48 Hours in San Diego | Where to Go, What to Do, and Where to Eat and Drink
If you have found yourself in San Diego for a short amount of time, planning how to spend your 48 hours in San Diego wisely is key, because there are too many things to see and do, but that doesn’t mean you need to be overwhelmed with the options at hand.
San Diego offers so much to visitors and locals alike, and what we’ve found from our trip is that no matter what you find yourself doing, our experience proves that well-planned San Diego itineraries will always leave you with amazing memories and new friends along the way. Michael and I had such an awesome time visiting this coastal California city, and we will definitely be back to embrace all the city has to offer.
If your time visiting San Diego is limited, then following a smart plan of what to see in San Diego in 2 days helps you focus on the very best options for things to do, places to eat, and even a few extras if you’re up for it.
Top Brunch Spots in San Diego
Snooze A.M. Eatery
Snooze is a staple brunch spot and is only available in a handful of cities across the country, so if you’re coming to San Diego from a place that doesn’t have a Snooze, you must go. Snooze is literally a restaurant that focuses on Brunch, which makes it one of the best restaurants in San Diego for breakfast cocktails, pancakes, scrambles, and hashes. The Snooze A.M. Eatery, located in Hillcrest, is next to the gay neighborhood, so it’s also a great place to be, so you can walk the gayborhood after!
Snooze A.M. Eatery in the Hillcrest neighborhood
Great Maple
Okay, we must talk about Great Maple. It’s described as a swanky eatery specializing in elevated comfort food with a twist, and they had us at comfort food. Great Maple uses sustainable and seasonally sourced ingredients to create fun plates like Toast logs, Lolli-waffles, Cerrillos Chilaquiles, Silver Dollar pancakes, and so much more, which makes it known for great food in San Diego that combines comfort with creativity.
Great Maple can be found in the Hillcrest Neighborhood off of Lincoln Ave
The Mission
There are a few locations around San Diego where you can find The Mission restaurant, and no matter which one you choose, they are all spectacular. The Mission is a vibrant urban bistro that really checks a lot of boxes. From affordability to delicious plates, healthy options, cocktails, and a lively atmosphere, it has earned its place among the must-eat places in San Diego for locals and visitors alike.
The Mission (East Village) is on the corner of 13th Street and J Street
Top Things to See in San Diego
Walk the Embarcadero
The Embarcadero is the one-stop shop for that laid-back, special San Diego feeling. There are restaurants, shops, museums, a waterfront park to people watch, and plenty of giant boats and yachts to admire. What more can we ask for on a sunny day!? For anyone building a San Diego trip itinerary, walking the Embarcadero is a must-do experience on a sunny day. With less than 40 days of precipitation a year, it’s safe to assume that sunny San Diego is always open for a good walk or run. San Diego has a pretty expansive maritime history, so if you enjoy eating and drinking and learning new things, this is the spot for you.
Visit the San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo has over 12,000 animals (two more once we get there ;) ) and over 650 species represented within the park. So you can imagine how excited we were to see AS MANY animals as possible. First off, getting to the zoo is pretty great. You can walk through Balboa Park and find yourself surrounded by forests and greenery in the middle of a city. For anyone designing a San Diego itinerary of 2 days or less, the zoo belongs at the top of your must-see list, especially since food and refreshments are available throughout the park. Second, it’s a zoo! You can’t have a bad time at the zoo, especially when beer and other refreshments are available throughout.
Learn to Surf with Gnarly Neal's Surf Lessons
Hang ten, brah! Actually, for us it was more like hang for ten seconds and then fall, but oh my goodness, learning to surf was so much fun on the California coast. Gnarly Neals was a great adventure for us. They provided the surfboards, wetsuits, and an incredible instructor to help get us started with riding the waves. In all honesty, I was doubtful that I’d be able to make it up on the board, but with a little professional instruction, Gnarly Neals had us feeling pretty epic as we rode a good number of waves in! While I’m no pro surfer, Michael definitely looked like one in that sleek wetsuit. For anyone planning a 2-day itinerary in San Diego, you have to try surfing in SoCal. It’s known as a world-renowned surfing destination for good reason!
