San Diego Recommendations
Things to do in San Diego
The park has beautiful architecture, museums, and gardens. The botanical garden and the Timken Museum of art are always free. The Science Center and Nat are great for kids. The Japanese Friendship Garden is a peaceful walk. There are always events happening at the park from organ concerts to craft fairs. Panama 66 is a bar/restaurant in the middle of the park. It is my favorite place to grab a drink because you can hang out on the grass and look at the sculpture garden. There is also live music on certain nights.
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
The park has beautiful architecture, museums, and gardens. The botanical garden and the Timken Museum of art are always free. The Science Center and Nat are great for kids. The Japanese Friendship Garden is a peaceful walk. There are always events happening at the park from organ concerts to craft fairs. Panama 66 is a bar/restaurant in the middle of the park. It is my favorite place to grab a drink because you can hang out on the grass and look at the sculpture garden. There is also live music on certain nights.
World renown zoo that lives up to the hype! It is huge, and amazing. Great place for the family.
2510 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrWorld renown zoo that lives up to the hype! It is huge, and amazing. Great place for the family.
This is a great little island located 15 mins-20 mins away. This is a great place to walk the beach or boardwalk or rent bikes and cruise. There are fire pits right next to the dog beach. The Hotel del Coronado is a beautiful hotel. We recommend that you poke your head in to see the architecture or go have a drink on the deck. The beach outside the hotel is our favorite in San Diego! It is big, clean, and waves are not too large. (Not great for surfing. For that, go to Black’s Beach).
388 locals recommend
Coronado
This is a great little island located 15 mins-20 mins away. This is a great place to walk the beach or boardwalk or rent bikes and cruise. There are fire pits right next to the dog beach. The Hotel del Coronado is a beautiful hotel. We recommend that you poke your head in to see the architecture or go have a drink on the deck. The beach outside the hotel is our favorite in San Diego! It is big, clean, and waves are not too large. (Not great for surfing. For that, go to Black’s Beach).
Liberty Station Public Market is like Pike’s Place in Seattle; however, much smaller. There are a lot of restaurants, shops and coffee shops around here as well.
269 locals recommend
Liberty Station
2640 Historic Decatur RdLiberty Station Public Market is like Pike’s Place in Seattle; however, much smaller. There are a lot of restaurants, shops and coffee shops around here as well.
Tour historic ships on the embarcadero including The Midway aircraft carrier and the Star of India.
124 locals recommend
Maritime Museum of San Diego
1492 N Harbor DrTour historic ships on the embarcadero including The Midway aircraft carrier and the Star of India.
A park on the bay with water fountains and playgrounds. This is also along the Embarcadero. This is a great place to take your kids in the summer. Don’t forget your bathing suit.
114 locals recommend
Waterfront Park
1600 Pacific HwyA park on the bay with water fountains and playgrounds. This is also along the Embarcadero. This is a great place to take your kids in the summer. Don’t forget your bathing suit.
Go check out the country’s largest collection of outdoor graffiti located very close in Barrio Logan.
51 locals recommend
Chicano Park
Go check out the country’s largest collection of outdoor graffiti located very close in Barrio Logan.
A great place for light hiking with great views of the cliffs and water. Parking on the street is free if you can find a spot.
1108 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadA great place for light hiking with great views of the cliffs and water. Parking on the street is free if you can find a spot.
Go at sunset! The views are beautiful. We suggest bringing a picnic!
268 locals recommend
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Ladera StreetGo at sunset! The views are beautiful. We suggest bringing a picnic!
This is great place to take a walk, see the cliffs, and the seals on the beach. Downtown La Jolla has a lot of shops and restaurants to check out.
1327 locals recommend
La Jolla Cove
1100 Coast BlvdThis is great place to take a walk, see the cliffs, and the seals on the beach. Downtown La Jolla has a lot of shops and restaurants to check out.
A moderate hiking trail that is 2.9 miles roundtrip and located 20 minutes north of here. There are great views from the top. It can get crowded so we suggest going on a weekday if you can.
314 locals recommend
Cowles Mountain
Cowles MountainA moderate hiking trail that is 2.9 miles roundtrip and located 20 minutes north of here. There are great views from the top. It can get crowded so we suggest going on a weekday if you can.
Located at the tip of Point Loma. Learn about Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to step foot on the west coast. There are also great views and cliffs here. You can also walk on tide pools and the coast.
238 locals recommend
Cabrillo National Monument
Located at the tip of Point Loma. Learn about Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to step foot on the west coast. There are also great views and cliffs here. You can also walk on tide pools and the coast.
Places to eat Breakfast in San Diego
Some of our favorite breakfast spots in town!
5th Ave (multiple locations) #619-500-3344 Amazing breakfast, especially the Eggs Benedict's. They do not take reservations so get there early or go on weekdays if you can.
178 locals recommend
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
3940 Fifth Ave5th Ave (multiple locations) #619-500-3344 Amazing breakfast, especially the Eggs Benedict's. They do not take reservations so get there early or go on weekdays if you can.
