Is San Diego Safe? (Honest Local Advice)

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Receiving an average of 35.1 million visitors a year, San Diego is one of the United States’ top travel destinations. And for those of us lucky enough to call the city home, we live in the 26th happiest city in the country. 

And with its gorgeous coastline, lively nightlife, awesome sights, and rich culture there’s no wonder why. But for both tourists and residents alike, the question of safety and security may still remain. 

So is San Deigo safe for travel? 

So let’s dive into the facts and stats to make sure your time in America’s Finest City is awesome and safe!

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Is San Diego Safe?

San Diego, California is one of the safest cities of its size in the United States. However, as with any large city, people should be cautious of areas of higher crime rates and take precautions, especially against the continued risks surrounding COVID-19. 

Whether you’re visiting San Diego or considering a permanent relocation, chances are your first question will be “is San Diego safe?” 

Being a large city, San Diego has some inherent risks. However, a majority of the city’s neighborhoods are peaceful, so staying safe and sound is a simple matter of identifying the more dangerous areas and taking some safety precautions that I’ll outline for you here!

Things to Know About Safety in San Diego

Safe Neighborhoods and Areas in San Diego

San Diego’s safest neighborhoods, and some of the best areas to stay in San Diego for travelers, tend to be the quaint residential areas in North County:

• La Jolla – wealthy coastal area popular with tourists for its high-end hotels, restaurants, and many of the top things to do and see in San Diego
• Poway – suburban neighborhood in east county with lots of families; known for good schools
• Del Mar – suburban neighborhood on the coast with a quaint downtown area
• Encinitas – trendy neighborhood with both substantial downtown and residential areas 
• Carlsbad – north county town with a family-oriented, suburban feel 

The most dangerous neighborhoods tend to be southeast of San Diego’s city center and include:

• East Village – San Diego’s largest neighborhood, home to Petco Park and highrises; both violent crime and total crime are above the national averages.
• Marina – situated on San Diego Bay, warehouses are giving way to residential buildings. It has both more violent crimes and property crimes than other neighborhoods
• Kearney Mesa – east county neighborhood and a mostly industrial area that has 306% more crimes than the San Diego average.
• Little Italy – trendy Downtown neighborhood with some of the city’s most noteworthy bars and restaurants and also one of the highest crime rates in San Diego.
• Mission Valley – one of the more dangerous San Diego Neighborhoods with a greater number of crimes committed than in most other neighborhoods in the city.
• Downtown San Diego – being the city center and most populous area, Downtown San Diego crime rate is higher than in the smaller more residential towns.

The good news is that if you’re worried about safety but aren’t willing to compromise on an urban feel, San Diego’s a great option because it’s rated one of the safest cities of its size in the U.S. For more information on San Diego’s best neighborhoods and areas for visitors, check out my article on where to stay in San Diego. 

Covid-19 Safety in San Diego

Like any densely packed, metropolitan area, San Diego poses some risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. People tend to go without masks in outdoor areas. however, many businesses still recommend masks indoors, and the county requires masks in certain places.

According to the San Diego Union Tribune, as of November 2021, 84% of San Diego residents over the age of 5 have received their first vaccine dose and the infection rate has dropped since summer. Because the weather stays decent through winter and many of its attractions are outdoors, San Diego is a good option for visiting if COVID is a concern.

Crime in San Diego

Statistics indicate that San Diego’s crime rate is lower than the national average and is one of the safest large cities in the country. The most recent report from SANDAG describes San Diego as an overall low-risk city in terms of crime. 

The overall crime rate (including violent crime and property crime such as motor vehicle theft, burglary, larceny, and arson) in San Diego is 0.2357 (23.57 in 1,000),  and your chances of being a victim of violent crime are only 1 in 267  (Neighborhood Scout).

Common Scams in San Diego

Like all other large cities and tourist destinations, San Diego has its fair share of scams. But if you know what to look out for, these should be pretty easy to avoid. 

