Downtown San Diego is the perfect location for a family vacation. The well-manicured streets are filled with museums, parks, historic landmarks, and family-friendly restaurants all within walking distance.
It is conveniently located near beaches, hikes, nature preserves, the zoo, and amusement parks. There really is something for everyone!
We’re excited to share how we spent our 72 hours in downtown San Diego with kids and hope it inspires you as you plan your next family vacation!
*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
How to spend 72 Hours in Downtown San Diego with Kids
Table of Contents
- Check into your hotel
- Day 1: Old Town San Diego, Little Italy, and Coronado Island
- Day 2: Waterfront park and museums, Seaport Village, Gaslamp Quarter and pizza dinner in Little Italy
- Day 3: Balboa Park, La Jolla Tide Pools, and Dinner on the beach
Check into your hotel
We drove from Arizona and arrived that night at the Wyndham Bayside hotel.
The hotel is situated on the shore of the bay adjacent to the Waterfront Park and Maritime Museum.
It is within walking distance to Little Italy, the USS Midway, Seaport Village, and the Gaslamp Quarter.
Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, and Old Town San Diego are only a few miles away and can be reached by a free shuttle from the hotel.
If you’re craving a beach day, Coronado Island and La Jolla are less than 20 minutes away. The location really can’t be beat!
We loved the amenities at the hotel as well, with an on-site family restaurant, bike rentals, and a heated pool and fitness center. And be sure to book a bayside room with a view, you won’t regret it!
It was the perfect homebase for exploring the city.
Day 1: Old Town San Diego, Little Italy, and Coronado Island
Morning: Donut Bar and Old Town
I woke up at 6:30 am and was too excited to sleep.
So while Jason and the boys slept, I slipped on my tennis shoes and headed out to explore the quiet hazy streets as the city slowly began to wake up.
San Diego is such a clean, safe, and beautiful city. The streets are lined with towering palm trees and blooming Jacaranda trees.
You’ll find an eclectic mix of modern skyscrapers intermixed with clusters of historic buildings.
The best way to get a feel for the city is on foot and I loved that there was so much to see within walking distance of the hotel.
But I was on a mission for donuts. Donut Bar is only one mile away and arguably the best donut shop in all of San Diego.
The bakery serves up artisanal favorites like Vermont Maple Bacon, Creme Brulee, and Birthday Cake Oreo. The Red Velvet was my personal favorite.
Another perk of walking there is that you can burn off the calories and feel less guilty about indulging in one!
I made my way back to the hotel where we ate Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup donuts on the balcony while watching the ships gliding across the bay.
Old Town San Diego
After getting dressed, we headed out to explore Old Town San Diego. It is located only a few miles away and the hotel offers a free shuttle.
Old Town San Diego is known as the birthplace of California and as you wander the streets you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.
Start your visit off at the State Historic Park where you’ll find original adobe structures and historic buildings from the 1800s. They have since been converted into museums, shops, and restaurants.
Check out the fossils and Megalodon teeth at the Miner’s Gem Shop and pick out some inexpensive treasures for souvenirs.
Pop into Toby’s Candle and Soap Shop to hand dip your own candle and browse their sumptuous scents.
The Mason Street School is the first public schoolhouse in San Diego and can be found just behind Toby’s Candle Shop. Step inside and let your kids experience what school would have looked like back then.
Be sure to grab a warm chocolate chip cookie from La Casa de Alvarado, homemade tortillas at the Old Town Mexican Cafe, and the best cheese dip at Miguel’s Cocina!
After exploring the State Historic Park, walk to the Old Town Markets on the next street over for a south-of-the-border experience.
My boys loved window shopping for rubber band guns, browsing trinkets, sharing a churro, and trying unique Mexican candy from the La Dulceria. I also picked up a cute $10 Mexican blanket for the beach.
The Whaley House is also located across the street and is considered one of the most haunted houses in America. It wasn’t open for tours when we were there, but I would love to go back!
The El Campo Santo Cemetery is nearby and also worth a stop. As the city began growing, several graves were relocated in order to make room for a horse-drawn streetcar line that went right down the center of the cemetery.
Several graves were left untouched and were later paved over to make a modern road. The spirits that have been sealed under the road are said to haunt this area!
Just behind the Whaley House, you’ll find Heritage Park. I was smitten with this row of Victorian homes that paints a romantic picture of simpler times.
