Guidebook for San Diego
Food Scene
This place is a cute little romantic Italian joint with a great (big) bar and live music on the weekends!
38 locals recommend
Old Venice Restaurant
2910 Cañon StThis place is a cute little romantic Italian joint with a great (big) bar and live music on the weekends!
The best local coffee shop around! Food is yummy(but takes a while so bear that in mind). They have beer and wine also and a great collection of local art.
Reds Cafe Espresso & Wine Bar
1017 Rosecrans StThe best local coffee shop around! Food is yummy(but takes a while so bear that in mind). They have beer and wine also and a great collection of local art.
Brigantine Seafood Restaurant
9350 Fuerte DrGreat fish tacos and snacks!
Best mai tais in San Diego, and you cant beat the view of the harbor!
106 locals recommend
Bali Hai Restaurant
2230 Shelter Island DrBest mai tais in San Diego, and you cant beat the view of the harbor!
Good view of America's Cup Harbor and good happy hour prices! ($3 pints/wells and discounted appetizers)
12 locals recommend
Humphreys Restaurant
2241 Shelter Island DrGood view of America's Cup Harbor and good happy hour prices! ($3 pints/wells and discounted appetizers)
My favorite fish tacos in San Diego with a view. (Cash only and is usually busy)
225 locals recommend
South Beach Bar & Grille
5059 Newport AveMy favorite fish tacos in San Diego with a view. (Cash only and is usually busy)
Arguably one of the better burgers in town, but expect to be waiting in a bit of a line!
291 locals recommend
Hodad's
5010 Newport AveArguably one of the better burgers in town, but expect to be waiting in a bit of a line!
Amazing selection of fresh fish cuts(for take home preparation) or plenty of selection to eat there. They are in process of completing a gorgeous addition and remodel (open during construction).
120 locals recommend
Point Loma Seafoods
2805 Emerson StAmazing selection of fresh fish cuts(for take home preparation) or plenty of selection to eat there. They are in process of completing a gorgeous addition and remodel (open during construction).
Excellent steakhouse and being right on top (literally) of the water always makes everything taste better.
66 locals recommend
Island Prime
880 Harbor Island DrExcellent steakhouse and being right on top (literally) of the water always makes everything taste better.
Chips, salsa, and their white sauce. I am ALWAYS full by the time my entree comes.
85 locals recommend
Miguel's Cocina
2912 Shelter Island DrChips, salsa, and their white sauce. I am ALWAYS full by the time my entree comes.
Cozy little Thai place with amazing food!
41 locals recommend
Supannee House of Thai Restaurant & Catering
2907 Shelter Island DrCozy little Thai place with amazing food!
Oh my goodness I love this place. Fish is always fresh and delicious. My favorite is the Yummy Crunch. I recommend sitting at the bar :)
8 locals recommend
umi sushi
2806 Shelter Island DrOh my goodness I love this place. Fish is always fresh and delicious. My favorite is the Yummy Crunch. I recommend sitting at the bar :)
Pho-mazing! The food is excellent (7-10 entrees), extensive beer list, and fun atmosphere (not suited for a quiet romantic night by any means).
205 locals recommend
OB Noodle House & Sake Bar
2218 Cable StPho-mazing! The food is excellent (7-10 entrees), extensive beer list, and fun atmosphere (not suited for a quiet romantic night by any means).
Great bakery and cafe with my favorite sandwich in San Diego-turkey cobb(and the world outside my moms cooking). Closed Wednesdays and can get very busy on the weekends.
30 locals recommend
Con Pane Rustic Breads & Cafe
2750 Dewey RdGreat bakery and cafe with my favorite sandwich in San Diego-turkey cobb(and the world outside my moms cooking). Closed Wednesdays and can get very busy on the weekends.
Really tasty simple locally sourced foods. Good salads, sandos, and meat plate (think roasted chicken, mashed potato, and salad). $10-12
57 locals recommend
Tender Greens
2400 Historic Decatur RdReally tasty simple locally sourced foods. Good salads, sandos, and meat plate (think roasted chicken, mashed potato, and salad). $10-12
This burger joint serves up their patties with 50% bacon 50% beef and has a great draft beer list. Good happy hour and late night happy hour. Burgers are around $10ish...
