Guidebook for San Diego
Food Scene
Fantastic Thai place just down the street! Maybe a 3 minute drive. We have not found a dish that we don't like. Everything is fabulous!
16 locals recommend
Turmeric Thai Kitchen
6435 Caminito BlythefieldFantastic Thai place just down the street! Maybe a 3 minute drive. We have not found a dish that we don't like. Everything is fabulous!
Favorite casual seafood place. Everything is good... but our favorites include TKO taco, swordfish sandwich & mani and shrimp ceviche.
194 locals recommend
Pacific Beach Fish Shop
1775 Garnet AveFavorite casual seafood place. Everything is good... but our favorites include TKO taco, swordfish sandwich & mani and shrimp ceviche.
Eat in, or have it DELIVERED! You can't go wrong with the Mandarin House. Our go-to items include beef and broccoli, won ton soup, sesame chicken and chicken lo main.
15 locals recommend
Mandarin House
6765 La Jolla BlvdEat in, or have it DELIVERED! You can't go wrong with the Mandarin House. Our go-to items include beef and broccoli, won ton soup, sesame chicken and chicken lo main.
Everything we've had here is great. My fav is their gyro greek salad and lemon orzo soup.
40 locals recommend
Cafe Athena
1846 Garnet AveEverything we've had here is great. My fav is their gyro greek salad and lemon orzo soup.
Great for brunch or lunch. Affordable menu with breathtaking views of la jolla shores beach. A few min drive from scripps la jolla aquarium.
66 locals recommend
Caroline's Seaside Cafe
Kennel WayGreat for brunch or lunch. Affordable menu with breathtaking views of la jolla shores beach. A few min drive from scripps la jolla aquarium.
Another La Jolla Shores favorite of mine. My family will pick up a sandwich (either the turkey jack avo or tuna) and eat at the park along side la jolla shores beach, just watch out for the birds ;) Great sunny day outing.
25 locals recommend
Cheese Shop
2165 Avenida De La PlayaAnother La Jolla Shores favorite of mine. My family will pick up a sandwich (either the turkey jack avo or tuna) and eat at the park along side la jolla shores beach, just watch out for the birds ;) Great sunny day outing.
If you're looking for an affordable great breakfast with a view, this is you place. Just a warning there is usually a line, but it does go fast. This location is cash only, so go prepared.
208 locals recommend
Kono's Cafe
704 Garnet AveIf you're looking for an affordable great breakfast with a view, this is you place. Just a warning there is usually a line, but it does go fast. This location is cash only, so go prepared.
Great fresh fish prepared in a variety of delicious ways. Good wine and beer. Prices are moderate, but very very good.
117 locals recommend
The Fishery
5040 Cass StGreat fresh fish prepared in a variety of delicious ways. Good wine and beer. Prices are moderate, but very very good.
Romantic Italian dinner in the La Jolla Shores neighbrohood, moderately priced.
79 locals recommend
Piatti
2182 Avenida De La PlayaRomantic Italian dinner in the La Jolla Shores neighbrohood, moderately priced.
My family and I regularly visit the catamaran. We start at fanual park and let the kids play at the playground. From there we walk to catamaran (about 10min walk) for drinks and appetizers. If you have kids, you can sit close to the bay sand or grass and let the kids run free while you enjoy your drinks. ;)
92 locals recommend
Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
3999 Mission BlvdMy family and I regularly visit the catamaran. We start at fanual park and let the kids play at the playground. From there we walk to catamaran (about 10min walk) for drinks and appetizers. If you have kids, you can sit close to the bay sand or grass and let the kids run free while you enjoy your drinks. ;)
Nice outdoor restaurant in balboa park with an awesome enclosed lawn set up for people to throw down blankets and picnic and let the kids play and run. They don't allow outside food but they offer a full brunch from 10-3 on weekend with a great selection of beers and wines both which you can bring out on the grass with you.
81 locals recommend
Panama 66
1450 El PradoNice outdoor restaurant in balboa park with an awesome enclosed lawn set up for people to throw down blankets and picnic and let the kids play and run. They don't allow outside food but they offer a full brunch from 10-3 on weekend with a great selection of beers and wines both which you can bring out on the grass with you.
If you're in the mood for Italian food, you might want to consider a visit to Enoteca Adriano!
99 locals recommend
Enoteca Adriano
4864 Cass StIf you're in the mood for Italian food, you might want to consider a visit to Enoteca Adriano!
Amazing food and views! Id recommend calling ahead of time to request a table with a view.
51 locals recommend
Duke's La Jolla
1216 Prospect StAmazing food and views! Id recommend calling ahead of time to request a table with a view.
Cute little bistro in downtown La Jolla. I highly recommend the french dip for lunch.
11 locals recommend
Bernini's Bistro
7550 Fay AveCute little bistro in downtown La Jolla. I highly recommend the french dip for lunch.
Drinks & Nightlife
Fun little hangout in bird rock. You can start with dinner and end with live music if there on a weekend.
107 locals recommend
Beaumont's
5662 La Jolla BlvdFun little hangout in bird rock. You can start with dinner and end with live music if there on a weekend.
The Comedy Store - La Jolla
916 Pearl StEssentials
Closest vons. Also nice because it's right next to CVS and Rite Aid. They've got pretty much everything in this center.
443 locals recommend
Vons
1702 Garnet AveClosest vons. Also nice because it's right next to CVS and Rite Aid. They've got pretty much everything in this center.
Trader joes is great for ready made salads, or if you want a quick but healthy frozen meal that might just need a little sautéing. They also have a pretty good selection of affordable wine.
752 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
1640 Garnet AveTrader joes is great for ready made salads, or if you want a quick but healthy frozen meal that might just need a little sautéing. They also have a pretty good selection of affordable wine.
Rite Aid
4840 Niagara AveCVS
1792 Garnet AveParks & Nature
This is about a 20 min walk, downhill on the way there, uphill back. Definitely a workout. Only a 5 mins drive. It's be fun to pick up sandwiches at soledad market and eat them at Kate sessions while taking in beautiful views of the coast.
A great place to take kids. They have very large grassy area and play ground.
185 locals recommend
Kate Sessions Memorial Park
5115 Soledad RdThis is about a 20 min walk, downhill on the way there, uphill back. Definitely a workout. Only a 5 mins drive. It's be fun to pick up sandwiches at soledad market and eat them at Kate sessions while taking in beautiful views of the coast.
A great place to take kids. They have very large grassy area and play ground.
This Torrey Pines hike takes you to the best of the park - rare Torrey Pines, ocean views, and unique geology. Torrey Pines Natural Reserve is one of those once in a lifetime destinations. I highly recommend this hike!
1 to 2 hour hike depending on how far you want to go.
There is a fee for parking if you park in lot. You might be able to find street parking for free is you're lucky or get there early.
1108 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadThis Torrey Pines hike takes you to the best of the park - rare Torrey Pines, ocean views, and unique geology. Torrey Pines Natural Reserve is one of those once in a lifetime destinations. I highly recommend this hike!
1 to 2 hour hike depending on how far you want to go.
There is a fee for parking if you park in lot. You might be able to find street parking for free is you're lucky or get there early.
La Jolla is a mile-long crescent of prime sand beach favored by active beachgoers of all interests. Anchored by the Scripps Institute of Oceanography pier, this is a busy swimming area popular among families and surfers alike. Shielded by La Jolla Bay, it is also used as a launching ground for scuba diving and kayaking. At night it's alive with the glow of beach fires.
184 locals recommend
La Jolla Shores
La Jolla is a mile-long crescent of prime sand beach favored by active beachgoers of all interests. Anchored by the Scripps Institute of Oceanography pier, this is a busy swimming area popular among families and surfers alike. Shielded by La Jolla Bay, it is also used as a launching ground for scuba diving and kayaking. At night it's alive with the glow of beach fires.
At the northernmost point of La Jolla is Torrey Pines City Beach. Fortified by 300-foot sea cliffs, a nature walk along the bluffs through native vegetation—including the signature Torrey pine—leads to endless views of the Pacific. Here you’ll find long stretches of beach ideal for sunbathing and family fun adjacent to a large parking area. Further south is home to famed Black's Beach. Although difficult and hazardous to access, this spot is a favorite among local surfers and bodyboarders—and those who prefer to enjoy the surf and sand in the buff, despite California law prohibiting public nudity.
268 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Beach
At the northernmost point of La Jolla is Torrey Pines City Beach. Fortified by 300-foot sea cliffs, a nature walk along the bluffs through native vegetation—including the signature Torrey pine—leads to endless views of the Pacific. Here you’ll find long stretches of beach ideal for sunbathing and family fun adjacent to a large parking area. Further south is home to famed Black's Beach. Although difficult and hazardous to access, this spot is a favorite among local surfers and bodyboarders—and those who prefer to enjoy the surf and sand in the buff, despite California law prohibiting public nudity.
La Jolla Cove is a small deep water bay, flanked by sea caves accessible to adventurers in kayaks and on foot, depending on the tides. The beach itself is small, but it’s usually tame waters are popular with swimmers and snorkelers hoping to see local natives like the bright-orange Garibaldi fish and other marine life. The Cove is easily accessible via maintained stairs and walkways, sitting just below a large grass park with bathrooms, showers, picnic tables, a paved pedestrian walkway and several public gazebos.
14 locals recommend
La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove is a small deep water bay, flanked by sea caves accessible to adventurers in kayaks and on foot, depending on the tides. The beach itself is small, but it’s usually tame waters are popular with swimmers and snorkelers hoping to see local natives like the bright-orange Garibaldi fish and other marine life. The Cove is easily accessible via maintained stairs and walkways, sitting just below a large grass park with bathrooms, showers, picnic tables, a paved pedestrian walkway and several public gazebos.
The Children's Pool, located close to downtown La Jolla and walking distance from La Jolla Cove, is a small cove protected by a concrete breakwater wall. It was originally built as a safe swimming area for children but was claimed long ago by seals and sea lions who beach themselves on the sand with their young. Although now closed for swimming, the Children’s Pool offers a crowd-pleasing and often amusing view of these loveable marine inhabitants.
24 locals recommend
Seal Rock
Children's Pool Observation WalkwayThe Children's Pool, located close to downtown La Jolla and walking distance from La Jolla Cove, is a small cove protected by a concrete breakwater wall. It was originally built as a safe swimming area for children but was claimed long ago by seals and sea lions who beach themselves on the sand with their young. Although now closed for swimming, the Children’s Pool offers a crowd-pleasing and often amusing view of these loveable marine inhabitants.
Windansea, made famous by Tom Wolfe's story The Pump House Gang, is a popular family beach with access to rich tide pools during low tides. It’s also a well-known surf spot, attracting local crowds and its share of competition for waves. Swimming and bodyboarding are best on the south half of the beach.
272 locals recommend
Windansea Beach
Neptune PlWindansea, made famous by Tom Wolfe's story The Pump House Gang, is a popular family beach with access to rich tide pools during low tides. It’s also a well-known surf spot, attracting local crowds and its share of competition for waves. Swimming and bodyboarding are best on the south half of the beach.
This beach has the best, whitest sand in all of San Diego. Marine Street's claim to fame is its wicked shorebreak otherwise known as 'womp.' Bodysurfers and bodyboarders get short, deep tube rides as the waves hit the steep shelf and unload onto the shore.
29 locals recommend
Marine Street Beach
This beach has the best, whitest sand in all of San Diego. Marine Street's claim to fame is its wicked shorebreak otherwise known as 'womp.' Bodysurfers and bodyboarders get short, deep tube rides as the waves hit the steep shelf and unload onto the shore.
Entertainment & Activities
High end movie theater. They will serve you wine and food at your seat.
Reserve ahead for $10 movies on Wednesday.
They also have a restaurant. I heard they serve an amazing brunch!
103 locals recommend
THE LOT La Jolla
7611 Fay AveHigh end movie theater. They will serve you wine and food at your seat.
Reserve ahead for $10 movies on Wednesday.
They also have a restaurant. I heard they serve an amazing brunch!
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley RdSightseeing
They have great Mexican food, historic fun and shopping. Great place for a margarita and guacamole.
1070 locals recommend
Old Town
They have great Mexican food, historic fun and shopping. Great place for a margarita and guacamole.
So many things to do in balboa park.. museums, the world famous Zoo, restaurants, gardens, etc.
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
So many things to do in balboa park.. museums, the world famous Zoo, restaurants, gardens, etc.
Everything Else
If you have the time, julian is a fun day trip. It's about an hour drive. It is famous for their apple pies, which they serve on the main street. They also have lots of cute little shops.
245 locals recommend
Julian
If you have the time, julian is a fun day trip. It's about an hour drive. It is famous for their apple pies, which they serve on the main street. They also have lots of cute little shops.