San Diego is one of the best vacation destinations in the world, and if you’re lucky enough to be visiting then you are in for a treat! We’re known for our beaches, parks, and of course the “always sunny” weather…which makes San Diego one of the most paradise-like vacations on the earth.
But if you’re only able to visit for a short time and only have 2 days in San Diego, then you’ll want to make sure you see some of the best sights while you’re here. This San Diego 2 day itinerary will help you discover some of the best San Diego has to offer in the short time you have to explore!
Planning to do lots of sightseeing in San Diego? Purchase a Go San Diego Card to save on sightseeing costs!
2 Days in San Diego Itinerary
Day 1: Old Town, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Little Italy
Stop 1: Visit Old Town San Diego
For your first stop on your 2 day San Diego itinerary, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Old Town San Diego. This is the perfect place to begin your time in this city, since it is, in fact, the city’s original downtown and is even the birthplace of California as we know it today.
Old Town was the site of the first Spanish settlement on the U.S. West Coast, so as you visit you can take some time to explore this complicated and sometimes fraught history. But Old Town isn’t just about the past…it’s also a vibrant and bustling place to explore in the present!
Both Old Town and Old Town State Historic Park have plenty of fun things to see and do. You can enjoy eating delicious food and going on an Old Town, Tequila, and Tortillas tour if you like, as well as exploring other specialty shops and restaurants on your own. There’s also a Hop on Hop Off Bus tour you can take if you’re interested in hearing about Old Town’s history as you explore this part of the city by bus.
Old Town also offers some interesting historical places to visit, such as the first office of the San Diego Union Newspaper, the fascinating and haunted Whaley House, and the Seeley Stable Museum. Visiting sites like these will give you first-hand insight into the history and stories that have made San Diego what it is today!
Any list of what to see in San Diego in 2 days wouldn’t be complete without a stop by this delightful part of the city, so be sure to add this to your list during your two day visit to San Diego!
Stop 2: Explore Balboa Park
Your San Diego 2 days itinerary should also include a stop at one of my favorite places in San Diego—the 1,200 acre Balboa Park! This park is an urban cultural park, so besides outdoor spaces and gardens you’ll also find some really amazing buildings and museums to explore.
This park is in the heart of San Diego and is the largest urban cultural park in North America. You could easily spend a whole day here exploring! But with only two days in San Diego, you’ll probably want to choose just a few things to visit and then move on to other San Diego sights to see.
You can enjoy urban hiking trails, going to museums and theaters, seeing delightful gardens, and more. It’s hard to decide what to do, but you can find a full list of museums and attractions in Balboa Park here to help you decide. (Some of my favorites to visit include the Japanese Friendship Garden and the Air & Space Museum).
While Balboa Park is free to visit, note that many of the museums and themed gardens charge an entrance fee. If you plan to visit any of these museums and follow the rest of this San Diego trip itinerary, then you’ll find that purchasing a Go San Diego Card is an excellent choice to save money on your sightseeing costs by paying one flat fee instead of paying for admission to each place individually. But whether you come to visit some of the areas that charge admission or simply enjoy the ambiance and the free sights, Balboa Park will be an exciting part of your San Diego two days vacation!
Stop 3: See the San Diego Zoo
If you’re looking for the most popular sights to see in San Diego, then you’ll want to add the world-famous San Diego Zoo to your San Diego 2 day trip. This zoo draws in visitors from all around the world to see the spectacular animals in its care, as well as contributing to conservancy efforts across the globe.
Whether you’re interested in giraffes, elephants, polar bears, leopards, or more unusual creatures, the zoo is a treat to visit for both adults and kids. You could easily spend the entire day here…and if you like, you can modify this itinerary to do just that. If you choose to spend the whole day here, it’s cheaper to buy individual zoo tickets but if you’re only spending part of the day here and plan to see other San Diego attractions then it is far cheaper to buy the Go San Diego Card, which includes zoo admission.
Not interested in visiting the zoo? Consider other popular San Diego attractions like SeaWorld or the Safari Park.
Stop 4: Wander Through Little Italy
As the last stop of the day on the first of your 2 days San Diego itinerary, Little Italy is the perfect place to wander for a bit, get dinner, and enjoy the evening. It’s one of my favorite neighborhoods in San Diego, as it’s a little upscale and perfect for a romantic afternoon/evening stroll!
There are a lot of fun food options here, many of which are (unsurprisingly) Italian…but some of the good options include Napizza (delicious pizza by the slice), Underbelly (amazing ramen), and the Queenstown Public House (a New Zealand restaurant). Of course, you’ll also want to stop by Salt and Straw afterwards for the best ice cream ever!
There are also lots of fun little stores along Little Italy to enjoy exploring as well as some cute historic homes. And if you happen to be here on a Wednesday or Saturday, you might want to consider stopping by this area earlier in the day for the delightful Farmers’ Market (called Little Italy Mercato) that is held from 8am-2pm.
