San Diego Itinerary – 3 Days in San Diego for First Timers

Got a few days to spend in San Diego but unsure what to do? Sun, sand, and savings -- there's so much to love in this amazing city. There's a reason San Diego has been called one of the best places to vacation in the entire country, and it isn't just the beautiful neighborhoods and near-perfect weather! World-class museums, zoos, and amusement parks are as plentiful in San Diego as beaches and palms. We’ve put together a 3 days in San Diego itinerary to help you make the most of your time in town, from theme parks to museums and beyond. This 3 day itinerary includes:

  • LEGOLAND® California
  • Museum of Making Music
  • Carlsbad (free!)
  • SeaWorld® San Diego
  • Cabrillo Marine Monument (free!)
  • San Diego Zoo
  • San Diego Natural History Museum
  • San Diego Air and Space Museum
  • Reuben H. Fleet Science Center plus IMAX

Only have a few days in San Diego? We’ve also put together a 1 day in San Diego and 2 day itinerary to assist with your planning.

Save on Attraction Admission

Pick up a 3-Day Go San Diego® Card and save off combined admission vs paying at the gate. Remember, this 3 day itinerary is just one of many ways to experience San Diego. The Go San Diego® Card 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. Planning to visit other spots in California? Then take a peak at our California road trip itinerary. We dare you to not have any fun with these recommendations.

DAY 1 Stop #1: LEGOLAND® California

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DAY 1 Stop #1: LEGOLAND® California

A family trip to San Diego wouldn’t be complete with a visit to amazing LEGOLAND® California! This epic theme park brings your children’s favorite toys to life in new and exciting ways that evolve each year. From classic exhibits to new installations, you’ll find so much to enjoy at this popular attraction that you’ll never want to leave. With more than 60 rides, slides, and attractions, it’s all here at LEGOLAND® California. Please note that LEGOLAND is primarily intended for children ages 12 and under. So if you're traveling with adults or older children, you should substitute this attraction with another -- maybe the USS Midway Museum? We recommend reserving between 4-5 hours for this attraction. Getting In: LEGOLAND® California tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

Stop #2: Museum of Making Music

Next, pay a visit to the charming Museum of Making Music. Located conveniently in Carlsbad, right next to LEGOLAND®, this attraction illuminates the history of music in America over the last 100 years. Interactive and immersive exhibits highlight key movements in American musical history, including everything from the emergence of ragtime to the rise of digital technology in music-making. We recommend reserving about an hour for this attraction. Getting In: Museum of Making Music tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

Stop #3: Carlsbad (free!)

We recommend pairing your first day with some time to explore and shop in Carlsbad Village and Antique Mall, located in downtown Carlsbad. There's also a number of beaches, gardens, and parks to explore, whether you're looking to enjoy some time with nature or just a late afternoon stroll. Or, if you're a golf nut, you'll find a few courses to check out. You could also opt to dine in this neighborhood, which offers a variety of culinary choices from reliable chains to tasty indies. Getting In: It's free to explore Carlsbad, but additional activities may incur extra costs not covered by the pass.

DAY 2 Stop #1: SeaWorld San Diego

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DAY 2 Stop #1: SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego is another must-do attraction on your San Diego itinerary. The whole family will love the combination of excitement and education that comes with a visit to this popular destination. Plus, with your Go San Diego Card, you get to skip the line and go straight to the turnstile -- a huge time-saver in the busy season. We recommend reserving between 4-5 hours for this attraction. Getting In: SeaWorld San Diego tickets are included as an option on 3, 5, and 7-Day Go San Diego Cards.

Stop #2: Cabrillo National Monument (free!)

Just outside of the SeaWorld area is historic Point Loma, with a lighthouse and the Cabrillo National Monument to explore. Don't forget about the famous Point Loma tide pools, where you can see a microcosm of San Diego's marine life in one teeny tiny little vignette. It’s a great vantage point from which to see San Diego, Coronado, the naval base, and even all the way to Mexico, so don’t forget your camera! If you want to learn more about this amazing area, consult the National Park website for more information about the tide pools and the natural landscape. Getting In: We recommend reserving about 1 hour for this attraction.

