A Jam-Packed Itinerary for San Diego in One Day

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As an LA native, I’ve visited San Diego more times than I can count – sometimes for a weekend, but even just for one day. And you really can do a lot in just one day in San Diego.

San Diego is a top destination in Southern California with near perfect weather, pristine coastline, big family attractions, local charm, and some of the best Mexican food and seafood! This itinerary for San Diego in one day covers all the best the city has to offer so you can get the most out of your short time there.

So, whether you’re visiting on a day trip from Los Angeles, have some time to kill on a layover, or stopping by on a bigger California road trip, let’s dive in!

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When’s the best time to visit San Diego?

If you’re looking for the best weather with the fewest crowds, March through May and September through November are the best times to visit San Diego. You’ll avoid the summer crowds, but because San Diego is a coastal city, it doesn’t get too hot.

For the cheapest trip, low season is considered November through February. It can get chillier during the winter months so pack accordingly.

And a final note when planning your trip to San Diego, be sure to check the event calendar for the conference center. It hosts huge events like Comic Con every year bringing in thousands of visitors to San Diego, which drives up hotel prices.

Related read >> Top places to visit in summer in the US

How to Get to San Diego

If you’re flying, San Diego has a major international airport (SAN for short) that’s in a central location, just north of Little Italy.

You can reach San Diego from these locations by car:

• Los Angeles – 2.5 hours
• Joshua Tree National Park – 3 hours
• Las Vegas – 5 hours
• Phoenix – 5.5 hours
• San Francisco – 8 hours

Where to Stay in San Diego

While there are a number of beautiful areas in San Diego, for this itinerary, you’ll want to be in the most central locations so you can make the most of your one day.

I recommend a hotel along the marina, which feel more like luxury stays. They are all connected along the water by a gorgeous walking path. Personally, I’ve loved the Marriott Marquis and the Manchester Grand Hyatt.

Another option is to stay near the Gaslamp Quarter. You’ll be visiting this area in this itinerary and parking around here can be tricky so if you stay nearby, you can walk! This can be great too if you plan to capitalize on the nightlife in the Gaslamp Quarter.

I really loved my stay at the historic Horton Grand Hotel, which had a picturesque courtyard and spacious rooms (mine even had a fireplace!). This is the most budget-friendly option on the list.

I’ve also enjoyed a stay at Kona Kai Resort & Spa, which is a bit more removed from the action on Shelter Island. This is a nice option if you want to feel like you’re having a more remote beach getaway. I would choose this option if you’re turning this trip into a longer weekend getaway. The biking is great in this area as well!

The Best Way to Get Around

Because you only have one day in San Diego, it’s easiest to have a car. You can rent one from the airport or around the city and it will only cost you around $25 for the day.

If you really want to stick to public transportation, you can. However, your options for your itinerary become limited this way especially if you’re spending too much precious time waiting on buses. Public transportation does travel to everywhere on this itinerary though, including the more remote stop, Cabrillo National Monument.

The public transportation is called MTS (Metropolitan Transit System) and consists of buses and trolleys. Fares are $2.50 for a one way ticket or $6 for a day pass.

One Day in San Diego Itinerary Map

How to Spend One Day in San Diego

Early morning: breakfast at Cafe 222

There is only one way to start your morning in San Diego and that’s with some of the best waffles ever at Café 222. Seriously, it’s not just me. Café 222 has been hailed as a top breakfast spot and praised for their waffles in a number of magazines and news outlets.

The café is cozy and quirky with chandeliers made from teacups and silverware, with fried eggs painted on the floor. You’ll want to try their iconic pumpkin or corn waffles. I’ve been coming here for 20+ years and can confidently say, they’re both worth a trip to San Diego alone.

Yes, I am drooling through the screen…thanks for checking.

I can also recommend the huevos rancheros as well. And if you’re thinking, “why didn’t you get waffles this time?”, it’s because I visited Cafe 222 every day for 4 days in a row during a conference trip okay…so nosey 😜.

Late morning: enjoy a piece of all Balboa Park offers

For the first activity of the day, head to Balboa Park, a 1200+ acre public park full of stunning architecture and plantlife with 21+ museums and attractions!

You can spend a whole day exploring Balboa Park, but since there’s even more to see in San Diego, I recommend picking one or two museums or gardens to explore. I would go with the Air and Space Museum, Fleet Science Center, the Automotive Museum, and/or the Japanese Friendship Garden…but remember, I’m biased toward science sites!

They also have art, photography, and anthropology museums.

If you are visiting with kids, consider the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages. It’s sort of like a mini Epcot (in Walt Disney World) with small cottages representing different countries and cultures from around the world.

Note that while Balboa Park is free to visit, some museums have individual admissions.

