Recommendations
Our perfect days -- no planning required
O U T D O O R S Y | Uber to Torrey Pines Natural Reserve (ask to be dropped off up the hill if you want less of a hike.) Walk through the reserve, following the path all the way down to the beach. Finish your walk along the shaded beach and uber to lunch at The Grill at the Torrey Pines Lodge, overlooking the famed golf course & views. I N S T A G R A M A B L E | Breakfast at Encanto Cafe in La Jolla. Take your coffee to-go and visit the seals at the La Jolla cove (very smelly but cute). Walk along the promenade to the SD Contemporary Art Museum and explore exhibits & terraces over the ocean. Have lunch at La Valencia in their famed La Sala Lounge and finish off with shopping in La Jolla proper. F U L L C H I L L M O D E | Pick up breakfast burritos (served all day) at Don Bravos in Bird Rock. Walk around the corner to Calumet Park for a hidden grassy spot overlooking the ocean. If you want more beach, head to Windandsea Beach and claim a rock.
F O O D
Smoothie & açaí: Seaside Surf Cafe; Everbowl Pastries: Wayfarer Bread & Pastry; Parisien Gourmandises California brunch (avocado toast, smoothies, sammies): Encanto Cafe, Palmy’s*; Cafe Gratitude Classic Brunch: Cove House; Shorehouse Burrito: Don Bravo’s Taco: Taco Shack; Puesto; Mike’s* Homemade takeaway: Girard gourmet Sushi: Azuki*; Sushi Ota* Burger: Jeff’s Beach Burger; Hodad’s*; Fernside* Italian: Marisi; Barbusa; Mimo’s Oysters: Ironside ($1 oysters during happy hour 3-5pm M-F) Shared plates: Callie*; Kettner Exchange; Sandpiper Seafood w a view: George’s; Duke’s; Marine Room Ice cream: Salt & Straw*; Handel’s* (local battle ongoing for top spot) Donuts: Mini Donut Company Sunday comfort food: Don Bravo breakfast burrito (deserves a second mention); Shanghai Inn*; Fortunate Son*
D R I N K S
Coffee: il giardino di Lilli; Rosemonts; Bird Rock Coffee Roasters; Communal Coffee* Cocktail bar: La Sala Lounge; Nolita Hall; Botanica*; LaFayette Hotel lobby bar*, Young Blood* Beach bar: Lahaina Sports bar: Public House, Wonderland, Dirty Birds* Wine bar: We Olive & Wine Bar; Rose Wine Bar* Hazy Beer Brewery: North Park Brewery*; Pure Project*
A C T I V I T I E S
Large rock beach: Windandsea Beach Sandy beach: La Jolla Shores Nude beach: Blacks Beach* (requires a hike) Dog beach: Coronado dog beach* Hike: Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve*, Potato Chip (difficult)* Cliff walk: Sunset Cliffs* Boardwalk (& people watching): Pacific Beach boardwalk* Park: Camulet Animal watching: SD Zoo; SD Safari; SD Aquarium; La Jolla Cove (seals but smelly) Golf: Coronado*; Torrey Pines*; Balboa* Museum: SD Museum of Contemporary Art Farmers market: Little Italy (Saturday); La Jolla Open Aire (Sunday) Spa: Estancia Boutiques: - Parisian Gourmandieses: boutique with small brands for women, kids, home + French patisserie - Whiskey and leather: heavily curated options from our favorite men and womens brands (faherty, agolde, rails, show me your mumu brands ) - Ascot shop: men’s formal apparel - Girard street for home antiques Other coastal towns: ENCINITAS, DEL MAR, SOLANA BEACH
Dinner & drinks options near Friday's welcome event at Herb & Wood
Reservations highly encouraged. Ordered roughly from casual to formal Crack Shack: fried chicken & sports Ballast Point: mainstay brewery and bites with planes flying overhead R&G Salumeria Wine Bar: amazing charcuterie boards & wine pairings Mimo’s: down home Italian - sit outside Queenstown Public House: New Zealand gastropub Coco Maya: Caribbean fusion in a lively environment Nolita Hall: beer hall with great cocktails, small plates, and tvs Underbelly: ramen in a highly designed space Camino Rivera: elevated Mexican fusion Barbusa: scene-y Italian spot Animae: steakhouse and Asian fusion Kettner Exchange: contemporary with global flavors and amazing cocktails; Bib Gourmand recognition Born & Raised: steakhouse, requires reservation Juniper & Ivy: contemporary American; Bib Gourmand recognition Not not dinner: False Idol: tiki themed speakeasy inside Craft & Commerce restaurant (cocktails only) Salt & Straw: ice cream for dinner with some wild flavors (ice cream only)