Guide to enjoying San Diego!
Neighborhoods
Low-key walkable neighborhood adjacent to Balboa Park, Little Italy, Hillcrest and downtown San Diego. Plenty of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, banks, hair salons, CVS drug store and a small market are all within walking distance.
23 locals recommend
Bankers Hill
Low-key walkable neighborhood adjacent to Balboa Park, Little Italy, Hillcrest and downtown San Diego. Plenty of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, banks, hair salons, CVS drug store and a small market are all within walking distance.
Walk about the neighborhood of Hillcrest to enjoy on of the many restaurants, bars and eclectic shops. Between Robinson Ave and University Ave on 5th, you will find vintage clothing and other vintage shops. If you are looking for vintage furniture, go to Washington Street, just west of 9th Avenue.
369 locals recommend
Hillcrest
3960 Normal StWalk about the neighborhood of Hillcrest to enjoy on of the many restaurants, bars and eclectic shops. Between Robinson Ave and University Ave on 5th, you will find vintage clothing and other vintage shops. If you are looking for vintage furniture, go to Washington Street, just west of 9th Avenue.
A local neighborhood with a vibrant restaurant and bar scene. Off the beaten path of most travellers. Walkable.
46 locals recommend
University Heights
A local neighborhood with a vibrant restaurant and bar scene. Off the beaten path of most travellers. Walkable.
This eclectic neighborhood is off the beaten path, quaint and one of my favorites! Enjoy one of the many cuisines served up here! Definitely a local's neighborhood!
119 locals recommend
South Park
This eclectic neighborhood is off the beaten path, quaint and one of my favorites! Enjoy one of the many cuisines served up here! Definitely a local's neighborhood!
North Park is one of the larger mid-city neighborhoods. There is a lot to see and do - shops, restaurants, bars - you name it! Take a bus or park your car and 'walk-walk-walk'!
439 locals recommend
North Park
North Park is one of the larger mid-city neighborhoods. There is a lot to see and do - shops, restaurants, bars - you name it! Take a bus or park your car and 'walk-walk-walk'!
Ocean Beach is a true Southern California beach community. Plenty to walk, see and do here! Food, bars, shopping and a beautiful beach - don't miss it! And yeah, the inhabitants, they can be very interesting to watch as well!
776 locals recommend
Ocean Beach
1850 Ocean Front StOcean Beach is a true Southern California beach community. Plenty to walk, see and do here! Food, bars, shopping and a beautiful beach - don't miss it! And yeah, the inhabitants, they can be very interesting to watch as well!
Great Italian (and other) eateries, bars and small shops. Walkable and a Farmers Market too.
889 locals recommend
Little Italy
Great Italian (and other) eateries, bars and small shops. Walkable and a Farmers Market too.
Sightseeing
Balboa Park is one of the largest city parks in the United States. Take in a play, go to one of the many museums or houses of hospitality, purchase local art, take in a free organ concert, visit the San Diego Zoo or just walk around and enjoy the botanical gardens. If you like small-scale trains, do not miss the model railway museum. If you like Japanese tea and gardens, stop by the Japanese pavilion. Enjoy a nice lunch or dinner on the patio at the Prado restaurant (reservations recommended for dinner on holidays or weekends).
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is one of the largest city parks in the United States. Take in a play, go to one of the many museums or houses of hospitality, purchase local art, take in a free organ concert, visit the San Diego Zoo or just walk around and enjoy the botanical gardens. If you like small-scale trains, do not miss the model railway museum. If you like Japanese tea and gardens, stop by the Japanese pavilion. Enjoy a nice lunch or dinner on the patio at the Prado restaurant (reservations recommended for dinner on holidays or weekends).
USS Midway Museum
910 N Harbor DrShopping and restaurants abound! Seaport Village sits on the edge of San Diego Harbor. Great views of Coronado Island, Coronado Bridge and (if they are in port) one of our many San Diego ported naval aircraft carriers.
762 locals recommend
Seaport Village
849 W Harbor DrShopping and restaurants abound! Seaport Village sits on the edge of San Diego Harbor. Great views of Coronado Island, Coronado Bridge and (if they are in port) one of our many San Diego ported naval aircraft carriers.
The OB Pier is a large municipal pier that will give you great views of the waves (on the beach side or behind where they break). Sit and watch the surfers or one of the many anglers vying for a vast array of salt water fish.
776 locals recommend
Ocean Beach
1850 Ocean Front StThe OB Pier is a large municipal pier that will give you great views of the waves (on the beach side or behind where they break). Sit and watch the surfers or one of the many anglers vying for a vast array of salt water fish.
Mission Bay is a beautiful aquatic park located just West of I-5 and north of I-8. If you like to walk, park in a parking lot east of the roller coaster, cross the street and walk along the bay. It is so relaxing, you can walk back along the boardwalk of Pacific and Mission Beaches.
