If you’re planning a trip to San Diego and want to explore beyond the typical tourist spots, this guide is for you! San Diego is packed with hidden gems, offering unique experiences that highlight the city’s laid-back charm and vibrant culture.
In this 3 day itinerary, I’ll share with you the hidden gem adventures I discovered with Mount with some of the best-kept secrets of Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Little Italy, Coronado, and more.
From local eats and beachside adventures to scenic neighborhoods and off-the-beaten-path spots, this itinerary will help you experience San Diego like a local and uncover its hidden treasures.
Spoiler alert: I grew up here...
Day 1: Arrive San Diego, settle in at a luxury rental home and head to the beach with Mexican take-out
San Diego airport is a smaller airport (in comparison to LAX or SFO), but is located a quick 10-20 minute Uber ride away from the main popular areas of San Diego.
After our party arrived in, we headed straight to our luxury rental…
Checking in at Luxury Villa California with Bluewater Vacation Homes
On this trip, our party of 11 people stayed at a 6 bedroom/6 bath luxury home with Bluewater Vacation Homes and we LOVED it.
On their website you’ll find premium vacation homes locally managed and an entire MAP of not just dozens, but over a hundred properties.
We specifically stayed at Villa California in Ocean Beach and we were a short walk away from the beach and an easy 10-15 minute Uber ride to the hidden gem activies.
What we loved the most about this property were the many options of where we could gather and hangout together. The living room, large kitchen space, huge dining area were just the downstairs options.
Upstairs we could enjoy a hot tub with fireplace with views of Ocean Beach and Mission Bay. Check out more photos of Villa California by clicking here!
Want MORE suggestions on where to stay?
If you’re a smaller party or prefer a hotel, a few other properties I’ve stayed at in the area can be found in the helpful blog posts below:
- Hilton Gaslamp: If you’re looking to stay in the heart of Downtown with the ability to walk to everything. You might consider this well located (but not so price friendly) hotel. Watch the Youtube tour and review by clicking here.
- Paradise Point in Mission Bay: this spot is on an island in Mission Bay and you’ll find luxury hotel rooms over a sprawling multi-pool property on the bay. Read the full blog post by clicking here.
- The Monsaraz Hotel in Point Loma: this boutique style hotel is a Hilton property with well decorated modern rooms and a relaxed laid back vibe. Read the full blog post by clicking here.
Grab Mexican takeout and have a bonfire on the beach (WITHOUT the cleanup)
If you visited San Diego and didn’t eat Mexican food, then you did something wrong.
While a California Burrito is an EXCELLENT idea (carne asada, guacamole and french fries), any Mexican food will suffice.
On this trip, we stopped in at Harry’s Taco Club and took burritos to go (so we could eat them on the beach). They have locations in several areas around San Diego, but strolling along Newport on the way to Ocean Beach they have a location just a block away from the water.
Open everyday from 2-9pm with AWESOME customer service, a dozen of us came in for Mexican food and a dozen of us walked out INSANELY happy with our experience and food.
Helpful to know, you can order pickup in advance online.
We took our Mexican food to the beach and we were SO excited to enjoy a sunset with a bonfire.
However, bonfires on the beach in San Diego can be hard.
Why is that? There are limited beaches on where bonfires are allowed, but specifically, for the ones that have fire pits, it’s hard to get one (because they are in such high demand).
Also, if you’re visiting San Diego, it’s annoying to have to buy the firewood, get the beach chairs, get all the supplies (I mean, you gotta have smores right?) and on top of that all, you have to secure a fire pit.
Enter: Beach Fire Guy
This hidden gem is one you want to be in the know about because having someone clean up after you is amazing after the sun has gone down, everyone is tired and ready to go home and no one wants to clean the sand off all the beach chairs.
Beach Fire Guy can set you and your party up with a fire pit and chairs with add-on options for tikis, s’mores, games and more. They have various packages you can check out on their website by clicking here.
We hung out in Ocean Beach (but they are available from Coronado to La Jolla to Mission Bay and Pacific Beach) and we were helped by a really awesome guy named Tony.
He had us all setup as soon as we walked up to the beach and not only did he check in on us, but he was a text message away when we were done (and he was on cleanup duty).
Catching a beautiful sunset on the beach, enjoying s’mores, and playing games then being able to just WALK AWAY once it was cold was beyond priceless.
