Street Scams in San Diego, USA
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in San Diego — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Las Vegas, Miami, and Tulum.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
3
Street Scams Scams
10
Total in San Diego
How it works
On Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, and Coronado, vendors approach tourists and begin tying a bracelet onto a tourist's wrist without asking. Once on, they demand $20–$50 and become hostile if the tourist tries to return it or walks away, sometimes following the victim for a block or more.
How it works
Scammers approach tourists in Old Town San Diego, the Embarcadero, and near Balboa Park carrying clipboards and asking for signatures for a sympathetic cause. After signing, the scammer demands a cash donation. In some cases, an accomplice uses the distraction to pickpocket the tourist.
How it works
Near the USS Midway Museum, Cabrillo National Monument, and the Gaslamp Quarter, individuals dressed as characters or posing as photographers invite tourists to take photos, then demand $10–$20 per photo and become aggressive when refused. In some cases the scammer grabs the tourist's phone to take a better shot and threatens to not return it.
See all scams in San Diego
10 total warnings across all categories