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Sundowners on set


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San Diego – a brief overview
Home to some 1.3 million people, San Diego is the second-largest city in California after Los Angeles. The region in the south of the state bordering Mexico, offers pleasant living conditions, excellent surf and diving areas and a variety of beaches. Every year, some 30 million people travel to the region. Founded in the mid-18th century, San Diego began to flourish particularly after the opening of the Panama Canal. The Victorian villas in the Gaslamp Quarter and the Hispano-Mexican houses in Balboa Park date from that time.
Both neighborhoods have been restored for tourists and now function as culture and entertainment districts with museums, shops, theaters, bars and restaurants. San Diego’s attractions include the zoo with its near-to-nature, generously proportioned outdoor enclosures and the Living Coast Discovery Center, where you can find out all about the indigenous plant and animal kingdom to be found in San Diego Bay.
Flight and accommodation
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Top 10 sights in San Diego

USS Midway Museum
CA 92101 San Diego
USA
Tel. +1-619/544 96 00
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Opening times:
Daily 1000-1700
This huge aircraft carrier was in service for much of the second half of the 20th century, including Vietnam War. It’s been reinvented as a visitor attraction and stands today as the world’s most visited naval ship museum.
Balboa Park
CA 92101 San Diego
USA
Tel. +1-619/239 05 12
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Opening times:
Various
With no less than 17 major museums and a spread of other attractions (including San Diego Zoo), this is more than a mere park. What’s more, it’s just a few minutes from the downtown area.
Legoland California
CA 92008 Carlsbad
USA
Tel. +1-760/918 53 46
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Opening times:
Various
A large family-friendly theme park dedicated to all things Lego, with rides, movie theatres, a water park and a SeaLife aquarium, as well as brick-by-brick reproductions of different parts of the USA.
San Diego Zoo
CA 92101 San Diego
USA
Tel. +1-619/231 15 15
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Opening times:
Various
Widely considered one of the best zoos in the world, the 40-hectare site plays home to more than 3,700 rare and endangered animals – including the renowned giant pandas.
Old Town State Historic Park
CA 92110 San Diego
USA
Tel. +1-619/220 54 22
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Opening times:
Monday – Thursday 1000-1600
Friday – Sunday 1000-1700 (Oct-Apr)
Daily 1000-1700 (May-Sep)
Formerly the site of an early Spanish settlement, the park today offers a visitor centre and various museums, throwing light on the Mexican and early American periods of the mid-19th century.
Living Coast Discovery Center
CA 91910 Chula Vista
USA
Tel. +1-619/409 59 00
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Opening times:
Daily 1000-1700
Six miles south of the city centre, this attraction showcases the creatures and plants of Southern California, both above the water and below. Expect to find everything from owls to leopard sharks.
SeaWorld San Diego
CA 92109 San Diego
USA
Tel. +1-619/222 47 32
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Opening times:
Various
Part theme park, part oceanarium, this long-standing San Diego attraction continues to pull in tourists by the million. Highlights include everything from beautiful aquariums to thrilling rides.
New Children’s Museum
CA 92101 San Diego
USA
Tel. +1-619/ 233 87 92
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Opening times:
Various
Aiming to stimulate kids and their families through interaction with contemporary art, this is a well-thought-out attraction that’s adept at sparking young imaginations.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
CA 92037 La Jolla
USA
Tel. +1-858/534 34 74
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-1700
A quality aquarium affiliated to the famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography, with more than 60 different marine habitats on display. There’s also an interactive museum detailing the institution’s research.
Coronado Surfing Academy
Coronado, CA 92118
USA
Tel. +1-619/293 38 83
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Opening times:
Various
The waterfront community of Coronado gives no shortage of reasons to come calling, but this surf academy has a reputation as one of the best in southern California. If you’ve never caught a wave, it’s a great place to start.
