3 Day Itinerary for the Ultimate San Diego Experience
San Diego is often known as a laid-back beach town and home of the Anchorman’s hilarious Ron Burgundy, but there’s so much more to this city than just the sand and surf.
There is delicious food along with unique bars to pair with loads of outdoor activities - it just goes to show that there really is something for everyone in America’s Finest City.
So, if you’re looking for things to do in San Diego for a weekend getaway trip - here is the perfect three-day itinerary!
Let’s get started!
Day 1: Things to do in San Diego
Morning
When you arrive in San Diego, the first thing you’re going to want to do is grab a coffee and a delicious bite to eat. And not just any coffee, but some of the best coffee in town from Communal.
Depending on where you are, you can go to either of their two locations:
Communal South Park (2221 Fern St, San Diego, CA 92104 ) - This spot has an adorable Airstream and lots of outdoor seating.
Communal North Park (2335 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104) boasts a beautiful interior and a nifty shop indoors.
Communal’s emphasis on inspiring and caring for the local community is where it really shines. Communal offers a unique experience with each cup of coffee, and you can really taste the love that goes into making it. Plus, their delicious seasonal food menu and creatively designed spaces don’t hurt either.
Afternoon
After you’ve had your coffee (or tea, no judgment here), it’s time to explore. The La Jolla Coast Walk Trail is the perfect place to start. With stunning views of the ocean, this trail is a great way to get your bearings and stretch your legs after a long journey.
The La Jolla Coast Walk Trail is a short 0.6 miles and perfect for those who want to get a light workout without dedicating hours to it. The trail begins at either The Cave Store, where you can also walk down into Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave, or at the small cul-de-sac along Prospect St., next to a parking lot.
The parking lot only holds around 10 spots, but you have plenty of underground parking options as well.
When you’re all trail-ed out, it’ll be time to eat again. And thankfully, San Diego has no shortage of great places to eat.
For lunch, we recommend The Invigatorium in Downtown San Diego. This was one of our favorite spots for lunch, as the interior was spectacular (how can you beat dragons, dinosaurs, and disco balls?), and the sandwiches and drinks were delicious. We recommend the Johnny Salami and the Spro Loko coffee cocktail. They were made with super high quality ingredients - truly a unique and delightful experience!
A nice full belly always makes for a good afternoon/evening. What better way to relax than by going on a Dolphin & Whale Sunset Cruise with San Diego Whale Watch?
You’ll get to see some of the most beautiful creatures on earth while also enjoying the stunning views of the San Diego coastline. The best part is that no two cruises are ever the same, so you never know what you’ll see. We were lucky enough to see lots of dolphins and a couple of whales! If you don’t see any whales, they’ll give you a voucher for a free ride to try again!
Evening
After the cruise, it’ll be time for some pre-dinner cocktails. And boy, do we have the perfect spot for you: Wolfie’s Carousel Bar!
This bar is exactly what it sounds like. It has an actual rotating carousel that you sit at. How cool is that? The drinks are incredible too! The bartenders really know their stuff and are always coming up with new and innovative concoctions. We really loved the fresh herbs that were mixed with our cocktails.
Once you’ve had your fill of cocktails, it’ll be time for dinner. And you know that San Diego will not disappoint. There are so many great places to choose from, but we loved Born & Raised Steakhouse. The mouthwatering steak and potatoes are definitely worth the wait, and the glitzy decor and rooftop patio make for a truly unique dining experience.
Day 2: Things to do in San Diego Today
Morning
After a fun-filled first day, it’s time to start day two with a scrumptious breakfast and coffee. One of our favorite spots was Garden Coffee. Full of plants and located in a beautifully decorated outdoor space, we loved the chill vibe here. We recommend any of their drinks here, especially any of the latte or horchata selections.
Had your fill of coffee and food? Snap out of your ‘chill’ vibe; it’s time to explore again! Let’s take it old school in Old Town San Diego, where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. This is the birthplace of California, so there’s plenty of history to take in. I especially liked Racine & Laramie Tobacconist as the whole place was full of old time character, including the shop owner who dressed the part! Make sure to stop by Casa de Reyes for some great Mexican food.
