Best VPNs for San Diego

San Diego

San Diego is the eighth largest city in the US and the second largest in California. It has an estimated population of  1.4 million and the metro houses approximately 3.3 million. The area has great weather year round, a natural deep-water harbor, extensive beaches, and a long-standing relationship with the US Navy. There are many different reasons to visit the city, but you won’t want to use public WiFi without first connecting to a VPN. Let’s start by taking a look at our list of the best VPNs for San Diego.

RankVPN ServiceOur
Score
Server
Locations
Visit
1ExpressVPN9.8160Visit ExpressVPN
2NordVPN9.487Visit NordVPN
3Private Internet Access9.295Visit PIA
4CyberGhost9.0110Visit CyberGhost
5IPVanish8.873Visit IPVanish

Whether you are visiting the city for business or pleasure, there is a good chance you will be using the internet. Public WiFi is common in many establishments now, because it attracts business. Though that is great for the average user, it is also quite useful for criminals. That is the first reason that using a VPN is a good idea. By connecting to a VPN server, you create a secure and encrypted channel to the server of your choice. Instead of being vulnerable to online theft, it is much harder for thieves to get a hold of your sensitive data.

The next reason to use a VPN is to help you get around geo-restrictions. Though there are many examples of geo-blocks, a big one is the number of blackouts placed by sports teams. If you want to watch the Padres play online and are in San Diego, Major League Baseball will block you from seeing the game. Other blocks include streaming from specific regions. Companies, countries, and establishments often enforce those types of rules. All you have to do is connect to a server in another region or your home region and you will be all set.

Both of the reasons we just mentioned show you why you should use a VPN while in San Diego. That said, you may discover other reasons as well. From getting around blackouts and geo-restrictions to protecting your privacy in San Diego, using a VPN is important. Now that we have explained why, we’ll talk about what to look for.

What is the best VPN for San Diego?

Before we can answer that, we chose the following criteria to look for. Only then can we provide you with our list of the best VPNs San Diego:

  • Strong encryption to combat cybertheft
  • High-speed servers in the San Diego area
  • Solid network stability to minimize disconnects
  • Device support for multiple platforms including Amazon Firestick
  • Ability to get around blackouts and geo-restrictions
  • No logs policy

Now, onto the list of the best VPN services for San Diego:


1. Best VPN for San Diego: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN Devices

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If you are worried about having issues getting things set up on your favorite devices, ExpressVPN can put your mind at ease. Along with extensive video setup guides, they offer several other resources as well. Those include a troubleshooting section and a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section. You can send an email, file a support ticket, or speak with someone directly through the live chat feature available on their website as part of their 24/7 customer support. That will help ensure you get the best possible results and have a great user experience.

ExpressVPN US servers

One of the high-security features of ExpressVPN is the VPN kill switch. While it is not unique to the provider, it is certainly important. What that does is literally “kill” your internet connection while you are disconnected. While some people may not care for that feature, others realize that if their VPN connection drops, they are vulnerable to being identified online. ExpressVPN will make sure you are protected by shutting down your internet connection until you reconnect. Doing so will help you stay safe.

ExpressVPN is our top-rated VPN service of 2023. Regardless of your goals for using a VPN, ExpressVPN combines a robust network with privacy features to keep you protected. We commonly use it to protect our privacy while traveling and to access our favorite streaming services back home. While you can sign up for monthly access, we recommend you take advantage of this exclusive deal that gives you 3 extra months free when you sign up for a year. You can also get a full refund within 30 days if you’re not completely satisfied, so you can test their network with ExpressVPN’s money-back-guarantee.

Want to learn more? Read our full ExpressVPN review.

Pros:

  • Split tunneling on Windows and macOS
  • Browser extensions
  • Lightway protocol is fast
  • Large network with servers in 94 countries
  • Supports torrenting
  • No data or DNS leaks

Cons:

  • Above average prices
  • VPN app required for browser extensions
Visit ExpressVPN

2. Best VPN for San Diego: NordVPN

NordVPN devices

With over 5100 servers located in 59 countries, NordVPN has a massive network. That is an excellent thing if you are trying to make sure you get high speeds. Of course, encryption overhead can quickly slow down your connection. They have you covered no matter what you plan on doing while using it. NordVPN does well to offer you the best possible speeds so you can enjoy the positive benefits of connecting to a VPN.

