Guidebook for San Diego
Food Scene
The service, atmosphere and food are spectacular if you love Vietnamese food (and it has very reasonable pricing). This restaurant is also open for late night dining (until 3:00 a.m.). Zagat guide rated just shy of 5 stars. I have come here often over the years and am never disappointed: https://www.zagat.com/r/saigon-on-fifth-san-diego
30 locals recommend
Saigon on Fifth
3900 Fifth AveThe service, atmosphere and food are spectacular if you love Vietnamese food (and it has very reasonable pricing). This restaurant is also open for late night dining (until 3:00 a.m.). Zagat guide rated just shy of 5 stars. I have come here often over the years and am never disappointed: https://www.zagat.com/r/saigon-on-fifth-san-diego
This restaurant has fantastic Thai food and has been in the neighborhood for at least 20 years. Nice atmosphere, fantastic food, moderately priced. http://sdtasteofthai.com/
18 locals recommend
Taste of Thai
527 University AveThis restaurant has fantastic Thai food and has been in the neighborhood for at least 20 years. Nice atmosphere, fantastic food, moderately priced. http://sdtasteofthai.com/
This is run by Italians and is very authentic. Excellent coffee. They roast beans there onsite. Worth going for a coffee one morning or evening (they are open for wood fire pizzas and drinks at night as well)
124 locals recommend
Caffè Calabria
3933 30th StThis is run by Italians and is very authentic. Excellent coffee. They roast beans there onsite. Worth going for a coffee one morning or evening (they are open for wood fire pizzas and drinks at night as well)
This place is known for their fantastic breakfast...Take the time to stop by if you can
280 locals recommend
Breakfast Republic
2730 University AveThis place is known for their fantastic breakfast...Take the time to stop by if you can
This is a casual place with fantastic sandwiches...You can easily split one sandwich between 2 people (they are very large). I give this a 5 star rating!
39 locals recommend
Big Front Door
4075 Park BlvdThis is a casual place with fantastic sandwiches...You can easily split one sandwich between 2 people (they are very large). I give this a 5 star rating!
This is an excellent Italian restaurant and an easy cab ride from your place. They have a $15 corkage fee if you would prefer to sip on your own favorite bottle with dinner...
34 locals recommend
Bottega Americano
1195 Island AvenueThis is an excellent Italian restaurant and an easy cab ride from your place. They have a $15 corkage fee if you would prefer to sip on your own favorite bottle with dinner...
Bread and Cie Bakery/Cafe
350 University AveA fantastic local bakery in town
Order the crab cakes...they are fantastic! The restaurant is a little pricey, but a nice treat. The atmosphere is reminiscent of being in Chicago with Mahogany woods and Frank Sinatra playing...great food!
41 locals recommend
The Oceanaire Seafood Room
400 J StOrder the crab cakes...they are fantastic! The restaurant is a little pricey, but a nice treat. The atmosphere is reminiscent of being in Chicago with Mahogany woods and Frank Sinatra playing...great food!
This is a Vietnamese fast food restaurant. Order the chicken salad rolls...they never disappoint! The Drunken noodles are also delish! You can call in an order and pick up or dine in the small restaurant inside.
51 locals recommend
Saffron Thai
3737 India StThis is a Vietnamese fast food restaurant. Order the chicken salad rolls...they never disappoint! The Drunken noodles are also delish! You can call in an order and pick up or dine in the small restaurant inside.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
8657 Villa La Jolla DrThis restaurant is near the park...Really fun atmosphere and excellent Italian food. I love this place -it wont disappoint!
108 locals recommend
CUCINA urbana
505 Laurel StThis restaurant is near the park...Really fun atmosphere and excellent Italian food. I love this place -it wont disappoint!
Family run Italian restaurant -very authentic Italian/homemade cooking..
43 locals recommend
Arrivederci
3845 Fourth AveFamily run Italian restaurant -very authentic Italian/homemade cooking..
This is a very unique restaurant and bar. Perched on the top of the building incredibly close to the flight path of planes flying in for landing at San Diego Intl' Airport...Pricey, but an experience.
152 locals recommend
Mister A's
2550 Fifth AveThis is a very unique restaurant and bar. Perched on the top of the building incredibly close to the flight path of planes flying in for landing at San Diego Intl' Airport...Pricey, but an experience.
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
3940 Fifth AveBreakfast house with delectable dishes to choose from...
This is a breakfast house that can get very busy...Very large dishes are served here, so it's not a bad idea to share orders. Complimentary coffee available while you are waiting for your table...
185 locals recommend
Hash House A Go Go
3628 Fifth AveThis is a breakfast house that can get very busy...Very large dishes are served here, so it's not a bad idea to share orders. Complimentary coffee available while you are waiting for your table...
Entertainment & Activities
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrThis is a world renown zoo and is a must see when in town!
Catching a Padre Game in our stadium downtown is a fun way to spend the day. The location is very close (it is only 3.3 miles down Park Blvd/from the Airbnb).
709 locals recommend
Petco Park
100 Park BlvdCatching a Padre Game in our stadium downtown is a fun way to spend the day. The location is very close (it is only 3.3 miles down Park Blvd/from the Airbnb).
Civic Center Plaza
1200 Third AveBalboa Theatre
868 Fourth AveLive entertainment/concerts held in this ornate theater
Essentials
Ralphs
101 G StParks & Nature
Balboa Park is beautiful comprised of 1,200 acres, 15 museums, multiple walking trails, restaurants, Spanish Colonial, Mission Revival, Pueblo Revival architecture...fountains in every square. I love running through this park...It is a must see!http://www.balboapark.org/info/history
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is beautiful comprised of 1,200 acres, 15 museums, multiple walking trails, restaurants, Spanish Colonial, Mission Revival, Pueblo Revival architecture...fountains in every square. I love running through this park...It is a must see!http://www.balboapark.org/info/history
Drinks & Nightlife
Reminiscent of the Depression Era with it's decor and knack for a good Old Fashioned on the rocks...Great atmosphere!
245 locals recommend
Polite Provisions
4696 30th StReminiscent of the Depression Era with it's decor and knack for a good Old Fashioned on the rocks...Great atmosphere!
Vinavanti Urban Winery is now Charlie & Echo
1477 University AveM WINEHOUSE
1918 India StThis brewery has won some awards for their beers...a local fun place to go
65 locals recommend
Belching Beaver North Park
4223 30th StThis brewery has won some awards for their beers...a local fun place to go
House of Blues San Diego
1055 Fifth AveSightseeing
This is an iconic hotel with lots of history. Take a cab to the harbor and grab a ferry over to Coronado. You can rent bikes on the other side and explore the island for the day...Lots of restaurants and the Hotel del Coronado is a beautiful Victorian worth seeing.
519 locals recommend
Hotel Del Coronado
1500 Orange AveThis is an iconic hotel with lots of history. Take a cab to the harbor and grab a ferry over to Coronado. You can rent bikes on the other side and explore the island for the day...Lots of restaurants and the Hotel del Coronado is a beautiful Victorian worth seeing.
Arts & Culture
San Diego Natural History Museum
1788 El PradoFleet Science Center
1875 El Prado