Sunshine, stunning coastline, and a mix of laid-back beach vibes and city energy—San Diego has become one of our favorite places to visit, and I’m excited to share this San Diego Travel Guide to help you make the most of your time here. Whether you’re strolling through Little Italy, exploring Balboa Park, or soaking up ocean views in La Jolla, there’s something for everyone.
San Diego is also a little extra special for me because I was born on Coronado Island. We moved shortly after, and I didn’t return until a few years ago when we first moved to Utah.
We road-tripped from Salt Lake City to San Diego to meet some of our closest friends from Minnesota—who also love San Diego. They were the perfect tour guides for our first visit! They made the trip incredibly easy by showing us their favorite spots, so we just got to enjoy the ride.
We loved it so much that we’ve been back on our own and think it’s an amazing place for a long weekend or a few days at the beach.
This San Diego Travel Guide covers everything you need to know to plan your trip, including the best neighborhoods, places to eat, things to do, how to get around, and itinerary ideas.
Where to Stay in San Diego
While San Diego has a bit of a small-town feel once you’re there, it might surprise you just how many unique neighborhoods it has. Each offers its own distinct vibe, all tied together by that signature California coastal charm. Where you stay will help shape your trip’s logistics—whether you’ll need a car or prefer a walkable area.
For one of our visits, we stayed at Carte Hotel in Downtown San Diego, and I highly recommend it! The location is perfect—within walking distance to Little Italy, the waterfront, and plenty of great restaurants. It’s also just around the corner from Extraordinary Desserts—dangerously tempting if you have a sweet tooth (consider yourself warned!). The rooms are modern and comfortable, and there’s even a rooftop bar with a great city view. The hotel was very accommodating about early check-in and made pick-ups and drop-offs for ride shares super convenient.
If you’re looking for a vacation rental, we stayed at this one in Hillcrest, and it was wonderful. It had an awesome outdoor space for lounging, dedicated private parking, and was very walkable to supermarkets and restaurants in the neighborhood. We stayed here with our friends and found it to be a great location with plenty of space for us all to hang out comfortably.
But if you want to stay closer to the beach or check out a different part of town, here’s a breakdown of the best neighborhoods.
Best Neighborhoods to Stay In San Diego
- Downtown & Little Italy – Best for first-time visitors who want to be in the center of everything. Walkable to the waterfront, amazing restaurants, and close to the airport.
- La Jolla – Coastal beauty with upscale shops, oceanfront dining, and those famous sea lions. A great spot if you want a more relaxed, scenic stay.
- Pacific Beach & Mission Beach – Classic SoCal beach town feel, with a fun nightlife scene and an oceanfront boardwalk perfect for biking or walking.
- Coronado – Just a short ferry ride from downtown, Coronado offers stunning beaches, charming shops, and the historic Hotel del Coronado.
- Hillcrest & North Park – Best for food lovers and those who enjoy a more local, trendy vibe. Tons of cafés, breweries, and boutiques to explore.
Short on time? Catch the highlights!
Best places to Eat in San Diego
San Diego is a foodie paradise. With any coastal location, we tend to lean toward seafood-centric options, but even if that isn’t your style, the city has an endless list of places to choose from. Here are some of our favorite spots across different neighborhoods:
Little Italy
- Lofty Coffee – A great spot to start your morning with coffee and a pastry.
- Birdrock Coffee Roasters – A perfect place to grab a cup of coffee before walking by the waterfront.
- Extraordinary Desserts – The name says it all. The desserts here are massive and absolutely worth the hype.
- Born & Raised – Upscale steakhouse with an old-school, swanky vibe.
- Ironside Fish & Oyster – Get the lobster roll. Just trust me.
- Ballast Point Brewing – stop in for a pint and pub fare.
La Jolla
- Cody’s – Enjoy ocean views and California-style comfort food.
- George’s at the Cove – A top spot for ocean side dining featuring fresh seafood and local ingredients.
Hillcrest
- Bread & Cie – Amazing fresh-baked bread and pastries.
- Farmer’s Breakfast Botega – Great for a farm-fresh breakfast.
- The Red Door – A cozy, farm to table dining spot, serving up fresh Italian food.
Ocean Beach
- Mike’s Taco Club – Some of the best fish tacos in San Diego – don’t miss this spot!
Coronado
- Serea Coastal Cuisine – Oceanfront dining with fresh seafood and gorgeous sunset views.
Pacific Beach
- Oscar’s Tacos – A local go-to spot for tacos, with a few locations around the city.
Things to Do in San Diego
San Diego’s near-perfect weather makes it ideal for spending time outdoors. And there’s no shortage of places to explore, whether you’re looking for adventure, culture, or just a relaxing day at the beach.
Outdoor & Scenic Spots
- Balboa Park – A must-visit with beautiful gardens, museums, and Spanish-style architecture.
- La Jolla Cove – Walk along the cliffs and watch the adorable sea lions lounging on the rocks.
- Mission Beach Boardwalk & Pacific Beach – Rent a bike or take a long stroll along the ocean.
- Sunset Cliffs – As the name suggests, head here for golden hour views.
- Torrey Pines – Hike the scenic trails at the State Reserve.
- Cabrillo National Monument – Take in historic views of the San Diego coastline.
