Guidebook for North Park/Normal Heights
Drinks & Nightlife
The Rabbit Hole
3377 Adams AveGood Burgers, right next door to other great bars and restaurants
Fun on Karaoke nights, great outdoor space in back, run by an Irishman
39 locals recommend
The Ould Sod
3373 Adams AveFun on Karaoke nights, great outdoor space in back, run by an Irishman
Great Beer! 1/2 a block away from the place! Plus there's another Brewery right next door.
San Diego Brewing Co. - North Park
3052 El Cajon BlvdGreat Beer! 1/2 a block away from the place! Plus there's another Brewery right next door.
GREAT beer, GREAT food, GREAT everything. You could walk there in 5 minutes from your place. Try the Truffle-oil fries--Try everything, it's that good!
94 locals recommend
Tiger!Tiger!
3025 El Cajon BlvdGREAT beer, GREAT food, GREAT everything. You could walk there in 5 minutes from your place. Try the Truffle-oil fries--Try everything, it's that good!
Food Scene
This is a "Roach Coach", as we call 'em (it's a Mobile Food Truck). Literally the BEST Mexican seafood in San Diego! All seafood though, and it's takeout--but it's the best you'll find, and it's really close to your place. Very affordable too!
6 locals recommend
Kiko's Place
This is a "Roach Coach", as we call 'em (it's a Mobile Food Truck). Literally the BEST Mexican seafood in San Diego! All seafood though, and it's takeout--but it's the best you'll find, and it's really close to your place. Very affordable too!
This is actually a Brewery, but it's kid friendly, and has great food. Also walking distance from your place on Adam's Ave.
174 locals recommend
Blind Lady Ale House
3416 Adams AveThis is actually a Brewery, but it's kid friendly, and has great food. Also walking distance from your place on Adam's Ave.
I haven't eaten there, but my friends love this place, and it's 1/2 block away from you. It's on the San Diego's Best list.
114 locals recommend
The Smoking Goat Restaurant
3408 30th StI haven't eaten there, but my friends love this place, and it's 1/2 block away from you. It's on the San Diego's Best list.
This is a very popular bar/restaurant. They specialize in home-made sausages and old-fashioned, soda-fountain drinks. Check out the Nickel floors in there, very cool.
96 locals recommend
Soda & Swine
2943 Adams AveThis is a very popular bar/restaurant. They specialize in home-made sausages and old-fashioned, soda-fountain drinks. Check out the Nickel floors in there, very cool.
The place roasts their own beans, and (as a coffee snob myself) I can tell you--the coffee is amazing! Also walking distance from you.
236 locals recommend
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
3260 Adams AveThe place roasts their own beans, and (as a coffee snob myself) I can tell you--the coffee is amazing! Also walking distance from you.
CUCINA urbana
505 Laurel StRated one of San Diego's Best restaurants. Close to Balboa Park
This is a family-friendly bar & grill with ocean views. They serve a variety of foods for the whole family. This is in Ocean Beach, just 10 minutes away off of the 8 freeway west at Sunset Cliffs.
228 locals recommend
Wonderland Ocean Pub
5083 Santa Monica AveThis is a family-friendly bar & grill with ocean views. They serve a variety of foods for the whole family. This is in Ocean Beach, just 10 minutes away off of the 8 freeway west at Sunset Cliffs.
If you're looking for a family-friendly place to eat by the beach, Draft is located in the Belmont Park area of Mission Beach (in Belmont Park by the roller coaster and rides). Parking may be difficult on weekends and holidays, but there is plenty of parking if you're willing to look). The restaurant is right on the boardwalk. This place is a bit touristy.
91 locals recommend
Draft South Mission
3105 Ocean Front WalkIf you're looking for a family-friendly place to eat by the beach, Draft is located in the Belmont Park area of Mission Beach (in Belmont Park by the roller coaster and rides). Parking may be difficult on weekends and holidays, but there is plenty of parking if you're willing to look). The restaurant is right on the boardwalk. This place is a bit touristy.
This is one of my new favorite places! If you love coffee/espresso, this place is fabulous. It is a combination of gourmet coffee, flowers and candles for sale, and a chic succulent garden shop adjacent to it. Great atmosphere and fabulous food.
