🕒 Updated: March 14, 2025 | Published: March 14, 2025 | Written by: Joenid
If you only have one day in San Diego, you’ll want to make the most of every moment, as there’s so much to see, eat, and drink. In this post, I’ll share the ultimate one-day itinerary for the top places to visit and the best spots to enjoy vegan cuisine in San Diego.
*This post reflects my personal experiences and opinions. It is not sponsored or paid for by any company.
What Is The Best Time To Visit?
San Diego is the southernmost city of California’s Pacific Beach and is located right on the US – Mexico border. The best time to visit is during fall, from September to November, or spring, from March to May, because temperatures are in the mid-70s and it is less crowded.
I visited San Diego in September, and while there was a little bit of morning gloom, the rest of the day was perfect weather. With temperatures in the low seventies during the day and cooling down to around sixty-five degrees in the evening. I recommend packing a jacket for your one-day San Diego adventure.
How To Move Around San Diego In Just One Day?
Many of the iconic spots I wanted to see were spread out and not easy to get to by foot. There is a train in downtown San Diego, but it does not reach several of the places on my must-visit list. You can rent a car but then you will need to factor in the hassle of finding parking. I found it much quicker and more convenient to get around with rideshare services (Uber, Lyft, etc.).
El Coronado San Diego Resort
Hotel del Coronado is located on a charming island in San Diego known as Coronado. The hotel captivates the island’s visitors with its stunning Victorian-style design.
This iconic hotel resort, built in 1888, is considered the second-largest wooden structure in the United States and earned its national historic landmark status in 1977.
The Hotel Del Coronado has welcomed several notable guests, including the legendary Marilyn Monroe, President Franklin Roosevelt, President Jimmy Carter, and Charlie Chaplin.
During my visit, the hotel was undergoing major renovations, still, I was able to appreciate the areas that remained open to the public. You don’t need to be an overnight guest to explore this hotel because there are so many areas available for visitors to enjoy.
When you get in the main entrance, you see a huge foyer area adorned with dark brown wood, with the check-in desk at your left side and a souvenir shop at the end of the hall. Descend to the base level, and you’ll discover several boutique shops, more souvenir options, a restaurant, and a bar.
If you are looking for a San Diego hotel with a breathtaking beach view, you’ll fall in love with the great view of Coronado Beach, a spot that Dr Beach has ranked among the 10 best beaches in the country.
Tip: After leaving the Hotel Del Coronado, make sure to cross the street to visit the Ice House Museum. Admission to this museum is free.
The Ice House Museum is a perfect addition to your one day in San Diego, offering a glimpse into the rich history of the Hotel Del Coronado. You’ll find a charming collection of photographs featuring notable visitors, as well as historical silverware and plates from the hotel’s past.
One Day In San Diego Pacific Ocean
Children’s Pool La Jolla
The Children’s Pool in La Jolla is a popular beach that originally gained its name when a concrete barrier was built in 1931 to create a safe area for children to enjoy the Pacific Ocean’s waters. However, in the early nineties, this beach became a sanctuary for sea lions.
Note: During the seal pupping season (from December to May), this area is especially protected.
On sunny days with less rough water, you may have the chance to walk along the narrow concrete barrier path to get a closer view of the playful and sleepy sea lions. But when you do be careful because the pathway can be very narrow and some railings might be a little bit roasted.
La Jolla Cove Beach San Diego
If you’re eager to enjoy the beach atmosphere, then keep walking north (10 minutes) along Coast Boulevard until you find La Jolla Cove, which is open daily. La Jolla Cove is a lovely, small beach surrounded by stunning cliffs, and a staircase will lead you to the water.
In La Jolla Cove, you can swim alongside the sea lions! When I visited, the water was cooler, but still, it was packed with people diving, snorkeling, and swimming with these adorable creatures.
On this beach, you’ll find a much closer encounter with the sea lions compared to the Children’s Pool. However, for your safety, you still need to keep your distance from the sea lions and respect their space.
Salk Institute Architecture Tour
If you are looking for an unforgettable architectural experience, during your one day in San Diego, the Salk Institute architecture tour is top of the list. This remarkable laboratory was founded by Jonas Edward Salk, the scientist who discovered the polio vaccine, as a gift for future research students.
The stunning design of the Salk Institute occurred from a collaboration between Salk and Louis Kahn, an architect recognized for his monumental, brutalist style. The Salk Institute has a docent-led campus tour, and be sure to book in advance, because it fills up quickly.
Note: The tour has a fee of $25 per person, and it happens only on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Tickets can be reserved on the Salk Institute website. During your visit, you’ll be immersed in the perfect blend of architecture and science.
The tour kicks off with the newest structures, built to complement the original design using matching materials. Then, moving to the exterior, you’ll encounter two mirrored buildings and the “River of Life” fountain in the center of the courtyard.
This is the most breathtaking part of the tour, and if you want to have the perfect photoshoots, consider timing your visit around the spring or fall equinoxes when the sun sets perfectly along the axis of the fountain.
