Itineraries for Your Trip to San Diego
2 Days in San Diego for First Timers
I first visited San Diego right after my 18th birthday. My childhood best friend had moved there a couple of years prior, and I flew down to spend some time with her and check out the city. Over the course of my short trip, we swam in the Pacific Ocean, lounged in the grass at Balboa Park, saw adorable wallabies at San Diego Zoo, and made time to pop over the US-Mexico border for a night on the town in Tijuana. Despite this action-packed stay, I still felt like I’d only scratched the surface, as there’s a ton to do in the SoCal city. Here’s how I’d suggest spending two days in San Diego as a first-time visitor.
Pack layers, as mornings and evenings can be cool.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Balboa Park.
Start your first day in San Diego at Balboa Park, home to some of the city's top attractions. It's the site of the Museum of Us (formerly known as the San Diego Museum of Man), one of the foremost anthropology museums in the US. Other must-sees include the exquisitely manicured Japanese Friendship Garden and the Spanish Village Art Center, filled with galleries and shops. However, the most famous attraction is the San Diego Zoo, which merits a full afternoon.
In the afternoon, walk over to the San Diego Zoo in the northwestern part of the park. Spread out over 100 acres (40.5 hectares), this massive zoo is home to more than 680 species and subspecies representing animals from around the world. Grab a bite to eat at one of the zoo’s many cafés and restaurants before heading out to explore on foot. If you need a bit of rest, you can also view the park from above with a ride on the Skyfari® Aerial Tram, included with admission.
In the evening, head to the Gaslamp Quarter in Downtown San Diego. This historic area is known for its evening entertainment, with loads of places to eat, drink, and be merry. For a good introduction to the area, consider a walking tour with a food focus—many excursions include drinks and snacks, and a guide who can share insider secrets about the area’s history and its dining scene.
Spend your second morning down by the San Diego Bay at the waterfront Embarcadero—a vibrant area just west of downtown. It’s a fun place for a stroll, with plenty of shops and restaurants, and is easy to access on a hop-on, hop-off trolley tour. Make a stop at the Maritime Museum of San Diego to learn about the city’s nautical history or do a bit of shopping at Seaport Village. Fuel up for your afternoon adventure with lunch at a bay-facing café.
In the afternoon, continue your maritime-themed adventures with a whale-watching excursion in the Pacific Ocean. Depending on what time of year you visit, you might see migrating gray whales (which travel along the Pacific between Alaska and Mexico from December through April), summering blue or humpback whales, and even the occasional orca. Dolphin and seal sightings are also common, and many expeditions feature naturalist guides on board to provide insight into whale behavior.
Return to shore and grab a quick bite to eat in the Gaslamp Quarter before heading out on a ghost tour of the city—a fantastic finale to your 2-day trip. Your guide provides lore as you explore some of San Diego’s haunted haunts, from famously spooky historic homes such as the Davis Horton-House and the Whaley House to historic graveyards where spirits are believed to roam.
