Over the years, we’ve made multiple short trips to the southernmost corner of California, spending from 1 to 2 days in San Diego. Every time, the city offers something new and unveils previously not seen treasures. Never once, we felt uninspired to spend a few more days or the entire weekend on the San Diego coast.
Last updated: August 14, 2025
Weekend Guide to San Diego: How to Spend 1-2 Days in the City
One may think that such a large city as San Diego needs more than 1 or 2 days. I agree with it. With a myriad of historic structures, dozens of impeccable beaches, and some of the largest attractions in California, San Diego keeps visitors occupied for days.
Unfortunately, we’ve never had the luxury of spending more than 2 days in San Diego at a time. But using what we got, we managed to explore the city’s most popular sites and some of the hidden gems. After these short endeavors, we are more than convinced that you can see quite a lot even during 1 or 2 days in this southern paradise.
Your day trips to San Diego may be busy, especially during the first visit. On the other hand, you can plan your 1 or 2 days in San Diego in such a way that you enjoy every moment of your trip without feeling overwhelmed by the variety of things to see and do here.
One more advice before we jump into this weekend guide to San Diego, make a plan and allocate a certain amount of time for one activity. If you fall behind, change your itinerary as you go. You should enjoy your weekend in San Diego rather than feel stressed and worn out.
Weekend (1-2 Days) in San Diego Itinerary
In this Weekend Guide to San Diego, we have included suggestions for 1 or 2 day itineraries. Both of these guides help see some of the highlights of the city as well as estimate the time you need for each attraction. Furthermore, we have offered alternative 1 to 2 days San Diego itineraries to provide different options and ideas for all of our readers. While most places fit just fine with some travelers, visitors with kids may want to slow down and spend the whole day in the San Diego Zoo or SeaWorld San Diego.
Feel free to use these short San Diego itineraries as they are or change them according to your preferences. To make it even easier, we have included maps for each day. Again, use them as guidelines to see what is located close to your points of interests and explore them first before moving to other neighborhoods of San Diego.
Not a Weekend Itinerary: While the majority of our trips to San Diego happened on weekends, we realized that some people may want to visit the city during the week. With less crowds around, you’ll surely save time otherwise spent waiting in lines and end up enjoying this coastal paradise even more.
Everything You Need to Know before Planning Your Weekend Trip to San Diego
Roshan opposes any kinds of itineraries. “Why do you need to plan your weekend (or 1 or 2 days) in San Diego?” is his usual reply. “Get to the city, follow the signs, and see what suits your interests.” In other words, go with the flow.
He may be right in his own way. Yet from our earliest trips, I learned that an itinerary – even the simplest one – helps tremendously to see and do everything that has enticed you to the place in the first place at your preferred pace.
Let’s go back to our weekend San Diego itinerary. The city is enormous. Figuring out what to see and where to go on the spot will rob you of time. Furthermore, some of the popular landmarks of the city are located in different neighborhoods. You don’t want to rush from one place to another just to realize later that you’ve missed the site you really wanted to see.
When spending 1 or 2 days in San Diego, time is clearly not on your side. Utilize it to make the most of your weekend trip to the city.
Is a Weekend Enough to Explore San Diego?
Ideally, you need at least 3 to 5 days in San Diego to see different sides of the city. The second largest city in California, it’s packed with unique attractions and historic sites. While some of the activities can take less than an hour, others, such as SeaWorld San Diego and the San Diego Zoo, often need the whole day. Thus, you can spend a month in this part of Southern California and still not see it all.
The time, however, is not always abundant. For those who have only 1 or 2 days to spend in San Diego, stick to your initial plan. Time your visit to some attractions and skip the others altogether. But even a short weekend trip to San Diego promises an array of unforgettable experiences and a strong desire to come back for more.
WEEKEND GUIDE TO SAN DIEGO: ONE DAY IN THE CITY
Giving the size and historic and cultural heritage of the place, one day in San Diego can be packed to the brim. We tried to see way too many sites during our first visit until the city itself showed that it was impossible. Succumbing to subtle instruction from our “host”, we lightened up our itinerary and truly enjoyed the rest of the trip.
1 Day in San Diego: Morning
1. Harbor Cruise
Start your day in San Diego with a Harbor Cruise. The tours include both south and north directions, showcasing the city, its iconic architecture, the oceanfront areas, and local marine mammals.
Tours usually last from one to two hours. We opted for a two-hours tour and marveled at how south San Diego differs from its northern part. The second hour costs just a few dollars more and may be the best way to explore more of the city for less money. For those who long for different kinds of activities, one hour is sufficient. I’d recommend opting for the southern route as it highlights massive ships and the urban section of San Diego.
