A San Diego 3 Day Itinerary – Prepare for Exciting Adventures

I’ve been to San Diego many times. Being a SoCal resident, San Diego is a fun weekend trip for me. But for someone who plans to spend 3 days in San Diego, you’re in for a treat.

Being in San Diego for 3 days is a good amount of time to get to know what this place is all about. 

Without further ado, here’s what I recommend for a 3 day San Diego itinerary. 

San Diego 3 Day Itinerary: Day 1

Stop #1: La Jolla Cove

9am-11:30am (2.5 hrs)

Probably the most popular and most visited beach in San Diego is La Jolla Cove in La Jolla. Sitting north of San Diego, it has become a destination for many tourists.

Why? Probably because it’s picturesque, you can watch the seals and sea lions, do water activities or just hang out and take a walk. 

La Jolla Cove is one of the most photographed beaches in San Diego. The sandstone cliffs and scenic area make it a beautiful place to visit, look at and enjoy.

There are several water activities you can do such as snorkel, scuba dive, kayak, parasail and paddle board. If you want to do any of these activities there are tours you can join that generally take 1-2 hours of your time. But make sure you reserve these ahead of time.

The area is somewhat enclosed and the waters are more calm close to shore due to the design of the cove. If you decide to get in the water, the waters can get a bit rougher if you go out too far and you might have to deal with some stronger currents and waves. 

If you snorkel, stay closer to the shore where you can see different types of fish, kelp and seagrass. But you might not get great visibility. Check with the lifeguards on duty and any tour groups you are interested in to see if it’s a good day to snorkel. 

One thing to note is that SoCal waters are pretty cold. Bring or rent a wetsuit if you’re someone who has a difficult time handling cold ocean water. For me, I hardly go in SoCal water because it’s just too cold for me!

After any water activity such as snorkeling or just playing in the water, you can head over to the restrooms where there are showers to rinse off. This will be a wise thing to do since you still have the rest of the day ahead of you.

If you’re not interested in the water activities, sit and enjoy the beautiful views, watch the seals and sea lions, have a picnic or take a walk on the Coast Walk Trailhead.

If you watch the seals and sea lions, note that the area from Point La Jolla to Boomer Beach is closed off to people. But don’t worry. You’ll still get a view of these creatures. 

If hiking is more your thing, an alternative location would be Torrey Pines State Beach which has some wonderful hikes and beautiful views. It’s a lot less crowded but further north.

Or a visit to Sunset Cliffs could be an alternative option. These are not included in this itinerary, but they are discussed in my longer itineraries as I feel La Jolla is a better option for a shorter San Diego travel itinerary. 

La Jolla Cove is a great family friendly beach area that everyone of all ages can enjoy. It’s a public beach so it can get quite crowded, especially on weekends and holidays. 

If you’re driving there, note that parking can get pretty bad. That’s why the earlier you get there the better. If you’re lucky you can find street parking, but it’s not unusual if you end up parking further away or paying for parking.  

Stop #2: La Jolla Village for Lunch

11:30am-1pm (1.5 hrs)

Are you hungry yet? After any water activities or walking the trail, you may have worked up an appetite. Luckily, the La Jolla Village is a great place for lunch and it’s walking distance from La Jolla Cove. 

Here you will find plenty of restaurants, shopping, art galleries, theaters, a library and a museum. There might also be some live entertainment. In any case, you’ll want to find a place to eat here or somewhere closer to the next stop (Balboa Park). I would suggest eating at the Village as there are some great choices.

Here are a couple of food recommendations:

Havana Kitchen – Find fresh and delicious Cuban food here. With the classic Cubano sandwich, a roast pork platter, empanadas and plantains, it’s hard to say no to an authentic Cuban meal. It’s definitely worth checking out. 

Sugar and Scribe – For breakfast lovers, this place delivers all the breakfast essentials. Indulge in pancakes, eggs, skillets, eggs benedict for breakfast or choose lunch instead. The presentation of their food is impeccable, but you may encounter a wait, so keep that in mind if you’re interested.

Feel free to explore other options in the area, or head to Balboa Park and find a lunch spot around there.

A couple of recommendations for lunch spots around the park are:

Common Stock – If crispy fried chicken and brussels sprouts are your thing, this might be an option for you. Serving New American food, you can get some pretty tasty salads, sandwiches and appetizers.

