Guidebook for San Diego
Drinks & Nightlife
Cafe Bar Europa
873 Turquoise StGreat place for wine and live music (jazz, blues, international)
Great local bar. Casual and a true neighborhood bar. They also have pretty good food but they close early (midnight).
33 locals recommend
Latitude 32
5019 Cass StGreat local bar. Casual and a true neighborhood bar. They also have pretty good food but they close early (midnight).
This is one of the best, little known, spots in the city to get drinks, especially right around sunset. You can sip on a cocktail while looking out the window on the top of a sky rise building and enjoying spectacular views of Point Loma, Downtown and Coronado.
45 locals recommend
Top of the Hyatt
1 Market PlThis is one of the best, little known, spots in the city to get drinks, especially right around sunset. You can sip on a cocktail while looking out the window on the top of a sky rise building and enjoying spectacular views of Point Loma, Downtown and Coronado.
JRDN Restaurant
723 Felspar StNice place on the boardwalk to have a drink
Beaumont's
5662 La Jolla BlvdBar/ restaurant. Surfer vibe and live music often.
Sports bar right on the beach. It can get really crowded during games and late at night. Great cheese curds and tater tots!
118 locals recommend
PB Shore Club
4343 Ocean BlvdSports bar right on the beach. It can get really crowded during games and late at night. Great cheese curds and tater tots!
Lahaina Beach House
710 Oliver CtIconic Mission Beach dive bar right on the boardwalk.
Food Scene
Fig Tree Cafe Pacific Beach
5119 Cass StYummy breakfasts
GREAT coffee. Tons of unique items. They also breakfast and lunch items. Definitely try the vanilla chai latte....mmmmm.
44 locals recommend
Java Earth Coffee
4978 Cass StGREAT coffee. Tons of unique items. They also breakfast and lunch items. Definitely try the vanilla chai latte....mmmmm.
Some of the best seafood you'll ever have. A little bit on the pricey side...but normal for a seafood restaurant.
117 locals recommend
The Fishery
5040 Cass StSome of the best seafood you'll ever have. A little bit on the pricey side...but normal for a seafood restaurant.
Great Ambience and outside patio. They offer vegan and vegetarian options.
41 locals recommend
Second Nature
5026 Cass StGreat Ambience and outside patio. They offer vegan and vegetarian options.
Truckstop
4150 Mission BlvdGreat comfort food breakfast place!
Local Brewery and restaurant on top of the roof with and ocean view. It has a real laid back vibe and great food. This is always one of my favorite place to eat!
81 locals recommend
Amplified Ale Works Kitchen + Beer Garden
4150 Mission BlvdLocal Brewery and restaurant on top of the roof with and ocean view. It has a real laid back vibe and great food. This is always one of my favorite place to eat!
Enoteca Adriano
4864 Cass StExcellent Italian food restaurant right down the street!
Restaurant/Bar that has the best wings I've ever had!!! I'm pretty sure it is always 21+ though, so no kids allowed unfortunately.
31 locals recommend
Dirty Birds
4656 Mission BlvdRestaurant/Bar that has the best wings I've ever had!!! I'm pretty sure it is always 21+ though, so no kids allowed unfortunately.
Great Hamburgers, my favorite, although pretty expensive. The restaurant is also really small, so it can be hard to find a table.
67 locals recommend
Bare Back Grill
624 E StGreat Hamburgers, my favorite, although pretty expensive. The restaurant is also really small, so it can be hard to find a table.
If you haven't tried In N Out, and want something quick and cheap, every SoCal local will tell you to go here! You can tell how good it is by the long line at the drive through during all open hours! It has a short menu with fresh items. Ask for your burger or fries "animal style" to get extra sauce and grilled onions on top.
64 locals recommend
In-N-Out Burger
2910 Damon AveIf you haven't tried In N Out, and want something quick and cheap, every SoCal local will tell you to go here! You can tell how good it is by the long line at the drive through during all open hours! It has a short menu with fresh items. Ask for your burger or fries "animal style" to get extra sauce and grilled onions on top.
Rubio's is a chain take out restaurant, but it has the best fish tacos I've ever had. If you want something quick and easy, and very SoCal, this is a great place to stop! You can also sit down and eat at the restaurant. They serve beer and wine.
25 locals recommend
Rubio's
4504 E Mission Bay DrRubio's is a chain take out restaurant, but it has the best fish tacos I've ever had. If you want something quick and easy, and very SoCal, this is a great place to stop! You can also sit down and eat at the restaurant. They serve beer and wine.
Surfy vibe, iconic SoCal style Mexican food. My favorite is the breakfast burrito!!! Very casual, most people are wandering in off of the beach in their board shorts.
47 locals recommend
Taco Surf Pb
4657 Mission BlvdSurfy vibe, iconic SoCal style Mexican food. My favorite is the breakfast burrito!!! Very casual, most people are wandering in off of the beach in their board shorts.
Little Italy
Take your pick. Any restaurant in Little Italy is delicious:-)
Old Fashioned walk-up ice cream stand. This is a Pacific Beach staple.
32 locals recommend
Mr. Frostie
1470 Garnet AveOld Fashioned walk-up ice cream stand. This is a Pacific Beach staple.
Oscars Mexican Seafood
703 Turquoise StGreat tacos. Casual take out.
Themed Mexican food restaurant with unique tacos and burritos. There is usually a line. You order then sit down and eat. It has been featured on TV. They have a golden throne seat that can be reserved.
