Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in San Diego?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in San Diego?
Most people spend at least 3 or as many as 5 days in San Diego during their visit. The dynamic coastal city offers amazing highlights such as the beaches, the famous sights and museums, the hiking, and the nightlife scene.
San Diego is a laid-back city on the Pacific coast that has beautiful beaches and a youthful atmosphere. The city has plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, but there are also great restaurants and many family-friendly attractions such as the famed San Diego zoo or the many amusement parks in the area.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit San Diego? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in San Diego?
The very popular coastal city of San Diego has many activities and attractions for visitors. Given only three days, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the key highlights such as the beaches, the famous sights and museums, and the hiking. To truly savor all that the coastal city boasts, a more generous amount of time is advisable. Many travelers opt for three to five days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the coastal city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.
How to spend 3 days in San Diego
The beautiful beaches await you in San Diego, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The city has great beaches with tidal pools and interesting sea life at low tide. Adults and kids alike will enjoy hitting the beach when the tides are out and looking for local critters in the tidal pools. Popular beaches in the area include La Jolla Cove Beach, Coronado Beach, and Pacific Beach.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Cali Dreaming Electric Bike Tour of La Jolla and Pacific Beach ($99)
- Harbor Cruise on the Largest Catamaran in San Diego Bay ($55)
- Group Surf Lesson ($114)
This coastal city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The heart of the city's nightlife scene is in the Gaslamp District, which is filled with bars, clubs, and music venues. There's a young student population that keeps the nightlife scene casual and fun.
Don't miss the San Diego Zoo during your trip to San Diego, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
Live music is very popular in San Diego, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.
Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make San Diego a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. While the city is famous for it's beaches, zoos, and aquariums, don't overlook the museums and other landmarks. Popular options include the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, the Old Town State Historic Park, and Point Loma and Cabrillo Monument.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Skip the Line: USS Midway Museum Admission Ticket in San Diego ($32)
- Maritime Museum of San Diego Admission Ticket ($24)
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. The city has great seafood and a diversity of cuisines. There are many casual dining options that serve informal foods like burgers or salads, but there are also award-winning fine dining restaurants with elegant atmospheres. Popular local dishes include fish tacos and California burritos.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Wine Tasting Tour in Valle de Guadalupe ($131)
- San Diego Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours ($95)
- Gaslamp Quarter Downtown San Diego Food Tour ($89)
Is 4 days enough time in San Diego?
Many visitors spend four days in San Diego, as this is a good amount of time to see the dynamic coastal city's major attractions such as the beaches, the famous sights and museums, and the hiking. If you have four days to spend here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.
Balboa Park, San Diego
How to spend 4 days in San Diego
Having 4 days in San Diego will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the coastal city.
Known for it's hiking, San Diego sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The city is filled with parks and has tons of natural beauty. There is plenty of urban hiking in town, or you can visit more natural areas just out of town. Head to Torrey Pines State Park or Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail for some nice hikes.
A few tour suggestions include:
- San Diego Half-Day Marine Wildlife Tour with Lunch ($196)
San Diego is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. Many people enjoy city's beautiful coastline and surrounding natural beauty.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Specters and Sinners Walking Tour ($35)
- 2.5 Hours of Fun: Catamaran Sunset Sail ($119)
- Small-Group San Diego Sunset Sailing Excursion ($127)
Is 5 days enough time in San Diego?
Five days is more than enough time to see everything that San Diego has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend three to five days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the beaches, the famous sights and museums, the hiking, and the nightlife scene at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
San Diego, California
How to spend 5 days in San Diego
With 5 days in San Diego, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the coastal city has to offer.
The surrounding waters are great for scuba diving and snorkeing, so spend some time in the water to see nature up close. Popular snorkeling and diving spots include La Jolla Cove, Mission Bay, and Turtle Town. The water's a bit chili, but it's still worth going for a dive or popping on a mask and snorkeling around for a bit.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Snorkeling Adventure in La Jolla ($55)
- La Jolla Kayak and Snorkel Tour ($99)
- Two Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour for Two in La Jolla ($109)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about San Diego, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.