How to Spend Three Days in San Diego

San Diego is big and beautiful and nowhere shows this better than Balboa Park, a 1,200 acre (486ha) cultural oasis that covers more ground than New York City’s Central Park, home to 17 museums, art institutions and performance venues, as well as wild patches of parkland. Many of Balboa Park’s attractions are in the southwest corner, so enter on El Prado. The most picturesque spot is by the lily pond in front of the Botanical Building – the views in either direction are Insta gold.

From here, take your pick of the museums and galleries. Top of the list is the new Comic-Con Museum, a hands-on space celebrating popular culture, opened to sate the demand of fans impatient for the annual get together. Others worth visiting are the Mingei International Museum, which celebrates human creativity, and the Centro Cultural de la Raza, which creates, promotes and preserves Chicano, Mexican, Native American and Latinx art and culture. And don’t miss the Old Cactus Garden, tucked behind the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre, for some grand home interior inspo.

After a day in the park take your pick from two of the city’s best nightlife districts, both nearby. Depending how the wind blows you, to the north is Hillcrest, San Diego’s most LGBTQ-friendly neighbourhood (drink wine and eat farm-to-table Italian at Rusticucina); to the south is the Gaslamp Quarter, with some of San Diego’s oldest Victorian-style buildings and plenty of cocktail bars, clubs and restaurants (beautiful Callie is a fave, technically in neighbouring East Village).

The best way to explore the Mission Beach boardwalk is by bike, specifically a laid-back, low-slung cruiser hired from Mission Beach Rentals on the seafront. Then channel your inner surf dude in a lesson with the Pacific Surf School, a 10-minute ride north, at Pacific Beach. You’ll typically find waves to suit all abilities here, and the water is warm enough to not need a wetsuit.

Mission Bay is a huge man-made saltwater lake with a large network of inlets and islands to explore. This 4,600 acre (1,862ha) aquatic playground – the largest of its kind in the world – has been purpose built for adventurers, with opportunities at every turn to go kite surfing, wake boarding, fishing, sailing, jet skiing and stand-up paddle boarding. When you’re all adventured out, light up the barbecue or set off on a relaxing moonlit cruise on Bahia Belle.

If you still have some late afternoon to fill, settle in with some beachfront cocktails at one of the best rooftop or patio bars in Pacific Beach – El Prez and its spicy margaritas or the Mavericks Beach Club with outdoor games are favourites. Let the music play and the pretty drinks flow as the sun begins to set.

Finish the day at Belmont Park, San Diego’s best amusement park, right on Mission Beach. Open until 9pm at weekends, ride the Giant Dipper, play mini golf and live the California dream before heading to Miss B’s Coconut Club for a dinner of jerk chicken and frozen cocktails.

To get a better understanding of Native- and Mexican-American history, head to Barrio Logan, an artistic and industrial neighbourhood on the harbour front. In Barrio Logan you’ll also find the city’s most authentic Mexican food – tacos and tortillas from Las Cuatro Milpas, freshly roasted brews from Ryan Bros Coffee and craft beer from Border X Brewing, San Diego’s first Mexican-owned brewery.

While in Barrio Logan, head for Chicano Park to see the world’s largest collection of Chicano murals, which depict the life and struggles of San Diego’s Mexican community. Next is either Bread & Salt or La Bodega, warehouses-turned-galleries that highlight DJs, artists and musicians.

Ferry back across the harbour – this time to Broadway Pier – and walk into chic Little Italy for dinner. Start with a wander through the neighbourhood epicentre, Piazza Della Famiglia, a beautiful 10,000sqft European-style piazza on W Date Street. Take an evening passeggiata through Waterfront Park, bag a patio table at the Little Italy Food Hall and finish the night with strong drinks at False Idol, a tiki bar hidden within Craft and Commerce.