Mission Bay, San Diego

4 Days in San Diego Itinerary

Four days is ample to sample San Diego’s highlights, among them Balboa Park, the sun-drenched shores of La Jolla, and the historic Gaslamp Quarter.

Our guide to a 4-day San Diego mini break provides a tantalizing taster menu of the city’s must-see highlights plus, of course, a spot of beach-bumming to bag that essential California tan before you leave.

Harbor seal at La Jolla, San Diego

Read on for our 4-day San Diego vacation essentials, including:

 

  • La Jolla Shores
  • The iconic Hotel del Coronado
  • Balboa Park
  • Old Town San Diego State National Park
  • Mission Bay
  • The San Diego Padres in action
  • Sunset Cliffs
  • The Gaslamp Quarter

Day 1: Coronado Island and the Gaslamp Quarter

The Unconditional Surrender sculpture at USS Midway in San Diego

Day 1: Coronado Island and the Gaslamp Quarter

Morning:

Hop on the early ferry to Coronado to bag the best ‘alone at Hotel del Coronado’ selfies ahead of the sightseeing hordes – this turreted beachfront confection, known fondly as ‘the Del’ is one of the most popular attractions in town. Heck, if it was good enough for guests like Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth…

Snaps snapped, rent a bike to ride the Bayshore Bikeway, or stay right here on the beach: there are BBQs in case you hanker after a mid-morning s’more, and local celeb Bill Pavlacka, aka the Sandcastle Man, can often be seen constructing his award-winning shoreline sculptures.

Afternoon:

Head back to ‘the mainland’, where waterfront lunch options abound along the glitzy Embarcadero and the opportunity to indulge in some credit card-melting retail therapy at Seaport Village may prove irresistible. Stop for a snog at the iconic Unconditional Surrender/Embracing Peace sculpture (pictured above) as you follow the bay to the USS Midway Museum. This hulking monument to 20th century naval history carried over 200,000 sailors during its 47 years of action. 

Evening:

Mosey on down to the Gaslamp Quarter, the downtown Victorian enclave that packs a mighty punch across its 16 blocks. The nightlife here is legendary, from rooftop cocktail clubs to atmospheric dive bars and comedy clubs to hard rockin’ music theaters. It’s also just a hop and a skip over to Petco Park to see local heroes the San Diego Padres strutting their stuff.

Read our guide to Coronado Island here. 

Read our guide to the Gaslamp Quarter here.

Day 2: Balboa Park and Beyond

Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park

Day 2: Balboa Park and Beyond

Morning:

There’s enough going on in Balboa Park to fill an entire day or more. You could spend the morning at San Diego Zoo, as its thousands of resident critters – furry, feathered, scaly and prickly – wake up for breakfast. But there are plenty of opportunities for watching the San Diego ‘wildlife’ elsewhere across the park’s 1,200 acres: eyes peeled for joggers panting along the pathways, yoga enthusiasts throwing impossible shapes on the lawns, and that most curious of creatures, the coffee-toting San Diego business exec, barking into their cellphone. Lean into it by howling like a wild thing from aboard the painted menagerie that is the Balboa Park Carousel

Afternoon:

No visit to Balboa Park is complete without ogling El Prado boulevard’s eye-popping pot pourri of architectural styles – tick off Gothic, Baroque, Rococo and Churrigueresque as you go. Further eye candy awaits inside the San Diego Museum of Art, a Spanish Renaissance confection that contains essential works by Velázquez, Murillo, Zurbarán, El Greco and more. Afterwards, soothe overstimulated gray matter in the Japanese Friendship Garden, 12 acres of zen featuring bonsai plants, koi ponds and tinkling waterfalls (pictured above).

Evening:

Just north of Balboa Park, the duo of hip young ‘hoods that are Hillcrest and North Park serve up an eclectic mix of cool street art, brewery taprooms, and tasty taquerias. 

Read our guide to Balboa Park here. 

Get up to 50% off entry to dozens of activities, tours and attractions with a Go CIty San Diego pass.

Mission Bay and More

Roller coaster at Belmont Park in Mission Beach, San Diego

Mission Bay and More

Morning:

Mission Bay is where it's at for all your San Diego watersports needs. This vast man-made saltwater bay is built for fun, with something like 4,600 acres of waterways and 27 miles of shoreline to explore. Pack a picnic and take yourself on a tour of the cycling trails. In a place this size you’re bound to find a secluded spot sooner or later. But if you can’t beat ‘em, you might as well join ‘em on the water: there’s wakeboarding, jet skiing, surfing, paddleboarding and, well, just about every other water-based activity you can think of. 

