A full week in San Diego: what to see and do

Spending a full week in San Diego means you don’t have to choose between culture, coastlines, and great food—you can have it all. With seven days to explore, you can dig into the city’s must-see attractions, discover local neighborhoods, and still leave time for a few slow mornings and sunset strolls. From kayaking with sea lions in La Jolla to wandering through historic Old Town and sipping cocktails on rooftop bars downtown, this itinerary blends big highlights with local favorites. Ready for seven easygoing, experience-packed days in America’s Finest City? Let’s get started.

Day 1 – Downtown San Diego: Ships, Shops, and Skyline Views 

Morning: Start with the USS Midway Museum 

Ease into your week by diving into San Diego’s naval history aboard the USS Midway Museum. This massive aircraft carrier offers a unique, immersive look at life at sea—climb inside aircraft cockpits, visit the engine room, and enjoy views from the flight deck. The audio tour (included) brings the whole experience to life with firsthand stories from former Navy crew. 

🎟️ Included with Go City. Budget at least 90 minutes for this one. 

Late Morning: Embarcadero stroll 

After your Midway adventure, take a waterfront walk. Head toward the Unconditional Surrender statue for a fun photo stop and browse the vendor stalls and art along the promenade. 

Lunch: Portside Pier 

Grab a laid-back lunch at Ketch Grill & Taps or Brigantine, both part of the Portside Pier dining complex. Expect harbor views, fish tacos, and local beer on tap. 

Afternoon: Seaport Village 

Walk off lunch in Seaport Village, home to quirky boutiques, outdoor performers, and an old-fashioned carousel. Pick up souvenirs, sip iced coffee, or relax on the waterfront with an ice cream cone. 

Day 2 – Balboa Park Museums and Global Bites 

Morning: Balboa Park and Fleet Science Center 

Spend the morning in Balboa Park, San Diego’s 1,200-acre cultural playground. Start at the Fleet Science Center, where hands-on exhibits and illusion labs entertain kids and grownups alike. Add a planetarium show if you’re curious about the cosmos. 

Late Morning: Choose a second museum 

Stick around and visit another nearby museum: 

• Art lovers can try the San Diego Museum of Art for European masters. 

• For something offbeat, head to the Museum of Us, exploring human culture and identity in a playful, interactive way. 

Lunch: Panama 66 

Right in the park, Panama 66 serves burgers, salads, and craft beer in a leafy garden setting. If it’s sunny, nab a table under the trees. 

Afternoon: Japanese Friendship Garden or botanical stroll 

Stroll over to the Japanese Friendship Garden, a peaceful space with koi ponds, bonsai trees, and shaded trails. Or opt for a free wander through the Zoro Butterfly Garden and Palm Canyon for tropical vibes and quiet benches. 

Dinner: Little Italy 

In the evening, head to Little Italy, one of the city’s best foodie neighborhoods. Options include: 

• Civico 1845 for handmade pasta and fresh seafood 

• Ironside Fish & Oyster for cocktails and oysters under cool industrial lighting 

• Nonna + Zucchero for cozy classics and tiramisu to go 

Late Morning: La Jolla Cove and Coast Walk 

After kayaking, walk over to La Jolla Cove to spot sea lions up close and enjoy the views. Follow the Coast Walk Trail east for cliffside paths, flowers, and crashing waves. 

💸 This part is free and gorgeous. 

Lunch: Brockton Villa 

Settle in at Brockton Villa, perched above the cove. Their famous Coast Toast (vanilla-soaked French toast) is a must, and the crab BLT isn’t far behind. Sit on the patio if the weather’s nice—which it usually is. 

Afternoon: Birch Aquarium 

A short ride uphill takes you to Birch Aquarium, a peaceful space filled with jellyfish, seahorses, and interactive tide pools overlooking the Pacific. It’s compact, educational, and great for winding down after your morning on the water. 

🎟️ Birch is available with Go City. Allow 60–90 minutes to explore. 

 

Lunch: The Prado 

Step just outside the zoo into The Prado, a Spanish-style eatery with shady garden seating and upscale SoCal cuisine. Try the grilled fish tacos or Korean short rib flatbread. It’s elegant but welcoming—ideal for a midday break. 

Afternoon: Relax or visit one more museum 

If you’re still feeling curious, the San Diego Natural History Museum is nearby and offers dinosaur fossils, nature films, and rotating exhibits. Or take a slower route—wander Palm Canyon, a tucked-away grove filled with tall palms and hidden benches. 

Dinner and nightlife: Gaslamp Quarter 

Head downtown to the Gaslamp Quarter for an evening of food, drinks, and people-watching. Start with dinner at Barleymash or Tocaya Modern Mexican then move on to a rooftop bar or secret speakeasy. 

