Car Rental San Diego Airport (SAN)

Parking in San Diego

• Horton Plaza Garage (92101) and 6^th and K Parkade are ideal for the Gaslamp Quarter.
• North Jetty Road (92109) is on-street parking for San Diego’s Mission Beach. For South Mission Beach, use the Economy Lot on Pacific Highway for Pacific Beach (92101).
• On-street parking meters are enforced from 8am to 6pm. There are approximately 5,700 spaces across the city.

Key Roads In 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-15) runs from Mission Valley to Las Vegas, Nevada.

How To Get From San Diego Airport to Los Angeles

It takes around two hours to make the 120-mile journey to Los Angeles.

1. Leave SAN and head east on N Harbor Dr, following signs for the I-5 N.
2. Follow the I-5 N, following signs for Santa Ana.
3. Exit on to US-101 N and follow signs for Los Angeles.
4. After around 3 miles, take Exit 2B towards Union Station, Los Angeles.

How To Get From San Diego Airport To San Francisco

To make the 500-mile journey to San Francisco, we recommend you plan for the trip to take around eight hours.

1. Leave SAN and head east on N Harbor Dr, following signs for the I-5 N.
2. Follow the I-5 N, following signs for Santa Ana.
3. Continue along the I-5 N and follow signs for San Francisco/Sacramento.
4. Continue onto I-580 W, then take Exit 19A and merge on to I-80 W (toll road).
5. Take Exit 1B to merge on to US-101 N towards Golden Gate Bridge.

Where to Stay in San Diego

Hilton Hotel San Diego Bayfront

1 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

With amazing views of San Diego Bay and minutes away from the popular Gaslamp Quarter, this hotel is just a 10-minute drive away from the airport. It’s the perfect spot if you want to get some rest after picking up your rental car. There’s also a spa, fitness center and a heated outdoor swimming pool.

The Sofia Hotel

150 W Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101

This contemporary hotel is nestled in the brilliant Bay Area, just steps away from San Diego’s famous convention center and across the street from Horton Plaza. Again, this hotel is a quick drive away from San Diego Airport and is in a great central location for those looking to explore.

Solamar San Diego

435 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

This classic and stylish central hotel comes complete with a spa, bar, restaurant and outdoor pool. It’s situated just a ten-minute drive away from the airport, within the city’s modern East Village. If you’re looking for a little bit of luxury, Solamar has you covered.

Where to Eat in San Diego

Trust

3752 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103

This restaurant specializes in rustic New American cuisine, making you feel like you’ve just stepped into a friend’s dining room rather than one of the top restaurants in the city. Take your pick from locally reared steak to fresh seasonal vegetables.

Ironside Fish & Oyster

1654 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

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.

Addison

5200 Grand Del Mar Way, San Diego, CA 92130

San Diego’s first Michelin-starred restaurant certainly lives up to the hype with its tailored menu and elegant atmosphere. They offer meals to experience rather than simply eat, with their five or ten-course tasting menus being something of an enigma – you don’t know what you’re getting until the night itself.

What to See and Do in San Diego

San Diego Zoo

2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

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.

Balboa Park

1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

This 1,200 acre cultural park is home to many attractions within itself. Wander through botanical gardens, natural vegetation zones, or even take a trip to the Zoo, museums or the theatre – all of which are housed here. Put aside at least a day to explore it all.

Belmont Park

3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109

Step back in time for thrills that last down the years at Belmont Park. This vintage amusement park boasts the ‘Giant Dipper’, a 1925 rollercoaster that was recently refurbished so you can still enjoy its peaks and dips today. With ocean view from many of the rides, this is the perfect place to lose a day.