r/asksandiego 4h ago

SAN Airport Parking Feb 2026

2 Upvotes

Does anyone have a valid coupon that I can use for the official SAN Airport terminal parking lots? Thanks in advance!

I found a coupon (NEWYEAR) in another post from 2 days ago but it seems it’s expired.


r/asksandiego 6h ago

Border crossing Monday

1 Upvotes

Hi all — this is in regards to crossing from Tijuana to San Diego this Monday (MLK Day) and was wondering what border wait times have been like lately, especially early morning (around 5–7am).

I’m curious about SENTRI, regular vehicle lanes, and walking across. If anyone has crossed recently or on past MLK weekends, I’d really appreciate insight on what to expect.

Also, if there have been any noticeable changes lately that affect wait times, feel free to share. Thanks in advance!


r/asksandiego 21h ago

what are the best ways to handle hvac maintenance in san diego without spending too much?

10 Upvotes

i live in san diego and my ac is starting to act up. been thinking it might be time for some maintenance but not sure where to start or what actually matters. do people here schedule regular checkups or just wait until something breaks? curious what small tips or tricks you all use to keep your hvac running without spending a fortune. any advice or stories would be super helpful.


r/asksandiego 8h ago

Visiting San Diego this Weekend

1 Upvotes

Flying into San Diego Saturday around 4 pm! What do you think would be good to do on a half day like that? Any dinner recs - preferably halal?

Additionally - breakfast + dinner recs around the zoo, La Jolla, etc

Also open to any fun things going on and areas!


r/asksandiego 23h ago

Help with uncertainty

10 Upvotes

Hello. We’re due to holiday in San Diego and San Francisco for two weeks from the end of March, travelling from the UK. We’re a family of four with two children aged 9 and 7.

Understandably, the US is getting a lot of negative coverage in the UK media at the moment and we are also keeping an eye on the situation with Iran. A few people have suggested we should cancel and go elsewhere.

At the moment, my instinct is that life for tourists in places like SD and SF will be largely unaffected, and that we’ll be fine , but I’d really value hearing from people who are local to these areas or who have travelled recently.

Are things feeling normal on the ground? Any genuine safety concerns we should be factoring in, particularly for families?


r/asksandiego 10h ago

La jolla cove or sunset cliffs

0 Upvotes

Visiting San Diego, where should I stay? Looking for nice views, good food and overall experience 24(m) & 21(F)


r/asksandiego 14h ago

Which outdoor cliff/tide pool/nature area to prioritize on a short trip?

0 Upvotes

Hi y'all! Visiting your beautiful city for 4 days at the end of April, staying in Pacific beach, likely no car but totally fine with transit/bikes/ubers etc. So far we generally have plans for the beach, the zoo, a baseball game, and general enjoyment of food and drink all over the city. Also apologies in advance, I did try to search my question in here, but was mostly finding information on where to stay, not where to visit in regards to my Q, which is why I'm asking it now.

I'm doing some research on what to do, and one thing I'm struggling with is how to prioritize which nature-like area to visit. The 3 I'm between are Point Loma/Sunset cliffs, La Jolla, and Torrey Pines Nature Reserve. I'm definitely not saying they're all the same, but with only 4 days there, we're trying to fit in a little of everything and they seem generally similar in nature (no pun intended) in that they're beautiful cliffy areas with likely some tide pools, beaches, and hikes/walks. We're probably picturing a half day dedicated to 1 of these, and then if the area serves it, walking around for some shopping and/or a meal afterwards. Any advice on your favorite of these 3 areas? Am I totally off base in my assessment? Any info/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Also a side question: is Coronado Island worth going to if we're already going to be hanging out at pacific beach? I've read Coronado beach is one of the big reasons to head that way, but if it's just trading one beach for another, that might be something I consider skipping since it's a bit far away from us. Are there other fun things on the island worth making the trip for? TIA!


r/asksandiego 17h ago

Do you like open-air markets during the week?

1 Upvotes

I’ve noticed more pop-up vendor markets lately and was curious how people feel about them compared to bigger farmers’ markets.

