Guidebook for San Diego
Food Scene
Best carne asada burritos in town! I've been going here for 28 years...awesome! Friendly mom-pop operation.
Gloria's Taco Shop
1233 28th StBest carne asada burritos in town! I've been going here for 28 years...awesome! Friendly mom-pop operation.
Giorgino's
1237 28th StPhilly cheesesteaks
Grant's Marketplace
2953 Beech StGood deli sandwiches & wine selection
Great Italian food. Call ahead and get on "the list".
317 locals recommend
Buona Forchetta - South Park
3001 Beech StGreat Italian food. Call ahead and get on "the list".
Station Tavern
2204 Fern StGreat burgers. Great market salad also.
Starbucks
1206 28th StIt's Starbucks... what do you need to say?
Chili omelette and great views. Walk from house up 28th.
18 locals recommend
Tobeys 19th Hole Restaurant
2600 Golf Course DrChili omelette and great views. Walk from house up 28th.
Nice wine bar with great flatbread dishes, and cheese/meat platters.
75 locals recommend
The Rose Wine Bar
2219 30th StNice wine bar with great flatbread dishes, and cheese/meat platters.
Pizzeria Luigi
1137 25th StGreat pizza. Featured on Diners, drive-ins, and dives.
Turf Supper Club
1116 25th StGood grill-your-own place for steaks.
Panchita's Bakery
2519 C StGreat mexican bakery...just like you were in Mexico.
Incredible handmade chocolate using fair trade practices. Very well know throughout San Diego area as top-tier chocolate factory/restaurant.
77 locals recommend
Eclipse Chocolate Bar & Bistro
2145 Fern StIncredible handmade chocolate using fair trade practices. Very well know throughout San Diego area as top-tier chocolate factory/restaurant.
Famous local brewing company. Great beer.
57 locals recommend
Coronado Brewing Company | Coronado Brew Pub
170 Orange AveFamous local brewing company. Great beer.
Peohe's
1201 1st StBest views in San Diego bay. Call ahead to reserve table on windows.
Go for the sushi bar. No need to check in with hostess. Just go into sushi bar and grab an open table, or sit at bar. Great sushi at good prices. Honeymoon oyster is killer.
70 locals recommend
The Fish Market Valet
3 Tuna LnGo for the sushi bar. No need to check in with hostess. Just go into sushi bar and grab an open table, or sit at bar. Great sushi at good prices. Honeymoon oyster is killer.
Another great sushi restaurant. "Killer smoked" roll is my favorite.
24 locals recommend
Ototo Sushi Co.
2558 Laning RdAnother great sushi restaurant. "Killer smoked" roll is my favorite.
Great authentic Italian restaurant in LIttle Italy. Best in San Diego. Get the cannoli's.
59 locals recommend
Filippi's Pizza Grotto Little Italy
1747 India StGreat authentic Italian restaurant in LIttle Italy. Best in San Diego. Get the cannoli's.
Great place to eat. Recommend parking by Natural History museum and walking through Prado walkway by museums. Also, sit outside at first-come/first-served tables for quicker seating.
126 locals recommend
The Prado at Balboa Park
1549 El PradoGreat place to eat. Recommend parking by Natural History museum and walking through Prado walkway by museums. Also, sit outside at first-come/first-served tables for quicker seating.
Chicago style pizza. Great, but a bit pricey. Call ahead for a to-go order. They don't deliver.
95 locals recommend
Lefty's Chicago Pizzeria
3448 30th StChicago style pizza. Great, but a bit pricey. Call ahead for a to-go order. They don't deliver.
Drinks & Nightlife
South Park Brewing Company
1517 30th StGreat local brewery with good food also
Hamilton's Tavern
1521 30th StHUGE selection of local beers
From great restaurants, to music, to theater, the Gaslamp has it all. A very short taxi/uber from the house. Parking can be a pain on weekend nights... get a ride.
1208 locals recommend
Gaslamp Quarter
From great restaurants, to music, to theater, the Gaslamp has it all. A very short taxi/uber from the house. Parking can be a pain on weekend nights... get a ride.
Huge brewery and restaurant. Awesome outdoor seating area.
175 locals recommend
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station
2816 Historic Decatur RdHuge brewery and restaurant. Awesome outdoor seating area.
Ballast Point Brewing Little Italy
2215 India StFamous local brewery.
Modern Times Flavordome
3000 Upas StTrendy, but good, brewery tasting room.
Shopping
Target
3030 Grape StreetClosest food market to house. Decent selection of basics.
Golden Hill Liquor
2795 B StNearest liquor store.
Los Primos Market
1247 28th StThis place has everything... half block away.
Very cool shop for all that is trendy and hip. My wife loves this shop. Succulents, soaps, candles, bath-stuff, etc.
158 locals recommend
Pigment
3801 30th StVery cool shop for all that is trendy and hip. My wife loves this shop. Succulents, soaps, candles, bath-stuff, etc.
Nice shops for souvenirs and restaurants. There is a Ben-and-Jerry's ice cream shop and carousel for kids.
762 locals recommend
Seaport Village
849 W Harbor DrNice shops for souvenirs and restaurants. There is a Ben-and-Jerry's ice cream shop and carousel for kids.
Great authentic grocery store for Mexican foods. Great deli section with pre-made dishes, sauces, salsas, guacamole, etc.
49 locals recommend
Northgate Market
1950 Main StGreat authentic grocery store for Mexican foods. Great deli section with pre-made dishes, sauces, salsas, guacamole, etc.
Everything Else
B Street Veterinary Hospital
2675 B StClosest vet. Takes walk-ins.
Kiko's Barber Shop
2802 B StNice and affordable local barber shop.
Parks & Nature
Hey... It's the "World Famous San Diego Zoo". 'Nough said. Awesome. Hit the summer nights and grab dinner. Take the skyfari across and walk back.
2510 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrHey... It's the "World Famous San Diego Zoo". 'Nough said. Awesome. Hit the summer nights and grab dinner. Take the skyfari across and walk back.
Natural history museum is great with varying exhibits. Also host occasional spotlight speakers.
99 locals recommend
San Diego Natural History Museum
1788 El PradoNatural history museum is great with varying exhibits. Also host occasional spotlight speakers.
Coronado beach is one of San Diego's finest. Wide beach with tons of room to spread out. Only issue is parking. Arrive early, around 10, to find parking along side streets. Best to drop passengers and gear off at beach, go park, and meet up. No alcohol allowed on beach...just fyi.
297 locals recommend
Coronado Beach
Coronado beach is one of San Diego's finest. Wide beach with tons of room to spread out. Only issue is parking. Arrive early, around 10, to find parking along side streets. Best to drop passengers and gear off at beach, go park, and meet up. No alcohol allowed on beach...just fyi.
Another fine beach. State Park charges a day use fee at entrance. Parking much more plentiful here with lots. Arrive around 10 also.
47 locals recommend
Silver Strand State Beach
5000 CA-75Another fine beach. State Park charges a day use fee at entrance. Parking much more plentiful here with lots. Arrive around 10 also.
Mission beach can get a bit crazy on the weekends during the summer. Best bet is to go to South Mission beach where there are two large parking lots. Also arrive around 10. There is a bay-side area with calm water for little ones, or the ocean-side with a lifeguard tower and designated surfing and swimming areas.
554 locals recommend
Mission Beach
3000 Mission BoulevardMission beach can get a bit crazy on the weekends during the summer. Best bet is to go to South Mission beach where there are two large parking lots. Also arrive around 10. There is a bay-side area with calm water for little ones, or the ocean-side with a lifeguard tower and designated surfing and swimming areas.
Great area to relax. Park in the lots immediately north of the Hilton. Large grass areas for picnicking. Also, immediately on water at Hilton, a good boat/jetski rental dock open to public. I recommend renting one of the speed boats for an hour and cruise around Mission Bay. Great day activity.
9 locals recommend
San Diego Mission Bay Resort
1775 E Mission Bay DrGreat area to relax. Park in the lots immediately north of the Hilton. Large grass areas for picnicking. Also, immediately on water at Hilton, a good boat/jetski rental dock open to public. I recommend renting one of the speed boats for an hour and cruise around Mission Bay. Great day activity.
Arts & Culture
The San Diego Museum of Art
1450 El PradoWorld-class art museum. Exhibits vary.
Nice aerospace museum in building that was originally the Ford building during the 1916 Pan-American expo. Definitely worth a trip if you're into aviation.
76 locals recommend
San Diego Air & Space Museum
2001 Pan American PlazaNice aerospace museum in building that was originally the Ford building during the 1916 Pan-American expo. Definitely worth a trip if you're into aviation.
Very nice maritme museum on the waterfront. My kids have stayed overnight on the ships as part of the school's history program.
124 locals recommend
Maritime Museum of San Diego
1492 N Harbor DrVery nice maritme museum on the waterfront. My kids have stayed overnight on the ships as part of the school's history program.
The New Children’s Museum
200 W Island AveMy kids loved this place when they were younger.
San Diego Convention Center
111 W Harbor DrComic-con central.
Entertainment & Activities
Has an IMAX theater with great movies and science exhibits for the kids.
93 locals recommend
Fleet Science Center
1875 El PradoHas an IMAX theater with great movies and science exhibits for the kids.
This is by far the best aircraft carrier museum in the nation! The ship hosts all sorts of events and is a highlight of any visit to San Diego. In my career, I flew two of the aircraft on the flight deck. Don't rush this one. Allow yourself 2-3 hours. There are simulator rides and a self-guided tour with headphones. VERY cool.
775 locals recommend
USS Midway Museum
910 N Harbor DrThis is by far the best aircraft carrier museum in the nation! The ship hosts all sorts of events and is a highlight of any visit to San Diego. In my career, I flew two of the aircraft on the flight deck. Don't rush this one. Allow yourself 2-3 hours. There are simulator rides and a self-guided tour with headphones. VERY cool.
Hornblower cruises offer bay cruises. Advise going on a dinner-cruise...very nice.
49 locals recommend
Hornblower Cruises & Events
1800 N Harbor DrHornblower cruises offer bay cruises. Advise going on a dinner-cruise...very nice.
Very easy to access. Take 5S to Imperial ave, go right. Enter parking lots off Imperial Ave.
709 locals recommend
Petco Park
100 Park BlvdVery easy to access. Take 5S to Imperial ave, go right. Enter parking lots off Imperial Ave.
Baseball fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, pool. This is the local center for recreation.
36 locals recommend
Morley Field Sports Complex
2221 Morley Field DrBaseball fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, pool. This is the local center for recreation.
Two golf courses here. One 18-hole and an Executive 9-hole course. 18-hole looks challenging with ridgelines, canyons, etc. I've never played it.
77 locals recommend
Balboa Park Golf Course
2600 Golf Course DrTwo golf courses here. One 18-hole and an Executive 9-hole course. 18-hole looks challenging with ridgelines, canyons, etc. I've never played it.