San Diego is best known for having amazing weather all year round, but that’s not the only thing this fabulous city has to offer. It is essentially the epitome of the laidback Southern California city, with a number of attractions that travelers of all ages and groups will appreciate. Only have a limited time to spend there? Don’t worry, because there’s plenty of things to see there even if you only have a couple of days (or less) to spend there. Family-friendly activities are aplenty here, as well as foodie destinations, nature trails, and just about everything in between. Check out this suggested itinerary if you’re looking for what to do in 36 hours in San Diego, California, USA.
Day 1: Afternoon - Go on a hunt for fun and colorful murals in North Park
Not many know that San Diego is actually a hotspot when it comes to street art and North Park is the place to be if you want to take Instagram-worthy snaps. Pose beside these fun and colorful murals and have lots of photographs to treasure. If you still have time, do visit the art galleries in the area or watch a performance being staged at Observatory North Park.
North Park
Address: North Park, San Diego, CA
Website: North Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
Day 1: Evening - Watch the sunset at Mission Bay
Watching the sun set by the Pacific is an experience that you shouldn’t miss while in San Diego, and the best place where you can enjoy the fantastic views is at Mission Bay. Sunset Point is a great spot to enjoy the sky’s shifting colors but it only has limited space so be sure to go there early to make sure that you will have a good vantage point of the sun setting on the horizon. If you want to amp up the romance, you can make arrangements to enjoy a sunset cruise at Mission Bay.
Mission Bay Sunset Point
Address: 1656 West Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109-6802
Website: Mission Bay Sunset Point
Opening hours: 4am - 2am (daily)
Price: Free
Tip from Trip101 local expert
Seeing the sunset across the Pacific ocean is a magical experience and should definitely be part of your trip to San Diego! Sometimes Sunset Point can be a little crowded, especially in the summer. If this is the case, just a couple of minute's drive away are two other great locations to view the sunset. You could either head down the road to Ocean Beach Pier or Sunset Cliffs Beach, which are both only about a ten minutes drive from Sunset Point.
Day 1: Night - Head downtown for dinner and drinks
San Diego may be known as a laidback city, but that doesn’t mean that it’s lacking as far as nightlife is concerned, especially in the downtown area. There are plenty of establishments where you can grab dinner and/or a few drinks while in the area, ranging from your standard dive bars, restaurants, and gastropubs to beach bars, craft breweries, sky lounges, and even nightclubs that resemble what you can find in Las Vegas.
Downtown San Diego
Address: San Diego, CA
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
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Day 2: Morning - Hike the scenic Torrey Pines
Start the day right by getting your adrenaline pumping when you traverse the trails of Torrey Pines, a stretch of wilderness right at the heart of San Diego. Exploring the area will allow you to enjoy forest, beach, and lagoon views. If you want to commune with nature while in the city, this is the place to be. Free public guided walks for families and small groups are organized during weekends and holidays at 10am and 2pm, as well as Fridays at 10am during summer.
Torrey Pines State Nature Reserve
Address: 12600 N Torrey Pines Rd, San Diego, CA 92037
Website: Torrey Pines State Nature Reserve
Opening hours: 7:15am - sunset (daily)
Price: From 10 USD (parking fee)
Day 2: Afternoon - Explore Point Loma
If you haven’t had your fill of nature yet - and San Diego has more than its share of nature-themed attractions - head over to Point Loma, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the ocean - and if you’re feeling brave, explore tidepools teeming with marine life. It’s also in this area where you can find the historic Cabrillo National Monument and Point Loma Lighthouse. If you prefer a quieter activity in the afternoon, feel free to explore the shops at Point Loma Marina or check out the restaurants at the nearby Liberty Station.
Point Loma
Address: San Diego, CA
Website: Point Loma
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: From 5 USD
Tip from Trip101 local expert
Point Loma is one of the top locations for a variety of viewscapes in the San Diego area. I highly recommend this location for beautiful views of the Pacific, Coronado, and if you are a military aficionado – the Naval Air Station where a variety of military aircraft take-off and land. I also enjoy heading to the tip of Point Loma – Cabrillo National Monument – which contains some of the best viewscapes, as well as hiking trails that during low tide are passible down the cliffs, where you can explore many tide pools.
Day 2: Evening - Check out the restaurants in Little Italy
In terms of cuisine, San Diego is perhaps best known for its Mexican food. Its Italian fare, however, should not be missed. This district is serious about food - in fact, a visit to Amici Park will allow you to get recipe rubbings (Be sure to pack sheets of paper and crayons!) There are plenty of dining options to choose from. Besides eateries that offer genuine Italian cuisine, you can also find seafood restaurants, establishments that offer fusion cuisine, and dessert places in the area.
Little Italy
Address: San Diego, CA 92101
Website: Little Italy
Day 2: Night - Enjoy a drag show at Lips Restaurant while having supper
If you are ever stumped on what to do for the evening, Lips always has you covered! Located in North Park, this is a...
Posted by Hidden San Diego on Tuesday, 26 March 2019
If you want to enjoy a one-of-a-kind meal and entertainment while in San Diego, head over to Lips Restaurant, where you can watch a hilarious drag show while having a meal or a few drinks. Shows differ per night so be sure to check the schedule beforehand. The establishment is a popular venue for bachelorette parties so be sure to make reservations to make sure you have a spot on the night you plan to visit.
Lips Restaurant
Address: 3036 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104
Website: Lips Restaurant
Opening hours: Tue - Wed: 7pm - 10pm; Thu: 7pm - 10:30pm; Fri - Sat: 6pm - 12am; Sun: 11am - 3pm, 7pm - 10pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 5 USD cover per person, plus minimum 15 USD per person for food
Day 3: Morning - Have brunch at Better Buzz Coffee Roasters
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Make your last day in San Diego a memorable one by having brunch at Better Buzz Coffee Roasters. This cafe features handcrafted beverages, artisan teas, specialty smoothies, and food items such as sandwiches, bagels, and pastries. Quirky items on the menu include mint coffee, rose water latte, and acai and pitaya bowls.
Better Buzz Coffee Roasters
Address: 801 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Website: Better Buzz Coffee Roasters
Opening hours: 5:30am - 7pm (daily)
Make the most out of your short trip to San Diego
From its beaches to its thriving foodie scene, there’s plenty of activities and events that await you in San Diego. The sheer number of activities that are available there can easily overwhelm you, especially if you only have limited time to spend in the city. By using this article as a blueprint, you can shortlist what places to include in your itinerary to make the most out of your short trip to San Diego.
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