Find a Trusted Nanny in San Diego

Why San Diego Families Choose Beverly

San Diego's childcare market sits at an interesting intersection: the cost of living is significantly above the national average, but nanny rates are more moderate than in Los Angeles or San Francisco. This makes San Diego attractive for families who relocated from pricier California metros, but it also means the local nanny pool faces steady demand from a growing population of young professionals in biotech, defense, healthcare, and tech. Finding an experienced caregiver who fits your family's needs, schedule, and neighborhood can still take weeks of effort spread across agencies, apps, and parent group recommendations.

Beverly acts as your hiring coordinator, consolidating the entire search into one managed process. We reach out to San Diego nanny agencies and activate referral networks that span the county -- from La Jolla and Del Mar along the coast to Scripps Ranch and Carmel Valley inland. Every candidate goes through the same rigorous screening: identity verification, a comprehensive background check, reference calls with previous employers, and a structured interview. You receive a curated shortlist of finalists, not an overwhelming stack of profiles to sort through on your own.

San Diego's spread-out geography makes a coordinated approach especially important. A nanny in Pacific Beach may not be willing to commute to Rancho Bernardo, and someone based in Chula Vista might be a perfect fit for Coronado but would never appear on a North County agency's radar. Beverly bridges these geographic gaps by searching everywhere at once, so you do not miss strong candidates simply because they are listed with an agency on the other side of the county.

California Employment Law for Nannies

California has some of the most comprehensive domestic worker protections in the country. As a household employer in San Diego, you are subject to state employment laws that go well beyond the federal minimum. Understanding these obligations protects both you and your nanny. For a complete overview of tax obligations, visit our nanny tax guide.

Minimum Wage

California's statewide minimum wage is $16.90 per hour as of 2026. This applies to all employers regardless of size, including households that employ a single nanny. The City of San Diego follows the state rate. All household employees must be paid at least this amount, and the rate is reviewed annually by the state.

Overtime

California's overtime rules for domestic workers are among the strictest in the nation. Under the California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, nannies earn 1.5 times their regular hourly rate after 9 hours in a single day or 40 hours in a workweek. If a nanny works more than 12 hours in a single day, you must pay double time (2x the regular rate). This daily overtime threshold is unique to California and catches many families off guard who are used to the federal 40-hour weekly standard.

Paid Sick Leave & the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

California requires employers to provide at least 5 days (40 hours) of paid sick leave per year to all employees, including nannies. Sick leave begins accruing from the first day of employment. The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights also guarantees meal and rest breaks: a 30-minute unpaid meal break for shifts over 5 hours and a 10-minute paid rest break for every 4 hours worked. Many San Diego families also offer additional paid time off -- typically 5-10 vacation days, 3-5 sick days, and paid federal holidays -- to remain competitive in the local market.

Taxes, SDI & Workers' Compensation

If you pay a household employee $3,000 or more per year, you must withhold and remit Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA). California also requires you to register with the Employment Development Department (EDD) and handle State Disability Insurance (SDI) and State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) withholdings. State income tax must be withheld from each paycheck. You are also required to carry workers' compensation insurance. Beverly partners with household payroll providers who manage all EDD filings, quarterly returns, and year-end W-2s so you stay compliant without the administrative burden.

Babysitter Services in San Diego

Looking for a babysitter in San Diego instead of a full-time nanny? Beverly helps with that too. Whether you need occasional date-night coverage or a regular part-time sitter, our screening and coordination services ensure you find trustworthy care.

Babysitters in San Diego typically charge $22-$33 per hour in 2026, depending on experience, number of children, and timing. Weekend and evening rates tend to be at the upper end of this range. For comparison, a full-time nanny in San Diego costs $22-$38 per hour — the higher commitment reflecting the consistent schedule and expanded duties.

Even for occasional babysitting, Beverly recommends running a background check. Our platform makes it easy to screen sitters with the same rigor you'd apply to a full-time nanny. Learn more about the key differences between nannies and babysitters to decide which arrangement fits your family.

San Diego Neighborhoods We Serve

Beverly works with families across San Diego County, from beach communities to suburban neighborhoods. Here are some of the areas where we are most active.

Helpful Resources for San Diego Parents