The Complete Guide to Getting Around San Diego With or Without a Car (2024)

How to navigate San Diego by bus, car, train, Uber, and public transit.

San Diego County is the second-largest city in California after Los Angeles (and the eighth-most populated city in the US). It is as widespread as it is culturally and geographically diverse, and comprised of 18 incorporated mini-cities and neighborhoods, you could spend a month exploring this wonderful city and still not scratch the surface.

While having a car is the easiest way to see and experience some of the best San Diego has to offer, there are plenty of options for getting around town depending on what you want to see and do. Here’s how to make the most of your next visit.

Renting a Car Is Key to Seeing More Local Sights

If you have a few days in town, renting a car is definitely the best way to see and experience the best San Diego has to offer. There’s no shortage of rental car companies to choose from in town, and parking is typically relatively easy to find depending on where you’re going.

Having a car also means you’ll have access to San Diego’s local neighborhoods and beach towns. Take a drive up along the 101 and stop at some of San Diego’s most charming beach towns from La Jolla Shores to Del Mar up to North County San Diego where Cardiff, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Oceanside each offer a little something for everybody.

Other neighborhoods that are easily accessible by car are Mission Hills where you’ll find Presidio Park, North Park which is home to a number of excellent restaurants and bars, and Hillcrest, to Torrey Pines which is a great place to go hiking. Further inland in North County, areas like Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch, La Costa, and Carmel Valley which is home to San Diego’s resplendent Fairmont Grand Del Mar, are also far easier to get around if you have access to a car.

Meanwhile, far east San Diego offers a wide variety of experiences that are really only accessible by car. Pay a visit to the historic mountain town of Julian which is about an hour and a half drive depending on where you’re staying and visit the California Wolf Center or hike the Cuyamaca Mountains. Just don’t skip town without trying Julian’s famous apple pie. Something to note, Julian is also part of the Dark Sky Network and is a great place for stargazing, and The Observer Inn is a great place to book a sky or solar tour with a certified astronomer.

Uber and Lyft Are Also Available

If you’re not planning on renting a car, you still have plenty of options. Uber, Lyft, and taxis are not only widely available but will take you pretty much anywhere you need to go within San Diego County. While the rates do fluctuate depending on traffic and the time of day, rideshares are readily available at the San Diego International Airport.

If you know you’ll be spending most if not all of your time downtown, Uber might be your best bet. For first-time visitors planning on staying around the downtown area, the Gaslamp Quarter is easily accessible by foot, and there’s no shortage of excellent eateries, bars, and nightlife to choose from here. Not too far from downtown, San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood is chock full of authentic restaurants. Don’t miss Filippi’s Pizza Grotto for some of the best red sauce pizza in town. If you’re looking for a nice place to take an afternoon stroll, you could also Uber to Seaport Village. This charming area near San Diego’s Embarcadero is home to some nice restaurants and bars from the ultra scene-y Malibu Farm to the to-die-for tri-tip “Cardiff crack” tacos at Crack Taco Shop.

An easy hop, skip, and ride-share away from downtown, Balboa Park is considered San Diego’s cultural hub. Home to a number of wonderful museums, The San Diego Zoo, the historic Old Globe Theater, and The Japanese Friendship Garden, it is a wonderful way to spend some quality time outdoors. If you are driving, there are plenty of places to park here, just be aware that on weekends, parking lots tend to fill up quickly so plan on arriving early to beat the rush.

Hug the Shoreline and Hop Aboard the Train

Easily San Diego’s most scenic mode of public transportation, The Coaster runs north and south along the coastline and is a great way to connect some of the city’s most iconic beach towns.

The Coaster runs every day of the week and is available year-round. It is a great way to beat the traffic northbound come summertime when the Del Mar Fair and Del Mar Racetrack are in full swing. If you’re heading to the track, you take the coaster to Solana Beach, and from there, you can either walk or hop on a complimentary shuttle that will drop you off near the entrance.

The Pacific Surfliner is another great option for getting to Solana Beach. However, unlike the Coaster, which runs exclusively in San Diego, this Amtrak train runs all the way up the coastline, from San Diego to Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Oakland, California.

If you thought San Francisco was the only California town with a trolley, think again. The San Diego Trolley is not only adorable, but it’s also a great way to connect from downtown and The Convention Center to places like Old Town and Mission Valley. The UC San Diego Blue Line trolley recently expanded its service to the UCSD-La Jolla area where the wonderful Westfield UTC shopping center is located. This beautiful alfresco mall offers no shortage of excellent local eateries, bars, and shopping, don’t miss Raised By Wolves which is easily the coolest bar inside a bottle shop inside a mall you’ve ever seen.

Walk, Bike, or Ferry Around Town

San Diego’s mild to warm year-round climate makes it an ideal place to spend as much time outdoors as possible. If you’re planning on staying in one area like downtown or one of the beach towns, for example, La Jolla or Del Mar, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars, and beaches within easy walking distance.

While San Diego is a safe place to visit, if you’re staying downtown and planning on conquering the city on foot, it’s important to note that just as you would in any major city, take care and be aware of your surroundings, especially at night.

For biking enthusiasts, Mission Bay is a great place to go. Make your way across the bay to Fiesta Island, a popular spot for biking, beaching, and savoring some of that famous San Diego sunshine.

Last but not least, depending on which side of the plane you were sitting on when you flew into San Diego, you might have noticed the Coronado Bridge. Connects downtown San Diego with the “island” of Coronado, if you don’t have a car to get there, The Coronado Ferry departs from downtown San Diego every hour on the hour and is a great place to see and explore by bicycle. You can bring your bike for free on the quick ride over. Don’t skip a stop at The Hotel Del aka The Del as locals call it, or lunch at Miguels Cocina for some of the best Mexi-Cali-fare and hands down the best margaritas in town.