Itineraries in San Diego

A steep climb up Cowles Mountain, sunset from Mount Helix's 1925 amphitheater, and steak dinner in La Mesa: one afternoon planned backward from the sun.

An 1855 lighthouse, lunch beside the fishing boats, a Navy base turned arts district and a Sunset Cliffs finish: Point Loma and Ocean Beach in one day.

Sea lions near La Jolla Cove, a 19th-century Point Loma lighthouse, 72 murals in Chicano Park and a ferry to Coronado, in two days that never backtrack.

A walk at La Jolla Cove, Old Town's five original adobes, Chicano Park's murals and a ferry to Coronado. Four San Diego days, one area at a time.

Five days by area: sea lions at La Jolla Cove, Old Town's adobes, Cabrillo's lighthouse, Chicano Park's murals, the Coronado ferry and a COASTER day.

An 1882 rail depot, kamayan on a banana leaf, pistachio from an ice cream maker open since 1948, then Seafood City. One weekend day in National City.

A coast walk above La Jolla's marine reserve, a smoked fish taco for breakfast and adobada after dark. Seven stops, one San Diego day, no backtracking.

Espresso from a 30th Street roaster, 50,000 used books and tacos at the original City Tacos. Here's one walkable Saturday in North Park.

Sea lions at La Jolla Cove, a 1915 world's-fair park, Barrio Logan murals and a ferry to Coronado: a realistic 3-day route, one part of the city per day.

A Nico's breakfast burrito in Ocean Beach, a free organ concert in Balboa Park and Chula Vista tacos by trolley: two San Diego days for about $99.

A private sail out of Shelter Island, ten courses at Southern California's only three-Michelin-star restaurant, and a night in the Del's 1888 Victorian.