🍸 Try Noble Experiment, hidden behind a wall of barrels inside Neighborhood bar. Just book ahead—it fills up fast.

🗓️ Day 5 – Coastal Cool in Coronado 

Morning: Ferry to Coronado Island 

Start your day with a scenic 15-minute ride aboard the Coronado Ferry, departing from Broadway Pier. The ride offers stunning views of the skyline and drops you at Coronado Ferry Landing, where you’ll find shops, bike rentals, and seaside cafes. 

🚴 Optional: Rent bikes and ride the scenic trail to Coronado Beach. 

Lunch: Peohe’s 

Located near the ferry landing, Peohe’s serves Pacific Rim cuisine with waterfront views. Favorites include coconut shrimp, miso-glazed salmon, and fresh sushi. Sit on the outdoor patio and enjoy bay breezes as boats drift past. 

Afternoon: Tidelands Park or shops 

For a relaxing end to your island visit, walk to Tidelands Park, a peaceful green space with walking trails, picnic spots, and skyline views. Prefer to browse? The Coronado Ferry Landing shops have everything from beachwear to handmade gifts. 

Evening: Ferry return and low-key dinner 

Take the ferry back downtown around sunset for some final golden hour magic. For dinner, keep it casual with burgers at Hodad’s, sushi at Bang Bang, or tapas at Cafe Sevilla. 

🗓️ Day 6 – Gardens, Art, and Sunset Cliffs 

Morning: Hidden corners of Balboa Park 

Loop back to Balboa Park to explore some of the quieter corners you may have missed. Start at the Japanese Friendship Garden, where koi ponds, bamboo groves, and shaded paths offer calm after several adventure-packed days. 

Then pop into the Timken Museum of Art—a hidden gem that’s free to enter and features Rembrandt, Rubens, and 18th-century American masters. 

Prefer to stay outside? The Desert Garden and Cactus Garden showcase strange and spiky plants with photo-worthy views across Cabrillo Bridge. 

Afternoon: Chill time or spa session 

By now, you’ve earned some downtime. Book a massage at The Catamaran Resort Spa or lounge with a rooftop cocktail at The Guild Hotel. Prefer low-key? Head to Kate Sessions Park for sprawling views and a local crowd lounging under trees. 

Evening: Sunset Cliffs Natural Park 

End your day with golden hour at Sunset Cliffs, a rugged coastal stretch west of Ocean Beach. It’s a favorite for wedding proposals and evening picnics. Walk along the cliffs, watch surfers below, and grab a burrito from Oscar’s Mexican Seafood or pizza from Pizza Port to eat by the water. 

🌅 No better way to wrap up a San Diego evening. 

🗓️ Day 7 – Choose Your Own Adventure 

Your final day can be anything you want it to be—relaxed, packed with last-minute stops, or focused on soaking in the local culture one last time. Here are a few customizable paths based on your mood: 

Option 1: Old Town San Diego 

Hop on the Green Line trolley and step back in time in Old Town San Diego. Explore historic adobe buildings, watch tortilla-making demonstrations, and enjoy mariachi music in the plaza. Tour the Whaley House Museum (rumored to be haunted) or shop for handmade goods at Bazaar del Mundo. 

🌮 Grab lunch at Casa Guadalajara or Cafe Coyote, where the guacamole is made fresh at your table. 

Option 2: Mission Beach + Belmont Park 

Want to squeeze in more sand and surf? Head to Mission Beach, rent bikes or rollerblades, and cruise the Ocean Front Walk—a lively boardwalk lined with vendors, beach bars, and performers. 

Pop into Belmont Park, a retro amusement park with a wooden rollercoaster, mini golf, and arcade games. 

🍦 Grab fish and chips or soft-serve at Cannonball, a rooftop sushi bar with Pacific views. 

 

Evening: Final bites and flights 

For your last meal, go casual with burritos from Las Cuatro Milpas, elegant with handmade pasta at Herb & Wood, or festive with shared plates and sangria at Cafe Sevilla. 

If you have time before heading to the airport, take one last walk along the waterfront at Harbor Island, watching the sun dip behind the skyline as a final farewell. 

Seven days in San Diego gives you more than just a vacation—it gives you rhythm. From exploring aircraft carriers and ancient sea caves to watching sunsets from clifftops and feasting on street tacos, you’ve experienced the city’s soul. 

You’ve gone deeper than just tourist checklists. You’ve found quiet gardens, rooftop hangouts, vibrant neighborhoods, and miles of sand where the only plan is to just be. 

San Diego has a way of drawing you back—and after a week like this, you’ll understand why. 

Want to approach San Diego a little more scientifically? Check out our San Diego science picks. Or want to hear more about free sights around La Jolla? We've got you.

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