DAY 3 Stop #1: San Diego Zoo

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DAY 3 Stop #1: San Diego Zoo

Begin your day with some time spent at one of the best zoos in the entire country – the world famous San Diego Zoo. (We're not kidding: it was recently voted #1 Zoo in the World by a TripAdvisor poll.) Informative, innovative, and just plain exciting, this zoo is a must-do for your San Diego vacation. Hang out with the world-famous Giant Pandas (there might even be a baby around, depending upon when you visit!), scope out the snow leopards, examine tiny tree frogs, and meet creatures you’ve never even heard of before. Spanning 107 acres and hosting over 800 species from around the world, this zoo is one impressive attraction. We recommend reserving between 4-5 hours for this attraction. Getting In: San Diego Zoo tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

Stop #2: San Diego Natural History Museum

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Stop #2: San Diego Natural History Museum

Balboa Park is filled with museums, gardens, and other attractions, so you’re definitely in the right spot after leaving the zoo to do some more exploring. So, stop in the Natural History Museum to immerse yourself in their extensive collection. With a particular focus on Southern California’s natural history, this institution features five floors of interactive exhibits and installations plus a unique calendar of rotating exhibitions. Some of the highlights of their collections include dinosaur fossils, photography, live animals, and even rare books. They’ve also got a free 3-D theater, which is a fun addition to any visit. We recommend reserving about 1 hour for this attraction. Getting In: San Diego Natural History Museum tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

Stop #3: San Diego Air and Space Museum

Next, pop over to the nearby Air and Space Museum. This dynamic and exciting museum is filled with exhibits and artifacts that tell the history of aviation in San Diego, which is, after all, one of the great aviation hubs in the country. You’ll see everything from models of the original Montgolfier brothers’ hot air balloon to carefully preserved aircraft like the Navy F6F Hellcat. All of the planes are beautifully restored and lovingly preserved – there’s no other institution like it in California. We recommend reserving about 1-2 hours for this attraction. Getting In: San Diego Air & Space Museum tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

Stop #4: Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

The Fleet Science Center is another favorite among tech lovers and kids. This educational institution allows visitors to “play scientist for a day” and engage with technological innovations from all across the scientific fields. From engineering skyscrapers to examining real images from the Hubble Space telescope, there are so many exciting things to play with at this scientific complex. Don’t forget to stop by their historic IMAX theater – you get one daytime show free with your Go San Diego® Card! Please note that admission to this attraction is free; your pass provides you with IMAX tickets. We recommend reserving about 1 hour for this attraction. Getting In: Reuben H. Fleet Science Center with IMAX Movie tickets are included on the Go San Diego Card.

Let’s Recap

Enjoy your three days in San Diego by checking out this list of things to do and see. Designed to highlight a wide variety of San Diego attractions, this itinerary will help you achieve a truly rich vacation experience. Visit all of these attractions on our San Diego itinerary with a 3-Day Go San Diego® Card and save on combined admission costs. Go Card holders can save even more with additional included discounts on dining, shopping, and attractions!

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Things to do Alone in San Diego

