The Ultimate Guide to Sober Living in San Diego

Situated right next to the Mexican border and the Pacific Ocean, San Diego is the second-largest city in California. Its mild climate and stunning beaches make it a great place to get sober. San Diego has a population of 1.38 million people. In terms of demographics, while San Diego is almost 58% white, it contains a wide variety of ethnic groups. 30% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, partly because the city is located close to Mexico.
While the average household income of $46,460 is about average for the state, San Diego contains a relatively high number of homeless people, containing the third largest homeless population in the United States.
The city is located only a short distance from Chula Vista, Tijuana, Ensenada, Santa Ana, Riverside, and Anaheim. Popular destinations for visitors include Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, and San Diego’s surf beaches!
San Diego, the first place on the West Coast settled by Europeans, is now a bustling hub for the biotechnology industry, military activities, manufacturing, and tourism.
Fortunately, San Diego has a wide variety of resources for people who are trying to get sober, including sober living homes.
Check out our welcome video to learn more about life at Design for Recovery, a sober living community based just two hours north of San Diego in beautiful Los Angeles, California. Begin your new sober life with us and learn the skills you need to thrive.
Substance Abuse Statistics in San Diego
Sober Living Homes in San Diego
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Join us at Design for Recovery sober living homes in Los Angeles, California.
What San Diego Sober Living Homes Offer
Many sober living homes in San Diego also offer specific outside resources conducive to staying sober, such as:
- Counseling
- Support groups
- Medication monitoring assistance and support in finding work
- Returning to school
- Repairing relationships
It is not just a place to sleep for sober people, but a chance to continue strengthening one’s foundation of sobriety and prepare for the challenges of a sober life.
Many people enroll in sober living homes after graduating from an inpatient or outpatient treatment program as part of an aftercare plan for maintaining sobriety. However, they can also benefit patients who are getting drug and alcohol treatment during the day at an outpatient or intensive outpatient treatment program.
Sober living in San Diego also includes many structured sober living houses, which offer more regulated schedules and resources for recovery. These programs can be useful for individuals who have opted not to include an outpatient program as part of their recovery.
The Sober Living Community in San Diego

SMART Recovery Program in San Diego, California
When researching and selecting a sober living home, it is important to look out for a number of qualities. Including:
Sober Living Network in San Diego
San Diego and its surrounding areas are also home to various recovery options for people who hope to get more intensive care for their substance abuse problems. Rehabs, sober living homes, recovery homes, and halfway houses in San Diego provide individuals with safe spaces and resources that allow them to focus all of their energy on getting sober and remaining abstinent.
Inpatient treatment centers and sober living in San Diego allow individuals battling an addiction to take up full-time residency with other sober people working to develop a new way of living. This helps provide them with an environment conducive to removing from addiction.
Outpatient programs offer flexibility to individuals with work, school, or family commitments that prevent them from committing to a residential program. These services allow people to receive counseling, build a sober social support network, and learn accountability and new coping techniques.
San Diego offers a unique advantage for those seeking sobriety, as it not only has a wide variety of treatment centers to choose from, but it also provides a supportive and exciting environment to embark on the journey to recovery.
Sober Fun in San Diego

