Itinerary feedback, please

Question

First trip to San Diego for our family of 4, 2 adults and 2 teens. Would appreciate any feedback on our itinerary!

Day 1, arrive 400 pm

Check into Airbnb - near Little Italy

Explore Old Town, dinner at Mexican cafe or coyote

Head to Mission Beach for Belmont Park, Crystal Pier, stay for sunset

Day 2

Little Italy Farmers Market

Drive north to explore coastal towns

Annie’s Canyon

Potential stops: Oceanside, Encinitas, Del Mar

Back to apt to rest

Possible dinner at Mona Lisa’s

Ocean Beach, Point Lima, Carrillo Monument, sunset cliffs

Day 3

La Jolla

Seals, kayak, beach, shops, farmers market, cave store, children’s pool, Oscar’s

Torrey pines

Glider Point, Guy Fleming Beach trail

Grab In n Out and picnic In Kate Sessions park

Day 4

Coronado Island or Pacific Beach (rent bikes?)

Lunch: Tacos el Gordo

Seaport Village, Embarcadero

Top of Hyatt for snack and view

Padres game

Day 5

Zoo

Balboa park

Sunset sail

Late dinner

Day 6

Coronado island or pacific beach

Or revisit someplace we loved

Back to the airport at 2:30

Thanks in advance for any input! We like to pack it in when we visit a new place but let me know if any of this seems like too much!

Answer

Your San Diego itinerary is ambitious but well-balanced, with a nice mix of coastal scenery, city culture, outdoor activities, and family-friendly attractions. Here’s some detailed feedback and suggestions for each day.

Day 1: Arriving at 4:00 pm gives you limited time, but your plan to explore Old Town and have dinner nearby is good. Moving to Mission Beach for sunset is also feasible, though note that traffic and parking can add extra time.

Consider skipping one stop (either Belmont Park or Crystal Pier) if time feels tight, to avoid feeling rushed.
Check sunset times and plan parking in advance at Mission Beach; it can get crowded in summer.

Day 2: The northern coastal towns drive is great for scenery. Annie’s Canyon is a fun short hike, but timing is key if you want to visit Oceanside, Encinitas, and Del Mar in one go. Your evening plan in Ocean Beach and Sunset Cliffs works well.

Consider starting early to maximize time at coastal towns and hike.
If you’re short on time, prioritize 1–2 stops instead of trying to do all three towns.

Day 3: La Jolla and Torrey Pines are highlights. This day seems well-paced, but if you’re kayaking, ensure reservations in advance, especially for summer weekends.

Kate Sessions Park is perfect for a casual picnic.
Glider Point and Guy Fleming Beach Trail are short but scenic; make sure to allocate some time for La Jolla Cove and seal viewing.

Day 4: Coronado Island or Pacific Beach with bikes is a great choice. Including Seaport Village, Embarcadero, and top of Hyatt in the same day could be tight if you also attend a Padres game.

Consider skipping either Seaport Village or the Hyatt to ensure you have time to enjoy the Padres game without feeling rushed.
Buying Padres tickets in advance is crucial.

Day 5: Zoo, Balboa Park, and a sunset sail is a full day but doable if you start early. San Diego Zoo can take several hours, so plan which exhibits are must-see.

Reserve zoo tickets in advance and plan transport between Balboa Park and the marina for the sail.
Sunset sail might be affected by tides and weather; double-check timing.

Day 6: Revisiting a favorite spot is smart, as it gives flexibility depending on energy levels. Make sure you account for airport timing and traffic.

Leaving at 2:30 pm means you’ll need to plan for at least 1–1.5 hours travel to the airport plus return rental and security.
If time permits, a final quick stroll at Coronado or the Gaslamp District is nice.

Overall Feedback: Your itinerary is packed but feasible. A few notes:

Parking in La Jolla, Mission Beach, and coastal towns can take longer than expected; plan buffer times.
Some days have a lot of activities—consider trimming 1–2 stops on certain days to allow for relaxation and unexpected delays.
Advance reservations for popular activities (kayaking, Padres game, zoo tickets) will save time and stress.

In summary, your itinerary maximizes the best of San Diego with a balance of city, coast, and family fun. Slight adjustments in pacing and parking awareness will help ensure a smooth trip without feeling overly rushed.

Itinerary feedback, please

More San Diego Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions