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San Diego: Boeing 737 flying past Downtown on final approach to SAN
Photo: Steve Jurvetson · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Destination template · 8 days

San Diego & Los Angeles in 8 days

3 sightseeing days in San Diego, a dedicated relocation day, then 4 days in Los Angeles. Includes San Diego Zoo and Griffith Park & Southern Railroad, with guide-listed dining suggestions.

Adapted from community travel guides · Researched Sources & notes

The stops are drawn from the guides below; daily order, times and durations are our suggested adaptation. Available map pins are approximate, not provider-verified; missing coordinates remain unset. Prices are left unknown; check tickets, opening hours and transport before booking.

Route data adapted from Wikivoyage contributors, with our own selection and suggested timing; shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source pages link to contributor histories. This is an editorial multi-day schedule; the source community has not rated this itinerary.

  • Stay in San Diego for the first 3 sightseeing days; move to Los Angeles on day 4, then stay for 4 sightseeing days. Book accommodation in both bases rather than returning each night.
  • The 187 km figure is approximate straight-line separation, not transit distance. The relocation day reserves room for travel and check-in without promising a direct service or a same-day connection. Verify the journey before booking this two-base plan.
  • City visits and restaurants are adapted from the linked retained community-guide material, not newly verified opening hours, live menus or first-hand visits. Suggested times are editable planning blocks. Check closures, reservations, accessibility and dietary needs.
  • Cover photo shows the first city. Original source and photo credits remain attached. Adapted community route selections retain CC BY-SA 4.0 attribution; source research dates remain in the individual stop and dining notes.
6 local dining picks added to this itineraryDining sources

These picks have positive travel-guide coverage or a named professional recommendation; they are not live customer ratings. Suggested times are not reservations. Confirm service days, dietary needs and prices. Other days remain open for your own food discoveries.

  • Day 1 · Zia Gourmet Pizza — Pizza, vegan, traditional. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s local popularity. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 2 · Ponces Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 3 · Bencotto Italian Kitchen — Pasta. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 5 · Palms Thai Restaurant — Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s local popularity. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 6 · Sushi Ike — Sushi. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 7 · El Taurino — Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s local popularity. Wikivoyage contributors ↗

Sources checked 2026-10-30. Community-guide dining data is adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; source pages link to contributor histories.

San Diego & Los Angeles itinerary: 8 days at a glance

Review the original daily plan before editing below. Times and durations are suggested planning blocks; dining stops are not reservations. Your personal edits appear in the editor and downloads.

Day 1: San Diego: San Diego Zoo & San Diego Museum of Art

  • · San Diego Zoo · 120 min
  • · Transfer to San Diego Museum of Art · 30 min
  • · San Diego Museum of Art · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Zia Gourmet Pizza (Pizza, vegan, traditional) · 75 min

Day 2: San Diego: USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum & Maritime Museum of San Diego

  • · USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Maritime Museum of San Diego · 30 min
  • · Maritime Museum of San Diego · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Ponces Mexican Restaurant (Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties) · 75 min

Day 3: San Diego: Cabrillo National Monument & Fort Rosecrans

  • · Cabrillo National Monument · 75 min
  • · Transfer to Fort Rosecrans · 30 min
  • · Fort Rosecrans · 75 min
  • · Dinner: Bencotto Italian Kitchen (Pasta) · 75 min

Day 4: San Diego → Los Angeles: travel and check-in

  • · Relocate: San Diego → Los Angeles · 600 min

Day 5: Los Angeles: Griffith Park & Southern Railroad & Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round

  • · Griffith Park & Southern Railroad · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round · 30 min
  • · Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Palms Thai Restaurant (Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties) · 75 min

Day 6: Los Angeles: Hollywood Heritage Museum & Hollywood Wax Museum

  • · Hollywood Heritage Museum · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Hollywood Wax Museum · 30 min
  • · Hollywood Wax Museum · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Sushi Ike (Sushi) · 75 min

Day 7: Los Angeles: Hollywood Museum & Madame Tussauds Hollywood

  • · Hollywood Museum · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Madame Tussauds Hollywood · 30 min
  • · Madame Tussauds Hollywood · 75 min
  • · Dinner: El Taurino (Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties) · 75 min

Day 8: Los Angeles: Los Angeles Fire Department Hollywood Museum & Hollywood Forever Cemetery

  • · Los Angeles Fire Department Hollywood Museum · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Hollywood Forever Cemetery · 30 min
  • · Hollywood Forever Cemetery · 75 min

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Day 1
  • 09:30120m
    2920 Zoo Dr

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/San_Diego/Balboa_Park-Hillcrest (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    San Diego

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.33 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    1450 El Prado

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/San_Diego/Balboa_Park-Hillcrest (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    3311 Adams Ave

    Pizza, vegan, traditional. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s local popularity. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Service hours need confirmation. About 4.3 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/San_Diego/Mid-City (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5355966; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 2
  • 09:30120m
    910 N. Harbor Dr

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/San_Diego/Downtown (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    San Diego

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.76 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    1492 North Harbor Dr

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/San_Diego/Downtown (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    4050 Adams Ave

    Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Service hours need confirmation. About 7.8 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/San_Diego/Mid-City (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5355966; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 3
  • 09:3075m
    at the end of Catalina Boulevard

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/San_Diego/Point_Loma-Ocean_Beach (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    San Diego

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (1.4 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    north of Cabrillo National Monument

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/San_Diego/Point_Loma-Ocean_Beach (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    750 W Fir St

    Pasta. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: Tue-Sun 11:30AM-close, open Mondays June-Sept. Recheck with the restaurant. About 8.2 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/San_Diego/Downtown (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5355964; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 4
  • 08:00600m
    San Diego → Los Angeles

    Dedicated relocation day from San Diego to Los Angeles; no transport is booked. The city centres are approximately 187 km apart in a straight line, not a measured road or rail route. Choose and book a suitable flight, train, bus or ferry; confirm operating days, total door-to-door time, luggage rules and arrival before making reservations. This full-day block is reserved time, not a timetable. Move the following day if your journey needs longer.

Day 5
  • 09:30120m
    4400 Crystal Springs Drive

    Check weather and access conditions; arrange any required ferry or return transport separately. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Los_Angeles/Northwest (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Los Angeles

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (1.51 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    4730 Crystal Springs Dr

    Check weather and access conditions; arrange any required ferry or return transport separately. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Los_Angeles/Northwest (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    5900 Hollywood Blvd

    Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s local popularity. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: Sun-Thu 11AM-midnight, Fri-Sat 11AM-2AM. Recheck with the restaurant. About 4.7 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Los_Angeles/Hollywood (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5409755; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 6
  • 09:30120m
    2100 N Highland Ave

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Los_Angeles/Hollywood (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Los Angeles

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.75 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    6767 Hollywood Blvd

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Los_Angeles/Hollywood (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    6051 Hollywood Blvd

    Sushi. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: Lunch: Mon-Fri noon-2:30PM; dinner: Mon-Sat 5:30PM-10PM. Recheck with the restaurant. About 1.5 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Los_Angeles/Hollywood (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5409755; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 7
  • 09:30120m
    1660 N Highland Ave

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Los_Angeles/Hollywood (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Los Angeles

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.3 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    6933 Hollywood Blvd

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Los_Angeles/Hollywood (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    2306 W 11th St

    Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s local popularity. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Service hours need confirmation. About 7.7 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Los_Angeles/Northwest (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5409757; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 8
  • 09:30120m
    1355 N Caheunga Blvd

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Los_Angeles/Hollywood (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Los Angeles

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (1.25 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    6000 Santa Monica Blvd

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Los_Angeles/Hollywood (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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