.
Climate
The climate in San Diego is regulated by the winds blowing in from the Pacific Ocean, so summers are cool and winters are warm. Storms are very rare here, snow is almost unknown, on average there are only three thunderstorms per year. The hottest months of the year are September and October due to the hot easterly winds blowing from the desert.
| Average temperatures in San Diego in °C | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Max | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 19 |
| Min | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 9 |
Clothing
San Diego is not very demanding when it comes to the wardrobe. Even in winter, temperatures are quite warm, so pack shorts and swimwear. The evenings are pleasantly cool, especially in summer, in winter a light sweater or jacket is sometimes useful.
VUSA Tips for San Diego
Parks and Museums
The cultural center of the city is Balboa Park with 15 museums, nine theaters and ensembles, the world-famous San Diego Zoo and a variety of green spaces and gardens. Around the Pan American Plaza, built for an international exhibition in 1935, you can also get a historical look at Western architecture, Aztec influence, Mexican Pueblo style and Art Deco. The Spanish heritage of San Diego can be experienced by visiting the two missions. It was here that the Padres of the Franciscan Order, under the leadership of Fray Junípero Serra, began establishing a chain of mission stations along the California coast in the early 1800s.
shopping and gastronomy
You can find everything in San Diego: from boutiques and antique shops to large shopping malls, such as downtown Horton Plaza or Fashion Valley – the city’s most upscale shopping center – with brands like Gucci and Tiffany & Co. The Gaslamp Quarter is known for its lively atmosphere as well as the lively nightlife and also one of the best places to enjoy a warm summer evening in a street café. In Old Town, Mexican restaurants have mariachi musicians playing at your table and shops are filled with art and souvenirs. Little Italy is one of the trendiest neighborhoods and is very popular with locals. An evening visit to a hip bar on the roof terraces of the W Hotel or the Hotel Indigo is worthwhile. From here you have a breathtaking view of the illuminated skyline.
day trips
More than 120 km of beaches and scenic coves lure visitors to relax in the sun-drenched San Diego region. A major draw is Coronado Island, home to the elegant Hotel del Coronado – the location of the 1959 Marilyn Monroe classic Some Like It Hot. Just a short drive along the coast is Cabrillo National Monument, where Discoverer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo went ashore in 1542. South of Coronado is the stunning Silver Strand State Beach. Here you can jump into the waves on the west side and swim in the calm sea on the east side. The affluent northern San Diego communities of La Jolla and Del Mar offer luxury shopping, plush resorts and world-class golf courses – Torrey Pines hosted the 2008 US Open.
To the north, Oceanside is home to world-class surfing beaches, the California Surf Museum and the San Luis Rey de Francia Mission – the largest of California’s 21 Missions. Inland lies the Escondido wine region and the vast outdoor enclosures of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, home to an impressive array of exotic animals. The eastern boundary of Greater San Diego is made up of impressive mountain ranges, where you’ll find tiny mountain villages like Julian, which is known for its delicious apple pies.
SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld is an aquarium and amusement park in one, and visitors are also educated about marine life conservation. Here you can admire the water acrobatics of Shamu the killer whale, or get really wet on the “Journey to Atlantis” roller coaster. VUSA Tip: If you don’t like queuing, head to the ride attractions during the shows. Ask if there are any seasonal special events planned, like fireworks and longer hours in the summer.
San Diego Zoo (San Diego) and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Park (Escondido)
These two facilities offer the opportunity to see fauna from around the world. In the zoo you can learn interesting details about a huge variety of animals and their offspring. In the extremely natural enclosures, which incidentally were copied from here in many zoos around the world, you will find rare animals such as Malaysian tiger cubs, young sun bears and a lowland gorilla offspring. Anyone who gets on the open train in the wildlife park can observe rhinos, giraffes, gazelles and many other animals up close in the vast landscape.
America’s Sports Capital
, San Diego offers guests countless opportunities to exercise, in part because of the year-round outdoor recreation. All imaginable possibilities are offered for sports enthusiasts. As varied as the topography are the activities, jogging on the beach, kayaking in a secluded cove, hiking in the mountains of the rustic upstate, climbing a mountain or camping in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
There are countless opportunities for water sports in San Diego: surfing, boating, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, deep sea fishing, water skiing or just relaxing on the beach. Other activities include golf, mountain biking, jogging, hiking, tennis, paragliding, mountaineering, rollerblading and skateboarding.
San Diego also offers numerous professional and amateur sporting events. The National Football League (NFL) is represented here, as is the National Baseball League (NBL). Golf championships at the Torrey Pines Course or thoroughbred racing in Del Mar will excite you – maybe you’ll win the betting. The US Olympic Training Center in south San Diego (South Bay) features the first multi-sport training center for American Olympic athletes.
