Five days in San Diego: a sightseeing itinerary

Morning

Apart from a handful of lazy nocturnal types, the critters at San Diego Zoo are at their most active in the mornings. You’ll find them out stretching their legs (or wings) and looking for breakfast at the start of the day, making this a great way to encounter the thousands of animals here, including polar bears, hippos, gorillas and tigers. Heck, if you want to get there really early, you could even book yourself a zoo sleepover experience! The zoo occupies around one-twelfth of Balboa Park’s epic 1,200 acres so, obviously, there’s a lot more to do here. Let’s go!

Afternoon

Mosey over to the broad El Prado boulevard, with its eye-popping architecture and many fine museums. Grab lunch at The Prado or Panama 66 (set in the sculpture garden at the San Diego Museum of Art, no less), before stepping inside the museum itself, where works by  Spanish masters Velázquez, Murillo and Zurbarán are among the many highlights. Afterwards, make time for zen in the Japanese Friendship Garden or catch a free show at the ornate Spreckels Organ Pavilion.

Evening

Head up to the hipster enclave of North Park for dinner, drinks and an ogle at some of the best street art in the city. You won’t have to look too hard to find a craft-brewery taproom or six in which to sample San Diego’s legendary beer, and City Tacos along ‘restaurant row’ is a solid choice for soaking it all up.

Read our full guide to Balboa Park here, and get up to 50% off entry to stacks of San Diego tours, activities and attractions with Go City’s San Diego pass.

Morning

Hop the old-school ferry across the bay to Coronado and grab some essential San Diego selfies out front of the Hotel del Coronado (aka ‘The Del’) with distinctive (and highly Instagrammable) turrets that are said to have inspired L. Frank Baum’s vision of the Emeral City in his Oz books. Former guests of this San Diego icon include Marilyn Monroe, Brad Pitt and Madonna, so you’re in good company! The fine golden sands and awesome views of Point Loma make the beach here ideal for whiling away the morning (or longer). Be sure to dip your toes in the calm, warm waters.

Afternoon

Fortify yourself with lunch at a waterside fave like The Henry or Bluewater Boathouse, then rent a bike to ride the Bayshore Bikeway along the picturesque Silver Strand sand spit. The tranquil green oasis that is Spreckels Park is ideal for a break on hot days. 

Evening

Head back to The Del for sunset s’mores on the beach, or take the ferry back to Embarcadero, making time for a visit to the historic USS Midway Museum before dinner in one of the neighborhood’s hottest restaurants: Nobu or The Fish Market for the win.

Read our full guide to Coronado Island here.

Morning

Spend some time soaking up the history and Insta-perfect architecture of this diminutive Victorian enclave. Bone up on your west coast history at the Gaslamp Museum – only the oldest surviving structure in downtown San Diego, fact fans – and take a camera-toting tour of historic 5th Avenue, home of some of the finest historic buildings in town. Don’t miss the impressive Baroque Revival confection that is the Louis Bank of Commerce, and the twin spires of the Art Deco Yuma Building. 

Pro-tip: rent a bike on K Street if you fancy getting around a bit faster than your own two legs can carry you.

Afternoon

Got kids in tow? Get their creative juices flowing at the fun, interactive New Children’s Museum. Don’t got kids in tow? Shop yourself silly in the neighborhood’s fine selection of indie boutiques and artisan makers’ stores. There’s also the excellent Gaslamp Artisan Market if you happen to be here on the weekend, which has the added bonus of international street food stalls for a quick and handy lunch.

Evening

The Gaslamp Quarter is known for its superb nightlife. Sip sundowner cocktails at a rooftop bar, see funny guys and gals in the making at the American Comedy Company’s open mic nights, or catch Broadway productions and rock royalty over at the Balboa, a century-old former moviehouse and vaudeville theater. Alternatively, it's just a hop and a skip over to Petco Park in the East Village to catch Major League heroes the San Diego Padres in action. Or maybe you prefer getting spooked? If so, you’re in luck: Gaslamp has plenty of ghosts, and plenty of ghost tours to find out all about ‘em.

Read our full guide to the Gaslamp Quarter here.

Morning

You’ve earned yourself another beach day after all that sightseeing. Where better to spend it than La Jolla, an epic seven-mile stretch of wild Pacific coastline that’s great for surfing, sunbathing, snorkeling and seal-spotting? Hit up La Jolla Cove for calm morning conditions ideal for exploring the extraordinary underwater marine park here, by kayak if you so wish. Or relax on La Jolla Shores, a palm-fringed crescent of golden sand set beneath soaring pine-clad bluffs.

Afternoon

Lunch in La Jolla Village walked off with a brisk shoreline stroll sets you in good stead for an afternoon of arty adventures. Check out the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, an eye-popping collection that runs the gamut from Pop Art, through Abstract Expressionism, then make for the University of California’s La Jolla Campus for an al fresco art trail – the Stuart Collection –  that includes audio-visual installations, a precipitously placed cottage and a giant teddy bear made out of rocks.

Evening

Catch a classic La Jolla sunset from the cliffs at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, then foray south to Pacific Beach or Ocean Beach for seafood and cocktails.

Read our full guide to La Jolla here.

Morning

An intoxicating spicy blend of Spanish, Mexican and American influences, San Diego’s Old Town is well worth a few hours of your time. Snap colorful adobe houses along palm-fringed streets and step inside the Whaley House Museum – said to be America’s most haunted house – if you dare! Get a taste of the Old West in Old Town San Diego State National Park with its 19th-century courthouse and vibrant Mexican market, and fill your face in one of the many authentic taquerias at lunch. You can also take a guided walking tour to really get under the neighborhood’s skin or hop the Old Town Trolley for a cute ride around this little historic enclave and beyond..

Afternoon 

Stop by the Insta-perfect Mission San Diego de Alcalá (the flour-white 18th-century church that gives the area its name), then press on eastwards for an afternoon hike in Mission Trails Regional Park. The most popular trail takes you to the summit of Cowles Mountain, the highest point in San Diego, with 360-degree panoramas of the city and beyond. But fear not, with over 60 miles of marked paths to choose from, you can always opt for something a little less strenuous!

Evening

Hop south to hip Hillcrest, where University Avenue’s astonishing variety of international restaurants (everything from authentic Italian pizza to aromatic Afghani kebabs) is sure to satisfy the hungriest post-hike appetite.

Enjoyed this? Get more San Diego inspo with our guides to the city’s most relaxing and highest octane activities.

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