Nov 15, 20215 min read

Port City Guide: San Diego, California

San Diego is a city that fully embodies the Southern Californian lifestyle. There's endless sunshine, beautiful beaches, and a laid-back vibe.

It is similar to LA in many ways, but there is less traffic, and it is much more compact.

The city is a popular launch point for cruises to California Coast, Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, and South America.

If you're thinking about embarking on a voyage from San Diego, consider arriving early to explore the city.

There are exciting sights to see and mouthwatering cuisine to sample. You'll have a blast starting your vacation a little early.

Here's our San Diego port city guide to get you started.

Navigating San Diego

The San Diego International Airport (SAN) isn't too far from all attractions, so you don't have to rent a car. It only takes eight minutes by car to get downtown and around 15 minutes by public transportation.

Once you're downtown, it is easy to walk around. There is a complimentary shuttle service called FRED (Free Ride Everywhere Downtown) you can use to get around. You can download the app and request a ride as you would with any other rideshare service.

When it's time to leave for your cruise, you'll have no problem reaching the port. Most cruises depart from ports located within 10 minutes of downtown.

What to See

San Diego is relatively compact, so that you can see plenty within one day.

We advise arriving early in the morning so you can maximize your time there.

Before setting out on your journey, see if you can leave your luggage at your hotel while you explore.

Here are the sights we would recommend seeing in San Diego (in geographical order).

Breakfast in Coronado

Once you've dropped off your possessions at your hotel, head to Coronado. This oceanside area has great breakfast spots (listed below). Walk around, and you'll find an expansive stretch of beach, Downtown Coronado, and the famous Hotel del Coronado. Spend some time exploring, then catch the Coronado Ferry to Downtown San Diego.

Walk Around Seaport Village

After exploring Coronado, head to Seaport Village. This cute little village is a fun place to walk around and explore the specialty shops. There is a small park nearby and stunning views of the water. You'll find a koi pond, souvenir shops, clothing stores, and eateries inside Seaport Village.

Waterfront Park

Continue walking up the waterfront to Waterfront Park, about 17 minutes from Seaport Village. Along the way, you'll pass the USS Midway Museum, the Return of the Kissing Sailor Statue, and the Maritime Museum of San Diego. The journey to this park is as intriguing as the destination itself.

Lunch in Little Italy

After walking to Waterfront Park and exploring for a bit, head over to Little Italy and grab lunch. It takes less than five minutes to go from the park to the lunch spots. This culinary mecca has delicious Italian eateries, breweries, wine galleries, cafés, shops, and more. Don't forget to visit the European-style Piazza Della Famiglia in its center.

Explore Balboa Park

Just a little over 5 minutes away from Little Italy by car is Balboa Park. This enormous urban reacreation space has 17 museums, multiple gardens, an outdoor theater, a Spanish Village Art Center, and more. You'll have fun walking around and soaking up the architecture and visiting some of the museums.

Dinner in Old Town

After exploring Balboa Park, head to Old Town for dinner. This historic center has been around since the 18th century. It is a charming neighborhood with adobe architecture that reflects its Mexican heritage. At its restaurants, you'll find people making fresh handmade tortillas. Its shops sell unique, one-of-a-kind souvenirs.

Cocktails or Dessert in the Gaslamp Quarter

After eating dinner, head back downtown to have dessert or a cocktail in the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter. This street is San Diego's pulse. You'll find countless bars and eateries in this area. You can stay out a little longer and experience its bar scene or head back to your hotel after grabbing a treat.

What to Eat

San Diego is a city with no shortage of tasty eateries. Its proximity to the Mexican border and the sea means that it has outstanding Mexican cuisine and seafood. You'll also find excellent brunch spots, gastropubs, and international cuisine in this city.

Here are a few notable places to eat at each of the itinerary's stops.

Coronado

Coronado's downtown area has countless restaurants to try. For an elegant meal overlooking the water, dine at Sheerwater at the Hotel del Coronado. A cute Parisian cafe with excellent omelets, quiche, and crepes is Little Frenchie. If you're looking for a classic and casual American breakfast, try Clayton's Coffee Shop.

Little Italy

Little Italy is a foodie's dream. One of the neighborhood's top restaurants serving up Italian and Californian cuisine is Herb & Wood. A classic Italian restaurant you should try with housemade pasta is Buon Appetito. Those looking for variety will enjoy the Little Italy Food Hall in the Piazza, which offers more than Italian cuisine.

Old Town

Old Town has some outstanding food that will make your tastebuds sing. One classic eatery that makes housemade tortillas, salsa, and tamales daily is Café Coyote. If you're looking to enjoy the Old Town ambience and dine al fresco, Casa de Reyes is an excellent dining choice. Finally, a surprising find in Old Town is Sushi Tadokoro, a traditional Japanese restaurant with some of the city's best sushi.

Gaslamp

Gaslamp Quarter is a district with delicious desserts and bars. A classic Californian experience is grabbing chocolate and ice cream from the Ghirardelli shop. For cocktails and dessert, try Metl Bar, a restaurant serving boozy ice cream and delicious pies. Lastly, check out the Noble Experiment, one of the most popular cocktail bars in town.