Day 2: Paddle around Mission Bay, food tour in Little Italy and eat at a local sports bar in Mission Beach
Mission Bay is a popular spot for both tourists and locals and one thing that most people don’t know about this 4,600 acre park: it’s man-made!
If you haven’t been to Mission Bay, it’s a fantastic spot for a picnic, a walk or jog (there are lots of paths), sailing, boating or jet skiing, swimming and more.
Start your morning with a coffee at Superbloom
This cute coffee shop also has a wine option and is located inside of Mission Beach Cafe. You’ll find a selection of breakfast and lunch foods (depending on the hour) and most importantly: a large parking lot and seating with views of Mission Bay.
Kayaking, stand up paddle and more with Aqua Adventures
Aqua Adventures is a veteran owned spot has been around for over 20 years and is ready to help with all your water adventure needs. From kayaking, to stand up paddle boarding, to aqua bikes, you can DIY with their rentals or choose to get on the water with one of their tours or lessons.
They’ll help you with everything you need from a quick tutorial on how to properly use the paddle and will gear you up with life vests.
One of the BEST things about Aqua Adventures is you’re not limited to a small confined space. Aside from going out into the open ocean, you’re able to explore all of Mission Bay as you’d like. It’s not small either! Give yourself time to explore and enjoy time on the water paddling around.
On the water you’ll see Garibaldi fish, seals, tons of birds and fish.
Eat your way through a FOOD TOUR with number one food tour company in San Diego: So Diego
So Diego is the number one food tour in San Diego and no surprise, they curate really great restaurants with equally great experiences for their guests.
With half a dozen options (and different locations around San Diego), So Diego gives you the option to eat your heart out.
Stretchy pants recommended.
We chose to their Pizza, Pasta and Piazzas tour in Little Italy, which has grown significantly over the years to become a very modern and vibey place to come to drink and dine in San Diego. Yes you can find great Italian restaurants, but there is so much more beyond that (a list of favorites is below).
We started off with a stroll through the farmers market, which, on Saturdays the Little Italy Farmers Market is the largest one in San Diego. On Saturday it’s six full blocks with over 200 vendors. Started in 2008, the stalls are curated to have a good mix of produce, shopping and stands to grab some bites as you’re walking.
After a stroll through their (smaller Wednesday) market we headed to 4 different spots and ate NOT SMALL portions of curated bites.
- Solunto for family-owned hospitality and veal bolognese with 2 wines
- Mr. Moto Pizza for one of the BEST slices of pizza I’ve ever had in San Diego (I had the Mama Moto)
- Queenstown for fun decor and a large outdoor space where we dined on lamb burger sliders and sangria
- Pappalecco for gelato because you’ve got to finish off the tour with something sweet
Want more Little Italy recommendations?
Considering coming to Little Italy for a single restaurant? Below are some of my go-to’s each time I’m in San Diego:
- Ironside Fish & Oyster for fresh seafood in a modern and buzzing space
- Cloak and Petal for sushi and hip hop vibes
- Craft and Commerce for fun decor and fantastic cocktails, or head into their bar within a bar (speakeasy: False Idol)
Spend the afternoon exploring Balboa Park
There’s no better way to digest than an easy stroll with beautiful sites. Head over the Balboa Park where you have an endless number of options. A few of my favorites are:
- Stroll through the Japanese Friendship Garden and look at the bonsai, see the koi fish and the perfectly manicured plants and flowers
- See the Botanical Garden, take a photo at the front with the ponds and see all the beautiful plants
- Or see a TON of Balboa Park by grabbing a by-the-minute electric scooter and zip around all the sites
Want to see the VIDEO version of this blog post? Check out the San Diego vlog video on Youtube by clicking here!
Dine with the locals at Guava Beach Bar & Grill
Looking for someone casual, welcoming, but has a fun environment? Come to Guava Beach Bar & Grill. This spot is newly renovated and is a modern sports bar with great food, excellent service and is a family friendly environment.
I love the way the owner, Eric, describes this spot: It’s a locals bar for everyone.
One of the things I loved about this spot is it goes way (way) beyond just wings and burgers. You’ll find really delicious food well presented.
Also on the menu are the (not small) margaritas, don’t miss them!
