Guidebook for San Diego
Food Scene
This is the most popular Mexican restaurant in town. Delicious! Everything is good! Always a long line. Come during off hours, before 11:30 AM or between 3 pm-4 pm, or after 8 pm to avoid lines. Grab the first street parking you find along Pearl Street. There are a few tables to eat in the restaurant but you may want to consider take-out because this place is always packed with people.
132 locals recommend
The Taco Stand
621 Pearl StThis is the most popular Mexican restaurant in town. Delicious! Everything is good! Always a long line. Come during off hours, before 11:30 AM or between 3 pm-4 pm, or after 8 pm to avoid lines. Grab the first street parking you find along Pearl Street. There are a few tables to eat in the restaurant but you may want to consider take-out because this place is always packed with people.
El Pescador Fish Market
634 Pearl StDelicious food!
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
5627 La Jolla BlvdPopular to locals! Across the street is Starbucks.
Essentials
This is the nearest grocery store. You may want to apply for a VONS card to get discounts on sale items.
443 locals recommend
Vons
1702 Garnet AveThis is the nearest grocery store. You may want to apply for a VONS card to get discounts on sale items.
Trader Joe's
1640 Garnet AveParks & Nature
Children's Pool La Jolla
834 Coast Blvd SSeals and Sea Lions in their natural habitat
During high tide (mornings, as early as 7 AM) watch surfers do their tricks. During low tide, the sand feels like soft sugar. Hear the waves and smell the sea. Watch sunsets. So good!
272 locals recommend
Windansea Beach
Neptune PlDuring high tide (mornings, as early as 7 AM) watch surfers do their tricks. During low tide, the sand feels like soft sugar. Hear the waves and smell the sea. Watch sunsets. So good!
La Jolla Cove
1100 Coast BlvdBeach, hiking, walking, sea lions in their natural habitat.
Don't leave La Jolla without visiting this place. Go at LOW TIDE. Read Yelp reviews to get ideas. The best hiking trails - on a good day, you can watch dolphins surfing while you are on top of the hill. Bring video camera, good walking shoes, hat, water. Start early at LOW TIDE. Parking is free along the coast (people come and go, so wait). Or park inside $15-$20. The hike up the hill is steep but worth it. Hike the many different trails. Spend 2-4 hrs here. There's a visitor center. The Beach Trail will take you down to the beach and then back to your car. Incredible views and experience. Don't leave La Jolla without experiencing this place. Not recommended for young children.
1108 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadDon't leave La Jolla without visiting this place. Go at LOW TIDE. Read Yelp reviews to get ideas. The best hiking trails - on a good day, you can watch dolphins surfing while you are on top of the hill. Bring video camera, good walking shoes, hat, water. Start early at LOW TIDE. Parking is free along the coast (people come and go, so wait). Or park inside $15-$20. The hike up the hill is steep but worth it. Hike the many different trails. Spend 2-4 hrs here. There's a visitor center. The Beach Trail will take you down to the beach and then back to your car. Incredible views and experience. Don't leave La Jolla without experiencing this place. Not recommended for young children.
A wonderful little national monument in San Diego at the tip of Point Loma. On one side, overlook San Diego Bay and a nice little trail that goes down almost to the water (1.8 miles round trip from the top). On the other side is a road down to the tide pools where there is a trail along the small cliffs. At the top of the cliffs is the old lighthouse, a statue of Juan Cabrillo and a visitor center with gift shop. Don't forget your binoculars because you might see whales nearby. Open 7 days a week 9 AM to 5 PM
Tips:
-Bring cash if you want to make a purchase, no CC.
-$10 per car or $5 per person. Pass options available.
-Right by the water so it is a bit colder during the afternoon.
502 locals recommend
Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center
1800 Cabrillo Memorial DrA wonderful little national monument in San Diego at the tip of Point Loma. On one side, overlook San Diego Bay and a nice little trail that goes down almost to the water (1.8 miles round trip from the top). On the other side is a road down to the tide pools where there is a trail along the small cliffs. At the top of the cliffs is the old lighthouse, a statue of Juan Cabrillo and a visitor center with gift shop. Don't forget your binoculars because you might see whales nearby. Open 7 days a week 9 AM to 5 PM
Tips:
-Bring cash if you want to make a purchase, no CC.
-$10 per car or $5 per person. Pass options available.
-Right by the water so it is a bit colder during the afternoon.
Shopping
Medium sized outlet mall. You can score good deals. Clean and a nice place to walk around with the family on a sunny day. The water fountains and coin operated rides give the kids something to do. Weekends and holidays are busy, making parking quite difficult.
400 locals recommend
Carlsbad Premium Outlets
5620 Paseo Del NorteMedium sized outlet mall. You can score good deals. Clean and a nice place to walk around with the family on a sunny day. The water fountains and coin operated rides give the kids something to do. Weekends and holidays are busy, making parking quite difficult.
Huge Outlet Mall. Great prices on holiday sales. Avoid weekends or start early to get good parking. This place is packed on weekends and holidays.
138 locals recommend
Las Americas Premium Outlets
4211 Camino De La PlazaHuge Outlet Mall. Great prices on holiday sales. Avoid weekends or start early to get good parking. This place is packed on weekends and holidays.
Westfield UTC
4545 La Jolla Village DrGood area to shop
Entertainment & Activities
Mission Beach
3000 Mission BoulevardBeach, Board Walk and Night Life
Pacific Beach Pier
Crystal PierBeach, Boardwalk, Walking, Restaurants, Night Life
La Jolla Shores Hotel
8110 Camino Del OroBeach, Kayaking, Snorkeling
Read Yelp reviews to get an idea about this Gliderport. Unique experience.
268 locals recommend
Torrey Pines Gliderport
2800 Torrey Pines Scenic DrRead Yelp reviews to get an idea about this Gliderport. Unique experience.
Belmont Park
3146 Mission BlvdRoller Coaster, Near Mission Beach, Arcades, Restaurants
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrKnown for Pandas
Animals in open space. Can be quite expensive for a family. All the fees add up but it can be a good experience to watch animals in an open space.
967 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley RdAnimals in open space. Can be quite expensive for a family. All the fees add up but it can be a good experience to watch animals in an open space.
LEGOLAND California
One Legoland DrBalboa Park
Museums, Art, Dances, Activities
Sightseeing
Massive cross monument honoring American veterans, with plaques telling their stories. 360 degree view of San Diego.
146 locals recommend
Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
6905 La Jolla Scenic Dr SMassive cross monument honoring American veterans, with plaques telling their stories. 360 degree view of San Diego.
Everything Else
Julian Pie Company
21976 CA-79Known for its Julian apple pies