Things To Do
Pacific Beach
AImee and Elliot's neighborhood! Tons of great bars (Waterbar, PB Alehouse, Lahaina's, Bar Ella, Taproom) and food (Nico's Fish Shop, Square Pizza, Enoteca Adriano, Taproom). Walk or rent bikes on the boardwalk, spontaneously run into the bride and groom(!), and settle into beach life.
Mission Beach
Where a lot of you are staying, Mission Beach offers the benefit of proximity to both the beach and bay. Bayside is great for the kiddos as water is calmer, warmer, and generally quieter. A few places to eat include Olive Cafe, Moe's Steakhouse, Sara's Mexican Food, and Miss B's Coconut Club. Right in the center of Mission Beach is Belmont Park. ride the Giant Dipper, play mini-golf, and eat some rooftop sushi
Ocean Beach
The hippie stepbrother of PB, Ocean Beach is a mainstay of happy hours (La Dona, The Holding Company, and Johnny Manana's) and eclectic shops on Newport Ave. A little grungier, a little crunchier, and a good way to get the small town SoCal vibe.
La Jolla
Our upscale neighbor to the north, La Jolla has all the shopping, art galleries, and views of sunset you will need. Some favorites include We Olive Wine Bar, Catania, El Pescador, Georges at the Cove, and Shore Rider Bar. For the adventurous, the sea caves kayak tours is a great way to get out on the water, and it is peak shark season! The Coast Walk trail is an excellent hike to get views of North County and is just the right amount of nature before grabbing lunch and a cold one.
North Park
The rapidly gentrifying hipster heart of San Diego, it makes sense this is where Elliot first lived! Home to a ton of breweries (Thorn Street, NPBC, Fall, Original 40), delicious food (The Taco Stand, Underbelly, Tribute Pizza, The Friendly), and shopping (Pigment, Verbatim Books, Artelexia).
Little Italy
Follow in Aimee and Elliot's historic footsteps, as this is where our first date took place. Home to plenty of great restaurants (Mona Lisa, Craft and Commerce, Ristorante Illando) and bars (Waterfront, Craft and Commerce again, False Idol, M Winehouse). There's also a massive Farmer's Market Saturday AM that is worth checking out
Balboa Park
Home to museums, a Japanese Garden, and beautiful architecture in the center of the city; as well as the San Diego Zoo for those bringing the little ones along. Swing into Panama 66 for a bite. You're near Bankers Hill so be sure to check out Pure Project, North Park Beer Co, Jimmy Carter's Mexican Cafe, and Books and Records for some adult libations.
Gaslamp Quarter
Despite our personal ambivalence to Gaslamp, some recommendations include Taqueria los Chuchys, Tacos el Gordo, Neighborhood, The Field Irish Pub, and Bub's at the Ballpark. A nice walk can include going up and over the convention center to the Rady Shell or heading to Little Italy and leaving Gaslamp behind. The Padres will be playing away at the Twins this weekend, but the bars still pick up for games down here.
Tacos y Burritos
You're in San Diego, you want authentic SD Mexican, below are Elliot verified recommendations, some more work than others: The Taco Stand - California Burrito, Surf & Turf Tacos el Gordo - Adobada Fish Guts - Any taco Birrieria & Taqueria La Huasteca - Lamb Birria Taqueria Revolucion - Anything Taquiera los Chuchys - Carne La Perla #3 - Breakfast/California Burrito Kono's - Breakfast burrito El Viejon - Seafood Tacos Oscar's - Fish tacos Woody's - Breakfast burrito
Sushi
Fresh fishhhh. The expensive ones require reservations ahead of time so if you're looking and it's the weekend of the wedding you're going to be out of luck. Matoi ($$$$) - Authentic edo-style Soichi ($$$$) - Michelin-rated Sushi Ota ($$$) - The O.G. Majority of other SD sushi chefs have come through here Chef Jun ($$) - Elliot and Aimee's favorite Cannonball ($$) - Sushi and sunset Sushi Kuchi ($) - Lots of fish, mainly rolls
Breweries
San Diego lays claim as the capital of craft beer, although the industry has been struggling mightily. Local spots worth your time: - North Park Beer Co - Crown Point location has great za - SD Taproom - Harland Brewing - Pure Project - Fall Brewing - Ketch Brewing - Kilowatt Brewing