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 optimise your time, you should organise your itinerary. I suggest you take advantage of the days to visit the Old Town, Downtown and some of the main attractions of the Californian coast.

It is an American city, located near the Mexican border. Therefore, you will find a variety of legends, gastronomic proposals, handicraft and antique shops. You will also find the best beaches in San Diego, where fun is never lacking.

Old Town preserves old facades dating back to the 1800s, and you can even check out some of America's most popular haunted houses. In the area you can see iconic sites 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 in the city's Casco Historico. It's a completely free experience, and even if you're driving, you can park nearby for free.

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

Old Town Market

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

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

Historic State Park

To continue exploring Old Town, you can head 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 transport services. Here you can see people in costumes from the 1800s.

Next door is the Seeley Stables, which houses collections of carriages used in the city. The street where the park is located is one of the busiest in the district, so you'll 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 city's legends. 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 artefacts of great historical significance. In the afternoon it is usually not very crowded, so you can arrange a quick visit. In the corridors you'll find spooky dolls and you can visit the souvenir shop before you leave.

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 neighbourhoods, check out the Padres stadium, tour museums and much more.

Little Bay

Little Italy or Little Italy is located in the northeast of the city and is an ethnic neighbourhood not to be missed on your itinerary. It's modern in style, but retains the coastal feel of California. It also has a resemblance to Italy, so you'll feel like you're travelling through two countries at the same time. Along the streets you'll find a variety of shops, markets and Italian restaurants.

You'll even see replicas of Italian shops, similar to those you'll find in major cities such as Rome or Milan. In addition, 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 the next stop is the Cortez Hill neighbourhood. Located between north and east, it's a two-minute drive from Little Bay, with taxis available 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.
• St. Joseph's Cathedral: It was inaugurated in 1874 and masses are held in Spanish and English. The façade 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 waterfront, and take advantage of the amusement park that has an antique roller coaster. To get there from the cathedral, you can take the tourist tram or bus number 8, but it will take you fifty minutes. The best option is to take a taxi for around 30 euros, which will get you there in less than ten minutes.

Seaworld San Diego

After exploring the Cortez Hill neighbourhood, you can stop by SeaWorld. It's located in the same area, and to get there you can take the 8 and 9 bus, which takes about fifteen minutes. You can also take a taxi 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're 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 all year round, but you can check opening times on their website. Note that tickets start at 49 euros. However, there is a special pass from 89 euros that guarantees you access to all attractions for a week. It's an ideal option if you're 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's a ten-minute drive or taxi ride away, the best way to make the most of your time. You can also take bus number 9 and change to the tram, 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, transport and a map so you can tour the zoo at your leisure. It's an ideal activity if you're looking for things to do in San Diego with kids, as they'll be able to explore over 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 is an imposing structure, where cultural events and concerts are often held. It's a seven-minute taxi or car ride from the zoo. To save money, you can take bus lines 3, 7 and 12, which take less than forty minutes.

You can attend a game at the stadium, 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. You'll get to see exclusive areas such as the Hall of Fame, the Media 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 lounges and restaurants.

Some of the things to do here are:

• Take a tram 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.
• Check out some of San Diego's best museums, which are usually free on Tuesdays.
• Book tickets for a show at Spreckels Theatre.

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 some of the city's naval history.

The third day's itinerary is designed for you to unwind and relax, while exploring the wonderful natural sites the city has to offer. To make transfers easier, you can hire a car to get to the sites faster.

Coronado Island

Coronado Island is a tropical paradise not to be missed, especially if you're looking for things to do in San Diego in the summer. There are plenty of ways to get there in no time at all, including taking a ferry across the Pacific. If you want to be more convenient, just take the 901 bus which takes twenty minutes, or transfer by car or taxi to get there in less than eight minutes.

Here you can stay at the Hotel Coronado, known for its variety of seasonal activities. Whether it's summer or winter, the island will always have fun events going on. You can also visit Glorietta Bay Park, again by taking the 901 bus. It's 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's one of the best things to do in San Diego during your trip. From Coronado Island I recommend taking a taxi which will take you there in less than twenty minutes. This cave is subdivided into smaller caves, which can be found by descending 145 steps at Cave Store.

It's a great area for snorkelling and admiring the natural rock formations. Some caves are open 24 hours a day, but I recommend going 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 taxi and be there in twenty minutes, or use the train or bus lines 30 and 101, the journey usually takes about an hour. In this area you can visit the San Diego Botanical Garden, with a variety of native plants, just take the 304 bus.

You can also walk along the historic Highway 101, where major motion pictures have been filmed. Another must-see is Legoland, one of the few Lego parks in the world. To get there you can take the 101 bus.

Poway

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

Some of San Diego's best tours take you deep into the area, where you can enjoy outdoor shows, plays by the PowPac Community Theatre or sample some of the city's best wines. You can also visit the Blue Sky Ecological Reserve which you can walk or drive to, it's located on a pristine hillside, so it's ideal for hiking.

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