You’ll find six elegant historic homes and the city’s first synagogue, all of which have been transported from locations around the city before finding permanent residence on Heritage Row.
We all picked which house we would want to live in, but it was hard to choose!
The manicured gardens are a quiet respite from the bustle of the city. And for a unique experience, make a reservation at the charming Coral Tree Tea House. Be sure to check our guide for more Things to Do in Old Town San Diego!
Afternoon: Lunch at Little Italy
Little Italy is such a cute neighborhood located about a half-mile from the Wyndham hotel.
With a history steeped in the fishing industry, this neighborhood was once home to 6,000 Italian immigrants at its peak.
Today you’ll find everything from luxe cosmopolitan cafes to kitschy mom & pop shops.
We decided on Burger Lounge for lunch and their grass-fed beef patties, fresh-cut fries, and craft soda hit the spot.
We saved just enough room for a waffle cone from Salt & Straw, and it was hands down one of the best ice cream cones I’ve had in my entire life!
The small-batch handmade ice cream comes in a variety of unique flavors such as Honey Lavender and Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Pepper, but I kept it simple with Sea Salt and Caramel Ribbons and it was perfection.
Walk across the street to the sunny Piazza Della Famiglia and enjoy your ice cream at the outdoor patio tables in this public square.
The famed Little Italy sign is also located here. The pillars are made with hand-laid mosaics and are hung with plaques chronicling the history of the neighborhood.
On Saturdays visit the Mercato Farmer’s Market for local goods or head to Amici Park for outdoor chess and bocce. While at Amici Park, be sure to look for the recipe tables where you can make rubbings of traditional Italian recipes engraved on the tables.
All the locals know that the best gelato is at Pappalecco’s, and your kids will get a kick out of the character buns at Harumama.
Stroll along the 1-mile neighborhood walking loop and be sure to download the free Little Italy walking tour app.
The most beautiful fire station I’ve ever seen is also located here, along with the San Diego Firehouse Museum.
I’ve also had my eye on Nolita Hall where you can eat wood-fired pizza while watching the planes coming in for a landing through the glass ceiling. The flights are tracked with a flap sign that I think my boys would love!
Evening: Coronado Island and The Taco Stand
In the late afternoon, we drove across the Coronado Bridge that spans two miles over the bay. Coronado Island lies about 7 miles from downtown San Diego but feels like a world away.
Here the ocean caresses miles of sandy shoreline dotted with the most charming beach cottages.
Coronado Beach is consistently voted as one of the best family beaches in the US.
We like hanging out at the north end by Coronado Dog Beach where a drainage canal is filled with shallow water perfect for building bridges and dams.
We spent several hours just playing in the sand and surf until the sun hung low in the sky.
On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at The Taco Stand for Carne Asada tacos to-go. We took them back to the hotel where we enjoyed tacos on the balcony while taking in the glittering night lights over the bay.
Day 2: Waterfront park and museums, Seaport Village, Gaslamp Quarter and pizza dinner in Little Italy
Morning: Waterfront bike path, Seaport Village and the Gaslamp Quarter
I loved the quiet solitude of the empty city streets the morning before, so once again I woke up early and crept outside while everyone else was still asleep.
I was welcomed with a heavy early morning fog like the breath of the sea, and it was intoxicating.
The waterfront path just steps away from the hotel is the perfect spot for an early morning jog. After a quick refreshing run, I woke the boys up so they could enjoy the waterfront as well.
Wheel Fun Rentals is located just outside the hotel where I rented a beach cruiser for $12/hour. The boys rode their skateboards along the waterfront while I followed behind on the bike.
We headed south past the cruise ship terminal and Broadway pier, slowing down just long enough to gawk at the luxurious yachts.
We rode by the revered USS Midway where I would highly recommend taking a tour if you have a chance.
Visitors can climb aboard the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the 20th century and learn about its long and dramatic history.
This ship just missed serving in WWII by one week, but it played a critical role during the Cold War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and many other missions in between.
Guests will have a chance to tour the corridors and galleys below deck before heading to the top landing deck to view restored air crafts.
You’ll also want to stop and see the memorials and statues in Tuna Harbor Park
Seaport Village
We continued to Seaport Village, which was still sleepy at this time of day but is usually buzzing with tourists and street buskers.
On most summer days you’ll find tourists milling about the shops and strolling along the boardwalk.
