Travel Hacks and Tips For San Diego

Use baby powder or corn starch to remove sand from your hands and feet after visiting the beach. Just sprinkle on the powder, which removes all of the moisture so sand brushes off easily.

Put your cell phone in a small plastic sandwich bag before going to the beach to keep it dry and sand-free. Keep the bag in your beach bag or backpack.

To save money at hotels, shop at the nearest grocery or convenience store and buy water or snacks that are less expensive then when bought in hotel mini-bars and stores.

To save on general expenses, use Groupon and check the local ZIP code for your destination to receive discounted coupons for restaurants, activities and more.

Use an inexpensive mesh laundry bag to store beach toys. When you leave the beach, the sand just shakes out, and you don’t bring the sand to your car, home or hotel.

Pack children’s outfits – pants, shirt, underwear, socks, etc. – in individual gallon-sized zip-close plastic bags, so you aren’t digging around your suitcase for an outfit. If you have multiple children, write the child’s name on the outside of the bag so you know whose clothes are inside.

To avoid spillage, if you have small glass bottles you are transporting in luggage – perfume, hair product, alcohol, etc. – wrap them up in a child’s diapers to keep them from breaking. If they do break, the liquid will get absorbed in the diaper and create less of a mess.

Instead of folding, roll your clothes before putting them in the luggage. This will result in reduced wrinkles.

If traveling to San Diego during the summer months, remember to bring a sweater, sweatshirt or light jacket. Due to San Diego’s mild temperatures, low humidity and location along the water, early mornings and evenings can be a little chilly.

If you plan to travel south of the border to Mexico, which is 24 kilometers from downtown San Diego, bring your passport if you’re a U.S. citizen for reentry back into the county.  If you are from another country, you must carry a valid passport with a valid 1-94 or multiple entry visa or visa waiver to reenter California and the USA. Verify details with the Mexican Consulate before traveling.