24/7, daily $$ Phone; immediate
Specialty: Emergency lockout, residential, commercial, automotive
Well-known 24/7 mobile locksmith with fast response times across San Diego. Handles homes, cars, and businesses.
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San Diego Locksmith Guide
Getting locked out of your house, car, or apartment is a universal San Diego moment — maybe after a beach day, a brewery crawl, or a late-night Padres game. These locksmiths cover emergency lockouts, rekeying after a move, smart lock upgrades, and car key replacement across the county.
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Quick answer: For 24/7 emergency lockout: A-1 Locksmith or Pop-A-Lock. For residential rekey: The Flying Locksmiths or San Diego Locksmith. For automotive keys: Car Key Express or KeyMe. For smart locks: Flying Locksmiths or local locksmith with smart-lock expertise. House lockout $80–$150; car lockout $70–$130; rekey $15–$30 per lock; smart lock install $150–$300.
Specialty: Emergency lockout, residential, commercial, automotive
Well-known 24/7 mobile locksmith with fast response times across San Diego. Handles homes, cars, and businesses.
Specialty: Emergency lockout, car keys, rekey, residential
National franchise with uniformed technicians. Known for car lockouts and PALSavesKids free car-lockout rescue for children.
Specialty: Commercial, residential, smart locks, access control
Commercial and residential security-focused locksmith. Strong on smart locks, access control, and business rekeying.
Specialty: Emergency lockout, rekey, lock repair, installation
Long-running local locksmith with mobile vans across the city. Good for lock repair and rekeying.
Specialty: Automotive keys, key fobs, transponder programming
Mobile automotive key specialist. Can cut and program key fobs, transponder keys, and push-to-start remotes on-site.
Specialty: Key duplication, car keys via kiosk, locksmith dispatch
Kiosk-based key duplication plus mobile locksmith dispatch. Good for quick house key copies and some car keys.
Specialty: Emergency lockout, rekey, lock change, safes
24/7 mobile service with transparent pricing and experience with residential and commercial safes.
Specialty: Residential, commercial, automotive, emergency
Family-owned locksmith covering East County and metro San Diego. Known for honest pricing and no hidden fees.
Specialty: Emergency lockout, car keys, rekey, residential
North County 24/7 mobile locksmith. Strong for car keys and emergency lockouts in coastal North County.
Specialty: Residential, smart locks, high-security locks, rekey
Specializes in high-security locks and smart lock installation. Good for homeowners upgrading security.
Specialty: Emergency lockout, rekey, automotive, residential
South Bay-focused locksmith with bilingual service and fast response in Chula Vista and surrounding areas.
Specialty: Beach-town lockouts, rental properties, smart locks
Coastal locksmith familiar with rental properties, vacation homes, and Airbnb lockouts in PB and La Jolla.
Specialty: Urban lockouts, rekey, vintage lock repair
Local shop serving central San Diego neighborhoods. Experienced with older homes and vintage locks common in North Park.
Specialty: Safes, high-security locks, commercial access control
Specializes in safes, vaults, and high-security commercial access systems. Not the first call for a simple lockout.
Specialty: Emergency lockout, car keys, rekey, lock installation
Mobile-only locksmith covering the full county. Reliable for emergency calls and automotive key work.
| Service | Budget | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| House lockout service | $60–$90 | $90–$150 | $150–$250 |
| Car lockout service | $50–$80 | $80–$130 | $130–$200 |
| Rekey lock (per cylinder) | $12–$20 | $20–$35 | $35–$60 |
| Lock change / install | $80–$120 | $120–$200 | $200–$350 |
| Smart lock installation | $120–$180 | $180–$280 | $280–$400 |
| Car key replacement (basic) | $80–$150 | $150–$250 | $250–$400 |
| Car key fob / transponder | $150–$250 | $250–$400 | $400–$650 |
| Emergency after-hours fee | $20–$50 | $50–$100 | $100–$200 |
Add 20% cash tip on top of posted prices. Most shops add 3–4% surcharge on cards.
24/7 county-wide emergency
A-1 Locksmith, Pop-A-Lock, Mobile Locksmith SD, Locksmith San Diego Pro.
North County / Oceanside + Carlsbad
Rapid Key Locksmith, The Flying Locksmiths.
South Bay / Chula Vista
Chula Vista Locksmith.
Central / North Park + Hillcrest
North Park Lock & Key, All American Locksmith.
Coastal / PB + La Jolla
Coastal Locksmith, Golden Locksmith.
Commercial / smart locks / safes
The Flying Locksmiths, Elite Lock & Safe, Golden Locksmith.
Always ask for a total price before the work starts. Locksmith scams often quote low on the phone and charge double on arrival.
Verify the technician is licensed and insured. In California, locksmiths must be licensed by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS).
Get a rekey instead of replacing all locks when you move. Rekeying is much cheaper and makes old keys useless.
Keep a spare key with a trusted neighbor or in a lockbox. It saves an emergency lockout call and the associated after-hours fee.
Smart locks are great for Airbnbs and rentals. Flying Locksmiths and Golden Locksmith can install smart locks and set up temporary access codes.
Car key fobs cost more than metal keys. If you lose a modern key fob, expect $250–$500 for replacement and programming at your location.
After-hours and holiday calls add $50–$150. If you can wait until morning, you'll avoid the emergency surcharge.
House lockouts are $90–$150; car lockouts $80–$130; rekeying $20–$35 per lock; lock installation $120–$200; smart lock installation $180–$280; car key fob replacement $250–$400. After-hours emergency fees add $50–$150.
A-1 Locksmith, Pop-A-Lock, and Mobile Locksmith SD are all 24/7 options with fast response times. Pop-A-Lock also offers free PALSavesKids service for children locked in cars.
Yes — mobile automotive locksmiths like Car Key Express and Mobile Locksmith SD can cut and program a new key or fob from your VIN or by decoding the lock. Prices range from $150–$650 depending on the key type.
Rekeying is almost always cheaper. A locksmith changes the internal pins so old keys no longer work, while keeping the existing hardware. Replace locks only if they're damaged or you want to upgrade style/security.
Yes — California locksmiths must be licensed by the BSIS (Bureau of Security and Investigative Services). Ask for the license number and verify it on the BSIS website before allowing access to your home or vehicle.
Yes — The Flying Locksmiths, Golden Locksmith, and many mobile locksmiths install smart locks and deadbolts. They can also set up app access and temporary codes for guests or rentals.
Get a firm quote upfront, verify the BSIS license, check reviews, and avoid companies that refuse to give a business name or arrive in an unmarked vehicle. Legitimate locksmiths usually arrive in branded vehicles.
Some auto insurance, roadside assistance plans, and home warranties cover lockout services. Check your policy before paying out of pocket — AAA and many credit cards include lockout reimbursement.
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Written and fact-checked by the Sandi Spots Editorial team — San Diego residents publishing under Sleep Coast LLC. Every place we recommend has been visited in person or verified against an official source, and no business can pay for inclusion or a higher ranking. Last updated .