The lunchtime crowd can be found spilling out of Buster’s Beach House and live music often fills the heavy salt air.
Kids will enjoy the Looff Carousel with hand-carved horses and the nearby video arcade. The Embarcadero Marina Park is also the perfect spot for kite flying or picnics. The Headquarters is a nearby trendy shopping center that once served as the police headquarters.
Take a peek at the police exhibit located by the bathroom where you’ll find old jail cells, photos, and mugshots from the 1930s.
Gaslamp Quarter
The Gaslamp Quarter is a little over a half-mile from Seaport Village. This historic neighborhood is known for its energetic and vibrant nightlife.
Since we weren’t interested in bar hopping with kids, I preferred exploring the 16 block district in the daylight.
This famous Gaslamp street sign can be found at the south end of 5th street.
Construction in this neighborhood began in the mid-1800s and today includes the preservation of 94 historic buildings.
Gas lamps were not the original source of lighting, but were introduced during the redevelopment in the 1980s. Fifty gas lamp street lights were installed as a nod to the historic era.
Start here and work your way back towards the hotel as you admire the beautiful old buildings and architecture.
Stop in for brunch at Richard Walker’s Pancake House and order apple pancakes with granny smith apples and cinnamon glaze.
If you’re looking for a sweet treat, try the Midnight Reverie sundae at Ghiradelli’s or stop at the Chocolat Cremerie for authentic gelato and crepes.
Make reservations at the Cat Cafe where your kids will get a kick out of playing with cuddly kittens while eating pastries and sipping a beverage.
If you have time, stop by the Gaslamp Museum across the street from the cafe and take an audio tour of this Davis-Horton historic Victorian home.
You could also spend a few hours at the New Children’s Museum nearby with hands-on exhibits and interactive art installations.
If you don’t have enough time for the museum, be sure to at least stop by the small outdoor park and community garden.
Afternoon: Picnic at Waterfront Park and Museums
We worked up an appetite after exploring the waterfront so we picked up lunch from the nearby Crack Shack, a SoCal institution.
The hand-battered fried chicken with a side of Schmaltz fries and biscuits with maple butter were to die for!
We were planning to take it to go and have a picnic at Waterfront Park but unfortunately, the playgrounds are still closed. Instead, we ate on the outdoor picnic tables and played the lawn games at Crack Shack.
If the parks are open, I would highly recommend taking a picnic lunch to Waterfront Park and spending the afternoon there.
We did that last summer and the kids loved it! It is such a beautiful and fun city park.
The innovative playground kept my kids highly entertained and the shallow pool and fountains kept them cool as the morning fog burned off to reveal a brilliant day.
Visit the Maritime Museum
After the park, head across the street to the Maritime Museum located directly in front of the hotel.
The museum consists of a collection of eight historic vessels that can be toured by visitors. These include sailing ships, steam-powered boats, and even submarines.
The Star of India holds the title as the world’s oldest active sailing ship and is the crowning jewel of the fleet.
It is also rumored to be haunted by former sailors and passengers, particularly a stowaway that was put to work and died when he fell 100 feet off the rigging onto the deck below.
Visitors have also commented on the faint scent of baked bread that wafts from the ship’s vacant galley. It definitely adds to the excitement of the tour!
The San Salvador is also on display and is the ship sailed by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. He is the first European explorer to land in San Diego.
Evening: Swimming, sunset on the balcony, and pizza dinner in Little Italy
We came back for some downtime at the hotel. The swimming pool was temporarily closed, but the heated pool would be the perfect spot to relax and unwind at the end of the day.
We made it back to the room just in time to capture a brilliant sunset from the balcony.
It was time for dinner so we got ready and skated over to Little Italy.
This is our favorite neighborhood in the city and I love how close it is to the hotel. We decided on Filippi’s Pizza Grotto for dinner.
The quaint restaurant is tucked in the back of a small Italian grocery store.
I loved the ambiance and decidedly local feel, even though it is a chain restaurant.
The bottles hanging from the ceiling come from the tradition of local fishermen putting money in the jars to pay for their meals.
The food was good, although not as authentic as I was hoping for, but the whole experience was fun and perfect for a family dinner. I’ve heard Landini’s has really good pizza, although it is a little more NY style.
Of course, you’ll want to pick up some Pignoli cookies and Italian treats from the little shop on your way out to take back to the hotel and enjoy as a late-night snack!
