Guidebook for San Diego
Food Scene
Taste of the Himalayas
1260 University AveBest Himalayan food in the neighborhood.
Foodies will love the local menu and drinks. Service is great and the outdoor seating is abundant.
63 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Trust
3752 Park BlvdFoodies will love the local menu and drinks. Service is great and the outdoor seating is abundant.
One of the best places to go for breakfast/brunch in the city.
133 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Mission North Park
2801 University AveOne of the best places to go for breakfast/brunch in the city.
Incredible vegetarian Thai food. You would never know there's no meat on the menu. They just expanded and actually have a place to sit when you go, now...usually. If you're from San Diego, you have probably been to or heard of Plumeria.
98 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Plumeria Vegetarian Restaurant
4661 Park BlvdIncredible vegetarian Thai food. You would never know there's no meat on the menu. They just expanded and actually have a place to sit when you go, now...usually. If you're from San Diego, you have probably been to or heard of Plumeria.
Hands down the BEST, most LUSCIOUS and DECADENT desserts on the west coast. If you like coconut mousse cake, chocolate dolce de leche, fruit meringue, cookies, pastries, coffee or tea: make the time to visit Extraordinary Desserts. You can thank me later.
220 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Extraordinary Desserts
2870 Fourth AveHands down the BEST, most LUSCIOUS and DECADENT desserts on the west coast. If you like coconut mousse cake, chocolate dolce de leche, fruit meringue, cookies, pastries, coffee or tea: make the time to visit Extraordinary Desserts. You can thank me later.
locally sourced farm to table food (as much as I hate using the buzz words of the day, it applies here). Service and food quality are both excellent. Have been here only for brunch, but have no doubt that everything on their menu is killah.
73 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cafe 21 University Heights
2736 Adams Avelocally sourced farm to table food (as much as I hate using the buzz words of the day, it applies here). Service and food quality are both excellent. Have been here only for brunch, but have no doubt that everything on their menu is killah.
Parks & Nature
It's a world class zoo in beautiful Balboa Park. The sky tram is fun to ride!
2510 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iziko likaSan Diego
2920 Zoo DrIt's a world class zoo in beautiful Balboa Park. The sky tram is fun to ride!
Hiking and walking trails, playgrounds, botanical gardens, the zoo, museums and more. It's an incredible place to wander.
3290 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Balboa Park
Hiking and walking trails, playgrounds, botanical gardens, the zoo, museums and more. It's an incredible place to wander.
Surfing at the beach or hiking the bluffs over the ocean. Both are winning ways to spend an afternoon.
1108 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadSurfing at the beach or hiking the bluffs over the ocean. Both are winning ways to spend an afternoon.
Sunrise hikes to see the light break over the mountain ridge is breathtaking and worth getting up at 5am.
314 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cowles Mountain
Cowles MountainSunrise hikes to see the light break over the mountain ridge is breathtaking and worth getting up at 5am.
These gardens are worth at LEAST a day of your time. Expansive, inviting and beautiful.
49 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Botanical Building and Lily Pond
1550 El PradoThese gardens are worth at LEAST a day of your time. Expansive, inviting and beautiful.
One of the top rated beaches in the US. Cute little main street downtown with shops and dining. Great afternoon trip year round.
487 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Coronado Island
One of the top rated beaches in the US. Cute little main street downtown with shops and dining. Great afternoon trip year round.
If you want a postcard view of the sunset over the ocean, come to Sunset Cliffs. It's breathtaking. Lots of paths and trails to walk along the bluff. Stairs will take you to the beach and and water.
A must see if you're wanting to make all your friends jealous back home...unless you live in Hawaii, then it's no big deal.
580 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sunset Cliffs
If you want a postcard view of the sunset over the ocean, come to Sunset Cliffs. It's breathtaking. Lots of paths and trails to walk along the bluff. Stairs will take you to the beach and and water.
A must see if you're wanting to make all your friends jealous back home...unless you live in Hawaii, then it's no big deal.
Arts & Culture
Great collection of minimalism pieces. All art post 1950's. Current exhibition (through Nov 2016) is re-imaginations of construction debris.
81 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Museum of Contemporary Art - Downtown
1100 Kettner BlvdGreat collection of minimalism pieces. All art post 1950's. Current exhibition (through Nov 2016) is re-imaginations of construction debris.
La Jolla Playhouse
2910 La Jolla Village DrEssentials
Great for prepared foods (pizza, salad bar, fresh baked bread, etc). Great for finding organic produce and food/ingredients restricted diets. The expanded bar has over 20 beers on tap.
240 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Whole Foods Market
711 University AveGreat for prepared foods (pizza, salad bar, fresh baked bread, etc). Great for finding organic produce and food/ingredients restricted diets. The expanded bar has over 20 beers on tap.
Trader Joe's
1640 Garnet AveGreat for essentials of all kinds.
Sprouts Farmers Market
3015 Clairemont DrOrganic, local and convenient.
It's worth the drive if you've got a lot of laundry to do. Free WiFi, free detergent and it's clean with ample parking.
