Guidebook for San Diego
Drinks & Nightlife
San Diego's bar scene is always changing. Definitely check out San Diego Thrillist to see what's happening that week/end. They cover all the special events and new places to check out for drinks
Tiki themed speakeasy. Super fun ambience. Get there early in the evening, so you'll definitely make it inside. Check in with the host of Craft and Commerce.
47 locals recommend
False Idol
675 W Beech StTiki themed speakeasy. Super fun ambience. Get there early in the evening, so you'll definitely make it inside. Check in with the host of Craft and Commerce.
Rustic Root
535 Fifth AveFun lounge. Great downtown scene.
KEX is a hot spot in Little Italy. Get there before 10pm because there can be lines and occasionally a cover charge.
168 locals recommend
Kettner Exchange
2001 Kettner BlvdKEX is a hot spot in Little Italy. Get there before 10pm because there can be lines and occasionally a cover charge.
Thorn St. Brewery
3176 Thorn StThe Casbah
2501 Kettner BlvdMusic Box
1337 India StBeautiful steakhouse with a rooftop bar. I'd recommend stopping in for a drink. They have a great happy hour menu too. Otherwise drinks run $20 per beverage. The food is great but costly. If you're looking for a great steak dinner, then check out Cowboy Star in the east village. It's also on my list.
124 locals recommend
Born and Raised
1909 India StBeautiful steakhouse with a rooftop bar. I'd recommend stopping in for a drink. They have a great happy hour menu too. Otherwise drinks run $20 per beverage. The food is great but costly. If you're looking for a great steak dinner, then check out Cowboy Star in the east village. It's also on my list.
Locals dive bar with great music and fun events in South Park. Check out their website to see what's going on.
97 locals recommend
Whistle Stop
2236 Fern StLocals dive bar with great music and fun events in South Park. Check out their website to see what's going on.
Brewery in University Heights that has a huge roof deck. If it's sunny and you want some craft beer, check this place out.
29 locals recommend
Kairoa Brewing Company
4601 Park BlvdBrewery in University Heights that has a huge roof deck. If it's sunny and you want some craft beer, check this place out.
Not just for drinks. Great menu and perfect place to watch sports. They have 2 massive projector screens. Fun, cool ambiance. Also, a locals favorite for late night drinks. It gets packed so just mentally prepare for a wait for drinks at the bar.
41 locals recommend
Nolita Hall
2305 India StNot just for drinks. Great menu and perfect place to watch sports. They have 2 massive projector screens. Fun, cool ambiance. Also, a locals favorite for late night drinks. It gets packed so just mentally prepare for a wait for drinks at the bar.
The oldest dive bar in SD. Drinks are strong and this place is always packed, but it's worth stopping in for a drink or two.
86 locals recommend
Waterfront Bar & Grill
2044 Kettner BlvdThe oldest dive bar in SD. Drinks are strong and this place is always packed, but it's worth stopping in for a drink or two.
Ballast Point Brewing Little Italy
2215 India StI mean...the name says it all.
A stylish apothecary-esque cocktail lounge. Definitely check this place is out.
245 locals recommend
Polite Provisions
4696 30th St A stylish apothecary-esque cocktail lounge. Definitely check this place is out.
A cozy, chill brewpub that's in a converted old home near Petco Park. Lots of of outdoor seating on their first and second floor patios.
19 locals recommend
Half Door Brewing Co.
903 Island AveA cozy, chill brewpub that's in a converted old home near Petco Park. Lots of of outdoor seating on their first and second floor patios.
There's so much going on in this fun, boozey warehouse space. Check out their website to see what's going on. Too much to list here.
24 locals recommend
Punch Bowl Social San Diego
1485 E StThere's so much going on in this fun, boozey warehouse space. Check out their website to see what's going on. Too much to list here.
Arts & Culture
Balboa Park
Old Globe
1363 Old Globe WayLive theater and musicals. Located in Balboa park
Museum of Contemporary Art - Downtown
1100 Kettner BlvdEssentials
Target
3030 Grape StreetWalmart Pharmacy
2121 Imperial AveEntertainment & Activities
San Diego Padres Ticket Sales
100 Park BlvdTorrey Pines
Great hike in Torrey Pines
Another great hike. On a clear day you can see all of San Diego, Mexico border and to the ocean.
314 locals recommend
Cowles Mountain
Cowles MountainAnother great hike. On a clear day you can see all of San Diego, Mexico border and to the ocean.
Food scene
I'm a foodie (and a wine lover) so these are all of my go-to restaurants close to my Island Container home. But San Diego has so many great neighborhoods and restaurants beyond what's listed here, so you really can't go wrong. Have fun exploring!
Super glam brunch spot, but they don't take reservations. Plan on a 2-hour wait. But it's in the heart of Little Italy so you can put your name in and walk around the neighborhood.
72 locals recommend
Morning Glory
550 W Date StSuper glam brunch spot, but they don't take reservations. Plan on a 2-hour wait. But it's in the heart of Little Italy so you can put your name in and walk around the neighborhood.
Definitely worth checking out if you're into oysters and great cocktails. Order the clam chowder fries...they're a must. Decor's a spin on Grand Central with tall ceilings and a wall of piranhas.
207 locals recommend
Ironside Fish & Oyster
1654 India StDefinitely worth checking out if you're into oysters and great cocktails. Order the clam chowder fries...they're a must. Decor's a spin on Grand Central with tall ceilings and a wall of piranhas.
An American bistro that's open for brunch, dinner and drinks. It's my neighborhood go-to that's walking or scooter distance from the house. Just 4 blocks away. Seasonal menu, local brews and great wine list.
115 locals recommend
counterpoint
830 25th StAn American bistro that's open for brunch, dinner and drinks. It's my neighborhood go-to that's walking or scooter distance from the house. Just 4 blocks away. Seasonal menu, local brews and great wine list.
Voted the best tacos in SD year over year. Good news is the tacos are worth the hype. Bad news is everyone knows it now. So there's a line to order at the counter. Try to go at off hours and get in without a wait if you can.
87 locals recommend
¡SALUD! Barrio Logan
2196 Logan AveVoted the best tacos in SD year over year. Good news is the tacos are worth the hype. Bad news is everyone knows it now. So there's a line to order at the counter. Try to go at off hours and get in without a wait if you can.
Their Napoli style pizza, pasta, veal, wine...it's all amazing. It's an Italian family restaurant with lots of outdoor seating and the staff is friendly. There's a few locations in SD, but nothing beats the charm of the 1st location in South Park.
317 locals recommend
Buona Forchetta - South Park
3001 Beech StTheir Napoli style pizza, pasta, veal, wine...it's all amazing. It's an Italian family restaurant with lots of outdoor seating and the staff is friendly. There's a few locations in SD, but nothing beats the charm of the 1st location in South Park.
Corner bistro and bar. Lots of TV's for watching sports. Open air layout too.
37 locals recommend
Fernside
1946 Fern StCorner bistro and bar. Lots of TV's for watching sports. Open air layout too.
Super charming Italian restaurant that's perfect for a date night. Lots of white decor and candlelight. Neighborhood favorite for great food, wine and chill ambiance.
101 locals recommend
Alexander's
3391 30th StSuper charming Italian restaurant that's perfect for a date night. Lots of white decor and candlelight. Neighborhood favorite for great food, wine and chill ambiance.
Japanese noodle house with craft local beer. A few locations in SD, but this one has the largest outdoor space with a bar and dining area.
164 locals recommend
Underbelly North Park
3000 Upas StJapanese noodle house with craft local beer. A few locations in SD, but this one has the largest outdoor space with a bar and dining area.
Cool space, great food, and amazing craft cocktails. They also have a great happy hour. A few other places are close by Small Bar, Park & Rec and Kairoa brewery.
58 locals recommend
Madison
4622 Park BlvdCool space, great food, and amazing craft cocktails. They also have a great happy hour. A few other places are close by Small Bar, Park & Rec and Kairoa brewery.
The BEST brunch in SD...in my opinion. Upscale american diner with a retro vibe. Order the maple bacon donuts as a starter then dive in to the rest of their amazing menu. You're welcome!
144 locals recommend
Great Maple
1451 Washington StThe BEST brunch in SD...in my opinion. Upscale american diner with a retro vibe. Order the maple bacon donuts as a starter then dive in to the rest of their amazing menu. You're welcome!
New hot spot. A modern, Italian style restaurant that has beautiful decor, outdoor seating, great food and cocktails.
Il Dandy
2550 Fifth AveNew hot spot. A modern, Italian style restaurant that has beautiful decor, outdoor seating, great food and cocktails.
Azuki Sushi
2321 Fifth AveJust good sushi with no frills. You may need to make a reservation.
Super swank rooftop restaurant that overlooks San Diego bay. If you're dining in the restaurant, men have to wear a sports coat. Recommend happy hour or sunset cocktails on the deck. It's a beautiful view.
152 locals recommend
Mister A's
2550 Fifth AveSuper swank rooftop restaurant that overlooks San Diego bay. If you're dining in the restaurant, men have to wear a sports coat. Recommend happy hour or sunset cocktails on the deck. It's a beautiful view.
Food's amazing. Great happy hour too. Cool space. This one is also one of my local go-to's. Never disappoints.
67 locals recommend
Bankers Hill
Food's amazing. Great happy hour too. Cool space. This one is also one of my local go-to's. Never disappoints.
A fun, mexican restaurant that has a hipster, funky vibe. Directly in the flight path so the planes fly right over the back courtyard, which adds a cool factor. Check out their website to see what events they have late night.
51 locals recommend
Camino Riviera
2400 India StA fun, mexican restaurant that has a hipster, funky vibe. Directly in the flight path so the planes fly right over the back courtyard, which adds a cool factor. Check out their website to see what events they have late night.
Think dark den with moody lighting, purposefully kitschy artwork, and really good comfort food. Some of the best craft cocktails in town.
41 locals recommend
The Lion's Share
629 Kettner BlvdThink dark den with moody lighting, purposefully kitschy artwork, and really good comfort food. Some of the best craft cocktails in town.
An old house that's been converted into a whimsical New Zealand-themed pub. They serve upscale bar fare and have a large selection of draft beers and wine. Order the Chicken Pot Pie...you will not regret it. The BEST!
64 locals recommend
Queenstown Public House
1557 Columbia StAn old house that's been converted into a whimsical New Zealand-themed pub. They serve upscale bar fare and have a large selection of draft beers and wine. Order the Chicken Pot Pie...you will not regret it. The BEST!
An outdoor taco spot that's right near Broadway pier. Limited seating and the wait staff can be slow. Food and drinks are good! So if you're visiting and have time to chill and enjoy the bay view, it's a great option.
23 locals recommend
Carnitas' Snack Shack - Embarcadero
1004 N Harbor DrAn outdoor taco spot that's right near Broadway pier. Limited seating and the wait staff can be slow. Food and drinks are good! So if you're visiting and have time to chill and enjoy the bay view, it's a great option.
Simply put...homemade pasta and delish menu. Some outdoor seating and great people watching spot in Little Italy.
30 locals recommend
Civico 1845
1845 India StSimply put...homemade pasta and delish menu. Some outdoor seating and great people watching spot in Little Italy.
Amazing restaurant with a cool vibe and unique layout. Make a reservation for sure! A little pricey but worth it.
33 locals recommend
Fort Oak
1011 Fort Stockton DrAmazing restaurant with a cool vibe and unique layout. Make a reservation for sure! A little pricey but worth it.
French bistro with a rustic,-chic farmhouse decor. Amazing fresh bread, menu is perfection and melting candle ambiance. My favorite happy hour menu in San Diego.
74 locals recommend
Bleu Bohème
4090 Adams AveFrench bistro with a rustic,-chic farmhouse decor. Amazing fresh bread, menu is perfection and melting candle ambiance. My favorite happy hour menu in San Diego.
A cozy, casual bar and eatery that serves modern British pub fare and drinks. They have a charming dining and bar area inside with an open kitchen and a small-ish back patio.
50 locals recommend
Jaynes Gastropub
4677 30th StA cozy, casual bar and eatery that serves modern British pub fare and drinks. They have a charming dining and bar area inside with an open kitchen and a small-ish back patio.
The name really says it all. Traditional french fare in a casual bistro setting with sidewalk seating too. Another great happy hour menu
23 locals recommend
Et Voilà! French Bistro
3015 Adams AveThe name really says it all. Traditional french fare in a casual bistro setting with sidewalk seating too. Another great happy hour menu
Another local's Mexican food hot spot. They offer mole dishes, fish tacos, margaritas and happy hour deals. It's a low kay space with an open kitchen, wooden bar, and outdoor patio area.
102 locals recommend
Cantina Mayahuel
2934 Adams AveAnother local's Mexican food hot spot. They offer mole dishes, fish tacos, margaritas and happy hour deals. It's a low kay space with an open kitchen, wooden bar, and outdoor patio area.