Touring San Diego
How to get around, from the Airport to the Trolley
An article on visiting San Diego, with instructions on how to proceed from the airport, and a guide to the San Diego trolley system.
Great cities have much in common: art, history, shopping, dining and great difficulty in arriving and moving about. Enter San Diego, which has everything anyone could want to in metropolitan vacation spot, but is convenient to get to and easy to traverse. You can find everything you want, and reach your destination in comfort with time to enjoy the pleasures that await you.
Arriving in San Diego by Air
San Diego is blessed with a wonderful climate and a spectacular location on San Diego Bay. Arriving at the city is made easy by the convenient placement of San Diego International Airport. The airport is a few miles from Downtown along Harbor Drive. Flying into the city from the East, the plane swoops down over mountains, and comes in low over the city proper, landing next to the Bay. Downtown is just a short cab or limo ride away. In 2007, the ride will cost you $10-15. The cab is a slightly higher cost, but faster, as the limo will wait to be filled, and stops at multiple hotels in the Downtown area.
Riding the San Diego Trolley
San Diego has many exciting places to visit. One of the most economical ways to see the city is by the Metropolitan Transit System, or MTS. The MTS operates buses and the San Diego Trolley, which runs on three lines, Green, Orange and Blue. The Orange Line covers Downtown, including the convention center, Seaport Village and the Gaslamp Quarter. The Orange Trolley extends to the cities of Lemon Grove and El Cajon to Gillespie Field. As this route does traverse some rundown areas, you should be aware of your surroundings and make sure of your safety when you exit. The trains themselves are patrolled by uniformed guards.
The Blue Line starts in Old Town, cuts through Downtown and the Gaslamp Quarter, and proceeds to San Ysidro, the connection to Tijuana, which is a short bus ride away. Passing south of Downtown, there are great views of the Coronado Bay Bridge and shipbuilding along the Naval Base, but most of the trip is along the freeway, with views of trailer parks.
The Green Line is most scenic, running from Santee to Old Town. The ride is a tourist attraction in itself, with great views of the mountains east of the city, rivers and Qualcomm Stadium.
San Diego Trolley Information
As the trains often share the same track, care is needed to avoid boarding the wrong train. Also, doors do not open at every stop. You need to push a button on the train to enter and exit. The trolleys are inexpensive compared to taxis and parking. For 2007, all-day passes are available for $5 for one day, with further discounts for multiple days. The passes are also good for bus service throughout the area. Tickets are required, and although they are not checked at every stop, riding without a ticket can result in a court citation.
San Diego has a great deal to offer. Seeing San Diego as the locals do, on the Trolley, is a great way to experience the flavor of this exciting and colorful city by the Bay.
