Quick Link: Brood-Approved Travel Recommendations in San Diego

We’re from San Francisco, but if you ask anyone in our family what their next choice would be in California, it would be a unanimous answer: San Diego! From it’s sprawling beaches and enviable weather, this really isn’t a shocker!

A friend of ours asked us to list our must-dos on a 3-day trip to San Diego and surrounding area. A full week isn’t enough for us here, so this was a tough one! If we must make the choice, here’s our 3-day itinerary. Note that we’ve intentionally skipped out San Diego Zoo and Sea World. Another note: most of our attraction recommendations are– wait for it– KID-FRIENDLY & FREE.

The Traveling Brood in San Diego

IN THE MORNING: BALBOA PARK
Start your day in the jewel of San Diego, Balboa Park. Much like NYC’s Central Park, Balboa Park is a large green space in the heart of San Diego. It is home to several museums, theaters, gardens and recreational areas (including the San Diego Zoo). You can spend your 3 days here and still not see everything, so we suggest picking 1 or 2 attractions: our young kids like the Fleet Science Center and the Natural History Museum, which also happen to be across each other. If you’re on a budget — fret not! Balboa Park has a lot of free walking trails you can enjoy or just simply walk around the museum path and marvel at the architecture and greenery. If you’re heading there in early December, don’t miss the annual “December Nights” event, when museum admissions are free for all!

LUNCH: GASLAMP QUARTER
Not only is the Gaslamp Quarter a historic attraction with Victorian-era buildings, it’s also bustling with some of the city’s best restaurants and nightlife. Grab lunch at either La Puerta or Werewolf.

EARLY AFTERNOON: EMBARCADERO & SEAPORT VILLAGE
Spend a few hours walking along the Embarcadero and enjoying the city and bay views. If you’re a naval history buff, drop by the Maritime or Midway Museum. Continue all the way to Seaport Village for shopping, light snacks and free street entertainment.

DUSK & DINNER: CORONADO
Drive across the Coronado bridge to the island of Coronado. It’s an idyllic city known for its sandy white beaches and the iconic Hotel del Coronado (the red-roofed resort in Marilyn Monroe’s “Some Like It Hot”). Traipse along the boardwalk a la Marilyn or grab a friend and play beach volleyball while waiting for the sunset. Have dinner at the resort or nearby Leroy’s Kitchen.

MORNING: OLD TOWN STATE HISTORIC PARK
Take a step back in time and get a glimpse of San Diego in the Mexican and early American era. Old Town State Historic Park is a complex of historic buildings from 1820-1870 and showcases San Diego’s Mexican heritage. Just pick up a map and take a tour of the park on your own. There’s an activity every day of the week, from costumed volunteers, to cooking demonstrations to storytelling!

LUNCH: HILLCREST
In San Francisco, we have the Castro District. In San Diego, it’s the Hillcrest — a quirky, lively, LGBTQ-friendly neighborhood that also has some of the best eats in the city. We love the eggs benedict and pancakes at Snooze, the desserts at Extraordinary Desserts, or the eclectic selection at Hash House A Go Go.

AFTERNOON: CABRILLO NATIONAL MONUMENT
Drive up to Cabrillo National Monument for unbeatable views of San Diego. Make sure to visit the Point Loma Lighthouse, and bring some binoculars for some whale-spotting!

DINNER: LIBERTY STATION PUBLIC MARKET
Set in a revamped Navy building, the Liberty Public Market is a collection of trendy eateries and shops. From fried oyster po-boys, Mastiff bratwurst and Parana empanadas, this is a mecca for food enthusiasts. It’s also a great spot to try some of San Diego’s beer at Stone Brewery.

MORNING: TORREY PINES STATE NATURAL RESERVE
Spend the morning hiking at Torrey Pines State Park amidst Torrey pine trees endemic to San Diego. Drop by the visitor center to get a trail map as well as a “discovery” bingo card for kids to hunt stuff along the trails. Then cool off after your hike at the beach!

LUNCH: DEL MAR BEACH
Start your afternoon of beach-hopping with lunch by the coast. There’s Jake’s right on Del Mar’s City Beach, or cocktails at the patio of the historic L’Auberge del Mar, or walk up to Prepkitchen for a satisfying lunch. An even better idea — go for a picnic on the beach!

AFTERNOON: LA JOLLA BEACH
La Jolla boasts some of San Diego’s best beaches, from La Jolla Shores to Bird Rock. Just pick a spot and spend the afternoon doing what San Diegans do, chill at the beach.

DINNER: LA JOLLA
La Jolla is also home to several chic and trendy restaurants. End your vacation viewing the sunset over dinner at George’s on the Cove.

IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME...

 

STAY:

• Comfortable – Hyatt Regency La Jolla 
• Splurge – L’Auberge Del Mar 
• Budget – Comfort Inn, Gaslamp 

EAT:

• Liberty Station Public Market
• George’s on the Cove (La Jolla)
• Snooze, an AM eatery (Hillcrest and Del Mar)
• Extraordinary Desserts (Hillcrest and Little Italy)
• Prepkitchen (Del Mar)

DO:

• Balboa Park
• Gaslamp District
• San Diego Harbor Drive and Seaport Village
• Coronado
• Old Town State Park
• Hillcrest
• Cabrillo National Monument
• Liberty Station Public Market
• Torrey Pines State Reserve
• La Jolla Beach
• Del Mar Beach

SHOP:

• Trinkets at Old State Park
• Fashion finds at Hillcrest
• Venissimo Cheese, Downtown San Diego