Located just north of the United States-Mexico border, San Ysidro is a residential district in the City of San Diego. It was named after a Spanish saint, Isidore the Laborer, who was known for his piety toward the poor. Around the turn of the 20th century, the area became home to one of the first communes in the country, the Little Landers, founded by the writer William Ellsworth Smythe.
Things to do in San Ysidro
Need some retail therapy? Head to Las Americas Premium Outlets, where you’ll find discount stores from big-name brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas and Nike. Once you’ve built up an appetite, you can feast at Wingman, the Pita Kitchen or the Famous Wok, followed by a sweet treat from La Crepe de Bretagne.
Nearby is the Cesar Chavez Recreation Center, which overlooks the sprawling green space of Larsen Field. In addition to baseball diamonds and soccer fields, there is a children’s playground and tables and benches for watching the world go by. Inside you’ll find basketball courts and activity rooms where workshops are regularly held.
San Ysidro makes an excellent base for exploring San Diego, with its bustling harbour and fascinating military heritage. Admire the Spanish Revival-style buildings that dot leafy Balboa Park before getting up close to animals from across the globe at the San Diego Zoo. No visit is complete without a stroll along the Embarcadero and a visit to the USS Midway, an aircraft carrier that has been transformed into a museum.
Getting around San Ysidro
San Ysidro is around 20 minutes’ drive from the centre of San Diego and 30 minutes from San Diego International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Trams connect to the Beyer Boulevard Trolley Station while buses travel throughout the city.