Advice needed- Struggling to organize my days

Question

Hoping someone can help me! Family of 4 with 2 boys (teen and tween). We have 2.5 days in San Diego in late June. One day will be the zoo. So I'm trying to figure out how to best plan out the remaining 1.5 days and I'm overwhelmed! These are the things on our list:

La Jolla/seals

USS Midway

Torrey Pines/small hike

Cabrillo Monument

Open to other ideas as well

Anyone have a suggestion for how to organize the days so we're not criss crossing the city? And also other things to see nearby these areas? We will have a car. I'd love to drive somewhere and park for a half day, do some stuff, then maybe after lunch park somewhere else, do some other stuff. I know all of this information is available with maps, and what not, but I have spent so much time and for some reason get completely overwhelmed/distracted by how much there is to do!!

We are coming from the East Coast so will be early risers.

Answer

You’ve already done the hard part (picked great sights!). With 2.5 days and a car, the simplest way to avoid criss-crossing is to group things geographically: keep La Jolla + Torrey Pines together (north), and the USS Midway + Cabrillo/Point Loma together (downtown/south). Below is a ready-to-use plan that fits your early-riser rhythm and keeps driving short, plus parking and timing tips so the days run smoothly.

Quick planning summary (map in your head)

North day: La Jolla (seals/snorkel/shore) → Torrey Pines (short hike & beach). Easy to do in one half → full day.
Downtown/Point Loma day: USS Midway & Embarcadero (morning) → Cabrillo National Monument / tidepools / Sunset Cliffs (afternoon). Time USS Midway first (opens mid-morning) then drive to Point Loma.
Zoo day: you already have this reserved — great full-day plan (San Diego Zoo is in Balboa Park).

Suggested schedule — 1.5 days (detailed)

Day A — La Jolla + Torrey Pines (pick this for your first of the 1.5 days)

Morning (start early — you said you wake early): La Jolla Cove & Children’s Pool / seals. Park on nearby side streets or the small public lots (arrive early to find easiest parking). Enjoy the viewing platforms and short walks around the cove; if your kids like snorkeling or kayaking that’s an option (many outfitters operate out of La Jolla). La Jolla Cove is a compact spot so 1–2 hours gives you great views and photos. .
Late morning / lunch: Grab lunch in La Jolla village (plenty of casual family options), or pack a picnic to eat near the water.
Afternoon: Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve (short hike + beach). Drive ~15–25 minutes from La Jolla. Do the Beach Trail or the Razor Point/Parry Grove connectors — the Beach Trail loop is ~1–2 hours and is moderate with spectacular coastal views; Torrey Pines has paid day-use parking so plan for that. If anyone wants the beach, descend to the sand after the hike. Torrey Pines hikes are short and family-friendly; typical runs are about 1–1.5 hours. .
Evening: Drive back to your base, or if you’re staying near downtown you’ll be ~20–30 minutes away depending on traffic.

Day B — USS Midway + Point Loma / Cabrillo (half day)

Morning (arrive at opening or soon after): USS Midway Museum. The USS Midway typically opens around 10:00 AM and you should plan 2–4 hours to explore (deck/flight exhibits + interactive areas). Buy tickets in advance to skip the ticket line and arrive when the museum opens to avoid crowds. Allow extra time for bag check and getting onto the ship. .
Late morning / noon: quick lunch on the Embarcadero — you can eat near Seaport Village or the Ferry Landing before heading west to Point Loma.
Afternoon: Cabrillo National Monument (Point Loma) — tidepools or lighthouse & bay views. Cabrillo is great for whale/bay views and tidepools — but note tidepools are best at low tide and in fall/winter; in summer they may be covered by the tide, so check the tide chart before you go. Plan arrival at the tidepools about 1–2 hours before low tide for best viewing; if tide timing is bad, the lighthouse, coastal overlooks, and nearby Sunset Cliffs are still beautiful family-friendly stops. The drive from downtown to Cabrillo/Point Loma is typically 15–25 minutes. .
Optional late afternoon: If your family has energy left, swing by Coronado or walk Coronado Beach (great wide sand for kids), or return downtown for dinner.

Why this order works

It keeps coastal/north activities on the same day (La Jolla + Torrey Pines) so you’re not driving back and forth across the city.
USS Midway is best in the morning (opens ~10am) so you can explore before heading to Cabrillo, where afternoon light is often nicer and tide conditions are clearer. .
Early starts beat traffic and make parking easier at La Jolla and Torrey Pines.

Practical tips (parking, timing, crowds, what to bring)

Park early: La Jolla and Torrey Pines have limited parking; arriving mid/early morning is safest. Torrey Pines has a paid parking/day-use fee — bring cash or be ready to use the pay machine. .
Check tide times for both La Jolla and Point Loma: tidepool visits are best around low tide — if the tide’s wrong, swap Cabrillo tidepools for a Sunset Cliffs stroll or Coronado beach time. .
USS Midway tickets: buy online and arrive by opening to avoid the crowds; allow 2–4 hours to explore and factor in bag checks. .
Pacing for teens/tweens: Mix active (short hike at Torrey Pines) with chill time (beach or Seaport Village). Teens often like the Midway aircraft displays and the chance to climb on the ship, while younger kids usually love tidepooling if the tide cooperates.
Drive times: La Jolla to downtown/USS Midway is roughly 15–25 minutes by car in normal traffic; La Jolla to Torrey Pines is ~15 minutes. These short drives make the north-day plan very feasible. .

Two fallback/extra ideas if plans change

If tide timing kills the Cabrillo tidepools: head to Sunset Cliffs (close by) for dramatic coastal walks, or hop the ferry to Coronado for a relaxed afternoon on a wide family-friendly beach.
If the Midway is unexpectedly busy or you want something different: consider the Maritime Museum (Star of India) or a harbor cruise that leaves near the Embarcadero — both are easy swaps and kid-friendly.

Advice needed- Struggling to organize my days

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