Goi Cuon – For Asian food, this Vietnamese restaurant serves up some healthier options such as banh mi, spring rolls and vermicelli bowls. You can also find some vegetarian and vegan options here. 

Drive to Balboa Park and park. There are 11 parking lots at Balboa Park, all of which are free. Yes, you read that right.

There aren’t many places in San Diego where parking is free, so soak this one up. They have handicap parking spaces as well as accessible parking spots. 

1pm-1:30pm (allow 30 min to drive and park)

Stop #3: Balboa Park

1:30pm-5:30pm (4 hrs)

One of the most popular places to visit in San Diego is Balboa Park. With over 1,200 acres of land, you will find many museums, beautiful architecture, serene gardens, shops and performing arts.

There’s so much to do, you could spend more than one day here, especially if you want to see multiple museums.

If you’re mostly interested in free things to do at Balboa Park, the Botanical Building (currently closed) and Timken Museum of Art are free. Almost all of the gardens are free (except for the Japanese Friendship Garden and Botanical Garden at the San Diego Zoo) or you can walk the many trails that line the park.

You can stroll the park and look at all the beautiful architecture and visit the shops. Additionally, you could stop by the House of Pacific Relations Cottages, Spanish Village Art Center or United Nations Building which are all free to visit. And if all else fails, you could just grab food ahead of time and have a picnic somewhere in the park. 

The paid options include all the other museums. Because there are so many museums it’s best to just choose 1 for the time allotted. Some of these museums are really large and could take hours to get through just one of them. Some of the museums are also not that cheap so you’ll want to get the most out of each admission ticket. 

Another reason to visit just one museum is so you have a chance to explore the gardens and architecture of the park itself. If you want to visit a paid museum here are your choices. The first four I recommend:

• Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum – recommended
• San Diego Air & Space Museum – recommended
• San Diego Model Railroad Museum – recommended
• San Diego Natural History Museum – recommended
• Centro Cultural de la Raza
• Fleet Science Center
• ICA San Diego
• Mingei International Museum
• Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art
• Museum of Us
• San Diego Automotive Museum
• San Diego History Center
• The San Diego Museum of Art
• The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park
• WorldBeat Center
• Comic-Con Museum – not included in the Explorer Pass options
• San Diego Zoo – not included in the Explorer Pass options
• San Diego Safari Park – not included in the Explorer Pass options

The ones I recommend are the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum, San Diego Air & Space Museum, San Diego Model Railroad Museum or the San Diego Natural History Museum. These are all great for kids and families. Of course, choose based on your interests whether it be art or science. 

I should mention that they do have an Explorer Pass which would be good if you have a lot more time to dedicate to visiting the museums. The only option within the Explorer Passes that makes sense is the Limited Pass where you can visit up to 4 participating museums in a single day.

However, since some of these museums are quite expensive, if you chose 2 of the most expensive ones to visit, the Limited Pass could be worth it. But as I mentioned before, given that this itinerary allots 4 hours to visiting the Park, I would suggest picking 1 museum and getting the most out of it. 

It’s also worth addressing that there are performing art centers within the park. So if you’d like to catch a show, check each calendar for the schedule and ticket cost. 

Tour Option: Balboa Park Highlights

When you’re ready, head over to Little Italy for a yummy Italian meal.

Drive and park. You will likely have to find metered street parking or park in a structure.

5:30-6pm (allot 30 min)

Stop #4: Little Italy for Dinner

6pm-9pm (3 hrs)

Little Italy of San Diego is the biggest one in the United States. Filled with restaurants, shops, cafes, galleries, hotels and more, this Italian-themed area is the perfect place to grab some dinner and a must do for this San Diego 3 day trip. So I hope you love Italian food! 

There are many choices to choose from, so it can be hard to pick one. But your decision might be based on how long you have to wait to get seated and whether you want to sit inside or outside.

There is a decent amount of outside seating with heaters so if that’s not your thing, be sure to either make a reservation ahead of time or expect to wait a little longer for the inside if you’re there on a weekend. 

Before I give some restaurant options, let me first suggest that you save dessert for somewhere else as I have a fantastic dessert place I love to go to and would like to share with you. 

