Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in San Diego?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in San Diego?
Most people spend at least 3 or as many as 5 days in San Diego during their visit. The hip coastal city offers amazing highlights such as the beaches, the famous sights and museums, the hiking, and the cuisine.
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 one or two weeks 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 one week enough time in San Diego?
With one week at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that San Diego has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use San Diego as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the beaches, the famous sights and museums, and the hiking at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend a week 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.
It's worth around 2 hours for La Jolla Cove. Entry is free. It's known for its stunning ocean views, abundant sea lion population, and excellent opportunities for snorkeling and diving.
It's worth around 3 hours for Coronado Beach. Entry is free. It's known for its sparkling mica-laden sand and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean along with historic Hotel del Coronado.
Mission Beach is worth visiting for around 4 hours, which is great for families and couples. Known for its wide sandy beach, vibrant boardwalk, and Belmont Park amusement park, entry is free.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Fat Woody Coronado Beach Cruiser Experience ($159)
- Cali Dreaming Electric Bike Tour of La Jolla and Pacific Beach ($99)
- Glow Nightime Pedal Boat Rental in San Diego Bay ($105)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this coastal city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. 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:
- $99 Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tours - DayTrip to baja from San Diego ($123)
- Walking food tour + Round trip ferry to Coronado Island ($125)
- Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tour ($249)
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.
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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl ($13)
- Hillcrest: LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl with Local Drag Queen ($35)
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.
USS Midway Museum is worth visiting for around 3 hours, which is great for families. Known for its extensive collection of restored naval aircraft and immersive displays aboard a historic aircraft carrier, entry is $26.
Point Loma Lighthouse is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for anyone. Known for its historic lighthouse and stunning panoramic views of San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean, entry is $15.
A few tour suggestions include:
- USS Midway Museum Admission-Valid any date! ($39)
- Maritime Museum of San Diego Admission Ticket ($28)
- USS Midway Museum Entry Ticket ($60)
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.
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:
- Guided Meditation and Mountain Hike Tour in San Diego ($62)
- 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:
- Deluxe Sunset & Day Sail Small Group ($119)
- 2.5 Hour Private Sunset Sailing Tour in San Diego up to 12 guests ($90)
- Glow Nightime Pedal Boat Rental in San Diego Bay ($105)
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:
- Snorkel San Diego's Mission Bay with a Marine Biologist ($60)
- Snorkeling Adventure in La Jolla ($55)
- Two Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour for Two in La Jolla ($199)
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.
San Diego is large enough to spend at least a full day exploring the local neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. The city feels like a small city with a number of interesting neighborhoods, each with its own personality.
Make sure to set aside around 3 hours for Gaslamp Quarter, which is free. It's great for couples and is known for its vibrant nightlife, historic Victorian architecture, dining, and entertainment options.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for Seaport Village. It's a nice activity for families and couples and is known for its charming waterfront setting with eclectic shops, dining options, and live entertainment. It's free.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Fat Woody Coronado Beach Cruiser Experience ($159)
- Glow Nightime Pedal Boat Rental in San Diego Bay ($105)
- San Diego Harbor Cruise on the largest Catamaran in San Diego! ($55)
As the live music scene is so popular in San Diego, make sure you spend another evening finding more of the area's best places to take in a show. Often, many of the local venues are near one another, so you can hop from place to place.
San Diego offers a charming atmosphere that's hard to find anywhere else. Spend part of the day exploring the scenery. The Gaslamp District maintains some of its historic charm.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Historic La Jolla Walking Tour ($70)
- Little Italy Food and Drink Walking Tour: Pizza, Pasta & Piazzas ($90)
- Intro to Mexico Walking Tour: Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego ($73)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in San Diego.
Is 2 weeks enough time in San Diego?
Two weeks is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to San Diego, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Enjoy the chance to swim at the beach, explore the museums and famous sights, get out into nature, and sample the delicious cuisine on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use San Diego as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
San Diego, California
How to spend 2 weeks in San Diego
Having 2 weeks in San Diego will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the coastal city.
Shopping in San Diego is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Head to Fashion Valley or Westfield UTC for some fun shopping. There are suburban shopping malls in the area as well as souvenir shops in the more touristy areas.
A few tour suggestions include:
- San Diego Shopping Tour to Las Amercias Outlet ($42)
- Private Shopping Tour from San Diego to Las Americas Outlets ($242)
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.
After you've explored most of San Diego, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Intro to Mexico Walking Tour: Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego ($73)
- Mexican Street Food: Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego ($129)
- Crossing Borders: Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego ($93)
As the live music scene is so popular in San Diego, make sure you spend another evening finding more of the area's best places to take in a show. Often, many of the local venues are near one another, so you can hop from place to place.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around San Diego, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in San Diego.
San Diego is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.
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.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around San Diego. Plenty of amazing options are available.
As the live music scene is so popular in San Diego, make sure you spend another evening finding more of the area's best places to take in a show. Often, many of the local venues are near one another, so you can hop from place to place.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in San Diego.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around San Diego, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
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.
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