But regardless of where you decide to eat here or when you decide to visit, Little Italy will capture your heart with its romantic charm! You won’t want to miss adding this to your San Diego travel itinerary.
Day 2: Torrey Pines, La Jolla, Sunset Cliffs
Stop 1: Hike at Torrey Pines State Reserve
When trying to see the best sights in San Diego in two days, you won’t want to neglect exploring some of the amazing outdoor places around the city. One of these places is Torrey Pines State Reserve and the adjacent Torrey Pines State Beach.
For the first stop on your second day, you will want to add hiking at Torrey Pines to your itinerary for San Diego. This beautiful 2,000 acre coastal park offers up several amazing trails to choose from! I particularly enjoy taking the Beach Trail which will take you on a fun hike ending at the beach below the cliffs.
If you have the time, spend some time hiking in the reserve and then enjoy playing on the beach and in the ocean below…or you can simply enjoy a morning hike and then move on to your next stop. Either way, this is an unforgettably beautiful stop for your San Diego vacation itinerary!
Stop 2: Enjoy the Beach at La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores
Your list of things to see in San Diego in 2 days wouldn’t be complete without visiting some of the most popular beach areas in the city, so next up on your itinerary you should stop by La Jolla Cove or La Jolla Shores.
These two main beach areas in La Jolla offer up some of the best things to do at San Diego beaches. You’ll find La Jolla Shores to be a more traditional sandy beach for surfing, playing in the sand, etc. Meanwhile, La Jolla Cove is a great place to go for snorkeling, kayaking, and enjoy other exciting water activities.
If you decide to visit the cove during your 2 days in San Diego, then you should be sure to take an incredible kayaking tour of the sea caves. It’s also fun to stop by the Children’s Pool to see the seals (especially between December-May when there are seal pups!). And if you decide to visit the shores, then playing in the water and taking a surfing lesson are both must-dos!
So depending on what type of San Diego beach adventure you’re interested in, the coves or the shores (or both) would be excellent places to go. You’ll want to block off a good amount of time on this day to enjoy the sand and the sun, as it is so quintessentially San Diego!
Stop 3: Watch Sunset at Sunset Cliffs
After a day spent outside hiking and enjoying the beach, you have one more outside activity to add to your 2 day itinerary. San Diego visits just wouldn’t be complete without watching one of the glorious sunsets we have to offer here!
There are lots of amazing places to enjoy watching the sunset, but one of my favorite places is Sunset Cliffs. As the name suggests, this is a particularly beautiful place at sunset! You can sit atop the cliffs and overlook the ocean as both the cliffs and the water begin to glow as the sun goes down.
You’ll likely see locals with a blanket, a picnic, or doing yoga here as the sun sets, so you can do the same or just enjoy taking a stroll along the cliffs. San Diego Sunsets are unforgettable and so this is one activity you won’t want to miss!
Want an even more exciting sunset activity? Consider taking a San Diego sunset cruise!
Additional San Diego Sights for Your Two Day San Diego Itinerary
The above San Diego itinerary 2 days list includes my recommended itinerary for seeing some of the best of San Diego in your short time in the city, you may find that one or more of the activities are not to your taste. If this is the case, then feel free to substitute a different activity or sight in its place. Here are a few you may wish to consider:
Experience Belmont Park
There are a lot of things to see and do in San Diego, but Belmont Park is a super fun place to visit. It’s San Diego’s very own beach-side amusement park!
Here you’ll find a lot of fun rides, but the most famous attraction here is the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster. The Giant Dipper is a wooden roller coaster that was designed in 1925 by the famous roller coaster designers Frank Prior and Frederick Church.
There is no entrance fee to get into Belmont, but you do have to pay to ride the specific attractions you choose (although the flat rate Go San Diego Card does offer you free rides here, so if you decide to purchase it be sure to take advantage of this). This is a definitely a fun place to add to your San Diego itinerary!
Shop at the Fashion Valley Mall
For those who love to shop on vacation, the Fashion Valley Mall is a place you simply must go! This upscale, open-air shopping mall is the largest mall in San Diego and one of the largest in California.
It’s filled with luxury and designer brands including Gucci, Luis Vuitton, Prada, Ted Baker, and more. There are also amazing and large versions of common mall shops like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Macy’s. There’s even a huge Apple store and a Tesla store! You can check out a full list of stores here.
But beyond shopping, Fashion Valley is also just a really nice place to walk and explore. There’s lots of seating throughout the open air sections of the mall (and even outdoor fireplaces to sit around when it’s cold!). If you’re not used to such luxury in your shopping experiences, you’ll feel like you’ve walked into another world…and if you are used to luxury, you’ll feel right at home! So don’t forget to add this to your list of fun things to see in San Diego!
