San Diego is one of the most popular tourist destinations located in southern California. With so many activities to do in San Diego, it can be difficult to determine what to visit, especially during shorter trips. This beautiful city is well-known for its sunny weather, pristine beaches, diverse attractions and vibrant culture to explore.
Only spending a day in America’s Finest City? You won’t want to miss these best activities, perfect for visiting San Diego in one day. Check out this guide to help you plan the perfect San Diego day trip. Below, you’ll find everything you need to plan an unforgettable day trip to San Diego.
Getting to San Diego
San Diego’s location in the southern portion of California state makes it a great day trip or quick weekend getaway from many other nearby cities. The city is located only about two hours south of Los Angeles and about three hours from Joshua Tree. If you’re coming from the Las Vegas area, San Diego is also a great destination located about a five-hour drive away.
If you’re planning a road trip or flying into California, you could also rent a car to add a one-day trip to San Diego to your travel plans. The nearest airport to the San Diego region is the San Diego International Airport (SAN).
Planning Your Day Trip in San Diego
Although you can certainly wing a spur-of-the-moment trip to San Diego, planning in advance is the best way to prepare for an amazing trip. As you plan your trip, you may wish to consider a specific theme for your trip, which is based on your interests. For example, you may want to plan a day trip focused on cultural exploration, or perhaps you prefer a more relaxing beach day in San Diego.
With only a day’s worth of time, you’ll want to pick one top attraction, which will likely make up the majority of your day trip. Below are some examples of themes to consider.
Beach Focused Day Trip
- The beach is one of the most popular day trip activities San Diego has to offer. Some of the most popular beaches include:
Mission Beach — A popular San Diego beach for watersports and strolling on the boardwalk. The city operates this public beach and is open from dusk to dawn. It is free to enter the beach, but you may need to pay for parking.
- La Jolla Shores- This beach has a family-friendly vibe, perfect for relaxing, exploring and water sports such as kayaking. It is free to enter, but guests may need to pay for parking if street parking is not available. Great for sunbathing, swimming and picture-perfect San Diego beach day.
Cultural Day Trip
- San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) — Featuring lots of Spanish art, this fine arts museum is a popular day trip activity amongst travelers who enjoy learning about culture. Adult tickets cost $20.00 to enter and there's plenty to do here that can fill up several hours of your day.
- USS Midway Museum — This historical naval aircraft museum is located downtown and features plenty to learn and explore, housing an extension collection of aircraft to view. This museum has over sixty exhibits to explore, perfect for a day filled with learning.
Outdoors Day Trip
San Diego has beautiful weather, great for visitors who love spending time outdoors. A few of the most common outdoor activities in San Diego include:
- San Diego Zoo- Enjoy a day outdoors at this world-famous zoo. Here, travelers can see over 650 animal species and participate in hands-on learning experiences. An adult day ticket to the San Diego Zoo is $69.
- Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve- This park is great for bird-watching, hiking and capturing stunning views from the overlook.
Adventurous Day Trip
Want to try something new, different and adventurous? Try these activity-based day trip ideas for your San Diego trip.
- La Jolla Coves — Satisfy your need to explore and discover as you check out La Jolla Coves, a beautiful cove. Here you can snorkel, dive, swim and explore the sea life in the region.
- Giant Dipper Roller Coaster — Take a ride on this classic coaster, which speeds up to 48 mph. This coaster is located in the Mission Beach area of San Diego in Belmont Park.
Where to Eat in San Diego
Of course, finding great food is important as you plan one-day activities in San Diego. The city has a diverse range of dining options available, offering everything from authentic Mexican food to upscale dining locations to food trucks.
As you plan your day’s itinerary, consider how much time you want to allow for dining. To help you brainstorm, check out a few of these top places to grab a bite in San Diego:
Where to Eat Breakfast in San Diego
- Dockside 1953 — Located in the Mission Beach area, this go-to breakfast spot is known for its vibrant marina atmosphere and delectable breakfasts. Brunch is available until noon on the weekends, offering both sweet and savory options.
- Farmer's Table 0151 With four locations throughout San Diego, you're found to run into a Farmer's Table. This breakfast spot features farm-fresh, fork-to-table breakfast cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.
Where to Eat Lunch in San Diego
- San Diego has many food trucks located throughout the city, great for grabbing a quick lunch. Check out their locations during your travel dates for an authentic city lunch.
- Cliff Hanger Cafe — Located in the La Jolla area, this lunch eatery is great for a casual, yet delicious bite. This outdoor eatery serves great salads, sandwiches and healthy lunch meals.
Where to Eat Dinner in San Diego
- Casa Guadalajara — This is a great dinner spot to grab authentic Mexican cuisine. Dine indoors and enjoy live music or dine outside on the vibrant patio.
- Island Prime — If you want to treat yourself to an upscale dinner, Island Prime is the perfect waterfront restaurant to do so. Located on the water, this eatery focuses on serving traditional California cuisine.
Alternate Things to Do in San Diego
Are you looking to try something a little different for your San Diego trip? If nothing above catches your interest, consider some of these other great things to do around the city:
Nightlife Spots
Downtown San Diego has lots of exciting nightlife to explore. Here, you’ll find nightclubs, bars and entertainment to explore. Throughout the popular Gaslamp Quarter region, there are many options for rooftop bars such as “The Rooftop by STK”. This is a great way to have an enjoyable night out and enjoy picture-perfect city views too.
Sports Events
If you’re a big baseball fan, consider catching a baseball game at Petco Park, the home of the San Diego Padres. Located between 7th and 10th avenues, south of J Street, this is a great one-day activity in San Diego for sports lovers.
While you’re at it, explore more exciting things to do in San Diego using AAA’s Trip Canvas.
Planning the Perfect Day Trip Activities in San Diego
Ready to plan an incredible day trip to San Diego? With so much to do around the city, the biggest challenge is deciding what to do. Using AAA’s Trip Canvas can help you plan your trip. Be sure to contact one of AAA’s Travel Agents to make your dream trip a reality.
Using your AAA membership to access exclusive deals, you’re only a few steps away from booking the ultimate San Diego day trip. No matter your preferences, AAA’s Travel Agents can help you navigate traveling to San Diego with ease.