Solo travelers are in for a treat in San Diego, a vast playground of world-class museums, fine global cuisine, craft beer microbreweries and wonderful wildlife. Not to mention the dozens of beautiful beaches, canyons and coastal trails to explore around the city. Pack a map, some sunscreen and a sense of adventure and leap in to our pick of the 10 best things to do alone in San Diego. Sunbathe out Front of a San Diego Icon Affectionately known as ‘The Del’, Hotel del Coronado is a San Diego Institution that has been hosting major celebs, royals and politicians since Victorian times. Its distinctive conical turrets inspired the Emerald City in L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its said there’s even a resident spook stalking its grand corridors and halls. Throw down your towel on the hotel’s golden sands overlooking Point Loma and soak up some rays as the waves lap gently at the shore. Keep your eyes peeled for the local Sandcastle Man, a renowned sculpture artist who can often be found building his extraordinary masterpieces here on Coronado Beach. Go on a Gaslamp Quarter Walking Tour The Gaslamp Quarter walking tour takes place every Thursday at 1PM and is a great way to discover the history of this fascinating neighborhood – as well as making some new friends! You’ll visit many of the beautiful historic buildings on 5th Avenue, including the Louis Bank of Commerce, an impressive Baroque Revival confection with protruding turrets, and the Art Deco Yuma Building with its soaring twin spires. The tour also calls at the Gaslamp Museum inside downtown San Diego’s oldest surviving building. Here since the mid 19th Century, the Davis-Horton House also, of course, boasts its very own ghost. Sightsee by Segway Spread across a whopping 1,200 acres, Balboa Park has enough museums, gardens and hiking trails to exhaust even the fittest of walkers. Take the edge off by joining a Segway tour and zipping round some of the park’s top sights. You’ll get a chance to take selfies against a backdrop of glorious Spanish Colonial architecture along the stunning El Prado boulevard, as well as seeing artists at work in the Spanish Art Village. Other must-see sights on your tour include San Diego Zoo, the traditional century-old carousel, and the Air and Space Museum, its entrance flanked by supersonic Lockheed A-12 and Convair YF2Y-1 Sea Dart airplanes. Take a Hike Walking opportunities abound in San Diego, thanks to its varied landscape of canyons, cliffs and coastal trails. Strike out northeast of Downtown for the Mission Trails Regional Park, home of Cowles Mountain, the highest point in San Diego. Don’t let the word ‘mountain’ put you off though! The hike to the summit is a relatively easy 1.5 miles, making it a really popular route with walkers of all abilities and one of the best things to do alone in San Diego. The expansive 360-degree views across the city and San Diego County are more than worth the effort. Have Lunch in Little Italy You could spend weeks eating your way through San Diego’s wealth of great cuisines, from cute Tijuana-style taquerias to deli brunches and sizzling street food in the frequent neighborhood markets. Head downtown to Little Italy on market days to browse dozens of stalls selling art, flowers, local artisan jewelry and more before heading to India Street for the best pizza and pasta in town. Lively Sorrento and Isola serve up authentic Neapolitan-style thin and crispy pizza, while Civico 1845 is the place for traditional Calabrian favorites including pasta al forno and sweet cannoli. Hop on (and off) the Old Trolley Bus San Diego’s brightly colored green and orange trolley buses run a 25-mile loop around the city’s biggest attractions, with 12 stops along the way, including the Hotel del Coronado, Balboa Park, Little Italy, the Old Town, the Gaslamp Quarter and the harbor. An expert commentary provides the lowdown on San Diego, and you can hop on and off the trolley as you please along the route. It’s a great way for solo travelers to get to know the city. Stroll Across the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge Those with a head for heights will find much to enjoy on a wander across the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge, an impressive feat of 1912 engineering that spans the verdant Kate Sessions Canyon in Bankers Hill, just west of Balboa Park. The iconic landmark is beloved of San Diego locals and remarkably well concealed considering its 375-foot length. Enjoy commanding views across the canyon and brace yourself for a bit of a bumpy ride on windy days, when the bridge has been known to sway and shake. Steady shattered nerves with a beer in nearby Hillcrest’s brewpubs afterwards. Hit the Art Trail San Diego is chock-full of fab street murals. You need only take a short stroll through hip ‘hoods like North Park, Hillcrest and Ocean Beach to view great street art gratis. For public art on a truly grand scale, seek out La Jolla’s Stuart Collection, an assortment of larger-than-life sculptures dotted around the campus of the University of California in San Diego. Think giant teddy bears made out of boulders, a poetry-reciting tree and a cottage that teeters precariously atop a university building and you might start to get the general idea. Artists featured in the project include household names such as Robert Irwin and Ian Hamilton Finlay. Scare Yourself Silly Branded ‘the most haunted house in America’ by LIFE magazine, The Whaley House in San Diego’s Old Town is said to be built on the site of a former gallows. And its various inhabitants have certainly experienced their fair share of grisly deaths across the decades. Set your pulse racing on an evening ghost tour of the house if you dare. Or join a haunted bus tour of San Diego’s spookiest neighborhoods as your theatrical hosts regale you with bloodthirsty tales of former residents who have returned from the grave to stalk the city streets once more. See Whales and Dolphins If you’ve ever wanted to see majestic whales or sleek seals and dolphins up close, you’ve come to the right place! San Diego’s warm waters are prime territory for aquatic animals, with gray whales migrating to and from Mexico’s lagoons for calving season in winter and spring and blue whales often seen off the coast during summer and fall. Colonies of native harbor seals and pods of dolphins mean you rarely have to wait long before a sighting. Boat tours depart daily from Downtown and Mission Bay, with many guaranteeing a refund in the highly unlikely event you do fail to see anything. Save on things to do alone in San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Woman meditating on a rock at sunset in San Diego
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Relaxing Things to do in San Diego

