Best 5 Day San Diego Itinerary

Planning to spend 5 days in San Diego? San Diego is one of the most famous cities in the world.

From being featured in hundreds of shows and movies to the many celebrities it homes, most people have heard of this Southern California city with its laid-back, beachy reputation. 

While San Diego does offer excellent weather and beautiful beaches, there is much more to it. Keep reading to learn more about just how much there is to experience in San Diego and the best ways to fit it into your next trip.  

San Diego 5-Day Itinerary 

San Diego is a history-rich city with diverse culture, sights, and local activities. While one could spend their whole life exploring the city, those visiting must find ways to condense its draws into their time there.

I believe that for those looking to get the San Diego experience, 5 days is a perfect amount of time to dip your toe into many of its neighborhoods and most famous attractions. Here is your perfect 5-day San Diego itinerary!

Need help planning a road trip? Are you overwhelmed by the thought of trip planning? It can take 10-12 hours to plan just one day! We can create a road trip itinerary so you can enjoy your trip without the stress.

Day 1 In San Diego

Day 1 is the perfect opportunity to take your time exploring all that Balboa Park has to offer.

Grab a quick breakfast burrito to go from one of San Diego’s countless authentic Mexican food restaurants, and give yourself plenty of daylight to traverse the vast, over 1,000-acre park. 

Balboa Park is full of museums, gardens, and other attractions. These include the beautiful botanical building, the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Natural History Museum, the Japanese Friendship Garden, the Alcazar Garden, and many more. 

Watch street performers and shop at booths by local food and craft vendors. Most activities in the park are free or low-cost, making this a great day spent for those traveling on a budget.

After a tiring day, head back to your hotel for a shower before venturing into the Gaslamp Quarter for an intimate dinner.

Some highly recommended options in this historic district include Cafe 21 ($$) or WaterGrill ($$$).

Day 2 In San Diego 

Start day 2 with a walk near the water in the San Diego Marina. As you get your morning steps in, admire the many beautiful boats that come and go.

Maybe even stop in Seaport Village for a quick breakfast and latte at Spill The Beans Coffee and Bagels. 

If you plan your trip in advance, I highly recommend including a Padres Game in your itinerary. Whether or not you are a baseball fan, spending a day at Petco Park is a great way to immerse yourself in San Diego’s culture.

The stadium offers plenty of local craft beers and foods, along with an exciting atmosphere. Local transportation also makes it extremely easy to get to Petco Park from anywhere in the city so that you don’t have to worry about parking. 

After a day well spent cheering on your team, head to the East Village to visit one of San Diego’s many famous speakeasies.

Noble Experiment is a mysterious cocktail den hidden behind a wall of kegs. Golden skulls and classical art adorn the walls. 

Day 3 In San Diego

To start day 3, head over to the neighborhood of North Park for brunch at Crushed and a few hours browsing the many local business storefronts.

After this, pack some sunscreen and walking shoes and head to the San Diego Zoo for the day. 

San Diego’s Zoo is world famous for its research and conservation efforts and is the most-visited zoo in the United States.

The park takes visitors throughout numerous realms modeled after different parts of the world. You’ll find many unique animals found in these habitats. 

The Zoo also offers a vast selection of local craft beer and various eateries throughout the park.

If you still find yourself hungry after leaving the gates, historic Little Italy is not far and is full of authentic Italian restaurants and wine bars such as Buon Appetito ($$) and Filippi’s Pizza Grotto ($$).

Little Italy may offer the most beautiful ambiance in the whole city for a night of dinner and roaming the streets. 

Day 4 In San Diego

Day 4 is the perfect day to take a short trip to La Jolla. This small beach town is known for being a very high-end part of the city full of luxurious experiences as well as a beautiful coastline and cove.

While still a part of San Diego, La Jolla is a short drive (about 15 minutes) from the rest of the city. 

Grab a coffee and take a walk along the beach before heading down to the cove for a kayaking tour.

Affordable kayaking tours can show you and your family the beautiful coastline from a new perspective, getting you up close and personal with local wildlife and sea caves. 

After you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Georges at the Cove for some fresh local seafood with waterfront views. The La Jolla Village is full of shops to browse after your meal. 

Day 5 In San Diego

Save the best for last with a relaxing beach day to wrap up the trip. Before hitting the sand, visit one of San Diego’s many yoga studios to set the mood for the day. Riff’s Yoga Studio in Ocean Beach is a local favorite. 

After this, head to Mission Beach for a sunny day playing on the sand and swimming in the water.

Bike rentals are easy to come by and can be used to enjoy the 3.5-mile Mission Beach Boardwalk, a great way to visit dozens of restaurants and bars. 

After your day in the sun, stop by a local grocery store to stock up on BBQ necessities, and head over to Mission Bay Park to enjoy a beautiful sunset over the water. Set up a picnic and games to make the most of your last night in Beautiful San Diego. 

Where to Stay In San Diego

San Diego has a variety of accommodations: hotels, resorts, campgrounds and more. We recommend these 3 options:

Budget-Friendly Option: Staypineapple, Hotel Z, Gaslamp San Diego

Mid-Priced Option: Hotel Marisol Coronado

Lux Option: Fairmont Grand Del Mar

Best Tours In San Diego

Looking for the best tours in San Diego? Check out these top-rated & reviewed tours on Viator: 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are 5 days enough for San Diego?

5 days in San Diego are more than enough to get a great feel for the city and what it has to offer. A 5-day trip is a great way to find out what parts of the city you like best and to focus on in future visits. 

How many days are needed for San Diego?

Because San Diego has so much to offer, I would recommend at least a 3-day trip to be able to explore different neighborhoods and visit as least 1 of its larger attractions such as Balboa Park or the San Diego Zoo.  

Is there enough to do in San Diego for a week?

There is more than enough to do in San Diego to fill a week’s worth of visiting. San Diego also has tons of amazing beach towns outside of the city itself. Encinitas and Carlsbad make for the most amazing side trips and could each take up a few days on their own. 

Is San Diego safe?

San Diego is widely known to be one of the safest cities in the nation for its size. Although some levels of crime are a given, and some of its neighborhoods are safer than others, the crime rate in San Diego remains below the national average. 

Can I visit San Diego in the winter?

If you conjure up images of endless summer and salty surfers when told to think of San Diego, you’re not alone. Although this city is known widely as a summer vacation destination, San Diego has its draws during the colder months.

What is the best month to go to San Diego?

Spring tends to be the best time of year to visit if you are looking to partake in a variety of activities. April and May are great months as they are warm and sunny, allowing for beach days and surf lessons. However, these months are not yet too warm to partake in outdoor activities like hiking or walking around all day. 

Can I visit San Diego without a car?

Visiting San Diego without a car is a viable option. When doing so, I recommend that you research ahead of time to determine what you are hoping to get out of your visit and choose a walkable neighborhood to stay in based on this. 

If you choose to rent a car, here’s all you need to know about renting a car in San Diego.

Final Thoughts

While San Diego is a larger-than-life city with so much to offer, it is possible to fit many of its draws into a short trip.

With thought-out planning and quite a bit of energy, 5 days in San Diego is more than enough time to get a taste of San Diego and what makes it one of the best cities in the world. 

Note: This post was written by our friend who’s a Southern California local so you’re getting the best information!