Getting around in the San Diego area

[ballettmaus]

My former host parents plan a trip out West in February. They want to include San Diego but aren't thrilled about driving in the city. How is public transportation in the greater San Diego area and how far out of the city can you go without a car? Or do you absolutely need a car to get around?

 

[clairecloutier]

Personally, I'd get a car. I visited about 10 years ago, and a lot of the most interesting sights and things to do were well outside the city itself. If they don't get a car, they will miss seeing the glorious coastline and La Jolla and other sights. (Well, maybe there is a way to get to those places via public transport, but it might take a while.)

 

[manhn]

San Diego is a lovely city but I did not think density was one of their virtues. I think you would need a car. Everything is relative, but I did not find SD that terrible to drive around. Finding parking at La Jolla was a pain.

 

[Vagabond]

There is a trolley system that can take you very close to the international border. And, of course, there is a bus system. But San Diego, like much of the West Coast, is difficult for people without a car. C'est la vie.

 

[Japanfan]

We did a San Diego vacation half by transit and half with a rental car. Using transit (both buses and the rail line) was actually okay, especially since we spent several days at the zoo (which is fantastic, and was our main reason for visiting the city). In addition to the zoo, transit easily got us to the place where we caught the boat over to Coronado Island - really beautiful, well worth a visit, and it's easy to walk from one end of the island to the other.

Having a car obviously made us more mobile and we could see more, and of course is easier. But San Diego is definitely doable by transit for tourists, more so than many other cities.

Have fun. I love San Diego, and staying on Hotel Circle (a beautiful palm tree lined strip with lots of hotels and restaurants). My only complaint is that it is often cool and windy, even in the summer.

 

[MacMadame]

My former host parents plan a trip out West in February. They want to include San Diego but aren't thrilled about driving in the city. How is public transportation in the greater San Diego area and how far out of the city can you go without a car? Or do you absolutely need a car to get around?

I lived in SD for 11 years and go back frequently. You need a car. Unless you want to stay in a hotel downtown and not go many places at all.

The actual city is pretty tiny and not that bad to drive around. It's nothing like driving in NYC, for example. San Diego is mostly suburban with a small downtown.

 

[PrincessLeppard]

When I was there a few weeks ago, my friends and I just took Ubers everywhere. There were always plenty available.

 

[ballettmaus]

When I was there a few weeks ago, my friends and I just took Ubers everywhere. There were always plenty available.

I don't know how comfortable they'd be with Uber but I'll let them know that there's that option.

Thanks everyone for the input.

 

[Japanfan]

Personally, I'd get a car. I visited about 10 years ago, and a lot of the most interesting sights and things to do were well outside the city itself. If they don't get a car, they will miss seeing the glorious coastline and La Jolla and other sights. (Well, maybe there is a way to get to those places via public transport, but it might take a while.)

As I said above, Coronado Island can be reached by public transit. It is sort of outside the city and was one of the most interesting sites we visited. I liked its tranquility and clean feel.

In thinking of sights outside the city, I'm reminded of the lovely mountain town of Julian, and Boreggo Springs in Boreggo Anza-Corrego Desert State Park.

Both well worth visiting, if you do have a car.