Catherine - Savvy Family TravelIf you’re looking for a trip that mixes beaches, animals, cool neighborhoods, and a little culture without feeling overwhelming—San Diego is it. We spent five days exploring with our kids and were able to hit the big highlights without burning out. Here’s how we structured our days, what we loved, and what we’d totally do again.
San Diego Itinerary Ideas & Suggested 3 Day Itinerary
San Diego Itinerary Ideas
San Diego Zoo
The famous San Diego Zoo is massive and amazing—and deserved its own full guide. But here’s a sneak peek of some of our tips.
- The bus tour is great to get an overview of the park and save tired legs. You also get a birds eye view of many exhibits that end up being better vantage points for some of the animals. Sit top level, right side for the best animal views.
- Duck into shaded or indoor exhibits during midday heat
- Don’t skip the animal ambassador shows—they’re informative, entertaining, and a nice break.
- You can bring snacks and soft-sided coolers, which is great if you’re traveling with kids to ensure you have the foods they’ll love plus save a ton of money.
- Get there early if you can, and ride the Skyfari to the back first. That line gets long by late afternoon. It’s included with admission.
We kept a comfortable pace, but it took us from 8:30am-6pm to see and do everything we wanted to inside the zoo.
Waterfront Sunset
If anyone still has energy after the Zoo, head to Seaport Village to walk along the harbor, shop, dine, and watch the boats.
Or, end the night in Little Italy—pizza, gelato, and let the kids run around the plaza while taking in the city lights.
La Jolla Tide Pools
This was one of our absolute favorite parts of the trip. We timed our visit for low tide (check the tide schedule!) and found:
- Giant sea slugs
- Mole crabs—my son was obsessed
- Hermit crabs
- Striped shore crabs
- Sea anemones everywhere
- Small fish, and lots more.
Just watch your step and take your time creature spotting. If you’re really lucky you might also spot an urchin or starfish.
La Jolla Cove Sea Lions
One of the most frequented spots for seals and sea lions is La Jolla Cove. You’ll also find seabirds like Pelicans and blue throated Brandt’s Cormorants. The fishy odor is a bit intense near the parking area, but it’s better once you’re down near the water. Street parking for 3 hours is free, but takes some patience to snag a spot.
There are restrooms and outdoor showers up above the cove, and people were snorkeling and swimming with sea lions too! If you’re feeling adventurous, bring or rent a snorkel set and wet suit—the water’s cold year-round.
Depending on the tide schedule, you may want to flip your day around, to start or end with a low tide visit to La Jolla.
Explore Balboa Park
Balboa Park feels like you stepped into Seville, Spain—tile roofs, palm trees, fountains, and street musicians. You could spend a full day here doing kid-friendly stuff like:
- Model Railroad Museum (kids under 12 are free)
- Tour the International Cottages
- An outdoor miniature train—affordable and novel, but don’t expect much scenery
- Cooling off near the big fountain and checking out the lily pond with koi and turtles
- Spanish Village Art Center to see artists in action
- Popping into the Timken Art Museum (it’s free!)
- Comic Con Museum
- Air & Space Museum
- Walk though the Rose Garden and adjacent Desert Garden
- Automotive Museum
If time allows, or you need more indoor activities, check out these museums as well. We got in free to both of these with ASTC reciprocity.
- The Natural History Museum (solid mix of fossils and interactive exhibits)
- Fleet Science Center (always a hit with kids)
There’s also a giant pipe organ with free concerts, and multiple theaters if you want to check a show schedule.
Coronado Beach
One of the best beaches in California, with a historic hotel for added ambiance.
We drove, but you can also take the ferry from downtown San Diego to Coronado. Once on the island, walk around Hotel del Coronado, hang out on the beach, fly a kit, and eat gelato. It’s a nice change of pace from active sightseeing.
Liberty Station
Liberty Public Market has so many food choices in one spot (try the donuts), and there’s plenty of room for kids to run around.
Old Town San Diego
Old Town is a little touristy, but we had a good time and found excellent Mexican food. We checked out the old adobe buildings, artisan shops, caught a blacksmith demo, and were entranced by a live mariachi fusion band. Plus, the churros were incredible.
Annie’s Canyon Trail (Solana Beach)
A fun and unique slot canyon hike just 30 minutes north of San Diego. The loop is under 2 miles and involves a ladder climb through narrow sandstone walls—unique and doable for adventurous kids. It’s alongside Solana Beach.
LEGOLAND California (Carlsbad)
Only about 40 minutes north of San Diego, LEGOLAND is perfect for younger kids (ages 2–10). We didn’t go this time as we just hit the one in Florida, but it’s a great add-on if you’re planning a longer trip or staying near Carlsbad.
Gaslamp Quarter (Downtown San Diego)
Want a grown-up evening? The Gaslamp Quarter is packed with great restaurants, rooftop bars, and live music.
It’s just a quick drive from most downtown spots—perfect for a nice dinner out if you’re traveling as a couple or with adults.
The Children’s Museum (Downtown San Diego)
Creative, hands-on, and full of interactive exhibits—this is an especially good option if you hit a rainy day or need a break from sun and sand.
Located in the heart of downtown and walkable from the waterfront.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Escondido – about 40 minutes from downtown)
This is a sister park of the San Diego Zoo and provides a more spread out, “in the wild,” zoo experience. You’ll feel like you’re walking through Africa and Asia, not just looking into cages. The Africa Tram Safari is included with admission and gives you up-close views of giraffes, rhinos, and antelope roaming huge savanna fields.
