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Do you want to explore San Diego and not sure what are the best things to do? Then, I have prepared the perfect San Diego bucket list to make your trip easier, entertaining, and unforgettable. This bucket list is ideal for a 2-4 days or short San Diego weekend getaway.

 

This San Diego bucket list will help you see all the best places in San Diego quickly.

 

San Diego is the second-largest city in California, located in the south. It is well known for its white-sand beaches and mild climate. San Diego is so close to the Mexican border and has the best tacos I ever ate :).

It is good to know that although the average weather in San Diego is fantastic, it is subject to wildfires in the dry season. Be Prepared!

 

I fell in love with San Diego from the first minute I got out of the taxi. I had an unusual feeling about this city at that moment; it is hard to explain, but I just thought of something special in my heart.

 

This city was so different from Los Angeles or San Francisco, and I thought I would even want to move there one day.

Check out my San Diego bucket list for the best travel experience.

What to Do Before Going to San Diego, California

• PACK LIGHT. The high summer range is in the upper 70°F, while winter lows are in the high 50s. No need for heavy coats or any other than winter wear—even when visiting in January. Summer is pretty hot.
• San Diego is very close to the Mexican border. If you plan to go to Mexico, don’t forget your documents (a green card or your passport).

Best Places to Stay in San Diego

If you are a budget traveler, I always suggest staying in hostels. I do it myself, and I have a good experience most of the time. This time I chose the Hi San Diego Downtown Hostel. It was the best experience so far.

 

The location was perfect and within walking distance of many sightseeing places. It was clean; it had many good amenities and many bathrooms on the floor (which is very important for us girls :), so we did not have to wait in line to shower.

 

The people in San Diego are charming. Do not hesitate to ask if you ever need help with directions or get a suggestion for places to eat or visit.

If you like staying in private apartments instead, I suggest checking apartments with water views in San Diego.

The Best Bucket List Activities to Explore San Diego

Best Things to Do and See in San Diego, California

1. La Jolla

You can’t leave San Diego without visiting La Jolla shores. This is the most famous San Diego tourist spot. It is a coastal neighborhood in San Diego that offers fabulous beaches full of marine life, spectacular views, and entertainment. It is one of the top beach destinations in the world, which even has its nickname, “Jewel”.

 

If you ever want to learn how to surf, it can be your best place, as the reefs cause the waves to break most of the time. Most of the sights in La Jolla in walking distance. You can park your car and walk. That is how we experienced it. My favorite parts of La Jolla were:

 

• Scripps Pier is the best place to take pictures of La Jolla.
• Children’s pool. This is a part of La Jolla, San Diego, where you can see the residence of seals. It was my first time seeing seals so close, and they were so cute, lying on the rocks and enjoying the sun and their families.

2. Balboa Park, San Diego

It is a cultural place with many museums, San Diego’s famous Zoo, and plenty of gardens. It is one more must-see on your visit. We explored the area by bike, which was very convenient as we didn’t have to look for parking, and the trip was free of stress :).

 

Renting a bike was so easy. We just found the nearest location of bike-sharing stations, and it was not too far from the Zoo.

 

The park is extensive, and you might spend a day there. Plan your time accordingly. Some attractions in the park are offered for no fee, and for some, you will need to pay (prices vary). If you plan to visit more than one attraction, it might be worth buying a pass.

 

This is a perfect place to spend time alone or with family, as it offers a lot of different attractions for everybody. There are always various options.

 

3. San Diego Bay Harbor

One of the best and not-miss things to do in San Diego is to enjoy the amazing skyline views. To get that experience, you must visit San Diego Bay (Harbor). My favorite way to enjoy the Bay beauty is by walking, looking at the water, and enjoying it because it helps me relax and clear my mind.

4. Gaslamp Quarter

Visit the historic Gaslamp Quarter Downtown. It is a modern area with many shops, galleries, and restaurants.

 

Check out more things to do in downtown San Diego.

 

5. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

Watch a sunset at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. The best place to see the sunset, especially for couples. So romantic :). If you happen to be in San Diego during the gray whale migration season (from mid-December through April), you will get an excellent chance to watch them.

 

Get your San Diego Pass here and save Up to 55% on Top Attractions.

 

6. Coronado Island

Visit Coronado Island. The best way to get there will be a Coronado Ferry from the San Diego waterfront to Ferry Landing. You will experience the iconic 15-minute ride for $5 per ride. 

• You can walk in a cute small downtown with lovely shops and places to eat. Or sit by the water. There are a lot of benches with a nice view.
• Check out Coronado Beach. It is considered one of the best beaches in San Diego. It is comprehensive, with clean, fine white sand.
• Visit the Hotel del Coronado. If you like art, it is an excellent place to enjoy historical exhibits and photographs.
• Rent a bike or four-wheeled, pedal-powered surreys (if you travel with a company) and observe the city and nearest areas.

 

7. Taste Great Food

Eat the most famous San Diego food: tacos. San Diego offers a wide variety of fresh seafood tacos. I’ve tried shrimp tacos, and they were so delicious.

 

8. Visit the Biggest Zoo in the USA

I highly suggest exploring the San Diego Zoo if you like outdoor activities. It is known as the #1 Zoo in the world. It is a bit pricey (the 1-day pass will cost $56 for adults and $46 for a child), but it is worth it. Founded over 100 years ago and has more than 3,500 animals. If you wonder how long it takes to see San Diego Zoo, I recommend planning at least 3-4 hours for exploring. 

 

9. Mount Soledad

Get a 360-degree panoramic view of San Diego from Mount Soledad. Mount Soledad is primarily located in La Jolla, with the southern side residing in Pacific Beach. Known chiefly for its veterans memorial, it offers the best city view. It is the best place to watch sunrises and sunsets or enjoy the view in daylight or at night.

 

Los Angeles or San Francisco are the best places to travel near San Diego by taking road trips, as it offers the best weather and incredible views.

 

If you also plan to go on a road trip after visiting San Diego, I suggest you check this 8 Bucket List Road trips from the Los Angeles article. This article will give you an idea about things to do near San Diego.

Getting Around in San Diego

Traveling in San Diego is easy, thanks to a wide variety of transport. If you plan to explore outside of the San Diego area, renting a car is best. However, if you want to go to central San Diego, it is better to use public transportation, a bike, or Uber.

 

If you’re staying in and around the Southern part of San Diego, Downtown, Mission Valley, or just east of the city, the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), the bright red trolley, can be your choice. It is easy and fun to get around and enjoy lovely city views.

 

The city offers many choices for public transportation, such as buses. In addition, you can download an app and check the time and routes online.

 

Don’t miss local San Diego events when you visit. Find the San Diego events 2023 here.

 

Most FAQs About San Diego

• How San Diego is different from other California cities? San Diego is smaller than San Francisco or Los Angeles, which makes it quieter and safer. San Diego has great nature scenes, beautiful beaches, a better climate, and more.
• What is the most touristy area in San Diego? The most popular neighborhood in San Diego is the Gaslamp Quarter.
• Is San Diego ocean warm? The water temperature in the San Diego Ocean is low 70s in the summer. So for the summer, it is okay, but in non-summer months it can be as low as 50.

Final thoughts

My trip to San Diego was amazing. I liked everything I experienced there: the weather, food, the kindest people, and my hostel accommodation. There is so much more to see and to do in San Diego on your visit, but this bucket list is perfect if you stay there for 2-3 days. Have a nice trip!

 

Have you been to San Diego before? What did you like best? Or dislike? Have you taken advantage of any San Diego tours?

 

Please share in the comments section below.

 

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