3-Day San Diego Itinerary: Hidden Gems, Scenic Stops & Must-See Attractions

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San Diego is one of those places that offers a little bit of everything. If you’re looking for the perfect mix of sunshine, incredible food, beautiful beaches and iconic attractions, San Diego is must to visit.

I recently spent three days exploring the city and quickly realized why so many people return year after year. One of the experiences that stood out to me was visiting the USS Midway. I have been several times and learn something new every time I visit. I was also excited to see the giant pandas at the San Diego Zoo. They were gone for about 5 years as the loan program with China concluded, but have now been back for a few years under a new 10-year loan program, and I’m so glad I got the chance to see them.

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to discover new hidden gems, this 3-day San Diego Itinerary is designed to help you experience the best of the city.

3-Day San Diego Itinerary Overview

Here’s a quick snapshot of how this 3-day San Diego itinerary flows:

Day 1: Trolley Adventure & Iconic Stops 🚋🏖️

• Old Town
• USS Midway Museum
• “Kissing sailor” statue photo
• Hotel del Coronado + beach time

Day 2: Balboa Park + Giant Pandas 🐼

• San Diego Zoo
• Balboa Park
• Dinner at Little Italy

Day 3: Relaxation & Tiki Vibes 🌴

• Slow morning on Shelter Island
• Gondola ride through the Coronado canals
• Dinner at El Indio

San Diego Itinerary: Day 1 on the Old Town Trolley Tour

Day 1 Morning: USS Midway + Waterfront

There’s no better way to begin your trip than with the Trolley Tour. For first-time visitors to San Diego, I highly suggest doing so early on since it provides a good overview of the city and allows you to get on and off at a number of major attractions.

When my daughter visited San Diego the year before I did, she really enjoyed riding the trolley and therefor suggested it to me, and and I’m so glad she did! It’s one of the easiest ways to of getting a feel for the city. I like that you get on and off any time you want, which enables you to spend more time exploring places like Old Town, Balboa Park, Little Italy, the Gaslamp Quarter, or Coronado without worrying about parking or driving. The guide also shares fun facts and local stories during the journey, so the trip is just as enjoyable as the stops.

I highly recommend parking in Old Town and starting your Trolley Tour from there.

Your first stop would then be the USS Midway Museum. Although I’ve been there on several occasions, it’s always interesting to walk around one of the longest-serving aircraft carriers in U.S. history, whether or not you’re a history enthusiast or simply curious about what it’s like to live at sea. You’ll be able to visit the flight deck (I’m always thinking of the Top Gun theme here), hear various veterans stories about serving in the Navy, go into the crew’s quarters while the audio tour is playing, and take pictures inside various jets and helicopters.

It should take roughly three hours to go through the entire ship, the length depending on how many talks you decide to listen to on the flight deck. If you’re anything like my husband and me, you’ll be so enthralled by the veterans as they describe different aspects of life in the Navy and the crazy aircraft-landing stories that you’ll end up staying on the ship for over three hours.

Once you’ve finished, take a stroll down the Embarcadero Marina. Make sure to see the famous “Unconditional Surrender” statue, also known as the Kissing Sailor statue, or the historic Star of India, the world’s oldest active sailing ship.

Day 1 Afternoon: Hotel del Coronado

I also suggest getting off at the Coronado Island Trolley stop. From there the walk to Hotel del Coronado is roughly a 10-minute walk. Even if you’re not staying overnight, it’s worth stepping inside to admire the luxurious lobby of this historic beachfront hotel, built in 1888. Throughout the years, the hotel has welcomed many notable guests, including Marilyn Monroe, Charry Chaplin and many Presidents.

We had lunch at the Sun Deck Restaurant inside Hotel del Coronado, where we dined overlooking the water. Afterward, we stopped by Est. 1888 to browse its unique gifts and to learn more about the hotel’s history.

