Published: November 09, 2023
San Diego is one of the most popular tourist destinations located in southern California. With so many activities to do in San Diego, it can be difficult to determine what to visit, especially during shorter trips. This beautiful city is well-known for its sunny weather, pristine beaches, diverse attractions and vibrant culture to explore.
Only spending a day in America’s Finest City? You won’t want to miss these best activities, perfect for visiting San Diego in one day. Check out this guide to help you plan the perfect San Diego day trip. Below, you’ll find everything you need to plan an unforgettable day trip to San Diego.
San Diego’s location in the southern portion of California state makes it a great day trip or quick weekend getaway from many other nearby cities. The city is located only about two hours south of Los Angeles and about three hours from Joshua Tree. If you’re coming from the Las Vegas area, San Diego is also a great destination located about a five-hour drive away.
If you’re planning a road trip or flying into California, you could also rent a car to add a one-day trip to San Diego to your travel plans. The nearest airport to the San Diego region is the San Diego International Airport (SAN).
Although you can certainly wing a spur-of-the-moment trip to San Diego, planning in advance is the best way to prepare for an amazing trip. As you plan your trip, you may wish to consider a specific theme for your trip, which is based on your interests. For example, you may want to plan a day trip focused on cultural exploration, or perhaps you prefer a more relaxing beach day in San Diego.
With only a day’s worth of time, you’ll want to pick one top attraction, which will likely make up the majority of your day trip. Below are some examples of themes to consider.
Mission Beach — A popular San Diego beach for watersports and strolling on the boardwalk. The city operates this public beach and is open from dusk to dawn. It is free to enter the beach, but you may need to pay for parking.
San Diego has beautiful weather, great for visitors who love spending time outdoors. A few of the most common outdoor activities in San Diego include:
Want to try something new, different and adventurous? Try these activity-based day trip ideas for your San Diego trip.
Of course, finding great food is important as you plan one-day activities in San Diego. The city has a diverse range of dining options available, offering everything from authentic Mexican food to upscale dining locations to food trucks.
As you plan your day’s itinerary, consider how much time you want to allow for dining. To help you brainstorm, check out a few of these top places to grab a bite in San Diego:
Are you looking to try something a little different for your San Diego trip? If nothing above catches your interest, consider some of these other great things to do around the city:
Downtown San Diego has lots of exciting nightlife to explore. Here, you’ll find nightclubs, bars and entertainment to explore. Throughout the popular Gaslamp Quarter region, there are many options for rooftop bars such as “The Rooftop by STK”. This is a great way to have an enjoyable night out and enjoy picture-perfect city views too.
If you’re a big baseball fan, consider catching a baseball game at Petco Park, the home of the San Diego Padres. Located between 7th and 10th avenues, south of J Street, this is a great one-day activity in San Diego for sports lovers.
While you’re at it, explore more exciting things to do in San Diego using AAA’s Trip Canvas.
Ready to plan an incredible day trip to San Diego? With so much to do around the city, the biggest challenge is deciding what to do. Using AAA’s Trip Canvas can help you plan your trip. Be sure to contact one of AAA’s Travel Agents to make your dream trip a reality.
Using your AAA membership to access exclusive deals, you’re only a few steps away from booking the ultimate San Diego day trip. No matter your preferences, AAA’s Travel Agents can help you navigate traveling to San Diego with ease.
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