The tour wraps up with an interesting sneak peek into the researcher’s laboratory area and the students’ office, where photography and videography are not permitted.
This journey into the world of science and architecture was my favorite in my one-day in San Diego itinerary.
Geisel Library At UC San Diego
Another must-visit in your one day in San Diego is the Geisel Library which is open daily. The library was named in 1995 in honor of Audrey and Theodor Seuss Geisel, the creator of The Cat in the Hat.
This library is located at the University of California. When you arrive, make sure to enter from the east side because you won’t want to miss the unique snake design along the path.
The library is an 8-story structure, and an interesting design which represents hands holding a stock of books. Once you reach the head of the snake, take a moment to step underneath the library building to see how the floor expands in a delightful illusion. When you enter, you’ll spot a blue plaque honoring Geisel on the wall.
Tip: If you are a fan of this author, you can walk to the left side, where the Seuss collection awaits. Here, you’ll find original drawings of Dr Seuss, pictures, and even original handwritten scripts and notes.
Feel free to wander around and ride the elevator to the upper floors, but remember to keep your voice down, as students are busy studying. From the upper floors, you can have a perfect view of the University of California campus.
Eating Vegan In San Diego?
While you’re exploring the rich cultural offerings of San Diego, you can’t miss out on vegan food options. During my one day in San Diego, I visited two vegan places that must be on your meal stops.
The Yasai: Vegan Asian Food In San Diego
The Yasai is a vegan Japanese restaurant in San Diego that showcases interesting flavors in both the Convoy and Little Italy neighborhoods (I visited the Little Italy location).
The restaurant was inspired by Chef Beltran Grabuauts of Septime restaurant in Paris. This cozy eatery in the Little Italy location is perfect for small gatherings.
DON’T FORGET TO READ:
When you enter, you’ll be greeted by the staff. If you are looking for the best vegan sushi in San Diego, you’ll spot a sushi bar on the left side with skillful chefs crafting sushi before your eyes.
The menu is 100% plant-based, with several gluten-free options available. I kicked off my meal with the Caterpillar, a mouthwatering purple rice sushi filled with miso shiitake and no shrimp, wrapped in fresh avocado and with spicy aioli.
Then I tried the Triple Tomato Ramen, a No. 1 selling Vegan Ramen at Rakiraki Ramen (their non-vegan location) since 2012. This dish is made with handcrafted noodles and a mind-blowing konbu dashi tomato broth topped with bamboo shoots, tofu, crispy kabocha pumpkin, mushrooms, onions, fermented cherry tomatoes, and steamed bok choy.
The service at The Yasai was exceptional! I easily requested my dishes be gluten-free and the waiter was eager to share the details of each ingredient. The vibrant and colorful plates not only accommodated my dietary needs but also had a mouthwatering mix of flavors.
Mothership: San Diego Vegan Bar
To conclude your one day in San Diego, make sure to swing by Mothership, a unique tiki vegan cocktail bar that features a galaxy sci-fi vibe.
Tip: I highly recommend making a reservation in advance because it gets busy. During my visit, I found myself standing at a table (no chairs) all night because dining tables are limited.
The main entrance is like a secret door on a side wall. If you visit it while the sun is still shining, prepare to be bombarded by a world of dark ambiance and vibrant lighting decorations. If you’re looking for bars with vegan options, you’ll be in love because the cocktail menu is entirely vegan, and they also offer some vegan dishes.
Although I didn’t get a table (instead, I stood in the standing area), I did try the sample Chip 001, which has now been changed in their menu with the Potato 001. You’ll see that each dish on the menu is clearly labeled for food allergens.
Mothership cocktail bar is a huge deal in San Diego, and its captivating atmosphere transports you to a galaxy wonderland. Even the bathrooms are equipped with unique lighting and sound!
I began the night with the ASTRO ZOMBIE (featuring Aged Nicaraguan Rum,151 Demerara Rum, Stroh 160 Austrian Rum, Amaro Meletti, Grapefruit, Lim, Cinnamon, Cherry Grenadine, Passion Fruit, and Absinthe).
Note: The Astro Zombie turned out to be too strong for my liking, and I later learned that the Mothership menu has a limit of two cocktails per person; now I understand why!
I also tried the Saturn (featuring MOTHERSHIP Saturnalia Gin, Ship Formula Falernum, Passion Fruit, Lemon, and Piloncillo Orgeat), which was my favorite for its delicious and lighter kick flavor.
My husband and friends opted for the STAR RIDER WARBIRD and POLARIS. If you’re curious about the ingredients, be sure to check out the Mothership menu.
To Wrap Up: Itinerary Of One Day In San Diego
If you ended your night at the Mothership vegan bar, I can guarantee you had a fantastic night! San Diego offers so many cultural experiences, and one day in San Diego might not feel like enough time to explore everything this city has to offer. However, I’ve highlighted the must-visit spots to make the most of your time, ensuring you have a unique experience.