We topped off our meal with gourmet gelato from Sundaes at the Del and ate it on the pristine beach as we watched the waves roll in. If you bring your swimsuit, you can also dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean or go for a chilly swim before continuing your day.

You will also find a number of boutiques, for example La Mer and SD Trading Co., which sell sweatshirts, that you can look at on your way back to the trolley stop. Only make sure you keep an eye on the last trolley departure time from the Coronado stop, otherwise you might end up getting stranded there (it could be between 3:45 and 4:45 pm, depending on the time of year, but it’s advisable to check with your driver before debarking).

Day 1 Evening: Old Town San Diego

Old Town San Diego is considered to be the birthplace of California since Father Junipero Serra founded it in 1769 as the first mission, which is why there is so much history there.

We visited the adobe buildings and the blacksmith shop at the State Historic Park, then went to the festive Bazaar del Mundo to shop for authentic jewelry and pottery, before heading to dinner at the Old Town Mexican Cafe, where we watched tortillas being made.

San Diego Itinerary Day 2: Balboa Park

Day 2 Morning: Balboa Park + San Diego Zoo

Head to Balboa Park in the morning and spend the day there as there is a great deal to do and see. The park is filled with beautiful Spanish-style architecture, gardens, museums, and walking paths.

Note: Be prepared to pay a $16 parking fee per vehicle. You can pay at any kiosk in Balboa Park, but you’ll need to remember or take a picture of your license plate to enter it at the kiosk.

One of the activities I enjoyed most was spending the morning at the San Diego Zoo. The bus tour, which is a double-decker vehicle with narration, is something you shouldn’t miss. Although we had to wait in line for a few minutes since we wanted to sit on the upper level, it was well worth the wait and the line actually progressed fairly quickly. This tour is included in the price of your ticket and enables you to see a large number of animals from that position.

There are only two Zoos in the United States that house giant pandas, so we are lucky to have them on the West Coast. In fact, San Diego has had Giant Pandas for almost 30 years, even though there was a five-year period when the lease expired and the pandas had to be sent back to China. Their lease was renewed in 2023 for 10 years, and because of this, I feel incredibly privileged to be able to see them. They are the main reason I wanted to come to this zoo and one of the main features that sets it apart from other zoos

A small piece of insider advice is this: When you’re in line to see the giant pandas, but fail to spot them since you can only view them from the front of the enclosure, go up the elevator to the bridge overlooking the panda enclosure and it was there that I spotted them. One of them was asleep while the other was enjoying itself by eating bamboo and shaking it all about in the back part of the enclosure.

Day 2 Afternoon: Balboa Park

There are a few lunch spot choices. If you’d like to visit the Japanese Friendship Garden, which is gorgeous, you can have lunch at the Tea Pavilion. Otherwise, the Prado is a great choice if you’re looking for American or Spanish food. I also enjoyed viewing a Rembrandt painting at the free Timken Museum of Art, walking through the Pavilion and viewing the Lily Pond, seeing all of the beautiful architecture, strolling through the colorful Village of Arts and admiring the huge Fig Tree with all of its roots extending in very direction nearby. I also enjoyed walking around to take in all of the gorgeous architecture. Those are just a few of the things that I did while I was there, but I urge you to visit Balboa Park’s website to find out about the attractions that appeal to you.

Day 2 Evening: Dinner in Little Italy

Covering roughly 48 square blocks, San Diego’s Little Italy is one of the largest neighborhoods in the country, and thus offering a wide variety of restaurant choices. It’s one of my favorite neighborhoods for combining sightseeing with seriously good Italian food. You should get there early to secure a much-desired parking spot, and once you’ve done so, it’s one of the most fun places to explore on foot.

There are many good places to eat in Little Italy, but one of my preferred ones that I go back to each time we are there is Bencotto Italian Kitchen, an upscale-casual Italian restaurant, where I had a wonderful handmade pasta filled with butternut squash, with homemade bread. It was easily one of the highlights of my visit. They also offer a fun cheese wheel experience in which the pasta is tossed tableside in a wheel of cheese.