Flight and accommodation
24 hours in San Diego
Cameron Diaz, Gregory Peck and skateboard superstar Tony Hawk have one thing in common: They are all San Diego natives. Their city is just like them: attractive, sporty and laid back. The weather is generally warmer in this beautiful southern Californian city than it is in San Francisco, and San Diego is also more easygoing than Los Angeles.
“San D,” as the residents call it, scores with dream beaches, oodles of sunshine and a mix of surfer lifestyle, vibrant culture scene and unique sights, as well as having Mexico on its doorstep. Even if it was here that the first Europeans arrived on the west coast of what would become the USA, the city of San Diego certainly does not hanker after bygone days. For years now, the second-largest city in California has been attracting a bohemian crowd, athletes, winter refugees and bon vivants.
The following tips and addresses can be downloaded as an iCalendar file (.ics) and imported into any of the usual calendar programs – experience San Diego for yourself!
8 a.m.: Breakfast with Marilyn
Coronado, CA 92118
USA
Tel. +1-619/435 66 11
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Breakfast within sight of the Pacific Ocean at the Hotel Del Coronado, once upon a time the world’s biggest beach hotel and to this day the largest wooden building in the United States. The movie Some Like It Hot featuring Marilyn Monroe was shot in 1958 at this beautifully situated, 130-year-old grand hotel. While enjoying breakfast at the Sheerwater restaurant (insider tip: eggs benedict with spinach), you can feast your eyes on one of the finest beaches in the U.S. Come early enough and you will witness a special morning salute. The soldiers of the nearby marine base use the beach for their training runs and between seven and eight a.m., they line up with their backs to the ocean, facing the hotel and call out: “Good Morning, Hotel Del!” To which the hotel staff call back, “Good morning, Navy!” Then the marines sing the shanty “Anchors Away” before trotting back to their barracks.
9:30 a.m.: Brief visit to Italy
San Diego, CA 92101
USA
Tel.: +1-619/233 38 98
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Some 6000 families of Italian origin lived here a century ago, and the area around India Street and Kettner Street, with its restaurants, festivals, small shops and – should you visit on a Saturday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. – one of the largest and most appealing farmer’s markets in the U.S., is still firmly in Italian hand today. The Little Italy Mercato catapults its visitors into a colorful world of tasty vegetables, excellent, freshly caught fish and orchids frequented by trattoria owners, aging hippies and browsing tourists. On street corners, bluegrass bands and jazz saxophonists provide the musical backdrop, and refreshment is available in the form of paninis, sea urchins and freshly pressed smoothies.
10:30 a.m.: Floating city
910 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
USA
Tel. +1-619/544 96 00
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This is unique: The aircraft carrier USS Midway served the U.S. Navy from 1945 until 1992. Today the largest floating museum in the world, it is anchored in San Diego harbor. Engine room, hangar deck, bridge, flight deck 310 meters long and dozens of jets – it would be hard to come any closer to such an overwhelming display of technology and history. The Midway was once home to a crew of 4100, complete with church, gym, jail cells and a vast galley. Particularly impressive: the guided tours led by ex-seamen who once sailed into the Gulf War aboard this ship and the Expert Talks held here with marine pilots, who explain what you need when taking off or landing carrier aircraft.
12 noon: Feast for meat lovers
San Diego, CA 92101
USA
Tel. +1-619/696 76 75
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Carnitas’ Snack Shack is a stone’s throw away from the USS Midway and very much a place of pilgrimage for fans of substantial meals. It may sound like little more than a rundown cabin, but in fact it’s a modern, airy building beneath palm trees from which the warm breeze wafts the hearty smell of tacos and pork specialties out to sea. Hani Vacin, the chef here, is a bulky, bald-headed man who trained at some of the top U.S. restaurants before deciding to set up shop in his hometown of San Diego and serve pork belly appetizers, heavenly burgers and, yes, also the odd vegetarian dish.