What could be more soul-soothing than seeing the sun rise from the cliffs on the California coast, watching the world go by from a cute brunch spot or getting up close to some of the most colorful marine life this side of the tropics? Check out our guide to the 10 most relaxing things to do in San Diego. Take a Morning Walk by the Ocean Early morning is by far the best time to get San Diego’s golden beaches all to yourself. Ok, almost all to yourself. Stroll the sands with just fisherman and curious native harbor seals for company, as they vie for the morning catch. Strike out along the wooden pier at Pacific Beach for that perfect sunrise selfie before the crowds arrive, or stroll the deserted bluffs high above La Jolla Shores for sweeping views of the shimmering ocean below. Heck, you could even take your yoga mat along to achieve maximum morning serenity, soothed by the sound of waves breaking gently on the shore. Have Brunch in Ocean Beach Located just south of the river, Ocean Beach is San Diego’s most laidback boho enclave, chock-full of street art, surf boutiques, organic grocery stores, brewery taprooms and tattoo parlors. There are some excellent brunch spots here too, many with outdoor seating that’s perfect for people-watching as locals and vacationers go about their daily business along bustling Newport Avenue. Dishes at the popular Breakfast Republic are inspired by Southern and Tijuana cuisine and include such lip-smacking taste sensations as shrimp and grits with hot sauce and a belly-busting California breakfast burrito. Grab an outside table at The Old Townhouse Restaurant, where buttermilk pancakes and zingy grapefruit juice will start your day right. Visit a Garden Sprawling Balboa Park contains many of the best places to relax in San Diego, not least its formal gardens, of which the Alcazar is among the finest. Wander among ornate fountains, bright blooms and vibrant Moorish tiling, and enjoy the tranquil views from the garden’s shaded pergola, all within view of the striking California Tower. With nearly 200 varieties, the Rose Garden is a riot of scent and color at its peak in late spring, while the neighboring Japanese Friendship Garden’s tranquil koi ponds, tinkling water features, bonsai trees and beautiful spring cherry blossoms are all you need to achieve perfect zen. Spend the Day at Mission Bay With 27 miles of shoreline and 4,600 acres of waterways and beaches to explore, Mission Bay is the largest man-made saltwater bay in the world. Think of a water-based activity and you’re sure to find it here: there’s wakeboarding, paddleboarding, surfing, jet skiing and sailing to name just a few. The beaches here are also ideal for kids, with tranquil waters for little feet to paddle in and oodles of sand to make all their castle-building dreams come true. Pack a picnic and slap on the sunscreen for one of San Diego’s most chilled days out. Explore La Jolla Cove The huge kelp forests off San Diego’s coastline attract all manner of magical marine life. Rent a kayak and paddle gently out to the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, just offshore. On a good day with clear waters, you might spot bright orange Garibaldi (the California State fish, no less) as well as friendly leopard sharks, stingrays and sea turtles swimming underneath your boat. Watch out for seals darting sleekly through the water as you make your way across the bay to the seven secret sea caves, said to have been used by smugglers of alcohol and opium back in the Prohibition era. Picnic in Balboa Park