Explore the Gaslamp Quarter
You can’t call it a trip to San Diego without making a stop at the Gaslamp Quarter. It’s one of San Diego's most historic neighborhoods, known for its fun and vibrant atmosphere. There are 16 blocks of historic and modern buildings to weave in and out of. There are endless food options, bar options, club options, and shopping options, so honestly, it’s a spot where you could spend the entire day and still have more to do. For us, the Gaslamp felt like the perfect way to break up sightseeing and meals within a flexible San Diego trip itinerary. We found it to be a bit packed with tourists at times (like us)! It’s an extremely popular spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties, so you’re bound to see something hilarious while walking around there.
The Gaslamp Quarter is the Historic Heart of San Diego
Top Restaurants to Try in San Diego
BESHOCK Ramen $$
BESHOCK is one of the best ramen spots we’ve been to in a while. The Japanese-style dining adventure is really a treat! The atmosphere and culture that surround you, added to the really delicious food, create a pretty top-notch experience. If you’re looking for a place to go on a date or want to explore quality Japanese food, this is your place. For those wondering about the best food in San Diego, BESHOCK is a standout. We tried their Tantanmen ramen, and were left sweating from the spice after a few bites! We love spicy, but if that’s not your thing, the Tonkatsu is meaty, hearty, and equally as good!
BESHOCK Restaurant in East Village on the corner of Market Street and 13th avenue
Baja Betty’s $$
Described as “a colorful place for colorful people”, so yeah, of course, we went to Baja Betty’s! This kitchy-gay Mexican restaurant will tickle all of your fancies. Drag shows plus an impressive margarita list equals a fun time, no matter when you go. This is located along University Ave in Hillcrest, so you’ll be able to continue on your colorful journey after you leave, but trust me, you may not want to go. The food is delicious, the sights and sounds are lively, and it’s definitely one of the must-eat places in San Diego. We honestly just wanted to stay all night and party, but with so much more to see in Hillcrest, it’s hard to stay in one place!
Baja Betty’s is in the Gay neighborhood of Hillcrest.
Juniper and Ivy $$$
Located in a renovated warehouse on the North side of Little Italy, you’ll find Juniper and Ivy. This restaurant screams goodness from the moment you walk in the door and see the decor. The most appealing aspect of this establishment is that its menu changes daily, reflecting the produce and seafood that local farmers and fishermen bring to the restaurant every morning. You have to try the Zabutan, I’m drooling just thinking about it. For locally sourced and elegantly crafted fare, Juniper and Ivy delivers some of the best food in San Diego and is perfect for a date night or to cap off a great trip.
Juniper and Ivy can be found on the north side of Little Italy
Water Grill San Diego $$$
This one is for the seafood lovers. One of our favorite parts of visiting San Diego was experiencing the wide variety of fish! Some of the freshest and best fish are caught right off the coast, and when it comes to delivering seafood, Water Grill does it right. As soon as you step in the door, you’re transported into a nautically themed oasis. My recommendation? Try as much as you can. We ordered a sampler platter of a variety of fresh oysters, scallops, and shrimp. For anyone following a San Diego dining guide, Water Grill is essential because each bite delivers vibrant flavors and crisp textures. It was a perfect stop for a couple of glasses of wine and the opportunity to let our seafood fantasies fly.
Water Grill is perfectly located within the Gaslamp Quarter near the Embarcadero
MORE TO EXPLORE
If you’re planning a trip—or already lucky enough to call Seattle home—this guide is for you. Here, I’m sharing some outstanding LGBTQ+-owned businesses, the top places to eat in Seattle, the best bars to visit in Seattle, and a variety of iconic (and lesser-known) attractions that Michael and I just can’t resist.