2. USS Midway Museum
After the tour, head to the USS Midway Museum to get a closer look at ample airplanes and helicopters. The expansive exhibition spans nearly 10 acres. More than 30 restored aircraft reside in the USS Midway, making it one of the most popular museums in the city.
The place alone can take up to half a day of your visit to San Diego. With the limited time on hand, plan to spend at least two to three hours here.
READ MORE: Aerial Performances at MCAS Miramar Air Show, San Diego
3. Old Town San Diego
Old Town San Diego is the next must-see area on your San Diego weekend itinerary. The place sits just a few-minute drive from the harbor and the USS Midway.
Known for its rich historic heritage, Old Town features historic structures, the nearby Junípero Serra Museum, and a myriad of shops and restaurants with a Mexican twist. Search for authentic handcrafted accessories at the Old Town Market place. The oldest neighborhood in San Diego, it also offers a number of authentic eateries you should check out.
1 Day in San Diego: Afternoon
1. Seaport Village
Alternatively, you can dine in Seaport Village, a 14-acre seafront area packed with restaurants and small shops. The popular place sits within a walking distance of the San Diego Harbor and ensures some of the best ocean views in the city.
2. 1895 Looff Carousel
Visitors with kids should have a ride on the historic 1895 Looff Carousel before lunch. The charming attraction joined Seaport Village in 2004 after changing its place of “residency” a few times.
3. Balboa Park
Spend the rest of the afternoon in Balboa Park. Housing more than a dozen museums, several gardens and playgrounds, it’s one of the most popular places to spend a day in San Diego.
The park can take the entire weekend to explore. Yet, since you have only one day to enjoy San Diego, try to keep your visit short. Hike in Palm Canyon and explore the expansive collection of the Timken Museum of Art before stopping at the Botanic Garden and the Lily Pond.
4. Coronado Island
After the Balboa Park trip, drive across the Coronado Bridge to Coronado Island to bask in the afternoon sun on the finest beaches in the city.
1 Day in San Diego: Evening
1. La Jolla
Finish your day in San Diego in La Jolla. Referred to as the “Jewel of San Diego”, this gorgeous neighborhood mixes an upscale village vibe with the laid-back beach culture. It’s a great spot to have dinner with an ocean view or look for gifts and souvenirs to take home.
2. Children’s Pool Beach
Animal enthusiasts inevitably spend the rest of the day in San Diego admiring local seals and sea lions on Children’s Pool Beach.
3. Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier
For sunset, go to the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier. While the pier is closed to the public, the sandy stretches of land on both sides welcome beachgoers day and night. The place is less crowded than the majority of other beaches in San Diego, making it a perfect place to finish your day adventures.
Alternative One Day in San Diego Itinerary
Enticing beer lovers from all over the world, San Diego County has more than 100 breweries. Visitors fond of this alcoholic beverage might want to skip Coronado Island and check out a local brewery instead. We toured Stone Brewing on our first weekend trip to San Diego. Although not a beer drinker myself, I found this place interesting and worth visiting.
Furthermore, save Balboa Park for your two-day visit to San Diego. Instead, spend half of the day in La Jolla. Famous for their rich underwater world and high surf, La Jolla’s beaches offer the best opportunities for surfing, kayaking, stand up paddle surfing, and scuba diving.
Visitors with kids are welcome to enjoy Birch Aquarium at Scripps and hike the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail.
Weekend Guide (1-2 Days) in San Diego: Map
WEEKEND GUIDE TO SAN DIEGO: 2 DAYS IN THE CITY
With two days on your hands, San Diego opens new adventures that are not possible in one day. You can visit the popular SeaWorld San Diego and the San Diego Zoo or explore small towns nearby.
Weekend Guide to San Diego: Day 1
Morning
The start of day 1 mirrors the morning itinerary of the One Day in San Diego Itinerary. Take the Harbor tour, visit the USS Midway Museum, and explore the rich cultural and historic heritage of Old Town San Diego. Stop for lunch at Seaport Village to enjoy your meal with the gorgeous ocean view.
Afternoon
Don’t rush to leave the center of San Diego yet. Check out Gaslamp Quarter, another beautiful neighborhood of San Diego. Famous for its nightlife, the place features stunning architecture and further unveils the rich history of the city.
Finally, head to Coronado Island and enjoy the laid-back beach culture in front of the iconic Hotel del Coronado. If the tide is low, devote at least a fraction of your 2 days in San Diego to finding the sunken SS Monte Carlo Ship, resting in the shallow water near Coronado Shores Beach.
Alternatively, you can spend the afternoon soaking up the warm sun in La Jolla. (I’d save this neighborhood for the second day, though.)
