San Diego Airport Car Rental

Parking in San Diego

• Parking is available at Terminal 1 and 2 at San Diego International Airport. The Terminal 2 Parking Plaza includes 2,900 spaces, 16 EV charge points and a covered walkway to the terminal.
• Downtown parking is readily available at parking lots in the Gaslamp Quarter such as Horton Plaza Garage (801 Fourth Avenue) and 6^th and K Parkade (289 Sixth Avenue).
• For San Diego’s beaches, street parking along Ocean Boulevard is ideally located for Coronado Beach. Use North Jetty Road for South Mission Beach and the Economy Lot on Pacific Highway for Pacific Beach.

Traffic in San Diego

San Diego rush hour runs from 7:30am to about 10:30am and then from 3:30pm to around 6:30pm.

How to get from San Diego International Airport to Downtown

Reach Downtown San Diego (between the Gaslamp Quarter and East Village) in around 10 minutes from the Rental Car Center at San Diego International Airport:

1. Exit the Rental Car Center and take Admiral Boland Way heading east.
2. Turn left onto Sassafras Street and then right onto Kettner Boulevard.
3. Take the first left onto the I-5 (San Diego Freeway), following until you take Exit 17.
4. Follow Front Street towards the Civic Center and bear left onto Cedar Street.
5. Turn right down Fourth Avenue and follow the road for a few blocks until you reach Broadway and the heart of Downtown.

Roads and freeways

Main routes in San Diego

Three Interstate highways serve San Diego:

• Interstate 5 (I-5) starts in the south at the US-Mexico border and runs north to Los Angeles.
• Interstate 8 (I-8) begins on Ocean Beach, passes east through San Diego and goes all the way to Arizona.
• Interstate 15 (I-16) runs from Mission Valley to Las Vegas, Nevada.

San Diego to Los Angeles 

Head north on Interstate 5 and reach Los Angeles in around two and a half hours. For a more picturesque but slightly longer trip, drive along the Pacific Highway.  

San Diego to San Francisco

Take the I-5 up to Los Angeles and keep going north to make the 500-mile journey to San Francisco. Plan for the trip to take around eight hours.

The best things to see and do in San Diego

Seaport Village

The ocean plays a big part in San Diego’s past and present. With miles of coastline to explore, start at the scenic Seaport Village. Explore its military history at the USS Midway Museum, before taking in the ocean views as you dine at one of the village’s many eateries. Browse the galleries and shops selling local fare, before wandering along the pier.

Petco Park

Sports fans can watch the San Diego Padres at one of the country’s finest stadiums, while non-baseball fans will enjoy the incredible views it offers out over San Diego’s East Village. Renowned for its food offerings, enjoy fish tacos, sashimi and even kale salad – alongside the staple hot dogs and burgers.

San Diego Zoo

Within Balboa Park, you’ll find more than 3,700 animals sprawled out across 100 acres at San Diego Zoo – voted the number-one zoo in the world. Follow the monkey, hippo and tiger trails, marvel at giant pandas, rhinos, hippos and many more exotic creatures.

Mission Bay Aquatic Center

Get out on the water at Mission Bay and have a go at surfing, sailing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, kayaking and more. Whether you’re a complete beginner or seasoned pro, it’s a fun way to cool off in a city where the average heat falls between 60 and 75°F year-round.

Comic-Con

If you’re visiting in July, don’t be surprised to see thousands of comic book characters descend on the city. The San Diego Convention Center hosts more than 130,000 fans of comic books, gaming and entertainment every summer for a fun-filled weekend.

Where to eat in San Diego

Ironside Fish & Oyster

You can’t want for seafood restaurants in San Diego. Ironside Fish & Oyster does exactly what its names suggests in the heart of Little Italy. Indulge in generous-sized local plates of sea urchin, octopus and lobster rolls.

Breakfast Republic

Start the day right along Ocean Beach with ample choice of sweet and savory breakfast food. Hot dogs and veggie bowls suit those after some real sustenance, while those with a sweet tooth will love churro pancakes and French toast drenched in peanut butter, banana and bacon. 

Tacos Libertad

Close to the border means Mexican food is big in San Diego. Fill your belly and do a good deed – as Tacos Libertad donates all their profits to local charities. Dig into a variety of tacos filled with pork belly, octopus, avocado and more.

The Marine Room

Look out over La Jolla Bay as waves crash right against the windows of this glamorous dining room at high tide. The Marine Room is one of the city’s longest-running restaurants and serves up mainly seafood, with a strong Asian influence.

Where to stay in San Diego

InterContinental San Diego

Seaside accommodation is highly sought and the InterContinental has a real jewel in its crown with a huge glass wall on the 15^th floor providing monumental views over the Pacific Ocean.  

Grande Colonial

Step back in time at this charming hotel in La Jolla that dates back to 1913. Historic features mix with modern comforts so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Relax at this tropical resort along a strip of Mission Beach. It’s a peaceful spot on the coastline and family-friendly – with a massive outdoor swimming pool and a daily kids club (while the adults unwind in the spa and sauna).

Hilton Hotel Harbor Island

Close to San Diego Airport on Harbor Island, this hotel is ideal if you arrive in the city late at night or are dropping off your rental car at San Diego Airport in the early morning. There’s a heated outdoor swimming pool perfect for guests throughout the year.