2 p.m.: Balboa Park universe
San Diego, CA 92101
USA
Tel. +1-619/239 05 12
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The second-oldest urban park in the U.S. (founded 1868) and the city’s most extensive green area is the best place in San Diego to visit several museums within a short time. Balboa Park is the site of 15 museums spotlighting all manner of subjects from automobiles, natural history, aviation and photography to art. There’s also a Japanese tea pavilion, a palm canyon and a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater. San Diego Zoo is also located in Balboa Park and has for decades been one of the world’s most popular zoos. It will take you two or three days to see everything, so it’s a good idea to pick out a handful of museums, enjoy the beautiful gardens, play a round of golf on the 18-hole Balboa Golf Course and maybe take in one of the free concerts at Spreckels Organ Pavilion, which houses the largest outdoor organ (5017 pipes) in the world.
4:30 p.m.: Sea more
La Jolla, CA 92037
USA
Tel. +1-858/454 61 95
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La Jolla (pronounced “La Hoya“), the beautifully manicured suburb of the super-rich, is a wonderful place to stroll along the cliffs and observe seals, seabirds, dolphins and – with a little luck – also spot humpback whales between December and March. On Children’s Pool beach, which is sheltered by a quay wall with a public pathway along the top, you have a virtual “seal guarantee.” But beware of the Pacific breakers, which even on calm days can splash surprisingly high up against the quay wall and soak bystanders. A marine reserve starts at delightful little La Jolla Cove and extends 15 kilometers northward. La Jolla Shores surfer bay is also ideal for a kayak tour along the coast. A tour including some of the caves that are accessible only from the water will take you roughly one and a half hours to complete. Several thousand completely harmless leopard sharks gather here in the summer months, when you have the chance to come within just a few meters of them.
6:30 p.m.: People Watching
San Diego, CA 92109
USA
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Mission Beach and Pacific Beach are California exactly as people picture it, with good-looking young people living out their surfer dream along the Boardwalk, the three-kilometer promenade. Many of them live in tiny cabins close to the beach and sleep with their boards beside their bed. Everything here revolves around the beach, where funny little cafés alternate with surf shops and quirky boutiques. Your best plan is to grab a caffè latte, settle down on the beach wall and do some people watching – bikini blonds, the six-pack ab brigade, inline skaters, canoeists, joggers, beach bums, geriatric surfers and even dogs on boards are sure to keep boredom at bay. If you’re lucky, you may even spot local character Slomo swishing by. Twenty years ago, the former neurologist gave up the luxury life, his Ferrari, villa and pool to devote himself to his hobby: inline skating on one leg, body slanted forward and his arms stretched out to the side.
8 p.m.: A pinch of Mexico
San Diego, CA 92110
USA
Tel. +1-619/291 46 95
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How about dinner at the Café Coyote? Mexico is just a few kilometers from the south of San Diego. Mexican food markets, shops, restaurants and galleries dominate the city, especially in the old town. On some corners, the neighborhood looks a little like a tourist trap, on others, it couldn’t be more unique and original. Best to simply take a stroll and follow your instincts. At any rate, the Coyote is a top address with its colorfully decorated walls, burbling fountains, delicious burritos, tacos and fajitas, giant margaritas, not forgetting the mariachi singers and women baking tortillas, the typical Mexican corn flatbreads, before their guests’ eyes. Every year since 2009, the people of San Diego have voted The Coyote the best Mexican restaurant in town.
10:30 p.m.: 1920s-style cocktails
548 5th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
USA
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The Gaslamp Quarter has been one San Diego’s nightlife hotspots for decades now: The 16-block district has hundreds of restored Victorian buildings housing boutiques, clubs and bars. The classy speakeasy-style Probition bar is inconspicuously tucked away behind a door marked “Law Office Eddie O’Hare.” In other words, it emulates an illicit 1920s drinking establishment and is popular with fans of good cocktails, great soul and jazz bands and smart clothing, who come here to indulge in their passion. Reservations impossible; weekend dress code: no shorts, sandals or T-shirts. Cocktail tip: Jesse Didn’t Die, consisting of gin, curaçao, lemon and Pimm’s. By the way, the unmissable Yuma Building, a former brothel, stands just a few meters from the entrance of the Prohibition. During a razzia in 1912, 138 prostitutes were arrested and given the choice of joining a Christian reform movement or henceforth to ply their trade in Los Angeles; of the 138, 136 decided to take the ticket to L.A.