Activities & Attractions
- San Diego Zoo – One of the best zoos in the world and well worth a visit. You don’t have to be a kid to love it!
- Little Italy Farmers Market – Open Wednesdays & Saturdays, with fresh produce, local vendors, and great food stands.
- Liberty Station – A former naval base turned into a food & shopping hub.
- Convoy District – The best place for Asian cuisine in San Diego.
- USS Midway Museum – Walk through the historic aircraft and exhibits.
- Harbor Boat Tour – A great way to learn about the history of San Deigo and take in the skyline from the water.
- Coronado Island – Take the ferry or drive to visit the beach, Hotel del Coronado, and charming shops.
- Gaslamp Quarter – Explore historic buildings and lively nightlife.
- Hop on Hop Off Trolley – Perfect if you aren’t renting a car but want to tour around the city.
Looking for more activity ideas during your travels?
I love Get Your Guide for booking tours, excursions, and unique experiences. It’s one of my favorite resources to make sure we don’t miss out on any adventures while we’re traveling!
How to Get Around San Diego
San Diego is a spread-out city, and how you get around will depend on where you’re staying and what you plan to do. While some areas are very walkable, others will require transportation to get from place to place.
Here’s a breakdown of the best ways to navigate the city:
- Rental Car – If you plan on exploring beyond downtown or heading to places like La Jolla, Coronado, or Pacific Beach, having a car is a great option. Parking downtown can be expensive, so check if your hotel includes parking. It can also be a bit tricky if you’re heading to Mission or Pacific Beach for the day.
- Public Transit – The San Diego Trolley is a budget-friendly way to get around. It’s helpful if you are looking to get between downtown, Old Town, and Mission Valley. The bus system is also available but not always the most efficient for tourists.
- Uber & Lyft – Readily available and often more convenient than renting a car, especially if you’re staying in Downtown, Little Italy, or Mission Beach and only need occasional transportation.
- Walking – If you stay in Downtown, Little Italy, or Gaslamp Quarter, many attractions, restaurants, and waterfront areas are within walking distance.
- Ferry to Coronado – A fun and scenic way to travel between downtown and Coronado Island. The ferry runs from the Broadway Pier and the Convention Center, and tickets can be purchased online, at the Pier or Landing.
- Biking & Scooters – The city has dedicated bike lanes, and areas like Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, and La Jolla are great for renting bikes or electric scooters to explore the coastline.
San Diego Travel Guide: Itinerary Ideas
San Diego has so much to offer, whether you have just a weekend or an entire week to explore. These sample itineraries will help you maximize your time without feeling rushed. Each itinerary is designed to minimize backtracking and make the most of each area while allowing for flexibility.
3-Day Itinerary: The Weekend Escape
- Day 1: Explore Little Italy, visit the USS Midway, and enjoy dinner at Ironside Fish & Oyster.
- Day 2: Stroll through Balboa Park, visit the San Diego Zoo, and catch sunset + dinner in Coronado.
- Day 3: Walk La Jolla Cove, watch the sea lions, and wrap up with brunch.
4-Day Itinerary: City & Coast Blend
- Day 1: Wander Downtown & Little Italy, visit the Waterfront, and browse the Harbor Market.
- Day 2: Explore Balboa Park, visit the zoo, and grab dinner in Hillcrest.
- Day 3: Bike Mission Beach, take the Coronado ferry, and enjoy a seaside dinner.
- Day 4: Spend the day in La Jolla & hike Torrey Pines.
5-Day Itinerary: The Full San Diego Experience
- Day 1: Explore Downtown, Little Italy & the USS Midway.
- Day 2: Visit Balboa Park & the zoo, plus a museum or two.
- Day 3: Relax in Pacific & Mission Beach, bike the boardwalk.
- Day 4: Spend the day in La Jolla, soaking in the views.
- Day 5: Take a day trip to North County or Cabrillo National Monument.
Wrapping Up Your San Diego Adventure
San Diego is one of those destinations that keeps calling you back. It’s a city where you don’t need a rigid itinerary—just start exploring, and a plan will naturally unfold.
The laid-back SoCal vibe encourages you to slow down, soak in the moment, and truly enjoy everything this coastal gem has to offer.
Whether you’re basking in the sun, wandering through vibrant neighborhoods, or indulging in some of the best food on the West Coast, I hope this San Diego Travel Guide helps you make the most of your trip!
Drop a comment below with your favorite San Diego spots — I’d love to hear from you!
With joy,
Bri
P.S. More San Diego Travel Guide goodness ahead! Keep scrolling for FAQs and our trip recap.
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Have questions about visiting San Diego? Here are some common ones!
San Diego Trip Recap
When we’ve traveled | Early September and Mid January |
Where we’ve stayed | Carte Hotel San Diego Downtown What we thought: The hotel has a great roof top patio and bar, easy walkability to restaurants and the ocean. |
Restaurant we loved | Why we loved it: This Ocean Beach spot is easy to miss if you blink—but you won’t want to! The Spicy Shrimp and Octopus Tacos are absolutely incredible. |
Planning tip | San Diego has an amazing food scene. Plan in your budget to be able to experience as many places as you can and make reservations at popular restaurants before you go. |
Moment of joy | I was born in Coronado, but we moved soon after. Returning more than 30 years later and exploring the island was such a fun way to see where it all began! |