Afternoon:

From the bay to the Mission Beach boardwalk, where you’ll have to run the gauntlet of skateboarders and rollerbladers to reach some of the finest golden sands on the California coast. There’s a glut of great Pacific Rim-influenced restaurants (many with panoramic rooftops) along the boardwalk too, ideal if you accidentally polished off your picnic by 10AM. But the jewel in the Mission Beach crown has to be Belmont Park, an old-fashioned seaside amusement park complete with bumper cars, fairground sideshows, and century-old wooden roller coaster. Do not miss.

Evening:

Pause for local ales and tacos at the Ocean Beach Brewery en route down to the Sunset Cliffs which, as the name suggests, serves up Instagrammable sundown vistas from high on San Diego’s coastal bluffs.

Day 4: San Diego Old Town and La Jolla

San Diego Old Town

Day 4: San Diego Old Town and La Jolla

Morning:

A spicy smorgasbord of Spanish, Mexican and American influences, the Old Town San Diego State National Park is old SoCal in microcosm, a cluster of preserved (or reconstructed) 19th-century adobe buildings including stables, hotels and a courthouse. Visit the nearby Whaley House Museum, said to be America’s most haunted house, and hit up the Mexican market for all your San Diego souvenir needs.

Afternoon:

Strike out north to La Jolla Village for lunch, before a lazy few hours on the soft sun-kissed sands that line this seven-mile stretch of windswept Pacific coastline. Sure, you could also surf or snorkel but, for our money, simply slapping on the sunscreen, pulling your hat down over your eyes and snoozing the afternoon away is a far more pleasurable way to wind up your busy 4-day San Diego itinerary. Go on, you’ve earned it.

Evening:

Seafood and cocktails back in Pacific Beach or Ocean Beach for the win.

Read our guide to La Jolla here.

Let's Recap...

Balboa Park Carousel

Let's Recap...

Our 4 days in San Diego itinerary runs the gamut from historical attractions like the Gaslamp Quarter and Whaley House Museum to hip ‘hoods like North Park and Ocean Beach, via old-fashioned entertainment at Balboa Park, Coronado Beach and the Embarcadero. All the best San Diego highlights, in other words.

Many of the attractions and activities in our 4-day San Diego guide are included with the Go City San Diego pass, which can save you up to 50% on entry fees. Click below to find out more and buy the pass that’s right for you…

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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One Week in San Diego - 7 Day Itinerary for Your Vacation

