Best Time to
Go
Anytime! From whale watching in January followed by Wildflower tours
to the desert in February, every month right up to the multiple
aquatic light parades in December. The city is most crowded between
Memorial Day and Labor Day when early hotel booking is advisable.
Average Weather
The average high in January is 65 degrees Fahrenheit with an average
low of 46. August, the hottest month, ranges from 77 down to 66. San
Diego has a surfeit of sun, averaging only 9.5 inches of rainfall most
years, most of it falling between December and mid-April. Many say San
Diego has the perfect year-round climate.
Transportation
Easily accessible by air and road, once you arrive in San Diego, an
array of options is available. Ferry service is frequent between San
Diego and Coronado. Water taxis and boat tours also offer a water top
way to see San Diego. An express rail commuter service, the Coaster,
has stops in downtown, Old Town, Sorrento Valley, Solana Beach,
Encinitas, and Carlsbad. Call 1-800-Coaster for current schedules.
San Diego Trolley routes serve downtown, Old Town, and the city of
Santee as well as extending to Mission Valley and the Qualcomm Stadium
area. Many of the most popular tourist destinations are accessible via
bus, although a lengthy ride should be anticipated. Drivers will find
manageable levels of traffic for an urban area. Bicyclists are well
served with bike route maps available at most tourist offices, the
trolley's bike-n-ride plan requiring a four-dollar bike permit, and
easily available bike rental shops. Taxis do not cruise the city
streets, call ahead for service.
In-Season Costs
Expect to pay around $80 for a double budget room during the crowded
summer season. As a popular vacation destination and business travel
center, you'll find a range of rooms from tourist standard quality up
to once-in-a- lifetime luxury available if you plan ahead and book
early.
Transportation costs are inexpensive; the longest route on the
commuter train costs a mere $3.50. The set fee for a taxi to the
center city is under ten dollars.
San Diego has restaurants in all price ranges. Expect to pay at
least $20 per person for dinner with wine in a moderately priced
restaurant. All the major restaurant chains have area outlets.
Day Trips
In San Diego itself, you'll find the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal
Park, and Sea World. Numerous architectural features make the city
interesting. February through April a day trip to see wildflowers
bloom in at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park makes a nice day out. Call
(760) 767-4684 for park information. July through September is
thoroughbred season at the Del Mar Race Track; call (858) 792-4242 for
details. Mexico's Guadalupe Valley is a short hop away; call the Baja
California Information Office at 1-800-522-1516 for information.
