As you make your descent into San Diego International Airport (SAN), you will notice the beckoning of the cool blue Pacific Ocean. Nearby attractions branch off in different directions, so you’ll need a rental car to maximize your time. San Diego is known for its exceptional beauty, and you’ll want to see as much as you can.

Key Facts

A short four miles from the airport, you can visit the popular San Diego Zoo, whose residents include adorable and cuddly panda bears. Right across the stunning San Diego-Coronado Bridge is the quaint Coronado Island with its bright, happy colors and beautifully designed hotels. You can spend the day at Coronado Beach soaking in the sun and enjoying the warm ocean breeze.

Approximately 20 minutes from downtown San Diego is La Jolla, a gathering of lovely boutiques and restaurants like Marine Room, which offer gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean. No wonder it’s called La Jolla, which means "the jewel" in Spanish. For more shopping, dining and nightlife, the Gaslamp Quarter has tons of shops, restaurants and nightclubs such as Fluxx.

Hints and Tips

Your flight time from New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to San Diego is almost five and a half hours. You can reserve a rental car using the reservation boards located by the baggage claim near Terminals 1 and 2. A shuttle can take you to the company of your choice.