San Diego Itinerary Ideas from 1 to 3 Days (+ Maps & Tips)
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Visiting San Diego, California, and wondering how many days you need and what to see and do? This guide covers the best things to do and see, plus maps and practical tips to help you plan your itinerary, from 1 to 3 days. From the city’s must-see attractions to nearby gems, make the most of your time in the San Diego area!
San Diego is often said to have the best of California in one place – beaches, culture, great food, mild climate, and sunshine year-round. In this post, you’ll find detailed day-by-day itineraries for up to three days, plus tips for a longer stay. You don’t have to follow them exactly, but they’ll give you a clear idea of the city’s top landmarks, nearby coastal towns, and how much time you’ll need.
Good to know: When people say “San Diego,” they usually mean the entire county – downtown (Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village, Little Italy) as well as nearby coastal communities like La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, and Carlsbad. You can see the city highlights in a day, but the wider area is worth exploring too. Ideally, spend at least three days in San Diego, but five or more lets you see all the top sights.
PRO TIP: Staying longer than a day or two? Get the San Diego Pass for free entry to 50+ top attractions like the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND California, USS Midway, and more, plus activities such as bike tours, kayaking, and whale watching. You can get this pass for 1-7 days, but the longer the duration, the better the value.
When to Visit
The best time to visit San Diego is in the shoulder season, March-April and September-November. The weather is nice and the temperatures are mild, it’s not as busy as in the summer, and it’s a bit cheaper than in the high season.
During the spring months of March-May, temperatures are mild and there are relatively fewer crowds. San Diego is one of the best USA destinations to visit for spring break!
June, July, and August are peak tourism months in San Diego. Prices are high and all the attractions are the busiest.
The fall months of September-November also boast of pleasant temperatures. Many festivals are held throughout the city during this time and it’s a great time to be here.
Budget travelers can get the best hotel rates during the winter months between December and February.
San Diego Itinerary Ideas for 1-3 Days
Below, you can find suggested San Diego itineraries for one to three days. This article has been written by our guest writer Jen, who lives in the US and has visited San Diego with her family multiple times. All of the suggestions are based on her personal experience and are filled with insider tips for visiting San Diego for the first time.
No two trips will be exactly the same, of course, so use these itinerary suggestions as a guideline. You’ll need to adjust your San Diego itinerary to account for the season and the varying interests of your group or family members.
The suggested itineraries will give you a good idea of the places that are worthwhile visiting, approximately how much time you need to see them, and how to best plan your own San Diego itinerary.
Don’t try to ‘see it all’ on a short trip. If you like to travel deeper, it’s better to visit fewer places and take your time to enjoy the amazing sights and the scenery, instead of rushing from one place to the other and ticking the boxes. On the other hand, if you are visiting San Diego for the first time and really want to see it all, these itinerary suggestions will show you how it can be done.
1 Day in San Diego
We have two suggested itineraries on how to spend one day in San Diego: one if you have a car and want to use it and the other one – without a car. Take a look!
TIP: We recommend leaving the car at the car park and exploring San Diego city itself without it.
1-Day Itinerary by Car
If you only have one day in San Diego and you want to use a car, I suggest that you drive downtown San Diego and visit at least two of its iconic neighborhoods. Little Italy, Cortez Hill, Columbia, Core-Columbia, Gaslamp Quarter, East Village, Marina, and Embarcadero (the waterfront boardwalk) all have their own unique culture, architecture, and flair.
My three favorites are Core-Columbia, the waterfront area that is home to the USS Midway Naval Aircraft carrier museum, and the Gaslamp Quarter and Marina District. Gaslamp Quarter features historic Victorian buildings. Marina District encompasses the nautical and charming Seaport Village, a 14-acre waterfront shopping, dining, and entertainment destination.
The USS Midway, Gaslamp Quarter, and Seaport Village are all within a mile of each other (so you can easily walk between them, which is the best way to explore). The Gaslamp Quarter is all about the architectural charm that can be felt simply by walking around the neighborhood. The electric versions of the old gaslamps that gave the street its name are fun to see.
