If you’re looking for a San Diego 3 day itinerary, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been visiting San Diego at least once a year for the past decade. I first discovered it while speaking at a conference and immediately fell in love because it reminds me of the Jersey Shore. Not the fist pumping kind from TV, but the version I grew up with that has fun boardwalks, expansive beaches, and a ton to do.
Since I go to San Diego so much, I thought I’d share everything I’ve learned over the years. Since we typically spend more than 3 days in San Diego, I have a ton you of ideas in this itinerary. Follow it during your trip if you want to explore a mix of must-see attractions and hidden gems in San Diego only locals know about!
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San Diego is located on the southern California coast just 30 minute away from the Mexico border. It’s California’s second largest city and the 8th largest in the United States with ~1.3 million people (~3 million in the greater metro area). However, you’d never know it given its beachy vibes, access to nature, and sprawl.
Given its convenient 2.5-hour direct flight from Seattle on most major aircraft carriers, San Diego is one of my favorite long weekend getaways. You can often find flights for as low as $79 each way. Or you can fly into LA and make the approximately 2-hour drive south.
September is my favorite time to visit San Diego. School is back in session so it’s less crowded, but the weather is still amazing. I encourage you to plan your 3 day San Diego itinerary around this time too!
San Diego 3 Day Itinerary
If you only have 3 days in San Diego, here are the activities you can’t miss. It assumes you’ll have a car, so make sure to rent one!
Want to customize your trip? Let me plan you a custom itinerary!
Day 1: Explore San Diego’s beaches
One of the best things about San Diego is its proximity to some of the best beaches in the US. Therefore, you should carve out at least one day for soaking up the sun.
Get breakfast at The Mission
website | various locations | cuisine: American
SD is a big breakfast and brunch town, so kick of your San Diego 3 day itinerary with a hearty meal at The Mission. This cafe is known for big portions and excellent execution on comfort food classics.
My go-tos are the tomatillo tamales and banana French toast. The latter is made in a mini cast iron skillet so that the edges get crispy. It’s so addictive!
Craving something lighter for breakfast? Blue Palm Mission Beach and Juice Wave in Mission Beach have smoothies and light bites. Or get croissants and other baked goods from Wayfarer Bread in Bird Rock!
Walk the coastline at Torrey Pines
website | 12660 N Torrey Pines Rd (get directions) | best for: hiking and views
After breakfast, head to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for an early hike. It’s arguably the best San Diego walking trail because of its location along the cliffs.
There are a few different trails to choose from, but all of them are under ~1.3 miles so you could easily do them all in one trip. Since the trails are relatively easy, they can get crowded with families on the weekend. That’s why I like to head there early to beat the crowds and sun. If you’re looking for the best beach hikes in San Diego, this is it!
Relax on Mission or Pacific Beach
Mission Beach directions | Pacific Beach directions
The four main beach areas in San Diego proper are Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, and La Jolla Cove. I find Ocean Beach fun for visiting and antique shopping, but it’s more crowded with families. La Jolla is nice, but it’s ritzier and the seals smell. Therefore, I prefer Mission or Pacific Beach.
Mission Beach and Pacific Beach bleed into each other, so I usually try to stay somewhere between the two where it’s less congested. But if you stay somewhere else, pick a beach and find street or lot parking so you can spend a few hours soaking up the sun.
Get a casual lunch near the beach
Since I typically stay near the beach, I’ve been able to try a bunch of nearby restaurants. There are a lot of mediocre spots catered to tourists, so make sure to seek out one of these restaurants when you start getting hungry.
Molly’s
website | 3770 Mission Blvd (get directions) | cuisine: American
Molly’s is a hipster-cool all day cafe serving up excellent healthy-leaning fare. They make their bread in house, so I like to get their sandwiches. My go-to is the roasted turkey with the most addictive pickled onion.
Pro tip: They have an adorable rooftop deck!
