Getting Around

San Diego has many walkable neighborhoods, from the historic downtown area to Hillcrest and nearby Balboa Park and Mission Hills, to the Embarcadero, to Mission Bay Park. You get there by car, bus, or trolley, and your feet do the rest.

By Car

We complain of increasing traffic, but San Diego is still easy to navigate by car. Most downtown streets run one-way, in a grid pattern. However, outside downtown, canyons and bays often make streets indirect. Finding a parking space can be tricky in the Gaslamp Quarter, Old Town, Mission Beach, and La Jolla, but parking lots are often centrally located. Rush hour on the freeways is generally concentrated from 7 to 9am and 4:30 to 6pm. Be aware that San Diego's gas prices are often among the highest in the country. Also note that, generally speaking, we're not the best drivers in the rain -- vehicles careening out of control during the first couple of winter dousings keep the highway patrol and local news channels very busy. For up-to-the-minute traffic info, dial tel. 511.

Note on driving to Mexico: If you plan to drive to Mexico, be sure to check with your insurance company at home to verify exactly the limits of your policy. Even if your insurance covers areas south of the border, you may want to purchase Mexican car insurance because of the two countries' different liability standards. Mexican car insurance is available from various agencies (visible to drivers heading into Mexico) on the U.S. side of the border.

Car Rentals

I'd love to tell you that public transportation is a good way to get around, as in New York City or San Francisco, but the distances between attractions and indirect bus routings usually make it inefficient. Those staying for a short time downtown will find plenty to see and do within easy reach (including Balboa Park and Old Town), but otherwise, if you don't drive to San Diego with your own car, you'll probably want to rent one. You can reach virtually all sights of interest using public transportation, but having your own wheels is a big advantage.

All the major car-rental firms have an office at the airport and several have them in larger hotels. Some of the national companies include Alamo (tel. 800/462-5266; www.alamo.com), Avis (tel. 800/831-2847; www.avis.com), Budget (tel. 800/527-0700; www.budget.com), Dollar (tel. 800/800-4000; www.dollar.com), Enterprise (tel. 800/736-8222; www.enterprise.com), Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131; www.hertz.com), National (tel. 888/868-6203; www.nationalcar.com), and Thrifty (tel. 800/847-4389; www.thrifty.com). Note for Mexico-bound car renters: Some companies, including Avis, will allow their cars into Mexico as far as Ensenada, but other rental outfits won't allow you to drive south of the border.

Demystifying Renter's Insurance -- Before you drive off in a rental car, be sure you're insured. Hasty assumptions about your personal auto insurance or a rental agency's additional coverage could end up costing you tens of thousands of dollars, even if you're involved in an accident that was clearly the fault of another driver.

If you already hold a private auto insurance policy, you're most likely covered in the United States for loss of or damage to a rental car and liability in case of injury to any other party involved in an accident. Be sure to find out whether you're covered in the area you're visiting, whether your policy extends to everyone who will be driving the car, how much liability is covered in case an outside party is injured in an accident, and whether the type of vehicle you are renting is included under your contract. (Rental trucks, SUVs, and luxury vehicles or sports cars may not be covered.)

Most major credit cards (especially gold and platinum cards) provide some degree of coverage as well, provided they're used to pay for the rental. Terms vary widely, however, so be sure to call your credit card company directly before you rent.

If you're uninsured, your credit card will probably provide primary coverage as long as you decline the rental agency's insurance and as long as you rent with that card. This means that the credit card will cover damage or theft of a rental car for the full cost of the vehicle. (In a few states, however, theft is not covered; ask specifically about state law where you will be renting and driving.) If you already have insurance, your credit card will provide secondary coverage, which basically covers your deductible.

Note: Though they may cover damage to your rental car, credit cards will not cover liability, or the cost of injury to an outside party, damage to an outside party's vehicle, or both. If you do not hold an insurance policy, you may seriously want to consider purchasing additional liability insurance from your rental company, even if you decline collision coverage. Be sure to check the terms, however. Some rental agencies cover liability only if the renter is not at fault; even then, the rental company's obligation varies from state to state.

The basic insurance coverage offered by most car-rental companies, known as the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), can cost as much as $20 a day. It usually covers the full value of the vehicle with no deductible if an outside party causes an accident or other damage to the rental car. Liability coverage varies according to the company policy and state law, but the minimum is usually at least $15,000. If you are at fault in an accident, you will be covered for the full replacement value of the car, but not for liability. Some states allow you to buy additional liability coverage for such cases. Most rental companies will require a police report to process any claims you file, but your private insurer will not be notified of the accident.

