How to Spend 1 Day in San Diego
With a plethora of family-friendly attractions that highlight history, culture, and wildlife, plus its sunny setting on the Pacific, San Diego is an ideal place to spend a day, no matter what your interests are. Here are the top ways to experience the city with limited time.
Morning: Get Acquainted
Orient yourself with San Diego on the hop-on hop-off trolley, which provides open-air transportation so you can reach the locations that interest you at your own pace. Perhaps check out Old Town State Historic Park, Seaport Village, the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, or Little Italy—some of the most popular destinations for sightseeing, eating, and people-watching. For independent travelers, the Go San Diego Card provides entrance to many of the city’s best attractions at one price. If you prefer a set itinerary and commentary about the sights, opt for a guided city tour.
Afternoon: Visit Major Attractions
San Diego is well-known for its zoo, home to the city’s beloved giant pandas—wildlife lovers won’t want to miss this attraction. You can combine your visit with a trip to its sister property, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Park. Alternatively, check out SeaWorld San Diego, located in Mission Bay, to see dolphins, sea lions, and other marine animals. If you’re more of a history or naval buff, the USS Midway Museum and Maritime Museum of San Diego are within walking distance of each other on the Embarcadero, which runs along the San Diego Bay waterfront.
Night: Dine on the Water
Spend the evening on a San Diego Bay dinner cruise, which provides a chance to look back at the city as it lights up for the night. Cruises typically include a full meal such as steak or seafood with side dishes and dessert, served in an enclosed cabin. Most boats also have open-air decks to taking in the views and fresh ocean air. Opt for a luxury experience for additional features such as Champagne or a DJ for onboard music and dancing. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase if they are not included in the price.
11 Tours and Activities | All San Diego Tours
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Skip the Line: USS Midway Museum Admission Ticket in San Diego
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Take a trip through American naval history with admission to the USS Midway Museum in San Diego. This enormous ship, known as the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, now offers a range of interactive exhibits, a self-guided audio tour and numerous restored aircraft across its 4-acre (1.6-hectare) flight deck and sections below. It’s an essential piece of San Diego’s, and America’s, military history.
For your safety, the below deck tour routes, guided Island Tour, “Battle of Midway” theater, simulator, Virtual Reality experiences, and climb aboard cockpits are temporarily closed. When purchasing tickets you must choose a date and time for your visit. This will allow us to manage the number of guests on board to assist with physical distancing requirements. Please arrive at your chosen date and time with your tickets, and review all information in your email confirmation.
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From
$26.00
From
$26.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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San Diego Tour: Hop-on Hop-off Trolley
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Explore some of the top highlights of San Diego with your silver, gold, or platinum day pass (depending on option selected) for the city’s Hop-on, Hop-off Trolley Tour. Choose your own adventure as you get on and off the trolley at any of the 12 included stops, covering famous sights including the Gaslamp Quarter, the San Diego Zoo, USS Midway and the Cruise Ship Terminal, Little Italy, and many more. This San Diego trolley tour also features live commentary from the on-board guide during your ride.
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From
$42.00
From
$42.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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San Diego Zoo Ticket
463
Meet some of the world's most exotic animals with your admission ticket to the renowned San Diego Zoo, one of California's top family-friendly attractions. More than 4,000 animals representing 800 species live in this state-of-the-art zoo, including some that are rarely seen at other zoos. Admire the animals and go in-depth during daily keeper talks and guided bus tours. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the San Diego Zoo. Ticket must be redeemed on travel date selected.
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From
$60.00
From
$60.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise
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Take an evening cruise wining and dining aboard the ‘Spirit of San Diego,’ enjoying top-notch food and drink, plus sparkling skyline views during this San Diego dinner cruise. Dig into your included gourmet meal, accompanied by a complimentary cocktail and live on-board entertainment, as you cruise 25-miles worth of California’s beautiful coastline and gaze at the twinkling stars above. You can also upgrade your cruise to include an unlimited open bar for an additional price.
