Are you planning a trip to California and juggling the days on your itinerary to see all the destinations you wish to visit?
Of course, I recommend spending a few days and even a week in lovely San Diego to truly sink in its vibe.
But whether you’re passing through or coming down from Los Angeles just for a night, here’s some ideas on the best attractions to see in 24 hours in San Diego when you’re traveling without a car.
The Perfect One Day San Diego Itinerary
San Diego is quite a compact city so within just a few blocks, and it is easy to walk and see most of the main attractions which are waiting to be discovered.
First off, if you’re looking for somewhere to stay I would recommend a hotel or hostel around 5th ave., a very central location in the Gaslamp Quarter, which is famous for its lively atmosphere and its many restaurants and bars.
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Morning
Walk down 5th ave. Get all the way past to the Convention Center. If you’d like to see the baseball stadium, go left, it’s only a couple of minutes away. If you visit San Diego during summer you might be able to get tickets to a live game.
Go behind the convention center, you’ll get sweeping views of the harbor as well as the Coronado Bridge.
From the Embarcadero, walk to Seaport Village, a sort of touristy but quite enjoyable shopping market.
Then head to the aircraft carrier Midway, home of the very interesting and informative USS Midway Museum, a great way to spend a couple of hours.
Afterwards, walk on Broadway towards 5th avenue.
Afternoon
Get back to 5th avenue, take bus #3 or #120 going north to get to Balboa Park.
The ride is only about 8 minutes. Get off at Laurel St. and make your way into beautiful Balboa Park, home to 17 museums, countless gardens and the world famous San Diego Zoo.
Whether you decide on visiting several attractions or just a couple, expect to spend several hours wandering around this unique landscape.
Evening
When you’re ready for dinner, either head back to Gaslamp Quarter or take the same bus, #3 or #120, and keep going north, to Hillcrest.
This eclectic neighborhood has lots of restaurants and bars to start up the night. For a super tasty meal, check out Hash House a go go!
Late Night
At night, cruise along 5th or 6th avenue to check out some of San Diegos best nightclubs. The atmosphere around the hostel can get pretty crazy, mostly on weekends.
The Gaslamp Quarter has more than 80 bars and clubs within a 16-block area so you’ll definitely find a place to suit your style! For some ideas on where to go clubbing, check out some suggestions online!
Usually on Fridays and Saturdays, hostels in San Diego offer Club Crawls for an amazing night out with fellow travelers!
I really love this city, it’s one of my favourite places in California, and a lot more relaxed than LA. Of courses, how you spend a full day in San Diego really depends on your interests. Like for example, during summer, you could just spend the whole day on the beach and have an amazing day.
For more suggestions view my San Diego travel guide.