29 locals recommend
Slater's 50/50
2750 Dewey RdThis burger joint serves up their patties with 50% bacon 50% beef and has a great draft beer list. Good happy hour and late night happy hour. Burgers are around $10ish...
Cheap and good Mexican food made by Hector who is super friendly and nice.
Hector's Mexican & Seafood
1224 Rosecrans StCheap and good Mexican food made by Hector who is super friendly and nice.
Prepkitchen Little Italy
1660 India StGreat decor and ambiance and the food is amazing!
AMAZING Napolitan style pizza!!! The pizza chef was flown in from Napoli and they have one of those cool globe pizza ovens.
7 locals recommend
Pummaro
1101 Scott StAMAZING Napolitan style pizza!!! The pizza chef was flown in from Napoli and they have one of those cool globe pizza ovens.
Shopping
Harbor Town Pub
1125 Rosecrans StLiquor store with a deli that makes decent sandwiches.
Great place to stock up and food and snacks, with tons of healthy pre- made choices to avoid cooking. Also very expansive and inexpensive wine selection!
752 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
1640 Garnet AveGreat place to stock up and food and snacks, with tons of healthy pre- made choices to avoid cooking. Also very expansive and inexpensive wine selection!
Really nice outlet center about a 35 minute drive North. This is near Legoland and the Flower Fields which are also fun to check out.
400 locals recommend
Carlsbad Premium Outlets
5620 Paseo Del NorteReally nice outlet center about a 35 minute drive North. This is near Legoland and the Flower Fields which are also fun to check out.
Everything Else
Hippie-ish beach (the scene from Almost Famous at the beach) with tide pools, great surf, volleyball courts, dog beach, and tons of good CHEAP places to eat and drink. Casual and mellow!
776 locals recommend
Ocean Beach
1850 Ocean Front StHippie-ish beach (the scene from Almost Famous at the beach) with tide pools, great surf, volleyball courts, dog beach, and tons of good CHEAP places to eat and drink. Casual and mellow!
Lots of boat stuff to see and do here, and walking distance to Sea Port Village.
59 locals recommend
Embarcadero Marina Park North
Lots of boat stuff to see and do here, and walking distance to Sea Port Village.
Great nightlife, shopping, food, and people watching and its gorgeous!
1208 locals recommend
Gaslamp Quarter
Great nightlife, shopping, food, and people watching and its gorgeous!
Ok, so this is touristy but some people like that (including me!) and the penguins and dolphins are so cute!
1754 locals recommend
SeaWorld San Diego
500 Sea World Dr.Ok, so this is touristy but some people like that (including me!) and the penguins and dolphins are so cute!
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrWorld Famous!
One of my favorite places in the city! Countless museums, gardens, and photo ops.
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
One of my favorite places in the city! Countless museums, gardens, and photo ops.
Still my favorite airport in the US. $10 cab ride from my house and its usually (there are exceptions to every rule!) very quick to get in/out of!
Airport Terminal Road
Airport Terminal RoadStill my favorite airport in the US. $10 cab ride from my house and its usually (there are exceptions to every rule!) very quick to get in/out of!
My running (or lets be honest- walking) loop. 3.5 miles from my house to the end of the "island" and back along the "Hawaii" of San Diego.
11 locals recommend
Shelter Island Drive
Shelter Island DriveMy running (or lets be honest- walking) loop. 3.5 miles from my house to the end of the "island" and back along the "Hawaii" of San Diego.
This is about a 3 minute drive from my house and definitely the most picturesque sunsets in San Diego. Great little trail along the water for a leisurely walk or jog. Local treasure!
580 locals recommend
Sunset Cliffs
This is about a 3 minute drive from my house and definitely the most picturesque sunsets in San Diego. Great little trail along the water for a leisurely walk or jog. Local treasure!
Gorgeous beaches (Moonlight for volleyball, surfing, hanging out) and Swamis (surfing) and bursting with cool spots for food/drink/shopping.
