You only have one day in San Diego, and you want to see it all, but time is not your friend. What should you do? We’ve got you covered!
San Diego is known for its history as the first Spanish settlement in California.
It’s also known for its beautiful beaches and fantastic amusement parks, but those are not the only things that make this city a fantastic getaway for families.
But maybe you’re just taking a break from all of the things to do in Orange County or you have time after a Disney trip and you only have one day to enjoy this border city. We’ll, that’s where we come in to help!
There are so many things to do in San Diego that it’s hard to decide how to spend your one day.
If we had to choose this is how we would spend it:
- San Diego Zoo in the morning
- Old Town San Diego in the afternoon
- Sunset dinner and dessert in Seaport Village
But of course, there are plenty of other options!
So, how should you spend your San Diego day trip with your family? The guide below will give some ideas on the best ways to spend your day, depending on your interests.
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One Day in San Diego
Option One: Balboa Park
Balboa Park started off as a simple city park in the mid-late 1800s. However, San Diego hosted the Panama-California Exposition in 1915, and Balboa Park got a makeover, making it look much like it does today.
Balboa Park is so beautiful. It’s one of the best reasons to visit San Diego. And there is so much to do within the park it’ll fill your whole day!
If your family loves museums, beautiful architecture, and gardens, you will find plenty to do in this area.
The San Diego Zoo is also on the Balboa Park property so you could split time between the zoo and the other attractions at Balboa Park.
There are several museums within Balboa Park, including the San Diego Air & Space Museum, the Comic-Con Museum, the Fleet Science Center, and the Natural History Museum. All of which are excellent to visit.
In addition to the museums, nature lovers won’t want to miss the Japanese Friendship Garden, the Botanical Building and Lily Pond, and the Alcazar Garden.
The one thing Balboa Park is limited in is food options. While a few museums have food options (that don’t require admission to the museum), most of the cafes and restaurants are located within the zoo.
If you’re interested in visiting Balboa Park during your one day in San Diego, the GoCity San Diego pass will be perfect. Ten of Balboa Park’s museums are included in the pass, as well as the San Diego Zoo. It’s a great deal if you plan on visiting the various museums.
Option Two: San Diego Zoo or Safari Park
Another way to spend your day in San Diego is to visit either the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Both places are enormous and will fill up the majority of your day. Although they are both run by the San Diego Zoo, they are two completely different experiences.
The San Diego Zoo is a more traditional zoo located within Balboa Park. As one of the largest zoos in the world, a visit to the San Diego Zoo will more than likely take up your entire day trip to San Diego, leaving you some time for dinner afterward.
In addition to visiting the animals, guests can take a guided bus tour of the zoo, watch animal presentations, and even fly high above the zoo on the Skyfari. There are also several places to eat throughout the zoo.
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is slightly different from the zoo, as guests can get closer to the animals with safari rides and the tram tour. There is even a zipline across the park! Like the zoo, there are several places to eat throughout the park.
Option Three: Explore the Harbor
San Diego has made the most of its waterfront with parks, museums, and restaurants along Harbor Drive. If you want a taste of San Diego and you only have a day to get it, the harbor is the perfect place!
There are several ships-turned-museums along Harbor Drive, so you and your family can learn a lot about life on the sea.
The Maritime Museum of San Diego and the Star of India are both excellent options, but we enjoyed our visit to the USS Midway Museum. You can easily spend 2-3 hours touring the ship.
If you’re interested in going out on the water, a cruise on the City Experiences by Hornblower allows guests to learn about the city from a beautiful vantage point.
After your day on the harbor, head over to the Seaport Village, where there are tons of shops and restaurants.
Great Add-On If You Have Extra Time
Old Town San Diego
Even though Old Town is suggested as an add-on and not a ‘must-do’, it doesn’t mean this area is any less unique and exciting.
Old Town San Diego is a state historic park with several shops, restaurants, and museums that depict what life was like during the mid-late 1800s.
It’s hard to dedicate a whole day to this fun historic park, but if you have extra time during your day, this is a place to fill it.
What Should You Skip If You Only Have One Day in San Diego?
Amusement Parks
If this is your first time visiting San Diego and you only have one day, skip the amusement parks. Unless you specifically are visiting San Diego specifically for an amusement park (but then you probably wouldn’t be reading this article).
Sure, Legoland, Sesame Place, and SeaWorld are all fun places to visit, but they should be skipped if you only have one day.
The Beach
Again, if you are only visiting San Diego to put your feet in the Pacific Ocean, then do it! The beach is lovely and La Jolla near San Diego is one of the best beach towns in California! There is nothing like sitting by the ocean and soaking up the sun.
However, if this isn’t your intention, don’t spend too much time with your toes in the sand. Though grabbing dinner at the Hotel del Coronado and walking on the beach afterward doesn’t sound too bad.
Food Options for Your One Day in San Diego
Spending a day in San Diego means you need to make plans for both lunch and dinner. And where you should eat depends on where you’ll spend your time!
Where to Eat in Balboa Park
Balboa Park has few food options. Quick options like Craveology at the Fleet Science Center or the Cafe in the Park inside the Casa del Balboa building offer options like sandwiches, salads, and some hot foods.
For a more formal, sit-down option, you’ll want to visit the Prado inside the House of Hospitality.
Where to Eat in the San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo has twenty different options for food that vary from popcorn carts to full-service, sit-down dining.
Depending on where you are in the zoo will determine where you’ll eat. These cafes and restaurants will be the busiest during the lunchtime rush, so plan accordingly.
Where to Eat on the San Diego Harbor
There are several restaurants along Harbor Drive that you can choose from for both lunch and dinner.
However, we recommend walking down to the Seaport Village. There you have several food options to choose from and many fun shops.
We enjoyed our dinner at the San Diego Pier Café and also the fantastic sunset views it offered.
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