Rosemarie’s Burgers
website | 3852 Mission Blvd (get directions) | cuisine: American
This place makes awesome burgers with fun toppings. I like how you can get slider sizes and try a bunch. My favorites are the OG cheeseburger and Captain Jack shrimp slider.
oscar’s mexican food
website | 746 Emerald St (get directions) | cuisine: Mexican
Oscar’s has a few different locations. I think their Hillcrest location is the best for food, but its PB location is near where I stay so I usually end up here. They make solid fish and shrimp tacos, so get one of each!
It’s Raw Poke Shop
website | 4991 Newport Ave (get directions) | cuisine: Hawaiian
There’s nothing more refreshing than poke when you’ve been baking in the sun. If you’re on Ocean Beach, don’t miss this tiny poke shop just off the main drag. Most people miss it, but they’re making poke that would rival some of the best poke in Seattle!
Mike’s Taco Club
website | 5060 Newport Ave (get directions) | cuisine: Mexican
If you’re on Ocean Beach and craving tacos, Mike’s makes a good version of Baja style fish. They’re tiny and easy to miss, but their proximity to the ocean can’t be beat.
Walk or bike the Mission Beach Boardwalk and Bayside Walk
Mission Beach is on a peninsula only a few blocks wide. On the Pacific Ocean side you’ll find the Mission Beach Boardwalk which runs for ~4 miles and is awesome for people watching.
On the other side of the peninsula is the bay and the aptly named Bayside Walk. This paved trail weaves along the Mission Bay and has a more relaxed vibe. There are people walking, running, biking, and blading past beach houses. You may even see a kayak tour or SUP yoga class happening on the water (the latter of which I took once and, let me tell you, I was terrible).
Rent a bike at a nearby shop on the boardwalk or meander along the path by foot, maybe stopping for a quick game of beach volleyball along the way.
Grab a happy hour drink
There are a lot of great places to drink in and around Mission and Pacific Beach. Here are two of my favorites.
The Oasis Under the Sun
website | 671 Turquoise St (get directions) | type: wine bar and coffee shop
This hidden gem is located in Bird Rock, the beach just north of PB. It’s not on the water, but it’s truly an oasis thanks to the fun design. There’s a coffee shop, wine bar, and shop all surrounding a cute astroturf patio. The clothing and jewelry shop are on flanking sheds as you enter, followed by a vintage coffee trailer to the back left, and a wine bar with cute boho decorations to the back right. It’s a fun spot to gab over a drink or three!
Cannonball
website | 3105 Ocean Front Walk (get directions) | type: cocktail bar
Right on the edge of the famous Belmont Park boardwalk is Cannonball, a rooftop bar with beautiful view of the ocean. This vibe-y spot has sushi, but it’s a great place to kick back with a drink after a day on the beach.
Get dinner at Pomegranate
website | 2312 El Cajon Blvd (get directions) | cuisine: Georgian
One of the best meals I’ve had in SD was at Pomegranate, a Georgian restaurant in Hillcrest. So after the beach, freshen up at your accommodations and make the drive here for dinner.
The must-get is the sampler with a variety of colorful dips and salads. You should also order their borscht soup, cabbage rolls, and dumplings if available. Yes, it sounds like a lot, but everything here is that good!
Catch views at Sunset Cliffs
website | Ladera St (get directions)
The drive to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park alone is worth it given the real estate eye candy you’ll see along the way. It’s a ritzy residential area that happens to sit along some of the most beautiful cliff-side ocean views in San Diego. Head there for sunset to really appreciate its beauty. Just be sure to bring a jacket, as it’ll be windy!
Pro tip: If you’re adventurous, there’s a sea cave hike at Sunset Cliffs that you can do on this San Diego 3 day itinerary. I’m super intrigued by it because it looks like a photographer’s DREAM with great light and tide pools, but I’ve never gone because it sounds super sketchy to get to since it’s only accessible during negative tide. If you go, please be careful and report back if it’s worth it! Or check out this sea cave tour with a guide.
