Is 3 full days enough for a visit? (San Diego, August: school, beaches)

[AquaberryDolph]

Wow thanks to everyone so far! Great info, much appreciated.

The only reservation I have about potentially staying right downtown is the homeless population I've read people mention. People can definitely over exaggerate on the internet, but they make it seem like a big problem for the city over the last few years. Is this just contained to certain spots of downtown? Would it be better to stay in Mission Valley/Mission Bay Area if we would prioritize the zoo/beaches on this visit?

[04kL4nD]

Originally Posted by newgensandiego

I'd say you need a full week to experience everything. However, I don't recommend people rush their way through San Diego because SD is the opposite of rushed and you just won't enjoy it. It's a perfect weekend destination, not because it only requires a single weekend, but because there are always a few deeper dives into experiencing the city. This is what attracts people to keep coming back.

I mean, there is literally no way you could do this in three days:

- Seaworld
- Zoo
- "Safari Park"
- Legoland
- Seaworld Aquatica
- Urban neighborhoods: Downtown (Embarcadero/Seaport Village/Gaslamp/Little Italy/Midway) + Hillcrest + North Park + others
- North Coast (Pacific Highway: Torrey Pines State Park, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside)
- San Diego coast (La Jolla/Mt. Soledad/Birch Aquarium, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach/Belmont Park, Point Loma/Liberty Station, Coronado/Hotel del/Bicycling)
- Historic California: Old Town, Missions (2 in SD County), ranchos, etc.
- Balboa (especially if you plan on going in museums)
- Tijuana
- Beer tour
- Mountain road trip (Laguna Mountains, Julian, etc.)
- Desert road trip

Additional half-to-full day experiences:
- watersports (kayaking, sailing, surfing, etc.)
- hiking
- golfing (SD has some amazing golf courses)
- indian casinos

Fair enough. I just think when people say one has to spend an entire week in one place to 'really' experience it (wherever it may be), I think about all the places I've traveled to where I was only there for a few days, or even a few hours, and I wonder what I must've been doing...

I guess my point is that a weekend in SD is certainly better than nothing in SD, let alone a week, and I would encourage anyone who wants to visit for a few days to go. But you're right; trying to cram all that in 3 days sounds miserable.

Originally Posted by AquaberryDolph

Wow thanks to everyone so far! Great info, much appreciated.

The only reservation I have about potentially staying right downtown is the homeless population I've read people mention. People can definitely over exaggerate on the internet, but they make it seem like a big problem for the city over the last few years. Is this just contained to certain spots of downtown? Would it be better to stay in Mission Valley/Mission Bay Area if we would prioritize the zoo/beaches on this visit?

It's a big problem in most West Coast cities, and you will likely encounter homeless in areas outside of downtown, though probably not as many. Mission Valley is like 5-10 mins from downtown, so it's not a huge difference maker in terms of driving to attractions. If you don't care about being able to walk from your hotel room to restaurants/bars (like you can downtown), then it's probably a better choice. Personally, I think the traffic in Mission Valley is annoying and I actually like walking around, but YMMV

[tstieber]

The previous response is great. You can't see everything in three days, but that doesn't mean it's not enough. You don't have to see everything in three days. Just see what you want and that fits into the schedule. Personally, I think the zoo is amazing while Sea World is just a theme park. People invariably come to SD for Sea World, but I'd visit Cabrillo Monument and the Pt Loma lighthouse for tidepooling, or the Birch Aquarium for Sea life, over that.

The homeless problem has become bad, but you can avoid much of it by steering clear of Horton Plaza park, C Street, and East Village. Definitely don't miss Little Italy or the waterfront. Mission Valley is safe, but it's just a sterile collection of suburban highrise hotels from the 70s. It's a fine jumping off point.

[eastcoastbias]

Originally Posted by AquaberryDolph

Hi all,

My wife and I may be visiting San Diego from August 22nd-August 25th. We would be coming from Cleveland. While we would love to visit San Diego, our only concern would be only potentially having 3 solid days there (flight would arrive Wednesday around noon). Is that worth it for a first time visit?

There are some nice rates on some hotels it seems on HotWire in the downtown/gaslamp area. Would that be a good spot to stay? We would definitely like some nightlife but would want to make it out to the Zoo/Balboa + one of the beach spots during our stay.

Thanks!

Just spent some time in Cleveland caught a baseball game and went to the Rock Hall...I would see/do things that you can't get in Cleveland or do things or see things are pretty interesting and unique to the area.


We have some GREAT beaches. Check out La Jolla, Mission Beach, Encinitas. Do some water sports. Late August the water should be getting warmer.


We have a World Class Park- Balboa Park check it out for a Half day close by you have Old Town too which is a unique settlement with great Mexican food.


We have some nice golf courses- , beautiful hiking spots (Torrey Pines good one).


Eat plenty of Mexican food (its much better than anything you get in Cleveland). I would stay away from getting hotels in Mission Valley or the Gaslamp (unless you want to look out of your room to cars and pavement). If you are going to splurge - splurge on a hotel on or by the beach. The activities I mentioned above cost very little anyway.




Some things I would reconsider...
-The Zoo is great as well but If I recall Cleveland's is pretty good and Pittsburgh has one that is pretty solid too. An elephant is an elephant whether it lives in Cleveland or SD
-The Gaslamp is overrated. The food is okay, there were some nice spots in downtown Cleveland that held their own with the Gaslamp.
-SeaWorld- meh. Last couple times I was there they had two or three main attractions out.

[loveautumn]

Unless you have kids with you, I think you could skip Sea World.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Skip the theme parks.

[bloom]

Originally Posted by 1AngryTaxPayer

Skip the theme parks.

but take the canoli. I enjoyed only Legoland in the day when kids were of that age, as lower key, original, creative not overwhelming park in terms of crowds, size, craziness, price gouging, commericalism, etc

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by Encinitan

Palm Springs is a weekend. Catalina Island is a weekend. San Diego? Come on. There's enough to do in the nation's 8th largest city to kill at least a week.

Heck, I've been here 30+ years and still haven't seen and done it all.

Just to clarify an earlier post, the "Trolley" mentioned is the "Old Town Trolley" not the San Diego Trolley. The Old Town Trolley is a tourist hop on hop off bus that will take you to all of the tourist hot spots and let you get off and on whenever you'd like.

The San Diego Trolley is a mass transit light rail system that is useful for getting to certain places on the rail line, but it won't take you to places like the Zoo and many other tourist sites.

The Old Town Trolley is great for visitors as it will give you a great overview of the city and make it easy to get to many of the most popular tourist sites. Definitely worth doing if you aren't renting a car.

Here's another useful website for all visitors: https://www.sandiego.org/ Be sure to check out the deals section - it will give you some great coupons for discounts on tourist attractions. And, the site will help you figure out what you are most interested in seeing and doing while you're in town.

Have a fun trip!

[AquaberryDolph]

Thanks again for all the information from everyone! It is very helpful. Unfortunately, something came up with my wife's work so we won't be able to go in August. We will look to go potentially in October, and we may be able to stay longer than 3 days then (so that could be a good thing lol).

Originally Posted by eastcoastbias

Just spent some time in Cleveland caught a baseball game and went to the Rock Hall...

Hope you enjoyed your stay in Cleveland!

[LaJollaEast]

I actually think October is a better time than August to visit San Diego. Weather is great and the beaches aren't as crowded since the summer tourists are gone with kids going back to school.