146 locals recommend
Communal Coffee
2335 University AveThis is one of my new favorite places! If you love coffee/espresso, this place is fabulous. It is a combination of gourmet coffee, flowers and candles for sale, and a chic succulent garden shop adjacent to it. Great atmosphere and fabulous food.
Arts & Culture
You can't visit San Diego without going to Balboa Park. It's like our "Central Park", but it also has museums, the San Diego Zoo, an Organ Pavilion (with live shows every Sunday), the Japanese Gardens, the Arboretum, Spanish-revival architecture, parks---I could go on---just go, it's awesome.
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
You can't visit San Diego without going to Balboa Park. It's like our "Central Park", but it also has museums, the San Diego Zoo, an Organ Pavilion (with live shows every Sunday), the Japanese Gardens, the Arboretum, Spanish-revival architecture, parks---I could go on---just go, it's awesome.
San Diego's original town, started by the Californios, when San Diego was still part of Mexico. Authentic Mexican architecture, restaurants and shops. Great for kids, with museums and tours.
1070 locals recommend
Old Town
San Diego's original town, started by the Californios, when San Diego was still part of Mexico. Authentic Mexican architecture, restaurants and shops. Great for kids, with museums and tours.
It's a secret, cozy little neighborhood with artsy shops, eateries and an ice cream parlor. If you want to get away from the tourist scene, check this neighborhood out. Beautiful California Craftsman houses are everywhere, especially Granada Avenue.
119 locals recommend
South Park
It's a secret, cozy little neighborhood with artsy shops, eateries and an ice cream parlor. If you want to get away from the tourist scene, check this neighborhood out. Beautiful California Craftsman houses are everywhere, especially Granada Avenue.
Parks & Nature
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrIt's the World-Famous San Diego Zoo--need I say more?
Beautiful State Park, with access to the beach and hiking Torrey Pines. Make sure you bring $5 for parking (It's a State Beach).
206 locals recommend
Torrey Pines
Beautiful State Park, with access to the beach and hiking Torrey Pines. Make sure you bring $5 for parking (It's a State Beach).
Point Loma has stunning views of the city and Coronado Island. There are tide pools, a museum, hiking trails, and the old lighthouse to visit. Point Loma also has some old-school tiki architecture (50's-Hawaii inspired buildings), and beautiful marinas.
502 locals recommend
Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center
1800 Cabrillo Memorial DrPoint Loma has stunning views of the city and Coronado Island. There are tide pools, a museum, hiking trails, and the old lighthouse to visit. Point Loma also has some old-school tiki architecture (50's-Hawaii inspired buildings), and beautiful marinas.
Sightseeing
Great Beach, shopping, restaurants, bars, etc. There is a wonderful Farmer's market every Wednesday from 4-7pm. Probably one of our biggest ones, with live music and great kiosks.
776 locals recommend
Ocean Beach
1850 Ocean Front StGreat Beach, shopping, restaurants, bars, etc. There is a wonderful Farmer's market every Wednesday from 4-7pm. Probably one of our biggest ones, with live music and great kiosks.
La Jolla is a pretty beach town. The seals have taken over the cove, which is fun to see, but there is also a great beach nearby for swimming or boogie boarding. Tons of shops and great restaurants, There are even some caves to visit. Great for families or couples.
492 locals recommend
La Jolla
La Jolla is a pretty beach town. The seals have taken over the cove, which is fun to see, but there is also a great beach nearby for swimming or boogie boarding. Tons of shops and great restaurants, There are even some caves to visit. Great for families or couples.
Getting Around
The Red Line is a tram that will take you anywhere from the malls in Mission Valley, to the San Ysidro border town next to Tijuana Mexico. If your in town for a Padres game, take the Red Line to avoid parking and traffic hassles.
Red Line Transportation
6754 Calle De LineaThe Red Line is a tram that will take you anywhere from the malls in Mission Valley, to the San Ysidro border town next to Tijuana Mexico. If your in town for a Padres game, take the Red Line to avoid parking and traffic hassles.
Shopping
Fashion Valley has more of the "high-end" stores like Saks 5th Avenue and Anthropologie
833 locals recommend
Fashion Valley
7007 Friars RdFashion Valley has more of the "high-end" stores like Saks 5th Avenue and Anthropologie