Finish the night at Mr. Frostie
website | 1470 S Garnet Ave (get directions) | cuisine: American
My excitement upon discovering Mr. Frostie was kind of intense. It’s the only place I’ve found on the west coast so far that is exactly like the ice cream shops I grew up going to back in New Jersey. It’s just a window with gaudy pictures of ice cream and local little league teams plastered everywhere. And you can get my true loves: soft serve ice cream with rainbow sprinkles or dipped in a chocolate shell.
I do love a dip cone, but I tend to get just a vanilla and chocolate twist ice cream cone with rainbow sprinkles here. The line will be long if you go on a summer evening, but it moves quickly and is well worth the wait.
Day 2: Check out the different SD neighborhoods
Now that you’ve experienced the beach, head inland for the second day of your 3 day trip to San Diego.
Guide books will tell you to explore the Gaslamp Quarter or Downtown to see tourist attractions like the USS Midway Museum. However, I usually avoid those areas to save time for the neighborhoods where locals hang. If you’re hellbent on seeing them though, I’ll note when you’ll be nearby so you can carve out time in your itinerary.
Visit a San Diego farmers markets
San Diego has some really great farmers markets. The Little Italy Mercato Farmers Market is probably the most famous. It runs every Wednesday from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm.
When I first started coming to San Diego a decade ago, I loved this market. However, over the years I think it’s become overrun and unbearably crowded. So unless you can get there early, I say skip it in favor of one of San Diego’s other farmers markets.
If you do go, you can carve out some time to walk around Little Italy. However, know that there aren’t many boutiques in this area. It’s mostly restaurants, so you likely won’t need a ton of time to walk around.
Instead, I say go to Hillcrest Farmers Market. It runs on Sundays from 9 am to 2 pm. Some may argue it’s just as crowded as the Little Italy Mercado, but I swear the set up with wider walkways makes it more bearable. You’ll find a lot of the same vendors, so you aren’t missing out if you skip the Little Italy one.
There are actually a ton of farmers markets running every day of the week, so if you aren’t visiting on a Sunday check out this list to find one that best fits your schedule.
Go on a crawl of the best San Diego tacos
Tacos are serious business in San Diego given its only a ~25-minute drive to Mexico. When researching one of my earlier trips, I came across an article with heated comments debating where to find the best San Diego tacos. I found myself going down a rabbit hole…one that I obviously wanted to participate in.
So about 8 years ago, I made it my mission to find the best San Diego tacos. I go to at least 5 taco spots every trip on my quest to find the best ones. I focus primarily on Baja-style fish tacos (fried fish) or shrimp tacos given San Diego’s coastal location.
Besides the few beachside spots I mentioned on day one, here are the taco spots I go back to again and again. They mostly require driving around the city, so visiting them on day two of your San Diego 3 day itinerary while you’re driving around different neighborhoods is the best way to fit them in!
Kiko’s Seafood Place
website | Mission Center Rd (get directions) | price: ~$3 per taco
Kiko’s is my favorite fish taco spot in San Diego, so it’s a must-visit during your 3 days in San Diego. It’s a food truck parked on a somewhat busy street in a random area of SD, but it’s worth seeking out for the best battered fish out of all the ones I’ve tried in the city.
Blue Water Seafood
website | few locations (get directions) | price: ~$8.50 per taco
Blue Water is a casual seafood restaurant that serves fish tacos grilled, blackened, or fried. You’ll also find sandwiches, soups, and other seafood specialities because they’re also a fish market.
My go-to order is the “Track” Shrimp Taco. It has a great chipotle sauce and a ton of slaw, both of which offer a lot of balanced flavors. I also enjoy their clam chowder, which is surprisingly garlicky and addictive.
