Is San Diego Safe? Here's All You Need To Know

To anyone thinking of visiting or moving to a new city, a first concern should always be that of safety. Is San Diego safe? We live in California and we’re here to tell you about safety in San Diego.

While San Diego is not crime-ridden, you can never be too careful in conducting the proper research and learning where and what to watch out for when visiting.

Disclaimer: Bae Area and Beyond contains affiliate links so if you make a purchase using one of these links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. This also supports our content to be free. Read our disclaimer policy for more info.

PRO TIPS

Planning your trip to San Diego? Here are the best tours, hotels, and car rentals:

📸 Best Tours In San Diego:

Luxury Catamaran Sailing Charter of San Diego (for up to 12 people!)
San Diego 4×4: Border Wilderness (travel the off-beaten path)
Premium Valle de Guadalupe Wine and Food Tour (all-inclusive)
The San Diego Highlights Tour (all the top sights + free time to explore)
San Diego Whale Watching Cruise (check out the 2 guarantees!)

😴 Best Hotels In San Diego:

Staypineapple, Hotel Z, Gaslamp (💲) (complimentary bikes!)
Hotel Marisol Coronado (💲💲) (5-min walk to Coronado Beach)
Fairmont Grand Del Mar (💲💲💲) (be treated like a celebrity!)

🚘 Best Car Rental In San Diego: DiscoverCars (save up to 70%)

Table Of Contents

Safety In San Diego

A panoramic view of downtown San Diego during the day, showcasing high-rise buildings, well-maintained greenery, and a glimpse of the city's waterfront area. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

San Diego is widely known to be one of the safest cities in the nation for its size. Although some levels of crime are a given, and some of its neighborhoods are safer than others, the crime rate in San Diego remains below the national average.

Safest Areas In San Diego

Del Mar Mesa and Torrey Hills are both high-end neighborhoods known as very safe places to live. These communities are ideal for families looking to rent or own property where they don’t have to worry about high crime rates.

Least Safe Areas In San Diego

Kearny Mesa is known to have the highest crime rate in San Diego, although most crimes reported in the area are no more than petty thefts.

East Village is another part of the city with higher crime rates because it is home to most of the nightlife Downtown and around Petco Park.

Crime Rate In San Diego

A dazzling aerial view of downtown San Diego at night, with city lights illuminating the skyline and streets, including high-rise buildings and busy urban areas. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Property Crime

Property crime is lower in San Diego compared to other U.S. cities. According to homesnacks.com, you have a 1 in 59.1 chance of being the victim of a property crime in San Diego each year which is -13.61% lower than the national rate.

Violent Crime

Violent crime is lower in San Diego compared to other U.S. cities. According to homesnacks.com, you have a 1 in 271.1 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in San Diego each year which is -4.88% lower than the national rate.

Common Scams

San Diego’s most common scams tend to be online or by phone and target residents of the area. Visiting tourists are unlikely to come upon scams as they travel around San Diego.

Terrorism

A NBC San Diego news article published in 2014 stated that San Diego ranked fourth in the country for the number of “known suspected terrorists” by the government.

However, recent years have seen international and domestic terrorism occurring in other U.S. cities in the same rate.

Hate Crimes

Hate crimes have increased in San Diego as they have in other U.S. cities. The San Diego Sheriff’s Department keeps a detailed public chart tracking hate crimes throughout the county that can be found here.

Pickpockets

Pickpocketing is an ongoing issue in bars and clubs throughout San Diego. Apple iPhones are a common target. Keep your belongings secure and be aware of others brushing up against you.

Mugging

Mugging is a very rare occurrence in San Diego for the most part.

Weather Safety In San Diego

A stretch of La Jolla's coastline featuring sandy cliffs, a paved walkway lined with palm trees, and people enjoying the ocean view along the scenic route. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

While plenty of hazardous weather conditions have the potential to affect San Diego residents, realistically, there is only a handful that actually does.

Hazardous Weather

Being a coastal city, it seems logical that hurricanes would be a significant point of concern.

However, due to colder water temperatures, they are rarely known to hit the coast of Southern California in any destructive manner.

In recent years, the most concern seems to come from wildfires as California faces droughts and dry Santa Ana winds.

Natural Disasters

While San Diegans don’t have to worry about tornados, there is always the potential for earthquakes.

Is San Diego safe from earthquakes?

San Diego experiences hundreds of earthquakes yearly, although most are barely strong enough to be felt.

While the city nears many fault lines, truly destructive earthquakes are infrequent, and California’s infrastructure is now built to be very resistant to earthquakes.

Is San Diego safe from the tsunami?

While San Diego could potentially see a tsunami in the wake of a large earthquake, the odds of this remain very low.

