Fall in Love with Idyllic San Diego: 3-Day Itinerary

I was so excited when I learned that I had to attend a conference in San Diego. At that time, I had never been to California and was so curious to see what the hype was all about over San Diego. I felt like every person I talked to raved about this city and its beauty. With the limited amount of time in the area, we squeezed all the main attractions and sights into a 3-Day San Diego itinerary.

I know what you’re thinking, is 3 days enough to explore this city fully? The short answer is no. There is SO much to see and 3 days is great for some highlights, but I already want to come back and explore the sites I missed.

I immediately fell in love with this idyllic city as it offers so much and is so beautiful. From the architecture to the picturesque coastline, read below for my full San Diego 3 Day Itinerary.

3 Day San Diego Itinerary

Day 1

I would start your day by walking around the Harbor and admiring the bay. There always seems to be something going on around downtown, so you may stumble upon a market or event within walking distance! When I was there, there was an art market and it was so neat to walk around all the vendors.

San Diego Bay

The first thing I did after checking into the hotel was walk around the bay. From our hotel, I was able to walk past the USS Midway and see the kissing statue. While sitting along the water, I even saw some sea lions. From there, I also walked around the marina district and stopped in some shops. Listed below are the main attractions in this area:

USS Midway Museum

For any history buffs interested in military artifacts, I would plan to visit the Midway Museum. The USS Midway was commissioned in 1945, missing WWII by one week. The midway would later play roles in the Cold War, Vietnam War, and Dessert Storm

Admission is $32 for ages 13+ and $22 for ages 4-12. You can purchase your tickets by clicking here and saving a couple of dollars by buying ahead.

Seaport Village

Situated along the bay, Seaport Village is a cute area with cottage-style shops where you can walk around by the water shop, dine, and drink. This area was perfect for us as it was within walking distance from our hotel.

There is also an open-air seafood market along the pier where local fishermen sell their freshly caught seafood.

Coronado

Even though Coronado is mainly a residential area, I still think it is a great addition to your itinerary. As Coronado gained press over the years, the beautiful houses, pristine beach, naval base, and San Diego skyline in the distance make for a unique visit.

During your time in Coronado, listed below are all the things I would do:

Getting To and Around Coronado

• Ferry
  • $18 round trip
  • Ferry Schedule listed here
• Drive
  • Access Coronado by driving over the iconic San Diego Coronado Bridge.

Admire the San Diego Skyline

You will get some amazing views of San Diego if you take the ferry, but if you are looking for more photo opportunities or want simply admire the views, then I suggest going to Harbor Island Park.

Hotel Del Coronado

Two businessmen built Hotel Del Coronado in 1888 so the hotel could “talk to the Western world”. Over the years, Hotel Del Coronado became a popular destination for notable individuals such as Thomas Edison, Babe Ruth, and several presidents. Also, the hotel became a hot spot for the Hollywood elite as it was a popular filming destination.

Beach

Unfortunately, while we were there, it was actually cloudy and pretty chilly! We were not welcomed to the typical “sunny California”. Because of this. we did not spend too much time on the beach. If you are fortunate enough to get some good weather, I would enjoy beach time on Coronado.

Little Italy

This street is lined with so many amazing restaurants you truly cannot go wrong with your selection. When we went, this area was buzzing with people as it is also pedestrian-friendly with several plazas.

Day 2

Old Town

This area is home to the first European settlement in California as well as the Kumeyaay Indigenous peoples’. You will feel like your are in an old western movie as you walk around Old Town.

Explore the Area

There are several museums, historic sites, shops, and restaurants to stop in while you are visiting. The best way to see most of the attractions in Old Town is by doing a self-guided walking tour. This a free option and you are able to learn about California’s first settlement at your own pace.

Old Town is on the way to La Jolla, so it makes for a great stop along the way!

La Jolla

This area was so idyllic! I wish we could’ve spent more time to explore. While in La Jolla, here is how I would spend your time:

Explore the Caves

Downtown La Jolla

While in the area, I would stroll around the downtown streets to see the picturesque houses and stop in the multiple shops. The major shopping area in La Jolla is along Prospect Street, where you’ll find luxury shops, art galleries, and boutiques.

Dinner: Marine Room

I haven’t seen any other restaurant like this. If you are a foodie and would like to splurge, I highly suggest making a reservation at the Marine Room at Hide Tide. You are truly on the water as high tide comes through and the waves hit the large windows.

Day 3: Last Day of San Diego Itinerary

Balboa Park

You can easily spend a full day here as there are 18 different museums, several gardens, and other attractions in the area. While we were exploring Balboa Park, we didn’t get to go to all the museums as there are SO many, and going to every museum would be impossible.

I highly suggest looking at Balboa Park’s website to get an idea of what museums and attractions you want to see and make sure it is open. If you plan for a lot of time at Balboa Park, then I recommend getting the Explorer Pass to save money.

Museums and Gardens

While at Balboa Park, we decided to visit the Japanese Friendship Garden, Air and Space Museum, Timken Art Museum, and Natural History Museum. As I mentioned, there are 18 different museums to choose from, but museum openings rotate on certain days. To get a full description of these museums and gardens, click on Balboa Park’s website.

Architecture

Even just wandering through the park, you will get to see the beautiful architecture. The park was initially created for the Panama-California Exposition in 1915 to commemorate the completion of the Panama Canal.

Sunset Cliffs

In my mind, when I think about San Diego’s beautiful coastline, I picture Sunset Cliffs. I recommend coming here around sunset to admire the beautiful hues. If the weather permits, I would bring a picnic or get some takeaway food to enjoy while watching the sunset on the *perfectly named* sunset cliffs.

Coincidentally, we stopped at Ocean Beach on the way and there was a market where we got some amazing street food.

This is a perfect way to end your San Diego 3 day itinerary as the Sunset Cliffs are so beautiful and so iconic to San Diego.

THANK YOU

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this article by Squeeze with Louise. I’m very passionate about sharing my travel tips and recommendations with you. I would love to know your thoughts on how I can enhance my blog. Please feel free to comment below with any questions regarding this itinerary or general questions about Squeeze with Louise.

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