Layover In San Diego – The Ultimate Guide 2024

This large California city offers an almost perfect climate for those looking to explore a new destination. The city teems with museums and restaurants and is also the home of a major football and baseball team. Combine that with one of the foremost universities in the country and a world-class zoo, and you have all the makings of a fun place to visit whether on a short or long layover.

Hanging about in an airport for any length of time soon loses its appeal. Fortunately, San Diego International Airport is well linked to the city and you're spoiled for choice when it comes to getting to town. Trains, shuttles, taxis, and even rideshare options are in abundance so there is no need to remain in the airport on even a short layover.

Before diving into the adventure of your choice, store your suitcases at a San Diego Airport luggage storage service as hauling bags will soon kill that adventurous spirit.

6 hour San Diego layover 

Six hours is a relatively short connection, so you will need to be organized to make the most of your time on the ground. 

Liberty Station is accessible from the airport and provides enough to keep you entertained whether on a short or long stopover. This former Naval training station was bought by the city of San Diego and transformed into a huge multi-use center for commerce, history, and arts. That makes it a great place to pass the time between flights.

There are outdoor areas, indoor areas, shops, restaurants, a market, and even places to stay. The arts district provides a place for local artists to strut their stuff, be it performing arts, installation art, or works by local artists.

Whether you want to walk through some of their historic buildings, dine in style, or picnic in one of the many outdoor spaces, this is the perfect destination to pass a few hours without needing to do too much advance preparation.

• On a short layover, you always need to allow time to clear security before catching your onward flight.
• Liberty Station allows you some freedom to decide what activities most suit you.

8 hour San Diego layover

A short walk from Liberty Station, you can get a breath of ocean at Shoreline Park. This mile-long stretch of sand faces the ocean and is the perfect place for a walk while you look out over the waves. There’s also a boat launch, a marina, and a pier that makes the ideal place to go fishing. If you didn’t bring your fishing gear, don’t worry. The park is the ideal place to get in a stroll and take a break from the hectic city during your San Diego stopover.

• Walk from Liberty Station to Shoreline Park.
• Take a walk along the beach and enjoy the ocean scenery.
• There are also lots of restaurants in the area we can grab something to eat.

10 hour San Diego layover

With ten hours to spare, you will have time to take in some of this city’s other highlights, but you will need to plan in advance to make the best use of your time. Don’t forget to store those large bags in a San Diego luggage locker before even attempting to explore.

One often neglected way to get to know a city in a short amount of time is to do a tour. This means that you don’t have to worry about getting around, and you get to taste most of the major highlights. You can always come back later if something particularly grabs your fancy.

There are many tour options on offer in this city, but the hop-on hop-off trolley allows you some control over how long you spend at each tourist attraction. The classic trolley is also a great way to travel.

Other tour options include cruises, Segway tours, and walking tours, so decide what option works best for you.

• Tours offer a great way to see a lot of a city in a relatively short space of time.
• This is the sort of thing you should book in advance to avoid disappointment at the last minute.
• Many tours are short enough to allow you to grab a meal and still get back in time for your connecting flight.

12-hour layover in San Diego

The San Diego Zoo is one of the best in the world. It is home to more than 3700 rare and endangered species and will easily keep you occupied for most of the day. Access is easy using the Rapid 215 or the Route 7 bus, and the park is open every day of the year, rain or shine. Note that large bags are not allowed, so make sure to drop yours off in a San Diego luggage storage before you visit.

It offers a fabulous and educational walking experience, but if you don’t feel up to it there are also bus tours available. You can bring along your own picnic lunch or visit one of several restaurants. 

It is easy to lose track of time in this extraordinary zoo, so don’t let nature lull you into forgetting that you still need to get back to the airport and clear security before hopping onto your connecting flight.

• The San Diego Zoo will provide long-lasting memories but keep track of time on a 12-hour layover.
• This visit is as suitable for adults as it is for younger travelers.
• The zoo has strict bag policies, so don’t even try to get in with your suitcases.

24-hour layover in San Diego

Balboa Park is right opposite the San Diego Zoo and therefore very easy to access. It might seem strange to recommend a visit to a park on an overnight layover, but Balboa is not just an ordinary park. Instead, it contains 17 museums and 19 different gardens, so you could easily burn up a whole day (or even longer) exploring what it has on offer.

You will find amusements to suit all ages here, so it is a great destination for those traveling with families. 

In San Diego, you are right on the Mexican border, and indeed there have been periods of time when this was part of Mexico. What that means is not only a noticeable Mexican cultural influence, but also a distinct culinary one. For fine Mexican dining, this is one of the best cities in the United States. With more time on your hands, you might want to build in a gastronomic Mexican eating experience, and you will have plenty of choices available to you. 

Finally, for nightclubs, bars, and music venues, you have the Gas Lamp Quarter. Here it comes down to individual taste, but you will find that the options available are staggering, so do some research and hit the scene that most suits your style.

• Always choose a hotel that offers easy airport access on an overnight layover.
• Use a San Diego locker rental and don’t kill yourself carrying bags.
• Target your choices carefully as this city has too much on offer to do it all.