Here are some Little Italy food options:

Ristorante Illando – Not easily noticeable from the street, but once you find it and climb the stairs you will enter a cozy restaurant. This place has everything you want in Italian food – pasta, salad, pizza, wine and more. 

Vinarius Wine Bar – They have a slightly smaller menu than traditional Italian restaurants, but make up for it with an extensive wine list. The main thing is that the food is delicious. 

Civico 1845 – Solid food with vegan options. They have lots of traditional food options and specialize in cuisine from the Southern region of Italy. They also try to be sustainable in their practices by sourcing locally grown ingredients for their dishes. 

Now as promised, dessert is next on the menu. I don’t remember when I actually started going to this place, but it’s become a tradition to make a stop at Extraordinary Desserts. There are 2 locations, but the one I’m directing you to is the larger one and it’s also the closest to Little Italy. 

If you saved room for dessert, Extraordinary Desserts has a fabulous array of dessert options. From cakes, pies, cookies, cupcakes, bars and more, it’s a sweet tooth lover’s heaven. They even have gluten free and vegan options. 

To get to Extraordinary Desserts, you can walk from Little Italy. Sometimes the parking can be bad so walk if possible. 

Tour Option: Little Italy Food Tour

From here, it’s time to experience some nightlife. Let’s head over to Gaslamp Quarter which is in the southern area of Downtown San Diego. 

Drive and park. Just FYI, you will need to pay for parking. There are outdoor parking lots as well as parking structures. Just know that parking will not be cheap here. 

9pm-9:30pm (allow 30 min)

Stop #5: Historic Gaslamp Quarter

9:30pm+

Work off your food coma and wake up to the vibrant nightlife in the Gaslamp Quarter. A place filled with bars, lounges, clubs, theaters, restaurants and more, it’s a happening place for city goers. No San Diego trip itinerary is complete without a visit to Gaslamp!

If you’re not sure what you would like to do here, let me give some suggestions. All three of these recommendations are very different from each other since everyone has a different idea of what fun is at night. You could simply go to a bar, grab a drink and keep it chill. Or you could opt for something more lively.

Here are some suggestions:

Moonshine Flats – I’m biased, but I love this place. And you will too if you like country music, live bands, dancing, drinking and being in a high energy place. It’s a decent size venue with a big dance floor. They often have a live band and line dancing lessons.

The Shout! House – For a more mellow outing, try this piano bar. While it still has a fun vibe, you can just sit and enjoy talented musicians play and sing to popular music from many genres. Depending on the time you go, there may be a cover charge. 

Prohibition – Taking it down a notch even further, Prohibition is a speakeasy lounge with a 1920’s themed vibe. It has an intimate atmosphere with music, cocktails and low lighting. Dress appropriately as they have a dress code. You don’t need a reservation to get in.

San Diego 3 Day Itinerary: Day 2 (Option 1)

SeaWorld

(full day)

If you come to San Diego, SeaWorld is one place you should visit. This marine-theme park in Mission Bay Park deserves a full day to explore and experience all that SeaWorld has to offer. 

Some people have negative views about SeaWorld due to the fact that they are holding animals captive and there has been some mistreatment of the animals in the park. But many are treated well and you can really learn a lot about marine life from places like SeaWorld and aquariums. 

If you would like to skip SeaWorld for this itinerary for San Diego and you’re wondering ‘ how can I spend 3 days in San Diego without going to Seaworld,’ I have an alternative day plan below under Day 2b. But for those who would like to experience SeaWorld, keep reading.   

The park has varying hours but generally opens at 10am. It can close anywhere from 5pm to 10pm depending on the day and month. So keep this in mind when figuring out your day. If the park closes at 5pm, it’s best to arrive when it opens in order to get the most out of the park. 

There are many things to do at SeaWorld. There are several rides and roller coasters, many shows, tours, experiences, events and of course dining and shopping.

For shows, you can see a dolphin, orca or sea lion and otter show. View animals such as whales, sharks, jellyfish, rays, turtles, penguins, walruses and even land animals like macaws and sloths. There are aquariums with all kinds of fish, octopi, eels, crabs and more. 

If you want to take a tour or do an encounter where you get up close and personal with an animal, you will have to pay extra on top of the general admission. 

Also, be sure to check out their events calendar to see if there are any special events or celebrations going on while you’re there. 