Occasionally, small tidal surges can be observed as the effect of tsunamis is nearby oceans, but these cause nothing more than a few feet of water rising.

If a giant tsunami were predicted to strike San Diego, the city would have many warnings and evacuation plans in place, and residents would be encouraged to head to higher ground.

Staying Safe in the San Diego Sun

While the year-round sun is a huge draw of San Diego, it can also be a peril to those who do not take proper precautions.

While most sunburns just lead to some uncomfortable itching and peeling, severe sunburns can lead to sun poisoning and even second and third-degree burns.

Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat.

Sunglasses are also a must since eyes are often just as sensitive to sun damage as the rest of the body.

Beach Safety In San Diego

A scenic view of La Jolla's rocky cliffs and sandy beach, with visitors exploring the shoreline and pathways, against a backdrop of the ocean and coastal cliffs in the distance. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

How Safe Are the Beaches in San Diego?

Beach and ocean safety depend greatly on the beach you visit, the time of year, and the weather conditions.

Conditions can switch quickly between calm and dangerous, so it is always best to check with lifeguards before swimming or climbing on rocks near the ocean.

Rip currents are one of the most hidden dangers to tourists. They are currents that can form and sweep swimmers out to sea, making it nearly impossible to swim against them and back into the shore.

If you ever run into trouble while swimming, wave your arms above your head, and lifeguards will know to look for this signal.

Top Safety Tips For San Diego

My top safety tips for those visiting San Diego from a lifelong local:

If you are traveling in a group, stay together.
Keep your valuables in a secure purse or bag.
If you use Uber or Lyft, always be sure you are getting in the correct car.
Be aware of your surroundings.
If no one else is out swimming, there is probably a reason. Stay out.
Always have a phone charger with you.

Where to Stay In San Diego

San Diego has a variety of accommodations: hotels, resorts, campgrounds and more. We recommend these 3 options:

Budget-Friendly Option: Staypineapple, Hotel Z, Gaslamp San Diego

Mid-Priced Option: Hotel Marisol Coronado

Lux Option: Fairmont Grand Del Mar

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Diego safe at night?

It is safe to explore San Diego at night but take precautions. To ensure safety at night in San Diego, stick to neighborhoods you have researched and are familiar with.

Although San Diego doesn’t see massive amounts of crime at night, staying in public and well-lit areas can help.

Is it safe to travel around San Diego?

San Diego is generally a very safe city to travel throughout. Like any city, follow general safety guidelines regarding rideshares and public transportation.

Always ensure you get in the right car if you ordered an Uber or Lyft, and be aware of your surroundings.

Be conscious that you remain on your planned route, and most San Diego locals will advise against carrying large amounts of cash on public transportation.

Is it safe to travel to Tijuana, Mexico from San Diego?

Many San Diegans find themselves crossing the border to visit Tijuana for its nightlife and change in culture. It is safe to travel to Tijuana from San Diego but do your research.

Tijuana has much to offer but has much higher crime rates than San Diego. I recommend to those new to Tijuana in general that they visit with someone familiar and comfortable in the area. This is often the best way to avoid finding yourself in any unnecessary trouble.

Is San Diego safe for a solo traveler?

While San Diego is a comparably safe city, unique dangers and precautions always accompany traveling alone.

Solo travelers should always ensure that a friend or family member knows their whereabouts and when they will check in next.

They should only share their itinerary with those they trust and should avoid becoming overly intoxicated, among other safety rules that can be found here.

Is San Diego safe for women?

San Diego is ranked as safe for women and solo female travelers in general.

Can I visit San Diego in the winter?

If you conjure up images of endless summer and salty surfers when told to think of San Diego, you’re not alone. Although this city is known widely as a summer vacation destination, San Diego has its draws during the colder months.

Can I visit San Diego without a car?

Visiting San Diego without a car is a viable option. When doing so, I recommend that you research ahead of time to determine what you are hoping to get out of your visit and choose a walkable neighborhood to stay in based on this. For a safe neighborhood, we recommend the North Park neighborhood in San Diego.

How many days are needed for San Diego?

Because San Diego has so much to offer, I would recommend at least a 3-day trip to be able to explore different neighborhoods and visit as least 1 of its larger attractions such as Balboa Park or the San Diego Zoo. But if you can, plan a 5-day trip to San Diego to see the best of San Diego and not feel rushed.

Final Thoughts

So, is San Diego safe? San Diego is one of the safest large cities in the United States, which just adds to the list of qualities that make it a truly amazing place to visit and live.

In general, San Diegans are known to be friendly and welcoming. Do your research and follow the safety rules above, and you will surely have a great time.

Is San Diego Safe? Here’s All You Need To Know