Brittany’s San Diego guidebook
Neighborhoods
North Park
Young Professional Hang out with many bars, stores and restaurants.
This is the name of our neighborhood, that features many bars, stores and restaurants. So much to explore!
42 locals recommend
Normal Heights
This is the name of our neighborhood, that features many bars, stores and restaurants. So much to explore!
Neighboring Hood. I advise taking a long walk or scootering over!
46 locals recommend
University Heights
Neighboring Hood. I advise taking a long walk or scootering over!
A hippy neighborhood on the waterfront that has great beach access/parking and local restaurants. I recommend this area for daytime visits. About 15 minutes drive.
776 locals recommend
Ocean Beach
1850 Ocean Front StA hippy neighborhood on the waterfront that has great beach access/parking and local restaurants. I recommend this area for daytime visits. About 15 minutes drive.
La Jolla is a beautiful quiet area that harbors seals and great views. Check out the high end shopping and great food with sea views in this beach neighborhood.
There are often yoga classes on the cliffs of La Jolla that you can join via meetup.
They also host a weekend farmers market on Sundays. Many tourists are attracted to La Jolla, so be ready for some traffic.
492 locals recommend
La Jolla
La Jolla is a beautiful quiet area that harbors seals and great views. Check out the high end shopping and great food with sea views in this beach neighborhood.
There are often yoga classes on the cliffs of La Jolla that you can join via meetup.
They also host a weekend farmers market on Sundays. Many tourists are attracted to La Jolla, so be ready for some traffic.
Pacific Beach is our very popular beach town that features many famous restaurants and bars. You will find many tourists and college students in this area.
700 locals recommend
Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach is our very popular beach town that features many famous restaurants and bars. You will find many tourists and college students in this area.
My Favorite Local Hangouts
Here is a list of the places I walk to often to catch up with friends.
Apothecary-esque bar offers craft cocktails & microbrews in a stylish, retro space with an atrium. Popping any day of the week, if you enjoy craft cocktails make sure to make this one of your walking stops in Normal Heights. They do not serve food, but if you are hungry you are welcome to bring food with you. There is a Chinese Restaurant, Fortunate Son, next door that does quick takeout orders.
On weekends and holiday months, they attract quite the crowd that may result in a long wait line.
245 locals recommend
Polite Provisions
4696 30th StApothecary-esque bar offers craft cocktails & microbrews in a stylish, retro space with an atrium. Popping any day of the week, if you enjoy craft cocktails make sure to make this one of your walking stops in Normal Heights. They do not serve food, but if you are hungry you are welcome to bring food with you. There is a Chinese Restaurant, Fortunate Son, next door that does quick takeout orders.
On weekends and holiday months, they attract quite the crowd that may result in a long wait line.
Craft Old Fashions, Decent Bar Food and Frequent Live Music and Events.
On Wednesdays, test your random knowledge at Trivia! Our local neighbor hosts.
89 locals recommend
The Rabbit Hole
3377 Adams AveCraft Old Fashions, Decent Bar Food and Frequent Live Music and Events.
On Wednesdays, test your random knowledge at Trivia! Our local neighbor hosts.
Antiques-laden spot for homestyle American food, known for its generously portioned breakfasts and delicious biscuits (very popular, they sell out by 11am at times).
A go-to breakfast and brunch stop that you can visit over and over again. The staff is super friendly and the vibe is homey.
34 locals recommend
Antique Row Cafe
3002 Adams AveAntiques-laden spot for homestyle American food, known for its generously portioned breakfasts and delicious biscuits (very popular, they sell out by 11am at times).
A go-to breakfast and brunch stop that you can visit over and over again. The staff is super friendly and the vibe is homey.
Welcoming spot for Californian fare where the focus is organic ingredients & farm-to-bar cocktails.
Very delicious European style food, in an outdoor garden environment.
Stop here for breakfast or brunch.
73 locals recommend
Cafe 21 University Heights
2736 Adams AveWelcoming spot for Californian fare where the focus is organic ingredients & farm-to-bar cocktails.
Very delicious European style food, in an outdoor garden environment.
Stop here for breakfast or brunch.
Casual Irish pub featuring imported draft beer, local craft brews & a weekly karaoke night.
39 locals recommend
The Ould Sod
3373 Adams AveCasual Irish pub featuring imported draft beer, local craft brews & a weekly karaoke night.
Mole dishes, fish tacos, margaritas, happy-hour deals & more in a low-key space with a wood bar.
102 locals recommend
Cantina Mayahuel
2934 Adams AveMole dishes, fish tacos, margaritas, happy-hour deals & more in a low-key space with a wood bar.
Fun Brewery that often has a food truck outside for a combined drink and eat experience.
100 locals recommend
Fall Brewing Company
4542 30th StFun Brewery that often has a food truck outside for a combined drink and eat experience.
Amazing brunch food and mimosas here! It’s a very popular restaurant on the weekends. Just 1 mile down Adams Ave.
Madi
Amazing brunch food and mimosas here! It’s a very popular restaurant on the weekends. Just 1 mile down Adams Ave.
Grocery Stores and Local Restaurants
Michelin Star Traditional Japanese restaurant serving sushi & sashimi amid simply decorated surroundings.
Very expensive, but great for special occasions. You must reserve months in advance as it is a very small popular restaurant.
12 locals recommend
SOICHI
2121 Adams AveMichelin Star Traditional Japanese restaurant serving sushi & sashimi amid simply decorated surroundings.
Very expensive, but great for special occasions. You must reserve months in advance as it is a very small popular restaurant.
In need of Pizza? Visit our neighborhood slice shop serving pizza, burgers & daily-changing specials in a no-frills space.