Spending one week in San Diego but aren’t sure what to do to make the most of your time? Check out our week-long, 7 day itinerary for some suggestions on what to see and where to go. This San Diego 7 day itinerary is filled with a wide variety of attractions and activities, from theme parks and zoos to museums and tours. Visit these attractions with a 7-Day All-Inclusive Pass and save on combined admission costs vs. paying at the gate. This 7 day itinerary includes: SeaWorld San Diego Belmont Park San Diego Zoo San Diego Natural History Museum San Diego Air & Space Museum Fleet Science Center San Diego Zoo Safari Park USS Midway Museum Coronado Island LEGOLAND® California Museum of Making Music Birch Aquarium Speed Circuit: All Access Whale Watching Tour Knott’s Berry Farm DAY 1 Stop #1: SeaWorld San Diego What better place to begin your explorations than SeaWorld San Diego? Part amusement park, part conservation center, and all fun, SeaWorld has been a great family destination for decades and is adding new and exciting attractions every year. Some of the highlights of your SeaWorld experience include unparalleled animal shows, behind-the-scenes feeding demonstrations, animal encounters, thrilling amusement park rides, and so much more. Don’t forget to visit the interactive “Explorer’s Reef” exhibit! We recommend reserving between 4-5 hours for this attraction. Stop #2: Belmont Park After you finish at SeaWorld, treat yourself to some old-fashioned amusement park fun with a visit to Belmont Park. Filled with classic rides and arcade games that the whole family will love, this popular San Diego attraction is a great mellow way to round out the rest of your afternoon. A few of the available rides at Belmont Park include the Giant Dipper roller coaster, a few wave rides, the Vertical Plunge, Krazy Kars bumper cars, and the Coconut Climb. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. Stop #3: Seaport Village (free!) Leave La Jolla and take a quick ride back down to San Diego proper for a chance to explore the popular Seaport Village area. This waterfront locale is filled with shops, restaurants, and attractions that you won’t find anywhere else. From bookstores to cafés and everything in between, you can window shop to your heart’s content in this quirky neighborhood. Or, stop in a few places in search of that perfect souvenir. This is also a great place to have dinner, if you're in search of some fun culinary options. DAY 2 Stop #1: The San Diego Zoo This popular San Diego destination is truly the heart of Balboa Park. It spans about 100 acres of the park, and is home to more than 3,700 animals from over 650 different species. Filled with creatures great and small, from the adorable Giant Pandas to the tiniest of little fish, the San Diego Zoo is the perfect destination for animal lovers. The San Diego Zoo is also one of the leaders in global conservation, rescuing and rehabilitating hundreds of animals each year. In fact, admission fees goes right back into their rescue efforts! We recommend reserving between 3-4 hours for this attraction. Stop #2: San Diego Natural History Museum With its particular focus on the history and culture of Southern California and Baja California, the San Diego Natural History Museum is a unique cultural destination in Balboa Park. The NAT (as it’s known by locals) is filled with fascinating exhibits and ancient artifacts that will delight and inspire the whole family. Some highlights of their offerings include dinosaur fossils, a collection of 200 animal skulls from their research lab, and special exhibitions on everything from whales to Mayan culture and civilization. We recommend reserving about 1 hour for this attraction. Stop #3: San Diego Air & Space Museum This one is a must-see attraction for all space lovers. San Diego, after all, is the home of modern aviation and particularly naval aviation. Another Balboa Park stand-out, this museum is perfect for space geeks of all ages. The San Diego Air & Space Museum is filled with immersive exhibits and real restored aircraft spanning all of aviation history – truly a treat for any fan of flight. The kids will love the scope and variety of the available exhibits, and you’ll love how educational everything is. Some of the exhibits you and your family can enjoy feature a variety of mint-condition historical aircraft, including a Navy F6F Hellcat and the A-4 Skyhawk Jet, as well as the Wright EX Vin Fiz (from 1911!). We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. Stop #4: Fleet Science Center The Fleet Science Center is one of the most important scientific complexes in the region. It's also conveniently located in Balboa Park, so you don't have to travel too far from your previous attraction to explore this fun option. It’s both a museum and an active research facility, offering the best of both worlds to curious visitors. Although their collections are vast and diverse, a few of the most popular exhibits include “Cellular Journey,” “Kid City,” So Watt,” and more. Don’t forget to check out the world’s first IMAX Dome Theater. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. DAY 3 Stop #1: San Diego Safari Park This magnificent animal park is like nothing you’ve ever seen before and is probably unlike anything you’ll ever see again. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a truly unique institution, filled with animal encounters and experiences that go way beyond your typical zoo visit. For example, the Cheetah Run exhibit allows you to watch a cheetah go from 0-60 miles per hour in just seconds – an intimate glimpse of what their lives are like in the wild. You can also get up close (behind glass!) to lions, tigers, and many other majestic Saharan creatures. We recommend spending your entire day here. Plan on having lunch at one of their many delicious on-site restaurants. DAY 4 Stop #1: USS Midway Museum The USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum is one of the most-visited attractions in all of San Diego – for good reason! Its historic significance alone makes it worth exploring and its modern reincarnation as a world-class museum makes it worth spending plenty of time here. You’ll learn all about the battle that gave the ship its name, about aircraft carrier participation in U.S. Naval battles, and about the lives of sailors during WWII. Don’t miss their popular movie, “Battle of Midway: Voices of Midway.” We recommend reserving between 2-3 hours for this attraction. Stop #2: Coronado Bike & Kayak Rentals If you’ve got one full week to spend in San Diego, it’s definitely worth taking the time to explore Coronado, with its totally distinct culture and vibe. Hop aboard the ferry to come over. While you’re enjoying the sun in Coronado, why not be a little more active with your outdoor time with a bike, kayak, or stand up paddle board rental? This