San Diego in 5 days

Endless summer on the Pacific: beaches, balmy weather, craft beer and laid-back SoCal charm. Best time to visit: March-May and September-November. Average daily budget: $150 to $280 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Gaslamp Quarter & Downtown, Victorian buildings, rooftop bars, restaurants and the most central nightlife.

Morning: Balboa Park & the San Diego Zoo. World-class museums, Spanish-Colonial gardens and one of the planet's great zoos in one vast park.

Afternoon: Explore Gaslamp Quarter & Downtown, Victorian buildings, rooftop bars, restaurants and the most central nightlife.

Evening: Beach day in Pacific or Mission Beach. Boardwalk strolling, surfing lessons and sunset bonfires (where permitted).

Eat: Cal-Mexican carne asada and fish tacos in Barrio Logan or Old Town

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Balboa Park & Bankers Hill, The 1,200-acre park of museums, gardens and the famous zoo, ringed by leafy streets.

Morning: La Jolla Cove and sea caves. Snorkel, kayak the caves, and watch the sea lions and seals haul out on the rocks.

Afternoon: Explore Balboa Park & Bankers Hill, The 1,200-acre park of museums, gardens and the famous zoo, ringed by leafy streets.

Evening: Coronado Island. Cycle the flat island, lounge on Coronado Beach and admire the iconic Hotel del Coronado.

Eat: A California burrito (with fries inside)

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: La Jolla, Upscale clifftop village with sea caves, seals, snorkelling coves and ocean views.

Morning: A craft-brewery crawl. San Diego is a US craft-beer capital, North Park and Miramar are the densest hop hubs.

Afternoon: Explore La Jolla, Upscale clifftop village with sea caves, seals, snorkelling coves and ocean views.

Evening: Sunset Cliffs in Point Loma for the best dusk views in the city.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: World-class craft beer in North Park

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Pacific Beach & Mission Beach, The classic boardwalk beach scene, surf, bars and a youthful, sandy energy.

Morning: The tide pools and lighthouse at Cabrillo National Monument.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Pacific Beach & Mission Beach, The classic boardwalk beach scene, surf, bars and a youthful, sandy energy.

Evening: Tacos and a margarita on a quick day trip across the border to Tijuana.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Fresh seafood on the waterfront

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Coronado, An island-like peninsula with a wide white-sand beach and the historic Hotel del Coronado.

Morning: Kayaking and snorkelling the La Jolla Ecological Reserve.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Coronado, An island-like peninsula with a wide white-sand beach and the historic Hotel del Coronado.

Evening: Dinner at Cal-Mexican carne asada and fish tacos in Barrio Logan or Old Town, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Coronado.

Eat: Cal-Mexican carne asada and fish tacos in Barrio Logan or Old Town

Hidden gems

Sunset Cliffs in Point Loma for the best dusk views in the city.
The tide pools and lighthouse at Cabrillo National Monument.
Tacos and a margarita on a quick day trip across the border to Tijuana.
Kayaking and snorkelling the La Jolla Ecological Reserve.

Getting around

San Diego is spread out and a car is the easiest way to link the beaches, Balboa Park, La Jolla and Coronado, though parking near the coast fills up early on weekends. The Trolley and bus system covers downtown, Old Town and the border, and beach neighbourhoods are walkable and bike-friendly once you're there. Plan days by area to cut down on driving.

Safety

San Diego is one of the safer major US cities and very relaxed for solo travellers. Use normal caution in parts of downtown and the Gaslamp late at night, don't leave valuables in parked cars at beaches and trailheads, and respect ocean conditions, check for rip currents and lifeguard flags before swimming or surfing.

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