Las Cuatro milpas
website | 1857 Logan Ave (get directions) | price: ~$3.50 per taco
This is another traditional San Diego taco shop. It’s located in a bare-bones brick and mortar spot in Barrio Logan. It’s cash only and serves up really simple, but flavorful taco classics.
Fish Guts
website | 2222 Logan Ave (get directions) | price: ~$11 per taco
Near Las Cuatro Milpas is the trendier Fish Guts restaurant. They offer chef-y takes on Baja taco classics. Their classic fried fish tacos is excellent, but my favorite is actually the coconut shrimp one. It comes with the same spicy sauce as the fish taco and, thanks to the sweetness of the coconut, is better balanced.
Lola 55
website | 1290 F St (get directions) | price: ~$5 per taco
This place is another trendy taco spot. It’s hipster and has a strong Instagram palette with mid century ambiance and succulents hanging over the patio. They offer tacos with interesting flavor combos, like their fried fish tacos with chorizo salsa.
Mariscos german
various locations (get directions) | price: ~$3.50 per taco
This is probably the most confusing of these taco spots to try, but those dedicated to the mission of finding the best tacos in SD will accept the challenge. When you Google Mariscos German, four different ones will show up. I’ve been to two of them, the one in San Marcos, CA and the one listed as Mariscos Alex near the 47th St one in San Diego.
It’s unclear, but I don’t think these locations are connected. In fact, the one located at Mariscos Alex called itself the “Original Mariscos German” (OMG). It actually used to be called Mariscos Alex, but they decided to rebrand, possibly due to a change in ownership (they weren’t clear when I spoke to them). I find this mildly devastating, as Mariscos Alex was my go-to taco shop, but unfortunately Kiko’s has earned that title because their fish tacos just aren’t the same.
However, they still offer a great version you should seek out. I also really like the free mariscos soup that coms with it. The whole shrimp in it makes an otherwise humble side particularly photogenic.
Chuy’s Taco Shop
website | 6663 El Cajon Blvd (get directions) | price: ~$5.50 per taco
This taco spot is on the outskirts of San Diego so most tourists never go here unless they saw that Chuy’s was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. They’re worth seeking out though for excellent tacos, particular al pastor pork ones.
Check out the North Park neighborhood
North Park to the east of Balboa Park is one of the trendiest areas in San Diego. University Ave near 30th Street is filled with local shops, restaurants, and music venues worth exploring by foot over the course of a few hours. Here are some spots not to miss.
Pigment
website | 3801 30th St (get directions) | best for: trendy house plants and decor
Plant lovers will want to check out Pigment. They have a ton of cute plants and home decor artfully arranged in a bright warehouse-like space. You can even make your own terrarium right in store.
Artelexia
website | 3803 Ray St (get directions) | best for: colorful Mexican gifts
You can’t help but smile when you walk into Artelexia. It’s full of bright colors thanks to the all items honoring Mexican heritage. You’ll find everything from handmade embroidered items to shrines of Pedro Pasqual, meaning there’s a little something perfect for everyone.
Gelati & Peccati
website | 3066 B University Ave (get directions) | best for: excellent Roman pizza
I gasped when I discovered Gelati & Peccati. It looks exactly like the little late night spots all over Rome that have seemingly endless options of square pizzas to go. Pick from a ton of fun flavors like cacio e pepe or artichoke and enjoy a slice on the street as the Italians do. You can also wash it down with some gelato.
Nomad Donuts
website | 3102 University Ave (get directions) | best for: a sweet treat
If you like doughnuts in funky flavors, don’t miss Nomad. I still can’t stop thinking about the pomegranate pear doughnut I had on my last visit. The yeasty dough was spongey and extra soft thanks to the water content in the sweet pear.
Go on a brewery crawl
There are a lot of great breweries in and around North Park. Plus you’ll be near other great ones during your taco crawl, so break up all the walking and eating with some beers.
There are a ton of breweries in San Diego…way too many than you could ever visit. I’d argue this is true even if you live there! However, here are some of my favorites to help you make a dent in SD’s long list of options.
