Travel Nurse Housing in San Diego, California: Complete Guide

San Diego offers travel nurses something few other healthcare markets can match: year-round perfect weather, stunning Pacific coastline, and a thriving hospital system. California’s second-largest city combines the appeal of a beach town with the infrastructure and opportunities of a major metropolitan area.

San Diego’s healthcare landscape includes several major systems including Scripps Health, Sharp HealthCare, UC San Diego Health, and Kaiser Permanente. The region’s large military presence also supports the Naval Medical Center San Diego and VA San Diego Healthcare System.

Whether you are heading to San Diego for your first travel nursing assignment or returning for another contract, this guide will help you navigate the housing market, understand what to expect from local costs, and find a neighborhood that fits your needs. San Diego has a lot to offer travel nurses, and a little planning goes a long way toward making your assignment a success.

Major Hospitals and Health Systems

San Diego is home to several major hospitals and health systems that consistently hire travel nurses across a wide range of specialties. Knowing which facilities are in the area helps you plan your housing search around commute times and gives you a sense of where demand is concentrated.

UC San Diego Health - Jacobs Medical Center — UCSD’s flagship hospital in La Jolla is a cutting-edge academic medical center with nationally ranked programs in cancer, cardiology, and neuroscience. Travel nurses benefit from advanced technology and a strong academic environment.

Scripps Mercy Hospital — The oldest hospital in San Diego, Scripps Mercy has campuses in Hillcrest and Chula Vista. It is a Level I trauma center known for high-volume emergency and critical care services.

Sharp Memorial Hospital — Located in the Kearny Mesa area, Sharp Memorial is one of San Diego’s largest hospitals with strong programs in cardiovascular care, transplant surgery, and rehabilitation.

Rady Children’s Hospital — The largest children’s hospital in California and the only Level I pediatric trauma center in the San Diego region. Pediatric travel nurses find exceptional experience and volumes here.

Naval Medical Center San Diego — One of the largest military medical facilities on the West Coast. Some travel nurse contracts are available through military staffing agencies for this facility in Balboa Park.

Travel nurse demand in San Diego is generally strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, telemetry, and pediatric specialties being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during summer months when the population swells with tourists and winter when travel nurses flock to the warm weather. If you are flexible on specialty or shift, you will have even more options to choose from in this market.

Best Neighborhoods for Travel Nurses

Choosing the right neighborhood is one of the most important decisions you will make during your San Diego assignment. Where you live affects your commute, your safety, your access to amenities, and ultimately your quality of life for the duration of your contract. Here are the top neighborhoods that travel nurses should consider when searching for housing in San Diego.

Hillcrest

A vibrant, walkable neighborhood near Balboa Park and Scripps Mercy Hospital. Hillcrest is known for its diverse community, excellent restaurants, and a more urban feel than most San Diego neighborhoods.

Pros: Walkable with excellent dining, close to Scripps Mercy and downtown hospitals, near Balboa Park, vibrant community atmosphere

Cons: Higher rents than suburban areas, parking is limited on main streets, noise from the lively restaurant and bar scene

Pacific Beach

PB is a classic San Diego beach community popular with young professionals and travel nurses who want to live near the ocean. It offers a laid-back vibe with boardwalk running, surfing, and beachfront dining.

Pros: Beach access and ocean views, active social scene, walkable along the boardwalk, quintessential San Diego lifestyle

Cons: Higher rents for ocean proximity, parking is extremely limited in summer, party atmosphere on weekends, farther from hospitals in the east county

North Park

An increasingly popular neighborhood known for its craft beer scene, independent restaurants, and diverse community. North Park offers a more affordable alternative to Hillcrest while maintaining walkability and character.

Pros: Excellent craft beer and dining scene, more affordable than Hillcrest and beach areas, walkable main streets, diverse and welcoming neighborhood

Cons: Limited parking, some blocks are noisier than others, bus commute needed for most hospital locations

La Jolla

An upscale coastal community north of the city center, La Jolla is home to UC San Diego Health and the Scripps institutions. The stunning ocean views and village atmosphere come at a premium price.

Pros: Beautiful coastal setting, walking distance to UCSD Medical Center, upscale dining and shopping, safe and clean

Cons: Expensive rents, limited nightlife, can feel isolated from the rest of San Diego, car needed for most errands outside the village

When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. San Diego is car-dependent despite a growing trolley system. The trolley connects downtown, Mission Valley, and the US-Mexico border but does not reach many hospital locations. Most travel nurses drive, and commute times vary significantly based on which freeway corridors you use during rush hour. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in San Diego through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.

Average Housing Costs

Housing costs in San Diego are above the national average. Here is a general overview of what you can expect to pay for rental housing in the area. Keep in mind that prices vary by neighborhood, season, and the specific amenities included with the unit.

• Studio apartment: $1,500 to $2,200 per month
• One-bedroom apartment: $1,800 to $2,700 per month
• Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $2,200 to $3,200 per month

San Diego’s rental market is competitive and expensive by national standards, though more affordable than Los Angeles or San Francisco. Furnished options near hospitals can go quickly, especially in popular beach and central neighborhoods. Start your search four to six weeks out and consider areas slightly inland for better value.