Suggested morning itinerary: Visit Gaslamp and Core Columbia. You can park at the USS Midway and walk to those parts of the city. If you are into history and exhibits, you could probably spend up to 3 hours at the USS Midway Museum. However, you can also visit the ship in just 1-1,5 hours as well.
From there walk to Seaport, which is just a few short blocks from the USS Midway. If visiting San Diego with kids, don’t miss the Seaport Village Carousel and get some delicious ice cream there. You can do all of this before lunch.
TIP: The USS Midway Museum is one of the most popular San Diego attractions. We recommend booking skip-the-line tickets in advance.
Before lunchtime, drive across the Coronado Bridge (a sight in itself) that connects downtown San Diego to Coronado Island. This immensely popular island is home to the famous red-roofed Hotel Del Coronado. The white sandy beaches of Coronado Island rank in the “Top 10” of the entire U.S.
Though you can easily spend 1 or 2 days on Coronado Island alone, having just one day in San Diego means that you’ll have to do with just 3 to 4 hours. Keep in mind that it’s is extremely difficult to find parking on the island.
If parking lots by the beach are full, most visitors end up parking on residential streets located throughout the island (which is allowed at the time of writing). Alternatively, leave your car in the city center and take a ferry.
I recommend having lunch on the terrace of Hotel Del Coronado or at one of the premier waterfront restaurants in the Ferry Landing Marketplace. This island is simply not to be missed!
Depending on your interests, head back over the bridge and spend the rest of the afternoon at either Balboa Park (an urban cultural park home to 15 museums), the world-famous San Diego Zoo, or the kids’ favorite, SeaWorld San Diego.
However, if you have just one day in San Diego, it’s probably not worth getting expensive tickets to the zoo or SeaWorld and only spending a few hours there. Balboa Park is probably a better choice for a short visit.
Lastly, finish off your day in San Diego by dipping your toes into the ocean and watching the best San Diego sunset at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park.
To help you plan your day in San Diego, we made a map indicating all the places mentioned in this 1-day itinerary.
Take a look below!
How to use this map: Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.
1-Day Itinerary without a Car
My recommendation for visiting San Diego in 1 day without a car is to join the San Diego Hop-on-Hop-off Old Town Trolley Tour.
With 10 different stops on its route among the most popular areas of downtown San Diego (including a ride across the bridge to Coronado), riders have unlimited ‘on and off’ privileges for the entire day. The ride is fully narrated between stops and is entirely family-friendly.
Needless to say, this is a much more relaxed way to see the best of San Diego in one day without having to worry about navigating the busy traffic or looking for where to park your car at each of the attractions.
Here’s what your day could look like:
Start in Old Town and take the hop-on-hop-off trolley.
Stop at the USS Midway, where you can also take a short harbor cruise. It runs from a pier near the USS Midway ship, so it’s very easy to incorporate this into your itinerary. You can choose between the South Harbor or North Harbor tours (each takes 1 hour), or do a combination of both in 2 hours. It’s one of the most popular things to do in San Diego and a great way to see a lot in a short time.
Next, take the trolley to Hotel Del Coronado and visit Balboa Park.
These stops will give you a taste of everything! This is by far our favorite way to see the best of San Diego in one day. It’s great for kids, too.
Practical information: There is ample parking in downtown San Diego, but rates vary a lot. It might pay off to research and reserve your parking online in advance.
To help you plan your day in San Diego without a car, we made a map indicating all the places mentioned in the itinerary above. Take a look below!
2 Days in San Diego
If you have two days in San Diego, in addition to visiting all the best places in the downtown area, you should try to explore some of San Diego’s coastline and the city’s famous family-friendly attractions. Below is a suggested 2-day San Diego itinerary. Take a look!