• 🚕 Taxi meters not running – if a taxi’s meter is defective or turned off, it could mean the driver will overcharge you.
• 💲 Someone bumping into or spilling something on you – if this happens, be wary of accepting help from them or anyone nearby, as it may be a ruse to pickpocket.
• 🏧 Lurking near ATMs – be aware of people standing close as you use an ATM as they may be trying to steal your bank information or recently-withdrawn cash.
• 🌐 Unprotected/unofficial WIFI networks – it’s possible these could be used to steal your online information, including banking data.
• 🏖️ Beach theft – if you leave your things unattended on the sand, there’s a chance someone will steal them. Another option is to get a portable safe, like this one. 

Hazardous Weather and Natural Disasters

California’s fires have put the state in the news often in recent years. Because of the lengthy droughts and dry foliage, fires start extremely easily and can spread uncontrollably so it’s important to follow the state’s strict guidelines. These include certain bonfire restrictions, a ban on fireworks, and taking extra care with cigarettes. You can find current fire reports here.

In addition to fires, California has infamous earthquakes periodically. There hasn’t been a super strong one in quite a while, but small ones do happen periodically. If you do experience an earthquake, it’s important not to panic. If you’re inside, take shelter under a table or desk, and if you’re outside, find an open area without buildings, trees, or streetlights that might fall.

Ocean and Beach Safety

San Diego’s beaches are some of the most beautiful in the country (see my guide on the best beaches in San Diego) and, along with the perfect weather, draw huge crowds each summer. And while enjoying the beach in America’s Finest City is a must, it’s always a good idea to be aware of ocean safety first.

Most beaches have lifeguards who can be relied upon if you get in a sticky situation or if an accident happens and you need medical attention. It’s best to avoid those situations, but just in case it’s a good idea to identify the closest lifeguard tower to you. 

Rip currents are a real danger in the ocean and can pull you out to sea if you get stuck in one. A rip current could be present if you notice a difference in water color, a break in the wave pattern, or debris moving away from the shore. If you get stuck in a rip, swim parallel to the shore until you’re safely out of it and can swim into safety.

Ocean wildlife is also worth being aware of. And before your mind jumps to sharks, I mostly mean much smaller and less toothy creatures, like jellyfish and stingrays. While jellyfish are tough to avoid if present, you can avoid a much more painful stingray encounter by shuffling your feet in the sand as you enter the water which will scare any rays off. 

5 Safety Tips for San Diego

Tip #1 – “Practice hiking safety” 

San Diego has some spectacular hiking trails worth checking out, but be aware of the associated risks including dehydration, heatstroke, and rattlesnakes. It’s also good practice to go with a hiking partner in case of an accident or injury.

Tip #2 – “Know how to avoid and escape rip currents” 

Rip currents are patches where the current flows away from the shore out to sea. These can be super dangerous to get stuck in because they can suck someone right out to open ocean and people can spend all of their energy fighting to swim back to shore and drown.

If you do get caught, above all else, don’t fight the current or panic. Follow these strategies for escaping rip currents.

Tip #3 – “Avoid walking alone at night” 

Like any place, it’s best not to walk around San Diego at night. This is when the risk of falling victim to an act of violent crime can go up, so it’s always recommendable to walk in pairs after nightfall or take a bus, train, or rideshare if you don’t have a vehicle.

Tip #4 – “Apply sunscreen and be aware of heatstroke” 

California is known for its perfect weather but the downside to consistent sunshine is sunburn. The sun is surprisingly strong here, even on cloudy days so be sure to apply your SPF. I also recommend taking care against heat stroke, especially in the hot dry weather during summer. 

Read up on the seasons and weather in the city in my guide on when to visit San Diego.

Tip #5 – “Be aware of strangers in bars” 

This tip applies in San Diego as it applies everywhere else in the world. It’s important when out at the bars to keep track of your drink and avoid leaving it sitting around unattended. I have had both male and female friends report having something slipped into their drinks in San Diego bars, though thankfully nothing else happened in either case.

👉 Read Next: Is California Safe?

FAQs About Safety in San Diego 

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Like most big cities, San Diego has its share of crime. However, I was born and raised in San Diego and have not once fallen victim to any myself. 

So hopefully following these guidelines you’ll be able to safely and confidently explore this amazing city! For some ideas take a look at the 47 best things to do in San Diego.