Frequently Asked Questions About San Diego







San Diego Travel Tips is a tourist and local San Diego travel guide. You can spend hours online researching, but specific questions do arise. We are happy to answer your specific questions, just ask us!

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about San Diego that we receive by email from both domestic and international visitors to San Diego:

Q. What is a good hotel that is close to the University of California, San Diego (UCSD)?

A. All of these hotels are within 5 minutes of UCSD:

Marriott-Residence Inn- on Gilman Drive- -near restaurants/shopping
San Diego Mariott-La Jolla-across from restaurants and major shopping center
Hilton-Torrey Pines-- more isolated but what a view!
The Lodge at Torrey Pines-- gorgeous view-- expect high rates
Embassy Suites-La Jolla--across from restaurants and major shopping center
Estancia La Jolla-across from Muir College

Q. We are looking for a low cost hotel and I am wondering if you know anything about Howard Johnson Inn - San Diego Sea World Area? Is it in a good area? Around anything (besides Seaworld)? Is it a decent hotel?

A. There are scads of hotels along that I-8-Mission Valley route and some are better placed on their property, set back from the freeway. Many of those hotels have SeaWorld and Zoo packages. There are also lots of restaurants.

Q. Are there hotels near Seaworld?

A. SeaWorld sits alone on its property. The closest hotels, in proximity, are the Bahia, Dana Point and Hyatt Regency. There are more economical hotels within a few miles.

Q. Do I need a car in San Diego?

A. Mostly, yes. When you visit the central part of San Diego, everything is close by but not easy to get to. If you have wheels, there's lots to do! Beach, parks, shopping, Old Town, downtown, harbor, Zoo.... oh the list is endless.

If you don't have a car, it might be best to consider a cab/taxi or choose to stay in one area (i.e., Gaslamp, Shelter Island, La Jolla)



Q. Can you tell me about parking near Petco Park?

A. Omni Hotel--immediately adjacent to Petco Valet parking (approx. $30 for 24 hours per car with in/out privileges)

Public Parking Structures*-
6th Ave at K- (across from Petco) $16.00 weekend/$11.00 weekdays/ Increased rate when Padres are playing: $18.00

"Park It on Market" 6th/Market
$16.00 weekend/$11.00 weekdays/ Increased rate when Padres are playing: $18.00
*prices are approximate as they may change

Q. Where is a good place to rent boogie boards in Coronado?

A. Just outside the Hotel Del on the boardwalk you'll find a place to rent beach equipment.

Q. What beach is good and what is the best area to stay? I know you said that La Jolla is the best beach for kids, but what about Mission Bay? How far away are they apart? We really wanted to stay on the beach but cost is an issue. Thanks for your help.

A.Beaches heading north:
South Mission, Mission, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff, Encinitas, Carlsbad

Mission Bay and Mission Beach are in the same geographic area. Mission Bay- is a man-made bay used for recreation Mission Beach is the ocean. Both have boardwalks for walking, skating, running, bikes.

Bahia and Dana Inn and Catamaran Hotel are on the bay. The Catamaran is great because they are also one block from the beach. They have their own part of the bay, rentals, and such. Given their proximity to the water, these might be too pricey. There is the Hilton at Mission Bay which is not walking distance to the ocean, but a quick drive. The Hilton is on Mission Bay. All are close to Seaworld.

Truthfully, wherever you land up, generally speaking, you won't be but 20 minutes from the beach by car.

In La Jolla, the Best Western by the Sea - La Jolla, is a great location for multiple reasons: shopping, dining, beach, cliffs, park, etc. The beach here is along the cliffs (La Jolla Cove)rather than a long stretch. For families, La Jolla Shores is great and a beach you may wish to drive to and enjoy. Clean, bathrooms, showers, playground equipment, beach toy equipment, and the water is great!

You also might look at Mission Valley hotels or Hotel Circle as they have many package deals with hotel, attractions, etc. Mission Valley is close to everything, if you have a car.