Day 1
Start the day by visiting the San Diego Zoo first thing in the morning. To make the most of your time, book skip-the-line tickets in advance. Alternatively, visit the museums of Balboa Park. You could spend the whole day at the San Diego zoo alone, but since your time is limited, I’d allocate 3-4 hours to it.
After that, head to downtown San Diego and explore two or three of its neighborhoods on foot. You can have a late lunch in Seaport Village and then board the San Diego Coronado Ferry (adjacent to the cruise ship terminal) to spend the rest of the day on Coronado Island.
In the afternoon, relax on Coronado Beach, tour the Hotel Del Coronado, rent a bike or a golf cart to explore the island, and stroll among the shops on Orange Avenue. Wind down by watching a beautiful sunset here.
Practical Information: The San Diego Coronado Ferry runs every hour on the hour from 9 AM to 9 PM (9 AM to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday) between Broadway Pier and Coronado. This is a popular means of transportation to and from the island.
TIP: I realize that this itinerary is rather busy for one day. It’s really meant for those who want to maximize their short time in San Diego area to the fullest. So – depending on your interests – you could potentially skip the zoo or go there the next day, instead of visiting SeaWorld.
If you want to take it easier, follow our suggested one-day itinerary without a car (see above).
Day 2
In the morning, visit SeaWorld San Diego to get up-close-and-personal with whales, walruses, and dolphins.
If you haven’t visited the zoo on the previous day, you could do that instead.
Both these places require a full day to properly explore, but if your time in San Diego is limited, you can see at least some of the highlights in half a day.
After lunch, travel 20 miles north of Downtown San Diego to the seaside village of La Jolla.
Known as the “Rodeo Drive” of San Diego, La Jolla is home to world-class shopping and restaurants. But it has so much more to offer than that! When visiting La Jolla for a short time, don’t miss its famous resident population of wild seals and sea lions.
Park on La Jolla Coast Boulevard and spend some time admiring the seals in the Children’s Pool area at Casa Beach. Dozens of seals and sea lions can be found lounging t ton this small sand beach.
TIP: One of the nicest things to do in La Jolla is kayak the sea caves of La Jolla Cove or dive/snorkel at La Jolla Underwater Park. We recommend joining this highly-rated kayak tour in the late afternoon of the second day of your 2-day San Diego itinerary.
Finish off the day by enjoying the marine life at Birch Aquarium and/or take a leisurely hike to see a magical sunset at Torrey Pines State Reserve.
Below is a map indicating all the places mentioned in this 2 days San Diego itinerary.
3 Days in San Diego
Below is our suggested itinerary for what to see and do in San Diego in three days.
Day 1
Visit the San Diego Zoo, Downtown San Diego, and Coronado Island (see day 1 in the two-day itinerary above).
Day 2
Same as the second day of the 2-day itinerary, except take it easier. If there are any activities that you can’t get done this day, move them to the next one.
Both the La Jolla sea lions and the breathtaking skyline views of the Pacific Ocean from Torrey Pines State Reserve are not to be missed. However, if you want to take your time and really enjoy both, you might run out of time. In that case, you could visit either La Jolla seals or Torrey Pines State Reserve on this day. Leave the other one for the 3rd day of this itinerary.
Day 3
Start your day with La Jolla kayaking or a hike at Torrey Pines State Reserve, if not done the previous day.
Continue your travels by driving Historic Highway 101 from La Jolla to Oceanside, California. Along with taking in the picturesque scenery, stop in Del Mar to see the famous Del Mar Racetrack. You can also experience some more upscale shopping at the Del Mar Plaza.
Finally, end your 3 days in the San Diego area by spending the afternoon in the city of Carlsbad. Carlsbad has so much to offer that you can easily spend three days here alone. However, for this itinerary, you’ll need to narrow down your options. Take a look at the possibilities below!
The kids’ choice will be Legoland California theme park, water park, and SeaLife Aquarium. Alternatively, you can play golf, visit the Museum of Making Music or simply relax on Tamarack Beach.
