Guidebook for San Diego
Food Scene
Great lunch spot. Grilled cheese sandwiches with lots of options. French fries, milkshakes, etc.
9 locals recommend
Cheesy Express
3219 Mission BlvdGreat lunch spot. Grilled cheese sandwiches with lots of options. French fries, milkshakes, etc.
Seafood & Steaks with ocean view. They offer brunch, lunch, and dinner. Valet parking or free validated parking garage.
207 locals recommend
World Famous
711 Pacific Beach DrSeafood & Steaks with ocean view. They offer brunch, lunch, and dinner. Valet parking or free validated parking garage.
The most popular breakfast spot in Pacific Beach. It's located right by the Crystal Pier. There is usually a line outside if you get there after 9 am but the line moves quickly and its worth it. Cheap food and huge portions served up on paper plates. Come with an appetite or split a plate with a friend.
208 locals recommend
Kono's Cafe
704 Garnet AveThe most popular breakfast spot in Pacific Beach. It's located right by the Crystal Pier. There is usually a line outside if you get there after 9 am but the line moves quickly and its worth it. Cheap food and huge portions served up on paper plates. Come with an appetite or split a plate with a friend.
Destination for refined takes of surf 'n' turf with acclaimed view, cocktails & people-watching. Valet Parking.
163 locals recommend
JRDN Restaurant
723 Felspar StDestination for refined takes of surf 'n' turf with acclaimed view, cocktails & people-watching. Valet Parking.
Outdoor dining in a cool Beach Resort setting. Views of the boardwalk, beach, and people trying to surf the flow rider wave generator.
100 locals recommend
Beach House Grill
3125 Ocean Front WalkOutdoor dining in a cool Beach Resort setting. Views of the boardwalk, beach, and people trying to surf the flow rider wave generator.
Locals hang inside or on the patio for big NYC-style pizza, Italian basics & vast draft-beer menu.
26 locals recommend
Luigi's At The Beach
3210 Mission BlvdLocals hang inside or on the patio for big NYC-style pizza, Italian basics & vast draft-beer menu.
If you want a nice upscale restaurant with a lovely view of Mission Bay for Brunch or dinner, this is where we recommend. Located at the Catamaran Hotel.
30 locals recommend
Oceana Coastal Kitchen
3999 Mission BlvdIf you want a nice upscale restaurant with a lovely view of Mission Bay for Brunch or dinner, this is where we recommend. Located at the Catamaran Hotel.
Local coffee house. We're not coffee drinkers but people swear by their coffee.
153 locals recommend
Better Buzz Coffee Roasters
3745 Mission BlvdLocal coffee house. We're not coffee drinkers but people swear by their coffee.
If you want a good steak and seafood we recommend this spot. I recommend the sea bass. They also have a sister restaurant next door serving sushi, also named "Saska's."
86 locals recommend
Saska's
3768 Mission BlvdIf you want a good steak and seafood we recommend this spot. I recommend the sea bass. They also have a sister restaurant next door serving sushi, also named "Saska's."
Great breakfast and lunch spot. Outdoor patio dining as well as indoor.
111 locals recommend
Olive Cafe
805 Santa Clara PlGreat breakfast and lunch spot. Outdoor patio dining as well as indoor.
Drinks & Nightlife
Coaster Saloon
744 Ventura PlBar and Grill.
Cannonball is a bar & restaurant located on the roof above the bar "Draft". Trendy venue for upscale sushi & small Japanese dishes served in a rooftop space with ocean views.
119 locals recommend
Cannonball
3105 Ocean Front WalkCannonball is a bar & restaurant located on the roof above the bar "Draft". Trendy venue for upscale sushi & small Japanese dishes served in a rooftop space with ocean views.
Located at Belmont Park. Sleek but casual American bar & grill features small plates plus beer on tap & beach views. Open for Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, and Drinks until late.
91 locals recommend
Draft South Mission
3105 Ocean Front WalkLocated at Belmont Park. Sleek but casual American bar & grill features small plates plus beer on tap & beach views. Open for Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, and Drinks until late.
Dim, tiki-themed brewpub with pool table, sports & a fireplace, plus giant servings of burgers & pub grub.
