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Are you planning a trip to San Diego in California and looking for ideas on what to see and do in San Diego in 1, 2, or 3 days? In this article, we share the best San Diego itinerary suggestions for up to three days. Find out!
Best Place To Go In San Diego
, you might be wondering why there is so much hype surrounding the beautiful US state of California? It’s a beautiful state and San Diego is probably the best place in California. A city you must see!
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So in this post, we cover the best things to see and do in San Diego, California in one to three days and show you how amazing this place is.
Whether you only have one, two or three days in San Diego, our suggestions and practical tips will help you get the most out of your trip, no matter how much time you have.
Below you will find detailed daily itineraries for 1, 2, or 3 days in San Diego. I also included the amap for each itinerary. That way you have a better idea of where all the places are. Of course, you don’t have to follow these itineraries exactly, but they give you a good idea of the main landmarks of the city and the surroundings, and the time you need. to see them.
Good to know: While you can see the best of San Diego in one day, the surrounding communities of La Jolla, Encinitas, Del Mar, and Carlsbad should not be missed. Depending on your interests, I recommend a minimum of three days in the area. But if you want to see all the best places, you can spend five days or more exploring the San Diego area.
San Diego Itinerary Ideas From 1 To 3 Days (+ Maps & Tips)
San Diego is a coastal city located on the Pacific Ocean in Southern California. It is known for its year-round idyllic climate, cultural parks, and 70 miles of pristine beaches. Within its borders, San Diego county actually includes 18 other cities and several other beautiful coastal communities.
That includes downtown San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village, and Little Italy, as well as La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, and Carlsbad, just to name a few.
With a thriving art and culinary scene, many family-friendly attractions, and year-round outdoor fun, it’s no wonder San Diego attracts visitors of all ages from around the world.
June, July, and August are San Diego’s peak tourism months. Prices are high and all attractions are at their busiest.
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In the spring months of March-May, the temperatures are mild and there are relatively few people. San Diego is one of the best destinations in the USA to visit for spring break!
The autumn months of September-November also boast pleasant temperatures. Many festivals are held throughout the city during this time and it is a great time to be here.
The best time to visit San Diego is during the shoulder season, March-April and September-November. The weather is nice and the temperature is mild, it’s not as busy as summer, and it’s a bit cheaper than the high season.
Below you will find suggested itineraries in San Diego for one to three days. This article was written by our guest writer Jen, who lives in the US and has visited San Diego with her family many times. All of these itineraries and suggestions are therefore based on his personal experience and are filled with some insider tips for visiting San Diego for the first time.
What To Do In San Diego
Of course, no two trips are alike, so use these itinerary suggestions as a guide. You should adjust your San Diego itinerary as needed to account for the weather, how much time you spend at each landmark, and the different interests of your group or family members.
The suggested itineraries will give you a good idea of the places worth visiting, approximately how much time you will 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 to San Diego. If you want to travel deeper, it is better to visit smaller places and spend your time enjoying the amazing sights and scenery, instead of rushing from one place to another. and tick the boxes. On the other hand, if you’re visiting San Diego for the first time and really want to see it all, these itinerary suggestions will show you how to do it.
TIP: If you are planning to visit some of San Diego’s attractions or do any tours or organized activities, it is really useful to get the Go San Diego Card. This includes free entry to many of the San Diego area’s top attractions, as well as a large selection of activities such as bike and kayak tours, whale watching, and more.
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We have two suggested itineraries on how to spend a day in San Diego: one if you have a car and want to use it and the other – without a car. Look!
TIP: We recommend leaving the car in the car park and exploring the city of San Diego itself without a car!
If you have a day in San Diego and want to use a car, I suggest 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 talent.
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. The Gaslamp Quarter has historic Victorian buildings. The Marina District includes the nautical and charming Seaport Village, a 14-acre waterfront shopping, dining, and entertainment destination.
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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 beauty that can be felt by walking around the neighborhood. The electric versions of the old gaslamps that give the street its name are fun to watch.
Suggested morning itinerary: Visit the Gaslamp and Core Columbia. You can park on the USS Midway and walk to those parts of the city. If you like history and exhibits, you can spend up to 3 hours at the USS Midway Museum. However, you can also visit the ship in 1-1, 5 hours as well.
From there walk to the Seaport, which is just a few short blocks from the USS Midway. When visiting San Diego with kids, don’t miss the Seaport Village Carousel and get some delicious ice cream there. You can do all this before lunch.
TIP: Since the USS Midway Museum is one of San Diego’s most popular attractions, we recommend getting skip-the-line tickets in advance.
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Before lunch, drive across the Coronado Bridge (a sight in itself) that connects downtown San Diego to Coronado Island. This extremely popular island is home to the famous red-roofed Hotel Del Coronado. Coronado Island’s white sandy beaches are ranked in the “Top 10” in the entire U.S.
Although you can easily spend 1 or 2 days on Coronado Island alone, having only one day in San Diego means you should do it in just 3 to 4 hours. Keep in mind that it is very difficult to find parking on the island.
When the beach parking lots are full, most visitors stop to park on the residential streets located throughout the island (which is allowed in writing). Alternatively, leave your car in the city center and take a ferry.
I recommend having lunch on the terrace of the Hotel Del Coronado or at one of the main waterfront restaurants at the Ferry Landing Marketplace. This island is not to be missed!
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Depending on your interests, return to the bridge and spend the rest of the afternoon at Balboa Park (an urban cultural park with 15 museums), the world-famous San Diego Zoo, or the kids’ favorite, SeaWorld San Diego.
However, if you only have one day in San Diego, it might not be worth it to get expensive tickets to the zoo or SeaWorld and only spend a few hours there. Balboa Park might be a better option for a short visit.
Finally, end your day in San Diego by dipping your toes in the ocean and watching the best San Diego sunsets at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park.
To help you plan your day in San Diego, I’ve created a map that shows all the places mentioned in this 1-day itinerary.
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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 area. Click the arrow in the upper left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map title to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view a saved map of
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