San Diego in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

In 3 days you can take advantage of some of the best things to do in San Diego, a picturesque and multicultural city. To optimize your time, you should organize your itinerary. I suggest you take advantage of the days to visit the Historic District, Downtown and some of the main attractions of the Californian coast.

It is a U.S. city, located near the border with Mexico. Therefore, you will find a variety of legends, gastronomic proposals, craft and antique stores. You will also find the best beaches in San Diego, where fun is never lacking.

The Historic District preserves old facades dating back to the 1800's, and you can even take a look at the most popular haunted houses in the United States. In the area you can see iconic sites that are within walking distance. Some of San Diego 's best tours offer guided experiences.

Casa Estudillo

Casa Estudillo is one of the oldest houses in San Diego, dating back to 1857. It has a colonial style and is a must-see stop in the city's Casco Historico. It is a completely free experience, and even if you are driving, you can park nearby for free.

This house is one of the best museums in San Diego, it is located on Mason St and there are guided tours that take you inside. You can get there on the city bus line 83 that goes through India St and C St. Another option is the tourist streetcar that has a route through Santa Fe Depot.

Old Town Market

To continue your tour you can head down 4010 Twiggs Street to Old Town Market, it will take you less than a two minute walk. The Old Town Market offers a variety of stores, food passages, cultural performances, arts and crafts booths and much more. It will transport you to San Diego in the 1800s, as it preserves elements of the era.

Some of San Diego's best food tours take place in this area. Due to the Mexican influence, you will find many taco and burrito stands. Seafood, skewers on a stick, horchata and American pizza are also offered. It's outdoors, so I recommend wearing sunscreen.

Historic State Park

To continue visiting Casco Historico, you can go to the State Historic Park, considered one of the best museums in San Diego. It has a privileged location on the same street as the market and is interconnected with different transportation services. Here you will be able to see people wearing typical costumes from the 1800s.

Right next to it are the Seeley Stables that preserve collections of carriages that were used in the city. The street where the park is located is one of the busiest in the district, so you will find San Diego's first school and old telegraphs. Also, just steps away is the Union Museum, where you can learn how the first newspapers were printed.

Whaley House

One block from the State Historic Park is the Whaley House, located on San Diego Avenue. It is known for its mysterious stories and is part of the legends of the city. I recommend you take advantage of the best San Diego tours, which take you to discover the ghost hideouts of the largest haunted house in the United States.

At the Whaley House you can see preserved furniture and artifacts of great historical importance. In the afternoon it is usually not very crowded, so you can arrange a quick visit. In the hallways you will find spooky dolls and you can visit the souvenir store before leaving the place.

For the second day you can continue your adventure through Downtown, as this is where some of the best things to do in San Diego are hidden. You can stroll through trendy neighborhoods, visit the Padres stadium, tour museums and much more.

Little Bay

Little Italy or Little Italy is located in the northeast of the city, is an ethnic neighborhood that can not miss in your itinerary. It has a modern style, but retains the coastal air of California. In addition, it has a resemblance to Italy so you will feel like you are traveling through two countries at the same time. Along the streets you will find a variety of stores, markets and Italian restaurants.

You will even see replicas of Italian stores, similar to those you will find in major cities like Rome or Milan. Additionally, most of the year there are parties, celebrations and festivals. If you're planning things to do in San Diego in December, take advantage of the Christmas and winter events, which fill the streets with joy.

Cortez Hill

Downtown has a lot to offer, so next stop to the Cortez Hill neighborhood. It is located between the north and east, two minutes from Little Bay by car, cabs will take you from 5 euros. You can also walk there in less than fifteen minutes. Some of the things you can see in this area are:

• El Cortez Hotel: it is a hotel that was built in 1927, at that time it broke the record as the tallest building in San Diego. It holds relevant stories of the city and there are some renovated rooms where you can stay. It is a four-minute walk from downtown Cortez Hill.
• San Jose Cathedral: it was inaugurated in 1874 and masses are held in Spanish and English. The facade is very beautiful, and has been preserved over the years. To get there from the Hotel El Cortez you can drive less than two minutes down Beech St, or walk for about five minutes.
• Mission Beach: is one of the best beaches in San Diego, where you can surf, stroll along the harbor area, and take advantage of the amusement park that has an antique roller coaster. To get there from the cathedral, you can take the tourist streetcar or bus line 8, but it will take you fifty minutes. The best option is to take a cab for about 30 euros, you will arrive in less than ten minutes.

Seaworld San Diego

After exploring the Cortez Hill neighborhood, you can stop by SeaWorld. It is located in the same area, to get there you can take bus lines 8 and 9, it will take you about fifteen minutes. You can also take a cab from 12 euros. Here you will live aquatic experiences as a family, as there are many attractions, events and activities.