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From
$110.90
From
$110.90
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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San Diego Zoo Safari Park Ticket
68
The renowned San Diego Zoo Safari Park presents more than 3,500 animals roaming in large enclosures that replicate their natural habitat. Go on a safari adventure unlike any other outside of Africa itself, with exhibits inspired by the African Serengeti and the Asian Savanna. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the Safari Park. Ticket must be redeemed on travel date selected.
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From
$60.00
From
$60.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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San Diego Luxury Dinner Cruise
91
On this experience, relax in style aboard a luxury dinner cruise. Enjoy panoramic views from the boat's deck and take your time over a gourmet, 3-course meal, as you cruise past twinkling city lights that ring San Diego Bay. Listen to relaxing background music and enjoy an unforgettable evening, or celebrate a birthday, anniversary or another special occasion. Viator Exclusive: Upgrade to a guaranteed, private table by a window and bottle of Champagne.
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From
$116.98
From
$116.98
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Skip the Line: Maritime Museum of San Diego Admission Ticket
32
Sail back into history during this visit to the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Enjoy one of the world’s biggest collections of historic ocean vessels, including five ships and two submarines. You’ll view the USS Dolphin research submarine, a Soviet B-39 submarine, the iconic Star of India and the HMS Surprise (star of the ‘Master and Commander’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean films’) among others. A fun collection kid-friendly exhibits, plus an on-site maritime research library, round out the experience.
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$0.00
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$0.00
San Diego Zoo and Safari Park Combo Tour Ticket
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View more than 4,000 animals roaming in large enclosures on a 2-day visit to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. This admission ticket allows you to spend two days at the Zoo, or split your time between the Zoo and the Safari Park. At the zoo, see the diverse collection of animals, many of which are not present at other zoos in the United States. The Safari Park is inspired by the Serengeti Plains in Africa and the Asian plains and is home to lions, tigers, zebras, which you can see from the a 32-acre (13-hectare) safari trail. Access to all shows and exhibits, as well as use of all the in-park transportation, are included. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.
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From
$115.39
From
$115.39
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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GPS Talking GoCar 1HR Tour: Downtown & Gaslamp
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Make your own way around San Diego in a GoCar, a pint-sized vehicle that lets you experience the beauty of the City in Motion and visit places tour buses can't easily go – all at your own pace! With a GPS unit onboard, it's easy to stay on course, helping you see more during your tour.
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From
$36.31
Price varies by group size
From
$36.31
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
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Go San Diego All-Inclusive City Pass: Access 55+ Attractions
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Get the most out of your visit to San Diego with the Go San Diego™ All-Inclusive Pass, granting you access to over 55 top city attractions, tours and activities plus a range of great shopping and dining discounts. Check out the San Diego Zoo, Knott’s Berry Farm, and LEGOLAND® California, or try kayaking and snorkeling in La Jolla. Save up to 46% off attraction admission prices and enjoy special offers and discounts at included retailers and restaurants. Best of all, there’s no voucher redemption necessary. Just save your pass on your mobile device and start the fun.
Please note: Enjoy the extra flexibility in case your travel plans need to change: All passes are valid for one year from purchase date and only become activated with your first attraction visit. After activation your pass will be valid for the number of days purchased.
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From
$99.00
From
$99.00
Exclusive: San Diego Harbor Speed Boat, Electric Scooter and USS Midway Tour
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Explore the wildlife, skyline, and maritime legacy of the San Diego Harbor by land and by sea on this Viator Exclusive tour. Take the wheel of a speed boat during a cruise through the ship-studded bay before hopping on a bike for a closer look at shoreline attractions like Broadway Pier and the San Diego Air Station. Finish with a guided tour of the USS ‘Midway’ aircraft carrier, featuring an interactive glimpse into both US Navy and Air Force operations.
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From
$177.02
From
$177.02