Since you're arriving today and it's mid-afternoon in Phoenix (early evening in San Diego), ease into the trip with a late-morning-style, rain-friendly start: wander the warm, book-lined aisles of The Library Shop at the UC San Diego Jacobs Music Library for a calming read, then head to Liberty Public Market in Point Loma for sheltered tasting - sample artisanal coffee and seasonal pastries while dodging showers. Finish by slipping into the intimate galleries of Museum of Making Music for hands-on exhibits and instrument demos that keep you dry and entertained while setting a relaxed, cozy tone for the rest of your rainy getaway.
Wander the covered aisles of Seaport Village for waterfront views from under awnings, ducking into cozy shops and enjoying hot chocolate or clam chowder at The Fish Market's sheltered dining room. Afterward, warm up with a cinematic escape at the historic Landmark Ken Cinema for an indie or classic film, then pop into the nearby San Diego Central Library's quiet reading room and rooftop (weather permitting under covered areas) to end the afternoon on a relaxed, indoor note.
As rain settles into the night, enjoy a lively yet sheltered dinner at Ballast Point Tasting Room & Kitchen in Little Italy, where seasonal brews and wood-fired small plates pair perfectly with the stormy ambiance. After dinner, take in a moody, rain-friendly performance at The Old Globe's Horton Grand Theatre (check same-day availability for later shows), then cap the evening with nightcaps and board games in the cozy, speakeasy-style lounge of Noble Experiment for an intimate end to your first rainy-day in San Diego.
Start your rainy morning at Birch Aquarium at Scripps where warm, illuminated tanks and interactive tide-pool touch exhibits keep you dry while you watch kelp forests and playful sea creatures. From there, stroll under covered walkways to the nearby Scripps Institution of Oceanography Visitor Center for compact exhibits and a cozy film about Pacific research, then warm up with a specialty espresso and pastry at The Loft at UC San Diego before heading to the next indoor stop - a smooth, weather-proof transition that builds on yesterday's cozy, museum-paced arrival.
Escape the rain with a hands-on science surge at Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park-catch an IMAX or planetarium show and explore interactive exhibits that entertain both kids and adults. Afterward, wander the covered corridors to San Diego Natural History Museum for its fossil halls and immersive dioramas, then duck into House of Pacific Relations International Cottages' nearby indoor events or a sheltered café in the park to warm up and reflect on the day's discoveries.
Finish your museum-rich day with a cozy, culture-forward evening: start with a chef-driven tasting menu and craft cocktails at Herb & Wood in Little Italy, where the warm wood interiors and seasonal plates feel especially comforting on a rainy night. After dinner, catch a contemporary performance or late-night film screening at The Old Town Theatre Collective (check listings for special rainy-night events), then unwind with live jazz and small plates at intimate El Dorado lounge for a mellow, sheltered end to the day that flows naturally from daytime discoveries.
Begin your celebratory food morning tucked inside Liberty Public Market (different stalls than Day 1's quick taste), sampling breakfast pupusas at a Salvadoran stall, fresh-baked kouign-amann from a local pastry vendor, and a single-origin pour-over from Morning Glory coffee cart while watching rain-slicked Harbor views through the market's windows. From there, duck into the intimate tasting room of Small Batch Chocolates for a guided sampler pairing hot chocolate flights with seasonal bonbons, then warm up further with a cozy brunch reservation at Cass Street Cafe, where slow-cooked shakshuka and house-made sourdough feel like the perfect indoor start to a food-forward New Year's Eve.
Continue your culinary celebration by ducking into Little Italy Mercato della Terra (indoor booths and covered aisles) to sample seasonal cheeses and artisanal salumi from rotating vendors, then warm up with a craft hot toddy and small plates at The Crack Shack's covered patio area where fried chicken and inventive sides feel especially comforting in the rain. Afterward, settle into a guided tasting at Salt & Straw for limited-edition winter scoops paired with house-made affogato, then head to Puesto at Seaport Village for shareable tacos in their sheltered dining room-an easy, cozy progression from market bites to plated favorites that keeps you dry while savoring San Diego's best flavors.
Ring in New Year's Eve with a cozy, food-forward dinner at Born & Raised in Little Italy where gilded interiors and tableside dry-aged steak service make for a celebratory yet sheltered meal. Afterward, stroll under covered awnings to Vin de Syrah for a late-night glass of local wine paired with artisanal cheeses, then finish with decadent cocktails and a festive dessert flight at the speakeasy bar Raised by Wolves for an intimate, rainy-night countdown that stays warm and dry.
Start your rainy New Year's morning with a leisurely brunch and specialty coffee at Café Secret (a cozy spot with covered patio seating and warm pastries), then wander the nearby covered aisles of Hazard Center for last-minute local gifts and artisan goods without getting soaked. If you have a few extra hours before departure, slip into the soothing Spa at Rancho Valencia (day-use treatments available nearby in Mission Valley) for a rainproof massage or thermal lounge session that sends you off refreshed and comfortably warm for travel.
Ease into your final afternoon by sheltering from the rain at The Old Globe's Teatro Terrace Café, savoring a light lunch and seasonal soup while flipping through program notes from recent productions; afterwards wander the nearby covered halls to explore rotating exhibits at the San Diego Museum of Art for a calm, contemplative few hours. Before you head to the airport, pop into Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens - Liberty Station for a cozy brewery tasting flight and warm flatbread in their sheltered indoor dining room, a relaxed final stop that ties together the trip's museum and food-focused days while keeping you dry.
Wind down your rainy trip with a relaxed, sheltered evening at The Prado at Balboa Park where warm, Spanish-colonial interiors and a seasonal comfort-food menu make lingering over a last San Diego meal effortless; follow with a short walk through the covered arcade to Herrera's Coffee & Tea for a calming herbal infusion or espresso-based nightcap. If you prefer a low-key cultural finish, catch a late-show chamber concert or small ensemble performance at SMALLSTAGE San Diego (check evening listings) before returning to your hotel for a cozy final night of board games or room-service desserts.