Some of the things you can do are:

• Enjoy a killer whale and dolphin show.
• Ride a roller coaster inspired by manta rays.
• Ride a roller coaster through the air and water.
• Get the best panoramic views from the SkyTower.
• Dare to use a simulator, which will make you feel like you're flying over the Arctic in a helicopter.
• Take advantage of the attractions for the little ones, ideal if you are looking for things to do in San Diego with kids.
• Feed the animals.
• Venture out on a guided tour of the water park.

SeaWorld is open year-round, but you can check the schedule on their website. Note that you will find tickets starting at 49 euros. However, there is a special pass from 89 euros that guarantees you access to all attractions for a week. It is an ideal option if you are planning to visit San Diego in 7 days or more.

San Diego Zoo

After enjoying a splash at Seaworld, you can head to the San Diego Zoo. It is located ten minutes away by car or cab, the best options to optimize your time. You can also take bus line 9 and change to the streetcar, however due to downtown traffic it can take about an hour.

It is one of the most important zoos in the United States, due to its antiquity and variety of species. You can find tickets from 66 euros, which usually offer access to all exhibits, transportation and a map to tour the zoo at your leisure. It is an ideal activity if you are looking for things to do in San Diego with children, as they will be able to explore more than 3500 animals.

Petco Park Stadium

After the magical stop at the zoo, it's time to check out Petco Park Stadium. This is where the San Diego Padres games take place. It has an imposing structure, where cultural events and concerts are also often held. It is located seven minutes from the zoo by cab or car, to save money you can take bus lines 3, 7 and 12 which take less than forty minutes.

At the stadium you can attend a game, but you must buy tickets in advance. One of the best things to do in San Diego is to take a guided tour of the stadium from 32 euros. This way you can see exclusive areas, such as the Hall of Fame, the Press Room, the players' locker room and more.

Gaslamp Quarter

In the late afternoon you can head to the Gaslamp Quarter, located a seven-minute walk from the stadium. It's a lively area known for its nightlife. Here you will find the best things to do at night in San Diego. You can stroll around and stop at clubs, cocktail bars and restaurants.

Some of the things you can do here are:

• Take a streetcar ride to make the most of your time.
• Join a gastronomic tour, as there are many small streets with regional food stalls.
• Visit Balboa Park, which offers green areas, ideal for relaxing.
• Visit some of San Diego's best museums, which are usually free on Tuesdays.
• Reserve tickets for a show at the Spreckels Theater.

To finish the itinerary, I invite you to visit other mythical places in San Diego. Near the coast you will find magical spaces, such as Coronado Island, La Jolla Cave, Encinitas and Poway. I also suggest you go in search of a bit of the city's naval history.

The third day itinerary is designed for you to disconnect and relax, while you explore the wonderful natural places that the city has to offer. To make transfers easier, you can rent a car to get to the sites faster.

Coronado Island

Coronado Island is a tropical paradise not to be missed, especially if you are looking for things to do in San Diego in the summer. There are many ways to get there in a short time, you can take a ferry for a ride across the Pacific. If you want to be more practical, just take the 901 bus line that takes twenty minutes, or take a car or cab to get there in less than eight minutes.

Here you can stay at the Hotel Coronado, known for its variety of seasonal activities. No matter if it's summer or winter, the island will always have fun events. You can also visit Glorietta Bay Park, again taking the 901 bus. It is a small beach, where no one will bother you.

La Jolla Cave

La Jolla Cave is one of the most beautiful places on the entire coast. In fact, it is one of the best things to do in San Diego during your trip. From Coronado Island I recommend taking a cab that will take you there in less than twenty minutes. This cave is subdivided into smaller ones, to find it you must descend 145 steps at Cave Store.

It is an ideal area for snorkeling and admiring the natural rock formations. Some caves are open around the clock, but I recommend you to go with a professional guide from 40 euros. There are also all-inclusive cruises that take you on this adventure.

Encinitas

You can continue your trip by heading to Encinitas, a small coastal town next to San Diego. To get there from the cave you can take a cab and be there in twenty minutes, use the train or bus lines 30 and 101, the trip usually takes about an hour. In this area you can visit the San Diego Botanical Garden, with a variety of native plants, you only have to take the bus line 304.

You can also walk along the historic highway 101, where very important movies have been filmed. Another mandatory stop is Legoland, one of the few Lego parks in the world. To get there you can use the 101 bus line.

Poway

To return to the suburbs of San Diego, I recommend that in the late afternoon you take a cab from Legoland to Poway. They usually cost about 80 euros, there are cheaper options from 6 euros, such as the streetcar or bus lines 101, 235, 237, 305, 445 and 945. Poway is another mini-city located in the San Diego suburbs.

Some of the best San Diego tours take you deep into the area, where you can enjoy outdoor shows, plays by PowPac Community Theatre or taste some of the best wines in town. You can also visit the Blue Sky Ecological Reserve which you can reach by foot or by car, it is located on a virgin hill, so it is ideal for hiking.

Thischarming city is completely worth the trip, as it has so much to offer. Having an organized itinerary will help you make the most of your time. If you want to continue walking the streets and enjoy more activities, I recommend staying at least 7 days in San Diego.