If you want to experience old-school Italy, visit Filippi’s Pizza Grotto, a family-run establishment that has been in San Diego since 1950. You’ll enter through the traditional Italian market, where shelves are filled with pasta, sauces, cheese and other Italian specialties before making your way into the restaurant tucked behind it. I always order their hand-tossed pizza along with a few pasta dishes for the table to share. You really can’t go wrong no matter what you order here. Before leaving, I also buy some pasta and sauce from the market to bring a taste of Little Italy home with me.

You should not miss the authentic gelato at Bobboi Natural Gelato, since the gelato is made fresh daily using traditional Italian techniques and seasonal ingredients. Grab a scoop of pistachio or stracciatella, though my favorite flavor may be the seasonal Quattroberry, bursting with a mixture of organic strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries.

Here’s a photography tip: After you’ve finished eating, give yourself time to stroll around the neighborhood. The colorful signs, piazzas, and street scenes make Little Italy a fun area for taking photos, particularly around Piazza della Famiglia.

San Diego Day 3 Itinerary: Shelter Island & Relaxation Vibes

Day 3 Morning: Bike Ride on Shelter Island

The final day of my stay at the Humphreys Half Moon Inn turned out to be quite a pleasant one. I enjoyed walking through the lush, tropical gardens throughout the property, and I was pleased to see the parrots just outside my room in the morning. It really does give you the impression that you’ve escaped to a tropical island.

One of my favorite perks of staying here was the free bike rental service. I took one of the bikes and set off along Shelter Island Drive. As I cycled past the marina, I stopped to take pictures of the beautiful climbing bougainvillea on the arbors, ending up at the Yokohama Friendship Bell. With the colorful flowers, palm trees, boats and views of the bay, this was such a peaceful way to start the morning.

If you’re staying at Humphreys Half Moon Inn, I highly recommend making use of the complimentary bicycles available. Since Shelter Island is quite flat, the ride will be both easy and pleasant.

Day 3 Lunch: Bali Hai Restaurant

One of the best places to stop for lunch is the Tiki-themed Bali Hai Restaurant, with beautiful views overlooking San Diego Bay. Both the coconut shrimp and ahi tuna are both delicious options, and if you pair your meal with one of their tropical drinks, like their famous Mai Tai, you won’t be disappointed.

Day 3 Afternoon: Cabrillo National Monument

I drove about 13 minutes to the Cabrillo National Monument at the tip of Point Loma.

Make sure to stop at the Cabrillo Statue overlooking the gorgeous view of San Diego Bay before walking over to the historic Old Point Loma Lighthouse. The lighthouse dates back to the 1850s, and you have the opportunity to go inside to see what life was like for the lighthouse keepers who once lived there.

One of my favorite aspects of visiting the Cabrillo National Monument is simply the view. From this vantage point, you have a gorgeous panoramic look at San Diego Bay, the city and the coastline. It’s definitely worth taking some time to enjoy the scenery before heading to your next destination.

Pro Tip: Although the entrance to Cabrillo National Monument is $20 per vehicle, that fee is waived if you have an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. Even without the pass, I believe that the amazing views of San Diego Bay alone make the entrance fee worth it.

Day 3 Late Afternoon: Gondola Ride Through the Coronado Cays

Following my visit to the Cabrillo National Monument, I drove for about 30 minutes to one of the most peaceful things I did on my trip, which was a ride through the canals of the Coronado Cays complete with an Italian-style gondolier. After three days of sightseeing, this was a very relaxing way to spend the late afternoon and conclude my trip.

Day 3 Dinner: The Best Mexican Food at El Indio

For my last meal of the trip, I at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in San Diego, El Indio Mexican Restaurant. The best part is that its near the airport, which makes it convenient if you’re flying out of town tonight.

