Guidebook for San Diego
Drinks & Nightlife
Great beers in walking distance with a cool neighborhood brewery feel. Kids are welcome until 8pm. Food trucks are posted on their website!
129 locals recommend
Thorn St. Brewery
3176 Thorn StGreat beers in walking distance with a cool neighborhood brewery feel. Kids are welcome until 8pm. Food trucks are posted on their website!
barleymash
600 Fifth AveGood beer selection and sports bar atmosphere.
Great tasting room and unique decorations make this a popular stop. Be sure to sample whatever they have on nitro. They also have their own coffee on tap. You can bring kids and order tacos.
106 locals recommend
Modern Times Flavordome
3000 Upas StGreat tasting room and unique decorations make this a popular stop. Be sure to sample whatever they have on nitro. They also have their own coffee on tap. You can bring kids and order tacos.
Food Scene
Carnitas' Snack Shack - North Park
2632 University AvenueGreat food in a casual outdoor atmosphere.
This is our go-to spot for a quick Mexican-food fix. Some of our favorite menu items include the carne asada burrito, California burrito, chicken fajitas, and the chimichanga.
13 locals recommend
Saguaro's
3753 30th StreetThis is our go-to spot for a quick Mexican-food fix. Some of our favorite menu items include the carne asada burrito, California burrito, chicken fajitas, and the chimichanga.
The Smoking Goat Restaurant
3408 30th StGreat dinner spot with a solid menu
Searsucker San Diego
611 Fifth AveGreat food. Little more expensive, though.
Great selection of beers and food (i.e. the burger). Perfect location before a Padres game.
67 locals recommend
Neighborhood
777 G StGreat selection of beers and food (i.e. the burger). Perfect location before a Padres game.
Hodad's Downtown
945 BroadwayLocal favorite for hamburgers. Come hungry.
Prepkitchen Little Italy
1660 India StGreat food and atmosphere in Little Italy.
Ranchos Cocina
3910 30th StOur preferred restaurant for Mexican cuisine with table service.
Urban Solace & Bar Solace
3823 30th StTasty food. Check out the bluegrass brunch on Sundays.
Amazing chile verde if you like a little spice! Everyone I take here has always loved their food. The burritos are huge and the outdoor seating is in a great spot.
Amorcito Corazón Mexican Bistro
3442 30th StreetAmazing chile verde if you like a little spice! Everyone I take here has always loved their food. The burritos are huge and the outdoor seating is in a great spot.
A small, tucked-away restaurant that serves all sorts of waffle plates (e.g., nutella or thick bacon and avocado). Also has delicious lemonade. Check their website for hours and try and make this an early stop as it can get crowded.
32 locals recommend
Atypical Waffle Company
3519 30th StA small, tucked-away restaurant that serves all sorts of waffle plates (e.g., nutella or thick bacon and avocado). Also has delicious lemonade. Check their website for hours and try and make this an early stop as it can get crowded.
Cute little cones provide the opportunity to get "ice cream flights" where you can sample more flavors. Super yummy and unique flavors, I'd recommend the Banana Storm and White Chocolate Ginger.
56 locals recommend
Hammond's Gourmet Ice Cream
3077 University AveCute little cones provide the opportunity to get "ice cream flights" where you can sample more flavors. Super yummy and unique flavors, I'd recommend the Banana Storm and White Chocolate Ginger.
"The Champ" is a great option if you like lattes. Just 3 tables at this small stop, but worth a sample! And, for kids, they have a "Party in a Cup" which is whipped cream and sprinkles. Prepare the camera!
236 locals recommend
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
3260 Adams Ave"The Champ" is a great option if you like lattes. Just 3 tables at this small stop, but worth a sample! And, for kids, they have a "Party in a Cup" which is whipped cream and sprinkles. Prepare the camera!
On of the most popular coffee roasters in the area (and one of the earliest to the local roasting scene). Great blends and lots of coffee options. They also have a cool outdoor patio right on the street. And...pizza for the afternoon/evening!
124 locals recommend
Caffè Calabria
3933 30th StOn of the most popular coffee roasters in the area (and one of the earliest to the local roasting scene). Great blends and lots of coffee options. They also have a cool outdoor patio right on the street. And...pizza for the afternoon/evening!
Shopping
Kwik Stops
3028 Upas StNearby liquor store with a great selection of craft beer.
Parks & Nature
Small setup for kids, but they love it all the same. The slide and 2 baby swings are on the north side. Two big kid swings are further south, close to Thorn Street. Lots of grass to run around in. Plus, views of downtown!
33 locals recommend
Bird Park
Pershing DriveSmall setup for kids, but they love it all the same. The slide and 2 baby swings are on the north side. Two big kid swings are further south, close to Thorn Street. Lots of grass to run around in. Plus, views of downtown!
A big playground, best to visit in the late morning or afternoon. Sand and big playstructures, plus, you can check out the iconic North Park water tower.
13 locals recommend
North Park Community Park
Howard AvenueA big playground, best to visit in the late morning or afternoon. Sand and big playstructures, plus, you can check out the iconic North Park water tower.
Getting Around
Sign up for an account and you can grab a car parked closeby for a quick trip in the coverage area. These electic 2-seater cars are great for downtown trips since you don't have to pay for parking in any of the meter spots, etc. There seems to always be a car within a block or two.
19 locals recommend
Car2Go San Diego
633 Ninth AvenueSign up for an account and you can grab a car parked closeby for a quick trip in the coverage area. These electic 2-seater cars are great for downtown trips since you don't have to pay for parking in any of the meter spots, etc. There seems to always be a car within a block or two.
Essentials
Vons
3610 Adams AveClosest (and largest) grocery store in the area. Great parking lot.
Small, "farmers market type" grocery store with a lot of healthy options. Very popular.
209 locals recommend
Sprouts Farmers Market
3015 Clairemont DrSmall, "farmers market type" grocery store with a lot of healthy options. Very popular.
Great frozen food options, especially for 2 people (serving size wise). Unique finds and friendly crew. It's a popular grocery store chain for lots of good reasons.
752 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
1640 Garnet AveGreat frozen food options, especially for 2 people (serving size wise). Unique finds and friendly crew. It's a popular grocery store chain for lots of good reasons.
Forgot your toothbrush or need some more contact solution? This is your quickest stop. Well stocked and even has some great summer toys to grab and head to the park.
114 locals recommend
CVS
3151 University AveForgot your toothbrush or need some more contact solution? This is your quickest stop. Well stocked and even has some great summer toys to grab and head to the park.
Entertainment & Activities
Great stop for kids. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays there are kid "classes" at 10am. Also, kid computers with games, etc.
North Park Library
3795 31st StGreat stop for kids. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays there are kid "classes" at 10am. Also, kid computers with games, etc.
Amazing zoo. Great enclosures and awesome viewing of the animals. Also, a cool skyfari ride to take you up and over the zoo so you can see Balboa Park and Downtown.
2510 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrAmazing zoo. Great enclosures and awesome viewing of the animals. Also, a cool skyfari ride to take you up and over the zoo so you can see Balboa Park and Downtown.
One of the best places to take young children! Interactive activities, great cafe, and art/craft areas. Closed on Tuesdays.
115 locals recommend
The New Children’s Museum
200 W Island AveOne of the best places to take young children! Interactive activities, great cafe, and art/craft areas. Closed on Tuesdays.