Belching Beaver
website | 4223 30th St (get directions) | best for: a variety of beer styles, particularly stouts
Belching Beaver in North Park was one of the first breweries in SD I fell in love with, so you have to add them to your San Diego 3 day itinerary. They serve a ton of different varietals, many of which have fun ingredients. For example, you may find stouts with horchata, Mexican chocolate, or peanut butter in them at any given time.
Original 40 Brewing Company
website | 3117 University Ave (get directions) | best for: sours
Original 40 is another North Park brewing. The space is modern and airy with a bunch of trailing plants hanging from the ceiling. You’ll find a variety of beers here, but I especially love their sours. The last time I was there they had a prickly pear flavor I still can’t stop thinking about!
Harland Brewing Co.
website | three locations (get directions) | best for: ambiance
Harland Brewing has a few different locations, but their Bay Park one is arguably the coolest. It has an awesome back patio with a pergola that feels like it’d fit into any Palm Spring backyard. Beer wise, don’t miss their Belgian and brown ales.
Border X Brewing
website | 2181 Logan Ave (get directions) | best for: Mexican-style beers
Border X is in the cool Barrio Logan neighborhood that not many tourists frequent. They have a back patio with a revolving list of local food vendors, so it’s a great place to throw one back. But what makes them especially unique is the fact that they use common Mexican ingredients in their beers. If it’s on the menu, definitely get the horchata stout.
Pure Project
website | multiple locations (get directions) | best for: interesting crisp ales
Pure Project has a bunch of locations around San Diego County, so it’s a great brewery to visit during your 3 day trip no matter where you’re located. I went to the one in Carlsbad and loved the indoor-outdoor vibe. They focus on fruit-forward beers inspired by Costa Rica, where they started their brewery. If it’s on the menu, definitely get the cream ale with strawberry.
The Gärten
website | 5322 Banks St (get directions) | best for: a brewery, winery, and cidery all in one
The Gärten is probably one of my favorite local discoveries in San Diego. It’s a beer garden tucked between warehouse buildings in a nondescript area off the beaten path. They host events and have four businesses in the space: Deft Brewing, Lost Cause Meadery, Oddish Wine, and Pizza Cassette. It’s the perfect space to kick it back with a large group and sample a bunch of different producers under one roof.
Explore Liberty Station
website | 2640 Historic Decatur Rd (get directions) | best for: shopping and food hall
Liberty Station is a cool mixed-use center filled with artist studios, restaurants, breweries, and event space. I like to check out their calendar and see what pop-up markets are on, as there’s always something happening. There’s also a food hall with great eats, so carve out some time to comb the vendors if you’re feeling peckish!
Pro tip: You can stop in the Gaslamp Quarter or Downtown on your way between the North Park area and Liberty Station if you want to explore the tourist center of San Diego.
Get a Japanese omakase dinner at Hidden Fish
website | 4764 Convoy St (get directions) | best for: fancy sushi tasting menu
One of the best meals I’ve had in San Diego is at Hidden Fish. It’s a ~15-seat omakase restaurant serving high quality, traditional sushi in a strip mall on Convoy Street, an area nicknamed “Asian Restaurant Row” in a seemingly suburban area outside the main tourist center.
Reservations are a must here. There are two options: the 18-piece sushi meal for $135 or a la carte. I encourage you to get the omakase to get the freshest, most interesting fish.
The menu changes based on what’s available, but some of my favorites included a scallop served on a half shell, a hickory-smoked albacore tataki, and a seared black cod. It’s up there with some of the best sushi restaurants in Seattle, so prepare to have end your second day in San Diego with a great meal!
Can’t get a reservation at Hidden Fish?
Ichifuji Sushi down the road is another awesome omakase spot. It’s less buzzy, so it feels like a true hidden gem! Plus, it’s kaiseki style, which means you get other Japanese small plates in addition to sushi pieces.
