How to Spend 3 Days in San Diego
San Diego is the easiest big city in California. The weather is good nearly every day of the year, the beaches are close, and it’s much more laid-back than LA. Three days is the sweet spot: enough to see the big stuff without rushing, and still have time to sit on a beach.
In this guide
This plan splits things up by area so you’re not crossing the city back and forth. Day one is downtown and Balboa Park, day two is La Jolla and the north coast, and day three is Coronado and the waterfront.
Day 1 morning: Balboa Park
Start at Balboa Park, a huge green space right next to downtown. It was built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, and the buildings from that fair, all ornate Spanish Colonial towers and arches, are now home to 17 museums.
You don’t need to go inside any of them to enjoy it. Walk the main promenade, El Prado, from the Cabrillo Bridge past the California Tower to the lily pond in front of the Botanical Building. Then pick one museum that fits your interests. The Museum of Us and the San Diego Air and Space Museum are both good.
The San Diego Zoo is also in the park. It’s great, but it’s a full day on its own. If you want to do it, swap it for your first afternoon and skip something else.
Day 1 afternoon: the Gaslamp and the waterfront
Head downtown to the Gaslamp Quarter, a 16-block neighborhood of Victorian buildings that’s now mostly bars and restaurants. It’s fun at night but a little sleepy in the afternoon, so walk through and keep going to the harbor.
Seaport Village is a touristy collection of shops on the water, fine for a quick look. The real reason to come down here is the walk along the Embarcadero, past the big ships and the boats in the harbor, with Coronado across the water.
Day 1 evening: Little Italy
For dinner, go to Little Italy, which is now one of the best food neighborhoods in the city. India Street is lined with restaurants, wine bars and cafes. If you’re there on a Saturday morning, the Little Italy Mercato is one of the biggest farmers markets in Southern California.
Prefer Mexican food? Old Town San Diego is the historic center of the city, with adobe buildings and a lot of big, lively Mexican restaurants. It’s very touristy, but the margaritas are cold and nobody minds.
Day 2 morning: La Jolla Cove
Rent a car for today, or take a rideshare. La Jolla is about 20 minutes north of downtown, a rich seaside neighborhood with one of the prettiest coastlines in California.
Go to La Jolla Cove early, before the crowds. The rocks are covered in sea lions and harbor seals, barking and sunning themselves a few feet from the path. You’ll smell them before you see them, FYI. Walk along the coast to the Children’s Pool, where the seals take over the beach.
If you want to get in the water, rent a kayak and paddle out to the sea caves, or snorkel in the cove. The water is chilly year-round, so a wetsuit is a good idea.
Day 2 afternoon: Torrey Pines
A few miles north, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve protects one of the rarest pine trees in the US, along with sandstone bluffs high above the Pacific. Several short trails lead out to viewpoints over the ocean. The Guy Fleming Trail is an easy loop of less than a mile, and the Beach Trail takes you down to the sand.
Parking at the top fills up on weekends. You can also park at Torrey Pines State Beach below and walk up the road, which is a good workout.
Finish the day at a taco shop on the way back, which in San Diego is never far away. Order a California burrito, a local specialty with French fries inside. It sounds strange and it’s delicious.
Day 3 morning: Coronado
Take the ferry from downtown across the bay to Coronado, which takes about 15 minutes. You can rent a bike near the ferry landing and ride across the island to Coronado Beach, one of the best beaches in the country, with wide, flat sand that sparkles with mica.
The Hotel del Coronado sits right on the beach. Built in 1888, it’s a huge Victorian resort with red turrets, and it’s worth walking through the lobby even if you’re not staying. Marilyn Monroe’s “Some Like It Hot” was filmed here.
▶ Watch This Before You Go
Day 3 afternoon: the USS Midway
Back on the mainland, spend a couple of hours on the USS Midway, an aircraft carrier turned museum docked on the waterfront. It served from 1945 to 1992, and now you can explore the decks, the cramped crew quarters and the flight deck, which has dozens of aircraft parked on it.
Even if you’re not into military history, it’s a fascinating place, and the audio guide is narrated by people who actually served on the ship. Many of the volunteers are veterans too, and they’re happy to talk.
Day 3 evening: Sunset Cliffs
End your trip at Sunset Cliffs in Point Loma, about 15 minutes from downtown. It’s a stretch of crumbling sandstone cliffs along the ocean, with surfers in the water below and people gathering every evening to watch the sun go down.
Stay back from the edge. The cliffs are unstable and people fall every year. Then grab dinner in Ocean Beach next door, a relaxed old surf town with fish tacos and cheap beer.
Common questions
Is 3 days enough for San Diego?
Yes, for the highlights. Add a day for the zoo or Safari Park, or a day trip to Julian or Temecula.
When is the best time to visit San Diego?
September and October have the warmest water and fewest crowds. May and June can be gray, which locals call May Gray and June Gloom.
Do I need a car in San Diego?
Not for downtown, Balboa Park or Coronado. A car makes La Jolla and Torrey Pines much easier.
Where should I stay?
Little Italy or the Gaslamp for walkability, Coronado for the beach, La Jolla if you want somewhere quieter and more upscale.
Is the San Diego Zoo worth it?
Yes, but it’s a full day. If you only have three days, decide whether it’s a priority.
