Cost: Free

Wheelchair availability: Wheelchairs are available upon arrival for patients who need them to access the building.
 

The VA San Diego Healthcare System has three types of medical transportation services as follows:

• Veterans Transportation Service (VTS):  858-552-7572.  Call 2-10 business days in advance to schedule rides. Free of charge.  No rules of eligibility apply.  VTS serves San Diego area and surrounding communities as far south as Chula Vista and as far east at El Cajon.  VTS can transport Veterans able to walk as well as those that uses canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs and powered scooters.  Vans are equipped with hydraulic lifts.
• Special Mode Transportation:  858-552-7572 
  Specialized transportation for severely disabled Veterans.  Eligibility criteria apply.  For inquiries, call 858-552-7572.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV):  858-552-8585, ext. 57470.  Call two weeks in advance to schedule rides.  Free of charge.  No rules of eligibility apply.  DAV serves San Diego, El Centro, Oceanside and Escondido.  DAV can transport Veterans able to walk as well as those that use canes, crutches and walkers.  DAV vans are not equipped with hydraulic lifts and cannot transport Veterans in wheelchairs. 

Non-DAV van services

Many localities in the region provide other van services to Veterans.

Learn more about DAV and the other van services available in your county.

Community transportation resources

• Metropolitan Transit Service (MTS):  619-557-4555
• North County Lift Van:  760-966-6500
• F.A.C.T. Transportation:  1-888-924-3228
• Rides In Sight

Beneficiary travel

Beneficiary travel benefits include round-trip transportation from your home to the medical center, mileage reimbursement, or special mode transport.  Reimbursement of travel expenses related to appointments in the VA San Diego Healthcare System can be provided to Veterans meeting VA eligibility criteria.  To see if you qualify and for questions you may have, please call 858-552-7572.

Find out if you qualify for beneficiary travel benefits

Visit this page to help you get around the campus.

• Full VA San Diego campus map

For continued health and safety during COVID-19 pandemic, visitors (including minor children) are not permitted in our medical facilities. Everyone who does enter must have an appointment – including those coming for COVID-19 vaccinations – unless the patient requires a caregiver’s assistance during their appointment. 

***INPATIENT visitation is limited.  A Negative Covid-19 test (within 72 hours) or proof of full Covid-19 vaccination for ALL inpatient visitors are required.  ​​​​​Virtual visits are encouraged.***  

Safety measures at our facilities 

Your safety is important to us. The following measures have been implemented:

• All individuals must wear appropriate face masks while on our campuses and in our facilities; health care providers will wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
• A Negative Covid-19 test (within 72 hours) or proof of full Covid-19 vaccination for ALL inpatient visitors are required; virtual visits are encouraged.
• Minor children are not permitted in our medical facilities.
• Entry point screenings.
• Cleaning of high-touch surfaces in our facilities.
• Increased physical distancing in common areas like waiting rooms, canteen, and retail stores.

Virtual care options

San Diego Veterans can access care 24/7 through the Clinical Contact Center by calling 877-252-4866 to get their health questions or concerns answered from the comfort and convenience of their home. 

VA Video Connect allows patients to see their provider through a live video appointment.  For more information regarding VA Video Connect or other virtual care options, visit VA Mobile page or ask your healthcare team. To learn more, go to VA Connected Care web page.

Visitors are welcome to eat in the medical center Canteen, which is located on the first floor of the medical center.  We offer hot and cold entrees, beverages and desserts.  Vending machines are available for your convenience 24 hours a day.

Dining - Patriot cafe

Our Patriot Café is located on the first floor of the medical center inside the Canteen dinning area.  Visitors may select from a variety of pastries, beverages, healthy smoothies and natural ice cream.

Hours:
Monday - Friday (closed on Weekends and Holidays)
6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Patriot brew

Hours:
Monday - Friday (closed on Weekends and Holidays)
6:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Retail - Patriot store

We offer a full-service retail store with such products as electronics, cosmetics, toiletries, and clothing.  Items may be purchased tax-free.  The retail store is open to patients, staff, and caregivers, and is located on the first floor of the medical center.

Hours:
Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.  (closed on Holidays)
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 
Sunday, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Our chaplains help patients and family members through outpatient treatment, hospital stays, and extended care. If needed, they will contact your personal clergy or spiritual care provider in the community. Our chaplains are clinical pastoral care specialists who provide religious and non-religious people with services such as:

• Baptisms
• Bereavement (grief and loss) care
• Comfort and counseling
• Communion
• Funerals
• Weddings

Worship services

People of all faiths and traditions are invited to attend:

• Catholic:  Monday through Friday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. PT
• Protestant:  Sunday, 9:00 a.m. PT (2 South - Patients only)
• Other:  By special arrangement

Contact a chaplain

For more information, please call our chaplain at 858-642-3496.

Interfaith chapel

San Diego VA Medical Center
Main building 
First floor
Map of San Diego campus
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. PT

Learn more about Chaplain services at VA San Diego

The San Diego VA Medical Center is smoke-free. Smoking is prohibited anywhere indoors and near all entrances and exits. There are, however, two designated smoking areas on facility grounds. One is in the Rose Garden, across the circle from the Spinal Cord Injury Center and east entrance, and the other is located outside on the second floor, north wing. Look for signs marking designated smoking areas.