156 locals recommend
Encinitas
Gorgeous beaches (Moonlight for volleyball, surfing, hanging out) and Swamis (surfing) and bursting with cool spots for food/drink/shopping.
If you have some time I recommend heading to Julian for a day. Its a time warp (think Mayberry) with great hiking, an amazing scenic drive, and an old town feel.
245 locals recommend
Julian
If you have some time I recommend heading to Julian for a day. Its a time warp (think Mayberry) with great hiking, an amazing scenic drive, and an old town feel.
Hot (and I mean hot) yoga of all varieties and you get a week free- I believe $15 for a drop in.
29 locals recommend
CorePower Yoga
3918 30th StHot (and I mean hot) yoga of all varieties and you get a week free- I believe $15 for a drop in.
This place is no frills but you can get a mani-pedi for $20 and a spa mani-pedi for $32 and they do a good job!
Kyla Nails & Spa
1221 Rosecrans StThis place is no frills but you can get a mani-pedi for $20 and a spa mani-pedi for $32 and they do a good job!
On Sundays from about 9am-2pm (dont quote me though). Fresh flowers, produce vendors, and art/craft vendors as well as several food vendors. All within a block!
Point Loma Farmers Market and Artisan Fair
1125 Rosecrans StOn Sundays from about 9am-2pm (dont quote me though). Fresh flowers, produce vendors, and art/craft vendors as well as several food vendors. All within a block!
Great views of the city. Historic lighthouse and tide pools. Nice running path as well. Enter through the military guard booth at the end of Catalina.
502 locals recommend
Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center
1800 Cabrillo Memorial DrGreat views of the city. Historic lighthouse and tide pools. Nice running path as well. Enter through the military guard booth at the end of Catalina.
Good store for getting the essentials and premade food at good prices. This place is just up the street from my house.
17 locals recommend
Fresh & Easy
955 Catalina BlvdGood store for getting the essentials and premade food at good prices. This place is just up the street from my house.
This outlet center has some nice stores and really nice deals if you want to do some shopping. Its very close to the border of Mexico so make sure you pay attention to the freeway exits!
138 locals recommend
Las Americas Premium Outlets
4211 Camino De La PlazaThis outlet center has some nice stores and really nice deals if you want to do some shopping. Its very close to the border of Mexico so make sure you pay attention to the freeway exits!
Drinks & Nightlife
One of the best chill restaurants/lounges in San Diego. Amazing ambiance, hand crafted cocktails, and locally sourced food. They also have Sunday brunch, weekly dive in movies and bingo!
6 locals recommend
Restaurant at The Pearl
1410 Rosecrans StOne of the best chill restaurants/lounges in San Diego. Amazing ambiance, hand crafted cocktails, and locally sourced food. They also have Sunday brunch, weekly dive in movies and bingo!
Rocky's Crown Pub
3786 Ingraham StMy favorite burger in San Diego. ( Cash only)
Club Marina
1310 Scott StFor cheap strong drinks, pool, and darts ONLY. Cash only.
Wine Steals
1243 University AveCool wine store/bar with tasty pizzas and cheese plates.
This is a cute little place that also has outdoor seating. Good selection of wine and good food(food is a little $$$) But overall a great little spot with friendly staff.
12 locals recommend
The Wine Pub
2907 Shelter Island DrThis is a cute little place that also has outdoor seating. Good selection of wine and good food(food is a little $$$) But overall a great little spot with friendly staff.
One of my favorite places to eat in San Diego. Local and seasonal items are used for the menu, so things are always changing but always good.
67 locals recommend
Bankers Hill
One of my favorite places to eat in San Diego. Local and seasonal items are used for the menu, so things are always changing but always good.
Arts & Culture
There is one of the oldest wooden rollercoasters and quite a few other rides and even mini golf, and its all right on the beach. Rides are 2-6$, and mini golf is around 8-10.
689 locals recommend
Belmont Park
3146 Mission BlvdThere is one of the oldest wooden rollercoasters and quite a few other rides and even mini golf, and its all right on the beach. Rides are 2-6$, and mini golf is around 8-10.