You may also look around Coronado. Coronado is also a great place to stay (and live but it is quite pricey). It is a quiet area with that resort feeling and there's many smaller hotels. Coronado has plenty of beaches and it is a quick ride over the Coronado Bridge back to San Diego.

We get the rental car question a lot. Yes, it is best to have a rental car in San Diego. We have found that Fox Car Rental Fox Car Rental (off airport) is often the best priced. They do have shuttle service.

Q. Any suggestions for a reasonable and quiet place to stay that is accessible to the places you have suggested?

A. We'll always give a shout out to Coronado. We also think that ShelterIsland provides the quiet along with the convenience of being walkable for meals, etc.
Our motto: Make friends with someone who owns a boat out there!

Q. My brother just returned from a wedding there and got lost several times due to the difficulty in getting on and off the freeways. Any help on using the freeways would be appreciated.

A. We sure can! Even numbered freeways run east/west. Odd numbered freeways run north/south. San Diego recently got numbered exits. Don't ask a San Diegan to help you with identifying exits that way. San Diegans don't tend to use the offramp numbering system. Can't teach old dogs new tricks! LOL

I-8: east/west from Ocean Beach, through Mission Vally, SDSU, El Cajon and out to El Centro.

52: east/west from La Jolla, Kearny Mesa, Santee

94: east/west from downtown San Diego to Spring Valley, Jamul, rural areas

I-5: north/south from Tijuana to Chula Vista, National City, San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Leucadia, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Camp Pendleton, Orange County.... to Los Angeles.

I-163: north/south from Clairemont Mesa, Kearny Mesa, downtown San Diego

I-805: north/south from Sorrento Valley, eastern La Jolla, Mission Valley, Chula Vista, Tijuana.

I-15: north/south from National City to Mission Valley, Scripps Ranch, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Escondido, Temecula.

Q. We want to come down from LA on Amtrak and bring our bikes. What's the best area for a family to ride?

A. We'll sound like a broken record, but we suggest Coronado for a family. It is as flat as a pancake and relatively traffic-free in most areas. The area is so scenic and it is probably the best bet for the all around family experience. The boardwalk at Mission Beach thru Pacific Beach is also a candidate, but the boardwalk gets congested and it is easier to lose sight of each other.

Q. We are planning to go to San Diego and plan on staying at least 3 nights. Could you please recommend a couple of budget hotels? We are more interested in visiting San Diego than just staying in our hotel room!

A. We have two recommendations of budget hotels that are located in Mission Valley. Both are clean hotels and the area is quite safe. Plus, it is a good location to use as your headquarters. There are MANY hotels in this area and many people actually prefer to stay in Mission Valley because it is close to everything in San Diego, including beaches, Sea World, Zoo, etc.

Travelodge San Diego Mission Valley/Hotel Circle
1201 Hotel Circle South
I-8 & Hotel Circle South
San Diego, CA 92108 US
Phone: 619-297-2271
Fax: 619-542-1510

Super 8 Motel - Mission Valley
445 Hotel Circle South
San Diego, CA 92108 US
Phone: 619-692-1288
Fax: 619-298-0668

Q. I am a senior citizen from another country that is coming to San Diego and want to know if I will qualify for a senior discount on public transit. What are the rates for senior citizens on public transit?

A. We checked with the public transit system and they said that anyone (regardless of nationality) is allowed to take advantage of the reduced fares for seniors, 55 years old and up. The fares for both the bus and the trolley are only $1 each way for senior citizens.

When boarding the bus, remember to have the exact fare because the drivers will not give you change. When you board the bus, stick the dollar bill into the ticket machine. If you need help, just ask the driver for assistance.

Before boarding the San Diego trolley, remember to get your ticket at one of the ticket machines. Be aware that some ticket machines require exact change. Trolley tickets are valid for 2 hours from the time of purchase. Round trip tickets can also be purchased which allow the user to use the trolley the whole day.

This is very important! You cannot buy a ticket when you are on the trolley. You will be fined by an transit officer if you cannot produce a valid ticket. The last thing you want to do is ruin your vacation by getting stuck with a fine.

For more information about San Diego's public transit system, please go to this link.