San Diego Itinerary in 7 Days

San Diego is a frequently visited city in California, often just a stopover, dedicating time to major attractions like its zoo. In reality, it is a destination rich in things to do and see, influenced by its proximity to Mexico, as you will see. With a week at your disposal, you'll be able to experience it in every aspect.

Here are all our tips for organizing a San Diego itinerary in 7 days.

Start this journey in San Diego at one of its most famous and beloved attractions: Balboa Park. The park is located in the heart of San Diego, not far from areas like Little Italy and the Embarcadero. If you're driving, you will find several parking areas, such as the Organ Pavilion Parking Lot; alternatively, the key stop is San Diego - Balboa Park (Get directions).

This place is not just a park but a true recreational center with museums, gardens, and extraordinary Spanish Colonial architecture. It spans over 490 acres and also houses the famous San Diego Zoo, your next stop. But first, enjoy a stroll through its tree-lined avenues and gardens before reaching the zoo entrance.

Visit time: 1.5 hours

To reach this stop: 10 min walk (Get directions).

After exploring the park, head towards the entrance of the San Diego Zoo, one of the most famous and innovative zoos in the world. You can easily walk, as the zoo is located right within Balboa Park. Since it is one of the most visited attractions in San Diego, we recommend purchasing your admission ticket online.

Founded in 1916, it now houses over 3,500 animals from more than 650 species, many of which are rare or endangered. Inside, you can find various themed areas, like the Reptile Walk dedicated to reptiles, the Elephant Odyssey with elephants, and the African Rock with African animals, just to mention a few.

Visit time: 6 hours

To reach this stop: 15 min drive (Get directions).

The visit to the zoo will take almost the entire day. By late afternoon, reach the heart of San Diego, that is, the Gaslamp Quarter. It's quickest and easiest to take a taxi.

The Gaslamp Quarter is one of the most iconic and vibrant neighborhoods in San Diego, characterized by Victorian architecture and a distinctly lively energy, both day and night. Its unique name comes from the gas lamps that lit its streets in the 19th century when the area began developing as the city's nerve center. Enjoy a stroll through its streets and spend the evening here.

Visit time: 2 hours

Dedicate the morning of this second day to visiting a place that will take you back in time: Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. It is located in the northern part of the city, but it is connected to downtown by the Blue and Green tram lines, with the Old Town stop (Get directions).

It is an open-air museum that allows you to immerse yourself and learn about local life in the 1800s when San Diego was a small Mexican settlement and later one of California's first cities. Here you can stroll through its buildings, reconstructions of adobe houses, and get lost among artisan shops and stores.

Visit time: 2 hours

To reach this stop: 15 min by tram (Get directions).

In the early afternoon, board the Blue or Green tram from Old Town to County Center/Little Italy Station. Getting off here, you will find yourself in the heart of one of San Diego's most famous neighborhoods: Little Italy.

Here you can immerse yourself in the Italian atmosphere of the city and stroll through its lively streets. Once home to a small community of Italian fishermen, today the area is rich in traditional restaurants, outdoor cafes, gelato shops, and artisan boutiques.

Visit time: 1 hour

To reach this stop: 20 min walk (Get directions).

From Little Italy, head to the waterfront and enjoy a 20-minute walk to one of the most famous museums in San Diego: the USS Midway Museum. To save valuable time on waiting at the entrance, we recommend purchasing your admission ticket online.

This museum is famous for being housed aboard the USS Midway aircraft carrier, one of the longest-serving ships in US Navy history. Inside, through interactive exhibits and models, you can discover what life was like aboard an aircraft carrier. A truly unique experience that will engage even the youngest visitors.

Visit time: 1.5 hours

To reach this stop: 5 min walk (Get directions).

After finishing your visit and exiting the USS Midway Museum, you will already find yourself in the heart of one of the most picturesque areas of the city: the Embarcadero.

This is the area that develops along the waterfront and includes various attractions, such as the Maritime Museum and Seaport Village. Take the time to explore Seaport Village, which is a charming shopping area rich in unique shops and waterfront restaurants. The complex is outdoors, with delightful paths lined with plants and ocean views, almost resembling a small fishing village.

Visit time: 1.5 hours

Begin this day at the Embarcadero: just a short distance from the USS Midway Museum lies another important museum in the city: the Maritime Museum of San Diego (Get directions). The museum is included in the San Diego City Pass.

