San Diego is an ideal destination for a short or long weekend getaway. My adopted home city, also known as the “America’s Finest City”, offers many attractions no matter what your interests are and whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, with girlfriends or as a family. Here is a sample 2 or 3 itinerary for San Diego that covers many of the main attractions but also gives you some time to relax while exploring.
Day 1 – Explore Downtown
The downtown area is the best place to start exploring no matter how you get into the city. We always recommend a stroll around the Embarcadero to stretch your legs and enjoy the seafront.
Start at the Downtown Waterfront Park to relax. If you’re traveling with kids, the modern playground and interactive splash fountain are ideal places to hang out.
This waterfront area also has several historic tall ships like the Star of India and interesting museums, like the Maritime Museum of San Diego. If you have some time, the USS Midway Museum is a wonderful place to visit.
Climb aboard the longest-serving aircraft carrier to tour it. See many exhibits including some amazing and unique planes.
Stroll the Embarcadero
The Embarcadero is also the site of many cruise departures. We highly recommend doing a one or two-hour narrated harbor tours or even a whale-watching cruise. These cruises give a great overview of some of San Diego’s attractions; offer a different perspective of seeing the city and the opportunity to see marine wildlife.
After your cruise, pass by a collection of memorials, called “The Greatest Generation Walk”, along the waterfront which has many artwork to commemorate San Diego and America’s military heritage. These include the “Aircraft Carrier Memorial”, the “Battle of Leyte Gulf Memorial”, the “Military Tribute to Bob Hope” and my personal favorite – the 25 ft. tall kissing statue.
Then, stroll over to Seaport Village for more great views, entertainment and shops. The quarter-mile boardwalk offers some of the best views of San Diego Bay. It also has over 50 unique shops to bring home some wonderful souvenirs.
There is usually free live music during the weekends and events. The historic carousel is a popular attraction for families.
Little Italy and Gaslamp Quarter
The downtown area is lucky enough to have two districts with some of the best places to eat in the city. Of course, for the best pizza, pasta and gelato around, it’s hard to beat the Little Italy neighborhood. If you’re here on Saturdays, check out the Little Italy Mercato Farmer’s Market.
The Gaslamp Quarter is made up of 16 square blocks filled with shops, art galleries, concert halls, museums, theaters and many restaurants, bars and pubs. There are so many options of places to eat or drink no matter what your preference is and guaranteed to please any picky eater.
Day 2 – Fun in the Sun/Beach Time
You can’t visit San Diego and not spend at least a few hours strolling one of the many beaches or relaxing on the shores and sand. There are over 70 miles of coastline and you’ll see why many visitors say “So many beaches, so little time…” around here.
Coronado Island/Beach
One of the best places to start a San Diego beach day is Coronado Island. While you can spend a whole day exploring the island with the many activities available, a few hours will also suffice.
You can drive over the island while crossing the 2.12-mile Coronado Bridge for expansive views of the bay and the city. There is also the option to cross over via the 15-minute ferry. If arriving by ferry, share rides and bikes are available to get to many destinations on the island.
Head straight to Coronado beach, which has consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the country as well as one of the most family friendly. There are wide sandy beaches and many opportunities for kayaking, surfing, paddling or just relaxing. Biking along the neighborhoods or the bike paths along the shore is a great way to explore the island.
Don’t miss the oceanfront, historic and elegant Hotel Del Coronado. If you’re here during the holidays, the ice skating rink along the beach is always fun. Orange Avenue and the Ferry Landing offer many shops and restaurants for brunch or lunchtime options.
Some of them even have sweeping views of downtown San Diego. Check out local favorites like Tartine, Peohe’s, Coronado Brew Pub, Miguel’s Cocina and Moo Time Creamery.
Ocean, Mission and Pacific Beach
After visiting Coronado Island, drive over to the quintessential Southern California beach towns of Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach (locally known as OB and PB) as well as Mission Beach. The Ocean Beach pier is one of the longest piers in the area.
Fishing is free and a valid fishing license is not necessary. OB has an old school, SoCal vintage, hippie/groovy atmosphere with plenty of unique shops, taco stands, restaurants and microbreweries.
Mission Beach and PB have a bit more relaxed, beach vibe. There is also Crystal Pier here for fishing.
The highlight is the three-mile boardwalk lined with shops, lodging, bars and restaurants as well as a bike path that connects the two beaches. This beach area is great for swimming, sunbathing, boogey boarding or just watching surfers.
