San Diego Travelers Recommend

A full San Diego experience can be had in three days if you plan an itinerary with tours that combine the sights, culture, and adventures of Southern California’s Pacific coast. Here are our top ideas for how to spend your time, including a day trip to wine country or Mexico.

Day 1: Check Out Top Attractions

Get oriented to the city on a hop-on hop-off trolley tour, which provides transportation to popular destinations such as Old Town, Seaport Village, the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, or Little Italy. The Go San Diego Card complements the independent nature of the trolley tour with entrance to participating venues at one price. Depending on your interests, check out one or two of San Diego’s major attractions, such as the San Diego Zoo (home to an amazing array of animals), SeaWorld San Diego in Mission Bay, or the USS Midway Museum on the San Diego Bay waterfront. Then enjoy the city from the water on a San Diego Bay dinner cruise, which typically includes a meal with sides and dessert. Some cruises include additional features such as Champagne or a DJ. If you head a little further north and you'll end up at Legoland California, a perfect day with the kids!

Day 2: Get Active

With its near year-round pleasant weather, San Diego is made for outdoor activities. Explore the sea caves of La Jolla on a kayaking tour for the chance to spot wildlife such as seabirds, sea lions, and perhaps dolphins, or go further into the ocean on a whale-watching cruise to look for migrating whales and other marine life. On land, discover Balboa Park by Segway on a tour of the gardens, architecture, and cultural sites of this urban oasis, or head to Coronado on a Segway adventure that takes you on the ferry, to the beach, and past the historic Hotel del Coronado. Spend the evening on a food and drinks walking tour themed around a piece of the city’s history, such as the seedy aspects of the Gaslamp Quarter, now a nightlife district, or the Mexican and Native American heritage of Old Town, including tequila tastings.

Day 3: Get Away for the Day

San Diego sits less than 20 miles (30 kilometers) north of Mexico, making it easy to visit on a day trip. Tijuana is the closest destination, which you can explore on a Baja California coastal tour. You have the chance to go sightseeing and shop for gifts and souvenirs along Avenida Revolución, and then continue down the coast to Rosarito for free time to hit the beach or walk around town. Alternatively, discover one of California’s lesser-known wine regions on a day trip to Temecula, located inland between San Diego and Los Angeles. Enjoy tastings of different varietals at local wineries, and learn about winemaking in an area sandwiched between the desert and the ocean.

With two days in San Diego, you can spend one day exploring historical and family attractions in the city and another on activities that highlight the area’s natural beauty and Southern California lifestyle. Here are a few ways to create a 2-day itinerary that encompasses the best of San Diego.

Day 1: Visit Attractions

**Morning:**Get oriented on a hop-on hop-off trolley tour to popular destinations such as Old Town, Seaport Village, the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, and Little Italy. The Go San Diego Card includes entrance to several attractions at one price. Opt for a guided city tour if you prefer a set itinerary with commentary.

**Afternoon:**Depending on your interests, check out one or two of the city’s major attractions, such as the San Diego Zoo (home to the giant pandas), San Diego Zoo Wildlife Park, SeaWorld San Diego in Mission Bay, or the USS Midway Museum, which sits on the San Diego Bay waterfront.

**Night:**Admire the city from the water on a San Diego Bay dinner cruise, which typically includes an entree, sides, and dessert. Some cruises include features such as Champagne or a DJ for onboard dancing. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase if not included in the price.

Day 2: Enjoy Activities

**Morning:**Explore the sea caves of La Jolla on a kayaking tour where you have the chance to spot wildlife such as seabirds, sea lions, and perhaps dolphins. Alternatively, go further into the Pacific on a whale-watching cruise to look for migrating whales and other marine life.

**Afternoon:**With its pleasant weather, San Diego is made for Segway tours. Opt for a Balboa Park tour to explore the gardens, architecture, and cultural sites of this urban oasis, or head to Coronado on a Segway adventure that takes you on a ferry, to the beach, and past the Hotel del Coronado.   

**Night:**Discover the San Diego culinary scene with a food and drinks walking tour themed around history. Hear about the brothels and other seedy aspects of the Gaslamp Quarter, now a popular nightlife district, or explore Old Town for tastings of tequila and Mexican cuisine.

With a plethora of family-friendly attractions that highlight history, culture, and wildlife, plus its sunny setting on the Pacific, San Diego is an ideal place to spend a day, no matter what your interests are. Here are the top ways to experience the city with limited time. 

Morning: Get Acquainted

Orient yourself with San Diego on the hop-on hop-off trolley, which provides open-air transportation so you can reach the locations that interest you at your own pace. Perhaps check out Old Town State Historic Park, Seaport Village, the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, or Little Italy—some of the most popular destinations for sightseeing, eating, and people-watching. For independent travelers, the Go San Diego Card provides entrance to many of the city’s best attractions at one price. If you prefer a set itinerary and commentary about the sights, opt for a guided city tour.

