traveldk.com

Multilingual staff at the International Visitors Information Center can answers queries on activities and accommodation, and also sell tickets to attractions. Ask for a copy of the Official Visitors Pocket Guide . The Mission Bay Visitor Information Center is handy if you’re driving on the I-5 and need help with accommodation. The Coronado Visitors Center can give you a map of Coronado and suggest activities in the area.

The San Diego Reader is the best source of the latest happenings in town. You’ll find restaurant reviews, movies and theater timings, and music events. Free copies can be found throughout the city.

Websites offer useful information about package vacations, current events, new attractions, city services, transportation, sports, parks, and restaurants in San Diego.

Maps from the tourist information offices are good for basic sightseeing. To explore San Diego further, Auto Club maps give a good overview, or buy comprehensive street maps of the county published by Thomas Bros.

For visa information, international travelers should check with their embassy or the US Department of State’s website. Canadian citizens only need proof of residence. If you’re in Tijuana for the day, and your visa has expired or does not allow multiple entries, plan on flying home from Mexico.

Get comprehensive travel insurance before arriving in the US, or you can expect large bills even if you aren’t denied medical care. If renting a car, ensure what your auto insurer and credit card company covers in case of accident or theft. An auto insurance policy is not valid in Mexico; buy Mexican insurance at the border.

San Diego enjoys the most temperate climate in the nation. The rainy season usually begins in December, with a few large storms rolling in by spring. Winter days can be warm and sunny, but ocean temperatures are cold. Summer showers are mild, and offshore breezes ensure pleasant evenings.

Casual dress is the rule. Evenings can be cool, so tuck in a sweater or lightweight jacket.

Depending on your stamina, San Diego’s sights can be covered in a week or less. SeaWorld and the Zoo tend to be exhausting all-day affairs, so plan a light day after your visits. Allow a few days to travel up the coast or around the backcountry.

San Diego is a non-stop kids’ playground. Hotels welcome families, although some B&Bs are not set up for children. Many of the larger resorts feature kids programs and can supply names of licensed baby-sitters.