Restaurants and Activities
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Restaurants
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Morning Glory
Located in Little Italy, this Michelin star restaurant is a favorite of Aspen and Ross (as well as the the Waddle family). Serving mainly breakfast food (with a twist). Make sure to get the soufflé pancakes, and show up 20-30 minutes before the doors open, as the line will be down the street by opening. 21 minute drive from La Valencia
Born and Raised
Another Little Italy favorite, this Michelin Star restaurant serves great steak and cocktails, with a beautiful rooftop patio.
Cloak and Petal
Located in Little Italy, the sushi here won't be the only thing to take your breath away! The beautiful cherry blossom replicas and fun cocktails are great for a night out.
Tacos El Gordo
Tacos El Gordo boast the best tacos north of Tijuana (and is Ross's personal favorite). A San Diego staple, Tacos El Gordo is a fast-casual taco spot where the chefs slice the meat from the spit right in front of you. Whether you are looking for carne asada, pollo, al pastor or for the adventurous, lengua, Tacos El Gordo is the spot.
The Marine Room
One of Aspen's favorites, the ocean comes right up to the windows, and the seafood here is among the best we've come across.
Puesto
One of our favorite spots for unique artisanal tacos, bowls & salads in a bright & fun environment! Multiple locations around SD.
Better Buzz Coffee
A San Diego classic for all your caffeine needs! Multiple locations around SD.
Duke's La Jolla
One of Aspen's birthday presents from James & Janette was a meal for two at Duke's. Ross and Aspen have been fans ever since! Beautiful views, and the Hawaiian inspired seafood is amazing! Most famous for its eggs Benedict and mimosas.
The Taco Stand
Their authentic taco experience features handmade tortillas, fresh salsa and amazing guac. Besides their tacos and burritos, they have awesome Mexican popsicles, drinks, imported beer, and the best churros outside of Disneyland. Ross recommends the California burrito!
Ballast Point Brewing Miramar
Beer, burgers and bar pretzels, all wrapped up in a nautical theme. What more could you ask for? A chill environment with tasteful aesthetics and delicious food and drink, Ballast Point was a favorite hang for Ross and his friends in college.
Salt & Straw
This is Aspen's all time favorite ice cream. During spring, Aspen highly recommends any of their seasonal flavors (all berry flavored), and the salted, malted, chocolate chip cookie dough for non seasonal flavors! Two locations in San Diego.
Underbelly
Best ramen in San Diego and Kaitlyn's favorite! She recommends the chicken confit ramen and pork buns. Ross and Aspen ate here with Shaun the night before their engagement!
Kindred
Kindred is a place for vegans and meat-lovers alike. Their exquisite vegan menu will fool even the most discerning carnivore’s tastebuds. Whether you order the jackfruit Sloppy Joe or the Seitan Skewers, you are sure to be satisfied and a little perplexed. Their death-metal vibe makes the experience quirky and fun, and they round out their menu with a selection of awesome cocktails.
Cafe Sevilla of San Diego
This is Bailey's favorite place to eat in San Diego, she says its the best paella outside of Spain. She recommends the Black Seafood Paella and the Queso Fundido.
Mermaids & Cowboys
Mermaids & Cowboys offers a fresh twist on surf and turf on historic Prospect St in La Jolla.
Kansas City Barbeque
Not only known for its BBQ, is also known as the Top Gun Bar! This famous location was the filming site for all your favorite bar scenes in the original Top Gun. They even have the original piano from the Great Balls of Fire scene!
Breakfast Republic
Tons of locations around San Diego, this was a regular brunch spot for Aspen and her girlfriends in college! Other Locations: University Ave Liberty Station Ocean Beach Pacific Beach
Trujillo's Taco Shop
San Diego State's famous taco shop. Ross and Aspen frequented Trujillo's through college, if you find yourself checking out San Diego State, this is a must have. This little taco shop names all their most famous menu items after SDSU greek life. Our personal favorite - the Sigma Chi Crunch Wrap.
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Entertainment
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San Diego Zoo
Rated the best zoo in the world, Aspen and Ross loved their San Diego Zoo passes, and frequently spent the sunny San Diego days strolling around the zoo. We highly recommend spending a day here if you have the time, but bring your walking shoes and strollers for the little ones! ~About a 20 minute Drive from the La Valencia~
San Diego Safari Park
Venture into one of the expansive savanna habitats to get an up-close view of a variety of birds and mammals—including some of their newest babies! It offers a vast landscape with tons of animal encounters. Check out the cheetah show which highlights the speed and agility of big cats (one of Ross's personal favorites); and the platypuses - the only place currently outside of Australia where you can see this endangered species (Aspen's favorite). *Please do not confuse this with the San Diego Zoo. While both are apart of the same organization, the San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park. The Safari Park is inland and North of La Jolla. Both offer amazing encounters - Ross and I have really enjoyed both parks for their unique experiences* ~About a 45 minute drive from the La Valencia~
Disneyland & California Adventure
We have enjoyed so many awesome trips to Disneyland and California Adventure. Aspen and her sister Bailey have both had annual passes and we have loved our Disney filled weekends throughout college. The Grand California is our favorite place to stay - as it has access to the California Adventure Park without having to wait in the large park admission line. Aspen and the Waddle's have tons of recommendations on how to do your Disney trip right (as it has become a frequent past time of ours), so let us know if this is something you have questions about. We might even join you!! ~1 hour and 30 minute drive from the La Valencia depending on traffic~
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a cultural oasis that includes 17 museums, gardens galore and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. At 1,200 acres, Balboa Park is one of North America’s most iconic urban parks and a must see on any visit to San Diego. Located just blocks from downtown San Diego hotels, the park has a rich history reflected through its stunning architecture, thought-provoking exhibits installations, and cultural events throughout the year. We recommend mapping to the San Diego Zoo!
