San Diego Private Investigator Services, Built Around Surveillance
If you need a private investigator in San Diego, Bear Witness has been documenting the truth for California clients since 1996. San Diego is a city of about 1.39 million people in San Diego County. Surveillance is our specialty, and every case is handled by a licensed investigator — never a call center.
From infidelity and custody cases to workers’ compensation fraud and litigation support, we keep our caseload small so every San Diego client works directly with the investigator in the field — and gets a clear answer, documented to the standard California courts expect.
Surveillance Specialists Serving San Diego
Most investigations come down to one question: what is really happening? A private investigator in San Diego answers it with surveillance video, photos, and a written timeline.
Mobile Surveillance
We follow the subject by vehicle through San Diego and beyond, keeping distance and cover so they never know we are there.
Static Surveillance
Discreet observation of a home, workplace, or business from a lawful public vantage point, documenting who comes and goes.
Two-Investigator Teams
Team surveillance covers multiple exits and keeps a moving subject in sight in heavy Southern California traffic.
Like much of San Diego County, San Diego mixes residential neighborhoods with busy commercial corridors. We combine discreet residential positioning with mobile coverage on the roads in between.
What Our San Diego Private Investigators Handle
Four kinds of clients call us most — and surveillance is at the center of almost every case.
Personal Cases
- Infidelity & cheating spouse — discreet surveillance that gives you a clear answer, either way.
- Nanny & daycare surveillance — peace of mind about who is caring for your child in San Diego.
- Runaways & missing persons — people-location work to find someone who has gone missing or run away.
Family Law Cases
- Child visitation — documenting visitation exchanges and compliance with the court order.
- Lifestyle investigations — what someone’s day-to-day life really looks like.
- Divorce investigations — documentation that supports your attorney’s strategy.
- Child custody — facts that help a court decide what is best for your child.
- Cohabitation — evidence of a supported spouse living with a partner, relevant to support.
- Child support — uncovering unreported work that affects support.
Business Cases
- Injury claims — verifying the extent of claimed injuries through lawful observation.
- Workers’ comp fraud — surveillance on claims where activity and injuries don’t match.
- Insurance defense — claim investigations built for insurers and their attorneys.
- Business partner surveillance — answers before you sign or after trust breaks down.
- Employee theft — quietly confirming suspected theft so you can respond with facts.
Law Firm Cases
- Records research — court, property, business, and public records research.
- Surveillance — defensible surveillance your team can rely on at trial.
- Evasive subpoena service — serving witnesses and parties who are avoiding service.
- Evidence gathering — facts collected to evidentiary standards.
- Court testimony — credible testimony from the investigator who did the work.
- Witness statements — finding and interviewing the people who saw what happened.
Why San Diego Clients Choose Bear Witness
Choosing a private investigator in San Diego comes down to experience, discretion, and evidence that holds up.
Available 24/7
Cases don’t keep business hours. We take calls and work surveillance day, night, and weekends.
Licensed & Veteran-Owned
California PI License #18755, veteran-owned and operated, held to the standards set by BSIS.
Honest Results
If nothing is going on, we tell you. A clear answer is the goal, not more billable hours.
Court-Ready Evidence
Evidence gathered lawfully and documented the way California judges and attorneys expect.
Direct Access to Your Investigator
One investigator from your first call to your final report, with updates along the way.
Absolute Discretion
Confidential from the first call; covert in the field.
What Our Clients Say
Real reviews from Bear Witness clients across California.
“Excellent communication, insight, and follow-through skills. Very impressed with your surveillance video. Excellent work. Thank you! Will refer to friends in need.”
“I first consulted with a few other investigation companies in the area, yet I remained skeptical about their service. But, after I talked over my case with James, I was pleased with the high levels of confidence and experience he conveyed. In the end, I am glad I chose Bear Witness to perform my surveillance investigation. Thanks for the video your company obtained. It was eye-opening.”
“Thank you for all your help. You guys were really great! I will definitely refer your private detective agency to all my friends & colleagues in need.”
Names and/or locations altered for client privacy. Read more client reviews →
San Diego Cases and the San Diego County Courts
San Diego is the San Diego County seat, so the main Superior Court of California, County of San Diego facilities are close by.
If your San Diego matter ends up in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, documentation quality decides whether the evidence helps. We keep chain-of-custody records and write reports in plain chronological order.
Also Serving Near San Diego
If your subject lives in San Diego but works or travels elsewhere, that’s routine. Nearby areas include:
Straight-line distances from San Diego.
How Hiring a Private Investigator in San Diego Works
- 1
Free Consultation
Tell a licensed investigator what you know and what you need confirmed. Completely confidential.
- 2
Plan & Estimate
We build a plan around your subject’s routine in San Diego and give you a written estimate before any work begins.
- 3
Surveillance
Your investigator documents activity with time-stamped video and keeps you updated.
- 4
Report & Evidence
You receive a clear written report, photos, and video — plus testimony if needed.
Questions About Hiring a Private Investigator in San Diego
Do you also cover Tierrasanta and University City?
Yes. Tierrasanta is about 2 miles from San Diego and University City about 6 miles, and both are part of our regular coverage in Southern California.
What does a private investigator in San Diego do?
We document facts for personal, family law, business, and legal cases — most often through surveillance, along with background research, people location, witness statements, and process serving.
Do you specialize in surveillance?
Yes. Surveillance has been Bear Witness’s specialty since 1996, and it is part of nearly every case we handle in San Diego and across California.
How is a San Diego investigation priced?
Surveillance is billed by time. After a free consultation, you get a written estimate before any billable work begins.
How do I verify your license?
Look up PI License #18755 on the California Department of Consumer Affairs license search.
Can you serve someone who is avoiding service?
Yes. We locate the person first, then time service attempts around when they are actually there, and document service for the court.
Is surveillance legal in San Diego?
Yes, when done correctly. California allows observation in public places where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. Our investigators do not trespass, use hidden vehicle trackers, or record private conversations.
Is everything I tell you confidential?
Yes. Your case is handled by your assigned investigator and never discussed with anyone outside the firm.
How quickly can a San Diego case start?
Most cases begin within a day or two of your first call, once we agree on a plan.
Every case starts with a free, confidential consultation. Call 1(877)PROOF-24/7 to speak with a licensed investigator about your San Diego case.