Evening
Finish the first day of your weekend trip to San Diego in Balboa Park. While the majority of the museums may be closed by this time, you can still enjoy a leisurely walk while watching the sun slowly hiding behind tall peaks of the impeccable buildings. In the evening, locals and visitors congregate at El Prado to feast on street food and spend time together. In summer, Spreckels Organ Pavilion hosts free outdoor concerts.
READ MORE: Top 17 Things to Do in Balboa Park: Bucket List and Photography
Weekend Guide to San Diego: Day 2
If you have one extra day to spend in San Diego, visit some of its main attractions, such as SeaWorld San Diego or the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Each of these places is a full-day activity.
Weekend Guide to San Diego: Alternative Day 2 Itinerary
Not an animal fan or want to save money (SeaWorld San Diego and the San Diego Zoo are among the priciest activities in San Diego)? Spend a day in La Jolla. We did just that and always come back for more of this coastal jewel.
Similarly, you can spend half of the day in either SeaWorld San Diego or the San Diego Zoo. The rest of the day should be devoted to San Diego’s surroundings. Take half-day trips to such coastal cities as Carlsbad or Encinitas. Located approximately 30 minutes from downtown San Diego, each of them enhances your two-day visit to San Diego with impeccable local gems and a rich culinary scene.
Carlsbad with its world-famous Legoland is usually the first choice of families with children. Apart from the popular theme park, SEA LIFE Aquarium allures the youngsters interested in the underwater world.
If you plan a two-day visit to San Diego in spring, stop at the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. Adorning the area from March to early May, the place adds some vibrant colors to your weekend trip.
Encinitas is yet to offer secluded beaches, gorgeous sunsets, and the finest gardens and plant nurseries in the world.
Weekend Guide: How to Spend 2 Days in San Diego – Map
Tips for Spending Weekend (1-2 Days) in San Diego
Planning ahead is one of the best ways to make the most of your 1 or 2 days in San Diego. Besides choosing the right places and estimating the time you need for each activity, you learn how to optimize all available resources. Here are a few additional tips for your San Diego weekend itinerary.
Plan Ahead
I can’t stress enough how important it is to plan ahead. The large city can easily overwhelm you with its historic and cultural abundance. With only 1 or 2 days to spend in San Diego, you should be selective and decide what to see before you arrive.
Explore the Places Located Next to Each Other
Instead of rushing from one side of the city to the opposite, explore locally. Group the places you want to see in 1 or 2 days in San Diego based on their locations. For example, all the attractions in the morning and part of the afternoon itineraries in this guide are located in the center. Ditch your car and walk around. It’ll save you plenty of time otherwise lost on looking for an empty parking spot at every new location.
Save Large Attractions for One Day
Balboa Park, SeaWorld San Diego, and the San Diego Zoo, and the San Diego Zoo Safari are full-day attractions. Devote enough time to each of them. While you can pop into Balboa Park, the rest of the places in this group are too expensive to not enjoy them to the fullest.
Don’t Try to See Everything
Take it as a fact. One weekend (or 1-2 days) is simply not enough to see everything San Diego has to offer. Take it easy and enjoy your trip, rather than just tick off the boxes.
Where to Stay in San Diego
Choose accommodation in the area where you spend that particular day. On a day when you’re mainly focused on the downtown area, book a room in the center of San Diego. If the beach culture allures you more than the historic structures, adhere to the coastal areas, such as La Jolla, Coronado Island, or Encinitas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego worth visiting?
Absolutely! San Diego offers some of the best beaches in Southern California, rich cultural traditions and historic heritage other California’s destinations can only envy. Perfect beach weather all year round further speaks in favor of this coastal city, luring millions of visitors from all over the world.
What is the best month to visit San Diego?
San Diego enjoys mild weather year-round. The average temperature lingers at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to enjoy the beach city at any season. The best months to visit San Diego, however, are March through May and September through November. Fewer people flock to the city at this time. Consequently, you can find more deals and lower rates.
Do you need a car for a weekend (1 or 2 days) in San Diego?
Yes and no. If your points of interest include only the center of San Diego, the car is not needed. The downtown area is pretty walkable and brims with ample attractions to fill your weekend (1 or 2 days) in San Diego. Driving is required when exploring the farthest neighborhoods and surrounding areas. Alternatively, you can bike, use public transport, Uber, or taxi.
Should I stay in San Diego or its surroundings?
It all depends on your interests. La Jolla is the best place to stay for beach-infused weekend escapes. Stay in the heart of San Diego if you aim at exploring city life or visiting the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego.
The accommodations are cheaper outside San Diego. Budget travelers can stay in Carlsbad, Encinitas, or Del Mar. These cities are located within a short drive from San Diego.