We skated back to the hotel but had to take a quick stop at the waterfront to see the Star of India all lit up, it looked so magical!
Day 3: Balboa Park, La Jolla Tide Pools, and Dinner on the beach
Morning: Explore Balboa Park
The hotel offers a free shuttle to Balboa Park, located about 3.6 miles from the Wyndham Hotel.
This sprawling city park could easily take a few days to explore, so I would recommend picking a few must-see attractions. Here are a few recommendations:
Things to do in Balboa Park:
- San Diego Zoo: Sitting on 100 acres with over 3,700 animals, the San Diego Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world.
- Botanical Building and Lily Pond: The photogenic Botanical Building is one of the largest lath structures in the world. Step inside where you’ll be surrounded by plants and rare flowers from around the world. Admire the reflection in the Lily Pond, one of the most photographed locations in San Diego. As an interesting side note, During WWII the lily pond was used as a rehabilitation pool for wounded soldiers. The San Diego Museum of Art was even used to house hospital beds.
- Fleet Science Center: Filled with educational hands-on exhibits, an IMAX theater, and planetarium. Visit on the first Wednesday of the month to join the astrology chat and public telescopes. Electric wicker carts are often found for rent outside of the museum, they were all the rage in 1915!
- Natural History Museum: The oldest museum in the west! Your kids will love the fossils and learning about dinosaurs. Be sure to join the fossil scavenger hunt and enjoy educational videos on the giant screen.
- California Tower: Climb the 125 steps to the top of the California Tower for spectacular views of the park.
- Spanish Village Art Center: The colorful buildings date back to the California Pacific International Exposition and were once used as army barracks. Today you can find local artists selling their work.
- Palm Canyon: This walking trail is surrounded by over 450 palm trees.
- Balboa Park Carousel: The carousel was built in New York in 1910. It was also temporarily housed in Los Angeles and Coronado before calling Balboa Park home in 1922. It has only had 3 operators and the most recent operator has had the job for the past 45 years.
- Spreckles Organ: This organ was built in 1914 and is the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world. If you visit on a Sunday then you are in for a treat as renowned organist Raul Prieto Ramirez performs a free show every Sunday afternoon.
- Model Railroad Museum: The miniature display features small-scale train lines through San Diego and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Afternoon: La Jolla Tide Pools
Grab lunch at the outdoor Panama 66 cafe in Balboa Park, then head to La Jolla about 15 miles north of the park.
Check the tide chart and when the tide is low head to the tide pools at Shell Beach. A staircase from the parking lot leads to a small sandy cove.
If you head to the right you’ll see a small cave, the tide pools can be found just beyond that on top of the rocks.
My boys loved trying to catch crabs and discovering little creatures hiding in the pools and crevices.
To the left, you’ll see sea lions lounging at the Children’s Pool. In 1931 a seawall was constructed to form a safe swimming area for kids, which was referred to as the Children’s Pool.
Over time, the pool filled with sand to form a beach that attracts seals and sea lions.
Today the area has been designated as an underwater park and ecological reserve. My kids loved walking over to see the seals and got a kick out of them wiggling their way up the beach!
Evening: Pizza on the Beach
There is no shortage of fantastic beaches along the California coast, and no shortage of pizza shops.
On our way out of town, we grabbed pizza from Pizza Port in Solana Beach. We also picked up a carton of our favorite Thrifty ice cream and waffle cones from Rite-Aid and had the perfect picnic overlooking the ocean at Fletcher Cove Beach Park.
It was the perfect way to wrap up a memorable weekend in San Diego!
We hope this guide has helped you plan an unforgettable weekend in downtown San Diego with kids!
Other posts you might like:
- 7 Things to do in Oceanside for an Unforgettable Family Vacation
- 9 Of the Best Things to do in Orange County with Kids
- 13 Fun Things to do in LA with Kids
- 12 Unforgettable Things to do in San Diego
- 6 Stops on a Road Trip from Oceanside to San Diego!
Gahh I love San Diego! Old Town is beautiful and the La Jolla Tide Pools are so fun for adults and kids alike. I gotta add those donuts to my list!
Right?! It is such a fun and beautiful city! Definitely go to Donut Bar, you will love it!
We were meant to go in July but had to cancel. Planning now for 2022. Loved your blog
Thank you so much! I hope you make it there next year and have the best time!