Lunch: a delish choose your own taco shop adventure

You can’t visit San Diego without having tacos. I’m pretty sure it’s a law. There are SO MANY fantastic taco shops in the city so here are a few recommendations:

• Tacos El Gordo – a local favorite that has become so popular they’ve expanded to Las Vegas!
• Las Cuatro Milpas – a classic spot open for 90 years! (bring cash)
• Roberto’s – many locations, all delicious
• Lucha Libre – photogenic interiors, the California burrito was invented here

Afternoon: explore the rugged coast at Cabrillo National Monument

Next on our itinerary is to get a little taste of the coast. San Diego has some great beaches, but even better cliffs with flourishing marine life.

Check out Cabrillo National Monument (pronounced cahb-ree-oh) run by the National Park Service (yes, that means your America the Beautiful Pass works here 🙌).

Named after Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to set foot on the West Coast in 1542, there is plenty to explore here.

You’ll see the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which has an interesting history. In short, it was put into service in 1855 and after 36 years in operation, it was closed due to its high elevation, which caused its light to be obscured by fog and clouds. It was used instead as a radio tower, visitor center, tea house, and military post. After many years, it was assumed by the National Park Service.

There are two trails to explore – the Coastal Trail (1 mile round trip) and Bayside Trail (2.5 miles round trip). Both provide views of the cliffs, ocean, and local plantlife including spring wildflowers.

Depending on the tide, you can explore the Point Loma Tidepools at the base of the cliffs. Check the tide easily and for free with the app Tide Times. You want to visit at lower tide and note that just because it’s low when you arrive, doesn’t mean that it won’t start to creep up, so plan accordingly (and safely).

At the tidepools, during low tide you can climb down pretty easily to see starfish, crabs, anemones, and if you’re lucky dolphins and sea lions in the ocean nearby. And of course, there will be lots of birds to spot flying overhead.

If the tide isn’t favorable for climbing down, you can switch this activity with your Balboa Park morning so that you visit Cabrillo National Monument in the morning instead. That might give you better tidepool exploring conditions. Then, just visit Balboa Park in the afternoon!

Alternatively, visit La Jolla Cove (pronounced La-HOY-a) to try to see the sea lions that congregate there! It’s free to visit and you can even swim and snorkel if you want a little beach break in your day. Address for GPS navigation: 1100 Coast Blvd., La Jolla, CA.

Dinner: a food tour of San Diego’s best

For dinner, I’d recommend one of two food tours. The reason to do a food tour instead of a traditional sit down restaurant dinner is because San Diego is truly one of the top foodie cities in the US so if you can sample as much as possible in your day trip, you definitely should! Plus, I love a good food tour (I’ve done incredible ones in New Orleans and Paris) because you get to learn history while eating…is there a better way?

First you can take a food tour of Little Italy where you’ll try authentic pasta, calamari, wine, and gelato while learning about the area’s history.

Alternatively, opt for a food tour in the Gaslamp Quarter. I’d choose from either of these:

• Brothels, Bites, and Booze Tour
• Tequila, Tacos, and Tombstones Tour

Both of these include 3 food tasting samples and alcohol, plus a guided tour to learn the history of the Gaslamp Quarter, just from two different perspectives – the seedy side with scandal and debauchery, or the spooky side including a visit to Whaley House (the most haunted house in America). I’d personally go with the Tombstones tour because I love spooky history!

Finally, if you do want to have a more traditional sit down dinner, I have two recommendations in the Gaslamp Quarter.

If you’re in the mood for more Mexican food (because the limit does not exist), I recommend El Chingon for Mexican food. I loved their vegetarian potato tacos, which cost only $5 for 3 for happy hour.

Lou and Mickey’s was a phenomenal fine-dining seafood experience. I really enjoyed their macademia nut crusted wild Alaskan halibut. So perfectly crispy on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth on the inside! Plus, a made to order apple cobbler…yes, I’m drooling again.

PS: wondering how a grad student like me was able to afford all these spots? Check out how I traveled (for free) as a broke college student.

Evening: a taste of the nightlife scene in the Gaslamp Quarter

Regardless which food option you choose, I do recommend ending your 24 hours in San Diego at the Gaslamp Quarter.

There’s a great nightlife scene here. For a fun 1920s vibe, head to Prohibition Liquor Bar, a speakeasy located at 548 Fifth Ave. – spot the Law Office Eddie O’hare Esq. door to enter. Themed attire is encouraged on Friday and Saturday!

Another fun option would be to go to a comedy show. There are lots of venues to choose from in the Gaslamp Quarter including American Comedy Co., The Laugh Factory, Mad House Comedy Club, and The Tipsy Crow.

End the night with some delectable ice cream from the Ghirardelli Shop at 643 Fifth Ave in the Gaslamp Quarter.

Alternate things to do in San Diego

If you’re looking for some other things to do in San Diego, here are some ideas:

• San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
• SeaWorld
• LegoLand
• Harbor cruise
• USS Midway Museum

• Baseball game at Petco Park
• Whale watching tour
• Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala
• Discover the Mission Beach neighborhood
• Get a day pass to a swanky hotel to use their adults-only rooftop pool…yes, I’ve done this, and it was worth every penny of the whopping $18

Book a day pass, spa pass, or cabana at a resort starting at only $25.

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