4 Day San Diego Itinerary

San Diego is officially one of my favorite cities in the USA…. Maybe even top 5?!?! Big words, I know. It’s easy to fall in love when temps are in the mid 70’s every day of the year. San Diego is a great spot for a solo escape, a couples getaway, or girls trip.

Follow my suggested itinerary and I promise you will love this city as much as I do.

I explored San Diego with a few of my best girlfriends. Below is our 4 day itinerary, along with additional day activities and restaurants I recommend.

Day 1

Everyone arrives in the afternoon.
Head to airbnb. We stayed here. It fit 4 girls comfortably and the host was fantastic. The San Diego airport was less than 2 miles away and the location was on the outskirts of Little Italy. I recommend staying in this area.
Happy Hour and Dinner in Little Italy or Gaslamp Quarter. We went to Kettner Exchange and loved it. Earthy and modern upscale atmosphere. The kale salad and tuna pizza are a must, plus the cocktail menu is unique and tasty.
Head to another cocktail bar or back to airbnb.

Day 2

Pick from the day activity list at the bottom or experience our exact day below!
Pack a little day bag and head North to La Jolla. Approximately 30 minutes away.
Go to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and pick out a hiking trail! Torrey Pines is a 3.3 mile loop that is best in the morning. Trailhead Address and Additional Info on Torrey Pines Hiking Trails.
Have lunch overlooking the ocean at George’s on the Cove. (Make a reservation prior).
Walk around, check out the sea lions and lay out at the beaches in La Jolla. It’s a bougie area with cool cliffs and great restaurants. Our favorite beach in this area was Windansea Beach.
Head back to the airbnb to get cleaned up for the night.
Pick a restaurant from the list below to start the evening off right.

Day 3

Wake up leisurely and head to brunch. We picked Queenstown Public House. Fun atmosphere and great food. The French Toast was incredible!
- *If you are here on a weekend, the Farmer’s Market is right outside of Queenstown Public House. Walk around while you’re waiting for your table and taste test the local food (the chocolate croissants were delicious).
Pick a day activity from the list below. We went to the Del Mar Horse Races in the afternoon.
Head back to airbnb and get ready for the night.
Pick a restaurant from the list below and check out some local cocktail bars.
If you are in the mood for a late night, San Diego has several great nightclubs in the Gaslamp Quarter. We went to OMNIA Nightclub and had a great time.

Day 4

Sleep in and have a snack at the house. We brought some granola bars, fruit and enjoyed banana bread we purchased from the local farmer’s market the day before.
Pick one last day activity from the list below before you fly out!
We went to Coronado Island and headed straight for the iconic Hotel Del Coronado. We enjoyed the best guac and spicy margs at their outside Mexican restaurant overlooking the beach.
Spend your last few hours at the gorgeous beach.
Fly out in the evening and try not to be sad you are leaving one of the most well-rounded, satisfying cities!

Day Activities

Coronado Island – drive 2 miles from Downtown San Diego/Little Italy or take the ferry. Lay on the beautiful beaches, see the gorgeous homes with cute front porches, rent bikes, shop, and see the iconic Hotel Del Coronado.
La Jolla – explained in the Day 2 section
Padres Baseball Game – head to Petco Park, located right in the middle of the city, to watch the local MLB team.
Del Mar Horse Races – a mini Kentucky Derby only 30 minutes away from Little Italy. General Admission to the race is only $6! Horse Race Calendar and Reviews.
Sunset Cliffs – the perfect spot to watch surfers and the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean. Location only 15 minutes away from Little Italy and the ideal ocean spot to watch the sunset.
Torrey Pines Hiking Trails – explained in the Day 2 section.
Balboa Park – 1,200 acres of gardens and hiking trails, home of the San Diego Zoo, gorgeous fountains, museums, and more. Located right in the middle of the city
Liberty Public Market – huge bustling market open daily from 11am-8 pm. Located 3 miles away from Little Italy in an old Navy Building with hip eateries, specialty food and craft vendors.
Rooftop Pools in the Gaslamp district. Many have DJs.

Restaurants

Located downtown (Little Italy and Gaslamp Quarter)

Juniper and Ivy – Chef Richard Blais does a fantastic job. If you are a foodie then definitely hit this spot and try the tasting menu! Trendy spot without trying too hard.
CUCINA urbana – Pizza, italian and a wine bar! Try the squash blossoms.
El Camino – Affordable and funky Mexican food with good margs. A fun patio with planes flying right over it. Cool and different décor.
Kettner Exchange – A must. As talked about above in Day 1.
Herb and Wood – Cozy and inviting with a rustic feel. Try the gnocchi!
Crack Shack – Fun, low key spot with a bocce court. Good burgers and fried chicken. Lots of outside seating.
Werewolf – Great upscale “bar” food. If you want to watch some games while munching on a great burger and garlic fries then this is your place.