10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting San Diego
What Not to Do in San Diego on Your First Visit
This guide to mistakes people make when visiting San Diego helps you plan a hassle-free and enjoyable vacation in the Californian city. These misconceptions and missteps are easily avoidable, which can help save you precious vacation time and money.
San Diego is a generally laidback city, with pristine beaches that are great for sunbathing, swimming, and various water sports. However, there are several rules and regulations to take note of, which you might not find elsewhere in the world. Before getting on your flight, check out this list of things not to do in San Diego on your first visit.
10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting San Diego
- Ignoring flags on the beach
- Drinking alcohol on the beach
- Underestimating the traffic
- Forgetting to validate your parking in Horton Plaza
- Getting too close to seals in La Jolla
- Only exploring San Diego’s beaches
- Planning to spend only a couple of hours at Balboa Park
- Thinking Coronado is a quick walk from Downtown
- Getting around the city via streetcar
- Driving to Mission Beach during summer
1. Ignoring flags on the beach
Enjoying the ocean safely is key to a fun day at the beach
Categoría: Parejas, Familias
San Diego’s 30-plus beaches are great for bathing and enjoying all sorts of water sports, but safety should always be your priority. It’s a good idea to check for flags on the sand, which indicate wave conditions. Lifeguards are often patrolling the beach, so you can always check if it’s safe to swim.
Not all beaches are the same in San Diego. Advanced surfers are drawn to the strong waves of Black’s Beach, while Ocean Beach and La Jolla have relatively calm and shallow water, making them popular with families. If you’re traveling with friends, head over to Mission Beach for a game of beach volleyball followed by a fun evening in one of San Diego’s most energetic beachfront neighborhoods.
Ignoring flags on the beach
2. Drinking alcohol on the beach
A hefty fine might dent your travel budget
Categoría: Parejas, Vida nocturna en
Enjoying alcoholic beverages is prohibited on San Diego’s beaches, streets, parks, alleys, piers, and plazas, except when there’s a festival taking place and during certain hours. The good news is there’s plenty of licensed beachfront bars, restaurants, and hotel patios in San Diego where you can enjoy a cool drink while admiring the views of the Pacific Ocean.
The most common consequence for drinking alcohol on a public beach or other prohibited public area is a citation (ticket) and a fine. The city and police actively enforce the beach alcohol ban, especially during busy weekends, holidays, and special events. So, save your money for something more worthwhile and stick to lemonade while working on your tan in public.
Drinking alcohol on the beach
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3. Underestimating the traffic
It’s part of California’s legacy, after all
Categoría: Parejas, Familias
Many have made the mistake of underestimating San Diego’s traffic conditions, as they probably forget that the city is part of California. If you’re getting around by car, it’s best to avoid rush hour in the morning between 6.30 am and 9.30 am and in the afternoon/evening between 3.30 pm and 6.30 pm.
For sightseeing the period from about 10 am to 2 pm is often ideal. On weekends with little commuter traffic, beach areas can become crowded. For a stress free visit to a beach, try to arrive before 10 am or after 4 pm.
Underestimating the traffic
4. Forgetting to validate your parking in Campus at Horton Garage
Smart parking strategy helps save money
Categoría: Económico, Parejas, Familias
Forgetting to validate your parking at The Campus at Horton Garage (former Horton Plaza) might be major financial mistake. It’s best avoided by pre-booking a digital parking pass on SpotHero or ParkMobile before you even arrive. This generates a QR code on your phone, completely removing the stress of physical validation stickers.
Or if you’re visiting a Gaslamp restaurant or an entertainment venue nearby, you can simply ask the host if they validate for the Campus at Horton Garage. Many establishments also offer discounts on parking if you ask for a validation sticker before you leave. So, be travel savvy, park smartly, and spend your money on something fun.
Forgetting to validate your parking in Campus at Horton Garage
5. Getting too close to seals in La Jolla
They’re wild animals and deserve respect and space
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Foto
La Jolla is a popular gathering spot for seals and sea lions in San Diego. While there’s a seawall that protects these mammals from overly curious humans, you might encounter them while bathing or walking along the coastline.
These mammals may seem laidback, but they’re wild animals after all. Keep your distance as seals can bite if they feel threatened. As a good option, join a kayak tour of La Jolla Cove, which takes you past several notable seal hangouts.
Getting too close to seals in La Jolla
6. Only exploring San Diego’s beaches
There’s plenty to see and do without sinking your toes in the sand
Categoría: De aventura, Historia, Ir de compras
San Diego’s 17-mile coastline is arguably its largest draw, but you shouldn’t spend all your vacation on the beach. Adventurers can hike through the 1,200-acre Balboa Park and Torrey Pines State Reserve, while art lovers can spend hours at San Diego’s many museums and art galleries.
There’s even a Spanish village with 200 local artists producing one-of-a-kind masterpieces, great for souvenir shopping. Join cruises on historical sailing ships at the city’s floating maritime museum to learn about San Diego’s maritime heritage.
Only exploring San Diego’s beaches
7. Planning to spend only a couple of hours at Balboa Park
It’s more than just a park in San Diego
Categoría: De aventura, Historia, Foto
Balboa Park is one of the largest attractions in San Diego, spanning 1,200 acres of gardens, cultural landmarks, and historical spots, so you can easily spend a day here. It has a long history, having been declared a reserve in 1868. It contains significant Exposition buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
You can visit unique museums, several theaters, and other attractions. Hikers can find six trail routes through the park’s most beautiful gardens with vantage points overlooking the West Mesa canyons. Visit on a Sunday afternoon for a free live public organ concert in the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, home to one of the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world.
Planning to spend only a couple of hours at Balboa Park
8. Thinking Coronado is a quick walk from Downtown
A scenic ferry ride takes you there in style
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Foto
Looking at the map, you might see Coronado sitting right across the bay from Downtown and assume they can easily stroll over or take a local streetcar/trolley. In reality, to get there by car, you have to navigate the Coronado Bridge or take a loop around the highway.
Instead of driving or trying to walk the distance, take the public Coronado Ferry from the Broadway Pier or San Diego Convention Center, which turns a frustrating traffic mistake into a scenic, affordable boat cruise across the bay.
Thinking Coronado is a quick walk from Downtown
9. Getting around the city via streetcar
Time-pressed travelers might prefer other means of transport
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Foto
The San Diego streetcar is a public transportation system with four lines traveling through over 60 stations across the city. However, it’s convenient only if you’re into slow travel. If you’re short on time, the quickest way to get places is by rideshare, but cycling is also a fantastic way to get around the beachside districts.
You can join the Old Town Trolley Tours if you want to experience the historic streetcar system. Their historic fleet of restored 1940s PCC streetcars operates on the Silver Line. This flexible sightseeing tour takes you to over 100 prominent landmarks in San Diego. Hop on or off at any of the 11 stops along a 25-mile loop.
Getting around the city via streetcar
10. Driving to Mission Beach during summer
Opting for rideshares gives you more time to explore the area
Categoría: Parejas, Familias
Mission Beach is one of the most popular neighborhoods in San Diego and finding parking along the narrow and dense streets might be time consuming. Thanks to its oceanfront boardwalk, family-friendly attractions, and nightlife scene, it draws locals and travelers alike around the clock every day of the week.
If you decide to drive, head there very early in the morning to score a parking spot. While you might have a slightly better chance around Belmont Park or South Mission, it’s not worth wasting precious vacation time looking for a place to park your car. So, consider ridesharing as the best (and most budget-friendly) option.
Driving to Mission Beach during summer
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