ReNee’s guidebook
My favorite restaurants (nearby) and local entertainment
We have some great local spots to drive, walk or uber to within a few minutes. Enjoy all types of food on this list - whether you are a carnivore or vegan :)
Fresh, delicious Thai food with grass-fed beef, organic chicken, good wine list and very friendly staff.
41 locals recommend
Supannee House of Thai Restaurant & Catering
2907 Shelter Island DrFresh, delicious Thai food with grass-fed beef, organic chicken, good wine list and very friendly staff.
Love the garden seating in the restaurant, great Italian fare with a lively band in the bar Friday/Saturday (full menu available in bar). Reservations recommended.
38 locals recommend
Old Venice Restaurant
2910 Cañon StLove the garden seating in the restaurant, great Italian fare with a lively band in the bar Friday/Saturday (full menu available in bar). Reservations recommended.
Really fun marketplace setting with all sorts of food choices, crafts and adult beverages. Bakery, Poke bowls, pasta, street tacos, empanadas, fresh fish and juice bar. Kid friendly setting on grass with bands on the weekends.
Next to the Public Market is a coffee shop, Moniker General, a great breakfast spot, Breakfast republic - Fireside grill for happy hour/dinner - Stone brewery, great for big groups and Buena Forchetta, yummy Italian
227 locals recommend
Liberty Public Market
2820 Historic Decatur RdReally fun marketplace setting with all sorts of food choices, crafts and adult beverages. Bakery, Poke bowls, pasta, street tacos, empanadas, fresh fish and juice bar. Kid friendly setting on grass with bands on the weekends.
Next to the Public Market is a coffee shop, Moniker General, a great breakfast spot, Breakfast republic - Fireside grill for happy hour/dinner - Stone brewery, great for big groups and Buena Forchetta, yummy Italian
Fresh, healthy salads, roasted veggies (vegan or flank steak/chicken or Ahi) - wine, desserts, kombucha, sodas
In Liberty Station near Trader Joes
57 locals recommend
Tender Greens
2400 Historic Decatur RdFresh, healthy salads, roasted veggies (vegan or flank steak/chicken or Ahi) - wine, desserts, kombucha, sodas
In Liberty Station near Trader Joes
If you are looking for authentic Mexican food, you need to try this spot! Old town is a 10 min drive away and they have their own parking lot :)
92 locals recommend
Old Town Mexican Cafe
2489 San Diego AvenueIf you are looking for authentic Mexican food, you need to try this spot! Old town is a 10 min drive away and they have their own parking lot :)
Fun bar and restaurant with a gorgeous ocean view - go for sunset and enjoy a group toast with the entire bar! Fun place and in the heart of Ocean Beach - parking available in alley and it' a secret so I usually get a spot!
228 locals recommend
Wonderland Ocean Pub
5083 Santa Monica AveFun bar and restaurant with a gorgeous ocean view - go for sunset and enjoy a group toast with the entire bar! Fun place and in the heart of Ocean Beach - parking available in alley and it' a secret so I usually get a spot!
Summer concerts in an intimate, outdoor venue - usually can get tickets last minute. Located on Shelter Island with beautiful bay views. Dinner packages may be available, call to find out.
54 locals recommend
Humphreys Concerts By The Bay
2241 Shelter Island DrSummer concerts in an intimate, outdoor venue - usually can get tickets last minute. Located on Shelter Island with beautiful bay views. Dinner packages may be available, call to find out.
Looking for vegan food? This is a fun, fast-food spot that tastes great and completely vegan. Breakfast, lunch, dinner
29 locals recommend
Plant Power Fast Food
2204 Sunset Cliffs BlvdLooking for vegan food? This is a fun, fast-food spot that tastes great and completely vegan. Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Fun restaurant/bar atmosphere with various Pho noodle bowls, appetizers and craft beer/full bar.
146 locals recommend
OB Noodle House Bar 1502
4993 Niagara AveFun restaurant/bar atmosphere with various Pho noodle bowls, appetizers and craft beer/full bar.
I love this place in summer! They show old movies at the pool area and the bar/restaurant has a vintage vibe - great for date night and friendly bartenders.
6 locals recommend
Restaurant at The Pearl
1410 Rosecrans StI love this place in summer! They show old movies at the pool area and the bar/restaurant has a vintage vibe - great for date night and friendly bartenders.
In the heart of Liberty Station, this coffee shop/bakery is sooo yummm- you won't mind standing in a long line Saturday or Sunday morning to get your just-baked cinnamon roll. Hearty sandwiches and fresh-baked breads are also popular.