These tips and addresses can be downloaded as an iCalendar file (.ics) and imported into any of the usual calendar programs – experience San Diego for yourself!
Flight and accommodation
Country Information
Country overview
From its vast plains, snow-covered mountains, deep forests and strange rock formations, to soaring skyscrapers and a thunderous cultural scene, the USA is a collage of extremes. Nothing can prepare you for your first glimpse of Manhattan’s unforgettable skyline, your first ride in a yellow cab, the ubiquitous hamburger joints, yawning expanses of prairie, the sweet strains of New Orleans jazz, or the neon-lit excesses of Las Vegas.
Marvel at the thunderous spectacle of Niagara Falls in northern New York, or seek an antidote to urban chaos amidst the flat farmland of the Midwest. Then there are the black hills of South Dakota, the dramatic mountain and ocean landscape of California’s Pacific Coast Highway and the world-famous Grand Canyon.
Geography
Covering a large part of the North American continent, the USA shares borders with Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The country has coasts on the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The State of Alaska, in the northwest corner of the US, is not part of the continental US; it is separated from the rest of the USA by Canada. Similarly, Hawaii is not part of the “lower 48” states; it lies in the central Pacific Ocean.
The country’s dependent territories are offshore and have distinct geographies of their own; the majority are islands.
The third-largest country in the world (after the Russian Federation and Canada), the USA has an enormous diversity of geographical features, including mountains, plains, and coastal zones. Though there are many cities that are densely populated with more manmade features than natural ones, there are also vast rural areas that are far more sparsely populated. The climate ranges from subtropical to arctic, with a corresponding breadth of flora and fauna.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 319 millions (estimate 2018)
Capital: Washington, DC.
Language
English, with significant Spanish-speaking minorities.
Currency
US Dollar (USD; symbol $) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of $100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, though the $2 bill is rare and is not in high circulation. Coins are in denominations of $1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.
Electricity
120 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs have two flat pins with or without a third round grounding pin.
Public holidays
Listed below are the public holidays for the period January 2020 to December 2021.
Note
States can recognize other days as state holidays that are not federal holidays.
2020
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2020
Martin Luther King Day: 20 January 2020
President’s Day: 17 February 2020
Memorial Day: 25 May 2020
Independence Day: 3 and 4 July 2020
Labor Day: 7 September 2020
Columbus Day: 12 October 2020
Veterans Day: 11 November 2020
Thanksgiving Day: 26 November 2020
Christmas: 25 December 2020
2021
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2021
Martin Luther King Day: 18 January 2021
President’s Day: 15 February 2021
Memorial Day: 31 May 2021
Independence Day: 4 and 5 July 2021
Labor Day: 6 September 2021
Columbus Day: 11 October 2021
Veterans Day: 11 November 2021
Thanksgiving Day: 25 November 2021
Christmas: 25 December 2021
All information subject to change.
Flight and accommodation
Sundowners on set
The drinks may be wickedly expensive here, but in the Sunset Bar of the famous Hotel del Coronado (hoteldel.com) – “The Del” for short – it’s not just the drink and the view you’re paying for, but for in the presence of a legend: This Victorian beach hotel, which first opened in 1888, is built entirely of wood, registered as a Natural Historic Landmark and among others, welcomes state presidents and film stars as its guests. But the hotel is famous above all as a backdrop for Hollywood films, including Billy Wilder’s 1959 comedy Some Like It Hot, featuring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon.
Open
Tue–Thu: 1630–2200
Fri and Sat: 1630–2300
Coronado
USA
Tel. +1-619/435 66 11
Flight and accommodation
Restaurants in San Diego
With Latin, Mexican, Italian and Asian flavours all combining, San Diego’s dining scene gives copious choice.
