Tips for Traveling Around San Diego

San Diego, like many cities throughout California, is spread out––not everything is within walking distance and some form of transportation is needed inevitably. That being said, there are several ways for you to get around San Diego! From coastal trains or trolleys to Ubers or taxis, there is something for every distance, destination, and desire. Here you’ll find information on various types of transportation that will get you from one point to the next. There are so many ways to get around San Diego, so check out these tips and try something new! 

Driving and Cycling 

Arguably the most popular forms of transportation, driving and cycling are used by people throughout the county. Both are generally quick and efficient––you can also avoid various stops throughout your travel, unlike many forms of public transportation. Sometimes it can be a bit crowded on the roads, but there are ways for you to make this easier! Carpooling will get you to your destination faster (when traveling on a freeway) due to the express lanes, however, there are times when you must travel without a passenger. FasTrak allows you to drive in the San Diego Express Lanes without other people in your car. Make a FasTrak account, place a transponder on your windshield, and go! The cost of using this feature varies depending on the distance you travel and traffic flow at that time. Using FasTrak also gives you access to any California toll road and bridge. 

Traffic throughout San Diego roads are ever-changing; accidents happen and construction begins. There are several ways to help you navigate the roads efficiently. WAZE is a popular app for smartphones that will notify you if an accident occurs, the road opens up, or where the cheapest gas prices are in your area. Drivers throughout San Diego update the app based on traffic patterns they are experiencing in the moment, so it’s always up to date to help you find the most direct and practical route.

Uber and Taxis 

Uber has recently gained global recognition and for good reason! This travel service provides rides to parties throughout San Diego, whether you’re just going to dinner or across the city. It’s extremely easy to use; all you have to do is download the Uber app, make an account, and select your city. After this, you can request a ride at any time and it will be there within minutes. While it’s generally cheaper than taxi services, Uber runs on surge pricing. This means when the demand for Uber rides increase, the prices increase as well. So if you’re looking to save money and get a ride, plan accordingly! Prices generally increase on holidays, weekends (especially in the evening), and on days of special events. To save the most money, request a ride at an off-time. 

Taxis are readily available throughout San Diego. There are various companies to choose from: Orange Cab, Silver Cab, American Cab, and Yellow cab. Each hold similar prices, at $3 per mile. If you have a large party, be sure to use the Orange Cab; they carry up to seven passengers for the same price, whereas most only accept four. Both Uber and taxi services are a great way to travel throughout San Diego without actually driving. 

Coaster

The San Diego Coaster has been a popular form of transportation for all San Diegans due to its scenic route. Starting in Oceanside, the Coaster travels to downtown San Diego with several stops in between. It stops twice in Carlsbad, then to Encinitas, Solana Beach, Sorrento Valley, and two downtown stops. About 20 trains run daily with more on the weekends. With so many trains going, there are countless departure times at each location. Be sure to carefully check the schedule (which can be found on the Coaster website )and find one that suites your party. The Coaster proudly offers WiFi to those traveling, and it’s free! Fares start at a minimum of $4 and can increase from there. The Coaster is great for beach trips, special events downtown like Padres games, or attending the theatre.

Be careful on holidays, as fewer trains are operating, which makes for fewer rounds. On days like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Thanksgiving, and Labor Day connections are not available, so be sure you have tickets to and from your destination. 

Downtown Trolley 

The Metropolitan Transit System of downtown San Diego hosts the classic trolley, taking riders to popular places throughout the county. No matter where you start, you can reach some of San Diego’s most popular places including Fashion Valley, Balboa Park, Gaslamp Quarter, Horton Plaza, Hillcrest, Petco Park, Little Italy, the San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum, and countless others. If you don’t want to worry about commuting, this is perfect! You can enjoy the ride or participate in activities aboard the trolley. Because of a partnership with the San Diego Public Library, trolley riders can download an eBook for free and participate in a book discussion with other readers. They also allow riders to watch movies for free. 

If you plan to drive to your starting point and board the trolley from there, certain parking lots are best to use. For example, the Palomar Street station holds over 300 spots on Industrial Avenue; depending on where you start, street parking is available as well. You can either buy one-way fares or passes. Passes can be bought for one, two, three, four or thirty day usage, so plan how many trips you will be taking and pick the best option for you and your party.