Travel Tips
Before Traveling to San Diego
Decide whether you want to spend a night or two in San Diego in order to sightsee and/or to recover from jet lag. Book a hotel/motel near the Old Town Transit Center. Below are some recommendations (We receive NO compensation!)
Cosmopolitan Hotel (.2 mi/4 min walk to/from Old town Transit Center)
Old Town Inn (.3 mi/6 min walk to/from Old Town Transit Center)
Comfort Inn - Sea World Area (.7 mi/16 min walk to/from Old Town Transit Center)
E-Z 8 Motel Old Town (.4 mi/9 min walk to/from Old Town Transit Center)
Courtyard by Marriott Old Town in San Diego, California - ReservationCounter.com (.4 mi/10 min walk to/from Old Town Transit Center)
Research what you are allowed to have in your pack as a carry-on
For items that you can’t, or rather not carry with you (i.e., knife, lighter, fuel, trekking poles, tent stakes), pre-order them from REI for Curbside Pickup
Make a shopping list, and mail ahead your supplies for your first week on the trail. *The Campo Green Store will also accept resupply packages for those arriving “after hours” and/or on weekends.
Consider mailing your second week resupply to the Warner Springs Post Office as well.
If traveling from out of country, make sure that your credit card will work in the US. Your bank and/or credit card provider can help you with that.
If traveling from out of country, and you plan on using your phone for communication and/or navigation be sure to have an “unlocked” phone that takes SIM cards. AT&T and T-Mobile have SIM cards for purchase once you get to San Diego, with monthly plans for the duration of your hike. As a side note, Verizon seems to have “better coverage” for the entirety of the trail. However, AT&T appears to be the better coverage option (over T-Mobile, at the moment), if all you need to do is swap out a SIM card.
Notify credit card/ bank of your travel plans
Book your seat on the PCT Southern Terminus Shuttle
Once in San Diego
If arriving from the San Diego International Airport, go to the San Diego Flyer pick-up and board the free shuttle to the Old Town Transit Center.
If traveling from out of country, be sure to pick up a cell phone or SIM card that will work in the US.
Exchange foreign currency for US currency. (This can also be done before your arrival)
Check out the following attractions: