Three days in San Diego can feel overwhelming when you're staring at the zoo, SeaWorld, Balboa Park, the beaches, and about 60 other activities all competing for the same slots. This itinerary makes the decisions for you — grouped geographically, timed with meals, and priced honestly so you know what each day will cost before you leave the hotel.
Day 1: Balboa Park and Downtown
Balboa Park is the right place to start. Free parking, multiple world-class museums within walking distance of each other, and outdoor space that kids can run in between stops. Park once and don't move the car.
Morning — Balboa Park Museums
Open with Fleet Science Center at 9:30AM when it opens. Budget $80–$130 for a family of 4 (adult ~$25, child ~$18; add IMAX for ~$8/person). Plan 2–4 hours. This is the museum that keeps kids engaged — the hands-on exhibits are genuinely interactive, not just glass displays. Book an IMAX show in the morning before the afternoon screens fill.
Walk to San Diego Natural History Museum after. Budget $70–$110 (adult ~$22, child ~$15; café lunch ~$30). Plan 2–3 hours. The Balboa Park parking is free — no separate fee to walk between museums.
Or swap one museum for San Diego Air & Space Museum (Palisades section of Balboa Park, $60–$90, adults ~$20, kids 3–11 ~$10) if you have aviation fans in the family. 4.6 stars, 2–3 hours.
Lunch — Balboa Park
The Fleet Science Center café is convenient. Bring a packed lunch to eat in the park's outdoor spaces if you want to save the $30+ restaurant cost. Plenty of picnic areas with shade near the museums.
Afternoon — Balboa Park Continued
Walk to the Botanical Building — free, 30–45 minutes — and the Lily Pond adjacent (free). Then hit the Balboa Park Playground (4.3 stars, free) to let kids run after a museum-heavy morning. The Nature Exploration Area (4.1 stars, free) is close by for a 45-minute nature walk that doesn't feel like structured education.
Evening — Gaslamp Quarter or Downtown
Head down to the Gaslamp Quarter for dinner — walkable from Balboa Park via rideshare or a 15-minute drive. Or stop at Museum of Illusions - San Diego in the Gaslamp (4.9 stars, $60–$100 for a family) before dinner — it's 1–1.5 hours and genuinely fun for kids 7+. Budget $40–$65 for a casual Gaslamp dinner.
Day 1 cost estimate: $150–$310 (museums + optional Museum of Illusions + lunch/dinner); free if you pack food and skip the evening attraction.
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Day 2: The San Diego Zoo
Dedicate a full day. This is not a half-day visit.
Morning — Arrive at Opening
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance opens at 9AM. Be there. Early morning is when animals are most active, lines are shortest, and the zoo's shaded paths feel manageable before midday heat. Budget $200–$300 for a family of 4 (adults ~$65, kids 3–11 ~$55, parking ~$20). Annual memberships pay off on the second visit — worth considering if you'll return to San Diego.
Start your morning in the zoo with these specifically:
Parker Aviary — 5.0 stars. A free-flight bird experience where toucans and hornbills fly at close range. Included with admission. Move slowly through; morning visits have more active bird behavior. 30–45 minutes. Don't skip this one.
Elephant Odyssey — 4.8 stars. Prehistoric ecosystem context alongside live elephants. 1–2 hours as part of your morning. Included.
Urban Jungle — 4.8 stars, included. 1–2 hours. A section of the zoo that feels like a distinct experience.
Midday — Food and Polar Bear Plunge
Eat lunch at one of the zoo's in-park restaurants. Budget $40–$60 for a family — in-park food is not cheap, but leaving and re-entering costs you time and energy. After lunch, hit:
Polar Bear Plunge — 4.6 stars, included. The underwater viewing window where polar bears swim is the kind of thing kids draw pictures of afterward. 30–60 minutes.
Wildlife Explorers Basecamp — 4.5 stars, included. Hands-on kid engagement area with animal interactions. 1–2 hours.
Afternoon — Wrap-Up
The zoo is exhausting in the best way. By 3PM most families with young kids are ready to leave. For older kids (10+), push to 4PM if energy holds.
