Two days in San Diego.

Question

Hi all. We are flying in for 2 days/2 nights to San Diego in September. Two adults, no car, no particular itinerary order but the zoo is a must and would like to squeeze in a few other things. Looking to also take in the midway museum, a trip to a beach (not sunbathing, mainly sightseeing and general wining/dining) and some of the usual shopping and sightseeing. Questions are... is this doable in two days and if so where would it be better to stay near a beach or in the Gaslamp/Little Italy area as we will be ubering everywhere. So many different beach areas, it gets confusing after a while. Thanks.

Answer

Visiting San Diego in two days is definitely doable, though it will be a busy schedule. Since you don’t have a car and plan to rely on Uber or public transport, staying centrally will save travel time. For your plan, staying near Gaslamp Quarter or Little Italy is likely the most convenient, as both areas are walkable, lively, and offer easy access to Ubers for attractions that are farther out like the Zoo or La Jolla.

For a two-day itinerary:

Day 1 – Zoo and Balboa Park area:
- Morning: San Diego Zoo – allow at least 3-4 hours to see the highlights.
- Lunch: Grab something nearby in Balboa Park or a café in Hillcrest on the way back.
- Afternoon: Explore Balboa Park – the gardens, Spanish Village Art Center, or a museum if time permits.
- Evening: Return to Gaslamp or Little Italy for dinner and a stroll along the waterfront.
Day 2 – USS Midway, Waterfront & Beach:
- Morning: USS Midway Museum – spend 2-3 hours touring the aircraft carrier.
- Lunch: Seaport Village or Little Italy – good dining options with views.
- Afternoon: Head to a nearby beach – Coronado Beach is scenic and easy to reach by Uber, or La Jolla Shores if you prefer a more upscale vibe and possibly seeing seals at La Jolla Cove.
- Late afternoon/evening: Optional shopping in Gaslamp Quarter or Fashion Valley Mall if time permits, then return to hotel to relax.

Tips:

Uber is reliable in these areas, and staying central avoids long rides to multiple attractions.
Traffic can be moderate during peak hours, so factor in extra time when traveling to distant locations like La Jolla or the Zoo.
Walking around Gaslamp or Little Italy is safe, lively, and offers many restaurants, cafés, and bars for dining and people-watching.
If you want a beach stay, Mission Beach or Pacific Beach are nice, but you’ll spend more time in Ubers to reach the Zoo and Midway.

Overall, for a short two-day visit without a car, staying central in Gaslamp or Little Italy maximizes your sightseeing time while keeping you in a lively, convenient area for dining and evening activities.

Two days in San Diego.

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