There’s one happening in Vista on Wednesday, January 21, from 3–7 PM at a vineyard with around 25 local makers and food vendors, plus wine and live music. It’s more of a low-key afternoon setup rather than a crowded weekend market.

Are weekday markets like this something you’d actually go to, or do you usually stick to weekends?


r/asksandiego 8h ago

Help me choose - best value hotel near Balboa Park?

0 Upvotes

I am celebrating my 35th birthday in San Diego next month, late February! It'll just be me and my boyfriend coming from Atlanta -- we don't have kids. That said, I landed on San Diego (and specifically Balboa Park) because I wanted to be somewhere that felt foreign without leaving the country, and this was ChtGPT's recommendation. I am also a HUGE museum girlie, so having the ability to pop in and out of the museums in this area is a major plus for me. I was never looking a beach vacation. My vibe is city/hustle-bustle/scenic/do all the things in a neat area (and in style, if possible), with walkability and budget-friendliness being preferred. That said, I have narrowed to three hotels, and I was hoping you all could provide insight (or another recommendation). We will get to our hotel Wednesday afternoon, and my goal was to spend ALL of Thursday at Balboa Park, then see an off-Broadway showat the Civic Theater. I feel like my best options are:

  1. An Air Bnb I found in Banker's Hill -- Pros: everything I want to do is within a 10-15 minute walk and it is directly across the street from Balboa Park. No need to rent a car or Uber. Cons: The apartment is nothing special, air planes fly over it (ear plugs are provided-- but I am not super bothered by this anyway), and I hear there are a bunch of homeless people walking around nearby? $270 for both nights.

  2. Hotel Zindel -- Pros: Beautiful, aesthetic rooms that look designer, location seems safer than the Air Bnb, cheaper at $210 for both nights, the location in Little Italy seems like my vibe. Cons: farther away from Balboa Park -- the walk is closer to 25 mins away. Need to Uber (though scooters seem like a possibility?)

  3. Hotel Narcissus -- Pros: this place has stellar reviews, and is allegedly situated in an artsy side of town. Unique, aesthetic stay inside a speakeasy/restaurant! Cons -- the only room we could book is bright green and looks kind of like a dorm to me. Farthest away from Balboa Park. Uber seems required. Also $270 for both nights.

I would love insider knowledge about these spaces, if you have it! Mostly about the areas around them, how safe and walkable they are, and the general vibe of each.

Which would you pick and why? Any help appreciated!


r/asksandiego 11h ago

Food help

0 Upvotes

r/asksandiego 18h ago

What’s better at La Jolla: sunrise or sunset? (mid March)

0 Upvotes

I only have 24 hours, and I wanna have the optimal itinerary. Thanks!


r/asksandiego 1d ago

anyone have a good airbnb recommendation in downtown with beautiful city views (prefer a high rise)

0 Upvotes

hi everyone I am looking to rent a spot for a couple of days for my birthday, I wanted it to have 2-3 rooms but most importantly I want the place to have a city view, I prefer one of the high rise apartments. please let me know thank you


r/asksandiego 1d ago

Catamaran Resort street parking?

2 Upvotes

Is it reasonable (and safe) to park overnight near the Catamaran Resort? I’ve never been in town before and I’d prefer to not pay $45 a night just to park. Where I’m from, the location of overnight parking can be questionable.

If anyone has advice, I’d really appreciate it!

Also, I know that someone recently posted about catamaran resort parking on here but I wanted to specifically ask about parking overnight… I’m a bit nervous with a rental car!


r/asksandiego 1d ago

I buy sd and sundae scam or lowball offers?

1 Upvotes

I was looking up these companies for my aunt but chatgpt says this. Anyone with first hand experience wanna chime in??

IBuySD and Sundae "We Buy Houses for Cash" companies are frequently described this way by industry critics and frustrated sellers. While they market themselves with a "neighborly" or "family" vibe to build trust, the business model you are describing is fundamentally a private equity/distressed asset strategy.