73 locals recommend
Guava Beach Bar & Grill
3714 Mission BlvdDim, tiki-themed brewpub with pool table, sports & a fireplace, plus giant servings of burgers & pub grub.
Tiki inspired cocktails and dishes based on Caribbean and Cuban flavors and ingredients, ranging from jerk chicken and curried coconut shrimp to a Cuban sandwich and citrus-marinated skirt steak. Miss B's also offers a brunch menu every day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., which includes coconut-rum French toast, a Monte Cristo sandwich and a ropa vieja hash with braised beef, Jamaican beer cheese and chimichurri.
102 locals recommend
Miss B's Coconut Club
3704 Mission BlvdTiki inspired cocktails and dishes based on Caribbean and Cuban flavors and ingredients, ranging from jerk chicken and curried coconut shrimp to a Cuban sandwich and citrus-marinated skirt steak. Miss B's also offers a brunch menu every day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., which includes coconut-rum French toast, a Monte Cristo sandwich and a ropa vieja hash with braised beef, Jamaican beer cheese and chimichurri.
Local Sports Bar. If there is a game you want to see this is the place to go. It's huge and has tons of screens.
15 locals recommend
Miller's Field
4465 Mission BoulevardLocal Sports Bar. If there is a game you want to see this is the place to go. It's huge and has tons of screens.
Entertainment & Activities
Come here to rent bikes to cruise the boardwalk. They rent by the hour, day, or week. They also all kids of other beach equipment like surfboards, bodyboards, stand-up paddleboards, wetsuits, kayaks, in-line skates, skateboards, beach chairs, umbrellas, and snorkeling equipment.
15 locals recommend
Rays Rentals Mission Beach
3221 Mission BlvdCome here to rent bikes to cruise the boardwalk. They rent by the hour, day, or week. They also all kids of other beach equipment like surfboards, bodyboards, stand-up paddleboards, wetsuits, kayaks, in-line skates, skateboards, beach chairs, umbrellas, and snorkeling equipment.
SeaWorld San Diego
500 Sea World Dr.The kids will love it.
Rentals include boating, jet skiing, sailing, wakeboarding and other water sports. Hours of operation are 10:00am to 6:00pm 7 days a week. For information, please contact 858-488-1004.
49 locals recommend
Mission Bay Sportcenter
1010 Santa Clara PlRentals include boating, jet skiing, sailing, wakeboarding and other water sports. Hours of operation are 10:00am to 6:00pm 7 days a week. For information, please contact 858-488-1004.
Mission Bay Aquatic Center offers surfing, sailing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, stand up paddling, waterskiing, rowing, kayaking, and windsurfing. Check out website for info.
84 locals recommend
Mission Bay Aquatic Center
1001 Santa Clara PlMission Bay Aquatic Center offers surfing, sailing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, stand up paddling, waterskiing, rowing, kayaking, and windsurfing. Check out website for info.
It's a bird - it's a plane - it's a person hovering over Mission Bay? That's right! The Jetlev jetpack uses water propulsion to lift you up to 30 ft above the water!
12 locals recommend
Jetpack America - San Diego
1010 Santa Clara PlIt's a bird - it's a plane - it's a person hovering over Mission Bay? That's right! The Jetlev jetpack uses water propulsion to lift you up to 30 ft above the water!
Surfari Surf School - They offer daily surf lessons on the beach at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm starting at $55. Includes board, wet suit, and instruction. They are great instructors!
27 locals recommend
Surfari Surf School
3740 Mission BlvdSurfari Surf School - They offer daily surf lessons on the beach at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm starting at $55. Includes board, wet suit, and instruction. They are great instructors!
Take a cruise on the Bahia Belle Sternwheeler Paddleboat at night. The Bahia Belle is a beautiful old 3 story Mississippi style paddleboat that cruises Mission Bay. $10/person. Boards hourly in the evenings starting at 6 pm.
18 locals recommend
Bahia Resort Hotel
998 W Mission Bay DrTake a cruise on the Bahia Belle Sternwheeler Paddleboat at night. The Bahia Belle is a beautiful old 3 story Mississippi style paddleboat that cruises Mission Bay. $10/person. Boards hourly in the evenings starting at 6 pm.