Seafood is always a big draw, but the scale of the city is such that you’ll find just about anything that takes your fancy.
Addison del Mar
CA 92130 San Diego
USA
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Price: Luxurious
Five-star dining at this gourmet restaurant at the Grand del Mar Hotel.
Cafe 21
CA 92101 San Diego
USA
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Price: Moderate
A popular neighbourhood restaurant blending local ingredients with world flavours.
Baci Ristorante
CA 92110 San Diego
USA
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Price: Moderate
Seen by many as one of the best Italian restaurants in the city.
Tender Greens
CA 92101 San Diego
USA
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Price: Budget
Specialising in “slow food done fast”, with an emphasis on locally sourced dishes.
Oscar's Mexican Seafood
CA 92109 San Diego
USA
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Price: Budget
Well-priced Mexican seafood served up at three different locations around town.
Flight and accommodation
Hotels in San Diego
San Diego itself covers a large area, so it’s fitting that its hotel stock should cover a similarly expansive range – from hip to homely, lavish to affordable, boutique to big-name, it’s got much to choose from.
Pacific Terrace Hotel
CA 92109 San Diego
USA
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Category: Luxurious
A 4-Diamond hotel situated right on the beach.
The US Grant
CA 92101 San Diego
USA
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Category: Luxurious
More than a century old, this historic hotel is still a strong high-end choice.
Residence Inn San Diego Rancho Bernardo Scripps Poway
CA 92131 San Diego
USA
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Category: Moderate
A popular all-suite hotel just north of the city.
Cherokee Lodge
CA 92118 San Diego
USA
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Category: Budget
This welcoming B&B is situated close to Coronado Beach and within walking distance of a number of bistros and restaurants. Complimentary parking is provided.
Kings Inn
CA 92108 San Diego
USA
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Category: Budget
This very decent, family-friendly hotel has 138 rooms and is located in Mission Valley, just north of downtown San Diego. With its large outdoor pool and fitness center, it offers good value for money.
Flight and accommodation
Nightlife in San Diego
The San Diegan climate could have been custom-designed for a memorable night out, with long, warm evenings translating into rooftop bars, live music and all manner of spots in which to dance the night away.
Monkey Paw Pub & Brewery
CA 92101 San Diego
USA
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One for the beer lovers – its on-site brewery produces a huge range of drinkable brews.
RoofTop600 by STK
CA 92101 San Diego
USA
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A large, stylish rooftop bar at the Andaz San Diego Hotel.
The Field Irish Pub
CA 92101 San Diego
USA
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Bringing a slice of the Emerald Isle to Southern California.
Flight and accommodation
Calendar of events
San Diego Mardi Gras
Every year thousands of revellers flock towards San Diego’s vibrant Gaslamp Quarter for its sensational Mardi Gras parade. Held on Shrove Tuesday, the event is one big outdoor party that includes live music, dancing, entertainers and street upon street selling delicious food and drinks.
Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo
This three-day fiesta celebrates Hispanic culture and history with music, crafts and regional cuisine. Live entertainment and music comes in the form of Banda, Norteno, Mariachi, Cumbia and other Latin rhythms. A spectacular equestrian show keeps everyone’s attention riveted, followed by a re-enactment of the 1862 Battle of Puebla.
San Diego LGBT Pride
Festivities include a mile-long parade with giant balloons, a two-day festival with multiple performance stages and various arts events and Pride parties in the weeks leading up to the main event. The weekend begins on Friday night with an outdoor rally at the festival’s main stage in Balboa Park to commemorate 1969′s Stonewall uprising in Greenwich Village, NY, a seminal moment in the history of the gay and lesbian rights movement.
America's Finest City Half Marathon and 5K
This Half Marathon begins at historic Cabrillo National Monument, then it follows scenic San Diego Bay and Harbor Island along the Embarcadero to The Star of India, winds through downtown San Diego and ends in beautiful Balboa Park. It is also possible to take part in a 5km (3-mile) run/walk along a course in Balboa Park.
San Diego Film Festival
Taking place in San Diego’s vibrant Gaslamp Quarter, the city’s dining, shopping and entertainment district, this competitive five-day event screens more than 75 American and international features, documentary and short films.
San Diego Jazz Festival
Held over the Thanksgiving Day weekend, the annual San Diego Jazz Festival attracts a range of bands from across America as well as some from further afield. Audiences can expect a great line-up of musicians performing classic jazz, Dixieland and swing.
December Nights
San Diego’s annual December Nights in Balboa Park has all the festive ingredients needed to get visitors in the Christmas spirit. Attractions and entertainment include carol singing performances, nativity scenes, dancers and live musical performances.
La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival
The La Jolla Christmas Parade attracts 20,000 people to the sidewalks of the village each year to watch the spectacle pass by. Some 1,200 people, from all over San Diego, take part in the parade, whether in the marching bands, drill teams, scout troops or among the dancers, float builders, equestrians, car aficionados, politicos or promotors. In addition to the parade, YMCA’s Holiday Festival, a street fair along Silverado Street with arts, crafts, and food for sale and entertainment, helps make this a great event for the La Jolla community.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
Flight and accommodation
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone/Mobile Telephone
Dialing Code: +1
Telephone
Public telephones have become a rarity, but can still be found here and there. They take coins, telephone cards and credit cards. If you are planning to make regular use of public phones, it’s best to purchase a prepaid calling card from one of the many U.S. providers.
Mobile Telephone
Not all European cell phones work on the American network, since it requires a tri-band or quad-band device. Full network coverage is not always assured outside densely populated areas. Roaming charges are high here, so it is often cheaper to buy a SIM card from a U.S. provider. Low-cost prepaid SIM cards for making calls inside the country can be ordered online before you travel.
Internet
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using unencrypted public Wi-Fi networks, it is not advisable to enter passwords, credit card details or banking credentials. We recommend using VPN app or security software to check Wi-Fi hotspots.
Flight and accommodation
Shopping in San Diego
Key Areas
The Gaslamp Quarter is a good place to head for big brands and international retailers, while those in search of arty souvenirs or creative designs will be well served by Little Italy and the alternative outlets of Hillcrest. Elsewhere, surf gear and beach fashion is easy to come by at Mission Bay.
Markets
There are dozens of certified farmers’ markets taking place every week in the greater San Diego area – those who thrive on fresh produce will be in heaven. For quality retro purchases, the San Diego Vintage Flea Market takes place several times a year, selling items from furnishings to clothing.
Shopping Centres
Fashion Valley (7007 Friars Road) is a prominent outdoor shopping centre with around 200 stores and restaurants and a large multi-screen cinema. Also good to know about is Westfield Horton Plaza (324 Horton Plaza), a downtown mall spread over five levels – stores include a Macy’s.
Flight and accommodation
Best time to visit
Today: Friday, 15.01.2021 07:00 UTC

partly cloudy
temperature
12°C
wind speed
1.875 mphhumidity
43%7 days forecast
Saturday
16.01.2021
24°C / 13°C
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24°C / 12°C
Monday
18.01.2021
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
20.01.2021
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Friday
22.01.2021
17°C / 13°C
Climate & best time to visit USA
The United States has varied weather conditions, and the best time to visit depends both upon the location and the season. Spring (March, April, May) and autumn (September and October) are generally cooler, more comfortable times to visit. Summer months – June, July, and August – are generally hot regardless of the region, but winter temperatures (November-February) can vary substantially depending upon the part of the US you are visiting. The southern part of the country tends to be warmer in the winter than the north. The general climate of the continental US is temperate, but keep in mind that Hawaii is tropical and Alaska is arctic. Many of the country’s dependent territories, such as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, are also tropical.
Summer is considered the peak tourist season throughout the country; other popular travel times are major American holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as Easter Week and the school holiday known as Spring Break. Certain destinations, such as New York, are perennial favourites and are busy year-round; even when the weather may not be pleasant, these destinations have particular attractions or experiences that always draw travellers. In some parts of the country, travel services may be limited during the low or off-season, largely due to weather conditions.
