Travel tips · San Diego · United States
San Diego travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Dirk Hansen, CC BY-SA 3.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
San Diego is laid-back and outdoorsy, shaped by the beach, the US Navy, a large university and biotech community, and its proximity to Tijuana and Mexico. Spanish is widely spoken and Mexican culture runs through food, place names and holidays. People are friendly and informal, and much of social life happens outside.
Key facts
- Language
- English and Spanish
- Currency
- USD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink; many visitors prefer filtered water for taste.
- Emergency
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Things to know
- Tip at sit-down restaurants and bars; it is a large part of staff income.
- Leave marine wildlife alone: stay back from sea lions and seals at La Jolla, and never feed them.
- On the beach, follow lifeguard flags and towers, and give surfers space in the lineup.
- Alcohol, glass and smoking are banned on city beaches and boardwalks; fines are enforced.
- Drivers expect you to use crosswalks, and jaywalking near busy roads is risky and sometimes ticketed.
- Book San Diego Zoo ahead: Buying tickets online saves time at the gate on weekends and in school holidays.
- Balboa Park's gardens, El Prado and the organ pavilion are free, and several museums offer free days for San Diego residents only, so check each museum's policy.
Tipping
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, about 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, and a few dollars per night for housekeeping.
Language
English and Spanish are spoken.
What to wear
Casual dress works almost everywhere; bring a light jacket for cool evenings and the grey marine-layer mornings of May and June.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink; many visitors prefer filtered water for taste.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Phone and internet
- US SIM cards and eSIMs are easy to buy; free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, libraries and the airport.
- Time zone
- America/Los Angeles
Leave nothing visible in parked cars at beaches and viewpoints, where break-ins happen. Rip currents are common, so swim near staffed lifeguard towers, and keep back from crumbling cliff edges at Sunset Cliffs and La Jolla.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United States's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in San Diego?
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, about 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, and a few dollars per night for housekeeping.
+Can you drink the tap water in San Diego?
Tap water is safe to drink; many visitors prefer filtered water for taste.
+What plugs are used in San Diego?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in San Diego?
English and Spanish.