Belmont Park
Free parking (when you can find it) and admission - Belmont Park is a great place to start your adventures on Mission Beach. The beachfront has fun places to eat, while bike riding and roller blading along the water all the way down to pacific beach is a great way to spend some outdoor time. ~20 minute drive from La Valencia~
Old Town San Diego
Old Town San Diego has a quaint atmosphere, streets filled with the historic culture of the many traditions left behind. It is the location of the first European settlement in California. This area includes three major parks and sites next to the State Park with 32 historic sites, shops and the Presidio, the site of the first mission. Café Coyote is a great place in Old Town for large parties and has great margaritas (a frequent destination for 21st birthday parties among San Diego College students). ~about a 15 minute drive from the La Valencia~
Elephant Seal Watch
La Jolla is known for its year around Elephant Seals! Two great places to check them out - La Jolla Cove (4 minute walk from the La Valencia (0.2 miles)) Seal Rock (6 minute walk from the La Valencia (0.3 miles))
Liberty Station
Liberty Station is a large commercial development that sprawls across the grounds of a former naval training center. It’s home to stylish bars, restaurants, and boutiques, as well as Liberty Public Market, filled with gourmet eateries and shops. There are also art galleries and several small museums housed in Spanish Colonial Revival buildings. Along the waterfront, NTC Park has grassy lawns and bike paths. ~about a 20 minute drive from the La Valencia~
Hotel del Coronado
A living legend for more than 130 years, The Del celebrates its rich history as the proud host to celebrities, royalty, U.S. Presidents, and beach-loving guests for generations. Built in 1888 by Elisha Babcock, Jr., and Hampton L. Story and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977, this historic beach resort is a San Diego icon. ~about a 25 minute drive from the La Valencia~
Gondola Company
This is where Ross proposed! We loved our gondola tour around the beautiful homes of Coronado. Let us know if you try it out! ~about a 30 minute drive from the La Valencia~
USS Midway Museum
The USS Midway is one of Ross and I's favorite museums in San Diego. The USS Midway is completely open to the public. You can walk through the entire ship; as well as see the naval planes that have been used throughout the decades. Tickets are about 30 dollars and we recommend dedicating at least a few hours to this activity if you decide to go. *Accessibility* If you want to walk through the entire ship please note there are very tight spaces and steep stairwells. If that is not something you're interested in, there are large portions of the museum that are flat and open where you do not have to walk up or down steep tight stairwells (but you would not get to see the lower portions of the ship, even without these sections we still highly recommend this museum). For reference the website lists 60% of the museum as wheelchair accessible* ~about a 20 minute drive from the La Valencia~
Mission Bay Aquatic Center
Want to learn how to surf or paddle-board? Mission Bay Aquatic Center is where Aspen took her semester long surfing class! They do 2.5 hour long intro to surfing classes, and we highly recommend, but watch out for sting rays! ~about a 19 minute drive from the La Valencia~
Little Italy
Little Italy’s throughout the United States have symbolized the tremendous contributions Italians have made to this country. Unfortunately, many of these historically established business districts are disappearing before our eyes. These Little Italys are either declining due to growth of other adjacent ethnic neighborhoods or are a shadow of their former glory due to the dispersion of Italian families from these districts. San Diego’s Little Italy is different; a stable ethnic business and residential community, since the 1920′s. Little Italy, today, represents Downtown San Diego’s oldest continuous-neighborhood business district. At one time, more than 6,000 Italian families lived in Little Italy and toiled to build San Diego into the center of the world’s tuna industry.
Petco Park Tour
Explore America's #1 Ballpark on one of our daily guided tours. Experience the ballpark as only players and staff do. Led by a tour guide, this historical, behind-the-scenes tour allows guests to experience the ballpark while learning about the history of Petco Park and the San Diego Padres.
Gaslamp Quarter
The Gaslamp Quarter is a lively downtown neighborhood, known for its nightlife. Clubs, dive bars and cocktail lounges draw a young crowd, while the Spreckels and Balboa theaters have diverse programs of music, comedy and drama. There's a mix of chain and independent restaurants in the area, with many global options.
SeaWorld
We have not personally attended SeaWorld but have heard great things from those who have gone! Let us know what you think!
Legoland
Awesome awaits at LEGOLAND® California Resort in Carlsbad, where families with children ages 2-12 can head to Castle Hill and enter a world of knights and princesses to conquer the Dragon Coaster, get a Driver’s License in Fun Town, and marvel at cities built entirely out of millions of LEGO® bricks in Miniland U.S.A. Meet LEGO costume characters at a safe distance, play at outdoor playgrounds Hideaways or DUPLO® Playtown, or enjoy the swift speed of the beginner coaster Coastersaurus. Also explore the new THE LEGO MOVIE WORLD, featuring Emmet's Flying Adventure ride.
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Bars
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Pacific Beach Bar District
PB Shoreclub (Day club/beach bar) Has SD famous goldfish races!) El Prez (Day Club/beach bar *Ross's favorite*) Moonshine Beach (Country bar/Line Dancing *Aspen's favorite*) Flamingo Deck (70s Pop bar - great for pictures) Ale House (Low key rooftop) Fire House (EDM and Dancing) Waterbar (Classy night club) The Local (Sports Bar) Thrusters (Dive bar)
Gaslamp Bar District
Tipsy Crow (Three story bar with club, regular bar and game floor *Ross's Favorite*) Trailer Park After Dark (themed Trailer Park Bar) Moonshine Flats (Country bar/line dancing *Aspen's Favorite*) Barley Mash (Bloody Mary bar with great food) Punch Bowl (Game bar - bowling, board games, ski ball, etc.)
Speakeasies
Raised by Wolves (La Jolla Westfield) The Grass Skirt