San Diego Travel Guide: Things to Do, Best Time to Visit & Itinerary

Day 1: The Cultural Heart

• Morning: Start your trip at the world-famous San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, arriving right at the 9:00 AM opening to see the animals when they are most active. Tickets cost approximately $71 per adult, and you should plan to spend at least 4 hours walking the hilly terrain.
• Afternoon: Walk from the zoo into the main Balboa Park museum complex to admire the Spanish Colonial architecture and visit the Museum of Us or the Air & Space Museum for about $25 per person. Grab a casual lunch at Panama 66 which offers open-air dining in the sculpture garden.
• Evening: Drive 2 miles downtown to Little Italy for a vibrant dinner experience at a spot like Born & Raised or Barbusa. Expect to pay around $50 to $80 for a nice meal before strolling the piazza to grab gelato for dessert.

Day 2: Bay Views and History

• Morning: Head to the Embarcadero to tour the USS Midway Museum, where admission is around $31, and spend 3 hours exploring the flight deck and below-deck quarters. The views of the harbor and the ‘Unconditional Surrender’ statue nearby are excellent photo opportunities.
• Afternoon: Take the ferry from the Broadway Pier across the bay to Coronado Island for $8 per person round trip. Rent bikes near the landing for $25 and ride down Orange Avenue to see the historic Hotel del Coronado and its pristine white sand beach.
• Evening: Take the ferry back at sunset to watch the city skyline light up from the water. Finish the night with tacos and margaritas in the Gaslamp Quarter, where dinner will run about $40 to $60 for two people.

Day 3: Sun, Sand, and Seals

• Morning: Drive 12 miles north to La Jolla Cove to watch the sea lions basking on the rocks and walk the scenic Coast Blvd. Breakfast at The Cottage is a local favorite, but arrive before 9:00 AM to avoid hour-long waits.
• Afternoon: Head up to the Torrey Pines Gliderport to watch paragliders soar over the cliffs and hike the Beach Trail at Torrey Pines State Reserve. Parking is roughly $15-25, and the hike is a moderate 2.3-mile loop with steep sections.
• Evening: Conclude your trip in Pacific Beach to walk Crystal Pier and watch the surfers as the sun goes down. Grab a casual burger at Rocky’s Crown Pub for about $15 per person for a laid-back local finish.

Day 1: History and Sunsets

• Morning: Begin at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park to explore the adobe buildings and the Whaley House Museum. Admission to the park is free, though some museums have small fees around $10, and you can grab authentic churros from a street vendor.
• Afternoon: Drive to Point Loma to visit the Cabrillo National Monument for $20 per vehicle. The views of the harbor are unmatched, and you can hike the Bayside Trail for a gentle 2.5-mile walk with harbor views.
• Evening: Head to Ocean Beach (OB) to walk the longest concrete pier on the West Coast. Grab dinner at South Beach Bar & Grille for their famous fish tacos, costing about $30 for two, before watching the sunset at the cliffs.

Day 2: The Jewel of the Sea

• Morning: Book a 90-minute kayak tour of the La Jolla sea caves for approximately $45 per person to see the marine reserve from the water. You will likely spot bright orange Garibaldi fish and harmless leopard sharks swimming beneath you.
• Afternoon: Drive inland to the Miramar area, known as ‘Beeramar’, to visit world-class breweries like AleSmith or Ballast Point. Tasting flights usually cost around $15, and food trucks are often available for a quick lunch.
• Evening: Return to the coast for a bonfire at La Jolla Shores, one of the few beaches that allow fire pits. You can bring your own wood and s’mores supplies for a budget-friendly evening under the stars.

Day 3: Safari and Spirits

• Morning: Drive 30 miles north to Escondido for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which offers a more expansive, savanna-like experience compared to the downtown zoo. Tickets are around $71, and the Africa Tram tour is included with admission.
• Afternoon: On the way back south, stop at the Bernardo Winery, the oldest operating winery in Southern California. You can walk the village shops and enjoy a wine tasting for about $20 without needing a reservation.
• Evening: Explore the North Park neighborhood, the hipster hub of the city, to browse vintage shops and art galleries. Dinner at a trendy spot like Urban Solace or Tribute Pizza will cost around $50 for two people.

Day 4: Mission Bay Leisure

• Morning: Rent a stand-up paddleboard at Mission Bay for about $25 an hour and glide through the calm waters of Santa Clara Point. It is a relaxing way to start the day before the winds pick up in the afternoon.
• Afternoon: Walk or rent rollerblades to cruise the boardwalk between Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. Stop at Belmont Park to ride the historic Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster for $8 per ride.
• Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner at Cannonball in Mission Beach, a rooftop sushi spot with ocean views. Expect to spend $80 to $100 for a premium sushi dinner with drinks as you listen to the crashing waves.