If you want a more VIP experience you can opt for any of their upgrades such as express entry onto some of their rides, all day dining, reserved parking and animal encounters. When purchasing tickets be sure to check for any current deals. It’s always better to pay online ahead of time to save some money. 

San Diego 3 Day Itinerary: Day 2 (Option 2)

This day 2b option is if you would like to skip SeaWorld and experience more of San Diego instead. SeaWorld is not for everyone, but it’s a great place for the kids and adults alike.

While SeaWorld is not a part of this day 2b itinerary, the first stop is really close to it. 

Stop #1: Breakfast 

9am-10:30am (1.5 hrs)

Breakfast might be a good idea if you don’t want to eat the food at the next stop. There are some good breakfast places on the way. Depending on where you are coming from, I’m providing 2 options that are north of Mission Beach (located in Pacific Beach).

The third option actually has multiple locations so there is 1 in Pacific Beach and 2 in Point Loma. 

Here are a few breakfast and brunch places I recommend:

Armonia Kitchen – Eat breakfast on the lighter side with this healthier option. Check out their skinny burritos, healthy breakfast shakes and bowls. They also have some Mexican favorites, coffee and tea.

Leilani’s Cafe – Feeling a little Hawaiian? Get a taste of Hawaii here and start with their ‘favorites’ menu. This includes Spam Musubi Leilani Style, Hilo (loco moco) and My Kalani (kalua pork breakfast plate).

Breakfast Republic – There are several locations within the San Diego area. Two of them are south of Belmont Park and one of them is north of Belmont Park in Pacific Beach. This restaurant has your classic eggs benedict, pancakes, french toast, omelets and even a vegan menu. There’s something for every palette. 

Drive and park at Belmont Park.

10:30am-11am (allow 30 min to drive and find parking)

Stop #2: Belmont Park & Mission Beach

11am-3pm (4 hrs) 

Belmont Park is in Mission Beach. It’s a throwback to a classic boardwalk where you can walk for nearly 2 miles down the beach. But the action really happens at Belmont Park which is at the intersection of Mission Blvd. and West Mission Bay Drive. 

Belmont Park opens at 11am on most days. Some months it opens at 12pm. Check the calendar to confirm their hours. If you drive here, there are 4 free public parking lots.

However, know that it will be busy and it may be difficult to find parking. You can also take Uber or Lyft to get here which is something they recomnned.

At Belmont Park you can ride the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster which is a wooden roller coaster built in 1925. You can hop on a carnival ride or challenge yourself to wall climbing.

You can also play miniature golf, arcade games and laser tag. If you have a group, you can do an escape room at Escapeology.

Of course, if you want to do any of these activities there is a charge. For the rides you can either purchase a day pass for unlimited rides or buy a ticket bundle for other ride options.

For food or a snack you can grab a quick bite, sit at a casual restaurant or have ice cream. There are some shops too. The options are plentiful!

When you’re there, you might notice a really huge building behind the Big Dipper before you hit the beach. This is called the Plunge which is a large indoor swimming pool. It’s open to recreational swimming and the obstacle course is open daily. Check the day pass rates if you’re interested. 

The Plunge was originally called the Natatorium and it was built in 1925. Over the years it has managed to stay an indoor pool, but today with some revamping and a more modernized look, this place is a nice option for those who would rather play in the water indoors. 

And just FYI, there is a gym connected to the Plunge where you can get your fitness game on. It’s probably not your first choice of things to experience here, but I had to throw it out there just in case. If you want to work out here, you could register for a guest pass.

But let’s not forget to just enjoy Mission Beach itself. Take some time to enjoy the beachfront. Sit by the sand, watch some waves, play in the water or just walk the boardwalk and keep it chill.

You can rent paddle boards, skateboards, beach chairs, beach cruisers, surfboards and everything you can think of for the beach. 

After you’ve had your fun in the sun, drive and park at Old Town San Diego. There are free lots as well as paid lots. Take a look at the map to find where they are. 

3pm-3:30pm (about an 8 min drive but allow 30 minutes in total for driving and parking)

Stop #3: Old Town San Diego

3:30pm+

Old Town San Diego is the oldest neighborhood in San Diego and the place where Europeans first settled in California. Because of this Old Town San Diego is considered the birthplace of California.

But even before this it was inhabited by the Kumeyaay people for more than 10,000 years who are indigenous to Baja California. 