Belmont Park is located along the shores of Mission Beach. This beachfront amusement park and entertainment center offers a historic wooden roller coaster, bumper cars, carousel, mini golf course, laser tag, arcade games and other rides.
It is a “pay as you play” basis so parking and admission is always free. There is something to keep everyone busy here.
End your day along the beaches but we highly recommend the Sunset Cliffs area just south of the OB Pier. It is appropriately named and definitely one of the best places to catch a sunset in San Diego.
Go back to any of the beach neighborhoods of OB or PB after the sunset or for dinner because they are also known for their nightlife. Some recommended places to eat in the area are Hodad’s for burgers and fries, OB Noodle House or PB Ale House.
La Jolla
If you have more time this day, you can also head over to upscale La Jolla a bit north of these beach neighborhoods. Stroll through the unique shops and galleries of the village or walk the sandy areas or sunbathe at the mile long La Jolla Shores.
Our family’s favorite has always been watching the amusing sea lions along the rugged La Jolla Cove. Snorkeling, kayaking and playing around the tide pools are also favorite activities in the area.
Day 3 –Learn some history and culture
Start the day early to learn more about San Diego’s history and culture. Balboa Park is a great place to start and one of the city’s main attractions.
This 1,200-acre park is considered America’s “largest urban cultural park”. It is a wonderful place for a stroll to enjoy the SoCal sunshine and great architecture of the reconstructed buildings from the 1915 Pan American Exposition.
The park has museums, theaters, trails, pavilions, various gardens (like the San Diego Japanese Friendship Garden) and the world famous San Diego Zoo. While the zoo may have to be saved for another day or visit, there is enough to do here whether you have a day or a few hours.
Depending on your interests and time, there are 17 museums available to visit. We recommend the Fleet Science Center, SD Natural History Museum (theNat) and Museum of Man. Don’t miss the colorful Spanish Village Art Center which is one of my favorite places in the city.
This is a community of over 200 local artists housed in several working studios. It is a great place to see them in action and buy locally made products and even visit the glass blowing space.
Northpark and Hillcrest
If you need to eat some brunch, lunch or desserts, the diverse, lively, hip North Park and Hillcrest neighborhoods near Balboa park offers many great restaurants, coffee shops, craft beer pubs and cafes.
Many of them can be found along North Park’s two main streets of University Avenue and 30th Street. Hillcrest is the heart of San Diego’s LGBTQ community, is pedestrian friendly with its main streets include University Avenue, Fourth Avenue and Fifth Avenue.
Check out North Park’s popular hangouts like North Park Beer Company, Belching Beaver Brewery, Lucha Libre, Holsem Coffee and Hammond’s Ice Cream. Local recommendations for the Hillcrest area include Baja Betty’s, Hillcrest Brewing Company, Taste of Thai, Urban MO’s Bar & Grill, Hash House A Go Go, Crest Café and Bread & Cie, Tavola Nostra (a family favorite).
Old Town San Diego
Spend the rest of the afternoon or dinner at Old Town San Diego. There is no better place to visit for a wonderful lesson on the area’s history and culture.
This state historic park is considered California’s birthplace as the site of the first permanent Spanish settlement. There are several original and reconstructed buildings and sites that include five original adobe homes.
We love strolling through this area for its over 40 unique shops or eat at one of the diverse restaurants. Given the history and location, some of the city’s best Mexican restaurants are located here.
We always enjoy watching the women making fresh handmade tortillas at Old Town Mexican Café. We also love Casa de Reyes, Casa Guadalajara, Barra Barra Restaurant, Miguel’s Mexican Cocina and for a non-Mexican restaurant – Harney Sushi.
The central park is a popular area for picnics and for kids to enjoy including cannons ideal for climbing. Don’t miss the Bazaar del Mundo group of shops for colorful souvenirs from around the world.
Another popular section of Old Town is the nearby Heritage Park Victorian Village. These have several beautifully restored Victorian homes and the city’s first synagogue.
If you have more time, Mission San Diego de Alcalá is worth a visit which isn’t too far from here. California has 21 missions throughout the state settled by the Spaniards to introduce Catholicism. This was the first mission settled in 1769. Guided tours are available upon request.
Check out these tours in San Diego!
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I have family that lives in San Diego and I love visiting there. This looks like a perfect 3 day itinerary – I’ve done quite a bit of it but still have a few more to do. What a fun city to visit.