Squad Plan

Things to do with friends in San Diego, CA

What are fun things to do with friends in San Diego?

We checked 51 real places in San Diego, CA from OpenStreetMap, including 8 places to eat, 8 bars and nightlife spots (21+) and 8 sights. Squad Plan's three day plans below draw on these places, and your group can vote on the one you like best.

Last updated 2026-10-14

We found 8 places to eat, 8 bars and nightlife spots (21+), 8 sights, 3 parks and outdoor spots, 8 game spots, 8 sports venues and 8 places to shop in San Diego, from OpenStreetMap map data.

Three ready-made day plans

Costs are rough estimates per person in US dollars. Check hours and prices before you go.

Plan A

San Diego Zoo Safari Park to Instant Replay

Slow pace, good food, plenty of time to talk. Group of 4 for friends hangout.

Estimated total per person: $69–210

  1. 10:00Visit San Diego Zoo Safari Park

    15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027

    Free to $25 (estimate)
  2. 11:00Explore Spreckels Park

    Black Mountain Ranch, San Diego, California

    Free
  3. 12:30Lunch at Kangnam Korean BBQ

    Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92128

    $12–20 (estimate)
  4. 14:00Get active at Linda Vista Recreation Center

    Levant Street, San Diego, CA 92111

    $10–25 (estimate)
  5. 15:00Browse Kobey's Swap Meet

    3500 Sports Arena Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92110

    Free to $40 (estimate)
  6. 16:00Catch a show at Bob Hope Theater

    Libra Lane, San Diego, CA 92125

    $15–30 (estimate)
  7. 18:30Dinner at Borrelli's

    16588 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92128

    $20–40 (estimate)
  8. 20:30Drinks at Instant Replay

    11681 Escondido Freeway, San Diego, CA 92127

    $12–30 (estimate)
Plan B

Colorado House to Bivouac Ciderworks

A fuller day of sights and new places. Group of 4 for friends hangout.

Estimated total per person: $69–210

  1. 10:00Visit Colorado House

    2733 San Diego Avenue, San Diego, CA 92110

    Free to $25 (estimate)
  2. 11:00Explore Trent Park

    San Diego, CA 92127

    Free
  3. 12:30Lunch at Borrelli's

    16588 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92128

    $12–20 (estimate)
  4. 14:00Get active at The Plunge San Diego

    3115 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA 92109

    $10–25 (estimate)
  5. 15:00Browse Carmel Valley Farmers' Market

    Del Mar Heights Road, San Diego, CA 92130

    Free to $40 (estimate)
  6. 16:00Watch a movie at Ultrastar Cinemas Mission Valley

    Hazard Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92018

    $15–30 (estimate)
  7. 18:30Dinner at Casa Lahori

    11975 Bernardo Plaza Drive, San Diego, CA 92128

    $20–40 (estimate)
  8. 20:30Drinks at Bivouac Ciderworks

    3986 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104

    $12–30 (estimate)
Plan C

San Diego History Center to Pariah Brewing Company

High energy from start to finish. Group of 4 for friends hangout.

Estimated total per person: $69–210

  1. 10:00Visit San Diego History Center

    1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92134

    Free to $25 (estimate)
  2. 11:00Explore Kristen Glen Park

    Del Sur, San Diego, California

    Free
  3. 12:30Lunch at Piacere Mio

    16490 Paseo del Sur, San Diego, CA 92127

    $12–20 (estimate)
  4. 14:00Get active at Art of Eight

    Spectrum Center Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92133

    $10–25 (estimate)
  5. 15:00Browse Farmer's Market

    Harvey Milk Street, San Diego, CA 92163

    Free to $40 (estimate)
  6. 16:00Watch a movie at AMC Fashion Valley 18

    7037 Friars Road, San Diego, CA 92103

    $15–30 (estimate)
  7. 18:30Dinner at The Shop Pizza + Cocktails

    11967 Bernardo Plaza Drive, San Diego, CA 92128

    $20–40 (estimate)
  8. 20:30Drinks at Pariah Brewing Company

    Ohio Street, San Diego, CA 92116

    $12–30 (estimate)

Family friendly things to do in San Diego

Real places in San Diego for a day out with kids.

