13 Areas to Avoid in San Diego, CA [TOURIST SAFETY GUIDE]

As a previous visitor to San Diego over the years, I’ve gotten to know the city pretty well. While much of San Diego is beautiful and safe, there are certain areas to avoid in San Diego that tourists and residents alike should exercise caution in. When visiting a new place, it’s always wise to do your research ahead of time to know which neighborhoods to avoid, especially at night. In this article, I’ll share my insider knowledge on the areas to steer clear of when visiting San Diego based on safety concerns and other issues.

San Diego is one of my favorite cities to visit in California with its sunny beaches, incredible burritos, and lively downtown. However, San Diego does have its share of sketchy areas that are best avoided, particularly at night. As a tourist exploring a new city, you always want to be aware of your surroundings and avoid putting yourself in risky situations. Through my own experiences and tips from locals, I’ve compiled this list of the top areas to avoid in San Diego. Consider this your guide on how to stay safe and maximize your enjoyment during your San Diego travels.

See Also: 

• Things to do in San Diego
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1. San Ysidro

San Ysidro, located right near the Mexico border, has the unfortunate reputation of being one of the more dangerous areas in San Diego due to issues with gangs, drugs, and crime. The San Ysidro Port of Entry into Tijuana is here, and there is a constant flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic between the two cities. This unfortunately also leads to smuggling and other illegal activities taking place. There have been issues with violent crimes in the past, and gang activity is a problem, especially at night. Unless you have a specific reason to visit, it’s best to avoid San Ysidro, especially after dark.

2. Palm City

Palm City, a neighborhood in southeastern San Diego, is another area plagued by gang violence and a high crime rate. Gang shootings have occurred here, even in broad daylight. Robberies and drug dealing are also common issues throughout Palm City. It’s simply not an area I would recommend wandering into as a visitor unfamiliar with the city. If you’re staying downtown, just be sure to avoid venturing too far southeast. While not all of Southeast San Diego is dangerous, Palm City specifically has crime levels you’ll want to steer clear of.

3. Memorial

The Mt. Hope and Mountain View neighborhoods of southeastern San Diego are collectively referred to as Memorial. This area has struggled with poverty and lacks adequate city resources. Gangs have taken advantage of this situation, and skirmishes often break out between rival groups. Memorial has one of the highest crime rates in San Diego, from violent assaults to property crimes. Carjackings have also been reported here. As a visitor, I’d avoid the entire Memorial area, especially after dark. It’s simply not worth the risk.

4. Oak Park

Located southeast of downtown San Diego, Oak Park has developed a reputation for gang violence, shootings, and drug dealing. The area has lower-income residents but lacks many basic amenities and resources. Crime tends to center around apartment complexes and low-income housing units, where gang activity proliferates. As a tourist, you should be particularly alert when near the Federal Boulevard corridor. Avoid walking alone here, even during the daytime. Oak Park overall is an area I’d recommend avoiding in San Diego for safety reasons.

5. Mount Hope

Mount Hope is one of the two neighborhoods comprising Memorial in southeastern San Diego. Gang violence and shootings frequently occur in Mount Hope, which has limited local resources for residents. Rates of violent crime, robberies, and assaults are very high. Drug dealing is also an issue, as are car break-ins and vandalism. Mount Hope has too many safety concerns for visitors, so it’s an area best avoided altogether, especially at night or when alone. Just take Uber straight to where you need to go here without wandering.

6. Midtown District

San Diego’s Midtown District, east of downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter, contains a mix of residents and businesses. However, it has seen an uptick in homelessness and drug dealing activity. Petty theft and vandalism have also become issues. While not inherently dangerous, Midtown’s streets can feel deserted at night, making you vulnerable. Given its proximity to highly touristed areas, it’s best to just walk briskly through Midtown to your destination and remain alert to your surroundings. This helps prevent any safety issues.

7. Mission Valley

San Diego’s Mission Valley has a commercial center with shopping malls, hotels, and tourist amenities along Hotel Circle. However, areas along the San Diego River here feel isolated. Homelessness is rampant along the river, and muggings or assaults have occurred on the bike paths and bridges, especially at night. While Mission Valley’s main corridors are fine, avoid the river areas after dark. Getting lost down there puts you in a vulnerable position, so just stick to the well-lit hotel and shopping zones if out at night.

8. Mountain View

The second neighborhood comprising Memorial in southeast San Diego, Mountain View is plagued by gang violence, shootings, and extremely high crime rates just like its neighbor Mount Hope. Mountain View suffers from poverty and a lack of local resources, allowing gangs to take control of the streets. Visitors should avoid this neighborhood due to the prevalence of drug dealing, assaults, robberies, and vandalism. Mountain View’s crime problems simply make it too risky an area, especially at night or if you stand out as an outsider.

9. Kearny Mesa

Kearny Mesa is a large commercial and industrial neighborhood in central San Diego with residential areas on its eastern side. While most of Kearny Mesa is safe, its eastern streets and Canyon Hills neighborhood have seen issues with gang activity and crime. Shootings have occurred here, often tied to gang conflicts. Theft, burglary, and robbery are also concerns, especially from motels. Avoid motels on Kearny Mesa’s eastern side and stick to safer hotel options elsewhere. Also, be alert when driving through late at night.

10. East Village

Downtown San Diego’s East Village contains warehouses converted to trendy lofts and a Petco Park baseball stadium. However, it borders directly on several unsafe areas. East Village has issues with homeless encampments and ensuing drug use and mental illness. Petty theft is common, as are public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Always walk in groups here and avoid outward displays of wealth that attract thieves. The streets empty out quickly at night, so take Ubers directly to your destination after dark.

11. Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park is a residential neighborhood southeast of downtown with high rates of poverty and inadequate city resources. This vacuum allows gangs and criminal activity to take root. Friends have reported muggings, assaults, and intimidation from local gangs in Lincoln Park. Drug dealing and addiction are also issues, even in public parks. Lincoln Park’s high violent crime rates make it an unsafe area I’d advise tourists to avoid, especially after dark or if alone. Just find lodging and dining elsewhere.

12. Skyline

San Diego’s Skyline neighborhood has faced declining infrastructure and a lack of community resources. Gang violence and shootings have resulted, especially around the major apartment complexes here. Muggings and robberies frequently occur at bus stops and on neighborhood streets, even during daylight. Visitors should especially beware of walking alone in Skyline during the nighttime hours. It’s best to just avoid the neighborhood altogether and find a safer place to stay in San Diego.

13. Encanto

Encanto is a southern neighborhood of San Diego bordering the unsteady areas of Skyline and Lincoln Park. Encanto itself seems nice on the surface but has issues with property crimes like car break-ins and home burglaries. Petty theft and vandalism are also problems. While likely safer during the day, I’d advise against staying overnight in Encanto to avoid any vulnerability. The nearby riskier communities make Encanto too iffy for visitors unfamiliar with San Diego overall.

Conclusion

While San Diego has so much to offer as a vacation destination, it’s important to research ahead of time and know which areas present safety concerns. As a repeat visitor, I strongly recommend tourists avoid neighborhoods like San Ysidro, Palm City, Memorial, Oak Park, Kearny Mesa east, parts of Mission Valley, East Village, Lincoln Park, Skyline, and Encanto. These areas have high rates of gang violence, crime, homelessness, drug activity, and other risky conditions. By sticking to the well-traveled tourist zones and being smart about transportation, you can have a safe, enjoyable trip to San Diego. Just remain alert, especially at night, and be sensible about which neighborhoods you wander into. With some street smarts, you can avoid problem areas and focus on all the fun and beauty San Diego has to offer.