Guidebook for San Diego
Parks & Nature
Mission bay offers walking/running paths, water sport rentals, and lots of local and migrating water birds. Sea World is located on the south side of Mission Bay.
189 locals recommend
Mission Bay
Mission bay offers walking/running paths, water sport rentals, and lots of local and migrating water birds. Sea World is located on the south side of Mission Bay.
Balboa Park is home to the San Diego Zoo as well as many museums, running/walking trails, and the amazing Prado restaurant. Parking is free.
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is home to the San Diego Zoo as well as many museums, running/walking trails, and the amazing Prado restaurant. Parking is free.
A beautiful beach and an easy hike up to the cliffs. The ocean views are breathtaking.
206 locals recommend
Torrey Pines
A beautiful beach and an easy hike up to the cliffs. The ocean views are breathtaking.
Take the steep 2 mile paved trail up to Potato Chip Rock. It's a great workout and many people like to have their pictures taken on the rock that appears like it is as fragile as a potato chip. If you want your picture taken on the rock, be prepared for a wait because it is extremely popular.
6 locals recommend
Mt. Woodson Trail
16310 CA-67Take the steep 2 mile paved trail up to Potato Chip Rock. It's a great workout and many people like to have their pictures taken on the rock that appears like it is as fragile as a potato chip. If you want your picture taken on the rock, be prepared for a wait because it is extremely popular.
Iron Mountain is less steep than Mt Woodson, and has a continuously gradual ascent along a trail that is appropriate for trail running in some locations. The vies are spectacular.
82 locals recommend
Iron Mountain Trailhead
14847-14909 CA-67Iron Mountain is less steep than Mt Woodson, and has a continuously gradual ascent along a trail that is appropriate for trail running in some locations. The vies are spectacular.
My favorite spot for kayaking. There are several local companies that rent kayaks and even provide training classes if you are new to this fun activity. During the summer you can see tiny and harmless leopard sharks and if you paddle out to La Jolla Cove you can see a family of sea lions. The cove is also home to native birds such as cormorants and the orange garibaldi fish.
There are very good restaurants and beach shops for anything you may have forgotten or for a meal.
The beach is terrific for a nice walk or even for a picnic any time of the year.
304 locals recommend
La Jolla Shores Hotel
8110 Camino Del OroMy favorite spot for kayaking. There are several local companies that rent kayaks and even provide training classes if you are new to this fun activity. During the summer you can see tiny and harmless leopard sharks and if you paddle out to La Jolla Cove you can see a family of sea lions. The cove is also home to native birds such as cormorants and the orange garibaldi fish.
There are very good restaurants and beach shops for anything you may have forgotten or for a meal.
The beach is terrific for a nice walk or even for a picnic any time of the year.
Essentials
Target
3030 Grape StreetLocated at Balboa Ave and Genesee Ave.
Vons
1702 Garnet AveLocated on the south-east corner of Balboa Ave. and Genesee Ave.
Sprouts Farmers Market
1260 Garnet AveSprouts has lots of organic foods.
This is the closest Trader Joe's but it is in PB (Pacific Beach) so there will be traffic.
752 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
1640 Garnet AveThis is the closest Trader Joe's but it is in PB (Pacific Beach) so there will be traffic.
Entertainment & Activities
This zoo is world famous for a reason! Stop by to visit the pandas, polar bears, tigers, and elephants. Take the Skyfari to get an areal view of downtown and the surrounding areas. It's a magical place in the heart of historic Balboa Park.
2510 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrThis zoo is world famous for a reason! Stop by to visit the pandas, polar bears, tigers, and elephants. Take the Skyfari to get an areal view of downtown and the surrounding areas. It's a magical place in the heart of historic Balboa Park.
Sightseeing
The site of the first Spanish settlement on the U.S. West Coast and features 12 acres of Mexican heritage and historical sites, colorful shops, early-California-style restaurants, museums, a theater and the restored Cosmopolitan Hotel.
1070 locals recommend
Old Town
The site of the first Spanish settlement on the U.S. West Coast and features 12 acres of Mexican heritage and historical sites, colorful shops, early-California-style restaurants, museums, a theater and the restored Cosmopolitan Hotel.
Food Scene
The artisan thin crust pizzas are amazing. They are also known for great salads.
20 locals recommend
Sammy's Woodfired Pizza & Grill
702 Pearl StThe artisan thin crust pizzas are amazing. They are also known for great salads.
Mediterranean Cafe
112 W Washington StThey have the best spanakopita in town.
Vegetarian Mexican downtown. Be sure to try the sangria. My favorite is the mushroom tofu enchiladas.
21 locals recommend
Pokez Mexican Restaurant
947 E StVegetarian Mexican downtown. Be sure to try the sangria. My favorite is the mushroom tofu enchiladas.
Upscale Mexican restaurant with an amazing view. They make guacamole to order right at your table.
105 locals recommend
Coasterra
880 Harbor Island DrUpscale Mexican restaurant with an amazing view. They make guacamole to order right at your table.
Fabulous Italian food close to La Jolla Shores. This is mostly a locals only spot so you will not get a touristy vibe. After dinner you can walk a few blocks to the beach.
79 locals recommend
Piatti
2182 Avenida De La PlayaFabulous Italian food close to La Jolla Shores. This is mostly a locals only spot so you will not get a touristy vibe. After dinner you can walk a few blocks to the beach.
Amazing Lebanese food with a friendly and helpful staff. They have a very reasonable corkage fee if you want to bring your own wine.
Amardeen Lebanese and Mediterranean Cuisine
8915 Towne Centre DrAmazing Lebanese food with a friendly and helpful staff. They have a very reasonable corkage fee if you want to bring your own wine.
Brew pub in the heart of Mission Valley. The food is delicious and they have a full bar. Perfect for lunch, happy hour, or a casual dinner. Valet parking is available.
9 locals recommend
Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant
5010 Mission Center RdBrew pub in the heart of Mission Valley. The food is delicious and they have a full bar. Perfect for lunch, happy hour, or a casual dinner. Valet parking is available.
Drinks & Nightlife
This wine bar, in the heart of Hillcrest has an amazing selection of wines by the glass or bottle with knowledgeable staff. They have a beautiful patio that feels secluded even though it's right off the street. There are several pay parking lots within a few blocks.
14 locals recommend
The Wine Lover
3968 Fifth AveThis wine bar, in the heart of Hillcrest has an amazing selection of wines by the glass or bottle with knowledgeable staff. They have a beautiful patio that feels secluded even though it's right off the street. There are several pay parking lots within a few blocks.
Shopping
Outlet mall with great selections. It's a long drive (about 20 miles) but if you are headed to the north county you can get some great values at stores such as Kate Spade, Calvin Klein, and Michael Kors.
400 locals recommend
Carlsbad Premium Outlets
5620 Paseo Del NorteOutlet mall with great selections. It's a long drive (about 20 miles) but if you are headed to the north county you can get some great values at stores such as Kate Spade, Calvin Klein, and Michael Kors.