109 locals recommend
Mission Bay
Mission Bay is a beautiful aquatic park located just West of I-5 and north of I-8. If you like to walk, park in a parking lot east of the roller coaster, cross the street and walk along the bay. It is so relaxing, you can walk back along the boardwalk of Pacific and Mission Beaches.
If you like to people watch, listen to the waves break - this is the place for you!
79 locals recommend
Mission Beach Boardwalk
If you like to people watch, listen to the waves break - this is the place for you!
Torrey Pines is one of the most stunning beaches in San Diego with the sheer cliffs and pounding surf. Torrey Pines Sate Reserve has hiking trails to enjoy or just stroll along the beach and watch the surfers ride the waves. Grab a bite to eat or stroll through the beach communities of Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff or Encinitas by driving north on Highway 1, Pacific Coast Highway.
1108 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadTorrey Pines is one of the most stunning beaches in San Diego with the sheer cliffs and pounding surf. Torrey Pines Sate Reserve has hiking trails to enjoy or just stroll along the beach and watch the surfers ride the waves. Grab a bite to eat or stroll through the beach communities of Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff or Encinitas by driving north on Highway 1, Pacific Coast Highway.
If you like to get a good view of the entire park, the scoreboard and downtown San Diego - and be a bit higher up to see all the action on the field - I would recommend the Toyota Terrace (second level). I favor the first base line - somewhere between home plate and just past first base. Sometimes I buy cheaper tickets and move around the stadium, enjoying different seats and views. You can also purchase 'park at the park' tickets and lie on the grass, just beyond the outfield. the views are obstructed, but it's a very enjoyable, relaxing scene.
709 locals recommend
Petco Park
100 Park BlvdIf you like to get a good view of the entire park, the scoreboard and downtown San Diego - and be a bit higher up to see all the action on the field - I would recommend the Toyota Terrace (second level). I favor the first base line - somewhere between home plate and just past first base. Sometimes I buy cheaper tickets and move around the stadium, enjoying different seats and views. You can also purchase 'park at the park' tickets and lie on the grass, just beyond the outfield. the views are obstructed, but it's a very enjoyable, relaxing scene.
Food scene
Point Loma Seafoods
2805 Emerson StBaja Betty's
1421 University AveinsideOUT
1642 University AveTrust
3752 Park BlvdUrban MO's Bar & Grill
308 University AveJimmy's Famous American Tavern
4990 N Harbor DrThe Corner Drafthouse
495 Laurel StHash House A Go Go
3628 Fifth AveSouth Park Brewing Company
1517 30th StCoasterra
880 Harbor Island DrIsland Prime
880 Harbor Island DrC Level Lounge
880 Harbor Island DrIl Fornaio Coronado
1333 1st StPeohe's
1201 1st StGrains
2201 Adams AveBahn Thai
4646 Park BlvdParkhouse Eatery
4574 Park BlvdShopping
If you want affordable gifts for friends and/or family - Wings has a wide assortment of gifts at reasonable prices. I take all of my visitors here when they need a t-shirt or trinket to take home.
Wings Beachwear
3136 Mission BlvdIf you want affordable gifts for friends and/or family - Wings has a wide assortment of gifts at reasonable prices. I take all of my visitors here when they need a t-shirt or trinket to take home.
Great place to shop, have lunch or dinner and enjoy beautiful harbor views!
762 locals recommend
Seaport Village
849 W Harbor DrGreat place to shop, have lunch or dinner and enjoy beautiful harbor views!
Yes, it is an up-scale mall, but you need to know where these places are :)! Standard, upper-scale shops and stores.
833 locals recommend
Fashion Valley
7007 Friars RdYes, it is an up-scale mall, but you need to know where these places are :)! Standard, upper-scale shops and stores.
This mall is a bit of an experience. Definitely upscale - all my guests really enjoy it. Lots of places to eat & shop - a wine and other bars are outdoors and very relaxing. It's a nice day to stroll the shops, get a bite to eat and just relax. (note: this mall charges for parking > 2 hours)
381 locals recommend
Westfield UTC
4545 La Jolla Village DrThis mall is a bit of an experience. Definitely upscale - all my guests really enjoy it. Lots of places to eat & shop - a wine and other bars are outdoors and very relaxing. It's a nice day to stroll the shops, get a bite to eat and just relax. (note: this mall charges for parking > 2 hours)
If you are looking for southern california beach wear, this is your place. Think nice board shorts, short sleeve shirts, jeans and other accessories - you can even buy a surf board! They have a vast array of both women's and men's clothing. Although the prices are mid-upper range, the clothing I purchase here is of top-notch quality and lasts many years.
6 locals recommend
Sun Diego Boardshops
3126 Mission BlvdIf you are looking for southern california beach wear, this is your place. Think nice board shorts, short sleeve shirts, jeans and other accessories - you can even buy a surf board! They have a vast array of both women's and men's clothing. Although the prices are mid-upper range, the clothing I purchase here is of top-notch quality and lasts many years.