Perfect Day in San Diego

Pacific Coast Highway Travel suggests how to spend the perfect day in San Diego, taking in Balboa Park, the Gaslight Quarter, and Little Italy.

There are dozens of ways to spend the perfect day in San Diego, and none of them would disappoint, but here's one suggestion from us. It'll be a long day, a full day, but a very satisfying day.

San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park

Perfect Morning in San Diego

Nothing sets you up for the day like a good breakfast, so head to one of the best eating places in San Diego: Café 21. Their University Heights location at 2736 Adams Avenue is just a few minutes from your next destination, Balboa Park, and they open at 8am so get in there for an early start. They do breakfast classics but also some unique options - hard to beat their Tiramisu Pancake!

From there it's a seven-minute drive to Balboa Park, and here you could do as much as you can, depending on your interests. You can simply stroll around and enjoy the various gardens, you can spend some time in San Diego Zoo, or you can visit one of the many museums.

A Tiger in San Diego Zoo

A morning isn't nearly enough. It would take you at least a week to see everything that Balboa Park has to offer, but if you only have a day, you need to at least see it. Read more on our page about Visiting Balboa Park.

Lunch

A Burger at the Crack Shack Restaurant in San Diego

A Burger at the Crack Shack in San Diego

From Balboa Park it's only a few minutes' drive to get down to our perfect lunch choice: The Crack Shack. Those folks in the south might think they have the monopoly on fried chicken, but wait till you taste the California Fried Chicken at this place. They have plenty of other options but... just ignore them. The outdoor seating area is also perfect for soaking up the California sun.

Perfect Afternoon in San Diego

A ten-minute drive from The Crack Shack is our afternoon suggestion, the USS Midway Museum, located at the Navy Pier. Explore the aircraft carrier turned museum and learn about its history and the role it played in the US Navy.

USS Midway Museum in San Diego

If you have time, take a stroll along the Embarcadero, a waterfront area with shops, restaurants, and beautiful views of the bay. You can also visit the Maritime Museum of San Diego to see historic ships.

See our page on the Best Museums in San Diego, which has more information on both these museums, which are about a ten-minute walk away from each other

Late Afternoon

Head to the Gaslamp Quarter, a lively neighborhood known for its nightlife, restaurants, and entertainment. Just take a walk around the streets, which are lined with Victorian-era buildings, explore the shops, and enjoy a pre-dinner drink as a reward.

A personal favorite place is Henry's Pub on Fifth Avenue.

Our Pick of San Diego Guides

Perfect Evening in San Diego

End your perfect San Diego day with dinner in Little Italy, San Diego's best culinary district. There are plenty of excellent restaurants to choose from, ranging from cozy Italian trattorias to trendy seafood eateries. Be sure to save room for gelato or cannoli for dessert!

The Juniper & Ivy Restaurant in San Diego

Some of our favorite places include Ironside Fish & Oyster, Juniper & Ivy, and Herb & Wood. See also our page on Where to Eat in San Diego.

Other San Diego Pages

Where to Eat in San Diego
Pacific Coast Highway Travel guide to where to eat in San Diego from fresh local seafood to Mexican, Italian, fine dining and the best fried chicken in the US.
San Diego
San Diego in Southern California is a major travel destination and this page from Pacific Coast Highway Travel has visitor information and best things to do.
Best Time to Visit San Diego
Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends the best time to visit San Diego, giving the city’s weather and climate month by month and season by season.
Visiting Balboa Park
Visiting Balboa Park is one of the best things to do in San Diego, California, as the park is home to San Diego Zoo, several museums, and beautiful gardens.
San Diego Museum of Art
The San Diego Museum of Art is in Balboa Park, San Diego, and is the oldest and biggest art museum in the city with a fine collection of Spanish art.
Cheap Flights to San Diego
Cheap flights to San Diego with Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, WestJet and other airlines from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Whale Watching from the San Diego Shoreline
Whale watching trips and tours in San Diego are one of the California city's best activities but you can watch the whales from the San Diego shoreline too.
Good Cheap Motels in San Diego
Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends good cheap motels in San Diego including Super-8, Motel 6, Travelodge and Days Inn.
Travel Guide to Coronado
Pacific Coast Highway Travel brings you a travel guide to Coronado, near San Diego, the perfect place to relax for a few days either before or after your drive.
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo is in Balboa Park, San Diego, California has been called the best zoo in the world and is the most visited zoo in the United States.
San Diego Whale Watching
San Diego whale watching tours like this from Hornblower Cruises let visitors get up close to see gray whales, dolphins, sea lions and other wildlife.
SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld in San Diego is the original marine theme park, featuring killer whales, dolphins, shark encounters, manatee rescue, and Journey to Atlantis.
Where to Stay in San Diego
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's website recommendations on Where to Stay in San Diego include reviews of budget and luxury hotels in downtown San Diego.
San Diego Things to Do
Things to do in San Diego include visiting the world famous San Diego Zoo, touring the city's outstanding Wild Animal Park, whale-watching and visiting museums.
Best Museums in San Diego
Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends the best museums in San Diego, including art museums, science centers, historical museums, and motor museums.
Balboa Park in Facts and Figures
Here are facts and figures about Balboa Park in San Diego, which is bigger than New York's Central Park and contains 19 gardens, 17 museums and 14 restaurants.