Pro tips: Still feeling peckish or want to fit more into your trip? Get ramen at Menya Ultra afterwards. This Bib Gourmand recipient often has a wait, even if you sign up for the online wait list, but it’s worth it!
Want a nightcap? Realm of 52 Remedies is a speakeasy inside Common Theory not too far from the omakase spots. They make excellent cocktails with Asian ingredients.
Day 3: Enjoy San Diego’s outdoor activities
I think exploring San Diego in 3 days is the perfect amount of time. Here’s how I’d spend the last day of my San Diego 3 day itinerary.
Go on a hike in San Diego
There are a bunch of San Diego walking trails worth seeking out. One goodie is the short walk along the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge. It’s often included on “secret San Diego” roundups and would offer some beautiful photos if you get there early.
Another option is Scripps Coastal Meander Trailhead. While short, it offers pretty views of the water and Scripps Pier.
If you’re looking for more of a traditional hike, there are a ton of hiking trails near San Diego. I have a lot on my map below, but a few that are on my list of hikes to try next time are Annie’s Canyon Trailhead, Three Sisters, and Black Mountain. They range from easy hikes to longer, more strenuous hikes. As I read about or discover more of the best hiking trails in San Diego, I’ll be sure to add them to this list and my map!
Visit the San Diego Zoo
website | 2920 Zoo Dr (get directions) | best for: animal lovers and kids
So I usually avoid touristy attractions when I travel, but eff it, the San Diego Zoo is awesome. It’s one of the biggest and best I’ve been to. There are a ton of animals and they are designed in a way that makes you feel like you have access to them. Tickets aren’t cheap at more than $70 per adult, but if you like zoos at all, you’re going to love this place.
Pro tips: The Market Place is a deli just outside Balboa Park. Stop there for sandwiches to-go and bring them with you to the zoo! You’re allowed to bring outside food and drink. But definitely save room for ice cream at Hua Mei Cones near the panda exhibit!
Speaking of pandas, make a reservation to see the pandas ahead of time or as soon as you enter. They sell out quickly, particularly on weekends!
Want to go on a safari?
If you have time to drive ~30 minutes north of San Diego, consider checking out the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The zoo maintains hundreds of acres of property that looks like the African Savanah. There are exhibits around the entrance similar to the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, but what makes it unique is the safari tours you can take out into that Savanah-like acreage to see rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and more up close.
Tickets to the tours are sold separately from the admission price. There are a ton of options, but I did the Deluxe Safari Tour if you want a suggestion. I personally wished our guide did more talking versus relying on us to ask questions, but being so close you to animals that you could touch them was a truly surreal experience!
Pro tip: If you decide to do the Safari Park instead, visit Avian Water and Banh Mi Sandwich for lunch! This Vietnamese convenience store in a strip mall is a hidden gem!
You’ll also be near San Diego County’s wine region if you go to Safari Park. If you have time before or after your visit, check out my favorites Mia Marie, Espinosa Vineyards, and Domaine Artefact!
I also like to check out Queen Califia’s Magical Circle when I’m in Escondido. It’s like a Gaudi exhibit with colorful, whacky mosaic sculptures!
Explore Balboa Park
website | get directions | best for: walking and architecture
Balboa Park is a ~1,200 acre urban park right in SD. The San Diego Zoo is located within its borders, but there’s so much more to see. It’s home to museums and a lot of San Diego walking trails all in one place. Some of my favorite stops include the secret cactus garden, botanical garden, California Tower for panoramic views, and Palm Canyon, an oasis of nearly 500 different palm trees. Here’s a map to get oriented.
In addition to outdoor adventures, one area of Balboa Park often overlooked is the Spanish Village Arts Center. This area feels like a European town with Spanish-style buildings surrounding a courtyard with colorful bricks. Inside you’ll find a bunch of local artist studios selling gifts. I fully expected everything to be expensive, but you can find a lot of items at reasonable price points.