Saving Money on a Rental Car -- Car-rental rates vary even more dramatically than airline fares. Prices depend on the size of the car, where and when you pick it up and drop it off, the length of the rental period, where and how far you drive it, whether you buy insurance, and a host of other factors. A few key questions could save you hundreds of dollars:

• Are weekend rates lower than weekday rates? Ask if the rate is the same for pickup Friday morning, for instance, as it is for Thursday night.
• Does the agency assess a drop-off charge if you don't return the car to the same location where you picked it up?
• Are special promotional rates available? If you see an advertised price in your local newspaper, be sure to ask for that specific rate; otherwise, you may be charged the standard cost.
• Are discounts available for members of AARP, AAA, frequent-flyer programs, or trade unions?
• How much tax will be added to the rental bill? Local tax? State use tax?
• How much does the rental company charge to refill your gas tank if you return with the tank less than full? Though most rental companies claim these prices are competitive, fuel is almost always cheaper in town.

Parking -- Metered parking spaces are found in downtown, Hillcrest, and the beach communities, but demand outpaces supply. Posted signs indicate operating hours -- generally Monday through Saturday from 8am to 6pm. Be prepared with several dollars in quarters -- some meters take no other coin, and 25¢ usually buys only 12 minutes, even on a 2-hour meter. Most unmetered areas have signs restricting street parking to 1 or 2 hours; count on vigilant chalking and ticketing during the regulated hours. Three-hour meters line Harbor Drive opposite the ticket offices for harbor tours; even on weekends, you have to feed them. If you can't find a metered space, there are plenty of hourly lots downtown. Parking in Mission Valley is usually within large parking structures and free, though congested on weekends and particularly leading up to Christmas.

Downtown parking structures on Sixth Avenue (at Market and at K sts.) have helped ease parking woes, but it's still a challenge. Of special concern are game nights -- and days -- at PETCO Park (Apr-Sept). Unless you're staying downtown or want to attend the game, it's best to avoid the baseball traffic and head elsewhere for dining or nightlife.

Driving Rules -- San Diegans are relatively respectful drivers, although admittedly we often speed and sometimes lose patience with those who don't know their way around. We also have a tough time driving in the rain -- watch for spinouts and hydroplaning vehicles when traveling in our rare wet weather.

There are a few rules you should be aware of. California has a seat-belt law for both drivers and passengers, so buckle up before you venture out. As of July 1, 2008, state law requires drivers to use hands-free cell phone technology (drivers under the age of 18 cannot use a cell phone at all); a first-offense fine will be $20. Smoking in a car with a child under age 18 is punishable by a $100 fine; an officer cannot pull you over for this, but can tack it onto another infraction. You may turn right at a red light after stopping unless a sign says otherwise; likewise, you can turn left on a red light from a one-way street onto another one-way street after coming to a full stop. Pedestrians have the right of way at all times, not just in crosswalks, so stop for pedestrians who have stepped off the curb. Penalties in California for drunk driving are among the toughest in the country. Speed limits on freeways, particularly Hwy. 8 through Mission Valley, are aggressively enforced after dark, partly as a pretext for nabbing drivers who might have imbibed. Also beware of main beach arteries (Grand Ave., Garnet Ave., and Mission Blvd.). Traffic enforcement can be strict -- random checkpoints set up to catch drunk drivers are not uncommon.

By Public Transportation

Money-Saving Bus & Trolley Passes -- Day Passes allows unlimited rides on MTS (bus) and trolley routes. Passes are good for 2, 3, and 4 consecutive days, and cost $9, $12, and $15, respectively. Day Trippers are for sale at the Transit Store and all trolley station automated ticket vending machines; call tel. 619/234-1060 for more information.

By Bus -- The MTS Transit Store, 102 Broadway at First Avenue (tel. 619/234-1060), dispenses passes, tokens, timetables, maps, brochures, and lost-and-found information. It issues ID cards for seniors 60 and older, as well as for travelers with disabilities -- all of whom pay $1 per ride. Request a copy of the useful brochure San Diego's Fun Places, which details the city's most popular tourist attractions and the buses that will take you to them. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.

