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

By Katie Sagal

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

golden-gate-bridge-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

aerial-view-seaworld-marine-life

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

tourists-san-diego-zoo-taking-photographs

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

natural-history-museum-balboa-park

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 in Ocean Beach San Diego

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Pros and novices flock here and to other nearby surf spots every summer. Watch them turn 360s and wipe out from the comfort of your lounger or get involved with popular beach sports including volleyball and over-the-line. Wander the 600-meter length of Ocean Beach Pier, the longest concrete pier on the West Coast. On any given day you’ll be sure to see young couples taking selfies against the famous California sunset and dozens of anglers fishing for herring, no doubt with a couple of hopeful-looking pelicans hanging out nearby. Look out for sleek native harbor seals ducking and diving in the fish-rich waters below. When the tide goes out, vast beds of rock and kelp emerge beneath the pier. Kids can take a well-earned break from sandcastle-building duties to forage in the exposed tidepools, discovering hermit crabs, anemones, prickly sea urchins and maybe even an occasional sea star. 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To reach this geological marvel – a huge open-ceiling sea cave – head to Luscomb Point and take the steps down to the bottom. You’ll have to cross rocks and wade through some shallow water to reach the cave from here but, boy, is it worth it. Towards the tip of the peninsula, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse is a historic landmark that lies a mere 20-minute drive south from Ocean Beach. Erected in 1855, the lighthouse marks the highest point within the Cabrillo National Monument park. Visitors can take a look around inside and may occasionally be startled by volunteers in period costume, there to reenact key moments from the lighthouse’s storied history. The lighthouse tower is open only twice a year: on August 25 and November 15. Like Sunset Cliffs, the lighthouse is a great place for filling your Instagram feed with humblebrag snaps of the sun setting over the ocean. 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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Crystal Pier on Pacific Beach, San Diego
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Things to do in Pacific Beach San Diego

Sandwiched between La Jolla to the north and Mission Beach to the south, Pacific Beach – or P.B. as it's known to locals – is a sun-drenched slice of Californian paradise. Alongside a beautiful sandy beach and fairly calm waters, it boasts some of the best nightlife in the area, with a high density of lively bars and restaurants frequented by the local student‘n’surfer crowd. Dive in to discover our favorite things to do in Pacific Beach San Diego. Beach Party Atmosphere Central Pacific Beach’s party vibe is the stuff of legend. During the day, the sunkissed blonde sands are alive with kitesurfers, kids playing volleyball and everything else in between. Firepits glow red in the twilight of balmy summer evenings as revelers soak up the gentle sea breezes and prepare for an evening in the hip bars and restaurants around the broad, palm-lined Garnet and Grand avenues. 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Other fun amusement rides in this nostalgia-fueled beachfront theme park include bumper cars, mini golf and a traditional painted carousel. Save on things to do in Pacific Beach 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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