Go to the Gaslamp Quarter
If you’re looking for more nightlife activities, the Gaslamp Quarter is the place to go. Here you’ll find clubs, bars, dancing, and more…it’s a very lively evening scene and perfect for those looking for a night out!
I personally prefer areas like Little Italy and North Park, but if clubbing is your scene then you will likely really enjoy a visit to the Gaslamp Quarter. So if this sounds up your alley, then be sure to add this to your list of what to see and do in San Diego!
Looking for more possible activities for your two days in San Diego? Check out this San Diego bucket list!
San Diego Two Day Itinerary Map
This map shows you the locations of all the places mentioned on this two day San Diego itinerary to help you navigate the city. Day one attractions are magenta, while day two attractions are green and additional attractions are in gray.
Restaurants to Try During Your 2 Days in San Diego
The San Diego food scene is a amazing, so during your two days here you won’t want to miss trying some of the best food on offer! While you could likely run into an amazing restaurant around any corner, here are a few of my favorite places in the city:
- Phil’s BBQ: This landmark of a San Diego restaurant is one you won’t want to miss as the food here is out of this world! If you decide to eat here at high time for lunch or dinner, be prepared for a long line out the door as locals and visitors alike wait to order their meals before taking a seat. While everything on the menu is delicious, my favorites here are the Baby Back Ribs and the El Toro Sandwich.
- The Fish Market: Looking for delicious seafood? The Fish Market is an excellent choice! The food is great and the restaurant sits right on the waterfront, so you’ll have gorgeous views over the ocean while you eat. While you can’t go wrong with any choice you make, some of my favorites I’ve enjoyed here include their New England Clam Chowder and Pacific Thresher Shark.
- C Level: C Level is another spectacular waterfront dining option, although definitely a bit more on the pricey side. However, the food and atmosphere here make it worth it! If you decide to eat at C Level, be sure to try their Lobster & Fontina BLT Sandwich.
- Liberty Public Market: The Public Market at Liberty Station is an excellent place to go for a variety of restaurants in one convenient location. You can wander through the market and choose any food your heart desires! The ramen shop and the crepe shop are two of my favorite places to eat here, but you’ll find plenty of other options as well.
How to Save Money on San Diego Sightseeing
When you are visiting San Diego for a short time like 2 days, you are likely to visit a lot of attractions in a short space of time. If this is the case with your itinerary, then I highly recommend buying a city pass to save money on your sightseeing costs.
To do this, you can simply purchase a 1 or 2 day San Diego Pass and then use it to gain entrance to places and activities across the city. Some of the attractions available include the museums in Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, and going snorkeling, surfing, whale watching, and plenty more amazing activities!
When paying the flat fee for the Go San Diego 2 day pass, you’ll save up to 55% off of what you would spend paying entrance fees individually. Of course, this depends on how many activities you do each day…so check out your itinerary and do the math to see if this pass will help you out financially. If you follow the itinerary suggested here, then it will be an excellent investment for the first day of your San Diego trip.
Purchase your Go San Diego Card now to save on your San Diego sightseeing costs!
Getting Around San Diego – Transport Options
Wondering how to get around San Diego during your two day trip? Here are a few options you will want to consider:
Car: Exploring by car is possibly the best way to get around San Diego, simply because of the ease of transport and the fact that you can travel where you want to go directly. This is how I usually get around the city, but parking can be difficult in some places…especially on the weekends. So if you bring your own car, be prepared to spend some time looking for parking especially near the more crowded tourist spots in the city! Also be prepared to pay for street or garage parking in most places.
Circuit: Circuit (previously called FRED) is a free ride system that runs throughout San Diego City and is one of my favorite modes of transportation when I don’t have my own car at hand. To use this transportation method, you simply download the free app and then type in your destination. Then a driver will show up in a little electronic vehicle and take you to the destination you’ve selected in the app! It’s easy, free, and fun…although tips are accepted and appreciated if you’d like to tip your driver.
Uber: Uber is always a great option when you don’t have your own car and need to get somewhere quickly. This is a little more expensive than Circuit, but if you feel more comfortable using Uber then it is still an excellent transportation method for San Diego.
Trolley: The San Diego trolley system is also a good method of transportation if you’d like to take public transport during your time here. You can check out the trolley system and schedule here. Of course, with only two days in San Diego, you will want to weigh whether the benefits like the low cost of public transport outweigh the detriments like not going directly between your destinations. You’ll want to make sure you aren’t wasting too much of your precious sightseeing time on getting between different locations!
Two Days in San Diego – Where to Stay the Night
When staying for two days in San Diego, you’ll have to choose somewhere to stay the night. There are a lot of amazing hotel options in San Diego, but here are a few of the best:
- Hotel del Coronado – Luxury stay near the beach
- Hilton San Diego Mission Valley – Comfortable mid-range accommodation
- Pendry San Diego – Boutique hotel in Downtown San Diego
Read next: What to Pack for a Trip to San Diego
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