The quickest and easiest ways to get to and around San Diego, according to a local
- San Diego, California is easy to reach by plane, car, and West Coast trains.
- Here are the best transportation options for getting to and around San Diego, according to a local.
When I moved to San Diego from New York City a quarter-century ago, I had to get used to driving everywhere. I drove more in my first month here than in all my years in Manhattan.
Now, all these years later, driving is daily life, and thankfully, I can still fly nonstop to New York to visit family. As the eighth-largest US city, San Diego is easy to get to and from almost anywhere. You can fly, drive, or even take the train.
Once here though, you'll need a car unless you plan to park yourself downtown or in one of the area's beautiful resorts — which would still be perfectly acceptable.
Here's everything to know about getting to and around San Diego.
Getting to San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Located on picturesque San Diego Bay, San Diego International Airport is conveniently located just minutes from downtown and is small enough to make arrivals and departures a breeze. There's nothing like catching a glimpse of the palm trees as you're landing to make your shoulders start loosening.
Be aware, though, that construction has started on a massive overhaul of Terminal 1. It's not expected to be completed until 2028, but, meanwhile, at Terminal 2 it's business as usual, and there are Delta, United, and Aspire lounges.
For a big city, San Diego has a surprisingly small airport. Though it's the second-busiest single-runway airport in the world, it will continue to have one runway even after the updates.
All major US airlines fly in and out, but San Diego is not a hub, so if you're not flying to a large city, it might be challenging to find nonstop flights.
A couple of direct international flights operate from San Diego with British Airways flying nonstop to London, and Lufthansa is starting nonstop flights to Munich. However, many locals fly internationally out of Los Angeles International Airport to avoid connections.
Once landed, you can pick up an Uber or a Lyft at a dedicated island between the terminals and the parking lot, or take a complimentary shuttle to the Consolidated Rental Car Center with a dozen major rental-car companies.
Amtrak
I've always found the train to be a relaxing way to get to or from San Diego and other parts of California. You can even easily take your golf clubs, surfboard, or bike.
There are convenient stops downtown and in North County on Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner route, which travels along the coast for 351 miles and offers beautiful ocean views. But if you're traveling to San Diego by train from outside of California, it will take you a long time, and you will eventually end up on the Pacific Surfliner, most likely connected from LA's Union Station.
Getting around San Diego
San Diego is definitely a driving city, and you'll become very familiar with the 5 — the freeway that goes north and south from San Ysidro to Blaine, Washington, and runs parallel to the Pacific Ocean.
If you're staying downtown or in a beach community like Encinitas, you can do lots of walking and may be able to borrow a bike from your hotel. But, unless you plan on staying put in that area, you will still need a car.
Rental cars
Rental cars are available at the Consolidated Rental Car Center at the airport — your best bet for the biggest selection. There are a few other pick-up spots around the county, but options are limited. If you need a rental car, I suggest ordering it far in advance and picking it up at the airport.
Ride-hailing
If you don't feel like driving, Ubers and Lyfts are usually easy to come by. It can be cost-prohibitive to rely on them, though, if you're planning on moving around a lot.