Day 3: Explore Point Loma, see the tide pools and lighthouse, catch a beautiful sunset and eat Italian at Nado in Coronado
An underrated spot that most tourists miss in San Diego is Point Loma. There are beautiful views to take in and delicious food to eat.
But first, coffee at Better Buzz
Start your day with (literally a) Better Buzz – a coffee shop chain in San Diego that makes me just drool thinking about their coffee drinks.
“Best Drink Ever” lives up to its name—think creamy, vanilla goodness in an Americano.
Want to see a VIDEO version of this? See the full Youtube below or by clicking here!
Explore Cabrillo National Monument then eat something tasty
Then, head to Cabrillo National Monument for stunning panoramic views of San Diego’s coastline. Explore the tide pools at low tide (a must-see), take a scenic hike, and visit the historic Point Loma Lighthouse.
After that, it’s time for lunch at The Brigantine. Known for its seafood and relaxed vibe, it’s a great spot to grab some fresh fish tacos or their famous clam chowder.
Another alternative? Head over to Liberty Public Market where you can wander through a variety of food stalls, enjoy local artisan shops, and grab some delicious bites.
From Filipino food to fresh pasta you can take home, there’s something for everyone.
After indulging, take a stroll through Liberty Station Park to walk off all that food while watching planes take off at the nearby San Diego airport—it’s more fun than you’d expect!
End your day with the perfect finale—watching the sunset at Sunset Cliffs. You might even see some dolphins in the kelp. It’s one of the best places in San Diego to catch the sun dipping below the horizon, and you’ll also find incredible photo ops along the cliffs. Just be sure to get there early, as parking fills up fast!
Head to Coronado, see the famous Hotel Del and eat amazing Italian Food at Nado
Coronado, just a short drive or ferry ride from downtown San Diego, is a must-visit for its stunning beaches, charming small-town feel, and historic landmarks.
Whether you’re soaking up the sun on Coronado Beach, strolling through the iconic Hotel del Coronado, or exploring the quaint shops and restaurants along Orange Avenue, there’s something for everyone.
Stroll around Hotel Del and enjoy the views
The iconic Hotel del Coronado, with its distinctive red roof and rich history, has been a landmark on Coronado Island since 1888.
Known for its luxurious accommodations and beachfront location, it’s the perfect spot to experience both historic charm and modern elegance while enjoying stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
Spend some time strolling around and enjoying the beach out front. If it’s low tide you might even catch some glimpses of the SS Monte Carlo (a sunken ship in the shallows).
Eat freshly made pasta at Nado
If you’re looking for a cozy spot to feel right at home in Coronado, Nado Republic is where you need to be.
Italian chef Giorgio Corletti, who’s originally from Rome, KNOWS what he is doing when it comes to pasta.
He’s worked with Michelin-star chefs and is bringing the best of Italy to San Diego. We loved sharing several different pastas amongst our group of a dozen.
One thing not to miss, and to be honest, worth coming here just for the cool modern vibe is the bar. You’ll find an entire lineup of great cocktails (including a top favorite: the espresso martini) and a nice indoor bar.
If you have room for more, the pizza is not to be missed. My favorite was The Broccolina which is mozzarella cheese, broccolini, italian sausage and burrata cheese.
Find more hidden gems with Mount!
Mount helps connect travelers with hidden gems around the world. While traveling San Diego, I discovered several unique experiences through Mount. Be a smart traveler and more about them today!
Bottom Line
If you want to experience San Diego beyond the typical tourist attractions, this 3-day itinerary that was helped to be created by the hidden gems discovered with Mount takes you through some of the city’s best hidden gems.
Start your adventure with beachside bonfires and delicious Mexican takeout in Ocean Beach, followed by kayaking or paddleboarding in Mission Bay. You’ll also explore Mission Beach’s laid-back vibe, grab a coffee at Superbloom, and indulge in a food tour through Little Italy, sampling everything from pizza to gelato.
On your final day, head to Point Loma to take in the views at Cabrillo National Monument and explore the tide pools before catching a stunning sunset at Sunset Cliffs.
From there, make your way to Coronado to stroll through the historic Hotel Del and wrap up the day with a cozy Italian dinner at Nado Republic. With activities that highlight the local culture and laid-back lifestyle, this itinerary offers a true insider’s guide to San Diego’s best-kept secrets
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