139 locals recommend
Lucha Libre Taco Shop
1810 W Washington StThemed Mexican food restaurant with unique tacos and burritos. There is usually a line. You order then sit down and eat. It has been featured on TV. They have a golden throne seat that can be reserved.
Parks & Nature
Fanuel Beach Park
4000 Fanuel StGreat Park for kids, right on the bay
Great for swimming, surfing or a gorgeous walk on the beach. The cliffs overlooking Law Street have some of the best sunsets in San Diego. There are also outdoor yoga sessions at the outdoor park here often offered at sunset and various other times by local yoga studios and freelance yogis.
46 locals recommend
Law Street Beach
671 Ocean BlvdGreat for swimming, surfing or a gorgeous walk on the beach. The cliffs overlooking Law Street have some of the best sunsets in San Diego. There are also outdoor yoga sessions at the outdoor park here often offered at sunset and various other times by local yoga studios and freelance yogis.
Iconic Surfing spot. Also offers beautiful beach walks or runs in a more secluded area under looming cliffs.
113 locals recommend
Tourmaline Surf Park
Iconic Surfing spot. Also offers beautiful beach walks or runs in a more secluded area under looming cliffs.
Kate Sessions Park is a wonderfully peaceful place to relax while taking in some of the best views in the city.
185 locals recommend
Kate Sessions Memorial Park
5115 Soledad RdKate Sessions Park is a wonderfully peaceful place to relax while taking in some of the best views in the city.
The Best Dog Park I've ever been to! You can let your dogs roam free while they play in the waves and you can take a nice walk around the island as well. If you bring the dogs, this place should definitely be on your list of places to go!
71 locals recommend
Fiesta Island Park
1590 E Mission Bay DrThe Best Dog Park I've ever been to! You can let your dogs roam free while they play in the waves and you can take a nice walk around the island as well. If you bring the dogs, this place should definitely be on your list of places to go!
Hands down, the best views in the city. It's a pretty drive to get there too!
146 locals recommend
Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
6905 La Jolla Scenic Dr SHands down, the best views in the city. It's a pretty drive to get there too!
When you turn onto La Jolla Farms Road, just a little ways down the street, there is a hiking trail on your left. This leads you out onto a field that ends on the cliffs overlooking Blacks Beach. On the map, if you zoom in, you can see it as a little brown dashed line, on the left of La Jolla Farms road, close to it's intersection with La Jolla Shores Drive. This has always been one of my favorite, secret spots to take out of town guests!
La Jolla Farms Road
La Jolla Farms RoadWhen you turn onto La Jolla Farms Road, just a little ways down the street, there is a hiking trail on your left. This leads you out onto a field that ends on the cliffs overlooking Blacks Beach. On the map, if you zoom in, you can see it as a little brown dashed line, on the left of La Jolla Farms road, close to it's intersection with La Jolla Shores Drive. This has always been one of my favorite, secret spots to take out of town guests!
Great Hiking spot right next to the beach. You can start in the parking lot at the top and hike down to the beach. But, remember, you will have to hike all of the way back up! There is a fee to park within the park itself. Last time I checked it was $15. If you wish to avoid the fee, and are lucky, you can sometimes get parking along the beach at the bottom of the hill before you enter the park itself.
1108 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadGreat Hiking spot right next to the beach. You can start in the parking lot at the top and hike down to the beach. But, remember, you will have to hike all of the way back up! There is a fee to park within the park itself. Last time I checked it was $15. If you wish to avoid the fee, and are lucky, you can sometimes get parking along the beach at the bottom of the hill before you enter the park itself.
Entertainment & Activities
The zoo is one of my favorite places to take the kids just to walk around. It's world-renowned for the animals, however the scenery and ambience is what I go for time and time again!
2510 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrThe zoo is one of my favorite places to take the kids just to walk around. It's world-renowned for the animals, however the scenery and ambience is what I go for time and time again!
Arts & Culture
You can walk around Balboa park and enjoy the gardens, architecture, or take in the variety of museums and theaters available. I'd stop at the bar at the Prado in the evening for Sangria and Calamari or Panama 66 next to the Museum of art for live music in the sculpture garden on weekend nights. Make sure to walk across the bridge at the entrance.
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
You can walk around Balboa park and enjoy the gardens, architecture, or take in the variety of museums and theaters available. I'd stop at the bar at the Prado in the evening for Sangria and Calamari or Panama 66 next to the Museum of art for live music in the sculpture garden on weekend nights. Make sure to walk across the bridge at the entrance.
Shopping
Great indoor eclectic market with all kinds of different local vendor. Checkout the cutting boards, coasters, etc. made by Oliver Stuff/Cutting Boredom! My husband has a booth here and sells all of his handmade creations.
41 locals recommend
Pangaea Outpost
909 Garnet AveGreat indoor eclectic market with all kinds of different local vendor. Checkout the cutting boards, coasters, etc. made by Oliver Stuff/Cutting Boredom! My husband has a booth here and sells all of his handmade creations.
Neighborhoods
Lots of shopping, historical landmarks, museums (including a haunted house, and restaurants. A definite tourist must see.
170 locals recommend
Old Town San Diego
4002 Wallace StLots of shopping, historical landmarks, museums (including a haunted house, and restaurants. A definite tourist must see.