San Diego has an adequate bus system that will get you to where you're going -- eventually. Most drivers are friendly and helpful; on local routes, bus stops are marked by rectangular red, white, and black signs every other block or so, farther apart on express routes. Most bus fares are $2.25. Buses accept dollar bills and coins, but drivers can't give change. Transfers are no longer issued, so if you need to make a connection with another bus or trolley, purchase a $5 day pass from the driver, at the Transit Store, trolley station ticket vending machine, or online. It gives you unlimited use of most bus and trolley routes for the rest of the service day.

For assistance with route information from a living, breathing entity, call tel. 619/233-3004. You can also view timetables, maps, and fares online -- and learn how the public transit system accommodates travelers with disabilities -- at www.transit.511sd.com. If you know your route and just need schedule information -- or automated answers to FAQs -- call Info Express (tel. 619/685-4900) from any touch-tone phone, 24 hours a day.

Some of the most popular tourist attractions served by bus and rail routes are:

• Balboa Park west entrance: Route 1, 3, and 120
• Balboa Park east entrances and San Diego Zoo: Route 7
• SeaWorld: Route 8 and 9
• Cabrillo National Monument: Route 84
• Seaport Village: San Diego Trolley Orange Line
• Qualcomm Stadium: Route 14 and San Diego Trolley Blue and Green lines
• Tijuana: San Diego Trolley Blue Line
• San Diego International Airport: Route 992
• Wild Animal Park: Route 386 (Mon-Sat only)
• Convention Center: San Diego Trolley Orange Line
• PETCO Park: Route 3, 4, 5, 11, 901, 929, 992, San Diego Trolley Orange and Blue lines
• Coronado: Route 901
• Gaslamp Quarter and Horton Plaza: most downtown bus routes and San Diego Trolley Blue and Orange lines
• Old Town: Route 8, 9, 10, 14, 28, 30, 35, 44, 105, 150, San Diego Trolley Blue and Green lines, and the Coaster

The Coronado Shuttle, bus Route 904, runs between the Marriott Coronado Island Resort and the Old Ferry Landing, and then continues along Orange Avenue to the Hotel del Coronado, Glorietta Bay, and back again. It costs $1 per person. Route 901 goes all the way to Coronado from San Diego and costs $2.25 for adults.

When planning your route, note that schedules vary and most buses do not run all night. Some stop at 6pm, while other lines continue to 9pm, midnight, or 2am -- ask your bus driver for more specific information.

By Trolley -- Although the system is too limited for most San Diegans to use for work commutes, the San Diego Trolley is great for visitors, particularly if you're staying downtown or plan to visit Tijuana. There are three routes. The Blue Line is the one that is the handiest for most visitors: It travels from the Mexican border (San Ysidro) north through downtown and Old Town, with some trolleys continuing into Mission Valley. The Orange Line runs from downtown east through Lemon Grove and El Cajon. The Green Line runs from Old Town through Mission Valley to Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego State University, and on to Santee. The trip to the border crossing takes 40 minutes from downtown; from downtown to Old Town takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Trolleys operate on a self-service fare-collection system; riders buy tickets from machines in stations before boarding. The machines list fares for each destination (ranging from $1.25 for anywhere within downtown, to $3 for the longest trips) and dispense change. Tickets are valid for 2 hours from the time of purchase, in any direction. Fare inspectors board trains at random to check tickets. A round-trip ticket is double the price, but is valid all day between the origination and destination points.

The lines run every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes at night; during peak weekday rush hours the Blue Line runs every 10 minutes. There is also expanded service to accommodate events at PETCO Park and Qualcomm Stadium. Trolleys stop at each station for only 30 seconds. To open the door for boarding, push the lighted green button; to open the door to exit the trolley, push the lighted white button.

For recorded transit information, call tel. 619/685-4900. To speak with a customer service representative, call tel. 619/233-3004 (TTY/TDD 619/234-5005) daily from 5:30am to 8:30pm. For wheelchair lift info, call tel. 619/595-4960. The trolley generally operates daily from 5am to about midnight; the Blue Line provides limited but additional service between Old Town and San Ysidro throughout the night from Saturday evening to Sunday morning; check the website at www.transit.511sd.com for details.

The privately owned Old Town Trolley Tours and City Sightseeing are an excellent way to get around much of the city during a short visit. Both are essentially narrated sightseeing tours, but you can disembark at various points and join up later with the next passing group.