This is one of the most prestigious naval museums in the world. Inside, you can admire an extraordinary collection of restored historic vessels, including the Star of India, the oldest active sailing ship in the world, and the HMS Surprise, a replica of an 18th-century frigate famous for the film Master and Commander. You can also see submarines, merchant ships, and warships, immersing yourself in maritime history through interactive exhibits and guided tours. A perfect visit for kids too!

Visit time: 1.5 hours

To reach this stop: 20 min by tram (Get directions).

After visiting the Maritime Museum of San Diego, late in the morning head to Barrio Logan, a neighborhood with a deep Mexican heritage and an important artistic spirit. You can conveniently take the tram, boarding the Blue line at America Plaza Station and getting off at Barrio Logan.

Here, the main attraction of the neighborhood is Chicano Park, a park that hosts the largest collection of Chicano murals in the world. Enjoy a stroll through the murals to discover Chicano history.

Visit time: 1 hour

To reach this stop: 20 min by bus (Get directions).

In the afternoon, head to Coronado, a self-contained area that is part of San Diego County, extending on a peninsula directly across from the city. The best way to reach it is by taking bus line 901.

Coronado is famous for its stunning beaches. Here you can first enjoy a stroll along Orange Avenue, the main street offering exclusive boutiques, cozy cafes, and fine dining restaurants, before reaching Coronado Beach, which is also home to the historic Hotel del Coronado, famous for being the location of the film Some Like It Hot starring Marilyn Monroe.

Visit time: 4 hours

Dedicate much of the day to visiting another famous amusement park in the city: SeaWorld San Diego. To avoid queues at the entrance, we recommend purchasing the ticket online. It is located in the Mission Bay area, reachable by bus line 9, key stop SeaWorld (Get directions).

The park features a wide range of marine species, including orcas, dolphins, sea lions, and sharks, and is known for its spectacular performances and educational experiences with marine animals. But not only that: the park also offers thrilling attractions and fun for the entire family.

Visit time: 6 hours

Alternatively, if you are not interested in spending time at SeaWorld San Diego, you can dedicate the morning to another amusement park in San Diego: Belmont Park, also located in the Mission Bay area, further towards the beach (Get directions).

This is a historic amusement park in the city, opened back in 1925, which still maintains its vintage vibes today. The main attraction is undoubtedly the Giant Dipper, a wooden roller coaster dating back to the 1920s, visible from the beach and still one of the most beloved rides by visitors today.

Visit time: 5 hours

To reach this spot: 50 min by bus (Get directions).

The area north of Mission Bay, which hosts SeaWorld, is Pacific Beach, a lively neighborhood overlooking the ocean. To reach it, you can take bus line 8 (about 50 min) or more conveniently call a taxi or Uber, and you'll be in the heart of the neighborhood in 10 minutes.

Pacific Beach is certainly famous for its beach, frequented mainly by young people and surfers, while the boardwalk is lined with bars and venues. In the center of the neighborhood, you'll find boutiques, artisan shops, and plenty of places to stop for a drink.

Visit time: 3 hours

Spending days in San Diego, you will quickly notice how the city showcases strong Mexican influences. So dedicate this morning to discovering the city of Tijuana, a Mexican city located just beyond the border. The best solution, having to cross the American and Mexican border, is to join a tour from San Diego (Get directions).

Tijuana is a vibrant and multicultural city, known for its lively food scene. During the tour from San Diego, you will get to discover its cuisine, tasting its street tacos and the famous Caesar Salad, which was invented right here, as well as discovering its history and most emblematic places.

Visit time: 6 hours

If you are not interested in visiting Tijuana, we recommend taking the morning to visit Cabrillo National Monument, an important historical site located at the southern tip of the rocky Point Loma peninsula. The best way to explore the peninsula is by car (Get directions).

Established in 1913, the monument commemorates the landing of Spanish explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, the first European to reach the western coast of what is now the United States in 1542, but is known mainly for offering spectacular panoramic views of San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean. There are several trails and roads that you can explore that lead to attractions like the Old Point Loma Lighthouse and the marine pools Point Loma Tide Pools.

Visit time: 3 hours

To reach this stop: 30 min drive (Get directions).