NordVPN US servers

For all the sports fans out there, it can sometimes be challenging to watch your favorite event, match, or game. If you travel abroad, that can be a big problem. The solution to that, however, is to connect to a VPN server from NordVPN. To do so, all you have to do is choose the proper location. An example of that is if you have an ESPN account and are outside the US, connecting to an American VPN server would allow you to view it with no issues.

Want to learn more? Read our full NordVPN review.

Pros:

  • Supports torrenting
  • 6 simultaneous connections
  • Obfuscated servers
  • Supports NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP, PPTP
  • Unblocks Netflix and BBC iPlayer
  • Military grade encryption

Cons:

  • Occasional issues with a Windows app
  • Linux client lacks a GUI
Visit NordVPN

3. Best VPN for San Diego: PIA

Private Internet Access devices

Setting up your Private Internet Access account is easy to do. The company is a well-established brand and has been in the VPN community for a long time. Gone are the days when setting up a VPN was involved, and only a computer person could handle it easily. These days, if you need help setting up your connections or have questions, there are a few different options you have. Those include their knowledgebase, extensive guides, and even a 24/7 customer service team to help you in your time of need.

PIA US servers

If you like to stream content, there are times when you may get fed up with watching the same thing. Of course, connecting to a Private Internet Access VPN server will help you fight that. An example of that is the biggest streaming company in the world, Netflix. Whether you are traveling abroad or just want to access content from different libraries, all you have to do is connect to a VPN server in the area you want to see. You can say the same for other services like Amazon Prime Video as well.

Want to learn more? Read our full Private Internet Access review.

Pros:

  • DNS-based ad blocker
  • Thousands of servers in 83 countries
  • Verified no-logs policy
  • Works with BBC iPlayer
  • Connect up to 10 devices simultaneously
  • Offers dedicated IP addresses

Cons:

  • Does not unblock some streaming services
  • Takes skill to install PIA on routers
Visit Private Internet Access

4. Best VPN for San Diego: CyberGhost

CyberGhost devices

Some countries have streaming services that are specific to that country. For example, if you want to watch HBO Now outside the US, Hulu outside the US, Stan outside Australia, or others, you need to connect to a VPN server in that region. Of course, there are excellent streaming services all over the world. We do not feel that you should have to miss out on them, simply because of where you are. Fortunately, the way around that is to connect to a CyberGhost VPN server located in the area you want to see. Then, you should be able to enjoy your favorite streaming services no matter where they are.

CyberGhost US servers

If you enjoy streaming sports from a particular country or region, you may need to connect to a VPN like CyberGhost. For more than 80 years, sports fans have enjoyed watching sports on their TV. These days, however, you can also watch them on your favorite mobile device or computer. If you follow a sport that is not available in your region, you simply need to connect to a VPN server where it is. That way, you can stream it live instead of only seeing the highlights online.

Want to learn more? Read our full CyberGhost review.

Pros:

  • Based in Romania (outside 14 eyes)
  • Hosts 7,900+ servers in 91 countries
  • Similar UI across all VPN apps
  • Anonymous Bitcoin payments
  • Tech support available in different languages

Cons:

  • Limited payment options
  • Lacks local networking option
Visit CyberGhost

5. Best VPN for San Diego: IPVanish

IPVanish devices

No matter where you are from, you probably know that the US has some excellent streaming services. Whether it is an stand alone service like HBO Now, a package of channels like Sling TV, or others, you will miss out on them unless you connect to a VPN server. Luckily, IPVanish makes it easy. All you have to do is pick a server from the US if that is the region you wish to use. Then, log in with your credentials and you are all set.

IPVanish US servers

If you enjoy getting your games from streaming platforms like Steam, Origin, or others, there is an advantage in using IPVanish that you may not have realized. That is because games can be different prices, depending on where you are. By connecting to a VPN in a country where the price is lower and using one of the platform’s gift cards, you can get the game you want to play for a smaller amount than you would have paid usually. Then the only thing left to do is enjoy it.

Want to learn more? Read our full IPVanish review.

Pros:

  • They do not use virtual servers
  • No IP or DNS leaks
  • SOCKS5 proxy included
  • Kill switch for Windows, Mac and Android
  • Firestick app popular for Kodi

Cons:

  • Does not work with Hulu
  • VPN client UI isn’t updated often
Visit IPVanish
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