Christina's Guidebook

Christina
Christina's Guidebook

Coffee + Shopping

Walk into Mission Hills for an excellent cup of coffee at Heartwork Coffee Bar. Round the corner and enjoy sorting through vinyl at M Theory Records.
32 locals recommend
Heartwork Coffee Bar
3993 Goldfinch St
32 locals recommend
Walk into Mission Hills for an excellent cup of coffee at Heartwork Coffee Bar. Round the corner and enjoy sorting through vinyl at M Theory Records.
Order a cup of coffee, the pastries are great too. Hang out inside the warehouse setup and browse the tiny shops. Home Ec is my favorite spot!
69 locals recommend
James Coffee Co.
2355 India St
69 locals recommend
Order a cup of coffee, the pastries are great too. Hang out inside the warehouse setup and browse the tiny shops. Home Ec is my favorite spot!
I like this location because it’s a great stop for coffee after a walk through Balboa Park. Grab dessert next door at Extraordinary Desserts or hop into Thread + Seed for shopping.
James Coffee Co.
I like this location because it’s a great stop for coffee after a walk through Balboa Park. Grab dessert next door at Extraordinary Desserts or hop into Thread + Seed for shopping.
You’ll probably find yourself in a long line, but the location is beautiful and the coffee + eats are real good. If you’re a walker, this is a great halfway point to our Hillcrest Farmer Market on Sundays.
Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest
You’ll probably find yourself in a long line, but the location is beautiful and the coffee + eats are real good. If you’re a walker, this is a great halfway point to our Hillcrest Farmer Market on Sundays.
Start your morning in the heart of North Park with some of the best donuts and bagels in town. You’ll find breweries, shopping and more all along University + 30th.
53 locals recommend
Nomad Donuts
3102 University Ave
53 locals recommend
Start your morning in the heart of North Park with some of the best donuts and bagels in town. You’ll find breweries, shopping and more all along University + 30th.
CRAFT CAFÉ at Mingei
Patisserie Melanie
3750 30th Street
Lovesong Coffee + Market
146 locals recommend
Communal Coffee
2335 University Ave
146 locals recommend
Communal Coffee
Longplay HiFi

Food scene

Created and operated by Lee and Melissa, a couple of really sweat humans. We like to walk up for coffee, avocado toast, and breakfast biscuits in the morning. Everything is made fresh with great vegan options too.
Gooseberries kafe
Created and operated by Lee and Melissa, a couple of really sweat humans. We like to walk up for coffee, avocado toast, and breakfast biscuits in the morning. Everything is made fresh with great vegan options too.
Take our back stairs and walk into Hillcrest for a tasty Mexican meal at La Vecindad.
22 locals recommend
La Vecindad Neighborhood TACOS
3827 Fifth Ave
22 locals recommend
Take our back stairs and walk into Hillcrest for a tasty Mexican meal at La Vecindad.
If you enjoy Urban hiking, walk the Spruce Street Bridge into Balboa Park and enjoy eats + drinks at Panama 66. This unique restaurant is set in an outdoor museum, a great spot for live music in the evenings too!
81 locals recommend
Panama 66
1450 El Prado
81 locals recommend
If you enjoy Urban hiking, walk the Spruce Street Bridge into Balboa Park and enjoy eats + drinks at Panama 66. This unique restaurant is set in an outdoor museum, a great spot for live music in the evenings too!
Checkout the brew scene at Blind Lady Ale House in Normal Heights with their own local pours by Automatic Brew Co.
174 locals recommend
Blind Lady Ale House
3416 Adams Ave
174 locals recommend
Checkout the brew scene at Blind Lady Ale House in Normal Heights with their own local pours by Automatic Brew Co.
It’s just super delicious. Don’t get me started on the donut dessert.
144 locals recommend
Great Maple
1451 Washington St
144 locals recommend
It’s just super delicious. Don’t get me started on the donut dessert.
Checkout South Park’s most metal lair at Kindred, promising heavy-metal, vegan eats and eccentric drinks!
140 locals recommend
KINDRED
1503 30th St
140 locals recommend
Checkout South Park’s most metal lair at Kindred, promising heavy-metal, vegan eats and eccentric drinks!
103 locals recommend
Bread and Cie Bakery/Cafe
350 University Ave
103 locals recommend
21 locals recommend
Crest Cafe
425 Robinson Ave
21 locals recommend
178 locals recommend
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
3940 Fifth Ave
178 locals recommend
43 locals recommend
Chocolat Hillcrest
3896 Fifth Ave
43 locals recommend
95 locals recommend
Lefty's Chicago Pizzeria
3448 30th St
95 locals recommend
82 locals recommend
Bronx Pizza
111 Washington St
82 locals recommend
22 locals recommend
Izakaya Masa
928 Fort Stockton Dr
22 locals recommend
33 locals recommend
Fort Oak
1011 Fort Stockton Dr
33 locals recommend
Treat Yo’self. James Coffee and shopping at Thread + Seed are next door too.
220 locals recommend
Extraordinary Desserts
2870 Fourth Ave
220 locals recommend
Treat Yo’self. James Coffee and shopping at Thread + Seed are next door too.
Pho’sho delicious and locally owned in North Park.
21 locals recommend
Shank & Bone
2930 University Ave
21 locals recommend
Pho’sho delicious and locally owned in North Park.
Stunning and incredibly tasty vegan sushi.
The Yasai
2254 India St
Stunning and incredibly tasty vegan sushi.
Barrel & Board
1027 University Avenue
11 locals recommend
Khyber Pass Restaurant
523 University Ave
11 locals recommend
Menya Ultra Hillcrest
690 University Avenue
30 locals recommend
insideOUT
1642 University Ave
30 locals recommend
Excellent food and wine with a neighborhood coziness.
7 locals recommend
Wolf In The Woods
1920 Fort Stockton Drive
7 locals recommend
Excellent food and wine with a neighborhood coziness.
Great vegan Thai food!
8 locals recommend
Veganic Thai Cafe
University Avenue
8 locals recommend
Great vegan Thai food!
Fresh sandwiches and salads!
39 locals recommend
Big Front Door
4075 Park Blvd
39 locals recommend
Fresh sandwiches and salads!
227 locals recommend
Liberty Public Market
2820 Historic Decatur Rd
227 locals recommend
It’s lovely and designed by local architects Tecture. A sports bar/restaurant with high design, drinks and eats.
41 locals recommend
Nolita Hall
2305 India St
41 locals recommend
It’s lovely and designed by local architects Tecture. A sports bar/restaurant with high design, drinks and eats.
You may need a reservation at this North Park fave, but trying to get a seat at the bar is worth it! Get the Dirty Martini, Spanish Tortilla and Muscles Escabeche!
Mabel's Gone Fishing
You may need a reservation at this North Park fave, but trying to get a seat at the bar is worth it! Get the Dirty Martini, Spanish Tortilla and Muscles Escabeche!
Casual breakfast with stellar views.
65 locals recommend
Caroline's Seaside Cafe
Kennel Way
65 locals recommend
Casual breakfast with stellar views.
ARTIFACT at Mingei