Evening
Head to Mission Bay for a low-key evening. Mission Bay Park (4.6 stars, $0) is the right decompression — open space, bay views, and running room. Dinner at one of the Mission Beach or Pacific Beach restaurants. Budget $50–$80.
Day 2 cost estimate: $250–$360 (Zoo tickets + parking + in-park lunch + dinner); reduce by packing your own lunch for the Zoo if allowed.
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Day 3: Beaches, Mission Bay, and SeaWorld or La Jolla
Morning — La Jolla or Mission Bay
Kellogg Park in La Jolla is the morning call. 4.7 stars, $0 admission. The La Jolla seals haul out on the rocks; tide pools are walkable; the beach is calm and swimmable. Get there before 9AM for free street parking — after that, budget $15–$25 for a pay lot. Bring snacks and a picnic lunch. Plan 1.5–3 hours.
Alternative morning: Waterfront Park (4.7 stars, free) near the Embarcadero has a free interactive splash pad — the right choice for toddlers and younger kids who don't need beach water. Parking in the county garage is ~$10–$20.
Late Morning/Lunch
Liberty Station Playground in Point Loma (4.9 stars, free) is the best playground in the city by rating. Free parking. Budget $40–$60 for lunch at Liberty Station's restaurants, which are casual and good. Or bring food and use the picnic areas.
Afternoon — SeaWorld or Indoor Options
SeaWorld San Diego anchors an afternoon visit (or a full day if you swap Day 2). 4.4 stars, budget $300–$500 at gate prices — but advance online pricing and annual passes cut this significantly. Arrive by 12:30PM and plan 4–6 hours.
Inside SeaWorld, prioritize: - Shark Encounter — walking through a shark tank. 4.5 stars, included. - Turtle Reef — 4.5 stars, included. 1–2 hours. - Penguin Encounter — 4.4 stars, included. 20–40 minutes.
If you're skipping SeaWorld on Day 3, a strong alternative afternoon:
Game Show Studio San Diego in Mission Valley (4.9 stars, $80–$120 for a group) is 1–2 hours of live game show competition — the experience that kids talk about at school. Then Mission Bay Park for the rest of the afternoon (free).
Or for big kids who want movement: K1 Speed San Diego in Barrio Logan (4.5 stars, $100–$160 for two races + food) is real indoor karting and genuinely thrilling for ages 10+.
Evening — Sunset on the Bay
End Day 3 at Shelter Island Playground or Mission Point Park — both free, both on the water, and both good for a slow final evening before heading home. Grab dinner in Point Loma or Pacific Beach; budget $50–$80.
Day 3 cost estimate: $0–$30 (La Jolla morning, free parks) + $300–$400 (SeaWorld afternoon + dinner) = $300–$430 total. Or: $0–$30 (morning) + $80–$120 (Game Show Studio) + dinner ($60) = $140–$210 without SeaWorld.
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Parking and Logistics
- Balboa Park: Free parking in park lots. Park Boulevard lots are less known and rarely full. Use these instead of the museum garages that charge.
- La Jolla: Free street parking evaporates by 9AM in summer. Paid lots fill by 10AM. Arrive before 8AM or budget $20+ for parking.
- Mission Bay: Large free lots at De Anza Cove, Tecolote Shores, and Mission Point. The main Mission Beach lots fill quickly on weekends.
- SeaWorld: On-site parking included with most ticket purchases; verify at checkout.
- San Diego Zoo: Parking ~$20/day, or rideshare from nearby areas.
3-Day Budget Summary
| Scenario | Estimate (family of 4) | |----------|------------------------| | Budget trip (max free parks, 1 museum) | $200–$350 total | | Balanced trip (Balboa Park + Zoo + free beaches) | $550–$750 total | | Full experience (Zoo + SeaWorld + museums) | $900–$1,200 total |
All figures exclude lodging and local transport. Food estimated at $40–$65 per meal. Buy everything online in advance — you'll hit the lower end of every range.