San Diego flights and travel guide

California's southernmost city, and second-largest, lies beside the Pacific Ocean, basking in near year-round sunshine with shimmering beaches and a fascinating history.

Discovered by Europeans - and claimed for Spain - in 1542 when Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo docked his ship at Point Loma, this is a maritime city. It is, after all, homeport of the Pacific Fleet and home to the Maritime Museum, which celebrates San Diego's briny heritage. The USS Midway, which served the U.S. longer than any other aircraft carrier is docked at Navy Pier and now thousands of tourists take cheap flights to San Diego each year to marvel at it.

One of San Diego's greatest attractions is Balboa Park, a wonderful collection of gardens, stunning Spanish Revival architecture, museums, wilderness and zoo. Another is the Gaslamp Quarter, the historical heart of the San Diego. A red-light and low-rent district in times gone by, the past few decades has seen it come back to life - now as a lively dining, entertainment and urban shopping area.

With Mexico just a $2 tram journey away, flights to San Diego could be just the beginning of wider travels.

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San Diego climate

San Diego enjoys a Mediterranean-style climate with mild sunny weather throughout the year. Winter temperatures range from about 14 degrees Celsius (57 degrees Fahrenheit) in January to 22 degrees (72F) in July. Late summer and early fall are the hottest times of the year. "May gray" in May and "June gloom" in June is when cloudy conditions, sometimes occur in the mornings, but usually burn off by midday.

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When to fly to San Diego

The Mediterranean climate ensures that there is no bad time to take cheap flights to San Diego.

Peak Season:
If basking on the beach is your aim, summer is the best time to visit. For sight-seeing and for the museums and galleries, fall, winter and spring are all good times to go as crowds are thinner.

Off Season:
Low season runs November to January.

Shoulder Season:
February to May and September to October.

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Getting downtown San Diego

Lindbergh International Airport, where cheap flights to San Diego land, is located about 3km from the heart of the downtown area. In addition to car-rental companies that have desks at the airport, several shuttle companies offer shared rides to and from Lindbergh Field to areas of San Diego County. Taxi fares range from $8-$10.

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Getting around San Diego

Like much of Southern California, the easiest way to get around San Diego is by car. You can find several rental car companies at the airport. Bus tickets are cheap and the trolley system is a great way to get around downtown or to nearby Tijuana. The Blue Line can take you through Old Town before crossing the border into Mexico. Tickets cost a few dollars and last for two hours.

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San Diego insider information

• The Horton Plaza Mall is next to the Gaslamp Quarter. Its architecture is a tourist attraction in itself. Painted in sun-bright colours, it is full of nooks and crannies with a good mix of stores such as Macy's and Nordstrom as well as cool boutiques.
• Each winter season, the popular holiday production of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas is staged at the Old Globe Theatre.
• The Hotel del Coronado is a grande-dame hotel situated on the best beaches of San Diego. Built in 1888, the Del has classic Victorian red roofs, white woodwork board and wonderful chandelier-strewn dining rooms. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977. It's a favourite for weddings, family vacations and business conferences.
• The Maritime Museum's biggest draw is the Star of India, launched in 1863 on the Isle of Man to bring immigrants to the U.S., and now the oldest ship in the world with a regular sailing schedule.
• Most travellers bound for San Diego, will fly to Los Angeles International and negotiate the Interstate 5 for a couple of hours. Seeking direct cheap flights to San Diego will ensure a calmer start to the vacation.
• Mexico is just a $2 tram ride away. Take the blue-line trolley to San Ysidro. Trolleys run at regular intervals seven days a week from early morning to past midnight. To get back in to the United States Canadian and US citizens must present either their passport or a government-issued photo ID plus proof of citizenship.

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San Diego airports

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