The Kumeyaay people have a complex history in the area. Over time the Spaniards, Mexicans and modern Americans have occupied this area. There were times of friction and war and times of integration. Because of this, Old Town has become a blend of Kumeyaay, Spanish, Mexican and American culture. 

Over time it became apparent that this area was special and had rich cultural and historical significance. In order to preserve the history, the area has become the Old Town San Diego Historic Park. Today many buildings and homes have been preserved. 

Some of the historic buildings are chapels, churches, a courthouse and their first schoolhouse. What’s nice also is that all the museums are free except for the Whaley House.

The Whaley House is one of the most popular places just outside of the Old Town state park. The Whaley House is said to be the most haunted house in the United States according to the Travel Channel. It’s also been featured on the SyFy Channel and Discovery Channel. 

Many paranormal occurrences have been documented here so you’ll surely get some scary or at least spooky stories. You can visit the Whaley House Museum for a day or evening tour if you’d like to learn more and maybe see a ghost or two!  

For a free museum, you can learn more about the Kumeyaay people at the Serra Museum in Old Town. In between looking at historical buildings and museums, take a moment to do some shopping and dine at one of their restaurants. Old Town is a great place to have dinner. 

Here are some dinner recommendations in Old Town:

Bhojan Griha – Enjoy the flavors of Nepal and India with dishes like samosas, momo, curry, butter chicken, tikka masala and naan. They have indoor and outdoor seating and reasonably priced food. 

Old Town Tequila Factory – For Mexican food, try here. They serve all the traditional fixings such as fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, taquitos and more. It’s nothing fancy, but you are in Old Town so a little Mexican food seems to be in order.

Trattoria Don Pietro – Last but not least is an Italian restaurant. Yes, San Diego has a lot of Italian places, but they all seem to be pretty good! This restaurant specifically focuses on Sicilian style food so it’s mostly pasta and pizza. It has a beautifully decorated upscale atmosphere so have a cocktail while you’re there too. 

Stop #4: Optional Night Outing

After Old Town San Diego, this ends day #2. Feel free to experience some nightlife, go to a bar or checkout one of the many breweries. Or simply call it a night.

Another option is you can take this Old Town Trolley San Diego City Lights Night Tour which starts at 8pm and lasts for 1hr and 40 min. On this tour you get to take a trolley to all the major San Diego sites lit up at night.

While you’ve seen some of these stops during the day, at night the scenery is quite different. Gain a different perspective of the city at night. 

Additionally, this trolley tour offers a complimentary shuttle that runs from Old Town to Seaport Village which is the meeting point for the tour. Reservations are required, so be sure to plan this one into your schedule ahead of time if it’s something you’d like to do. 

San Diego 3 Day Itinerary: Day 3

This 3 days in San Diego itinerary ends with your final day in the heart of the city. Right around the downtown area by the water are some of the most visited places in San Diego. This day is about exploring this area, staying close to the water and enjoying the views.

There are 2 options for stop #1. Both options are museums and they are fairly close to each other. Both are museums revolving around ships but one is more about naval aircraft while the other is more about historic sea vessels. Both are highly recommended although the USS Midway Museum is more popular.

Stop #1 (Option 1): USS Midway Museum

10am-1pm (3 hrs)

The USS Midway Museum is located at Navy Pier. The huge aircraft carrier called Midway is housed here and it’s open everyday until 5pm. Spanning 10 acres of exhibits and displays and housing over 30 restored aircraft, there’s a lot to see and do here.

There are 3 exhibits: hanger deck, flight deck and below deck. 

On the flight deck you can see naval fighters, bombers and helicopters up close. On the hanger deck you can see World War II aircraft, experience a simulator and see many more displays and exhibits.

On the below deck, you’ll see how a navy sailor lived on the carrier. Such things include their bunk beds, dining areas, the Sick Bay and the Chapel. 

Included in the admission ticket is a self-guided audio tour. It’s available in various languages. If you’re a family, you may want to opt for the family self-guided audio tour which makes it more fun for the kids. 

If you want a live tour guide, they do have a docent guided tour where an expert takes you around. These tours are free as the docents are volunteers. However, due to their limited availability, it’s best to take the tour early.

The time allotted here is 3 hours so you can experience as much as possible. If you’re more into historic sea vessels, perhaps the alternative stop (1b) is a better choice.