  1. Visit San Diego Zoo Safari Park

    A good first stop for a family day. Check the hours before you go.

    Free to $25 (estimate)15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027
  2. Visit Spreckels Park

    Free to visit, with room to run around. Bring snacks and water.

    FreeBlack Mountain Ranch, San Diego, California
  3. Eat at Kangnam Korean BBQ

    A sit-down meal for the whole family. Call ahead for a big group.

    $12–20 (estimate)Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
  4. Go to Tiki Town Adventure Golf

    Mini golf, bowling and arcades are easy for kids. Check the hours before you go.

    $15–30 (estimate)3146 Mission Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92109
  5. Go to Putt and Go

    Movies, games or bowling for a rainy or hot afternoon. Check showtimes and hours first.

    $15–30 (estimate)Voyeur, San Diego, CA 92131
  6. Snack stop at Oasis On The Rocks

    A quick stop for drinks and a snack between activities.

    $8–18 (estimate)15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027

Make a family plan for San Diego

Date night ideas in San Diego

Real places in San Diego for two people, with a rough cost per person.

  1. Coffee at Okavango Outpost

    Short, cheap, and easy to make longer if it goes well.

    $8–18 (estimate)African Loop, San Diego, CA
  2. Walk through Spreckels Park

    Free, and easy to talk while you walk side by side.

    FreeBlack Mountain Ranch, San Diego, California
  3. Look around Flying Leathernecks Aviation Museum

    Something to look at together, so there is always something to talk about.

    Free to $25 (estimate)Rigel Avenue, San Diego, CA 92126
  4. Play a round at Tiki Town Adventure Golf

    Something to do together, so you are not just making small talk across a table.

    $15–30 (estimate)3146 Mission Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92109
  5. Dinner at Kangnam Korean BBQ

    Pick a table where you can talk, and share a few dishes if you both like that.

    $20–40 (estimate)Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
  6. Drinks at Rough Draft Brewing Company (21+)

    One drink, then decide together if the night keeps going.

    $12–30 (estimate)12925 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA 92014

Make a date plan for San Diego

Things to do with a large group in San Diego

Real places in San Diego for a group of 10 or more people.

  1. Play at Kid's Theater

    Ask about group rates and book ahead before you go.

    $15–30 (estimate)Richmond Street, San Diego, CA 92193
  2. Park time at Spreckels Park

    Bring a ball, a frisbee or lawn games. Free, and easy to split into smaller groups.

    FreeBlack Mountain Ranch, San Diego, California
  3. Dinner at Kangnam Korean BBQ

    Book ahead for a big table, and ask if they can seat your group together.

    $20–40 (estimate)Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
  4. Drinks at Padre Gold (21+)

    Only for groups where everyone is 21+. Ask about a reserved table for a big party.

    $12–30 (estimate)Linda Vista Road, San Diego, CA 92111

Make a group plan for San Diego

Weekend in San Diego with friends

A two-day plan of real places in San Diego, from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon.

  1. Saturday morning: Portuguese Historical Center

    Start the day with a museum, gallery or other sight. Check opening days before you go.

    Free to $25 (estimate)Avenida de Portugal, San Diego, CA 92106
  2. Saturday lunch: Kangnam Korean BBQ

    Sit down together for lunch. Book ahead if the group is big.

    $12–20 (estimate)Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
  3. Saturday afternoon: Spreckels Park

    Free, and easy to split up and meet again. Good for a walk between stops.

    FreeBlack Mountain Ranch, San Diego, California
  4. Saturday night: Small Bar (21+)

    A drink or two to end the day. Everyone needs to be 21 or older.

    $12–30 (estimate)4628 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92163
  5. Sunday morning: coffee at Starbucks

    A slow start for the last day. Quick, cheap, and easy to fit a group in.

    $8–18 (estimate)Mercy Road, San Diego, CA 92125
  6. Sunday afternoon: 4D Theater

    Bowling, an arcade or a movie. Something to do together before heading home.

    $15–30 (estimate)Upper Park Way, San Diego, CA 92193

Make a weekend plan for San Diego

Birthday ideas for adults in San Diego

Real places in San Diego for a birthday the whole group will show up for.

  1. Birthday dinner at Kangnam Korean BBQ

    Book a table for the whole group and let the birthday person order first.

