Pediatric urgent care in San Diego

By the CPCMG Wiki editorial team · Published 31 October 2026 · Last updated 31 October 2026

Short answer: The AAP recommends contacting your pediatrician first; CPCMG lists appointment-only CPEC clinics at six sites^[1][3], and Rady Children’s lists pediatric urgent care at four open San Diego County locations^[7].

Where does the AAP say to start?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says urgent care can be useful in some situations but recommends contacting your pediatrician first whenever possible^[1]. It notes that many pediatric practices now offer nurse advice lines, on-call clinicians, extended hours, same-day sick visits or telemedicine, and that many concerns can be handled safely by phone^[1]. If the pediatrician cannot see the child but believes an exam is needed, the AAP says the office can advise where the child should be seen and how quickly^[1]. Its parent guide adds: “When in doubt, call your pediatrician’s office”^[2].

What does CPCMG offer outside regular hours?

CPCMG lists several options. CPEC clinics at six sites give appointment-only care for acutely ill patients, Monday to Thursday 5:30pm to 8:30pm and Sunday 8:30am to 12pm^[3]. Sick-visit appointments by phone run Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 8am to noon^[4]. Nurse Care Connect gives telephone advice from registered pediatric nurses Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm^[5], and a nurse triage line is reached through the pediatrician’s office phone options^[3]. CPCMG also lists video visits for select symptoms, including Children’s Virtual Care on weekends and holidays^[6]. CPCMG notes that some insurance policies do not cover extended care services^[3].

What pediatric urgent care does Rady Children’s list in San Diego County?

Rady Children’s Health says its hospital offers pediatric urgent care in neighborhoods around San Diego for children who need non-emergency medical attention^[7]. It lists four open locations, with a fifth, at Murrieta Medical Plaza, marked temporarily closed^[7]:

Rady says all open locations are open seven days a week including holidays: weekdays and holidays 4pm to 10pm, weekends 1pm to 10pm, and that a location closes early if it reaches maximum capacity before 10pm^[7]. Hours, capacity and closures change, so check Rady’s page or call before going. Rady says patients can walk in or schedule a same-day time slot in advance through MyChart, and that a patient must return 30 minutes before the assigned time for registration and triage^[7]. This wiki lists Rady only as a published example; it is not an endorsement, and Rady’s page does not say that CPCMG patients must use it.

What does Rady say urgent care is for?

Rady lists minor illnesses and injuries as appropriate: sprains, strains or deep bruises; minor lacerations; mild to moderate asthma attacks; ear infections; upper respiratory infections; coughs and congestion; vomiting and diarrhea; sore throats; and insect bites and rashes^[7]. It says urgent care is not a replacement for a primary care provider and does not provide adult care, well-child care, emergency care or major trauma care or treat complex orthopedic injuries^[7]. Rady also lists a Behavioral Health Urgent Care inside the Mid-City site, with walk-ins 1pm to 5:15pm Monday to Friday and a separate phone line, 858-966-5484^[7].

What does the AAP say about types of care?

The AAP describes urgent care centers as treating illnesses or injuries that are not life threatening but need prompt attention, often open evenings, weekends and holidays, sometimes with X-rays and basic tests^[1]. It says pediatric-specific urgent care centers are preferred when available because clinicians are more likely to be trained in caring for infants, children and adolescents, while many centers treat mostly adults and may have limited pediatric expertise^[1]. On cost it says urgent care may have higher co-pays than the medical home but is far less expensive than an emergency room, and that some freestanding emergency departments look like urgent care but bill as emergency care^[1]. It describes retail-based clinics as usually offering a narrow range of services and generally not equipped for acute or comprehensive care for children^[1]. For telemedicine it advises choosing a service with pediatric expertise, that can care for you in the state you are calling from, and that offers continuation of care^[1].

Is anything different for babies and toddlers?

Yes. The AAP says children under age 2 need special pediatric care because illness can change quickly and symptoms are harder to evaluate, and it does not recommend retail-based clinics, direct-to-consumer telehealth, or settings without pediatric expertise for them^[1]. For a baby or toddler needing same-day care, it says a pediatrician or a pediatric-focused urgent care or emergency department is usually the safest option^[1].

When does the AAP say to go to the emergency room or call 911?

The AAP says that if you believe an injury or illness threatens your child’s life or may cause permanent harm, go to the emergency room or call an ambulance, and that as a rule, if your child can walk, talk, interact and play, it is probably not an emergency^[8]. Its list of situations that require emergency care includes bleeding that will not stop, a seizure lasting more than two minutes in a child with no prior seizures, head injury followed by confusion, vomiting or loss of alertness, loss of consciousness, severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing or a bluish tinge to the lips or skin, poisonings, and a new or worsening psychiatric or behavioral health issue^[8]. The AAP’s two pages differ on how to describe fever in young babies: one lists fever in a child younger than 60 days^[8], and its parent guide says to go right away for a baby under 3 months with a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher^[2]. Follow your pediatrician’s instructions and call if unsure. CPCMG says to call 911 for a life- or limb-threatening emergency^[5].

What should families do after outside care?

The AAP says to be prepared to confirm whether immunizations are up to date, share any medication allergies, list all medicines and when the last dose was given, and mention ongoing conditions such as asthma or diabetes^[1]. It also says to make sure the child’s pediatrician knows about the visit, and if the clinic cannot send a summary, to request copies of the records and share them^[1]. An older AAP page for expecting parents makes the same point about being seen by another doctor at night: check in with your own pediatrician the next morning^[9].

What does this page not do?

This page does not recommend a clinic, rank urgent care centers, or say which one is best for a symptom. It is general information, not medical advice. It lists only the Rady locations that Rady’s own page named when retrieved, and it did not survey other urgent care providers in San Diego County. In an emergency call 911.

Frequently asked questions

See also

• After-hours care
• MyChart and video visits
• Behavioral and mental health
• Credentials guide
• Insurance and billing

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m} Urgent Care for Children & Teens: AAP Policy Explained. HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
2. ^ ^{a b} Urgent Care, ER or Pediatrician? A Parent Guide. HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
3. ^ ^{a b c d} After-Hours Care. Children's Primary Care Medical Group (cpcmg.net). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
4. ^ All About Appointments. Children's Primary Care Medical Group (cpcmg.net). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
5. ^ ^{a b} Nurse Care Connect. Children's Primary Care Medical Group (cpcmg.net). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
6. ^ Video Visits. Children's Primary Care Medical Group (cpcmg.net). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
7. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Urgent Care. Rady Children's Health. Retrieved 31 October 2026.
8. ^ ^{a b c} Is It a Medical Emergency, or Not? (page last updated 2019). HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics). Retrieved 31 October 2026.
9. ^ Finding a Pediatrician. HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics). Retrieved 31 October 2026.