Solo Travel in San Diego for 20-somethings
Whether it’s your first time traveling solo or you’re already an experienced adventurer, San Diego offers the right mix of city energy, cultural attractions and easy access to nature — with the beach never too far away. Getting around without a car is doable, as many neighborhoods are a quick rideshare from trolley stations and bus routes. Even during a shorter stay, you can visit several major attractions, squeeze in some beach time, and get a taste of the city’s culinary and nightlife scenes.
Here’s a 72-hour itinerary to help you experience San Diego.
Where to Stay
Where to Stay
Check in at Ocean Park Inn for an ocean front stay right by Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach. If you want to stay downtown, Hotel Z and Moxy San Diego are in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. Over in the East Village, west of the Gaslamp Quarter and closer to Petco Park, Sentral San Diego offers condos with full kitchens and in-unit laundry, and a sense of what it’s like to live in the neighborhood. Hotel Indigo is a chic boutique property with a rooftop bar, Borrego, that has skyline views and fire pits.
Day 1: Coastal Day, Low-Key Night
Day 1: Coastal Day, Low-Key Night
Hang out at Pacific Beach or Mission Beach, where you can sunbathe and swim the day away. The two beaches are connected by a scenic, 3-mile paved boardwalk that’s perfect for biking, skating, or just strolling. Along the way, you’ll pass surf shops, beach bars and restaurants. Start the morning at Kono’s Cafe with a casual breakfast burrito, or check out Breakfast Republic for heartier plates of benedicts, three-egg omelettes and strawberry-cheesecake pancakes. Madi is a new brunch spot about one block from the beach with plenty of patio seating, an inventive coffee menu (try the pineapple cold brew with coconut cold foam) and dishes like shakshuka or a build-your-own protein bowl.
Be sure to stop at Belmont Park, the oceanfront amusement park where you can play retro and modern arcade games, ride the historic Giant Dipper roller coaster and grab a bite. There’s a casual food court with local favorites like Pizza Port, and sit-down spots like Cannonball, which serves sushi with rooftop ocean views.
For a uniquely San Diego culinary experience, try the California burrito: carne asada, fries, cheese, guacamole and more are wrapped up in a tortilla, making for a filling and flavorful post-beach day lunch. Several places in Pacific Beach serve it, including Taco Surf, PB Shore Club and Roberto’s Taco Shop.
In the evening, wind down with rooftop views and good food. Firehouse American Eatery & Lounge offers a buzzy rooftop scene with everything from light bites and salads to full entrées. For a more laid-back vibe, grab a cold draft beer and watch the sunset at Pacific Beach Alehouse, which also has rooftop seating. Just a block from the beach, The Flamingo Deck is a trendy Italian restaurant open until midnight — perfect for a late dinner before calling it a night.
Day 2: Parks and a Taste of Downtown
Day 2: Parks and a Taste of Downtown
Spend the day exploring Balboa Park, where you can wander through gardens, explore smaller museums like the Comic-Con Museum or Museum of Photographic Arts, or browse the artist studios in Spanish Village. There’s no pressure to plan — just follow your pace and enjoy the setting. Here’s a guide with nearby lunch options to help you choose without leaving the park.
From here, it’s a short walk to the San Diego Zoo. If you’re up for it, you can cover the highlights in just a few hours — here’s a guide on how to make the most of a half-day visit.
Head to the Gaslamp Quarter for happy hour, where you can easily make a meal out of appetizers and small plates. With the number of establishments in the neighborhood offering happy hour, it’s possible to find one nearly every day of the week. Enjoy sangria and tapas at Cafe Sevillac which captures the spirit of Spain. Rustic Root has a fun rooftop bar that overlooks Fifth Avenue, and their generous happy hour includes a spicy fried chicken sandwich or smashburger for $12. Zama Restaurant & Bar pours its signature “Zamatini” and “Junglerita” at happy hour, which you’ll enjoy sipping in the upscale lounge decorated with greenery. Indulge in a Parisian-style burger and pomme frites at the elegant Saint James French Diner at the Palihotel San Diego, or try the Angus beef sliders at The Field Irish Pub. For an elevated happy hour, dress up and head to Lionfish at Pendry San Diego, where grilled swordfish skewers and sushi handrolls are on the menu.