    $20–40 (estimate)Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
  2. Play at The Lot

    Something to do together beats only sitting and talking. Book ahead for a big group.

    $15–30 (estimate)7611 Fay Avenue, San Diego, CA 92037
  3. Drinks at High Dive Bar (21+)

    Finish the night with a round on the group for the birthday person.

    $12–30 (estimate)Morena Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92110
  4. Visit Women's Museum of California

    A low-key daytime start before dinner, good for a smaller group.

    Free to $25 (estimate)2730 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego, CA 92106
  5. Picnic at Spreckels Park

    Bring a cake and some snacks. Free, and nobody has to shout over music.

    FreeBlack Mountain Ranch, San Diego, California

Make a birthday plan for San Diego

Things to do with friends under 21 in San Diego

Real places in San Diego for a group where some friends are under 21.

  1. Play at Putt and Go

    Games or fun for the group. Call ahead if the group is big.

    $15–30 (estimate)Voyeur, San Diego, CA 92131
  2. See a movie at Bob Hope Theater

    Check showtimes first, and pick a film the whole group can agree on.

    $15–30 (estimate)Libra Lane, San Diego, CA 92125
  3. Get active at Claver Center

    Play, swim or work out together. Some places need a pass or booking, so call first.

    $10–25 (estimate)Cathedral North Place, San Diego, CA 92130
  4. Coffee or a snack at Oasis On The Rocks

    A cheap place to sit and hang out. Order something small and stay a while.

    $8–18 (estimate)15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027
  5. Eat at Kangnam Korean BBQ

    Order a few dishes to share to keep the bill down. Check the menu online first.

    $12–20 (estimate)Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
  6. Hang out at Spreckels Park

    Free to visit. Bring a ball or a frisbee if you want to play.

    FreeBlack Mountain Ranch, San Diego, California

Make an under-21 plan for San Diego

Places in San Diego

Places to eat

Bars and nightlife (21+)

Sights

Parks and outdoor spots

Game spots

Sports venues

Places to shop

How much does a day out with friends cost in San Diego?

Across the three day plans above, a day out with friends in San Diego costs about $69 to $210 per person, from the lowest plan to the highest. Each total adds up the typical price of its stops, so treat it as a rough estimate and check prices before you go.

Frequently asked questions

What can a group do in San Diego for free?

Free places on our list include Spreckels Park, Trent Park and Kristen Glen Park. Plans also leave time to wander around town at no cost.

Where can friends eat in San Diego?

Good places to start are Kangnam Korean BBQ, Borrelli's and Casa Lahori. The day plans above include food stops from this list.

What is there to see in San Diego?

Sights on our list include San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Flying Leathernecks Aviation Museum and Colorado House. The full list is in the places section below.

What are good things to do with kids in San Diego?

Try visit San Diego Zoo Safari Park, visit Spreckels Park and eat at Kangnam Korean BBQ. Every idea here is a real mapped place, with a rough cost per person.

What are good date night ideas in San Diego?

Try coffee at Okavango Outpost, walk through Spreckels Park and look around Flying Leathernecks Aviation Museum. Start small with coffee or a walk, and save dinner for when it is going well.

What are good things to do with a large group in San Diego?

Try play at Kid's Theater, park time at Spreckels Park and dinner at Kangnam Korean BBQ. Book ahead for a group this size, and send the link so everyone can vote on the plan.

What can friends do on a weekend in San Diego?

Try saturday morning: Portuguese Historical Center, saturday lunch: Kangnam Korean BBQ and saturday afternoon: Spreckels Park. Every stop is a real mapped place, with a rough cost per person.

What are good birthday ideas for adults in San Diego?

Try birthday dinner at Kangnam Korean BBQ, play at The Lot and drinks at High Dive Bar (21+). Every idea here is a real mapped place, with a rough cost per person.

What can friends under 21 do together in San Diego?

Try play at Putt and Go, see a movie at Bob Hope Theater and get active at Claver Center. Every idea here is a real mapped place. Costs are rough estimates.

Can Squad Plan make a custom plan for San Diego?

Yes. Pick the city, your group and the vibe, and Squad Plan gives you three plans your friends can vote on. It is free for 5 plans a week.

Make a plan for San Diego

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