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Discover the Best of San Diego in 10 Days

Maria Mercedes Garcia De Paredes

13 Nov 2023

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Embark on an unforgettable journey through San Diego, exploring its iconic attractions and hidden gems. From world-class museums to stunning natural parks, this itinerary is designed to make the most of your 10-day adventure in the beautiful city of San Diego.

Trip to San Diego

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1

+

$294

·

$ 13

Fleet Science Center

Educational center with hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, an IMAX theater & interactive displays.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$131

11 - 14 min

~

Directions

USS Midway Museum

Life-at-sea exhibits, restored planes & flight simulators aboard this legendary aircraft carrier.

10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

$163

Day 2

+

$88

·

$ 13

Balboa Park

Sprawling outdoor destination is home to the city's renowned zoo, museums, gardens & more.

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

12 - 15 min

~

Directions

The New Children’s Museum

From creative classes to climbable sculptures, contemporary art for kids, in a bright, modern space.

12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$88

Day 3

+

$563

·

$ 25

Sesame Place San Diego

Family-friendly, Sesame Street-themed amusement park with rides, waterslides, parades & shows.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$375

29 - 35 min

~

Directions

Japanese Friendship Garden

Balboa Park's Japanese gardens have koi ponds, bonsai trees, garden tours & more.

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

•

$75

10 - 12 min

~

Directions

Maritime Museum of San Diego

Waterfront venue showcasing many types of restored vintage ships & historical exhibits.

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

•

$113

Day 4

+

$94

·

$ 13

San Diego Natural History Museum

Large natural history museum with rotating displays on animals, dinosaurs & earth science.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$94

4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Botanical Building

Domed building from the 1915 Panama-California Exposition & a garden with more than 2,000 plants.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

10 - 12 min

~

Directions

Spruce Street Suspension Bridge

Built in 1912, this hidden suspension footbridge provides views of the serene valley below.

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

•

Free

Day 5

+

$438

·

$ 13

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

Open-air museum about local life in the 1800s, with adobe buildings & interpretive performances.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

15 - 18 min

~

Directions

SeaWorld San Diego

Marine life shows, thrill rides, aquariums & up-close encounters with dolphins, penguins & more.

10:30 AM - 2:30 PM

•

$438

Day 6

+

$338

·

$ 25

Cabrillo National Monument

This historic lighthouse & national monument offers a storied history & views all the way to Mexico.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$94

24 - 29 min

~

Directions

Belmont Park

Vintage games, gift shops, rides & an iconic wooden roller coaster right next to the beach.

10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

$125

22 - 27 min

~

Directions

Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Interactive tide pools & exhibitions for all things under the sea in an oceanside building.

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

•

$119

Day 7

+

$75

·

$ 13

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Acres of oceanside trails for exploring or exercising while spotting occasional dolphins or bobcats.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$75

24 - 29 min

~

Directions

Mission Beach Boardwalk | Ocean Front Walk

Longtime beachfront boardwalk featuring shops, an old-school amusement park & ocean activities.

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

Day 8

+

$0

·

$ 38

La Jolla Cove

Popular with divers, this quaint beach houses permanent lifeguard stations, picnic tables & showers.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

Free

11 - 14 min

~

Directions

La Jolla Shores Park

2-block space steps away from the sand & waves offers grassy area & playgrounds.

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

10 - 12 min

~

Directions

Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial

Massive cross monument honoring American veterans, with plaques telling their stories.

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

27 - 33 min

~

Directions

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

Natural cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean offer views of the coast & the occasional cliff diver.

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

•

Free

Day 9

+

$338

·

$ 13

San Diego Zoo

Zoo featuring giraffes, koalas, apes & more, plus tours & a conservation society.

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$338

12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Waterfront Park

Public park featuring spray fountains, grassy areas & lots of play equipment for kids.

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

•

Free

Day 10

+

$338

·

$ 13

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Visitor tours of a 1,800-acre wildlife sanctuary with over 300 species of African & Asian animals.

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$338

44 - 53 min

~

Directions

Mission Trails Regional Park

8,000-acre recreational park featuring 60 miles of trails, along with a lake for boating & camping.

12:30 PM - 3:30 PM

•

Free

Budget breakdown: $2738 In total

Activities & Food:$2563

Transport:$175