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Home/Travel/72 Hours in San Diego: How to Spend A Long Weekend in San Diego, California

72 Hours in San Diego: How to Spend A Long Weekend in San Diego, California

This past March, my family and I traveled to San Diego, California for the first time. Within seconds of arriving; it was clear to see why the city was dubbed America’s Finest City. With awesome beaches, a variety of activities to choose from and amazing food; this city on the water quickly became one of our favorites and we wish we had planned more time to explore. If San Diego is on your upcoming adventure list for a short weekend getaway; this guide is for you. A Quick Guide to how to spend a long 72 hour weekend in San Diego plus all details on where to stay, eat and things to do in San Diego on a time crunch.

72 Hours in San Diego: How to Spend A Long Weekend in San Diego, California

Where to Stay: Best Places to Stay in San Diego, California

 

San Diego is a very large and sprawling city with no shortage of accommodations from Airbnb’s to hotels of all classes. The other unique thing about San Diego is its very diverse themed neighborhood. For the best experience of the city, we had the pleasure of staying at two very different locations (Mission valley and Bayfront/Downtown). While many options were available we enjoyed both locations for very different reasons.

 

Mission Valley: Doubletree by Hilton San Diego- Mission Valley

The Doubletree by Hilton San Diego – Mission Valley property is located as its name suggest in the Mission Valley Neighborhood of San Diego. Not only was it located in close proximity to a ton of shopping but also the historic neighborhood of Old Town San Diego which is the heart of the city and the birth place of San Diego and California dating back to 1820.

You’ll find an authentic experience and a vibrant Mexican culture nearby. If you plan to visit San Diego for popular attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld or Balboa Park then this is the best centralized location for you. Click HERE for a detailed guide on our stay at Doubletree by Hilton San Diego-Mission Valley.

 

Hilton San Diego Bayfront

For a city vibe that represents the true San Diego city on the water feel, the Hilton San Diego Bayfront does not disappoint. The Hilton San Diego Bayfront property is located in Downtown San Diego with both sweeping city and ocean views.

If you are looking to enjoy quick access to city life, popular districts like Little Italy and the Gas Lamp Quarter or enjoy a game at the famous Petco Park then this is the location for you. Though a bit more expensive, you can’t beat the walkable location, scenic views and easy access to a ton of activities in the area. Click HERE for a detailed post about our stay at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront property.

 

What to Eat: Best San Diego Food

 

If you’re coming to San Diego for any amount of time, FOOD should be a priority on your itinerary. San Diego is one of the most diverse and delicious cities in the world and the selections do not disappoint. Here are a couple of the food spots that couldn’t pass up on our Getaway:

 

Shrimp Heads Seafood

If you’ve been following me for any amount of time, you know that I absolutely love crab legs and seafood. Being so close to the ocean, I immediately went on the hunt for good crab legs. Shrimp Heads was finger lickin’ GOOD. Although clusters were expensive, the seafood was nice and fresh and their house made Cajun sauce was super tasty.

My husband enjoyed the lobster tail and sausage and shrimp poppers as an appetizer. The shrimp poppers were the highlight of his meal as they are large shrimp wrapped in bacon and served with a house made spicy mayo. If crab boil type restaurants are your thing, you’ll really enjoy this spot in town. Click HERE to visit their site.

 

 

 

The Great Maple Dinette-Hillcrest San Diego

If you’re a sweet or savory breakfast type of person, The Great Maple is the place to accomplish Both. Though they have many locations in various San Diego neighborhoods, we stopped by the Hillcrest location and it did not disappoint. I indulged in their famous Maple Bacon donuts which are delicious maple glazed donuts in a set of three. Everything good about Maple Bacon + Donuts you can find in their recipe.

My husband enjoyed Pigs in a Blanket. Make no mistake, this dainty sounding breakfast meal is beast. The sausage is Savory and the Pancake is Massive. Coupled with maple syrup, they make magic. Two things are important to note:  If you are visiting on a weekend, making a reservation for Brunch is essential. The lines start early and long so be sure to reserve your spot. Also, each location offers a different menu so be sure to visit their site HERE to read the menu ahead of time.

Pizza & Pasta in Little Italy

Italian food is one of my favorite cuisines. So, when I heard that I could get authentic Italian food in the heart of the city, I took my opportunity. According to Yelp, there are tons of highly rated Italian restaurants in that district and the choice was hard. We ended up choosing to eat at Buon Appetite and I do not regret it one bit. The food was so good that I actually forgot to catch a picture of it! Visit their website HERE for menu selections.

Beer Fish San Diego

If anything is quintessentially San Diego, its Baha Fish Tacos and Burritos. When I discovered Beer Fish’s famous Surf and Turf Burritos in Instagram, I knew that I had to give it a try. The Surf n’ Turf Burrito is a juicy Carne Asada and Grilled Shrimp Burrito with Cheddar Cheese fries and sauce.

This Burrito is massive but perfect in every bite! My husband enjoyed the Fish and Chips which were perfectly battered and fried to perfection. The Beer Fish location is in an eclectic University Heights neighborhood and you will enjoy the beach shack ambiance. Though parking is free, it is limited and can be hard to find a spot. Plan to park elsewhere and walk a short distance. Visit Beerfish HERE.

 

 

 

Cheap Things to Do In San Diego

San Diego has no shortage of activities to see or do. This city is full of history and each neighborhood is super diverse in experiences. You could easily spend a week or more exploring the city and all its best attractions. Unfortunately, we only had about three days and really wanted an easy- going vacation. The following recommendations are what we experienced on a time crunch:

 

What to do on Coronado Island: Beach Day at Coronado Beach 

Chances are, you know San Diego from Its iconic Coronado Beach which technically is its own island and town. This beach was made famous for being featured in a 1950s Marilyn Monroe movie “Some Like It Hot” and while it’s quintessentially a California beach, much of it feels nostalgically Hollywood including the inside of Iconic “Hotel Del” which sits right on the beach.

Coronado Beach is easily one of my favorite beaches we’ve been to with scenic views of the coastline and the picturesque hotel’s panoramic view. We also enjoyed that the beach is completely free to enjoy. While you can rent an Umbrella and chairs from the hotel for a steep price, you can make the beach day completely free by bringing a towel or blanket out. Parking is also free in the nearby residential neighborhoods but prepare for a walk if you arrive after midday. This beach is the perfect spot for a beachside picnic (although, beware of the aggressive seagulls).

I also highly recommend taking some time to explore the inside of the historic hotel. Though the outside is bright and beachy, the inside is a gorgeously stark reminder of old Hollywood glamour. We even stumbled upon a hidden gem in the basement. Sundae’s is a gelato style ice cream shop straight out of the 1950s with tons of awesome flavors to choose from. Grab a cone or two while you’re on property to enjoy. I love gelato so this was easily a highlight in my day.

San Ysidro Pedestrian Border Crossing

 

San Diego is so incredibly close to the Mexican border that you can see Tijuana from the southern part of the city. While we didn’t have the time to cross, we did drive by to see the boarder and the Tijuana Arch. On the US side of the border crossing, there is a shopping outlet for you to enjoy or grab lunch. If you have some time, I suggest bringing your passport and crossing to boarder to grab some authentic Mexican food and capturing the moment with a picture. I also suggest bringing your passport even if you just plan to drive by. This exit is the last exit in San Diego and its quite confusing as you exit the highway. In fact, you briefly cross into Mexico for a split second to turn North bound. All in all, this was a cool experience and next time we visit San Diego we plan to cross the border for Tacos.

Explore Some of the Coolest Neighborhoods in San Diego 

San Diego’s Neighborhoods each have unique sites to see and explore. From the Bayfront Hilton Hotel, we were able to walk to the Petco Park, Gaslamp Quarter and hop on the MTS to explore places like Little Italy and more. In these special districts, you will find shopping, restaurants and entertainment.

There are a whopping 17 Neighborhoods in San Diego and they are all connected by the Public Transit system and pedestrian friendly. If you’re on a budget, skipping a rental car and exploring the neighborhoods on foot is a great option. Many of them also have a cool art scene with murals and markets.

 

 

 

Honorable Mentions: More Things to Do for 72 Hours in San Diego

We started our trip intending to explore the city a lot more than we did but honestly, our hotel was so nice that we chose a relaxing pool day and a relaxed itinerary over a ton of activities. We also had family in the area and took some quality time off to be with them while we were in town. Some of the things we were supposed to explore were:

 

Sea World San Diego: A family friendly marine life amusement park in San Diego. I highly recommend spending a half day in the park to take advantage of all attractions and marine life shows. If you have a valid military ID, click HERE to read about how you can visit Sea World for FREE with their Waves of Honor Program.

 

The San Diego Zoo: The San Diego Zoo has constantly been rated as one of America’s best Zoos and Safari Parks with over 3,500 animals and 650+ species. I also recommend devoting a whole day to this activity.

 

Kayaking and Sea Lion Watch at La Jolla: La Jolla is a beach town that you can quickly access with the San Diego freeways or using the Metro system. La Jolla is known for its stunning caves, kayaking adventures and sea lion and seal animal view points. La Jolla is an adventure on its own and you can easily spend a day or two exploring.

 

Balboa Park: Balboa Park is a cultural park with tons of museums, artisan markets, tours and attractions. If you happen to be staying in Mission Hills, I highly recommend spending some time in this area and devoting a Half day or more to the attractions here.

 

 

In the end, San Diego ended up being one of our Top 5 Favorite cities in the United States. It truly is charming, a great introduction to California for us and we hope to return soon. I left the city feeling like it was okay that we had not rushed and explored everything. We are moving to the West Coast soon and it will for sure be our weekend Getaway spot more often.

April 14, 2020 by Sierra Redmond

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: California, San Diego, travel, travel with kids, weekend getaway

