San Diego Weekend Itinerary: The Perfect Getaway

Welcome to America’s Finest City, San Diego! This bustling city is full of gorgeous beaches, great weather, and countless outdoor activities. San Diego is a large city made up of 9 unique neighborhoods: Gaslamp, Little Italy, Balboa Park-Hillcrest, North Park, Old Town-Mission Valley, La Jolla, Coronado, Point Loma-Ocean Beach, and Mission Beach-Pacific Beach.

Depending on your itinerary, your best bet for transportation would be to rent a car or use ride-share apps like Uber or Lyft. Parking can get expensive and isn’t readily available in most popular spots.

Where to Stay in San Diego

There are endless options for places to stay in San Diego from boutique hotels, major chains, and Airbnbs. During my last girls’ trip, we had an amazing time staying at the Omni Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter. The hotel is within walking distance of Petco Park, restaurants, bars, and the Marina.

If you’re looking to see most of San Diego without renting a car, I would stay closer to downtown (Marina, Gaslamp, Little Italy, etc.)

Where to Eat in San Diego

Mimosas at Rustic Root in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego

Little Italy has some of the best eateries and bars in San Diego! You could spend an entire day here; your choices are endless. Some of my favorites include the following:

Carousel Bar – one of two rotating carousel bars in the country (the other in New Orleans). I would say the drinks are really good.

Bobboi’s Natural Gelato – who doesn’t like gelato?!

Nolita Hall – for delicious drinks and pizza

Morning Glory – a boozy brunch that is worth the wait

Born & Raised – modern, high-end steakhouse

The Gaslamp Quarter is the place for a night out on the town so stop by Karina’s Cantina and if you’re looking for a brunch spot to cure that hangover, Rustic Root is the place to go.

And if you’re a Game of Thrones fan like myself then you need to put Raised by Wolves in La Jolla on your itinerary. This GOT-inspired speakeasy is incredibly popular for a reason; it’s an amazing experience with handcrafted cocktails. FYI there is no food served here.

Check out this TikTok for more!

What to do in San Diego

If you’re seeking food and culture, Old Town is the birthplace of California and the first Spanish settlement on the West Coast. This area is now filled with tourist spots (restaurants, museums, live music, etc.) but it’s definitely worth a stop as it feels like you’ve stepped back in time.

For the nature lovers and adventure seekers, you could spend your entire trip in La Jolla. Here you have tide pools, caves, hiking, snorkeling, paragliding, anything and everything under the sun. Be sure to pack extra towels, waterproof clothing, sunscreen, and water bottles.

Kayaking in the Pacific Ocean off of La Jolla Beach in San Diego

Popular Stops in La Jolla:

Torrey Pines State Reserve

La Jolla Shores Beach, Coves, and Tide Pools

Black’s Beach

Glider Port

And if you want to party the night away then welcome to the Gaslamp Quarter with some of the biggest club scenes in the city. This place is always buzzing with excitement and entertainment every night of the week.

Popular Bars and Clubs:

Altitude Lounge

Moonshine Flats

The Field

Bang Bang

Prohibition Lounge

If you’re looking for an educational and historical experience, go visit the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park. My favorite part of the zoo (aside from the animals of course) is the Skyfari Aerial Tram, a gondola ride across the park.