Get a fancy last meal
San Diego is a city known for its more casual restaurants, but there are a few fancier ones worth splurging on for the last day of your San Diego 3 day itinerary.
Kingfisher
website | 2469 Broadway (get directions) | best for: Vietnamese fusion
Kingfisher is one of my top 3 favorite restaurants in San Diego. It’s an absolutely stunning space with a menu that leans Vietnamese. The last time I went they had a pretty life changing steak tartare, mushroom congee, and mussel escabeche. If you can only make it to one fancy spot, make a reservation here!
Cesarina
website | 4161 Voltaire St (get directions) | best for: Italian
Cesarina is arguably the best Italian restaurant in San Diego. They’re known for making homemade pasta, which you can get a la carte by mixing and matching sauces and pasta shapes or via their classic preparations.
My go-to dishes are the Pappardelle al Brasato di Manzo, which is a spinach pasta with short rib and beef, and the Lasagna. Both are SO flavorful that I dare you not to lick up the whole plate!
Animae
website | 969 Pacific Hwy (get directions) | best for: Filipino-Japanese fusion
Animae is fancier than Kingfisher, but still has an Asian twist. The space is huge with a modern art deco vibe. You won’t be able to miss the large anime robot art greeting you at the entrance, which is an irreverent piece given how otherwise posh this spot is.
Some highlights from their menu when I last went was a spicy lamb noodle dish and kare kare short ribs. If they’re on the menu when you visit, get them!
Juniper & Ivy
website | 2228 Ketner Blvd (get directions) | best for: inventive farm-to-table dining
Juniper & Ivy used to be run by the Top Chef winner, Richard Blais, who put molecular gastronomy on most home cooks’ radar. He’s not longer affiliated with the restaurant, but it’s still doling out incredibly interesting food that uses advanced techniques, but not in a way that makes you roll your eyes because your dish looks like a Picasso painting.
Juniper & Ivy is surprisingly large, but I recommend still getting a reservation. If it’s on the menu, don’t miss the steak tartare. I give it a shout out in my post about the best steak tartare in Seattle, saying I wish it was in Seattle so I can add it to my list.
Grab a nightcap at a speakeasy
San Diego loves a themed bar, so there are surprisingly a lot of speakeasy-style spots throughout the city. I have a bunch listed in my map below, but the best here are the best I’ve been to so far. Consider trying all of them on your San Diego 3 day itinerary by visiting one each night of your trip!
Young Blood
website | 777 G St (get directions) | best for: exceptional cocktails
Young Blood is probably one of the best cocktail bars I’ve been to ever. It’s a speakeasy hidden inside Neighborhood, a bar in the Gaslamp Quarter. In fact, Neighborhood has two speakeasies: Young Blood and Noble Experiment. You access both of them via the beer kegs by the bathroom.
You’ll hear music thumping both at Neighborhood and Noble Experiment, but Young Blood will transport you to the bygone Art Deco era. The vibe is upscale and quieter, with glamorous vintage decor glowing an orange-y pink huge from the bar’s lighting. But you’ll still find some irreverence, such as the ornate rug detailed with phallic images.
The concept at Young Blood is unique compared to other types of bars. Rather than order a la carte, you get a 3-course cocktail tasting menu plus a welcome sparkling wine for ~$65pp. There’s no menu, but instead you tell your server what you like and they bring out drinks meant to be coursed like dinner. For the last course they’ll ask you your favorite dessert and recreate it.
All of our the cocktails they made us were incredible, but the dessert one were especially mind blowing. Dan said his favorite dessert was carrot cake and I said mine was key lime pie, and both were SPOT ON. Next time I go, I plan to ask them to do an all dessert series of drinks for me!
