In general, California is a beautiful and amazing state to visit. And San Diego is no exception. This Southern California city is located on the Pacific Ocean and just 20 minutes north of Tijuana, Mexico. There are a lot of fun activities to do in San Diego, but this 3-day San Diego itinerary is ideal for a long weekend.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links so if you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we might earn a small commission (but don’t worry, it’s no extra cost to you).
When to Visit San Diego
The best time for a San Diego trip is March to May and September to November. The weather is fairly warm and the crowds are much fewer than the summer months. California gets 75% of its annual rainfall between November and March, so it is best not to travel here during that time.
Where to Stay in San Diego
Being a large city, there are endless hotel options. Your budget will help determine what areas of the city you will stay in. For this San Diego itinerary, you will need a car to get around, so you do not need to stay in a specific area to make the most of your trip. Here are 4 neighborhoods for you to consider staying in:
- Downtown San Diego
- Coronado
- Ocean Beach
- La Jolla
San Diego Itinerary Map
What to Pack for this San Diego Itinerary
- Water!! Carry bottled water to keep hydrated without using disposable plastic bottles!
- Sunscreen – Protect your skin from the sun, and do not forget to reapply.
- Cute Outfit – For your San Diego itinerary, you need to sport cute but comfortable outfits. For the men, here is some shorts and a t-shirt for you to rock. For women, I have a few more options:
- These shorts and tank would look amazing.
- V-Neck Romper
- T-Shirt Midi Dress
- One-Shoulder Wide Leg Jumpsuit
- Comfortable shoes – Stylish but comfortable is the name of the game when walking around the city. Here is an option for men and women.
- Weekender Bag – For a short visit, a simple weekender bag is perfect.
- Hobo Bag – I often carry this cute hobo bag on my travels. It isn’t too big but big enough to carry small souvenirs I buy along the way.
- Hat – More sun protection to block the sun from your face
- Packing Cubes – Keep your clothes and toiletries organized on this San Francisco to San Diego road trip.
- Jacket – Even in warmer months, the temps can be cool in the mornings and evening so pack a light men’s or women’s jacket.
Day 1 – San Diego Itinerary
San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is one of the most famous and well-known zoos in the world. This zoo is a pioneer in open-air habitats to give animals a home that is most like their natural homes. The botanical gardens throughout the zoo will make the patrons feel like they are seeing the animals out in nature instead of in the middle of a city.
Located inside Balboa Park, the zoo is just a short drive from downtown. The zoo houses over 14,000 rare and endangered animals in their 100-acre park. With your ticket price, you can also ride the zoo’s guided bus tour, Kangaroo Express Bus (which is a hop-on/hop-off bus system), and the Skyfari Aerial Tram. Even with these transportation methods available, be prepared to track lots of steps. This zoo is huge and has a lot to see!
Gaslamp Quarter
After walking miles at the zoo, take it easy the rest of the day at the Gaslamp Quarter. This lively area of San Diego, located near Petco Park, is known for its entertaining nightlife. This area has 16.5 walkable blocks consisting of over 100 historical buildings. The streets are lined with restaurants, bars, ice cream shops, and souvenir shops.
If you are traveling with kids, this area might not be the best for them because it is mostly bars. Instead, spend the afternoon at a beach. Some options include Coronado, Ocean, and Mission beaches. We spent a couple hours during low tide at Silver Strand State Park ($20 entry fee) on Coronado Island looking for sand dollars and other unique shells.
Day 2 – San Diego Itinerary
Cabrillo National Monument
Explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was the first European to discover the west coast of America when he landed in San Diego looking for the seven wealthy cities of Cibolo. Cabrillo National Monument is named in his honor. Spend the morning exploring this park and admiring the views of San Diego and its harbor.
From the visitor’s center, walk up the hill to explore the Old Point Lomo Lighthouse which sits on the highest point of the park. This lighthouse was decommissioned in 1891, and a new lighthouse was constructed at a lower level. Another feature of this park are the tidepools where you can spot mollusks and tiny crabs running about. Make sure to time your visit at low tide if you want to see the tidepools.
Sunset Cliffs
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a 68-acre park located along the Pacific Coast. There is a walking trail along the shoreline that stretches 1.5 miles where you can admire ocean views, plunging cliffs, rock formations sculpted by the seas, and hidden caves. This is also a popular spot to watch the sunset behind the Pacific Ocean.
La Jolla
La Jolla is the one place most people said was a must-visit spot in San Diego. Along the coastline is La Jolla Cove where dozens of seals and sea lions can be spotted swimming and laying out on the rocks. There is also a sandy beach here where you can dip your toes into the ocean. Just be sure to stay at least 50 yards away from any seals or sea lions. It is for your safety, and it is also California law.
Another activity in La Jolla is Sunny Jim’s Cave & Store. This is a very popular and crowded attraction that we opted not to do because of the crowds. But so many people said it was cool to see. A man-made, 143-step tunnel leads to a large sea cave. This is the only sea cave in the area that can be accessed without traveling over water or by kayak.
On top of the hill is the town of La Jolla where you can shop ’til you drop. The town also has many tasty restaurants and bars that overlook the ocean.
Old Town
Old Town San Diego is the location of the first European settlement in California. This is another area of San Diego where there are lots of shopping, restaurants, and nightlife. While walking around, you can hear the sounds of mariachi bands.
Day 3 – San Diego Itinerary
USS Midway Museum
USS Midway Museum is likely your only chance to tour a military aircraft carrier. In addition to touring the ship, you can also see more than 30 restored aircraft on the Hangar Deck and Flight Deck. The Hangar Deck exhibits include World War II aircraft that you can climb into the cockpit and experience the Battle of Midway Theater. Below deck you can see how the military crew lived their day to day lives. (Picture is from USS Carl Vinson.)
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is one of those places where you can spend a few hours, or you could spend days. You should stop at the visitor’s center or one of the information kiosks to ask for recommendations on how to spend you time here. Balboa Park is where the San Diego Zoo and many of San Diego’s museums, cultural centers, and gardens.
I am not a huge museum fan, but if you are, you have so many options. The most popular museums include:
- San Diego Natural History Museum
- Fleet Science Center
- San Diego Air & Space Museum
- The San Diego Museum of Art
- San Diego Model Railroad Museum
- Comic Con Museum
We spent our time at Balboa Park checking out the gardens: Japanese Friendship Garden, Palm Canyon, Zoro Garden, and the Kate O. Sessions Cactus Garden. The Botanical Building was closed for refurbishment during our visit, but we did make sure to walk to it to see the Lily Pond.
The park also hosts the House of Pacific Relations Internationals Cottages which is a village of 31 different cultural centers. Each cottage represents a different country where you can learn about that country’s culture. Some even have local foods for you to try.
Other Fun Activities To Do in San Diego
If any of the activities in my San Diego itinerary do not appeal to you, there are lots of other options in the city:
- SeaWorld San Diego
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park
- Silver Strand State Beach – Look for shells and sand dollars during low tide
- Coronado Island
- Whale Watching
- Petco Park – Watch a Padres game
- Ocean Beach
- Mission Beach
You May Also Be Interested In
The Best 10-Day San Francisco to San Diego Road Trip
Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks in Once Day: How to See the Highlights
The Perfect 3-Day Yosemite Itinerary
How to Spend 1, 2, or 3 Days in Death Valley
How to Spend 4 Days in San Francisco
The Ultimate San Francisco to Las Vegas Road Trip: 4 Parks in 7 Days