Sightseeing

272 locals recommend
Windansea Beach
Neptune Pl
272 locals recommend
297 locals recommend
Coronado Beach
297 locals recommend
580 locals recommend
Sunset Cliffs
580 locals recommend
1327 locals recommend
La Jolla Cove
1100 Coast Blvd
1327 locals recommend
You can walk to the trail leading to the bridge from our property. If you enjoy urban hiking, we recommend taking the bridge to Balboa Park for sights, eats and drinks!
65 locals recommend
Spruce Street Suspension Bridge
West Spruce Street
65 locals recommend
You can walk to the trail leading to the bridge from our property. If you enjoy urban hiking, we recommend taking the bridge to Balboa Park for sights, eats and drinks!
San Diego’s home to a roller coaster on Mission Beach.
689 locals recommend
Belmont Park
3146 Mission Blvd
689 locals recommend
San Diego’s home to a roller coaster on Mission Beach.
Great museum with a beautiful restaurant/bar in Balboa Park.
30 locals recommend
Mingei International Museum
1439 El Prado
30 locals recommend
Great museum with a beautiful restaurant/bar in Balboa Park.
It’s a very relaxing walk while you visit Balboa Park.
44 locals recommend
Japanese Friendship Garden
2215 Pan American Rd E
44 locals recommend
It’s a very relaxing walk while you visit Balboa Park.
A family friendly beach and a great spot for kayak tours.
299 locals recommend
La Jolla Shores Beach
299 locals recommend
A family friendly beach and a great spot for kayak tours.

Music

Catch a show at the iconic Casbah in Little Italy.
87 locals recommend
The Casbah
2501 Kettner Blvd
87 locals recommend
Catch a show at the iconic Casbah in Little Italy.
Grab dinner in Little Italy and walk over to the Music Box for a live show.
24 locals recommend
Music Box
1337 India St
24 locals recommend
Grab dinner in Little Italy and walk over to the Music Box for a live show.
M-Theory Music
827 W Washington St
31 locals recommend
Soda Bar
3615 El Cajon Blvd
31 locals recommend

Nightlife

Checkout this speakeasy in Little Italy. Take a quick Lyft/Uber to avoid parking.
47 locals recommend
False Idol
675 W Beech St
47 locals recommend
Checkout this speakeasy in Little Italy. Take a quick Lyft/Uber to avoid parking.
Nightlife in University Heights is always a good time at Park & Rec.
65 locals recommend
Park & Rec
4612 Park Blvd
65 locals recommend
Nightlife in University Heights is always a good time at Park & Rec.
New seats, small theater that serves beer, wine and popcorn!
61 locals recommend
Landmark's Hillcrest Cinemas
3965 Fifth Ave
61 locals recommend
New seats, small theater that serves beer, wine and popcorn!
A cosmic tiki bar in South Park!
MOTHERSHIP
2310 30th Street
A cosmic tiki bar in South Park!
Part Time Lover

Vintage

Mid Century
3795 Park Blvd
19 locals recommend
Flashbacks
3849 Fifth Ave
19 locals recommend
Tiny spot with new finds all the time.
hood mod shop
Tiny spot with new finds all the time.
It’s my favorite clothing shop in town located on Park in University Heights where you can shop, eat, and drink the day away. Also located in walking distance to Trolley Barn Park if you want to chill outside and have a picnic. Checkout the Normal Heights location or their stall at Sea Hive Station too.
La Loupe Vintage
4646 Park Blvd
It’s my favorite clothing shop in town located on Park in University Heights where you can shop, eat, and drink the day away. Also located in walking distance to Trolley Barn Park if you want to chill outside and have a picnic. Checkout the Normal Heights location or their stall at Sea Hive Station too.

Sport

Register online, park on the back side of the hotel and walk to the registration tent on the water. You’ll basically walk right onto the paddle board! Bins are available to store personal items.
I’ve personally done it and it was wonderful!
The SUP Connection
2592 Laning Rd
I’ve personally done it and it was wonderful!
Rent a bike and ride the boardwalk from Mission Beach to Pacific Beach!
15 locals recommend
Rays Rentals Mission Beach
3221 Mission Blvd
15 locals recommend
Rent a bike and ride the boardwalk from Mission Beach to Pacific Beach!
Pool, food + drinks
38 locals recommend
The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows
2223 El Cajon Blvd
38 locals recommend
Pool, food + drinks