is an excellent way to explore the great outdoors in style, by land or by sea. Some of the sights you may see include Petco Park, the Embarcadero, the USS Midway, Naval Station North Island, the Silver Strand, the Convention Center and Glorietta Bay. Stop #3: Explore Coronado Island & Centennial Park (free!) There's also plenty more to see in Coronado, so you might as well spend the rest of your day here. There's the historic Hotel Del Coronado, today a resort with popular dining options (which you can enjoy without being a guest). Then, there's a golf course, multiple parks, and beaches to enjoy. As for Centennial Park, this cute little garden space is located just near the ferry landing. It provides stunning ocean views and amazing views of the San Diego skyline – the perfect photo opportunity. We recommend reserving between 30 minutes to 1 hour for this attraction. DAY 5 Stop #1: LEGOLAND® California Every kid’s favorite toys come to life at LEGOLAND® California! This fun-filled wonderland has enough exhibits, attractions, rides, and slides to keep the whole family busy for practically the entire day. The little ones will love the DUPLO® play area, and the older kids will enjoy exciting roller coasters and the famous Miniland USA. Did you know there’s also a water park and an aquarium that make up part of the larger LEGOLAND® complex? If you want the complete experience, why not check out the new LEGOLAND® hotel? We recommend reserving between 5-6 hours for this attraction. Stop #2: The Museum of Making Music The Museum of Making Music is a specialty museum dedicated to studying the art of how humans create, distribute, and enjoy music. It's also located in Carlsbad, so you don't have to drive too far from LEGOLAND to enjoy this attraction. Immerse yourself in over a century of musical history in interactive and exciting exhibits that cover all of the major developments in American musical history. With over 500 vintage instruments and hundreds of audio and video examples, the Museum of Making Music is a comprehensive portrait of the kinds of music that Americans have enjoyed and produced over time, from the player piano to the invention of modern digital music. We recommend reserving about 1 hour for this attraction. Stop #3: Carlsbad Village Art & Antique Mall (free!) Explore downtown Carlsbad by strolling around the Carlsbad Village Art & Antique Mall, a great hidden gem. It’s a shopper’s paradise with more than 15,000 square feet and over 100 sellers at the Art & Antique Mall itself, although there are also more shopping options in Carlsbad Village as a whole. You are also close to the Carlsbad Premium Outlets, should you be craving a more intense shopping experience. Depending on how much shopping you feel up to, we recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. DAY 6 Stop #1: Birch Aquarium Your San Diego itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Birch Aquarium at Scripps. This highly interactive oceanographic institute is the perfect destination for anyone who loves sea creatures. From various special exhibits to several marine habitats and the opportunity to interact with select sea creatures, there’s so much to do and see here that you’ll never want to leave. Some exhibits you'll find at the Aquarium of the Pacific include "Boundless Energy," "There's Something About Seahorses," and "Coral Displays." You also won’t want to miss the beautiful, unforgettable view of the Pacific that you’ll see from inside the Aquarium! We recommend reserving between 2-3 hours for this attraction. Stop #2: La Jolla Beaches What better way to take advantage of the natural beauty of La Jolla than with some good old fashioned beach time? Sun, swim, or just wander these beautiful beaches to your heart’s content and feel like a real Californian. If you’re looking for something specific to explore, check out the fascinating Shell Beach Tide Pools, located at the south end of Ellen Browning Scripps Park. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. Stop #3: Speed Circuit: All Access Transition from water-bound fun to some totally awesome indoor adventures at the Eastlake Speed Circuit. Feel like you’re a real race car driver as you speed through hairpin turns and long straightaways. The state-of-the-art equipment offered at this establishment is thrilling to observe and even more exciting to drive. Advanced technology will allow you clock your lap times, aim for specific speeds, and more. It’s one of the best indoor kart tracks in the country! Make sure to pay a visit to the Thrill Park too, equipped with wipe-out trampolines, a human hamster ball arena, 50-foot zip lines, and more! DAY 7 Stop #1: Whale Watching by Newport Landing Another attraction you won’t want to miss is an informative and exciting Whale Watching and Dolphin Tour by Newport Landing. With several daily departures available, you’ll be able to enjoy one of these great cruises any time you visit. A few of the fascinating and majestic species you may see on your adventure include the California Gray Whale, Giant Blue Whales, Orcas, Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, and other sea creatures including dolphins, seals, sharks, and more. Stop #2: Knott’s Berry Farm For your last attraction of the vacation, take a short drive up north to Knott’s Berry Farm. This classic theme park attraction is both a historic establishment in California (the very first theme park) and an exciting modern destination. Enjoy dozens of thrilling rides and slides, plus other fun attractions. There are breathtaking rides for the adults and gentler rides for the little ones, so there’s something to appeal to all visitors. Some of the popular rides are coasters like GhostRider and Boomerang, thrill rides like La Revolución, and rides for the little ones like those you'll find at Camp Snoopy. Don’t forget to pick up some Knott’s Berry Farm Boysenberry Pie! We recommend reserving between 2-3 hours for this attraction. Save on Attraction Admission So there’s your fun-filled San Diego 7-Day itinerary. It’s packed with every variety of attraction and activity you could imagine, complemented with delicious meals and fun free activities. So make the most of your one week in San Diego! Visit each of these above attractions with the 7-Day All-Inclusive Pass with Go City and save on combined admission costs. Plus, get additional discounts on shopping, dining, and more attractions. Go City® gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary, so you can choose from dozens of top attractions and create a vacation tailored to your interests. Only have a few days in San Diego? We’ve also put together a 1 day, 2 day, and 3 day San Diego itinerary.
Katie Sagal
Thanksgiving in San Diego
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Thanksgiving in San Diego - Things to Do in November & More