30 locals recommend
Con Pane Rustic Breads & Cafe
2750 Dewey RdIn the heart of Liberty Station, this coffee shop/bakery is sooo yummm- you won't mind standing in a long line Saturday or Sunday morning to get your just-baked cinnamon roll. Hearty sandwiches and fresh-baked breads are also popular.
If you are looking for a local, Mexican food favorite - go to Miguels. My favorite is their very addicting white, cheese sauce for chips - you can't stop eating them!
85 locals recommend
Miguel's Cocina
2912 Shelter Island DrIf you are looking for a local, Mexican food favorite - go to Miguels. My favorite is their very addicting white, cheese sauce for chips - you can't stop eating them!
Hands down best view of the city, request a table on the patio (heaters) - Coastera (Mexican) is next door -but I think C Level has a better menu. They don't take reservations but the wait isn't too bad - Island Prime is connected to C Level and is a steak house - reservations recommended.
130 locals recommend
C Level Lounge
880 Harbor Island DrHands down best view of the city, request a table on the patio (heaters) - Coastera (Mexican) is next door -but I think C Level has a better menu. They don't take reservations but the wait isn't too bad - Island Prime is connected to C Level and is a steak house - reservations recommended.
The Lot is a luxury movie theater experience with reclining seats and food/drinks ordered from you chair - it also has a festive outdoor restaurant/bar that is fun to visit before or after the movie! Go the website to buy tickets and reserve your seat https://www.thelotent.com
68 locals recommend
THE LOT Liberty Station
2620 Truxtun RdThe Lot is a luxury movie theater experience with reclining seats and food/drinks ordered from you chair - it also has a festive outdoor restaurant/bar that is fun to visit before or after the movie! Go the website to buy tickets and reserve your seat https://www.thelotent.com
Perfect happy hour spot if you like fresh off the boat seafood and $2 off drinks and oysters! Beautiful views from patio and is located on Shelter Island marina.
25 locals recommend
Ketch Grill and Taps
2614 Shelter Island DrPerfect happy hour spot if you like fresh off the boat seafood and $2 off drinks and oysters! Beautiful views from patio and is located on Shelter Island marina.
Sightseeing
Tour the Midway aircraft carrier - a museum and great experience if you ever wondered what it is like to be in the Navy and live on a ship while deployed! Fun for families
775 locals recommend
USS Midway Museum
910 N Harbor DrTour the Midway aircraft carrier - a museum and great experience if you ever wondered what it is like to be in the Navy and live on a ship while deployed! Fun for families
Possibly the most breath-taking views in San Diego - 360 views from this point and also a visitor's center with military cemetery. Just take Catalina all the way up and you will find it!
238 locals recommend
Cabrillo National Monument
Possibly the most breath-taking views in San Diego - 360 views from this point and also a visitor's center with military cemetery. Just take Catalina all the way up and you will find it!
My favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Museums, art, theatre ( old globe) and the Prada restaurant 💕
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
My favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Museums, art, theatre ( old globe) and the Prada restaurant 💕
Adventures
If you don't mind a 40 minute drive, it's worth the trip to spend a day at the wild animal park. You can take the bus tour or walk the entire park to see wild animals living as they would in their native land. Beautiful grounds and you can even sign up for an extra photo safari to feed the giraffe and get close up to elephants, lions and rhinos!
967 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley RdIf you don't mind a 40 minute drive, it's worth the trip to spend a day at the wild animal park. You can take the bus tour or walk the entire park to see wild animals living as they would in their native land. Beautiful grounds and you can even sign up for an extra photo safari to feed the giraffe and get close up to elephants, lions and rhinos!
Food scene
Uber down as parking is tight & expensive- fun to walk, eat, drink and shop!
I love Born and Raised, Nolita hall or Kettner Exchange for a fun, social scene and Morning Glory for an unforgettable breakfast experience ( get there when they open, long wait time!)
Want a fun speakeasy? Check out this tiki bar ( False Idol) inside Craft & Commerce- something fun and different!
Or take an Uber to the Gaslamp district downtown to another popular speakeasy, the Prohibition room, where they have live bands ( check website for hours and location)
Little Italy
Uber down as parking is tight & expensive- fun to walk, eat, drink and shop!
I love Born and Raised, Nolita hall or Kettner Exchange for a fun, social scene and Morning Glory for an unforgettable breakfast experience ( get there when they open, long wait time!)
Want a fun speakeasy? Check out this tiki bar ( False Idol) inside Craft & Commerce- something fun and different!
Or take an Uber to the Gaslamp district downtown to another popular speakeasy, the Prohibition room, where they have live bands ( check website for hours and location)