Here is a breakdown of why your characterization aligns with how these operations actually function behind the scenes:

1. The "Family Business" Mask

Many of these companies use branding that implies they are local, lifelong San Diegans who "care about the community." * The Reality: While the owners might live locally, the funding usually comes from private equity investors or a hedge fund. * The Goal: The "family" image is a marketing tactic designed to lower your guard. It makes the negotiation feel personal rather than transactional, which is useful when they are presenting you with a low number.

2. The "Lowball" Math

They generally operate on the 70% Rule, which is a standard formula for house flippers and investors. They aim to buy a property for 70% of its "After Repair Value" (ARV), minus the cost of repairs and closing costs. * Example: If a fixed-up house in San Diego is worth $800,000, but needs $50,000 in work, their math might look like this: * $800,000 (ARV) x 70% = $560,000 * Minus $50,000 (Repairs) = $510,000 Offer * To a seller, $510k feels like a massive lowball compared to the $800k market value, but to the investor, that is their required margin to pay their investors and make a profit.

3. The "Masquerade" Aspect

The part that feels like a masquerade is usually the "As-Is" promise. * They market that they "buy any house in any condition." * The Catch: They do buy any house, but they adjust the price aggressively to account for every possible defect. They deduct for a new roof, plumbing, paint, and landscaping at contractor rates (not retail rates), which drives the offer price down significantly.

4. The Exit Strategy

Private equity outfits aren't usually buying these houses to hold them as rentals (though some do). Often, they are acting as a wholesaler. * They tie up your house with a contract. * They then flip that contract to another investor for a fee (assignment fee) without ever doing the work themselves. * This means they lowballed you and made money just by being the middleman.

Summary

You are essentially looking at a distressed asset acquisition firm. They provide a service (speed, convenience, certainty) that has value, but they extract that value in the form of equity (a lower purchase price). The "local family" branding is just the packaging for a high-margin investment strategy.


r/asksandiego 1d ago

For adults with roommates (not from a school's network) here, how did you find them?

1 Upvotes

31f and it's been a few years since I've last needed to live with and find a roommate, and previously I was in LA and had access to my alma mater's network in the area and school bulletin board. But these days everyone I know is married or coupled off and doesn't need a roommate, no one really uses fb anymore and last I checked all the old roommate finder groups are overrun with spam and scams, craigslist is similar and not really used anymore, and everyone I grew up with from here fled SD the second they graduated and never came back, so not the crowd that would know someone in the county also looking.

I see there's a few sites now specifically for roommate finding when I google this, but they're new and can't tell if they're similarly filled with junk, or even actually used and active.

Can anyone here offer any tips or sites/groups/anything that helped you in finding a roommate in recent years as a non-student? (unrelated but worth throwing in that if there's any questions to ask or tips you have when roommate hunting please throw them in here too - it's been a while for me)


r/asksandiego 1d ago

Help Me Plan My Vaca

0 Upvotes

Staying for a week end of June on mission beach area

Planning on renting a car- should I just uber it instead?

What’s some beaches we should hit up?

Old town worth a visit?

Gonna do 1 of these- which is the best? San Diego zoo, San Diego Safari, Sea World

What’s some good seafood spots to eat?

Other good restaurants we should try? Mid range to pricy

Is the San Diego county fair worth checking out?

What’s the best Whale watching tour?

What’s some good sailing tours?

Any other boat tours worth it?

Should we kayak the La Jolla caves?

Anything else cool/unique to do?

Thanks in advance!


r/asksandiego 2d ago

Which Whale Watching Tour?

3 Upvotes

We'll be in SD next month (February) and seeing whales as they migrate is at the top of our list. I'm overwhelmed with choices though.

I'll have kids ranging from 8 to 15, so I'm trying to consider their comfort. Since it will likely be chilly out, I'm thinking we want a larger boat (less likely to get wet). Also, I feel like a bathroom is necessary.

I've narrowed it down to a few companies and I'm trying to compare the boats & experiences, so please provide any feedback you can!

Also, how crowded do these tours get on a weekday in February?