A quirky next stop is Harper’s Topiary Garden! It’s a funky manicured private garden that is full of interesting animals and faces. It’s really unlike any garden you’ve ever seen and a recommended stop for a bit of local flavor.
Afternoon
Lunchtime! And we know just the spot: Underbelly. They have three locations; one in Little Italy, one in North Park, and one inside the UCSD campus called Izakaya Underbelly. So no matter where you are, they’re never too far. The menu has ramen, rice bowls, and small plates that are all reasonably priced and will leave you stuffed. My favorites were definitely the chicken karaage and ramen!
Afterward, it’s time to get your walk on again in the surreal Balboa Park. This is one of the largest urban parks in the US and is home to museums, theaters, and gardens. You could easily spend an entire day here and still not see everything. But don’t worry; we’ll hit up the highlights below:
Casa del Prado - the amazing architecture will leave your jaw on the floor
Lily Pond - full of ducks and lily pads, a very relaxing spot
Japanese Friendship Garden - 12 acres of manicured Japanese gardens
Spreckels Organ Pavilion - over 5,000 pipes and a live organ player
Kate O. Sessions Cactus Garden - a large assortment of cacti and succulents
Museum of Us - beautiful architecture and interesting exhibits inside
Evening
End your busy day with a well-deserved libation. Lumi is an excellent spot for some amazing cocktails and Japanese bites. The vibe is super chic, and the bartenders are more than happy to make you something off-menu.
The sushi here is very fresh, while the cocktails are all unique and pack a serious, serious punch. Make sure to really indulge yourself; you deserve it!
Day 3: Things to do in San Diego Today
Morning
Last-day blues! It’s never fun having to leave a place you’ve grown to love, but we’ll help you make the most of it.
Start your day off with breakfast at Better Buzz Coffee. There are 13 locations in San Diego County, so you won’t be far from one! Beautiful inside and out, and the coffees, bowls, sandwiches, and toasts will all leave you wanting more.
After you’re sufficiently caffeinated, it’s time to get out and explore again! But for your last day, I recommend you take it one step further and do something extra special; a morning kayak tour of La Jolla Sea Caves!
This was one of my favorite things that we did during the entire trip. I saw plenty of small Leopard Sharks, sea lions, fish, and even a humpback whale! We had plenty of opportunities to kayak through sea caves as well, taking in some of the most incredible views.
Afternoon
After such an exciting morning, it’s time to refuel with some lunch at Cesarina. This is a very fun, light-hearted Italian restaurant that serves up great fresh, handmade pasta. The service is excellent, and they even have an outdoor patio area where you can enjoy your meal.
After lunch, it’s time to visit one of San Diego’s most iconic places: North Park. Here, you’ll find a ton of great shops, bars, and restaurants, all within walking distance of each other. Check out my list of must-visits below:
Holy Matcha
Holy Matcha - Instagrammable cafe with delicious Matcha drinks
Pigment - beautifully designed home goods store - everything is picture perfect!
Verbatim Books - one of the coolest bookstores I’ve been to!
Lucha Libre Taco Shop - themed with Mexican wrestling paraphernalia
Bivouac Ciderworks - outdoor inspired taproom with excellent sips
Evening
After all that exploring, it’s time to relax and enjoy your last evening in San Diego. I recommend grabbing some appetizers and drinks at The Grass Skirt, which is a very cool tiki bar with a ‘secret’ entrance. I won’t tell you where it is; you’ll just have to find it for yourself!
When you’re ready for dinner, head to the Waterbar. Here you’ll find only the freshest seafood, much of which is sourced locally. The views are also incredible, making it the perfect spot to watch the sunset.
And that’s it for our three-day San Diego itinerary! I hope you enjoyed your time here as much as I did. If you’re looking for more things to do in and around California, be sure to check out my other blog posts!
Until next time, stay classy, San Diego! (Yes, that was a Ron Burgundy, Anchorman reference. If you know, you know. If you don’t, watch it!)
Paid Partnership with SDTA, all opinions are my own.
Funded in part with City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District Assessment Funds.