San Diego: A Memorable 3-Day Itinerary
Located in sunny Southern California, San Diego is a vibrant city that offers something for every traveler with stunning beaches, cultural adventures, tons of activities, and yummy food. As local Los Angeles residents, we regularly enjoy a quick 2-hour drive to San Diego for a fun trip. We are thrilled to share our 3-day itinerary to inspire your next adventure!
Sneak Preview:
Day 1: Balboa Park, Ocean Beach, Old Town, and Sunset Cliffs
Day 2: Choose Your Own Adventure and La Jolla
Day 3: USS Midway, Coronado Island, and Seaport Village
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
Day 1: Balboa Park, Ocean Beach, Old Town, and Sunset Cliffs
Brunch
Enjoy the cafes in Little Italy for a delicious brunch/cafe breakfast before getting in your steps for the day! If you happen to be here on a Farmer’s Day, there will be tons of great stalls to grab a bite to eat while exploring the local food scene!
Balboa Park
Spend the morning at the famous Balboa Park, a cultural oasis in the heart of San Diego filled with museums, stunning gardens, and beautiful architecture. The park offers a nice blend of free and paid activities. We can easily spend half to a full day exploring the park and all its hidden gems! For a peaceful getaway check out the paid Japanese Friendship Garden.
Be sure to check out the free Spanish Village Art Center (a colorful village filled with cute art shops and a place for drinks/snacks). Balboa Park is also home to many festivals. Be sure to check online for any ongoing events!
Just a 10-minute drive away is Ocean Beach!
Ocean Beach
Time for waterfront views at a stunning beach!
Just a 10 minute drive away is Old Town!
Old Town
This is a must-stop for great Mexican food and also a glimpse into the history and culture of San Diego. Our favorite Mexican place here is: Casa Guadalajara filled with authentic food (and tons of vegetarian options!), a lively atmosphere, and large portion sizes it hits the spot just right every time! Then spend some time exploring the charming district and local shops.
Just a quick 15 minutes drive away is the Sunset Cliffs!
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
End the evening with a breathtaking sunset over the Pacific Ocean!
Day 2: Choose your own Adventure and La Jolla
Morning: Choose your Own Adventure
We wanted to leave some time for you to go back to your favorites, chill, or have some downtime this morning.
Choose your adventure:
San Diego Zoo -a paid experience. San Diego Zoo is consistently ranked amongst the top zoos in the world. A must visit if you want to see animals up close!
For an all out animal experience check out: 2 day pass for San Diego Safari and Zoo!
San Diego Harbor Cruise, so many options, here’s a highly rated one!
Whale Watching Cruise- Need we say more? Be sure to have a jacket as the waters can get a little cold!
Sea World San Diego- The ultimate animal interactive and immersive experience in Mission Bay!
Take a Stroll:
Explore Gas Lamp Quarter- tons of food and shops, also a great place for nightlife!
Check out a Segway Tour!
Farmer’s Market- if there’s one going on in Little Italy, be sure to spend time there! it’s filled with samples and food for purchase! We even did a hot sauce tasting last time we were there.
Downtown along the waterfront
Balboa Park - the park is filled with exhibits and events, can always spend more time here!
By around lunch, we recommend heading to La Jolla to spend the rest of the day here
La Jolla Cove
If you are staying near Gaslamp Quarter, this is a 25 minute drive to La Jolla but absolutely worth it! Totally can be done with ride share as well.
Begin your day at La Jolla Cove to take in stunning coastal views and keep an eye out for seals and sea lions basking in the sun.
Choose your activity or just stroll and take it all in:
Hiking trails -keep your eyes peeled for wildlife!
Easy walk along the bluff to La Jolla Cove Beach (AKA Children’s Pool Beach).
Torrey Pines Loop (2.3 mile loop)- start at 12600 N Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037
Water Sport Lovers, check out the guided tour: La Jolla Sea Cave Kayak Tour
History lovers, take this guided tour: La Jolla Historic Walking Tour
Gaslamp
If you want to check out the night life Gaslamp has great bars and restaurants. If you happen to be in town when the Padres are playing, you can even consider catching a baseball game! The stadium is really cool and they have the best garlic fries!
Day 3: USS Midway, Coronado Island, and Seaport Village
Breakfast/Brunch in Downtown San Diego
Grab a bite at your favorite cafe or check out a nearby brunch spot!
USS Midway Boat
The USS Midway was the lead ship of the Midway class of aircraft carriers and served as the flagship of the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet. Now this historical vessel is a a really cool museum for all to enjoy. Check for hours online to buy your ticket. We absolutely loved checking out all the hand-on interactive exhibits and checking out the aircraft carriers. Be sure to allot about 3 hours to enjoy this museum.
Explore the Downtown Parks: Views from the Embarcadero
After exploring the museum, discover downtown's charming parks with breathtaking views along the Embarcadero and Marina South. Take time to explore Marina North and the Waterfront Park for a refreshing retreat.
Our next stop is Coronado Island. You can take the Downtown San Diego Ferry to Cornado which is a lovely 15-minute ride one way for a small fee, or you drive/take a ride share over to the island.
Coronado Island
Visit the iconic Hotel del Coronado on Coronado Island and take a leisurely stroll along the picturesque Coronado Beach. Enjoy shopping, eating, and relaxing on this stunning island.
Seaport Village
If you are still looking for more to do tonight, then check out the Seaport Village! This area is also filled with shops, restaurants, and stunning ocean views.
Modifications/Tips:
This three-day itinerary will give you a well-rounded San Diego experience, blending coastal wonders, cultural exploration, and culinary delights for a memorable getaway.
Extra Days
If you have the luxury of extra days in San Diego, then you can easily spend more time at any of the places above! For example, La Jolla can be a day alone, and the same with Balboa Park. Spend time exploring at your own pace, and you might even check out all the other wonderful coastal beaches along the San Diego shoreline.
Where to stay?
When you visit San Diego, you can choose from many great places to stay. Pick luxurious beachfront hotels in La Jolla for ocean views, lively Gaslamp Quarter for walkability, nightlife, and dining, or family-friendly resorts in Mission Bay. For a relaxed island vibe, try Coronado. Wherever you stay in San Diego, expect comfort, convenience, and a beautiful charm! A great place to start looking for your next vacation home.
Do I Need a Car in San Diego?
When in San Diego, having a car depends on your plans. The city is big with lots to see. While a car offers freedom, it's not always required. The pros come down to flexibility, convenience, and less worry about limitations on public transport. Some alternatives include public transport- busses/trolleys, walking/biking, guided tours, and you can always supplement with ride-shares. Ultimately, needing a car in San Diego varies based on your style and destination choices. We have done the trip both ways. Think about your preferences and alternatives to decide for your San Diego trip.