1250 J St. (multiple locations) #619- 232-7662 Great rosemary potatoes and egg scrambles.
96 locals recommend
The Mission
1250 J St1250 J St. (multiple locations) #619- 232-7662 Great rosemary potatoes and egg scrambles.
Great Maple
1451 Washington St1451 Washington St. #619- 255-2282 amazing maple donuts
Perry's Cafe
475 Magnolia Ave4620 Pacific Hwy #619-291-7121 Traditional breakfast diner with great hash browns.
Breakfast Republic
2730 University Ave2730 University Ave (multiple locations) #619-642-0299
Places to eat Lunch/Dinner in San Diego
Some of our favorite spots for a delicious and affordable lunch or dinner!
2196 Logan Ave #619-255-3856 Amazing tacos! For dessert, check out the churros and ice cream.
87 locals recommend
¡SALUD! Barrio Logan
2196 Logan Ave2196 Logan Ave #619-255-3856 Amazing tacos! For dessert, check out the churros and ice cream.
2266 Kettner Blvd # 619-795-3299 Craft chicken sandwiches in little Italy. Think fancy Chic-Fil-A.
145 locals recommend
The Crack Shack - Little Italy
2266 Kettner Blvd2266 Kettner Blvd # 619-795-3299 Craft chicken sandwiches in little Italy. Think fancy Chic-Fil-A.
2061 India St. #619-234-4893 Great lunch spot in Little Italy. Go to the deli and get an amazing salami Italian sandwich on focaccia bread!
67 locals recommend
Mona Lisa Italian Foods
2061 India St2061 India St. #619-234-4893 Great lunch spot in Little Italy. Go to the deli and get an amazing salami Italian sandwich on focaccia bread!
2632 University Ave #619-294-7675 (multiple locations) Pork sandwiches, and tacos.
23 locals recommend
Carnitas' Snack Shack - Embarcadero
1004 N Harbor Dr2632 University Ave #619-294-7675 (multiple locations) Pork sandwiches, and tacos.
Soda & Swine
2943 Adams Ave2943 Adams Ave #619-610-9168 Best meatballs!
Craft & Commerce
675 W Beech St675 W Beech St. #619-269-2202
3001 Beech St. (multiple locations) #619-381-4844 Italian place in South park. Amazing pizza and Calzone. It can get very crowded, so make reservations.
317 locals recommend
Buona Forchetta - South Park
3001 Beech St3001 Beech St. (multiple locations) #619-381-4844 Italian place in South park. Amazing pizza and Calzone. It can get very crowded, so make reservations.
Piacere Mio
1947 Fern St1947 Fern St. #619 794-2543: Amazing pasta in south park.
4625 Convoy St. (A little bit of a drive) #858-268-9638 Best soup dumplings. Convoy street in general is a great place to go for all types of Asian cuisine!
28 locals recommend
Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon
4625 Convoy St4625 Convoy St. (A little bit of a drive) #858-268-9638 Best soup dumplings. Convoy street in general is a great place to go for all types of Asian cuisine!
1660 India St. #619-398-8383 Farm to table fresh food bistro in little Italy.
61 locals recommend
Prepkitchen Little Italy
1660 India St1660 India St. #619-398-8383 Farm to table fresh food bistro in little Italy.
750 W Fir St #103, 619-450-4786 Great Italian food with house made pasta in Little Italy.
77 locals recommend
Bencotto
750 W Fir St750 W Fir St #103, 619-450-4786 Great Italian food with house made pasta in Little Italy.
Fancy Dinner Spots
A few of our favorite spots for a fancy dinner date!
Juniper & Ivy
2228 Kettner Blvd2228 Kettner Blvd #619-269-9036
880 Harbor Island Dr. #619-298-6802 Our favorite restaurant with great views of the city across the bay.
130 locals recommend
C Level Lounge
880 Harbor Island Dr880 Harbor Island Dr. #619-298-6802 Our favorite restaurant with great views of the city across the bay.
2550 Fifth Ave #619-239-1377 Rooftop restaurant in Banker’s hill with a great city view and excellent service.
152 locals recommend
Mister A's
2550 Fifth Ave2550 Fifth Ave #619-239-1377 Rooftop restaurant in Banker’s hill with a great city view and excellent service.
1909 India St. #619-202-4577 Very expensive steak dinner. Very delicious and a unique and exquisite dinning experience.
124 locals recommend
Born and Raised
1909 India St1909 India St. #619-202-4577 Very expensive steak dinner. Very delicious and a unique and exquisite dinning experience.
Places to eat Dessert in San Diego
Some of our favorite spots for a sweet bite to eat!
Nado Gelato Cafe
1017 C Ave1017 C Ave, Coronado, CA 92118 #619-522-9053 incredible gelato.
2929 5th Ave (multiple locations) #619-294-2132 Great dessert and bread pudding.
220 locals recommend
Extraordinary Desserts
2870 Fourth Ave2929 5th Ave (multiple locations) #619-294-2132 Great dessert and bread pudding.
Salt & Straw
1670 India St1670 India St. #619-542-9394 Great ice cream in little Italy.
Gourmet Ice Cream Shop where you can order flights to try different flavors
56 locals recommend
Hammond's Gourmet Ice Cream
3077 University AveGourmet Ice Cream Shop where you can order flights to try different flavors
Amazing local donut shop! Hole in the wall but phenomenal donuts and prices. Highly recommend.
K T Donuts #2
8415 Paradise Valley RdAmazing local donut shop! Hole in the wall but phenomenal donuts and prices. Highly recommend.