San Diego Starter Pack

San Diego International Airport (SAN) sits just a few minutes from downtown — one of the most convenient airport locations in the US.

Uber, Lyft and taxis all operate from a dedicated pickup zone at SAN.

The airport has a free shuttle connection to the trolley system downtown.

Driving in from Los Angeles takes about 2-3 hours via I-5 depending on traffic.

Crossing from Tijuana, Mexico, is straightforward at the San Ysidro or Otay Mesa border crossings.

Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) covers short tourist/business visits up to 90 days for eligible nationalities.

Everyone else needs a B-1/B-2 visitor visa from a US embassy or consulate before traveling.

SENTRI is a US-Mexico trusted traveler program that speeds up border crossing for frequent commuters.

Working legally requires a separate visa (H-1B, L-1, O-1) sponsored by an employer or petition.

The US has no digital nomad visa — working remotely for a foreign employer on a tourist visa is legally unsettled, so check with an immigration attorney.

Check current rules at cbp.gov and uscis.gov before you travel.

Mediterranean climate — one of the mildest, most consistent in the entire US.

Summer (Jun-Sep): warm and dry, typically 22-28°C (72-82°F), rarely humid.

Winter (Dec-Feb): mild, 12-18°C (54-64°F), with most of the year's modest rainfall.

"May Gray" and "June Gloom" are local names for the marine layer that keeps early summer mornings overcast near the coast.

There's genuinely no bad season to move here weather-wise, which is a big part of the appeal.

Emergency Services (police, fire, ambulance)

211 San Diego — free, confidential health and community services referral line

San Diego also runs city non-emergency services — check sandiego.gov for the current number.

Save 911 to your phone before you need it.

The MTS Trolley covers downtown, the Convention Center, and several key corridors.

A car is still genuinely useful — San Diego sprawls and public transit coverage is uneven.

Downtown, North Park, Hillcrest and the beach neighborhoods are the most walkable areas.

Uber and Lyft are widely available throughout the metro.

Cycling is popular given the mild climate, with dedicated lanes in several neighborhoods.

Major carriers: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, plus prepaid options like Mint Mobile and Visible.

Prepaid SIMs are sold at carrier stores, Walmart, Target and most pharmacies.

Home internet: Cox and AT&T Fiber cover most of the metro.

San Diego has a strong biotech and tech scene with plenty of coworking spaces, especially downtown and in North Park.

Currency: US Dollar (USD).

Major national banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) plus regional credit unions are all common here.

A Social Security Number is usually needed to open an account; some banks accept an ITIN for non-residents.

Cards and contactless payment are accepted almost everywhere.

Wise is a popular option for moving money internationally.

North Park: walkable, craft breweries, a genuinely mixed-use urban feel.

Hillcrest: San Diego's historic LGBTQ+ neighborhood, central, walkable.

La Jolla: upscale, coastal, some of the most expensive real estate in the city.

Pacific Beach: young, beach-focused, lively nightlife.

South Park: quieter, residential, close to North Park's amenities.

Cost of living, especially housing, is among the highest in the US — budget carefully.

Mexican food here is genuinely excellent given the border proximity — Baja-style fish tacos are a local staple.

San Diego is widely regarded as one of the best craft beer cities in the US, with dozens of breweries.

Little Italy has a dense, walkable restaurant scene and a popular Saturday farmers market.

Convoy District is the go-to for Asian food, from Korean BBQ to Vietnamese pho.

La Jolla Cove: dramatic coastline, sea lions, snorkeling.

Pacific Beach and Mission Beach: the classic boardwalk beach scene.

Coronado: quieter, family-friendly, the famous Hotel del Coronado sits right on it.

Sunset Cliffs is a favorite for watching the sunset rather than swimming.

Balboa Park houses multiple museums, gardens and the San Diego Zoo in one huge green space.

Gaslamp Quarter is the historic downtown nightlife district.

Day trips to Tijuana, Mexico, are easy via trolley to the border.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve offers coastal hiking with genuinely dramatic views.

San Diego Padres (MLB) play downtown at Petco Park; the city has had no NFL team since the Chargers moved to Los Angeles in 2017.

Surfing is a genuine part of daily life at spots like Pacific Beach, Sunset Cliffs and Swami's.

Running, cycling and outdoor fitness are year-round activities thanks to the climate.

Hiking at Torrey Pines and in nearby Cuyamaca and Anza-Borrego is popular on weekends.

Cost of living, especially rent, is one of the biggest adjustments moving here — research neighborhoods carefully.

The mild, consistent weather is the city's biggest lifestyle draw — plan on spending a lot of time outside.

A day trip to Tijuana is easy but bring your passport — it's still an international border.

Tipping norms follow the rest of the US: 18-20% at restaurants is standard.