Another really nice thing to do in Carlsbad is to take a local food tour. Alternatively, stop at Carlsbad’s Pizza Port Brewery and Restaurant, a ‘laid back California feel’ eatery with memorable food, hospitality, and ambiance.
TIP: If you are visiting the San Diego area in spring (March to May), don’t miss Carlsbad Flower Fields.
Here is the map indicating all the places mentioned in this 3-day San Diego itinerary.
If You Have More Time
If you have more than 3 days in San Diego, I suggest seeing the same places mentioned above, but at a much slower pace. If you have enough time, I recommend allocating an entire day for places such as SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, Legoland California, and the Hop-on-Hop-Off Trolley Tour.
If you are planning a longer San Diego vacation, you can also play golf, surf, participate in water sports or spend days at one or more of San Diego’s amazing beaches (and there are many!). Our favorites are Mission Beach along with adjoining Belmont Park, or Moonlight State Beach in Encinitas, CA. Here you can find more suggestions for the best beaches in San Diego for families.
The Point Loma tide pools, whale watching, taking a harbor cruise, visiting Cabrillo National Monument, and San Diego Zoo Safari Park are just a few other examples of other things to see and do in San Diego.
To sum up, yes, you can see the main highlights in San Diego in one day. And yes, you can get a taste of the surrounding areas in another day or two. However, you can also spend a week in San Diego and never get bored.
I’m sure that if you visit San Diego for just a few days, you’ll be planning a future longer trip before you even leave.
Where to Stay
Because the main attractions in San Diego County are fairly close to each other, you can stay in one place for your entire trip.
For 1-2 days in San Diego, the downtown area is the most convenient base, with quick access to major sights. Some good hotel options include:
- $$$$ Marriott Marquis – a popular waterfront hotel.
- $$$ Horton Grand Hotel – highly-rated hotel in the heart of San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter.
- $$ Urban Boutique Hotel – a very popular hotel in Little Italy, close to many cafes and restaurants.
La Jolla or Pacific Beach have the best location for a longer San Diego vacation, but accommodations here tend to be pricier than in the city center or other nearby areas. For a great mid-budget option, check out Inn by the Sea in La Jolla or Ocean Park Inn in Pacific Beach.
If you’re on a budget and staying 3+ days, consider Encinitas or Del Mar as a central base. It’s a bit of a ride from downtown San Diego, but the location is convenient for exploring the area. Staying here is usually cheaper than closer to the center, and with a (rental) car, getting around is simple.
TIP: Using the map below, you can compare hotels and self-catering apartments in and near San Diego. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best deals for your stay. Check it out!
FAQ
How many days do you need in San Diego?
We recommend planning at least 3 days for San Diego. This will allow you to explore the city center, visit one or two theme parks, and potentially also visit one of the coastal areas nearby. However, if you have more time, you can easily fill 5-7 days in San Diego and you’ll find plenty to do.
What is the best month to visit San Diego?
The best time to visit San Diego is in the spring and in the fall (March-May and September-November). The weather is pleasant, it’s not as busy as in the peak summer months, and you can find better deals for accommodations.
Where to stay?
If you are in San Diego for just 1 or 2 days and want to see the main landmarks, staying in the downtown area is the best choice. If you are spending a longer vacation in San Diego, it’s better to stay at one of the beach areas northwest of the city, such as La Jolla or Pacific Beach. For more budget-friendly options, check out Encinitas or Del Mar.
Do you need a car in San Diego?
You don’t need a car to visit the main attractions in San Diego city. However, if you are in San Diego for a few days and are planning to explore the areas outside the city center and its wide surroundings, we recommend renting a car. We personally use this website to find the best deals for your rental car.
More travel inspiration for the American Southwest:
- California:
- Arizona:
- Las Vegas:
- Utah:
- For many more destinations, please see our USA Travel Guide.
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If you’re in La Jolla on a Sunday, they have a wonderful Farmer’s Market from 9:00 – 1:00 at the La Jolla Elementary School.
Thanks for sharing this, Laurel.