Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [258]
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GETTING THERE & AWAY
Air
Because of the limited length of runways, most flights to San Diego International Airport-Lindbergh Field (SAN; 619-231-2100; www.san.org) are domestic. The airfield sits just 3 miles west of Downtown; plane-spotters will thrill watching jets come in over Balboa Park for landing. Coming from overseas, you’ll likely change flights – and clear US Customs – at one of the major US gateway airports, such as LA, San Francisco, Chicago, New York or Miami.
The standard one-way fare between LA and San Diego is about $100. The flight from LA takes only about 35 minutes – but by the time you drive to the airport, check in, clear security and board the flight, you could have made the two-hour drive (except during rush hour).
To/from other US cities, flights to San Diego are generally as cheap as to LA. All major US airlines serve San Diego, plus Aeromexico and Air Canada.
Bus
Greyhound (Map; 619-239-3266, 800-231-2222; www.greyhound.com; 120 W Broadway) serves San Diego from cities across North America. Inquire about discounts and special fares.
Buses depart frequently for LA; the standard one-way/round-trip fare is $17/28 and takes 2½ to four hours, depending on the number of stops en route. There are six daily departures to Anaheim (Click here; $16/27, about 2¼ hours).
There are also services to San Francisco (from $62/123; 12 hours; about eight daily), which require a transfer in Los Angeles; a round-trip airfare often costs about the same. If traveling to Las Vegas (one-way/round-trip $48/93; 7 to 12½ hours; about nine daily), most buses require you to transfer in LA or San Bernardino.
Click here for information about getting to/from Tijuana, Mexico.
Car & Motorcycle
Car-rental prices are about the same in LA and San Diego, usually $35 to $40 per day. Allow two hours from LA with no traffic.
Train
Amtrak ( 800-872-7245; www.amtrak.com) runs the Pacific Surfliner several times daily to Anaheim ($24, two hours), Los Angeles ($34, three hours) and Santa Barbara ($37, 6½ hours) from the historic Union Station (Santa Fe Depot; Map; 1055 Kettner Blvd).
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GETTING AROUND
While most people get around by car, it’s possible to have an entire San Diego vacation using municipal buses and trolleys run by the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS; 619-233-3004; www.sdcommute.com) and your own two feet. The Transit Store (Map; www.transit.511sd.com; 619-234-1060; 102 Broadway; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri) is one-stop shopping for route maps, tickets and one/two/three/four-day Day Tripper passes (costing $5/9/12/15, also available at trolley stations).
To/From the Airport
Bus 992 (the Flyer, $2.25), operates at 10- to 15-minute intervals between the airport and Downtown, with stops along Broadway. Airport shuttle services (from about $10 to Downtown, more to other destinations) include Cloud 9 Shuttle ( 800-974-8885; www.cloud9shuttle.com) and Xpress Shuttle ( 800-900-7433; www.xpressshuttle.com). Call to reserve a day or two ahead. A taxi to Downtown from the airport costs between $8 and $13.
Boat
San Diego Harbor Excursion (Map; 619-234-4111; per person $7; 3pm-10pm daily, plus 11am-11pm Sat & Sun Jun-Sep) operates a water taxi, serving Harbor Island, Shelter Island, Downtown and Coronado. It also operates the Coronado Ferry.
Bus
The MTS covers most of the metropolitan area, North County, La Jolla and the beaches. It’s most convenient if you’re based in Downtown and not staying out late.
For route and fare information, call 619-233-3004 or 800-266-6883; operators are available 5:30am to 8:30pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday (note that the 800-number works only within San Diego). For 24-hour automated information, call 619-685-4900. Online, visit www.sdcommute.com.
Fares cost $2.25 for most trips, including a transfer good for up to two hours; express routes cost $2.50. Local buses with limited service cost $1.75. Exact fare is required on all buses.
Useful routes to/from Downtown include the following: