Guidebook for San Diego
Food Scene
Family-owned Greek restaurant. Don't forget to try the homemade desserts!
23 locals recommend
Olympic Cafe
2310 University AveFamily-owned Greek restaurant. Don't forget to try the homemade desserts!
Trust
3752 Park BlvdGreat brunch spot in a modern new building
Communal Coffee
2335 University AveCoffee shop by day, best pizza around by night! Casual atmosphere where you can just order at the bar.
124 locals recommend
Caffè Calabria
3933 30th StCoffee shop by day, best pizza around by night! Casual atmosphere where you can just order at the bar.
Holsem Coffee
2911 University AveCoffee shop with food and pastries to DIE for
Micho'z Fresh Lebanese Grill
1459 University AveGreat Lebanese food
City Tacos
3028 University AveBest tacos around! Homemade tortillas
Casual mediterranean food in a cottage. Get a wrap, and don't forget the Lebni!
27 locals recommend
Mama's Bakery & Deli
4237 Alabama StCasual mediterranean food in a cottage. Get a wrap, and don't forget the Lebni!
Amazing Russian-Georgian cuisine with an authentic atmosphere. A must-visit!
59 locals recommend
Pomegranate
2312 El Cajon BlvdAmazing Russian-Georgian cuisine with an authentic atmosphere. A must-visit!
Drinks & Nightlife
Rip Current Brewing North Park
4101 30th StGreat beer and food, and trivia on Tuesday nights
Mike Hess Brewing, North Park
3812 Grim AveGreat beer and great atmosphere!
Great local wines at good prices and chill atmosphere. Pair with a trip to Pomegranate Russian-Georgian Restaurant across the street!
17 locals recommend
Négociant Winery
1263 University AvenueGreat local wines at good prices and chill atmosphere. Pair with a trip to Pomegranate Russian-Georgian Restaurant across the street!
Great beers. Try one of the sours or fruit beers on a hot day!
106 locals recommend
Modern Times Flavordome
3000 Upas StGreat beers. Try one of the sours or fruit beers on a hot day!
Trivia on Wednesdays and a different food truck in front each night.
129 locals recommend
Thorn St. Brewery
3176 Thorn StTrivia on Wednesdays and a different food truck in front each night.
Shopping
Outdoor market on Sundays 9am-2pm that is overflowing with local produce
134 locals recommend
Hillcrest Farmer's Market
3960 Normal StOutdoor market on Sundays 9am-2pm that is overflowing with local produce
Parks & Nature
Dog park, bocce courts, baseball fields, tennis courts, and plenty of open space and trails. Head to the south end of the park past the velodrome for a view of the Coronado bridge and islands. Go through the dog park to find a hiking trail along Florida canyon, where you can see Balboa Park on the other side.
36 locals recommend
Morley Field Sports Complex
2221 Morley Field DrDog park, bocce courts, baseball fields, tennis courts, and plenty of open space and trails. Head to the south end of the park past the velodrome for a view of the Coronado bridge and islands. Go through the dog park to find a hiking trail along Florida canyon, where you can see Balboa Park on the other side.
Rose and Cactus Gardens
Stop and smell the roses!
This is our favorite beach. Arrive early to get a parking spot in the neighborhoods, take the bus over, or bring a bike on the Coronado Ferry to bike to the beach.
297 locals recommend
Coronado Beach
This is our favorite beach. Arrive early to get a parking spot in the neighborhoods, take the bus over, or bring a bike on the Coronado Ferry to bike to the beach.
See what San Diego looked like before it was a major metropolitan area. Stop at the Visitor's Center to get a map, or just walk down the main road and take any trail off it.
47 locals recommend
Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center
1 Father Junipero Serra TrailSee what San Diego looked like before it was a major metropolitan area. Stop at the Visitor's Center to get a map, or just walk down the main road and take any trail off it.
Torrey Pines
Large park with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.
Canyons are one of our favorite hidden gems in San Diego! You can be in the middle of a developed area and then suddenly in nature with canyons.
Switzer Canyon Trailhead
3075 Burlingame DrCanyons are one of our favorite hidden gems in San Diego! You can be in the middle of a developed area and then suddenly in nature with canyons.
Head down this trail to visit a canyon. If you go straight at the bottom of the hill, you'll go up and down a few times, pass a dog park, and end up in South Park. If you go left, you'll be on a mostly-flat path that follows the bottom of the canyon. See the secret San Diego on this trip :)
28th Street Canyon Connector
28th Street Canyon ConnectorHead down this trail to visit a canyon. If you go straight at the bottom of the hill, you'll go up and down a few times, pass a dog park, and end up in South Park. If you go left, you'll be on a mostly-flat path that follows the bottom of the canyon. See the secret San Diego on this trip :)
Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma has views of San Diego, the bay, and the Pacific. Learn about San Diego history and culture. Watch the ships come in and out of the bay. Visit the tide pools to see an entire ecosystem in action. Learn about lighthouses and life as a lighthouse keeper.
502 locals recommend
Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center
1800 Cabrillo Memorial DrCabrillo National Monument on Point Loma has views of San Diego, the bay, and the Pacific. Learn about San Diego history and culture. Watch the ships come in and out of the bay. Visit the tide pools to see an entire ecosystem in action. Learn about lighthouses and life as a lighthouse keeper.
Arts & Culture
Museums, theaters, art, music spaces, flowers, fountains, and food. This is a must-see! Head to Panama 66 in the courtyard of the San Diego Museum of Art for good food and drinks.
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
Museums, theaters, art, music spaces, flowers, fountains, and food. This is a must-see! Head to Panama 66 in the courtyard of the San Diego Museum of Art for good food and drinks.
Whether you are into military history or not, this is a very interesting museum trip that can easily fill a whole day.
775 locals recommend
USS Midway Museum
910 N Harbor DrWhether you are into military history or not, this is a very interesting museum trip that can easily fill a whole day.
Essentials
Smart & Final Extra!
6235 El Cajon BlvdSprouts Farmers Market
3015 Clairemont DrOrganic food
Good for organic, selection of interesting imports, and beer/wine
65 locals recommend
Barons Market North Park
3231 University AveGood for organic, selection of interesting imports, and beer/wine
CVS
3151 University AvePharmacy
And with Trader Joe's next door this is a good spot to shop for groceries. If you drive, head for the underground parking lot.
333 locals recommend
Ralphs
101 G StAnd with Trader Joe's next door this is a good spot to shop for groceries. If you drive, head for the underground parking lot.
Entertainment & Activities
Beautiful zoo that also has beautiful landscaping. Just be sure to bring your walking shoes and some sunscreen! The tram gives a nice aerial view of San Diego.
2510 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrBeautiful zoo that also has beautiful landscaping. Just be sure to bring your walking shoes and some sunscreen! The tram gives a nice aerial view of San Diego.
Beautiful new library. Visit the 8th floor reading room and 9th floor deck for great views of the bay and downtown.
63 locals recommend
San Diego Central Library
330 Park BlvdBeautiful new library. Visit the 8th floor reading room and 9th floor deck for great views of the bay and downtown.