However, sober fun is readily available for people taking advantage of the 12-step groups and treatment centers in and around San Diego. Inviting sober friends can make an activity that was previously unthinkable without alcohol into an exciting and laugh-filled experience that you’ll remember afterward.
Fun Things to Do Sober in San Diego include:
Balboa Park – If you’re interested in a day trip, this 1400-acre park is home to beautiful gardens, scenery, museums, and more.
SeaWorld – While made somewhat controversial by the documentary Blackfish, SeaWorld remains a major attraction for visitors interested in seeing marine mammals perform.
Gaslamp Quarter – This historical district is now a thriving and trendy area for shopping, art galleries, and luxury hotels.
San Diego Zoo – This enormous cageless zoo is the most visited in the United States and is famous for successfully breeding a giant panda.
Point Loma – For lovers of natural landscapes, Point Loma offers an incredible view of both the Pacific Ocean and the city of San Diego itself.
San Diego Museum of Art – The San Diego Museum of Art contains art from around the globe and is known in particular for its Spanish art collection.
Do Sober Living Houses in San Diego Allow Pets?
Co-Ed Sober Living House in San Diego
Sober living homes in San Diego provide various living arrangements. Some sober livings are single-gendered, while others are co-ed. Co-ed sober living homes in San Diego offer residents a range of advantages, including the following:
- Developing communication skills with both genders
- Gaining new perspectives as you navigate your newly discovered sobriety
- Establishing relationships with the opposite gender as “siblings,” who can provide companionship and possibly serve as mentors
- Developing the ability to stay committed to your recovery despite the temptation to connect with a peer romantically
To allow residents to concentrate completely on their ongoing recovery, romantic connections between residents are not permitted in most co-ed sober living houses. Instead, familial-style ties can arise, especially when a mix of age groups exists. These connections can offer unique viewpoints useful for therapy and problems in recovery.
Why Choose Sober Living Home in San Diego, CA
Some of the country’s most stunning beaches, such as Coronado and La Jolla, can be found in the city. There are several other beaches to discover along the 70 miles of shoreline. Whether surfing or reading a book under the sun, you’ll be able to enjoy your day at the remote sandy stretch.
You can also enjoy San Diego’s fantastic weather all year round. It never gets too hot or cold because the average temperature throughout the year is 70˚. For this reason, exploring the city’s beauty is comfortable and convenient.
In the late 1700s, the first mission and fort were built at San Diego by the first settlers from Mexico and Spain. Almost 100 years after that, the city became part of the United States, and California was given statehood. These facts make San Diego the birthplace of California and account for the city’s numerous historic structures and landmarks. To witness several historic buildings that contribute to telling the tale of San Diego’s beautiful past, visit Balboa Park and the Gaslamp Quarter.
Furthermore, living sober in San Diego offers a safe, structured, and supportive community that helps individuals transition from rehab to recovery. This helps individuals defeat their old habits, learn accountability and responsibility, and make lifestyle changes that benefit their early recovery and overall well-being.
Additionally, sober living homes in San Diego allow residents to meet others in a similar situation, allowing them to create a strong support system. Through a sober living environment, they will acquire the necessary life skills to sustain themselves in moving forward to a new life. These facilities guide residents every step, from recovery to education and employment.
Sober living homes in San Diego are well-equipped with trained staff and house managers who will help you readjust to real-world situations and support you in achieving long-term sobriety and transitioning into society back again. Whether you’re an alcoholic, drug addict, or prescription drug addict, you can be sure to find a sober living environment that will support you as you start your new life sober.
Qualities of San Diego Sober Living Houses
When researching and selecting a sober living home, it is important to look out for several qualities, including:
Finding The Right Sober Living in San Diego
There are many resources available for individuals seeking sober living in San Diego. Caseworkers can provide sober living home recommendations for people graduating from treatment programs as part of an aftercare plan. If you’re not affiliated with a treatment center but attend 12-step meetings, members of your fellowship can also often provide recommendations.
Clients doing solitary research can consult the website of The Sober Living Network. The website sets quality standards for sober living apartments and houses throughout the United States. Facilities that meet their criteria can become members of The Sober Living Coalition. The approved recovery residence is safe, well-managed, and ethical. You can use The Sober Living Network’s free search tools to research sober living in San Diego.
Design for Recovery Service Programs
We offer many services to aid people along their paths to recovery, including:
- One-on-One Mentoring
- Unity House Meetings
- Medication Monitoring
- Employment Support
- Money Management
- Family Outreach
Break Free from Addiction: Experience True Recovery at Design for Recovery in Los Angeles
If you have struggled with unsuccessful attempts to overcome addiction in San Diego, we invite you to find renewed hope at Design for Recovery in Los Angeles. Our renowned sober living home offers a safe, supportive community and a structured program rooted in the transformative power of the 12 steps. We understand that seeking treatment outside your familiar surroundings may be a difficult decision, but our convenient location and proven track record of helping individuals reclaim their lives make Design for Recovery the clear choice for those eager to find newfound freedom and happiness. Contact us today to learn more about our history, core values, daily sober activities, and testimonials from residents. Let us guide you toward a brighter future.
Sober Living Homes near San Diego, California
Located in the heart of Southern California, our sober living facilities are centrally located near the beach, downtown, and LAX airport. We provide a safe and comfortable base for young men to involve themselves in the community and to thrive as new and growing individuals.
Check out our welcome video to learn more about life at Design for Recovery, a sober living community based just two hours north of San Diego in beautiful Los Angeles, California. Begin your new sober life with us and learn the skills you need to thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions on Sober Living San Diego
Sober living is a great way to transition from inpatient care to independent living post-treatment. It reinforces the lessons learned in rehab while providing social support and helping prepare for the daily challenges of life.
The cost of sober living varies depending on the location, how much structure the program offers, and what benefits and amenities are available. For example, some sobriety houses include weekly drug testing, transportation to 12-Step meetings, and employment support—and these extra services come at a higher price than places that don’t offer them. But often it’s cheaper to live in a sobriety house than to go solo because rent is split among several people.
The average stay at a sober living house in San Diego varies based on the individual’s progress in recovery. Some residents may only need to stay for a few months, while others may choose to stay for a year or more to solidify their sobriety and transition to independent living successfully.
Sober living homes in San Diego can improve the chances of remaining abstinent following inpatient treatment. They provide social support for individuals with similar goals. They are safe and structured environments that nurture and prepare the individual for reentry into the real world. Some of the most important benefits that residents receive in sober living homes include:
- Constant guidance and support
- A strong sober social support system
- Improved life skills
- A smoother transition to independent living
- Lowered risk of relapse
- A safe, trigger-free space to pursue recovery
- Help to find employment
- Improved relationships with friends and family
Some homes have specific rules about pets, such as breed or size restrictions. Some studies show that pets can play a huge role in addiction recovery. Pets provide companionship, love, and support during this difficult time. While pets are not allowed in all sober living homes, many do allow pets.
Yes, sober living homes in San Diego provide the structure and support that residents need to get back on their feet and find a job.
Close family members are free to visit the sober living at any time, though it is recommended that they contact the house in advance to discuss their visit with the house manager.
Design For Recovery also organizes regular events during which family members are invited to congregate with house members.
Regulations around using cell phones vary considerably. At Design For Recovery, we limit cell phone access for residents in the early days of their recovery. This gives them the opportunity to focus on their present circumstances and the present moment, cultivate real relationships with fellow house members, and look inward.
A few things to expect at San Diego sober living:
- Sober livings help residents to develop healthy routines and habits that support their sobriety.
- Sober living homes promote independence. While residents are expected to follow rules and guidelines, they are also encouraged to take responsibility for their own sobriety and recovery.
- Sober living homes provide a safe and supportive environment. Residents can expect to feel safe and supported while they are in a sober living home.
Sober Living Near San Diego
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