DUI Checkpoints in San Diego, CA

CityLocationDate
El CajonDUI/DL Checkpoint in the 1000 block of North Second Street in El Cajon.Friday, August 22, 2025 – 8:00 PM to 2:00 AM
OceansideOceanside – DUI checkpoint at an undisclosed location.Friday, August 15, 2025 – 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Valley CenterValley Center – DUI checkpoint at Valley Center Rd & Cole Grade Rd.Friday, August 15, 2025 – 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM
EscondidoDUI Checkpoint at an undisclosed location in the city of Escondido, according to the Escondido Police Department.Friday, August 15, 2025 – 6 PM to 1 AM
OceansideOceanside – A DUI checkpoint will be operated by the Oceanside Police Department at a location that will not be disclosed in advance.Aug 1, 2025 | 6 PM – 2 AM
EscondidoSobriety/Driver’s License Checkpoint – Undisclosed location, Escondido, CAFriday, July 18, 2025 From 6 PM to 1 AM
CarlsbadDUI checkpoint will take place at an unannounced spot somewhere in San Diego, near Carlsbad.Saturday, July 12, 2025
El Cajon, CAA DUI checkpoint will be conducted in the 900 block of El Cajon Boulevard, a location selected due to its high rate of DUI arrests and alcohol-related crashes.June 13, 2025, | 8:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Chula VistaDUI roadblock in the 1100 block of Eastlake ParkwayFriday, June 13, 2025 From 6 PM to 11 PM
PowayDUI Block/ Checkpoint at 12700 block of Poway Road PowayFriday, May 23, From 8 PM to 2 AM
Chula VistaDUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint in the 600 block of Palomar Street in the City of Chula Vista.Saturday, April 19, 2025 From 6 PM to 2 AM (Easter Weekend)
EscondidoDUI Checkpoint at Decatur Way & Centre City PkwyFriday, April 18, 2025 From 6 PM to 1 AM
El CajonDUI checkpoint at 900 block of East Main Street.Thursday, March 20, 2025, From 8 PM to 2 AM
Lemon GroveDUI checkpoint near Broadway and Kempf Street in the City of Lemon Grove.Sunday, March 16, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM[St. Patrick's Day weekend.]

 

Table of Contents Show

About San Diego County, California

San Diego County is located in Southern California and is the second-most populous county in the state. It includes major cities and communities like San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, El Cajon, National City, Vista, and La Mesa. The region is known for its vibrant nightlife, coastal tourism, military presence, and year-round events. With heavily traveled highways like I-5, I-15, I-805, I-8, SR 163, and SR 94, the county experiences frequent DUI checkpoint activity throughout the year.

Local and state law enforcement agencies that conduct checkpoints include:

  • San Diego Police Department (SDPD)

  • California Highway Patrol – San Diego, El Cajon, Oceanside Divisions

  • San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

  • Chula Vista Police Department

  • Oceanside Police Department

  • Escondido Police Department

  • El Cajon Police Department

  • Carlsbad Police Department

  • National City Police Department

  • La Mesa Police Department

High-Risk DUI Checkpoint Locations in San Diego County

Law enforcement selects DUI checkpoint locations based on DUI crash statistics, prior arrest history, traffic volume, and nearby alcohol-serving establishments. Below are the most common DUI checkpoint zones in San Diego County, with well-known intersections and landmarks.

Pacific Highway – Midway District / Point Loma

Checkpoint Area:
Pacific Hwy between Barnett Ave and West Washington St
Also near Rosecrans St and the I-5 ramps

Nearby Landmarks:

  • San Diego International Airport

  • Pechanga Arena

  • Marine Corps Recruit Depot

  • Strip clubs and dive bars on Midway Dr

Why it’s targeted:
This area draws heavy late-night traffic from the airport, concerts at Pechanga Arena, and nightlife in the Midway corridor. The road connects with multiple freeways, making it a key route for impaired drivers returning home.

Agencies: SDPD, CHP, San Diego County Sheriff

University Avenue – North Park / City Heights

Checkpoint Area:
University Ave between 30th St and Fairmount Ave
Checkpoint staging often occurs near Swift Ave or Cherokee Ave

Nearby Landmarks:

  • North Park bar and restaurant district

  • Azalea Park

  • Historic Lafayette Hotel

  • Popular microbreweries

Why it’s targeted:
This area is densely packed with bars, breweries, and restaurants, with high foot and vehicle traffic. Law enforcement regularly sets checkpoints to intercept drivers leaving the entertainment corridor.