11 locals recommend
The Friendly
4592 30th StIn need of Pizza? Visit our neighborhood slice shop serving pizza, burgers & daily-changing specials in a no-frills space.
In need of some food and supplies, walk on down to our famous California grocery store Vons and stock up our grab premade meals. They have great sushi, sandwiches and sandwiches near their deli area.
323 locals recommend
Vons
3610 Adams AveIn need of some food and supplies, walk on down to our famous California grocery store Vons and stock up our grab premade meals. They have great sushi, sandwiches and sandwiches near their deli area.
Rite Aid is right across from Vons and also walkable from the house. Its a convenience store similar to Walgreens and CVS.
120 locals recommend
Rite Aid
3650 Adams AveRite Aid is right across from Vons and also walkable from the house. Its a convenience store similar to Walgreens and CVS.
If you are feeling like some quick authentic Mexican cuisine. Walk one block to our local Mauricio's! I recommend the rolled tacos if you are down for something crunchy.
15 locals recommend
Mauricio's Restaurants
3200 Adams AvenueIf you are feeling like some quick authentic Mexican cuisine. Walk one block to our local Mauricio's! I recommend the rolled tacos if you are down for something crunchy.
A very popular sit down Mexican restaurant. This is a little longer of a walk, but great trip if you are interested in exploring the east side of Adam's Avenue. If you are going for dinner be prepared to have to wait a little.
96 locals recommend
Ponce's
4050 Adams AveA very popular sit down Mexican restaurant. This is a little longer of a walk, but great trip if you are interested in exploring the east side of Adam's Avenue. If you are going for dinner be prepared to have to wait a little.
A brewery and pizzeria! A little higher priced but the food is excellent. They host various events and groups throughout the week. Located across from Rabit Hole and a few other bars.
174 locals recommend
Blind Lady Ale House
3416 Adams AveA brewery and pizzeria! A little higher priced but the food is excellent. They host various events and groups throughout the week. Located across from Rabit Hole and a few other bars.
If you forgot something, need detergent, or want food/drink/snack quickly there is a friendly neighborhood Shell Gas Station and food mart right on the corner of Adams and Mountain View Dr W.
3150 Adams Ave
3150 Adams AvenueIf you forgot something, need detergent, or want food/drink/snack quickly there is a friendly neighborhood Shell Gas Station and food mart right on the corner of Adams and Mountain View Dr W.
A very close grocery store that has a few quick grab and travel sized items and during the day a really great Mediterranean cafe.
Heights Market
A very close grocery store that has a few quick grab and travel sized items and during the day a really great Mediterranean cafe.
Sightseeing
Tourist Hot Spot to Check Out. Reportedly one of the most renowned zoos in the Country.
165 locals recommend
San Diego Safari Park( Insidegate) station
Tourist Hot Spot to Check Out. Reportedly one of the most renowned zoos in the Country.
Check out our sea neighbors, the La Jolla seals. They are always out on the La Jolla cliffs sunbathing. There is a short easy hike along the cliffs of La Jolla where you will find great views and picturesque locations.
1327 locals recommend
La Jolla Cove
1100 Coast BlvdCheck out our sea neighbors, the La Jolla seals. They are always out on the La Jolla cliffs sunbathing. There is a short easy hike along the cliffs of La Jolla where you will find great views and picturesque locations.
Check out the museum in north harbor downtime. There are many seafood restaurants close by as well.
124 locals recommend
Maritime Museum of San Diego
1492 N Harbor DrCheck out the museum in north harbor downtime. There are many seafood restaurants close by as well.
Beautiful walk along the cliffs, great for picnics and sunset views.
580 locals recommend
Sunset Cliffs
Beautiful walk along the cliffs, great for picnics and sunset views.
Short intermediate hike to the highest point in San Diego. Views for miles. Look ahead at weather and bring plenty of water. This is a very popular hike. The earlier you get out the better to avoid crowds.
314 locals recommend
Cowles Mountain
Cowles MountainShort intermediate hike to the highest point in San Diego. Views for miles. Look ahead at weather and bring plenty of water. This is a very popular hike. The earlier you get out the better to avoid crowds.
Torrey Pines State Beach
A beautiful beach ocean view hike that is a must!
This is a big day adventure. The zoo is large and there are a lot of animals to see, so plan accordingly! Bring sunscreen.
2510 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrThis is a big day adventure. The zoo is large and there are a lot of animals to see, so plan accordingly! Bring sunscreen.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Motorized Scooters are a great way to explore locally.
Motorized scooters are a great way to get around the local neighborhood (North Park, South Park, Kensington, University Heights, Hillcrest and more). The scooters are in designated parking locations that you will see as you walk around. They boldly advertise which brand they are associated with on their may handle bar. You will need to download the app associated with the brand logo advertised on the scooters. You will need a valid drivers license to load onto the respective apps prior to being authorized to ride the scooters.
Make sure to stay on the roads! No sidewalk riding allowed.
Getting around
Trolley, Trains and Buses are a great way to get around SD!
We have a great Trolley and Train system that branches throughout the city and up and down the coast. Our closest stations are at SDSU (Greenline Trolley) and Old Town (Coaster, Multiple Trolley and Bus lines). You will need to Uber or drive to these stations. Parking is free for many days. This is a great way to check out other coast towns and get to and from downtown during events!
You should download the "PRONTO" app where you can create a virtual card. You will be able to link a form of payment to the platform and load your card as needed.
Don't miss
Downtown Pool Parties
If you’re interested in daytime parties poolside checkout Eventbrite. Hotels like the Pendry downtime throw weekly pool parties. Often there are entry fees or tickets that you can pay at the door or on Eventbrite.