Be careful when booking these tickets! It’s a common mistake for people to book one zoo instead of the other and not realize how far apart the two actually are.
SeaWorld San Diego (Mission Bay – 15 minutes from downtown)
This one’s a bit of a wildcard—it depends on your family’s travel preferences. SeaWorld is part theme park, part aquarium, with a handful of thrill rides (plus a couple for little ones), and lots of up-close animal encounters. There are dolphin and orca presentations, sea lions to feed, and a revered Turtle Reef exhibit.
Disneyland California (Anaheim)
If you’re up for a big finale, Disneyland is about 90 minutes away. It’s a long day but totally doable as an overnight add-on. Make sure to buy ticket, make dining reservations in advance, and consider Lightning Lane passes if you’re short on time.
We found that it was the same price to fly into Anaheim (Orange County) and out of San Diego’s airport so we tacked Disneyland to the front of our itinerary.
“Unconditional Surrender” Statue + USS Midway Museum (Downtown Waterfront)
You’ll find this pair right along the harbor near Seaport Village. The giant “Unconditional Surrender” statue is iconic for photos and easy to spot. Just steps away is the USS Midway Museum, a massive aircraft carrier turned museum you can actually explore.
Kids can sit in old fighter jets, explore below deck, and even chat with retired Navy volunteers. It’s fascinating for older kids and adults. Try to go early or late to avoid crowds.
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park (Point Loma – ~15 minutes from downtown)
This spot totally lives up to its name. Just a short drive from downtown, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park gives you sweeping ocean views, rugged bluffs, and that golden-hour magic California does so well.
Parking can be tight, especially on weekends, so go early or be patient. Bring water, snacks, and maybe even a picnic if you’re up for it. Bonus: the sea caves at low tide are fun to peek at, just be super cautious with little ones and make sure to return before the tide starts coming in.
More Waterfront Time
- Torrey Pines State Reserve for a short hike with killer views (not too hard, even for kids)
- Mission Beach for sand time and Belmont Park for boardwalk vibes and kid-friendly rides
- Chill at Pacific Beach – tacos, walk the pier, and catch a really beautiful sunset.
Best San Diego Itinerary Beaches
- Family-Friendly: La Jolla Shores, Coronado Beach
- Surf Scene: Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach
- Quiet Spots: Windansea Beach, Torrey Pines
What (and Where) to Eat in San Diego
- Tacos: South Beach Bar & Grille, The Taco Stand
- Iconic Eats: Hodad’s (burgers), Phil’s BBQ, Extraordinary Desserts
- Kid-Friendly with a View: Draft at Belmont Park, La Jolla’s Cove House
Suggested 3 Day San Diego Itinerary
- Day 1: San Diego Zoo + Waterfront Sunset
- San Diego Zoo
- Waterfront Sunset
- Day 2: Tide Pools, Sea Lions, and Spanish Vibes
- La Jolla Tide Pools
- La Jolla Cove Sea Lions
- Explore Balboa Park
- Day 3: Coronado Beach, Liberty Station, and Old Town
- Coronado Beach
- Liberty Station
- Old Town San Diego
San Diego Itinerary Planning Tips
When to Go
Year round weather in San Diego doesn’t vary all that much! Weather is comfortable for touring most of the year. Winter though you’ll have less daylight to work with and remember that San Diego is known for “June gloom” where the weather is predominately cloudy for the month of June.
Should You Rent a Car?
Yes. San Diego is spread out and the good stuff isn’t all in one place. A car makes life way easier if you’re bouncing between La Jolla, Balboa Park, the Zoo, and the beach.
Consider renting just for a portion of your stay though for day trips if your hotel is in a central location.
Where to Stay
We stayed in the Mission Valley Hotel Circle area and saved about $150 per night compared to downtown prices. The Courtyard by Marriott was nothing glamorous, but it was clean, affordable, and felt central to everything we wanted to see.
Useful Info
- Download the San Diego Zoo app—super helpful for maps, walking directions, and showtimes
- Pack snacks, hats, sunscreen, and a stroller—San Diego is stroller-friendly but spread out
- Layers! The coast is cooler, but inland can get toasty quick.
- Look into multi-attraction passes or check Costco for ticket deals
- Rental car: Staying in Mission Valley was an easy Uber ride to and from the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park. So we just booked a car to have more freedom beach hopping after that.
Final Thoughts on our San Diego Itinerary
San Diego surprised us in the best way. It had the beach vibes we wanted, but with way more to do than we expected. Whether you’re here for three days or stretching it to five, there’s so much to experience.
If you’re planning a trip, feel free to borrow this itinerary and make it your own. And keep an eye out—we’ll be sharing our full guide to the San Diego Zoo soon!
Pin for future trip San Diego itinerary planning:
Catherine – Savvy Family Travel
My favorite pastime is finding fun, interesting experiences to share with family and friends.
I’m a mom of two energetic and curious boys who have endless patience with my tendency to over plan activities on our family vacations. My tireless husband, Troy, provides comic relief, is our favorite photographer, and expert navigator.
I’m a firm believer that travel with kids doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive. It can be affordable, epic, and, dare I say, even relaxing!
Are you a travel loving parent too? I’d love to meet you, please reach out via Messenger and say “hi!”
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