How to Spend the Perfect Day in San Diego + Full Itinerary

San Diego is the perfect destination in California, with amazing weather year-round and countless adventures, ranging from hiking and museums to restaurants and beaches. While you could create dozens of perfect days in San Diego (and I may make more in the future), here is how I spent my last visit to the city. Let me know what I left off in the comments.

North Park

First, we head to North Park, a cultural hub where creativity and craft beer collide. Art spills from the galleries, local coffee shops buzz with anticipation of the day, and murals color the streets with urban poetry. Some of our favorite stops there are Pigment for shopping and Verbatim Books for one of the coolest bookstores you have ever seen. If you want coffee, head to Holsom and get one of their cold brews.

Balboa Park

Next, we move towards Balboa Park, one of the state’s best collections of museums with dozens of different options on one campus. Here, you can visit one of the best zoos in the world, marvel at the Air and Space Museum, learn about humanity’s past at the Museum of Us, and even go to the Comic-Con Museum. You could spend a whole day just exploring Balboa Park.

USS Midway

The USS Midway Museum is our next stop, an embodiment of courage floating in the San Diego Bay. As you walk the decks of this grand vessel, stories of bravery course through each exhibit. The boat is like a maze with so much to see it is hard even to figure out where you have already been. Before leaving, take advantage of the upper deck, where you get fantastic skyline views and can see many planes on display.

Unconditional Surrender

Stroll along the waterfront next to the USS Midway, and you’ll find yourself caught in the eternal embrace of the Unconditional Surrender statue, a snapshot of love’s timeless victory over war. It is a popular photo spot but a great stop along the water. You can also see a Bob Hope Statue here as well.

Tacos El Gordo

As the midday sun reigns high, head to Taco El Gordo, my favorite taco shop in San Diego. The line might be a mile long, but that only signals the promise of what lies ahead – an authentic taste of Tijuana that weaves a culinary spell with each bite. You cannot leave without trying the adobada taco, it is all I ever get there now.

Werewolf

If you are looking for a more upscale lunch, head to Werewolf. Standing sentinel in the Gaslamp Quarter, Werewolf offers a twist on the American pub, focusing on its trendy brunch items. It can also be hectic since the spot is small, but it is worth the wait.

Old Town San Diego

After lunch, step back in time at Old Town San Diego, where the spirits of the 1800s still dance on the Adobe bricks. Meander through historic buildings at the state park, walk the rows of shops with all sorts of souvenirs, or dare to enter the Whaley House, reportedly the most haunted house in the US.

Sunset Cliffs

As the sun begins to set, no spot is more fitting for the final act of the day than Sunset Cliffs. Perch upon the ancient cliffs as you watch the sun stoop low over the horizon. I recommend going to the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park and heading towards the stairs that take you down to the water. The views here are incredible; it is undoubtedly a sunset you will never forget.

Mothership

To end the night, head to Mothership for a drink and a few small bites. With a fun story of an astronaut crew sojourning on a distant planet, the bar looks like something out of your favorite sci-fi novel when you walk in. It is a total blast to get lost in the ambiance and the perfect way to end your day in San Diego.

So there you have it, the perfect day in one of Americas best big cities. Be sure to let me know what I left off in the comments!