Raised by Wolves
website | 3501 La Jolla Village Dr (get directions) | best for: decor
Raised by Wolves seems oddly placed inside a mall, but it looks like a liquor store so I guess it makes sense from a shopping perspective. But what most people don’t notice upon walking in is that the fireplace flips to reveal a secret passage into a cool speakeasy bar.
The architecture is absolutely stunning. It’s like an art deco gothic train station with a domed ceiling that feels like a conservatory. The seating is a bunch of mismatched vintage furniture that makes it feel cozy and collected. Plus the drinks are really good.
Reservations are a must. Remember to have your camera ready for when the fireplace starts moving. It’ll be the perfect memento to remember your San Diego 3 day itinerary!
False Idol
website | 675 W Beech St (get directions) | best for: tiki drinks
Inside Craft & Commerce is a tiki bar beckoning you to its entrance with skulls glowing red. The tiki theme continues inside False Idol with thunderstorms and tropical background noise.
All of the drinks are tiki based, so expect a lot of rum. I had an excellent one with ube and saw a bunch of drinks coming out with fire theatrics. So get ready for a good time!
Partake in San Diego’s burrito culture
There’s no better way to finish your 3 day San Diego itinerary than by getting a California burrito. Late-night burritos are a thing, so the later you go (particularly on the weekends), the more likely you’ll experience SD like a local.
A California burrito is characterized by having french fries or hash browns in it. They also seem to usually have carne asada in them, but you can sub any meat or veg of your choice. Two of my favorite places to get burritos are Taco Surf in PB and Lucha Libre (various locations).
Where to stay for your 3 days in San Diego
These are the neighborhoods you should consider staying in during your San Diego 3 day itinerary.
- Mission Beach – This is the first place we look for a rental. It’s a quintessential beach experience, with a main drag full of shops and restaurants and a “boardwalk” along the water (though this one is paved).
- Pacific Beach – Mission Beach and PB bleed into each other, so if we can’t find a spot in Mission Beach, this is our next choice. While the main area can be congested, you can find areas on the fringes near Mission Beach or Bird Rock away from the throngs of people.
- Ocean Beach – This is another good beach area with a main street of shops and restaurants. It also oddly has a good antique shop scene. This is our third choice, though, as we find it’s best for families. If we ever come to SD with my nieces, we’ll likely look here first. So if you’re traveling to San Diego with kids, this is a good choice!
- Hillcrest – If you’re ok not staying on the beach, Hillcrest is the place to be. It’s hip and gives you easy access to downtown and Balbao Park.
- North Park – If you want to get a bit off the tourist track, North Park is another hip option. There are a ton of breweries, restaurants, and shops that will give you the experience of living like a local.
Another option is Coronado Beach. You undoubtedly have heard of Hotel de Coronado. It’s a beautiful place to stay on Coronado Island, which technically is a peninsula. However, even with the Coronado Bridge, it doesn’t have the most convenient access to the rest of the city. Therefore, I’d stay on the mainland for your 3 day San Diego itinerary.
Curious about Downtown, the Gaslamp Quarter, and Little Italy? I say skip it. Unfortunately they’re overrun by the unhoused people crisis and they’re quite noisy with nightlife.
More ideas for spending 3 days in San Diego
If you want more ideas to customize your San Diego 3 day itinerary, here’s my regularly-updated map of places to try in San Diego. It includes my favorite things to do in San Diego as outlined in this post, as well as other places I still need to try or have been and thought were just ok. Read the notes in the pins for more info!
More in and around San Diego
If you have more than 3 days in San Diego, consider tacking onto your trip and use these guides for inspiration.
- Hidden Gem Restaurants in San Diego
- Must Take San Diego Road Trips
- 4 Days in Los Angeles Itinerary
- The Ultimate San Diego to San Francisco Road Trip
- How to Spend a Day in Joshua Tree
- Best Wineries Near Sedona
- How to Spend One Day in Phoenix
- The Perfect Weekend in Sedona
- Unique Scottsdale Restaurants