By Train

San Diego's express rail commuter service, the Coaster, travels between the downtown Santa Fe Depot station and the Oceanside Transit Center, with stops at Old Town, Sorrento Valley, Solana Beach, Encinitas, and Carlsbad. Fares range from $4 to $5.50 each way, depending on how far you go, and can be paid by credit card at vending machines at each station. Eligible seniors and riders with disabilities pay $2 to $2.75. The scenic trip between downtown San Diego and Oceanside takes 1 hour. Trains run Monday through Friday, from about 6:30am (5:30am heading south from Oceanside) to 7pm, with four trains in each direction on Saturday; call tel. 800/262-7837 or 511 (TTY/TDD 888/722-4889) for the current schedule, or log on to www.transit.511sd.com.

The new Sprinter rail service runs west to east alongside Hwy. 78, from Oceanside to Escondido. The Sprinter operates from about 4am to 8pm daily, with trains every half hour during the week and hourly on the weekends. Basic one-way fare is $2; $1 for seniors and disabled.

Amtrak (tel. 800/872-7245; www.amtrak.com) trains run between San Diego and downtown Los Angeles, about 11 times daily each way. Trains to Los Angeles depart from the Santa Fe Depot and stop in Solana Beach, Oceanside, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, and Anaheim (Disneyland). Two trains per day also stop in San Clemente. The travel time from San Diego to Los Angeles is about 2 hours and 45 minutes (for comparison, driving time can be as little as 2 hr., or as much as 4 hr. during rush hour). A one-way ticket to Los Angeles is $29, or $43 for a reserved seat in business class. A one-way ticket to Solana Beach is $9; to Oceanside, $13; to San Clemente or San Juan Capistrano, $15; and to Anaheim, $20.

By Taxi

Half a dozen taxi companies serve the area. Rates are based on mileage and can add up quickly in sprawling San Diego -- a trip from downtown to La Jolla will cost about $30 to $35. Other than in the Gaslamp Quarter after dark, taxis don't cruise the streets as they do in other cities, so you have to call ahead for quick pickup. If you're at a hotel or restaurant, the front-desk attendant or concierge will call one for you. Among the local companies are Orange Cab (tel. 619/291-3333), San Diego Cab (tel. 619/226-8294), and Yellow Cab (tel. 619/234-6161). The Coronado Cab Company (tel. 619/435-6211) serves Coronado.

By Water

By Ferry -- There's regularly scheduled ferry service between San Diego and Coronado (tel. 800/442-7847 or 619/234-4111; www.sdhe.com). Ferries leave from the Broadway Pier (1050 N. Harbor Dr., at the intersection with Broadway) Sunday through Thursday on the hour from 9am to 9pm, and Friday and Saturday until 10pm. They return from the Ferry Landing in Coronado to the Broadway Pier Sunday through Thursday every hour on the half-hour from 9:30am to 9:30pm and Friday and Saturday until 10:30pm. The ride takes 15 minutes. The fare is $3 each way (50¢ extra if you bring your bike). Buy tickets at the San Diego Harbor Excursion kiosk on Broadway Pier or at the Ferry Landing in Coronado.

By Water Taxi -- Water taxis (tel. 619/235-8294; www.sdhe.com) will pick you up from any dock around San Diego Bay, and operate daily from 3 to 10pm, with extended hours on weekends and in summer. If you're staying in a downtown hotel, this is a great way to get to Coronado. Boats are sometimes available at the spur of the moment, but reservations are advised. Fares are $7 per person to most locations.

By Bicycle

San Diego is ideal for exploration by bicycle, and many roads have designated bike lanes. Bikes are available for rent in most areas.

The San Diego Ridelink publishes a comprehensive map of the county detailing bike paths (for exclusive use by bicyclists), bike lanes (alongside motor vehicle ways), and bike routes (shared ways designated only by bike-symbol signs). The free San Diego Region Bike Map is available online at www.511sd.com, or by calling tel. 511 or 619/699-1900. It can also be found at visitor centers.

It's possible to take your two-wheeler on the city's public transportation. For buses, let the driver know you want to stow your bike on the front of the bus, then board and pay the regular fare. The trolley also lets you bring your bike on the trolley for free. Bikers can board at any entrance except the first set of doors behind the driver; the bike-storage area is at the back of each car. The cars carry two bikes except during weekday rush hours, when the limit is one bike per car. For more information, call the Transit Information Line (tel. 619/233-3004). For an additional 50¢, bikes are also permitted on the ferry connecting San Diego and Coronado, which has 15 miles of dedicated bike paths.