Yes, Waymo is running in San Diego. Its driverless cars opened to the public in September 2026, starting in certain neighborhoods, a month after the state Public Utilities Commission allowed passenger service (NBC 7). Waymo lists San Diego as "gradually adding riders," on the road 24 hours a day (Waymo Help).
How to ride
- Download the Waymo app and sign up (waymo.com/rides).
- San Diego is adding riders gradually, so you may wait for access. Skip the "invite code" posts: Waymo's own help page just says the city is gradually adding riders, and we found no official code.
- Set a pickup inside the map in the app. The app shows the fare before you book.
- The car comes to you with no one in the driver's seat.
Where it goes
Service started in certain San Diego neighborhoods and is expanding, so the map in the app is the only reliable answer for your street. From coastal North County, check it before you count on it; the Coaster is the dependable link to downtown.
The fight at City Hall
On September 14 the San Diego City Council voted 8-0 for a largely symbolic resolution, led by Sean Elo-Rivera and Marni von Wilpert, asking the Legislature and the Governor to give cities more say over robotaxis and to protect drivers' jobs. It backs the federal AV Emergency Response Coordination Act (H.R. 10033) and asks operators to cut empty-car circulation, follow noise rules, protect riders' data and keep charging hubs away from homes and schools. Public comment split nearly evenly: rideshare drivers for it, and riders with disabilities, including the president of the National Federation of the Blind's San Diego chapter, praising the service (NBC 7).
The new state law: SB 1246
- Remote drivers must be based in the U.S. and hold a U.S. driver's license.
- Companies must tell cities where their cars are and their status during system-wide failures, and provide local incident technicians.
- Companies can be fined if a car blocks first responders in an emergency for more than 30 minutes.
Senate Bill 1246, by Sen. Dave Cortese, signed by Gov. Newsom (TechCrunch).
The safety record
California makes self-driving companies report every collision to the DMV. The reports are searchable on UC Berkeley's autonomous vehicle crash dashboard, which the DMV links to.
For an older parent
No driver means no license needed, and some riders find it easier than rideshare. Every other way to get around: the getting-around ladder.
The package
Waymo starter: $29 flat. The Waymo app on your parent's phone and yours, checked against the service map, plus a practice booking together.
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Questions people ask
Is Waymo available in San Diego?
Yes. Waymo opened to the public in San Diego in September 2026, starting in certain neighborhoods, and lists the city as gradually adding riders. Cars run 24 hours a day.
How do I get a Waymo invite code in San Diego?
Waymo's help page lists San Diego as gradually adding riders through the Waymo app; we found no official invite code. Download the app and sign up.
Where does Waymo go in San Diego?
Service started in certain San Diego neighborhoods and is expanding. The map in the Waymo app shows whether your pickup and drop-off are covered.
How much does Waymo cost in San Diego?
The Waymo app shows the fare for your trip before you book.
How do you use the Waymo app?
Download the Waymo app, sign up, set a pickup and drop-off inside the service map, and check the fare before you book. The car arrives with no one in the driver's seat. In San Diego, Waymo is still adding riders gradually.
Is San Diego banning Waymo?
No. On September 14, 2026 the City Council passed a largely symbolic 8-0 resolution asking the State for more local control. A new state law, SB 1246, adds rules and fines for robotaxis that block first responders.
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