San Diego United States 4 Day Itinerary

San Diego 4-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Downtown San Diego Exploration

  • Morning:

    • Start your day with breakfast at Betsy’s Cafe, a local favorite known for its delicious pancakes and omelettes.
    • Visit the Balboa Park Museums. With 17 museums, gardens, and the famous San Diego Zoo, you can easily spend an entire day here. The best value is the Explorer Pass.

  • Afternoon:

    • Lunch at Panama 66, a restaurant within Balboa Park that offers a variety of dishes with a great outdoor seating area.
    • Take a stroll along the Embarcadero, where you can see the USS Midway Museum, Seaport Village, and the iconic Unconditional Surrender statue.

  • Evening:

    • Dinner at George’s at the Cove in La Jolla, offering stunning ocean views and fresh seafood.
    • Spend your night at Hotel Solamar, centrally located with a rooftop bar for sunset drinks.

Things to Know: San Diego has a pleasant Mediterranean climate, so pack layers for the occasional cool evenings. The city is known for its craft beer scene, with over 150 breweries.

Day 2: Beach Day in La Jolla

  • Morning:

    • Breakfast at Pannikin, a charming coffee shop in La Jolla Village.
    • Explore La Jolla Cove and see the sea lions, visit Children’s Pool to watch the harbor seals, and snorkel at La Jolla Shores.

  • Afternoon:

    • Lunch at ** Puesto**, a popular Mexican eatery with delicious tacos.
    • Visit Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, offering breathtaking cliffside views and hiking trails.

  • Evening:

    • Dinner at The Whisknladle, an upscale farm-to-table restaurant in La Jolla.

Day 3: North Park & Little Italy

  • Morning:

    • Breakfast at Cafe Moto in North Park, known for its unique menu and vibrant atmosphere.
    • Explore the trendy neighborhood of North Park, filled with murals, indie shops, and boutiques.

  • Afternoon:

    • Lunch at Underbelly in Little Italy, offering a fusion of flavors from around the world.
    • Stroll around Little Italy and visit the Italian American Museum of San Diego.

  • Evening:

    • Dinner at Juniper & Ivy, one of San Diego’s top restaurants with innovative dishes.
    • Enjoy a nightcap at Neighborhood, a speakeasy-style bar hidden in Little Italy.

Day 4: Coronado Island

  • Morning:

    • Breakfast at The Knox Inn, a charming diner on Coronado Island.
    • Visit the famous Hotel del Coronado, a National Historic Landmark, and walk along the beach.

  • Afternoon:

    • Lunch at Lil’ Piggy’s Bodega in Coronado, known for its sandwiches and salads.
    • Rent bikes and explore Coronado Island, or take a ferry to Glider Port for a unique experience.

  • Evening:

    • Dinner at Mister A’s, offering stunning views of the city and the Coronado Bridge.
    • Return to Downtown San Diego by ferry or car, depending on your mode of transportation.