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Looking Forward to the Future ! I keep reflecting Looking Forward to the Future ! I keep reflecting on how different things feel from last year this time and what things feel like today . 365 days ago, we were essentially starting lockdown and unaware of how much the world would change for better and worse. It’s a constant reminder that life is too short to not take risks and do things you love!  So, how do you feel? And what are you reflecting on? Leave ANYTHING in the comments. Are you optimistic about the future of things returning to normal? Looking forward to a trip coming up? Anything positive , I want to hear it !  #familytravel #blackfamilytravel #blackcontentcreator #blackgirltravelslay #blackgirlstraveltoo #positivitypost @hiltonlajolla
VISITING CALIFORNIA DURING COVID ——> Please VISITING CALIFORNIA DURING COVID  ——> Please remember to SAVE and SHARE this post with someone who could use the information <———  ————————————  As spring break season is continuing over the next few weeks . I wanted to answer some important questions about what it was like visiting California during Covid. For more detailed and up to date information, visit @visitcalifornia or @visitsandiego!  ——————
☀️ Requirements across California are very different based on a county level . La Jolla is apart of San Diego county .  ☀️San Diego County is currently in the less restrictive Tier 2 or Red Tier of Reopening  ☀️In San Diego , you will find outdoor dining and limited indoor dining. Masks are mandatory for all common areas. Retail and shopping are operating at 50% indoor capacity  ☀️Starting April 1st, you’ll find that amusement parks are opening at between 15% and 20% capacity  We stayed in San Diego ( La Jolla) for 4 nights/ 5 days and at no point did we feel unsafe . Everyone was kind, wearing masks and we were able to have  A great time with no exception  Bottom Line: We highly recommend adding San Diego to your list for spring break destinations if you feel comfortable and are willing to Adhere to all policies that are currently in place  ————————-  Where are you planning to go for spring break ? If California , what part and what activities are you looking to do ? Leave it in the comments below !
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WHERE TO EAT IN LA JOLLA? ——> Please remembe WHERE TO EAT IN LA JOLLA?  ——> Please remember to save this post and tag a friend who could use this information <——  ————————
Happy Foodie Friday!! Thanks so much for engaging with all my posts this week about La Jolla in San Diego, California. La Jolla has some amazing food. If you’re headed to town , be sure to check out these places  📍@bobboi_naturalgelato 
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More Things to do in La Jolla ( San Diego) Califor More Things to do in La Jolla ( San Diego) California !  —-> Please remember to SHARE | COMMENT | SAVE and LIKE this post . It means the world to creators <———-  ——————-  🌊Did you know that there was a beach where you can get super up close and personal with seals and sea lions? 😳  🌊La Jolla Cove is located approximately 20 mins from downtown San Diego. If you’re staying in La Jolla, it will likely be no more than 10 mins from your hotel. It’s worth spending a half day on the beach swimming , discovering coves, having a picnic at connecting Scripps Park and watching Sea Lions wash up on shore for the day.  🌊By mid day, there were hundreds on sea lions and while you can get EXTREMELY close to them, it’s best to keep a bit of distance and not bother with them or try to feed them.  🌊If you homeschool or travel to La Jolla with children , this is a great opportunity to learn about Marine life coupled with another short drive to the La Jolla tide pools .  ————————-
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What to do in La Jolla ( San Diego) California ? What to do in La Jolla ( San Diego) California ?  ——> please remember to SHARE, SAVE , COMMENT and LIKE this post <———-  How adventurous of a traveler are you ? I consider myself to like a mix of adventure / thrills and chill in my trips. During our time in La Jolla,  took up the sport of Paragliding and became a student pilot for the day at the @flytpg in Torrey Pines. Y’all!! A once in a lifetime experience 😍we glided over cliffs and one of the most beautiful beaches .  —————-
About Paragliding at @flytpg  🪁 The Torrey Pines Gliderport has over 100 years of aviation history and is one of the most historic locations for Hang Gliding , paragliding and more in the US.  🪁Guests can choose from flight lessons to tandem flight classes (which I did with a certified pilot) and more  🪁The cost for paragliding starts at $175 pp which includes a tandem ride with a certified pilot for 20 to 25 mins . Fun fact: weight is not a factor as long as the winds are high for the day. Also, anyone age toddler to senior can ride !  🪁Hang Gliding starts at $225 pp and is only offered occasionally.  🪁 Flights are typically from 11 to 5 each day and no reservation is required!  🪁 Call the morning of your flight to be sure that the weather permits for the day  Also, I HIGHLY recommend that even if this is something you don’t want to participate in , you visit the glider port and watch others take off for the day. There’s great picnic tables and a snack stand to have lunch!  ————————
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Where to stay in Hawaii? ( Please remember to SAVE Where to stay in Hawaii? ( Please remember to SAVE| SHARE | COMMENT & LIKE)  During our time in Hawaii, we had the pleasure of staying at @hiltonhawaiianvillage . The resort is right on the world famous Waikiki Beach with stunning views, easy access to a ton of activities and a large variety of amenities for families.  HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT @hiltonhawaiianvillage  🌺Hilton Hawaiian Village spans 22 acres on Waikiki beach  🌺There are 5 pools and multiple towers , if you stay in the highly esteemed Ali’i tower, there is a private pool for guest in that tower  🌺There are over 80 shops and 18 restaurants on property. What we loved about the @hiltonhawaiianvillage is that we could have stayed on the resort every day because all that you need is walking accessible  🌺The resort is extremely family friendly / oriented . There are a large variety of amenities and activities on site such as a Friday night firework show, lei making , a famous Starlight Luau, rental paddle boarding, water bikes , Children’s program and more !  🌺There are 5 guest towers that have different price ranges , styles and guest rooms / suited to choose from. Something for everybody !  —————  What would you like to learn about @hiltonhawaiianvillage ? Leave your questions below ! 🔻🔻🔻🔻🔻  #hiltonhawaiianvillage #hiltonhonors #hiltonhotels #hawaiihotels #oahuvb #waikikibeach #honoluluhawaii #hiltonproperty #hilton100 #hawaiiblog #travelbloggers #familytravel #hotelblogger #hoteldesign #travelwithkids #gowithnugget #traveltips #travelgram #blacktravelbloggers #blackfamilytravel #hawaiiresort #hiltonresorts #familyfriendlyresorts #beachresort #travelbloggers #hilife #visitoahu #visithawaii @swaypr @hiltonhotels @hilton @hiltonhonors @hawaiianairlines @gohawaii @hawaiimagazine  @honolulumag @hiltonnewsroom
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