10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting San Diego

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 1st visit.

1. Ignoring flags on the beach

Enjoy the ocean safely

San Diego’s 30-plus beaches are great for swimming 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.

2. Drinking alcohol on the beach

Avoid a hefty fine

Enjoying a cocktail or beer while getting a tan is basically unheard of in San Diego. Note that public drinking is also prohibited on the city’s streets, parks, alleys, piers, and plazas – unless there’s a festival taking place and during certain hours.

The good news is there’s plenty of beachfront bars in San Diego, so you can enjoy a drink or 2 while enjoying views of the Pacific Ocean.

3. Underestimating the traffic

It’s part of California’s legacy, after all

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 – no one wants to waste precious time stuck in gridlocked traffic.

4. Forgetting to validate your parking in Horton Plaza

The 1st hour is free without validation

Horton Plaza is a covered parking garage in Downtown San Diego. You can enjoy free parking for the 1st hour, but you’ll be charged every 15 minutes afterwards. You can also enjoy flat rates if you park your car in the evening.

Parking at Horton Plaza puts you within walking distance of several landmarks, including the USS Midway Museum, Broadway Pier, and South Embarcadero Park. Always remember to stamp your parking ticket before leaving – black validation boxes can be found inside the mall.

5. Getting too close to seals in La Jolla

Always remember they’re wild animals

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 swimming or 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. A good option is to join a kayak tour of La Jolla Cove, which takes you past several notable seal hangout spots.

6. Only exploring San Diego’s beaches

There’s plenty to see and do without sinking your toes in the sand

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 in San Diego. You can learn about San Diego’s maritime heritage by joining cruises on historical sailing ships at the city’s floating maritime museum.

7. Planning to spend only a couple of hours at Balboa Park

It’s more than just a park in San Diego

Balboa Park is one of the largest attractions in San Diego, spanning 1,200 acres of gardens, cultural and historical spots. It has a long history, having been declared a reserve in 1868. It also contains a couple of significant Exposition buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

You can visit 17 unique museums, several theatres, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Hiking is also a popular activity – you can find 6 trail routes through the park’s most beautiful gardens and vantage points overlooking the West Mesa canyons.

8. Thinking San Diego Zoo Safari Park is part of San Diego Zoo

They are very different and far from each other

San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park may share similar names, but you should know that these are completely different venues. The former is conveniently inside the boundary of Balboa Park, housing 3,700 endangered animals and over 700,000 plants. It’s one of the most popular family attractions in Downtown San Diego.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a 1,800-acre wildlife sanctuary in San Pasqual Valley, about 30.5 miles northeast of the San Diego Zoo. Its open-range enclosures are home to Sumatran tigers, Masai giraffes, and Indian rhinoceros, just to name a few.

9. Getting around the city via trolley

It only has 3 lines serving the Downtown area

The San Diego Trolley is a public transport system with 3 lines travelling through over 50 stations across the city. However, it’s not very convenient for you as a visitor, especially if you’re short on time. The quickest way 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 this old-fashioned means of transport. You can hop on and off at 11 destination stops along a 25-mile loop. This flexible sightseeing tour takes you to over 100 prominent landmarks in San Diego.

10. Driving to Mission Beach during summer

Opt for rideshares instead

Mission Beach is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in San Diego, thanks to its oceanfront boardwalk, family-friendly attractions, and nightlife scene. It’s practically impossible to find parking along the narrow and dense streets unless you head there very early in the morning.

While you 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. Ridesharing is the best (and budget-friendly) option.

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