5 days in San Diego

Day by day

1. Day 1: Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo

   Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo and USS Midway Museum, then Gaslamp Quarter in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Balboa Park

      Walking the gardens and El Prado is free; pick two museums for a day rather than trying to cover them all. (Half a day to a full day, free).

   2. Late morning

      San Diego Zoo

      Arrive at opening, ride the bus tour first to get your bearings, then walk the canyons before the midday heat. (Full day, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: California burrito

      Independent taco shops across the city, especially in Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and North Park.

   4. Afternoon

      USS Midway Museum

      Go up to the flight deck first while it is cool, then work through the lower decks; the self-guided audio tour is included. (3–4 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Gaslamp Quarter

      Walk Fifth Avenue in the early evening when the street lamps come on, before the late-night crowds arrive.

2. Day 2: La Jolla Cove and Birch Aquarium at Scripps

   La Jolla Cove, Birch Aquarium at Scripps and Hotel del Coronado, then Gaslamp Quarter in the evening.

   1. Morning

      La Jolla Cove

      Keep a respectful distance from the sea lions and seals; rangers and signs mark the closed areas. (1–2 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Birch Aquarium at Scripps

      Pair it with a calm-water swim or tide-pooling at La Jolla Shores just below. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Baja fish tacos

      Beach-area taco counters in Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach, and seafood restaurants on Point Loma's Shelter Island.

   4. Afternoon

      Hotel del Coronado

      Take the ferry to Coronado, rent a bike at the landing and ride the flat streets to the hotel and beach. (1–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Gaslamp Quarter

      Rooftop bars, nightclubs and late-night restaurants along Fifth Avenue, busiest on weekends and after Padres games.

3. Day 3: Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and Cabrillo National Monument

   Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, Cabrillo National Monument and Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, then Pacific Beach in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

      Park at the beach lot and walk up the road for the full climb, or pay to park at the top for shorter walks. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Cabrillo National Monument

      Check the tide tables and visit the tide pools at low tide, usually best in winter afternoons. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Carne asada fries

      The same 24-hour taco shops that sell California burritos.

   4. Afternoon

      Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

      Combine it with a walk up to Presidio Park above Old Town, site of the original 1769 Spanish fort and mission. (2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Pacific Beach

      Beach bars and casual clubs along Garnet Avenue and the boardwalk, popular with a young crowd.

4. Day 4: Day trip to San Diego Zoo Safari Park

   About 45 minutes by car each way. Getting there: Car via Interstate 15 to Escondido.

   1. Morning

      Travel to San Diego Zoo Safari Park

      About 45 minutes by car (Car via Interstate 15 to Escondido); about 50 km.

   2. Day

      San Diego Zoo Safari Park

      The zoo's sister park in the San Pasqual Valley lets giraffes, rhinos and antelope roam large open enclosures, viewed from the Africa Tram, walking trails and optional caravan safaris. Best for families and first-timers.

   3. Evening

      Back in San Diego

      Dinner: try Rolled tacos.

5. Day 5: Sunset Cliffs Natural Park and Maritime Museum of San Diego

   Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, Maritime Museum of San Diego and Little Italy, then North Park in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

      Stay back from the cliff edges, which are unstable and unfenced in places. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      Maritime Museum of San Diego

      Ask about short bay cruises on the museum's historic boats, which leave from the same dock. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Rolled tacos

      Taco shops citywide and Mexican restaurants around Old Town.

   4. Afternoon

      Little Italy

      Come for the Saturday market and stay for lunch on Piazza della Famiglia. (2–3 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      North Park

      Brewery tasting rooms, cocktail bars and live-music venues along 30th Street and University Avenue.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for San Diego Zoo before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Gaslamp Quarter keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Little Italy ($$$) suits food lovers, couples and first-timers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 29–38 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10 hours in December to 14.3 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in San Diego
• 2 days in San Diego
• 3 days in San Diego

Questions travellers ask