There are dozens of great spots to spread out your gingham blanket and unpack your wicker hamper within the 1,200 acres of Balboa Park. Find a wild spot for a quiet, romantic lunch along one of the marked walking trails around the park’s perimeter. Or – if people-watching is more your bag – tuck in to your lunchtime feast on the east or west lawn of the picture-perfect Botanical Building with its peaceful lily pond. Pro-tip: alcohol is allowed here (and in a few other designated areas around the park). But remember to bring your San Diego craft beer in a can and your Californian wine in a box, as glass receptacles are a big no-no. Take a Hike Hiking is a great way to get to know San Diego’s unique topography. The wild canyons and vast nature reserves here provide dozens of great walking opportunities, with many offering staggeringly good views in exchange for very little exertion. Head up to Torrey Pines on the cliffs over La Jolla, where monolithic rock formations, endangered pine trees and panoramic ocean views are the order of the day. If you prefer your hikes a little more challenging, the ruggedly handsome Mission Trails Regional Park offers over 60 miles of pathways across its 7,000 acres, and features Cowles Mountain – the highest point in San Diego – as its centerpiece. The hard-won reward for your epic climb? Dizzying 360-degree panoramas of the city and beyond. Sink a Couple of Beers In case you haven’t heard, San Diego lays reasonable claim to the title of America’s craft beer capital, with dozens of independent breweries to be found strewn throughout its hip neighborhoods, from Ocean Beach to North Park, and everywhere else in between. The high concentration of taprooms around North Park’s University Avenue and 30th Street make it ideal for a bar crawl, where you can sample the full gamut of imaginative local brews, from citrusy IPAs through flavored pale ales to skull-cracking sour beers and chocolatey stouts. Don’t forget the Alka Seltzer for that difficult morning after. Visit an Aquarium High on a La Jolla hilltop, around 12 miles north of Downtown, is where you’ll find the Birch Aquarium, a superb low-key alternative to SeaWorld that’s affiliated to San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Visit the Hall of Fishes, where 60 huge tanks teem with critters that include a rescued loggerhead turtle and an elusive giant Pacific octopus. Be mesmerized by sharks and rays cruising their 13,000-gallon habitat and – for the ultimate in unusual experiences – head to Tidepool Plaza. Here, there’s plenty hands-on fun to be had with lobsters, leopard sharks and more. So far, so normal. But we’ll let you decide whether the sensation of hundreds of tiny cleaner fish nibbling your fingers is really as relaxing as some people claim. Watch a Sunset Nothing says romance and relaxation like watching the California sky glow various shades of purple, orange, red and pink as the sun disappears over the horizon. Grab a chilled bottle of bubbly and head to any one of dozens of perfect vantage points along San Diego’s whopping 70 miles of coastline. Favorite spots include – deep breath – Torrey Pines, the harbor in San Diego Bay, any rooftop bar along the Mission Beach Boardwalk, Pacific Beach’s picture-perfect Crystal Pier and the aptly named Sunset Cliffs south of Ocean Beach. Perfection. Save on relaxing things to do in San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
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10+ Things to Do in San Diego in Spring 2020 - Activities & More

