Sandi Spots

3-Day San Diego Itinerary

A locals' plan for beaches, neighborhoods, food, and sunset views.

Day 1 — Icons & Downtown

8:00 AM — Breakfast in Little Italy (Cafe Moto or Morning Glory)
9:30 AM — Balboa Park: Botanical Building, El Prado, and 1-2 museums
12:30 PM — Lunch in Little Italy (Cesarina or Ironside)
3:00 PM — USS Midway Museum on the Embarcadero
6:00 PM — Harbor sunset + dinner in the Gaslamp Quarter

Day 2 — Beaches & Coastal Villages

8:00 AM — Morning swim at La Jolla Shores
10:30 AM — La Jolla Cove sea lions and the sea caves
12:30 PM — Tacos in La Jolla or PB (Oscar's Mexican Seafood)
2:30 PM — Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve hike
6:00 PM — Sunset at Sunset Cliffs, then dinner in Ocean Beach

Day 3 — Day Trip & Local Favorites

9:00 AM — Choose your day trip: Coronado, Tijuana, Julian, or Temecula
12:30 PM — Local lunch (Coronado ferry landing, Tijuana tacos, Julian apple pie)
3:00 PM — Explore the chosen destination at a relaxed pace
6:00 PM — Final San Diego sunset and farewell dinner

Packing Checklist

☐ Layers (mornings can be cool) ☐ Sunscreen + hat + sunglasses ☐ Beach towel + swimsuit ☐ Comfortable walking shoes ☐ Reusable water bottle ☐ Light jacket for sunset ☐ Portable phone charger ☐ Valid ID / passport for Tijuana