Guidebook for San Diego
Food Scene
¡SALUD! Barrio Logan
2196 Logan AveTacos!
Upscale Mexican restaurant with good food and drinks. Three locations around town. It's a little touristy, but we like it.
85 locals recommend
Miguel's Cocina
2912 Shelter Island DrUpscale Mexican restaurant with good food and drinks. Three locations around town. It's a little touristy, but we like it.
Buona Forchetta - South Park
3001 Beech StAuthentic Italian food and traditional pizza. Nom.
Piacere Mio
1947 Fern StAnother authentic Italian trattoria. Nom nom.
Great burgers, milkshakes, and a grungy beach vibe. We love this place. Gets very busy.
291 locals recommend
Hodad's
5010 Newport AveGreat burgers, milkshakes, and a grungy beach vibe. We love this place. Gets very busy.
Less crowded than the Ocean Beach location, but the same great burgers, milk shakes, and grungy vibe.
66 locals recommend
Hodad's Downtown
945 BroadwayLess crowded than the Ocean Beach location, but the same great burgers, milk shakes, and grungy vibe.
Best BBQ in San Diego. Actually the best I've had in California. Large crowds.
166 locals recommend
Phil's BBQ
3750 Sports Arena BlvdBest BBQ in San Diego. Actually the best I've had in California. Large crowds.
The iconic Southern California "fast food" burger, fries, and shake place. Californians swear eternal allegiance to this place, and for good reason. Get the "Double Double Animal Style". Locations throughout the city/county.
64 locals recommend
In-N-Out Burger
2910 Damon AveThe iconic Southern California "fast food" burger, fries, and shake place. Californians swear eternal allegiance to this place, and for good reason. Get the "Double Double Animal Style". Locations throughout the city/county.
Hippy dippy breakfast joint with a joyful and adorable owner, Judy. Get there early or prepare to wait in line.
80 locals recommend
Big Kitchen Café
3003 Grape StreetHippy dippy breakfast joint with a joyful and adorable owner, Judy. Get there early or prepare to wait in line.
One of our favorite brunch/breakfast places. Also good for dinner. Like all places in San Diego, it gets busy at brunch time, so go early or prepare to wait in line. They take reservations, so with a little planning...
139 locals recommend
Urban Solace & Bar Solace
3823 30th StOne of our favorite brunch/breakfast places. Also good for dinner. Like all places in San Diego, it gets busy at brunch time, so go early or prepare to wait in line. They take reservations, so with a little planning...
Pappalecco
1602 State StGelato!
Because döner kebab. Both the wrap and box are delicious (be sure to add fries). Just feet from the Mission Valley Center trolley stop. Good for a quick, tasty lunch or dinner.
42 locals recommend
The Kebab Shop
630 Ninth AveBecause döner kebab. Both the wrap and box are delicious (be sure to add fries). Just feet from the Mission Valley Center trolley stop. Good for a quick, tasty lunch or dinner.
Excellent almost New York-style pizza (there's a definite California influence). Cash only!
213 locals recommend
Pizzeria Luigi
1137 25th StExcellent almost New York-style pizza (there's a definite California influence). Cash only!
Authentic Chicago-style pizza. Really good stuff. Go hungry! Limited seating, so go in the off hours.
95 locals recommend
Lefty's Chicago Pizzeria
3448 30th StAuthentic Chicago-style pizza. Really good stuff. Go hungry! Limited seating, so go in the off hours.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful point of land with a lighthouse and history. Be sure to check out the tidal pools.
502 locals recommend
Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center
1800 Cabrillo Memorial DrBeautiful point of land with a lighthouse and history. Be sure to check out the tidal pools.
Our favorite family beach. It is a wide beach with golden sand. It also has free parking with good availability. It's also a good place to watch the military planes taking off and landing.
144 locals recommend
Coronado Beach & Dog Park
Ocean BoulevardOur favorite family beach. It is a wide beach with golden sand. It also has free parking with good availability. It's also a good place to watch the military planes taking off and landing.
A beach for the younger set, full of dive bars and places to eat. It gets crowded and parking is sometimes difficult, but it is a classic Southern California beach town. Mission Beach is just to the south, with more of the same vibe.
700 locals recommend
Pacific Beach
A beach for the younger set, full of dive bars and places to eat. It gets crowded and parking is sometimes difficult, but it is a classic Southern California beach town. Mission Beach is just to the south, with more of the same vibe.
San Diego's central park. Full of small museums. It's a great place to go for a walk or to relax. The Zoo is right next door.
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
San Diego's central park. Full of small museums. It's a great place to go for a walk or to relax. The Zoo is right next door.
Sightseeing
A classic Victorian seaside resort. Be sure to check out the woodwork in the lobby. The boardwalk/sidewalk behind the hotel is a nice place to take a stroll and maybe grab a drink.
519 locals recommend
Hotel Del Coronado
1500 Orange AveA classic Victorian seaside resort. Be sure to check out the woodwork in the lobby. The boardwalk/sidewalk behind the hotel is a nice place to take a stroll and maybe grab a drink.
San Diego's Italian neighborhood, full of restaurants and cafes. It's a fun place to walk around and grab a bite to eat.
889 locals recommend
Little Italy
San Diego's Italian neighborhood, full of restaurants and cafes. It's a fun place to walk around and grab a bite to eat.
Site of San Diego's original Spanish settlement. There's a historical area and a touristy street full of Mexican and assorted restaurants.
1070 locals recommend
Old Town
Site of San Diego's original Spanish settlement. There's a historical area and a touristy street full of Mexican and assorted restaurants.
Entertainment & Activities
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrIt's world famous!
The sister park to the San Diego Zoo. It's a ways out of town, but it offers a different zoo experience, with a tram that goes around a open enclosure.
967 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley RdThe sister park to the San Diego Zoo. It's a ways out of town, but it offers a different zoo experience, with a tram that goes around a open enclosure.
SeaWorld San Diego
500 Sea World Dr.Shopping
Fashion Valley
7007 Friars RdUpscale open-air shopping center
Getting Around
Fenton Parkway Station
Our nearest trolley station
Fashion Valley Transit Center
Trolley and bus transfer station
Drinks & Nightlife
Our personal favorite local beer. Not as hoppy as most local offerings.
106 locals recommend
Modern Times Flavordome
3000 Upas StOur personal favorite local beer. Not as hoppy as most local offerings.
Gay-owned and operated, but super inclusive. You will see every variety of person there, and they mix really strong drinks. The dance floor is a lot of fun.
90 locals recommend
Urban MO's Bar & Grill
308 University AveGay-owned and operated, but super inclusive. You will see every variety of person there, and they mix really strong drinks. The dance floor is a lot of fun.
Great brews and pizzas. The nation's first gay-owned and operated brewery. It's a place for everyone.
105 locals recommend
South Park Brewing Company
1517 30th StGreat brews and pizzas. The nation's first gay-owned and operated brewery. It's a place for everyone.
Probably San Diego's best-known beer. It's for serious hopheads. The food is good if not a little expensive.
175 locals recommend
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station
2816 Historic Decatur RdProbably San Diego's best-known beer. It's for serious hopheads. The food is good if not a little expensive.