This resort hotel has a huge tropical pool available for a nominal day use fee. There water slides for the kids and hey have poolside bar and relaxing spa treatments for the grownups.
17 locals recommend
Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa And Marina
1441 Quivira RdThis resort hotel has a huge tropical pool available for a nominal day use fee. There water slides for the kids and hey have poolside bar and relaxing spa treatments for the grownups.
Roller coaster, midway games, and rides for the kids. Restaurants, bars, beach rentals, and souvenir shops. Just a 5 min walk from the beach cottage. No entry fee. Just pay for the rides individually or buy an unlimited wrist band. The souvenir shops have lots of Mission Beach and San Diego tee-shirts, beach towels, and all kinds of souvenirs. (Big free parking lots with overnight parking so park here if you're looking for parking for a second vehicle.)
689 locals recommend
Belmont Park
3146 Mission BlvdRoller coaster, midway games, and rides for the kids. Restaurants, bars, beach rentals, and souvenir shops. Just a 5 min walk from the beach cottage. No entry fee. Just pay for the rides individually or buy an unlimited wrist band. The souvenir shops have lots of Mission Beach and San Diego tee-shirts, beach towels, and all kinds of souvenirs. (Big free parking lots with overnight parking so park here if you're looking for parking for a second vehicle.)
Essentials
Nearest full grocery store. There is free parking in an underground parking lot. Full service bakery and deli plus Wells Fargo ATM inside.
208 locals recommend
Ralphs
8657 Villa La Jolla DrNearest full grocery store. There is free parking in an underground parking lot. Full service bakery and deli plus Wells Fargo ATM inside.
CVS
1792 Garnet AveNearest full service drug store.
Everything Else
Starbucks
4994 Newport AveThe nearest Starbucks.
Sightseeing
Spectacular viewpoint on the top peak of La Jolla. You'll need a car to get here or take an Uber. Bring your camera or your binoculars. It's just a few miles up the road, driving through the ritzy neighborhoods of the wealthy of La Jolla.
146 locals recommend
Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
6905 La Jolla Scenic Dr SSpectacular viewpoint on the top peak of La Jolla. You'll need a car to get here or take an Uber. Bring your camera or your binoculars. It's just a few miles up the road, driving through the ritzy neighborhoods of the wealthy of La Jolla.
Contrary to the name of this spot it is not a beach reserved for "children." It is reserved for "Seals." Come here to have a great viewing spot of the seal and sea lions. (See if you can figure out the difference.)
108 locals recommend
Childrens Pool Beach
Contrary to the name of this spot it is not a beach reserved for "children." It is reserved for "Seals." Come here to have a great viewing spot of the seal and sea lions. (See if you can figure out the difference.)
This is a historic state park, restored to resemble the old west when San Diego was first settled. There are wood sidewalks and dirt roads. Within the official park there are shopkeepers dressed in traditional period clothing. Check out the Mormon Battalion Museum for a free guided tour. Surrounding the park there are a lot of very popular Mexican restaurants and shops selling Mexican souvenirs (no need to travel to Tijuana.)
1070 locals recommend
Old Town
This is a historic state park, restored to resemble the old west when San Diego was first settled. There are wood sidewalks and dirt roads. Within the official park there are shopkeepers dressed in traditional period clothing. Check out the Mormon Battalion Museum for a free guided tour. Surrounding the park there are a lot of very popular Mexican restaurants and shops selling Mexican souvenirs (no need to travel to Tijuana.)
The pier is open to the public and you can walk out and get a great view of the beach areas and plenty of fresh air. The unique part is it has cottages that are available for rent right on the pier.
96 locals recommend
Crystal Pier Hotel & Cottages
4500 Ocean BlvdThe pier is open to the public and you can walk out and get a great view of the beach areas and plenty of fresh air. The unique part is it has cottages that are available for rent right on the pier.
Parks & Nature
This is a day use state park with great hiking trails overlooking the ocean. Spectacular views.
206 locals recommend
Torrey Pines
This is a day use state park with great hiking trails overlooking the ocean. Spectacular views.