How to Schedule an In-Person Visit at San Diego County Jails: When to Call (and When Not To)

To book an in-person social visit, call the San Diego County Sheriff's central custody and visiting line at (619) 409-5000. You'll get a prompt to select the facility you need. This central number routes you to the correct jail's visiting and custody information, so you don't have to guess which direct line to dial.

You can schedule in-person social visits by phone Wednesday through Sunday. For most facilities, the reservation line is open roughly 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., which is helpful if you're trying to call before work or on a break. That said, hours can vary by facility. Treat that range as the typical window, not a guarantee for every location.

George Bailey Detention Facility is a good example of why it pays to double-check. Its reservation line doesn't open until 10:00 a.m. (closing at 6:00 p.m.), compared to the more common 6:30 a.m. start at other facilities. If you're not sure which schedule applies, ask when you get connected through the central line so you don't waste calls outside the window.

Plan on booking at least one day ahead. Same-day visits aren't allowed, so if you call hoping to visit later that afternoon, you'll need to pick a different date. Trying to lock in a weekend slot? Call early in the reservation window. Popular times fill up fast.

1. Call the central line during the reservation window: Use (619) 409-5000 on Wednesday through Sunday, and aim for the time window your facility uses (often 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.).
2. If you hit a busy signal or miss the day, try again within the open days/hours: Because reservations are taken Wednesday through Sunday, you usually have multiple chances to reach someone.
3. Confirm the facility’s exact hours when you connect: Some locations keep different reservation hours than the typical schedule, so verify before you plan your next callback.