PETERSEN’S PLAYBOOK — Travel Health, ER Insights & Smart Vacation Planning
San Diego Health Score: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Maybe the easiest place in the country to stay healthy on vacation — mild weather, beaches, and trails everywhere.
San Diego at a glance
San Diego is 70 miles of coast, near-perfect weather, and an outdoor culture to match — beaches, bays, and canyon trails.
Top 5 healthy things to do in San Diego
- Walk or bike the Mission Beach boardwalk
- Swim and surf the gentle breaks
- Balboa Park gardens and walking paths
- Sunset at Sunset Cliffs
- Kayak La Jolla’s sea caves
Best hikes in San Diego
- Easiest: Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve — short clifftop trails with ocean views.
- Most vigorous: Cowles Mountain in Mission Trails — the county high point, a steady climb best done early.
- Longest: The Mission Trails Regional Park loops — longer connected routes through chaparral; carry water.
Best golf in San Diego
Torrey Pines South (a US Open venue) and Coronado are the iconic public rounds — even in mild weather, hydrate and use sun protection.
Healthy eats
Fish tacos, fresh produce, and healthy cafes everywhere — eating clean is the default.
Common vacation health risks in San Diego
- Sunburn (the mild air hides it)
- Dehydration on trails
- Surf and ocean injuries
- Sprains and falls
- Stingray stings (shuffle your feet)
- Foodborne illness
- UTIs
Dr. Petersen’s take
“San Diego’s perfect weather fools people — it’s 72 and breezy, so they skip sunscreen and water, then we see the sunburn and dehydration. The sun is still strong; treat a beautiful day like any other beach day.”
— Dr. Erik Petersen, DO, board-certified emergency & internal medicine
Closest emergency rooms
For a true emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER. Scripps Mercy Hospital (4077 Fifth Ave) and UC San Diego Health (Hillcrest and La Jolla) are the major hospital ERs.
Closest urgent care & pharmacy
CVS and Walgreens are everywhere, some 24-hour; call ahead to confirm overnight pharmacy hours. (Hours and locations change — please call ahead to confirm.)
What to pack
- Prescription medications (original bottles + a list)
- EpiPen and rescue inhalers
- Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 30+) and a hat
- Electrolyte packets
- Anti-nausea and anti-diarrheal medication
- Basic first-aid and blister care
If you get sick in San Diego
If illness strikes on your San Diego trip, Vacation Medicine provides virtual urgent care from licensed physicians — right from your hotel or rental. We treat UTIs, sinus and skin infections, pink eye, nausea and diarrhea, allergies, dehydration, and medication-refill emergencies.
Call Vacation Medicine: 850-660-3112 — Seen in minutes. Followed for a week.
Book a Virtual Visit – $100 Flat Fee →
Local hidden gems
- Best stingray tip: shuffle your feet in the shallows
- Best sunset: the cliffs at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
More Healthy Traveler guides: guide · guide
