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North America United States San Diego, California Tourist Information Passport/Visa

Overview

Passport/Visa

The guide was updated: 2024-10-13

Citizens of Schengen Area countries, along with Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Ireland, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom, can visit the United States for up to 90 days without needing a visa, provided they obtain an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before their trip. All other travelers must secure a visa before visiting the U.S. In addition, international travelers must ensure their passport is valid for at least six months beyond their intended stay. For the most current information and any updates on entry requirements, it is advisable to consult the U.S. Department of State website or contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate before traveling.

Useful Information

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

San Diego International Airport (SAN)

San Diego International Airport (SAN)

San Diego International Airport is located just 4.8 km from downtown San Diego. Reaching the city center typically takes around 15 minutes by taxi or ride-share. Public transportation options include Bus Route 992, which offers a cost-effective 20-minute ride to downtown's Santa Fe Depot transit hub. Alternatively, the San Diego Flyer shuttle provides free service between the airport and Old Town Transit Center, linking to other bus, trolley, and train services. Car rentals, taxis, and rideshares are also available around the clock.

Passport/Visa

Passport/Visa

Citizens of Schengen Area countries, along with Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Ireland, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom, can visit the United States for up to 90 days without needing a visa, provided they obtain an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before their trip. All other travelers must secure a visa before visiting the U.S. In addition, international travelers must ensure their passport is valid for at least six months beyond their intended stay. For the most current information and any updates on entry requirements, it is advisable to consult the U.S. Department of State website or contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate before traveling.

Best Time to Visit

Best Time to Visit

Although the sun is known to always shine over the Golden State, the best times recommended to visit San Diego are from March to May, and from September to October, when you can expect great weather and moderate rates. Watch out for the cloudy skies in May. Summertime is always recommended for hot temperatures and countless events taking place around the city. However, hotel fares are more expensive. Be aware of the gray skies in June. For the best hotel rates, the winter months are the best option. Even though the winter in San Diego is far from freezing, expect rain showers and water a tad too cold for swimming.

Public Transport

Public Transport

San Diego’s public transportation system is a mix of buses, trolleys, and trains, primarily operated by the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS). The city’s bright red trolleys are a great option for exploring the city. Four lines connect key areas like downtown, Old Town, Mission Valley, and even the U.S.-Mexico border. The trolleys operate from about 5am to midnight, seven days a week. Buses serve most parts of the city, and there is also the Coaster commuter train, which runs along the coast between San Diego and Oceanside. The PRONTO card is San Diego's transportation card, allowing easy access to both trolleys and buses.

Taxi

Taxi

Finding taxis in San Diego is relatively easy, especially in busy areas like downtown and major tourist attractions. Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft are also widely available in the city, providing convenient alternatives to traditional taxis.

Post

Post

In San Diego, post office hours generally range from 8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 2pm on Saturdays. They provide a variety of services, including mailing letters, packages, and express mail domestically and internationally, as well as selling postage and mailing supplies and sending and receiving money orders. Many post offices in the city offer 24/7 self-service kiosks for purchasing postage, weighing packages, and mailing items outside regular business hours.

Pharmacy

Pharmacy

The main pharmacy chains in San Diego include CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, and Rite Aid, which are widely available across the city and offer a full range of services, such as prescription medications and health and wellness products.

Time Zone

Time Zone

San Diego is located in the Pacific Time Zone (PT), which is 8 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-8).

Telephone

Telephone

Country code: +1 Area codes: 619 covers the southern half of the San Diego metropolitan area, including downtown San Diego, Chula Vista, National City, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, and Santee. 858 is used for the northern half of San Diego's metro area, including La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Clairemont, Del Mar, and Poway. 442 and 760 cover the northern and eastern parts of San Diego County, including Encinitas, Escondido, Oceanside, and Ramona.

Electricity

Electricity

US standard voltage is 110-115V and the standard frequency is 60Hz. The sockets and the power plugs are of type A and B. Type A plugs have two flat parallel pins, while Type B plugs have two flat parallel pins plus a grounding pin.

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