Once thought of as a sleepy beach town, San Diego has become a popular travel destination, thanks to its vibrant food scene, year-round sunny weather and laid-back vibes. Here’s what to see, eat and do, whether you’ve got one day to explore or the time for a three-day adventure.
If You Have 24 Hours
Morning
San Diegans love their all-day-breakfast joints. The wait is worth it at hipster hot spot Morning Glory, but the six eggs Benny versions at Breakfast Republic and the churro pancakes at Breakfast Company merit a visit, too. After breakfast, make your way to urban oasis Balboa Park to wander the lush 1,200-acre grounds and marvel at the multiple distinctly themed gardens.
Afternoon
Spend a few hours exploring one or more of Balboa Park’s 18 (!) museums, including the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Air and Space Museum and the Mingei International Museum, focused on folk art and crafts. If you’re in town on a Sunday, consider heading to the park’s Spreckels Organ — the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ, which is over a century old — for a free 2 p.m. concert at the pavilion.
Tip: If you plan to museum-hop, a Balboa Park Limited Explorer Pass gives you access to up to four museums for only $56 USD per person ($35 USD for children 3 to 11 years old).
Evening
Take in a night game at Petco Park, widely considered one of the best ballparks in North America. There’s no need to grab dinner first — the food offerings at Petco go way beyond hot dogs and beer. Many of the stalls are outposts of beloved local restaurants like Puesto, Gelati & Peccati and An’s Dry Cleaning, whose gelati are named after fabrics.
Tip: Don’t bring a large backpack or handbag to Petco Park. Nothing bigger than a 5” x 7” fanny pack or clutch is allowed, unless it’s a clear plastic bag with a maximum size of 12” x 6”.
If You Have 48 Hours
Morning
Kids in tow? It would be practically illegal to visit San Diego without heading to its famous zoo, but the massive USS Midway Museum is also a compelling alternative. Housed in the longest-serving U.S. aircraft carrier of the 20th century, the museum provides a fascinating window into what life was like on these warships. The volunteer docents are often former sailors and pilots who served on the Midway. And where else can you explore a hangar full of vintage planes and the sailors’ barracks on a circa-1945 vessel that saw action all the way from the Cold War to Desert Storm?
Afternoon
There are 70 miles of beachfront to choose from in the San Diego area, but you can’t go wrong visiting Coronado Beach on the island city of Coronado. Take the Flagship Ferry across the bay and lay out your towels on the public beach. Or rent loungers, chairs and umbrellas fronting the iconic Victorian-era Hotel del Coronado.
Tip: After basking in the sun, stroll the strip of upscale restaurants and boutiques on nearby Orange Avenue.
Evening
Catch a show at The Rady Shell, the dramatically designed waterfront concert hall which houses the San Diego Symphony and hosts wide-ranging events, from free yoga classes to major touring musical acts. Upcoming attractions for fall and winter 2024 include a multi-night Christmas extravaganza and a double bill featuring Gen X faves The Psychedelic Furs and The Jesus and Mary Chain.
If You Have 72 Hours
Morning
Spend your third morning checking out the murals at Chicano Park in Barrio Logan, San Diego’s oldest Mexican-American neighbourhood, which used to be an industrial site. Established in 1970 during the height of California’s Chicano civil rights movement, this national historic landmark showcases more than 80 outdoor murals depicting important figures in Barrio Logan’s history.
Afternoon
Grab lunch at Las Cuatro Milpas, a casual spot where the rolled tacos are popular for good reason (be prepared to wait in line and pay in cash). Quench your thirst nearby, at the female-owned Mujeres Brew House, where a cheery outdoor patio entices with more colourful murals.
Visit the swish La Jolla neighbourhood to give your credit card a shopping workout on Prospect Street and Girard Avenue before checking out the recently renovated Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD).
Tip: MCASD’s current exhibition, For Dear Life: Art, Medicine, and Disability, features works by 80 artists, including Lynn Hershman Leeson, David Hockney and Simone Leigh, and will be on show until February 2, 2025.
Evening
Dinner at the Michelin-recognized Kingfisher Cocktail Bar & Eatery is worth the rideshare to Golden Hill (reservations recommended). Californian takes on Vietnamese-French food — think shareables such as raw scallops with tamarind and pineapple — are served in an intimate, relaxed space packed with foodies. Order a cocktail from Kingfisher’s creative menu of libations, then settle in and toast to the delicious finale of your San Diego sojourn.
Ready to take off? AMA’s Travel counsellors can help you plan your San Diego itinerary. Visit amatravel.ca to learn more.