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absolute max | absolute min | Ø absolute max | Ø absolute min | relative humidity | Ø precipitation | days with deposit > 1mm | sunshine duration | |
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Jan | 31 °C | -1 °C | 18 °C | 9 °C | 63 % | 46 mm | 5 | 7.7 h |
Feb | 32 °C | 2 °C | 19 °C | 10 °C | 66 % | 39 mm | 4 | 8.0 h |
Mar | 33 °C | 3 °C | 19 °C | 11 °C | 67 % | 45 mm | 5 | 8.4 h |
Apr | 36 °C | 5 °C | 20 °C | 13 °C | 67 % | 20 mm | 3 | 9.2 h |
May | 35 °C | 8 °C | 20 °C | 15 °C | 71 % | 5 mm | 1 | 8.1 h |
Jun | 38 °C | 10 °C | 22 °C | 16 °C | 74 % | 2 mm | 0 | 8.1 h |
Jul | 35 °C | 12 °C | 24 °C | 18 °C | 75 % | 1 mm | 0 | 9.8 h |
Aug | 36 °C | 13 °C | 25 °C | 19 °C | 74 % | 3 mm | 0 | 9.5 h |
Sep | 43 °C | 10 °C | 25 °C | 18 °C | 73 % | 6 mm | 1 | 8.4 h |
Oct | 41 °C | 6 °C | 23 °C | 16 °C | 69 % | 9 mm | 1 | 7.9 h |
Nov | 36 °C | 3 °C | 21 °C | 12 °C | 66 % | 37 mm | 4 | 7.7 h |
Dec | 31 °C | 1 °C | 18 °C | 9 °C | 64 % | 40 mm | 5 | 7.5 h |
year | 43 °C | -1 °C | 21 °C | 14 °C | 69 % | 253 mm | 29 | 8.4 h |
Flight and accommodation
Visa & Immigration
IATA Travel Centre
The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.
Flight and accommodation
Traveller etiquette
Social Conventions
Americans are renowned for their openness and friendliness to visitors. The wide variety of national origins and the USA’s relatively short history has resulted in numerous cultural and traditional customs living alongside each other. In large cities, people of the same ethnic background often live within defined communities.
Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting in formal situations and in business meetings. As long as the fundamental rules of courtesy are observed, there need be no fear of offending anyone of any background.
Gifts are appreciated if one is invited to a private home.
As a rule, dress is casual. High-end restaurants, hotels and clubs may require more formal attire.
Smoking is increasingly unpopular in the US; it is essential to ask permission before lighting up. Smoking is not allowed on city transport and restricted or forbidden in public buildings in most states. There will be a posted notice where no smoking is requested. An increasing number of states (including California and New York) have banned smoking altogether in bars, restaurants and many public places.
Flight and accommodation
Health
Main emergency number: 911
Food & Drink
Food in the US is safe to eat, and the conditions under which food is prepared and served are regulated by city, state, and federal health and hygiene agencies. In many jurisdictions, it is mandatory for restaurants to have a certificate of health or hygiene, as well as the current grade they have been assigned, posted visibly.
Although America is famous for its fast food and obesity rates, the local and fresh food movement is very popular in many areas, especially cities, making it easy to eat healthy. A variety of options also makes it easy for people with special dietary needs to find food that suits them, whether their needs are due to health reasons or to religious requirements.
Tap water is considered safe to drink in the US and is often offered in restaurants before bottled water. Bottled water is available throughout the country, however, both in restaurants and shops, for those who prefer not to drink tap water.
Other Risks
The US is generally considered a safe destination for world visitors. Occasional outbreaks of disease, such as West Nile Virus (a mosquito-borne illness) and H1N1 have occurred in recent years, however. Frequent hand-washing and general practices of good hygiene are encouraged to protect oneself against all types of illness.