Spring is a lovely time of year in sunny San Diego. The temperatures are pleasant and mild, the sea is still cold but looks prettier than ever, and the flowers are in bloom all across Balboa Park. It’s also the perfect time to visit, before the rush of summer crowds but with enough tourist traffic to generate tons of great local events and activities. If you’re looking for things to do in San Diego in Spring 2020, check out our list of some of the best activities and attractions, including... Special Exhibits at the Fleet Science Center Butterfly Jungle at San Diego Zoo Safari Park Yaycation at San Diego Zoo San Diego Harbor Tour SeaWorld® Seven Seas Food Festival La Jolla Adventures PETCO Park Tour and more! Save on Springtime Activities in San Diego Regular admission to a number of these attractions are available on the Go San Diego pass. Choose as you go from popular attractions and save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Check out all available San Diego attractions, passes, and prices. Please note, some of these special spring events may be separately ticketed and not available on the Go San Diego pass. Take a Yaycation at the San Diego Zoo Special Exhibits at the Fleet Science Center Science geeks of all ages will find a lot to love at the Fleet Science Center this spring. Exhibitions on the 2020 calendar include Dream! Design! Build! - an engineering-based problem-solving where kids can dream like a visionary, design like an architect and build like an engineer! and It's Electric - a hands-on education of the history of electricity where you will handle a plasma tube and even 'become a human battery'. Of course, all of their regular exhibits are exciting, too! Whatever you choose to see at the Fleet Science Center, you can't go wrong. Getting In: Admission to the Fleet Science Center with IMAX Movie is included with the Go San Diego pass. Special exhibits incur a small additional cost, paid directly to the attraction. Butterfly Jungle at San Diego Zoo Safari Park March 2020 - dates TBC Butterfly Jungle features thousands of colorful butterflies floating and fluttering throughout the Hidden Jungle aviary, where guests can also see many species of birds, lush greenery and flowers. Between 20 and 30 butterfly species will be highlighted this year, from Central, South and North America—including the zebra longwing, orange-barred tiger, Grecian shoemaker, giant swallowtail and blue morpho. Guests are encouraged to wear bright colors to attract the butterflies as they walk among exotic beauties of all colors, shapes and sizes, take photos and learn more about these winged wonders. Getting In: Admission to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is included with the Go San Diego pass. SeaWorld Seven Seas Food Festival Art Alive 2020 San Diego Museum of Art April 24 - 26, 2020. 9AM - 5PM In its 39th year, the local tradition of “Art Alive” features more than 100 floral interpretations of the museum’s most iconic pieces. It’s a fundraising event as well as an awesome special flower show, and it’s the perfect combination of nature and culture for the discerning art lover. It’s also a nice window into the San Diego Museum of Art’s permanent and special collections, so it's an ideal event for first-time visitors to the museum. Getting In: Regular admission to the San Diego Museum of Art is included with the Go San Diego pass; Art Alive events are separate tickets and are not included with the pass. Flower Fields San Diego Crew Classic Mission Bay April 4 - 5, 2020 The first major regatta of the year in the area, the San Diego Crew Classic attracts more than 100 different groups from across the U.S., all of who participate in over 100 exhilarating races. You’ll also be able to enjoy live music from local groups, an engaging trade show, and several rewarding alumni events. For those of you traveling with children, there is even a family festival area featuring a special kids zone and craft activities to keep them busy. This event also offers free parking! Getting In: Admission to the San Diego Crew Classic is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go San Diego pass. For more information, please visit the event website. Sample Some of the Nation’s Best Craft Beer Did you know that San Diego is the unofficial craft beer capital of the country? With more than 100 different breweries throughout the San Diego area, locals take their beer seriously. From heavy hitters Stone Brewing and Green Flash Brewing to the tasty Coronado Brewing Company, tons of your favorites are brewed right here! Take a brewery tour, or sample some at many restaurants throughout the city. Getting In: Many brewery tours are free, but a few charge a modest fee. Brewery tours are not included with the Go San Diego pass. Remember to Save on Admission Did we miss anything? A few things to do in San Diego in the spring, including some special events, other seasonal activities in April, May, and June. Please note, the spring events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not available with the Go San Diego pass. We hope you consider adding some of these fun ideas to your spring vacation itinerary.
Katie Sagal

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