Agencies: SDPD

El Cajon Boulevard – Talmadge / College Area

Checkpoint Area:
El Cajon Blvd between 54th St and College Ave
Also near Rolando Blvd and Menlo Ave

Nearby Landmarks:

  • San Diego State University (SDSU)

  • Viejas Arena

  • The Blvd nightlife corridor

  • Boulevard 63 Apartments

Why it’s targeted:
A large student population combined with sports events and weekend parties makes this area a frequent checkpoint zone. Police often operate near the Rolando neighborhood and college housing areas.

Agencies: SDPD, CHP

Broadway – Downtown San Diego / Gaslamp Quarter

Checkpoint Area:
Broadway from Front St to Park Blvd
Most common near 5th Ave and Market St

Nearby Landmarks:

  • Gaslamp Quarter

  • Petco Park

  • Horton Plaza

  • San Diego Convention Center

Why it’s targeted:
Downtown San Diego is the county’s nightlife capital, especially during Padres games, Comic-Con, and weekend bar traffic. High visibility and easy staging make this area a prime checkpoint zone.

Agencies: SDPD

Mission Bay Drive – Pacific Beach / Mission Beach

Checkpoint Area:
Mission Bay Dr near Grand Ave and Garnet Ave
Common staging points near Ingraham St bridge and I-5

Nearby Landmarks:

  • Belmont Park

  • Catamaran Resort

  • Garnet Ave nightlife

  • Mission Bay Park

Why it’s targeted:
This coastal area attracts tourists and local partygoers, particularly on weekends and holidays. Multiple beach bars and short access to the freeway create a perfect storm for DUI-related activity.

Agencies: SDPD, CHP

East H Street – Chula Vista

Checkpoint Area:
East H St near Paseo Ranchero and Otay Lakes Rd
Also active near Southwestern College and Terra Nova Plaza

Nearby Landmarks:

  • Otay Ranch Town Center

  • Southwestern College

  • Terra Nova High School

  • Buffalo Wild Wings, Chili’s, and strip malls

Why it’s targeted:
The combination of college traffic, suburban nightlife, and shopping centers creates ideal conditions for checkpoint setups. Access to residential zones increases DUI detection likelihood.

Agencies: Chula Vista PD

Main Street – El Cajon

Checkpoint Area:
Main St between Magnolia Ave and Jamacha Rd
Near I-8 on/off ramps

Nearby Landmarks:

  • Parkway Plaza

  • Downtown El Cajon

  • Courthouse

  • Several nightclubs and taverns

Why it’s targeted:
A nightlife zone for East County residents, Main Street checkpoints often intercept drivers heading to or from bar clusters or major intersections with high crash rates.

Agencies: El Cajon PD, CHP

South Coast Highway – Oceanside

Checkpoint Area:
S Coast Hwy between Oceanside Blvd and Mission Ave
Often staged near Wisconsin Ave and Surfrider Way

Nearby Landmarks:

  • Oceanside Pier

  • Downtown Oceanside nightlife

  • Beach bars and taco shops

  • Train station

Why it’s targeted:
Oceanside is a beach town with weekend crowds, military nightlife from Camp Pendleton, and easy freeway access. Coastal nightlife traffic leads to frequent DUI stops here.

Agencies: Oceanside PD, CHP

Valley Parkway – Escondido

Checkpoint Area:
W Valley Pkwy near Escondido Blvd and 9th Ave
Also near Centre City Parkway

Nearby Landmarks:

  • Downtown Escondido

  • Grand Ave bar and restaurant corridor

  • Escondido City Hall

  • Community centers

Why it’s targeted:
This downtown zone has nightlife, events, and moderate weekend traffic. It’s also a connector to I-15, drawing enforcement from both city and state agencies.

Agencies: Escondido PD

Palm Avenue – Imperial Beach / South San Diego

Checkpoint Area:
Palm Ave near 9th St and the I-5 ramps
Commonly staged near the border of Nestor and Imperial Beach

Nearby Landmarks:

  • IB Pier

  • Silver Strand Blvd

  • Palm Promenade

  • 13 Point Brewing Co

Why it’s targeted:
As a South Bay beach area with growing nightlife, this zone has seen increased enforcement near freeway entrances and suburban shopping centers.

Agencies: SDPD, CHP

When Are DUI Checkpoints Conducted in San Diego County?

Checkpoint timing varies by season and local events but typically occurs:

  • Friday and Saturday nights: Between 8:30 PM and 2:00 AM

  • Holiday weekends: New Year’s, July 4th, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Eve

  • Major local events: Comic-Con, Padres games, San Diego Pride, Del Mar Races, Pacific BeachFest, Gaslamp Halloween

  • Summer season: Especially along coastal areas like Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, and Mission Beach

California law requires law enforcement to publicly announce DUI checkpoints in advance. The San Diego Police Department, CHP, and other local agencies release information via press releases, often 24–72 hours before operations begin.