If you want to continue the night out, there’s no shortage of bars and pubs on Fifth Avenue. Barleymash is a welcoming and spacious sports bar, and Coin-Op Game Room is a sociable arcade for adults with everything from old-school pinball to racing and multiplayer games. The Tipsy Crow and Garage Kitchen & Bar have fun trivia nights, and Nason’s Beer Hall offers a more laid-back vibe. For late-night tacos, two famous taquerias have locations on Fifth Avenue — Tacos El Gordo, known for the adobada (pork roasted on a vertical spit), and Tacos El Franc, a Tijuana-based restaurant that was featured on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles.
Day 3: Art, the Waterfront and Local Culinary Culture
Day 3: Art, the Waterfront and Local Culinary Culture
Explore Barrio Logan, San Diego’s oldest Mexican-American neighborhood, by supporting the local businesses on Logan Avenue that are full of community pride. Start with coffee and pastries at Por Vida, then browse through the stalls at Art Hub Makers — a collective space of 25 artist studios and shops — for unique jewelry, clothing and gifts. Check out the vinyl collection at Beat Box Record Store, or pick up something new to read at Libélula Books & Co. See the largest collection of Chicano murals in the world at Chicano Park, a National Historic Landmark where more than 80 colorful, large-scale murals can be found on concrete pylons below Interstate 5 and the San Diego-Coronado Bridge. Try a unique beer at Mujeres Brewhouse, a Latina-owned brewery that has a convivial atmosphere.
Stay in the neighborhood for lunch, as there’s plenty of delicious food: Las Cuatro Milpas is an institution that’s been serving homestyle Mexican cooking for more than 90 years; Fish Guts has outstanding fried fish and shrimp tacos (and the seafood is all sustainable or locally harvested); Todo Pa’ La Cruda has an extensive menu of tacos, soups and ceviches; El Carrito is set in an old cable car and serves Mexican breakfast plates and chilaquiles until 3 p.m.
Take a breezy walk along the Embarcadero, a scenic stretch of San Diego’s bayfront. Along the way, you’ll pass the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, see shops at Seaport Village and spot historic ships at the Maritime Museum of San Diego — including a submarine and the world’s oldest active sailing ship, the Star of India. The USS Midway, a decommissioned aircraft carrier, is a prominent fixture on the waterfront that is now a museum and offers an up-close look at restored military aircraft and what life was like aboard a ship. Don’t miss Portside Pier, a modern glass-and-metal sphere perched over the water where you can grab a coffee or gelato and take in the view. The bayfront can also be explored by bike — rent one from Wheel Fun Rentals, which is located on North Harbor Drive.
Head to Little Italy, a lively neighborhood known for its excellent food scene. Along India Street, you’ll find everything from classic Italian trattorias to modern spots serving a variety of international cuisines. As the sun sets, the area buzzes with energy as outdoor tables fill up and the whole neighborhood feels like a celebration.
For sushi in a nightclub-like setting, try Cloak & Petal. Coco Maya draws a younger crowd to its rooftop with views and a Caribbean-inspired menu, while Ironside Fish & Oyster serves up freshly shucked oysters, seafood and bold design. Craving ramen? Head to Harumama, a noodle shop that also serves adorable animal face-shaped bao that you’ll want to order and get a photo of. For a casual meal, grab a slice at Filippi’s Pizza Grotto or a classic sandwich from the deli counter at Mona Lisa Italian Foods, a local favorite that's open til 10 p.m. and always busy, and take it to Piazza della Famiglia, a lively open-air gathering space with tables and chairs. You can also stop by Monello for an authentic Italian aperitivo hour, where every drink comes with three chef-selected small bites. And if you’re in the mood for a drink with some history, don’t miss The Waterfront, San Diego’s oldest bar.