SD June 3-6 itinerary guidance

Question

Traveling to CA for family trip this May/June and SD is the last leg. Myself and my two adult kids ages 24 and 21 will have a rental car but are open to walking and rideshare. I'm open to staying an extra night and leaving on June 7 if that makes more sense for what we want to see.

I've been looking at spending up to around $350/night, so maybe Hotel Indigo, Hilton Garden Inn Downtown/Bayside, The Bristol, The Wayfarer, Best Western Plus Bayside, or Holiday Inn Express Downtown.

Here are the activities we want to do:

SD Zoo (1-2 days?)

Spend some time at the beach, open to suggestions here -- La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach?

Balboa Park: Art Museum, Comic Con Museum, Botanical Gardens

Tide pools at Cabrillo National Monument

Explore Coronado a bit

We love local bookstores as well as game/video game stores so any suggestions are appreciated.

I'm looking for advice on whether 3 nights is enough for this list of activities. Thank you!

Answer

San Diego is a spacious city with several major attractions spread out from the coast to Balboa Park. With everything you want to do — zoo, beaches, tide pools, Balboa Park museums, and Coronado — 3 nights is possible but tight. Adding a 4th night (leaving June 7) makes the trip noticeably easier and allows you to enjoy the beach and Cabrillo tide pools without rushing. Below is a detailed breakdown covering itinerary structure, hotel guidance, how much time each activity needs, and suggestions for bookstores and gaming shops.

Is 3 nights enough?

You can technically fit everything into 3 nights (giving you 2.5 full days), but it will be rushed — especially the zoo and beach time. 4 nights is the sweet spot if you want to enjoy each area without feeling like you’re sprinting from one location to the next.

Recommended number of days for each activity

San Diego Zoo: One full day is sufficient for most visitors. Two days only if you are major zoo enthusiasts or want to revisit areas without rushing.
Balboa Park museums: Realistically 3–5 hours if you do the Art Museum + Comic Con Museum + Botanical Building.
Beaches: At least a half day to enjoy La Jolla or Pacific/Mission Beach.
Cabrillo National Monument & tide pools: 2–3 hours total, including the scenic lookout areas.
Coronado: Best as a half-day stroll and beach stop.

Recommended stay length

3 nights: You can do the Zoo, one beach stop, Balboa Park, Cabrillo OR Coronado, but not both comfortably.
4 nights: You can do everything on your list with reasonable pacing.

Hotel guidance (your options)

Your list is solid — all are central and give you great access to Balboa Park, the Zoo, and freeways to the beaches.

Hotel Indigo — walkable to Gaslamp, modern rooms, easy access to Balboa Park.
Hilton Garden Inn Downtown/Bayside — clean, reliable, close to Little Italy restaurants.
The Bristol — boutique feel, easy walk to Gaslamp & waterfront.
The Wayfarer — stylish and social, great for adult kids.
Best Western Plus Bayside — excellent value and great Little Italy location.
Holiday Inn Express Downtown — simple and convenient, though less walkable at night than Little Italy.

If walkable dining is a priority, Little Italy is the best area among the choices — tons of restaurants, safe, lively, and centrally located.

Suggested 3-night itinerary (tight but doable)

Day 1 – Arrive + Little Italy + Waterfront Sunset

Check in to your hotel.
Explore the Little Italy neighborhood for dinner.
Walk to the waterfront, see the USS Midway area (don’t need to tour, but views are great).

Day 2 – San Diego Zoo (full day)

Arrive at opening time.
Cover Africa Rocks, Northern Frontier (polar bears), and the Elephant Odyssey.
Use the Skyfari for views of Balboa Park and the zoo.
Dinner back at Little Italy or Gaslamp.

Day 3 – Beach + Cabrillo OR Coronado

If you choose La Jolla: explore La Jolla Cove, sea lions, maybe dip your feet at La Jolla Shores.
If you choose Cabrillo: go during low tide for best tide pool conditions.
If you prefer Coronado: stroll Orange Ave, wander Hotel del Coronado, spend time on Coronado Beach.
Return to hotel area for dinner.

Day 4 morning (Day 3.5)

Balboa Park museums for 2–3 hours.
Depart for your next destination.

You’ll notice that with 3 nights, something gets squeezed — usually Cabrillo OR Coronado gets skipped.

Suggested 4-night itinerary (ideal)

Day 1 – Arrival / Little Italy / Waterfront

Day 2 – San Diego Zoo (full day)

Day 3 – Beach Day (La Jolla or PB/Mission Beach)

La Jolla: Best scenery; tide pools, coves, seals, upscale village feel.
Pacific Beach: Great boardwalk energy, bars, shops; younger vibe.
Mission Beach: Classic SoCal beach town, Belmont Park, wide sandy shore.

Day 4 – Cabrillo National Monument + Coronado

Cabrillo tide pools during low tide (spectacular when conditions are good).
Drive over the Coronado Bridge, walk around the Hotel del Coronado, and relax on the beach.

Day 5 (morning) – Balboa Park museums

San Diego Museum of Art
Comic-Con Museum
Botanical Building & lily pond (iconic photo spot)

Leave later that afternoon.

Best local bookstores

Verbatim Books (North Park): Best used bookstore in the city, great vibe.
Mysterious Galaxy (Kearny Mesa): Specializes in sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery.
The Book Catapult (South Park): Cozy independent shop with curated picks.
La Playa Books (Point Loma): Near Cabrillo and really well stocked.

Game / video game store suggestions

Coin-Op Game Room (North Park): Arcade bar (21+, fun and retro).
Nerd Comics & Games (North Park): Board games, cards, RPG supplies.
Lion's Den Collectibles (Clairemont): Retro video games and consoles.
GameStop (Fashion Valley): If you want mainstream shopping.

Beach selection advice

Best scenery + calmer experience: La Jolla Shores or La Jolla Cove.
Best classic boardwalk feel: Mission Beach.
Best for walking + young vibe: Pacific Beach.

Final recommendation

If your schedule allows, extend to 4 nights (June 3–7). This will let you enjoy all the iconic attractions — Zoo, Balboa Park, Cabrillo, Coronado, and a beach day — without rushing, and it gives you space to add bookstore or gaming stops.