Afternoon: Visit Major Attractions

San Diego is well-known for its zoo, home to the city’s beloved giant pandas—wildlife lovers won’t want to miss this attraction. You can combine your visit with a trip to its sister property, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Park. Alternatively, check out SeaWorld San Diego, located in Mission Bay, to see dolphins, sea lions, and other marine animals. If you’re more of a history or naval buff, the USS Midway Museum and Maritime Museum of San Diego are within walking distance of each other on the Embarcadero, which runs along the San Diego Bay waterfront.

Night: Dine on the Water

Spend the evening on a San Diego Bay dinner cruise, which provides a chance to look back at the city as it lights up for the night. Cruises typically include a full meal such as steak or seafood with side dishes and dessert, served in an enclosed cabin. Most boats also have open-air decks to taking in the views and fresh ocean air. Opt for a luxury experience for additional features such as Champagne or a DJ for onboard music and dancing. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase if they are not included in the price.

Summertime and vacation are synonymous with San Diego, where 70 miles (110 kilometers) of glimmering Southern California shoreline offer some of the surfing, swimming, and sunbathing in the country. Off the beach, meanwhile, there are plenty of parks and historical attractions. Here are our top ideas for how to enjoy summer in San Diego. 

• Stroll through Balboa Park, where you’ll find museums, gardens, carousel, and many family-friendly attractions.

• See animals of all stripes at the San Diego Zoo, home to a trio of giant pandas, or SeaWorld, part of Mission Bay.

• Get out on the water with a harbor cruise, a sailboat ride, a speedboat adventure, a whale-watching tour, or a kayaking tour around the sea caves and cliffs of La Jolla.

• Take a tour of the USS Midway Museum, an aircraft carrier that’s docked on the downtown San Diego waterfront.

• Hit the beach. There’s something for everyone from Coronado Beach up to Ocean Beach, including Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, and the La Jolla Tide Pools.

• Play a round of golf at Torrey Pines Golf Course, located next to Torrey Pines State Reserve between La Jolla and Del Mar.

• Catch a San Diego Padres baseball game at Petco Park.

One of San Diego’s most exciting aspects is its proximity to Mexico—the border is just 17 miles (27 kilometers) from downtown, and this slice of Baja California is known for its natural beauty, fresh seafood, and vibrant culture. Here’s where to go.

Tijuana — 20 miles (32 km) from San Diego

Just beyond the border lies Tijuana, best known for its kitschy main drag, Avenida Revolucion. Set out on a day trip from San Diego to weave between taco carts, donkeys painted like zebras, street mariachi, and merchants selling everything from blankets to paintings while exploring its chaotic streets. Tour the city’s craft breweries, or stop by the many markets, boutiques, and street vendor booths to pick up items such as chicharrones, fresh fruit, pinatas, and shoes.

Rosarito Beach — 34 miles (55 km) from San Diego

After stopping in Tijuana, most Mexico tours from San Diego head just south of the city to Rosarito Beach, a popular oceanside respite for Mexicans and Americans alike. Aside from enjoying cervezas on the sand, visitors often spend time touring the area’s artisan markets while getting a taste of “Old Hollywood” courtesy of the town’s 1920s heyday when it hosted film stars such as Orson Welles and Dolores del Rio.

Puerto Nuevo — 48 miles (77 km) from San Diego

Further down the coast is the small lobster fishing village of Puerto Nuevo, which exists for one sole purpose: to fry or grill up fresh spiny lobster. Served with butter, fresh flour tortillas, and rice and beans, it’s an iconic Baja dining experience that shouldn’t be missed. A visit to Puerto Nuevo is often combined with time in Rosarito Beach, making for a full-day tour from San Diego. 

Ensenada — 88 miles (141 km) from San Diego

Full-day Ensenada tours take a wider view of the region while staying within two hours of the border. You’ll soak up sweeping vistas of jagged desert cliffs and bright blue waters on the way down, and can then wander the fish markets and sample some of the region’s finest wines at a local winery. Travelers enjoy strolling the oceanfront boardwalk to duck into shops and markets off of the buzzing streets. Most full-day tours that head down to Ensenada run about 10 hours long.

October is an exciting time for families visiting San Diego—throughout the whole month, kids go free. From October 1 to October 31, up to two children per paying adult have free access to San Diego's top attractions, allowing the entire family to enjoy more activities for less.

Participation varies by attraction, so check out our deals and discounts in San Diego to find out how to take advantage of this great deal.