Many travel nurses in San Diego find their housing through Furnished Finder , which connects healthcare travelers with landlords who specifically offer furnished, short-term rentals designed for assignment-length stays. It is one of the most widely used housing platforms in the travel nursing industry and an excellent starting point for your search. You can also explore local Facebook groups, Craigslist, and extended-stay hotels to compare your options and find the best fit for your budget and preferences.

GSA Stipend Rate

The General Services Administration publishes per diem rates that many travel nursing agencies use as a baseline for calculating housing and meals and incidentals stipends. The GSA rate for the San Diego, CA area varies by time of year, with higher rates typically applying during peak travel seasons and lower rates during off-peak months.

It is essential to check the current GSA per diem rate for your specific assignment dates and location, as rates are updated annually each October and can change significantly from year to year. You can look up the exact rate on the GSA website or ask your recruiter for the figures they are using to calculate your pay package. Keep in mind that your actual stipend may differ from the published GSA rate depending on your agency’s internal pay structure and policies.

Understanding how your stipend fits into your total compensation is key to evaluating any travel nursing contract. For help breaking down the numbers, use our pay calculator to compare packages side by side and see your estimated take-home pay after taxes, stipends, and deductions.

Housing Tips for San Diego

Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to San Diego that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.

1. California taxes will impact your take-home pay — California has one of the highest state income tax rates in the country. Factor this into your pay package calculations and make sure the stipend and hourly rate account for the tax burden.

2. Traffic patterns matter — San Diego freeways, especially the I-5 and I-15, can be congested during rush hours. Try to choose housing on the same side of the city as your hospital to avoid cross-city freeway commutes.

3. Beach communities come at a premium — Living at the beach is a major draw of a San Diego assignment, but you will pay significantly more for rent in Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, or La Jolla compared to inland neighborhoods like Clairemont or Mira Mesa that are still just 15 to 20 minutes from the coast.

4. Bring your outdoor gear — San Diego’s climate is ideal for year-round outdoor activities. Bring running shoes, a bike, hiking gear, and a swimsuit. You will use them all, and staying active is one of the best ways to manage the stress of travel nursing.

For a comprehensive overview of the housing search process from start to finish, including how to spot scams and negotiate lease terms, check out our complete travel nurse housing guide. It covers everything you need to know regardless of which city you are heading to.

Cost of Living Overview

San Diego has a high cost of living driven primarily by housing costs. Groceries are about 10 to 15 percent above the national average. Gas follows California’s typically high prices. Dining out ranges from affordable taco shops to upscale waterfront restaurants. The combination of California income tax and high housing costs means travel nurses need to carefully evaluate pay packages to ensure the numbers work.

When budgeting for your San Diego assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Take advantage of San Diego’s incredible taco shops and Mexican food for affordable meals. Grocery Outlet, Aldi, and ethnic markets offer better prices than mainstream chains. Living slightly inland in neighborhoods like Clairemont or Mission Valley can save you several hundred dollars per month on rent while keeping you within 15 minutes of the beach. Tracking your spending during the first two weeks of your assignment will give you a realistic picture of your monthly costs and help you adjust your budget accordingly.

Things to Do on Days Off

One of the greatest perks of travel nursing is the opportunity to explore a new city on your days off. San Diego has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.

• Balboa Park — A 1,200-acre urban cultural park featuring 17 museums, the San Diego Zoo, beautiful gardens, and free organ concerts on Sunday afternoons. It is one of the best urban parks in the country.
• Beach Days — San Diego’s beaches are legendary. Surf at Pacific Beach, snorkel at La Jolla Cove, or simply relax on the sand at Coronado. The weather makes beach days possible nearly year-round.
• Hiking Torrey Pines — Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve offers stunning coastal hiking trails with ocean views that rival anywhere in California. It is a popular spot for travel nurses looking to decompress.
• Gaslamp Quarter — San Diego’s historic downtown entertainment district features blocks of restaurants, rooftop bars, and live music venues. It is the city’s nightlife hub and a fun destination on a night off.
• Day Trip to Mexico — The Mexican border is just 20 minutes from downtown San Diego. Take the trolley to San Ysidro and walk across to Tijuana for authentic Mexican food, shopping, and a different cultural experience.

Take full advantage of your time in San Diego. Exploring the local culture, trying restaurants you have never heard of, and visiting nearby attractions are what make travel nursing more than just a paycheck. Many travel nurses find that their days off are when they truly fall in love with a new city.

Final Thoughts

San Diego, California offers travel nurses year-round perfect weather, world-class beaches, a strong and diverse healthcare market, and an active outdoor lifestyle that makes off-duty time genuinely rejuvenating. With major systems like Scripps Health, Sharp HealthCare, and UC San Diego Health and a high cost of living, it is a market well worth considering whether you are a first-time traveler or a seasoned veteran looking for your next destination.

Start your housing search as early as possible, ideally four to six weeks before your assignment start date. The best furnished rentals tend to go quickly, especially in popular neighborhoods near major hospitals. Furnished Finder is an excellent resource for finding travel nurse housing in San Diego, and joining local travel nurse social media groups can give you insider tips and real-time availability updates.

For more resources on finding and securing great travel nurse housing anywhere in the country, explore our complete housing guide. And when you are comparing pay packages for San Diego assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.

We wish you the best on your San Diego assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.