landmark
San Diego Zoo
World-renowned zoo in Balboa Park home to over 12,000 animals of more than 650 species in naturalistic habitats.
3 km · about 5 min drive
North AmericaUnited StatesCalifornia
San Diego
California, United States · North America
About San Diego
San Diego is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Coronado, 3km from San Diego Zoo.
San Diego is in California, United States, with about 1.4 million people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Coronado, about 4 km away.
San Diego ( SAN dee-AY-goh; Spanish: [san ˈdjeɣo]) is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, next to the Mexican border. It is the eighth-most populous city in the U.S. and second-most populous city in California with a population of over 1.4 million, while the San Diego area with over 3.3 millionRead more
residents is the 18th-largest metropolitan area in the country. San Diego is the county seat of San Diego County. It is known for its mild Mediterranean climate, extensive beaches and parks, long association with the United States Navy, and recent emergence as a wireless, electronics, healthcare, and biotechnology development center.
Historically home to the Kumeyaay people, San Diego has been referred to as the Birthplace of California, as it was the first site visited and settled by Europeans on what is now the West Coast of the United States. In 1542, Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo claimed the area for Spain, forming the basis for the settlement of Alta California, 200 years later. The Presidio and Mission San Diego de Alcalá, founded in 1769, formed the first European settlement in what is now California. In 1821, San Diego became part of the newly declared Mexican Empire. California was ceded to the U.S. in 1848 following the Mexican–American War and was admitted as the 31st state in 1850.
The largest sectors of the economy of San Diego include military and defense-related activities, tourism, international trade, research, and manufacturing. The city is home to several universities, including UC San Diego, San Diego State University, and the University of San Diego. San Diego is the economic center of the San Diego–Tijuana region, the second-most populous transborder metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere, home to an estimated five million people as of 2022. The primary border crossing between San Diego and Tijuana, the San Ysidro Port of Entry, is the busiest international land border crossing in the world outside of Asia (fourth-busiest overall). San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the busiest single-runway airport in the United States.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near San Diego?
Within an hour or so of San Diego: San Diego Zoo (3 km), SeaWorld San Diego (8 km), San Diego Zoo Safari Park (45 km), LEGOLAND California (48 km).
Are there any good drives near San Diego?
The nearest famous roads are Tijuana-Ensenada Scenic Highway.
Where is San Diego?
San Diego is in California, United States, about 4 km from Coronado.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 1,404,452
- Continent
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Region
- California
- Timezone
- America/Los_Angeles
- Coordinates
- 32.7157, -117.1647
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United States
AAA roadside assistance: 1-800-222-4357. Right turn on red is legal in most states unless signed otherwise.
Full driving guide for United StatesTags
Worth the detour from San Diego
4 notable places within an hour's drive.
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SeaWorld San Diego
Southern California's marine life park offering animal experiences, aquarium exhibits, and amusement rides.
8 km · about 15 min drive
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San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Expansive wildlife sanctuary in Escondido where animals roam in vast open-range enclosures mimicking their native habitats.
45 km · about 50 min drive
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LEGOLAND California
Carlsbad theme park designed for families with children aged 2–12, featuring over 60 LEGO-themed rides and attractions.
48 km · about 55 min drive
Driving roads near San Diego
- 75 kmTijuana-Ensenada Scenic HighwayBaja's toll road 1D hugs Pacific cliffs for 100 km between Tijuana and Ensenada, with surf breaks, seafood stops and sweeping ocean panoramas the whole way.
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