I always make a point to eat at this place whenever I travel to San Diego because it’s that good! In fact, they’ve been serving locals and visitor since the 1940s, and the food never disappoints. I particularly enjoy their homemade chips and salsa, and fluffy rice and enchiladas on their pretty patio. Before I leave, I always grab a bag of chips and some salsa to take home so I can enjoy a little taste of San Diego even after my trip has ended.

If you are able to extend your trip by a few days, several places in the vicinity are well worth visiting. You should spend one day exploring the beautiful coastline, sea lions and beaches of La Jolla. Should you have the opportunity for a day trip, head inland to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for dramatic desert landscapes, spring wildflower blooms, and quirky metal sculptures. If you’re visiting in the spring, be sure not to miss the colorful Carlsbad Flower Fields, as acres of ranunculus cover the hillsides with flowers.

Tips for Planning Your 3 Day San Diego Trip

Three days are sufficient to see many of San Diego’s highlights without trying to cram everything in. However, a little planning ahead will make this itinerary much easier.

• Purchase popular attraction tickets ahead of time– Check out the list above of tickets that you should purchase ahead of time as tours can get busy, especially during weekends, holidays and festivals
• Start your sightseeing days early- San Diego is a big city and getting an early start gives you more time at the major attractions without feeling rushed
• Don’t underestimate drive times– Attractions may look close together on a map, but traffic can add time to your day
• Make sure you check the Old Town Trolley schedule– If you’re using the Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley on Day 1, ask your driver when the last trolley will leave so you don’t get stranded at your final stop of the day.
• Wear comfortable shoes– You’ll do quite a bit of walking at the USS Midway, San Diego Zoo (although they do have a complimentary bus tour), Balboa Park and Little Italy
• Pack layers– Even on beautiful sunny days, mornings and evenings along the water can feel cool
• Bring your National Parks Pass– If you already have an America the Beautiful Pass, don’t forget it for Cabrillo National Monument

San Diego Frequently-Asked Questions

Is three days enough for San Diego?

Yes! Three days is enough time to experience many of San Diego’s most well-known attractions while also discovering a few spots that aren’t generally found on a first-time visitor’s itinerary.

Following this itinerary, you’ll see the USS Midway, go to Coronado Island, visit Old Town, the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Little Italy, Shelter Island and Cabrillo National Monument with time for a relaxing gondola ride through the Coronado Canals.

You could certainly spend a week in San Diego and still discover all sorts of other activities, but three days are sufficient to have a great time in the city.

What should I not miss on my first trip to San Diego?

For a first visit, I wouldn’t miss Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, Coronado, the USS Midway Museum and eating in Old Town and Little Italy.

Do I need a car for three days in San Diego?

It is possible to see parts of San Diego without having a car, particularly if you stay in the downtown area and make use of the trolley, rideshares, and public transportation. That said, I do suggest having a car for this specific itinerary since places like Shelter Island, Cabrillo National Monument and the Coronado Canals are much easier to reach when you have your own transportation.

One way to make things easier is to use the Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley for Day 1 and save your car for the other two days.

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

One of the great things about San Diego is that you an visit throughout the year.

Spring and fall are especially nice if you want comfortable weather for sightseeing, whereas summer is perfect if spending time at the beach is a priority. Winter can also be a wonderful time to visit if you’re looking for a warmer Southern California getaway. During winter, the daytime temperatures go up to 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit and the nighttime temperatures drop to 50 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit.

Final Thoughts on Spending 3 Days in San Diego

San Diego is one of those destinations that I have visited many times and always love returning to again and again.

Although I enjoy the well-known attractions, several of my most cherished memories from this trip were the quieter moments like riding a bike past the bougainvillea on Shelter Island, watching a giant panda happily munching on bamboo, eating gelato on Coronado Beach and floating through the Coronado Canals in a gondola.

That’s precisely the reason I’ve put together this 3-day San Diego itinerary to include a little bit of everything such as iconic attractions, scenic stops, hidden gems, great food and wonderful memories.