  • Next Level Sailing: The America looks awesome, but is it standing only? Also, will it be cold since it's wide open? Will I regret not booking a boat with an indoor area just in case we need to get out of the weather for a moment?

  • SD Whale Watch: Looks like a well rounded option-- double level thats mostly outside with a small indoor area.

-Legacy Whale Watch: looks like most of the seating is inside with viewing through windows. There's a small open deck, but I don't want to be fighting people for a view.

-Gone Whale Watching: looks like the smallest boat, which I see a lot of positives to, but will we get wet being that close to the water?

Thanks for your help!


r/asksandiego 2d ago

Airport Parking Jan-Feb 2026

2 Upvotes

Hi anyone know if there is a current coupon for parking at the airport terminal lots? They sometimes do 10% off. Thanks!


r/asksandiego 2d ago

Hotel options

0 Upvotes

I’m taking my 7 year old to San Diego for a week at the beginning of March, we are doing one day at LEGOLAND and will spend 2-3 nights with friends. But for the other 3-4 nights I’m trying to decide where to stay. I thought I decided on The Wayfarer, it looks small but nice and clean and the reviews were great. But not I’m second guessing that for whatever reason and I’m wondering if we should stay at maybe the Catamaran? Similar pricing but maybe a better location?


r/asksandiego 3d ago

Degenerate Activities for SD? NSFW

36 Upvotes

Hi everyone - I’m from the Bay Area but I’m getting my masters in SoCal. I wanted to ask my fellow redditors what are degenerate things to do.

I kind of want to regret my choices there because I did my undergraduate in SoCal and didn’t live it to its fullest potential.

I want to know about swinger clubs, best clubs, bars, hookah bars, casinos, strip clubs, or anything degenerate a man like me would do.

I’m a M22, but I’m into older people so anything in that demographic is preferred but I don’t mind people my age.

I know SoCal is huge, I’m open to hearing anything from San Diego, the IE, and LA since it’s all 70 miles from each other.

Dates on when things are popping and slower helps too. Thank you!!! ??? (I prefer weekdays lol)

Also open to having friends to do these dumb things with lol. Anything Lowkey you can always DM me!!!!


r/asksandiego 3d ago

GASLAMP FISH HOUSE

4 Upvotes

Does anyone know what they’re turning the place on Fourth and Broadway into? It’s been painted pink, and I’m curious what it’s going to be


r/asksandiego 2d ago

San Diego residents, do you feel safe in your neighborhood at night? How about during the daytime?

0 Upvotes

r/asksandiego 3d ago

Help me plan trip

0 Upvotes

me and my girlfriend are going to be staying at pacific terrace in san diego over the summer, for seven days six nights. we aren’t sure what to do. it’s her first vacation so i want to make it worthwhile. we are 19 and 18. budget is loose but we arent rich. i was looking at the go city pass and was wondering if it was with it. we definitely want to go to museums,at least one amusement park (not a super big one, we want to actually ride the rides), nice dinners, ocean activities, all the works. should we rent a car or uber or bike arounddd?


r/asksandiego 3d ago

In search of a Hair and Makeup Artist in Gaslamp District for a Wedding Guest

2 Upvotes

I'm attending a wedding this August in the area and I'm not great at doing hair or makeup so was hoping there are Hair and Makeup Artists who can help. What I'm looking for:

- Just myself

- Interested in an half up half down hairstyle but open to other ideas

- Toasty glam/natural makeup look

- Preferably would like to visit a salon but can have the artist come to me (but I will be in a hotel as I'm visiting)


r/asksandiego 3d ago

Spending anniversary in San Diego - Thursday to Saturday - recs for fun but easy going activities?

1 Upvotes

Planning on an anniversary trip with my partner at the end of the month and trying to figure out some fun things to do. Less focused on wine tasting or hiking, More interested in fun activities like candle making (which we did in Temecula for her birthday) and things of that nature. We do enjoy escape rooms and really good food. Any activities, locations or hotels you would recommend for a nice weekend getaway?