San Diego’s neighborhoods

Sometimes called ‘America’s finest city’ the people are friendly and welcoming, and armed with our guide to San Diego’s neighborhoods, you can work out where you most want to spend your time. Or, once you’ve sorted your rental car, you could choose to move around and sample a few. Do it your way in this sensational destination.

Old Town

If this is your first time in San Diego, then choosing Old Town as a place to stay and visit is great idea. As the name suggests, staying in Old Town means you’ll get a fabulous slice not only of San Diego’s history, but also America’s. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was the home of the first Spanish settlement in the early 1800s and, previous to that, was important to the Kumeyaay Native Americans.

Original architecture and charm abide here, and it’s got a great selection of museums. It’s also a great location to sample some Mexican food or perhaps even enjoy the sounds of a mariachi band. There’s a good range of hotels from high-end luxury to budget options.

La Jolla

La Jolla is pronounced with a Spanish accent ‘la hoya’. It’s an upscale neighborhood and if you’re a lover of beaches, sandy toes, surfing or watching the waves this is the neighborhood for you. You can find lots of different types of accommodation, but La Jolla is well known for luxurious and sophisticated places to stay. Given the location of this San Diego neighborhood, most are within easy walking distance of that gorgeous shoreline.

If you’re driving here, take the l-5 and exit at La Jolla Parkway. Continue on the road into La Jolla and turn right on Prospect Street. Enjoy overlooking the glorious, blue Pacific Ocean here and maybe a spot of sea lion and seal watching, as they like to laze in the sun on the beach and rocks in front of La Jolla.

Visit La Jolla cove, walk along the promenade with its neat gardens and palm tree-lined streets. There’s plenty of shops selling souvenirs and elegant boutiques if you want to treat yourself. You can also dip into the Museum of Contemporary Art on Prospect Street or the aquarium which overlooks the sea. And, after dinner, enjoy the bonfires on the mile-long stretch of La Jolla shore’s beach.

North Park

North Park potentially wins the title of San Diego’s hippest neighborhood. That’s perhaps owing to the incredible street art, lovely restaurants and wealth of cultural sites to explore. The locals and people who live here like to inject into creativity everything and everywhere you look, which makes North Park a feast for the senses.

It’s easy to get to a number of fascinating destinations like the huge and sprawling Balboa Park, which borders North Park, home of the world-famous San Diego Zoo, the Ray Street Arts District and the North Park Theater.

The streets here are lined with coffee shops where you can expect foam art from the baristas, cool boutiques, art galleries and a vibrant restaurant scene. Brunch is big in North Park, as is the nightlife and, if you like to stroll around, you’ll find many historic houses to admire too.

Driving here is simple. From the I-805, exit at University Avenue and take a left turn onto University Avenue. From the I-5, leave Pershing Drive and proceed onto Upas Street.

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is a great choice for families. There’s a laidback and casual feel here, and plenty for people of all ages to see and do. There’s a definite hippy vibe in the air too, with some really quirky and individual places to eat, shop and drink.

Browse the independent shops, which sell everything from tie dye and crystals to clothing and homewares. There’s plenty of colorful street art to liven things up and, being so close to the beach, the sun really gets going after midday. Ocean Beach has a great pier for strolling along, and you can swim in the ocean here or explore the tide pools. Ocean Beach Farmer’s Market is a great place to enjoy all sorts of fresh organic food and produce, and there’s often live music too.

If your pet is coming along with you on your adventure, Ocean Beach is a great place to stay. Many of the hotels are beachfront or just a minute or two’s walk away. To get here in your rental car, from the I-5 head to the 8/Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and follow that to Bacon Street. There is street parking in residential areas of Ocean Beach and metered parking in the main areas.

Gaslamp Quarter

The Gaslamp Quarter is a truly historic neighborhood, and it boasts great nightlife too. If you’re feeling energetic and want to keep the fun going into the small hours, this could be a great place for you to visit.

It’s in the heart of downtown San Diego but located on San Diego Bay, and there’s plenty to learn about the area’s wild western history. There are almost 100 historic buildings in the Gaslamp Quarter, so if you prefer to look at architecture from the past, it’s a good contrast to the modern Downtown skyscrapers.

It’s also a great base for exploring the rest of the city as you can easily get to some of San Diego’s most famous visitor attractions like the Petco Park, the San Diego Convention Center, Balboa Theatre and Horton Plaza. The Gaslamp Quarter runs along 5th and 6th Avenue. The great thing about San Diego neighborhoods is their variety. Many cultural influences converge here, which you’ll see in the art, architecture and food, so there’ll be a neighborhood to suit you and your individual style.

Want to learn more about San Diego?

There’s plenty to think about when it comes to planning your visit to this fantastic city. These guides might help you finding a great hotel, where’s good to eat and how to get around this exciting Southern Californian city.

• Best hotels in San Diego
• San Diego driving guide
• Best restaurants in San Diego