Table of Contents
Local Summer
Refers to the time after Labor Day, when tourists finally go home, beaches empty out, and locals reclaim their city. September and October are actually some of the best beach months, with warm water and smaller crowds.
El Niño / La Niña
San Diegans are obsessed with these weather patterns. El Niño means warmer, wetter winters, while La Niña brings drier conditions. Expect to hear endless speculation about whether we’re in an El Niño or La Niña year.
The Del
Short for Hotel del Coronado, one of San Diego’s most iconic landmarks. If someone says, “Let’s grab drinks at The Del,” get ready for pricey cocktails with an ocean view.
“The 5″ / “The 8” / “The 805”
Unlike most places that just say “I-5” or “Highway 8,” San Diegans throw a “the” in front of freeway names. If you’re heading downtown, you’ll take the 5 south, not just “5 south.”
Cali Burrito
A San Diego staple. This isn’t just any burrito—it’s stuffed with carne asada, cheese, guacamole, salsa, and (most importantly) French fries. If you’re at a taco shop and don’t order a Cali burrito at least once, are you even in San Diego?
June Gloom” / “May Gray” / “No-Sky July
San Diego’s weather isn’t always sunny—shocking, right? Locals use these phrases to describe the overcast marine layer that dominates early summer mornings. Don’t worry, though—by midday, the sun usually wins.
Locals Only
If you see “Locals Only” scrawled on a surfboard or a beachside fence, take it as a not-so-subtle warning. Some of San Diego’s surf spots—like Blacks Beach or Windansea—are known for their fiercely territorial locals who aren’t too keen on out-of-towners crowding their waves. It’s mostly just surfer culture bravado, but, uh… maybe don’t drop in on someone’s wave if you don’t want to test it.
Green Flash
No, it’s not a superhero—it’s a rare optical phenomenon that happens at sunset when the conditions are just right. If you’re watching the sun dip below the horizon at Sunset Cliffs or Pacific Beach, you might catch a quick green flash for a split second. It’s kind of a rite of passage for San Diegans to claim they’ve seen one, even if they haven’t.
Yeah No For Sure
A classic piece of San Diego speak, this phrase somehow manages to mean both yes and no at the same time. Here’s how it works:
- “Yeah no” = Definitely no.
- “No yeah” = Absolutely yes.
- “Yeah no for sure” = I hear you, and I agree, but maybe with a hint of hesitation.
Stingray Shuffle
If you’re wading in the water at Mission Bay or La Jolla Shores, you better do the stingray shuffle—aka shuffling your feet in the sand to scare off stingrays before they sting you.
Sunshine Tax
That extra cost of living in San Diego? Yeah, locals call it the “sunshine tax.” It’s not an actual tax, but we all know we’re paying a premium just to live in perfect weather year-round.
Animal Style
While not strictly San Diego slang, ordering a Double-Double Animal Style at In-N-Out is second nature to locals. It means a double cheeseburger with grilled onions, pickles, and extra sauce—and if you’re in SD, you probably have one in your hands after a beach day.
Zonie
A local nickname for Arizonans who flood San Diego every summer to escape the scorching desert heat. You can spot a Zonie by their sunburns, ASU stickers, and total confusion about how parking works at the beach. Locals have a love-hate relationship with them—love their tourism money, hate their driving.
Potato Chip Rock
A famous, thin rock formation near the summit of Mount Woodson that looks like a potato chip jutting out over the edge of a cliff. It’s a rite of passage for hikers (and Instagram influencers) to wait in line for the iconic “hanging off the edge” photo. Just don’t expect an easy walk—this hike is a leg burner.
