1 Day Itinerary for San Diego

  • 9:00AM: San Diego Zoo
    15 minutes (6.0 miles) from downtown San Diego

    The San Diego Zoo is one of the most famous and impressive zoos in the world. It has over 3,500 animals of more than 650 species and subspecies, and it's known for its extensive collections of rare and endangered animals.

  • 11:00AM: Balboa Park
    20 minutes (5.5 miles) from San Diego Zoo

    Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre urban park located in downtown San Diego. It has over 16 museums, beautiful gardens, the famous Old Globe Theatre, and several other famous landmarks.

  • 1:00PM: Gaslamp Quarter
    10 minutes (2.0 miles) from Balboa Park

    Gaslamp Quarter is a historic district in downtown San Diego. It's known for the Victorian-style buildings and architecture, trendy restaurants, bars, and shops.

  • 3:00PM: USS Midway Museum
    10 minutes (1.3 miles) from Gaslamp Quarter

    The USS Midway was the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the US Navy. It has been converted into a museum, and it's open for visitors to explore the carrier and see the exhibits and aircrafts onboard.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • San Diego Zoo (2 hours, $58)
  • Balboa Park (2 hours, $55)
  • Gaslamp Quarter (2 hours, $50)
  • USS Midway Museum (2.5 hours, $26)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $189

Transportation

San Diego has a well-developed public transportation system, including buses and trains. The best way to explore the city is by using the metropolitan transit system (MTS) pass, which costs $6 per day. Taxis and ride-hail services are also available, but they can be expensive.

Useful Tips

For travelers who have more time, we suggest adding a visit to the San Diego Maritime Museum or spending an afternoon at the La Jolla Cove. For travelers who are pressed for time, we suggest skipping the Gaslamp Quarter or Balboa Park.

Airports

The main airport in San Diego is the San Diego International Airport (SAN). It's located 3 miles northwest of downtown San Diego, and it's the busiest single-runway airport in the world. The airport is well-connected to other cities in the US and Mexico, and it's a hub for Southwest Airlines.

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