San Diego has pleasant year-round weather, adorable sea lions, and over 70 miles of beaches. But with crime seemingly increasing by the day in the US, you might be wondering—Is San Diego safe?
A Note From the Author
I spent over four months exploring San Diego as a solo female traveler. Overall, I had a positive experience. That said, the information I share, except for statistics from linked sources, is my personal opinion based on my encounters.
So, take what you want from this article and leave the rest. And above all, never let your guard down just because I or anyone else tells you a destination is safe.Â
The Big Picture
Overall, San Diego is safe, with a crime rate lower than the national average. Like any city, certain districts are safer than others.
Turning to Neighborhood Scout
According to Neighborhood Scout, San Diego has a crime index of 17 out of 100. The higher the number, the safer the city. So, that places San Diego at 17% safer than other neighborhoods in the United States.
Crime Breakdown
Of the crime classifications that make up Neighborhood Scout’s numbers, there are around 26,700 property crimes in San Diego and 5,470 violent crimes.
To put that into perspective, San Diego’s violent crime rate is 3.96 per 1,000 residents. In contrast, California has a rate of 4.4 per 1,000 residents, and the U.S. national median is 4.0 per 1,000 residents.
Visiting San Diego as a WomanÂ
I spent almost my entire time in San Diego exploring by myself as a solo female traveler. I didn’t have a vehicle, so I relied on public transportation.
Overall, I felt very safe. However, there were uncomfortable times when I was trying to get from point A to point B, particularly when taking and waiting for public transportation.
Safety on San Diego’s Public Transportation
I found many of the trolley stops in downtown San Diego unpleasant when walking around alone as a woman. Inebriated characters were common, as were those using drugs. As with most cities, it’s easy to walk from a safe to a rough-around-the-edges area within a single block difference.
Forking Over Money
Because of the handful of uncomfortable situations I encountered when taking public transportation in San Diego by day, I didn’t feel safe taking the buses and trolleys at night. Uber is ultra expensive in San Diego. But to me, it was worth using rideshare apps in the evening.
Safest Areas in San Diego
Some of the safest areas in San Diego include:
- La Jolla
- Torrey Hills
- Del Mar Mesa
- Carmel Valley
Location, Location, Location
You’ll notice a theme with these safe neighborhoods if you look at a map; they’re all north of downtown San Diego. That matches what many San Diego locals will tell you. The farther north you go, the higher the chance of you having a safe experience.
My Digs
I couldn’t afford rent in the seaside towns mentioned here, so I spent a couple of months living in Chula Vista, just four trolley stops from the Mexican border. I had a very positive experience and enjoyed the (relatively) cheaper cost of living compared to central and northern San Diego.
So, I don’t discourage people from staying in other parts of San Diego. You can find pockets of safe areas within districts around the city.
Safety in Downtown San Diego
There isn’t a single safest area in downtown San Diego. And in most cases, districts that are relatively safe during the day (such as Little Italy and Gaslamp) aren’t safe in the wee hours of the morning.
Then again, what downtown area in any city is truly safe at 2:00 am?
Safest Areas in Downtown
Some of the safest areas in downtown San Diego include:
- Seaport Village
- North Harbor Drive (boardwalk along the water)
- Convention Center
- Little Italy
- Gaslamp
Neighborhoods to Avoid in San Diego
Some of the highest crime areas in San Diego include:
- University Avenue
- Imperial Avenue
- Lincoln Park
- O’Farrell
- Skyline
- National City
East Village is an area in downtown San Diego with a high homeless population. While that doesn’t necessarily make it inherently dangerous, it can be uncomfortable to pass through, particularly for solo females. Inebriated men and unclothed people are not so uncommon sights.
A Note on Touristy Old Town
From a personal perspective, I’m not a fan of Old Town. It’s safe enough during the day (I’ve been several times), but I always feel I have to have my guard up higher there than in certain other parts of San Diego.
Is San Diego Safe at Night?
If you stay within the safest neighborhoods in San Diego that I listed earlier, San Diego is pretty safe at night. But it also depends on what “night” means to you. Are we talking 10:00 pm or 3:00 am?
The bottom line is to use common sense. If a street is desolate and poorly lit, don’t walk down it. If you want to pull out your new Mac and work on a park bench, find a cafe instead.
Beach Safety
Rip currents are common in San Diego, and data shows that about 80% of all lifeguard rescues are because of them.
Many popular San Diego beaches have lifeguards on duty during the day. If you go to La Jolla Shores Beach, it’s common to hear the lifeguard shouting orders to swimmers and surfers in the water, ensuring they remain in safe areas.
Teetering on a Fault
It’s no secret that San Diego sits on a portion of the San Andreas fault network. And because of this, scientists estimate that there’s at least a 60% chance of an earthquake of 6.7-magnitude or greater at any given time.
Personally, I didn’t wander around San Diego worried about earthquakes, and I think most locals would agree. But it’s undeniable that large and small earthquakes alike have and will happen there.
Wildfire Threats
Like so many places in California, wildfires are a threat in San Diego. I happened to be in the city in 2020 when a wildfire happened. The fire was so close to San Diego that the sky filled with smoke, and health experts urged people to keep their windows closed and not exercise outside.
The peak wildfire season in California is from July to October. But the reality is that San Diego has a coastal desert climate, so there’s always a chance of fires.
How To Stay Safe in San Diego
Below are some basic safety precautions to take in San Diego. As you’ll see, there’s nothing unique about them—it’s wise to practice these tips regardless of where you travel.
- Take a taxi at night
- Don’t walk around showcasing expensive electronics
- Never carry around all your credit cards and cash
- Ask locals for advice
- Don’t leave an opened drink unattended
- If you’re going to get inebriated, do so with a trustworthy sober companion
Finally, trust your instinct. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
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This article was produced and syndicated by A Piece of Travel.