Parking around this area will be expensive. You can find metered parking or park in a lot, but be sure to read all signs and meter limits. 

If possible, find a flat rate parking lot where you can stay for at least 6 hours. This way you can visit the museum and stop #2 (Seaport Village) without having to pay for 2 different places or worry about time limits.

Stop #1 (Option 2): Maritime Museum of San Diego

10am-1pm (3 hrs)

The Maritime Museum of San Diego is located in the San Diego Bay. The most popular vessel here is the Star of India, an 1863 iron bark and the world’s oldest active sailing ship.

There are 4 types of ships at the Museum: sailing ships, steam powered, powered and a submarine. Some of these are national historic landmarks. In total there are 9 ships you can board and explore!

At the Maritime Museum of San Diego you can see various permanent exhibits, collections, displays and shows. For an extra fee you can join some of these ships on the water for a sea adventure or have a guided tour. 

At minimum, if you don’t want to pay extra for add-on activities and adventures, check out all of the ships. The sailing ships are beautiful and remind you of old pirate movies.

And who doesn’t want to see what it looks like in a submarine? There are many interesting and unique boats here so take your time and embrace their beauty.

After the museum, it’s time for lunch. Walk over to Seaport Village, a hotspot for food, shops and views. 

1pm-1:30pm (it’s about a 10-20 min walk depending on which museum you’re coming from)

Stop #2: Seaport Village

1:30pm-4pm (2.5 hrs)

Seaport Village has many food options. Choose casual or a nicer dining experience. Grab a drink, have a coffee or some ice cream. Here you can eat and then do a bit of shopping.

And for the kids there’s a carousel and sometimes street performers. The Village is right by the water so you can also walk out to the pier and enjoy the ocean views. 

If you drive here, parking can be a challenge and it will be paid. 

For an alternative experience, how about a food tour?

Tour Option: Seaport Village Food Tour

After your stomach is full and happy, drive over to Coronado Island. Alternatively, you can take the Coronado Ferry that runs every hour. While on the ferry you can get beautiful views and not have to worry about parking.

The ferry takes off from either Broadway Pier or the San Diego Convention Center and then arrives at the Coronado Ferry Landing.

4pm-4:30pm (allow 30 min to drive and park. It takes about 16 min to drive there)

Stop #3: Coronado Island

4:30pm+ 

Coronado Island is a must-see place if you’re visiting San Diego. While it’s not a true island but rather a peninsula, it almost feels like an island due to its geography.

There are many things to do here, but the main attraction on Coronado Island is the Hotel del Coronado. It’s a picturesque old Victorian hotel established in 1888 with white exterior walls and a red roof. 

The hotel has various sections to it. The Victorian is the iconic portion of the hotel but it’s currently under construction until 2025. So if you want to stay here, you can stay at one of the other villas, cottages or other areas of the hotel. Just be aware it is quite pricey to stay here. And also be forewarned that the Hotel del Coronado is said to be haunted. 

While you’re at Coronado Island be sure to check out Coronado Beach which is just north west of Hotel del Coronado. It’s a great place to take a leisurely stroll or lounge. It’s also a great place to watch the sunset. So set out a towel and watch the sun fall below the horizon of the water. 

During the day there are many water activities and outdoor beach activities, but since this stop is in the evening, you can hang out at one of the parks, visit the Village Theatre or watch a movie on the beach at the Hotel del Coronado. But you’ll probably also want to eat dinner here. 

There are many food options on Coronado Island. You can dine at the hotel. There are food places on Orange Ave. Or head over to Coronado Ferry Landing where there are many restaurants and some shops. 

Here are some restaurant recommendations on Coronado Island:

Garage Buona Forchetta – Close to the hotel is this cool Italian restaurant with lots of pizza choices, make your own pasta options and daily specials. It has a garage theme with an old car inside. There’s a bar and they have a small Italian market inside where you can purchase wine, pasta and other Italian staples. This place is good fun!

Little Frenchie – This is a cute French bistro that serves brunch and dinner. It’s a pricer option, but would you expect anything less from French food? Get the typical French dishes like a nicoise salad, French onion soup, escargot, duck and beef bourguignon. 

