How to spend 24 hours in San Diego

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Whether you're looking for a sugary start to your morning or ready to kick off the weekend with a big bowl of health, Great Maple's brunch is an easy choice for a leisurely Saturday morning. The contemporary American, Michelin-starred restaurant serves refined diner fare but doesn't take itself too seriously: the fruity pebbles silver dollar pancakes are served with farm-fresh butter and make adults and kids alike very happy. The seasonal salads and grass-fed beef burger are also worth a try.

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Get a taste of local culture in the historic Mexican-American neighborhood of Barrio Logan, home to several of the city’s best art galleries, restaurants, breweries, and independent boutiques. At the center is Chicano Park, a community landmark tucked underneath the Coronado Bridge with colorful outdoor murals. Stroll the main drag of Logan Avenue to shop from local makers, eat tacos, drink craft beer, and watch lowriders cruise by blasting tunes and showing off their impressive hydraulics.

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Head to one of San Diego’s trendiest neighborhoods to shop from local boutiques like Gold Leaf, Thread + Seed, Graffiti Beach, and Bad Madge. Fern and 30th Streets house the central business district, but beyond that, this walkable neighborhood is filled with historic Craftsman-style homes on the southeast side of Balboa Park. Some of the city’s best restaurants are in South Park, but there’s also a wine bar, breweries, ice cream, and coffee shops for a mid-afternoon snack to help fuel your shopping.

No need to wait until after dinner to please your sweet tooth. Extraordinary Desserts is a San Diego institution, loved for its beautiful layered cakes, pastries, and other sweet treats. Their two locations in Bankers Hill and Little Italy are open all day, serving lunch, dinner, dessert, and yummy cafe drinks like lattes and hot cocoa. Browse dessert cases to see the flavors of cake available each day, but know you can’t go wrong with the crowd favorites: Shangri-La (white chocolate mousse with guava mousse and fresh strawberries) or Viking (chocolate creme brulee and milk chocolate cream with chocolate almond pralines). They’re almost too beautiful to eat.

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Put on your fancy pants: you're going to Addison. San Diego's first—and only—Three Michelin-starred restaurant is an elegant homage to Southern California cooking with a few international inspirations sprinkled in. The 10-course tasting menu comprises seasonal offerings and locally sourced ingredients, and clocks in at $365 per person. Spring for the additional wine pairing, featuring all sorts of California vintages you've likely never tasted.

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Head to one of San Diego’s most picturesque spots to watch the sun dip behind the horizon: Sunset Cliffs. People gather nightly to watch the sun go down, sitting along jagged sea cliffs overlooking the Pacific to enjoy the golden hour. The views are second to none, making this a great spot to enjoy adult beverages or a picnic and unwind at the end of the day. You’d be well advised to wait until sunset to head out since traffic can get backed up leaving this tucked-away area. Bring a jacket or blanket to counteract the coastal breezes.

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It may not look like much outside, but a hidden speakeasy within a Convoy strip mall is one of San Diego’s most beautiful cocktail bars. Realm of the 52 Remedies has a Chinese apothecary theme, serving thoughtful, innovative cocktails, meaty share plates, and Asian-inspired side dishes. Their seasonal cocktail list features show-stopping drinks incorporating elements like fire and ice for an extra “wow” factor. If you have trouble deciding on a drink, the bartenders will create one based on your preferences.

Downtown San Diego is ideal for sightseers interested in staying close to the city's top attractions. You won't be near the beach but the San Diego Bay views won't disappoint. Here you'll find a wide selection of accommodations at a range of price points, so whether you're traveling solo, with your family or in a group, there's a price-friendly option following a busy day of exploring.

Catch a buzz at any of Better Buzz Coffee’s 14 locations throughout San Diego. Aptly named the Best Drink Ever, their signature concoction is a classic Americano mixed with housemade creamy vanilla powder. Yes, it lives up to the name whether ordered iced or hot. Beyond coffees, teas and smoothies, they offer fancy toasts, fruit bowls, and breakfast sandwiches. Prepare to wait in line here due to the popularity of this java spot among San Diegans.

San Diego Zoo is world-renowned for a good reason: its naturalistic animal habitats (many cageless) and jungle-like foliage. At its sister property, San Diego Zoo Safari Park located in Escondido, there are even more opportunities to get up close with animals without any barriers by foot, tram, or safari. In between the savannas are sections of the park representing different areas including Asia, Australia, Nairobi and other parts of Africa. Visitors can pay extra for safari tours that take you behind the scenes to see (and even help feed some) animals like giraffes, zebras, elephants, rhinos, antelope, and camels. The park greatly emphasizes conservation and rehabilitation efforts, even helping to bring California condors back from extinction. Today it’s home to the only two platypuses in the U.S.