Wash N Go Laundry
6931 El Cajon BlvdIt's worth the drive if you've got a lot of laundry to do. Free WiFi, free detergent and it's clean with ample parking.
This is one of the BEST ACE Hardware stores in the country. They've got everything from plumbing supplies to patio furniture, batteries, plants, designer candles, gifts and more. The staff is ULTRA friendly and super helpful. Love this place!
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ace Hardware
1003 University AveThis is one of the BEST ACE Hardware stores in the country. They've got everything from plumbing supplies to patio furniture, batteries, plants, designer candles, gifts and more. The staff is ULTRA friendly and super helpful. Love this place!
Sightseeing
One of the best places to watch the sunset. The tide pools are amazing. Good for surfing, too. Artistic, colorful and full of life!
776 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ocean Beach
1850 Ocean Front StOne of the best places to watch the sunset. The tide pools are amazing. Good for surfing, too. Artistic, colorful and full of life!
Bouldery beaches filled with pelicans and sea lions. For $5 you can walk down a looooooong flight of stairs through the bluff to watch the waves crash into the stones in a cavern. Tide pools, restaurants, shopping. La Jolla has something for everyone.
1327 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Jolla Cove
1100 Coast BlvdBouldery beaches filled with pelicans and sea lions. For $5 you can walk down a looooooong flight of stairs through the bluff to watch the waves crash into the stones in a cavern. Tide pools, restaurants, shopping. La Jolla has something for everyone.
Sunsets, music on the beach and bonfires. Arrive early to claim your fire pit. Then hang out and watch the sun set with your friends while enjoying a picnic (no glass or alcohol allowed on the beach).
554 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mission Beach
3000 Mission BoulevardSunsets, music on the beach and bonfires. Arrive early to claim your fire pit. Then hang out and watch the sun set with your friends while enjoying a picnic (no glass or alcohol allowed on the beach).
Blue Whale migration is mid June through September. Gray Whale migration season is mid December through April. If you're visiting at that time, I highly recommend setting aside a day to sail. Even if you don't spot a whale, you'll have a fun day out at sea and get some great views of the city that you can't get when land locked.
25 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
San Diego Whale Watch
1617 Quivira RdBlue Whale migration is mid June through September. Gray Whale migration season is mid December through April. If you're visiting at that time, I highly recommend setting aside a day to sail. Even if you don't spot a whale, you'll have a fun day out at sea and get some great views of the city that you can't get when land locked.
If you want to see the main tourist stops in the city, you should get a Go San Diego card. One price will get you admission to over 40 attractions. Check out their website for more information. I did it when I first moved here and it was fun!
Go San Diego
996 N Harbor DrIf you want to see the main tourist stops in the city, you should get a Go San Diego card. One price will get you admission to over 40 attractions. Check out their website for more information. I did it when I first moved here and it was fun!
Entertainment & Activities
Ringer's Roller Rink
Drinks & Nightlife
Gastropub. Incredible drinks and even better food. Love the location, the menu and the service. Be sure to try the mac and cheese (if it's still on the menu). They rotate things regularly, so no guarantees.
151 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Craft & Commerce
675 W Beech StGastropub. Incredible drinks and even better food. Love the location, the menu and the service. Be sure to try the mac and cheese (if it's still on the menu). They rotate things regularly, so no guarantees.
GREAT for tapping in to the alternative music scene. Rock to EDM, pop and hip hop. I've seen a wide variety of bands here. There are also movie and art festivals too. Check it out!
125 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Observatory North Park
2891 University AveGREAT for tapping in to the alternative music scene. Rock to EDM, pop and hip hop. I've seen a wide variety of bands here. There are also movie and art festivals too. Check it out!
If you like swing dancing, or have always wanted to learn, this is the group to connect with. Every Wednesday and Sunday night stop by and have fun. Dance style is open, so no partner needed. All lessons rotate partners, so even if you come with someone, you will meet new people. Open dance is friendly and the regulars are great at helping newcomers learn!
Firehouse Swing Dance
2557 Third AveIf you like swing dancing, or have always wanted to learn, this is the group to connect with. Every Wednesday and Sunday night stop by and have fun. Dance style is open, so no partner needed. All lessons rotate partners, so even if you come with someone, you will meet new people. Open dance is friendly and the regulars are great at helping newcomers learn!
If you can find the unassuming, almost secret entrance, you're in for a good time. Great drinks and a fun hipster atmosphere.
49 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Prohibition Lounge
548 Fifth AveIf you can find the unassuming, almost secret entrance, you're in for a good time. Great drinks and a fun hipster atmosphere.
The hidden door at the bottom of the stairs lets you in to, what my friends have described as: Alice in NYC-Wonderland. Wine and cocktail selection is fantastic and the schniblette menu is a nice balance to keep guests from falling off their chairs too early in the evening.
92 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Vin de Syrah
901 Fifth AveThe hidden door at the bottom of the stairs lets you in to, what my friends have described as: Alice in NYC-Wonderland. Wine and cocktail selection is fantastic and the schniblette menu is a nice balance to keep guests from falling off their chairs too early in the evening.