Bluewater Grill – For a seafood dinner, this is a solid choice. It has a boathouse theme inside and a nice selection of all kinds of seafood dishes such as clam chowder, different types of fish, scallops, oysters, shrimp, crab and lobster. There are also non-seafood options. 

It might be nice to stay the night on Coronado Island. Here are a couple of hotel recommendations:

What to Pack to See San Diego in 3 Days

San Diego is generally on the cooler side and can be pretty cloudy and even a bit breezy at times. But it can be sunny as well. Pack layers and warmer clothes for nighttime.

If you’re doing water activities, bring the appropriate clothing and gears for that. Bring good walking shoes, sunblock, sunglasses and perhaps a hat. 

Of course, always check the weather ahead of time just in case it rains. If rain is in the forecast opt to bring an umbrella or poncho. Overall, San Diego is a pretty casual place with fun beach vibes.

Getting in and Around San Diego

If you’re flying into the San Diego International Airport, you’ll notice that it’s right in the heart of San Diego. This is great because you won’t have to travel far to get to the main attractions our your accommodation.

In this 3-day San Diego itinerary you’ll realize in order to get around you will need to either rent a car or Uber/Lyft everywhere. Both ways will be costly.

San Diego 3 Day Itinerary FAQ

Is 3 days enough in San Diego?

In 3 days you can get a lot done. But there is still a lot more you could do. Three days is enough to see most of the main attractions and most popular things to do. But if you’re into the big parks (SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, Legoland) and museums, a week would be better. 

Should I go to San Diego for a weekend?

Sure! Why not? I’ve done the San Diego weekend getaway many times. Hit a few spots you’re interested in and frequent some of promising restaurants. A San Diego weekend works best if you don’t live too far.

But be sure to check out my San Diego 1 day itinerary for ideas on what you could do in 1 day. 

What is the cheapest time of year to visit San Diego?

The cheapest time of year to visit San Diego is most likely the winter around January and February when the weather is coolest and more likely to have rain. 

What is the coolest month in San Diego?

The coolest months in San Diego are January and February, so basically winter. 

What is San Diego best known for?

San Diego is known for their beautiful beaches and theme parks such as SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo and Legoland. It’s also known for their relaxed vibe and great food. 

What is the best part of San Diego to stay in?

The best areas for a tourist to stay in San Diego are around La Jolla, Coronado Island or Pacific Beach. It’s also desirable to stay close to the water from Little Italy to the Convention Center.

What is special about Old Town San Diego?

Old Town San Diego is considered the ‘birthplace’ of California. It has a long history of different cultures inhabiting the area due to periods of invasion and war. Many buildings have been preserved from these eras. Read the section under Day 2b, stop #3 for a more detailed overview of Old Town San Diego.

What is low season in San Diego?

Low season in San Diego is September through November before Thanksgiving and then after New Years in January through February. 

How far apart are LA and San Diego?

It takes about 2 hours to drive from LA to San Diego or vice versa without traffic. This is a little over 120 miles. Of course, actual driving time and distance will depend on traffic and exact beginning and ending destinations. 

Is San Diego too expensive?

San Diego can be quite expensive. Hotels, parking, food, attraction tickets and admission can all be pricey. However, there are some places that are free to the public and offer free parking.

You can also opt to choose less expensive accommodations by staying outside of the main downtown area or renting a room through Airbnb. Visitors on a budget can make it happen with a little planning and organizing. 

San Diego Itinerary 3 Days Final Thoughts

San Diego is a beautiful county with gorgeous beaches, amazing museums and fantastic food. It’s the third most visited city in California after Los Angeles and San Francisco.

That’s why this San Diego 3 day itinerary pulls together some of the most popular attractions into a comprehensive plan you’re gonna love! 

This is a versatile San Diego itinerary for couples, families and even solo travelers. Kids, adults and everyone in between will enjoy all of these attractions.

It provides a well-rounded overview of San Diego where you get to experience the beach, a theme park, do some shopping, see a museum or two, experience the downtown vibe, learn about San Diego history and immerse yourself in the different cultures of this melting pot city. There’s so much to see and do here.

Only staying for 1 day? Check out my San Diego 1 day itinerary.

Stay tuned for my other San Diego Itineraries:

San Diego itinerary 2 days

San Diego itinerary 4 days

San Diego itinerary 5 days

San Diego itinerary 7 days