Regardless of the activity you did throughout the day, whether the excursion to Tijuana or the visit to Cabrillo National Monument, mid-afternoon reach the bohemian neighborhood of Ocean Beach. The best solution, in any scenario, is to drive.

Known for its beautiful beach, this is also one of the best places to watch the sunset over the ocean. This neighborhood is also very vibrant in the evening, giving off classic Californian beach vibes. The perfect spot to spend the evening.

Visit time: 3 hours

Begin this day by discovering a wonderful natural area in San Diego: the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. The reserve is located in the La Jolla neighborhood, and the best way to reach it is definitely by car. There is parking near the visitor center (Get directions).

The Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a large protected area located along the coast that extends over 800 acres of hills, cliffs overlooking the ocean, and scenic trails offering breathtaking views of the Pacific. Its name comes from the fact that this is one of the last places where the rare Torrey pine grows, one of the rarest conifer species in the world. If you love walking and hiking, here you can follow a network of hiking trails that traverse canyons, pine forests, and sandy dunes.

Visit time: 3 hours

To reach this stop: 20 min drive (Get directions).

For lunch, reach one of the most picturesque areas of San Diego: the La Jolla neighborhood. Just north of Pacific Beach, you can reach it by car in 20 minutes from the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

La Jolla is known for its spectacular cliffs, golden beaches, and elegant atmosphere, a unique combination of natural beauty, culture, and luxury. Here you can enjoy an afternoon relaxing on the beach or join in on more adventurous activities, like a kayaking tour of the caves found along the coast.

Visit time: 5 hours

Alternatively, you can dedicate this day to another amusement park in California: we are talking about Legoland California, a must for brick lovers. The park is located 55 km from San Diego, and in this case, the best option is to drive there (Get directions).

Entirely dedicated to the magical world of LEGO bricks, the park offers over 60 attractions, including roller coasters, interactive rides, and themed areas inspired by famous LEGO sets, such as Ninjago, Pirates, and Castle. One of the most iconic attractions is definitely Miniland USA, a spectacular miniature recreation of well-known American cities, built with millions of bricks. In addition to the main park, Legoland California also includes an interactive aquarium and a water park, which is open only during the summer season. Plan ahead and purchase your admission ticket online to avoid entrance lines and to take advantage of various offers.

Visit time: 8 hours

See also: Visit Legoland California

If you have visited the San Diego Zoo, don't miss out on a further extension of the park: the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. However, this place is quite far from the city; it is located in Escondido, about 50 km north of San Diego. The best way to reach it is by car (Get directions).

As the name suggests, here you can live a safari-like experience. To save time on entering, we recommend purchasing your ticket online. The park spans over 720 acres, and you will immerse yourself in the habitat of the animals. Given the distance from San Diego, the size of the park, the activities you can do, and the sights to see, you can easily spend an entire day here.

Visit time: 8 hours

San Diego is not too far from one of the most famous parks in the world: Disneyland. If you are a fan of this kind of entertainment and feel up to a few hours drive, be sure not to miss this opportunity. It is located in Anaheim, about 190 km from San Diego. The fastest way to get there is by car (Get directions).

This is the first amusement park opened by the Walt Disney Company, inaugurated by Walt Disney himself in 1955. Inside, it is divided into 8 themed areas, from Main Street, an area recreated to resemble an early 20th-century American town, to the futuristic Tomorrowland, while Fantasyland was created for the younger ones. There are truly many activities to do, ranging from rides, shops, restaurants, and shows!

Visit time: 8 hours

NB: The costs expressed in the table above are per person.

San Diego, like all major American cities, is certainly an expensive destination. There are currently no direct flights from Italy, and the duration varies from 15 to 20 hours depending on layovers. To save money, the best solution is to book in advance (compare flights).

Once you land, there are several areas to stay in. Gaslamp Quarter is definitely the best option, given its centrality. However, with a week at your disposal, you can also choose to stay in neighborhoods that are further away, such as Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, or Coronado if you want to lodge by the sea. Regardless of where you decide to stay, you will necessarily need to use transportation in the city, although you can discover individual neighborhoods on foot. For an initial approach, we recommend a Free Tour of San Diego with a local guide. To move easily, also consider the historical trolley. To save on admissions to attractions, which represent one of the major travel expenses, we recommend considering the purchase of the San Diego City Pass.