Thanksgiving is a very special time of year in San Diego. It marks the beginning of the holiday season and for lots of people, it's their favorite family holiday. It’s a time to spend with loved ones, indulge in the best traditional foods, and perhaps watch some football with the family. Making plans for a fun-filled Thanksgiving celebration in San Diego? Check out these suggestions for local activities and more seasonal things to do in November. Exciting attractions and things to do for Thanksgiving in San Diego, include... San Diego Zoo Thanksgiving Day Camps at Living Coast Discovery Center San Diego Natural History Museum Thanksgiving Dinner at the Hotel del Coronado Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Fest & Swing Extravaganza Santa at Seaport Village 1. San Diego Zoo If you're looking for someplace to take your out-of-town relatives after Thanksgiving, then a visit to the San Diego Zoo will be perfect. As one of the city's top family attractions, you know kids and adults alike will love the chance to explore this massive zoo. Plus, with hundreds of animals scattered across engaging exhibit spaces, you'll be able to spend an entire day here. If you're considering visiting on Thanksgiving itself, you might be interested to know that they offer special Thanksgiving meals at a few of their restaurants. These meals are typically priced separately from zoo admission. A visit to the San Diego Zoo would make it a Thanksgiving to remember! 2. Thanksgiving Day camps at Living Coast Discovery Center What better way to entertain the kids during their Thanksgiving break than with an exciting natural venture at the Living Coast Discovery Center? It’s the perfect opportunity for your kids to uncover the wonders of nature as they learn to track wildlife, use a microscope, and interact with many fascinating creatures, from feeding sharks to petting sea turtles. 3. San Diego Natural History Museum This fall, take advantage of a new season of special exhibits at the San Diego Natural History Museum, one of San Diego's most popular museums. Known affectionately to the locals as the NAT, this educational institution offers permanent exhibits alongside rotating exhibitions that cover a wide range of topics. For one, their Fossil Mysteries exhibit showcases the rich paleontological history of the San Diego region. Visitors also get to interact with real archaeological tools. With a more modern focus, the Coast to Cactus in Southern California exhibit highlights the diversity of plant and animal life across the diverse ecosystems of the region. Families looking for Thanksgiving things to do in San Diego are bound to enjoy the exhibits. 4. Thanksgiving Dinner at the Hotel del Coronado We like to enjoy our Thanksgiving dinners at home, but sometimes it’s just marvelous to have someone else cook for a change. So why not luxuriate in a Thanksgiving meal prepared by the expert chefs at the Hotel del Coronado? You’ll have an oceanfront view for your magnificent meal, complete with live musical performances and seasonal decorations. 5. Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon Is there a more appropriate way to celebrate Thanksgiving than with a parade? Anyone in San Diego for Thanksgiving has to see the Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon. This vivacious parade is a wonderful spectacle of festive holiday fun, with over a hundred floats, performing groups, equestrians, clowns, balloons, and more. You’ll also see special guests like celebrities, musical artists, and the big man himself, Santa Claus. This is a wonderful alternative to big commercial parades like the one in NYC, and you’re much more likely to get a great spot along this parade route to enjoy all of the fun and excitement without worrying about crushing crowds or oppressive traffic. The annual Mother Goose Parade has free admission, and everyone is welcome. 6. Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Fest & Swing Extravaganza 7. Santa at Seaport Village Happy Thanksgiving from the folks at Go City! Whatever you choose to do to celebrate Thanksgiving in San Diego, remember to treasure the time with family and friends. Can't choose? No need, see it all with Go City®  With an All-Inclusive Pass from Go City, you can visit both attractions for a fraction of the cost. Plus, you could save up to 50% on all your San Diego must-sees. Or pick an Explorer Pass, if you've chosen your fave and have a specific bucket list you're dreaming of ticking off.   ☀️ Compare San Diego passes ☀️– 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 –  ✈️ Buy a pass ✈  Share your trip with us Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and share your adventure with us. Tag us at @GoCity and use #GoCityPass on your travel photos to keep us up to date with your vacation!
Katie Sagal

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