Things To DoThings To Do
BeachesBeaches
Ocean Beach: Laid-back, local, and a little hippie, with a relaxed vibe and a popular dog beach. Pacific Beach: A large, lively beach with a long, walkable shoreline and great ocean views. Mission Beach: Known for volleyball courts and a fun boardwalk; slightly more relaxed than Pacific Beach and connected to it. Mission Bay: Calmer and often warmer waters since it’s not directly on the ocean—great for kayaking and paddleboarding. Windansea Beach: A scenic, rocky beach with sandy spots, famous for dramatic views and coastal charm.
Pacific BeachPacific Beach
JRDN: Oceanfront restaurant at Tower23 with a modern SoCal menu, great cocktails, and unbeatable views—perfect for brunch, sunset, or a nicer dinner. Bareback: New Zealand–inspired food with lots of locals and excellent dishes. Fig Tree Café: A solid go-to brunch spot. Leilani’s: Casual Hawaiian breakfast and lunch right next to Fig Tree. The Fishery: Incredible fresh fish, great apps, shareable plates, and good vibes. Baja Beach Café: Famous for giant margaritas, excellent nachos, and late-night hours. Costa Brava: Spanish tapas in a cozy setting. Lahaina’s: Very casual beachfront bar with unbeatable vibes. City Tacos: Elevated tacos without being boujee—my favorite over Oscar’s. Oscar’s: Home of the original fish taco; still good, plus solid ceviche and a great breakfast fish taco. Enoteca Adriano: Cute Italian spot—bring your own wine on weekdays (no cork fee) and enjoy old Italian movies projected outside. Java Earth Coffee: Local coffee shop with excellent espresso
Ocean BeachOcean Beach
It’s Raw Poke: Best poke in San Diego—fresh, flavorful, and worth the hype. Check their Instagram to see if they’re open or sold out. Wonderland: A local favorite with great food, lots of variety, and beautiful ocean views—perfect for sunset dining. OB Noodle House: Famous for a reason. Bold flavors, popular dishes, and a must-visit Ocean Beach spot. Try the Dry Chow Fun Noodles or wings! Peanut Butter Shot: A must-try local favorite made with Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey and a few surprises—trust us. Cesarina: Incredible Italian food made with love. Reservations are required and should be booked well in advance. OB Deli: Great for grab-and-go deli sandwiches—quick, tasty, and perfect for beach days. The Holding Company: Rooftop bar with ocean views, great drinks, and a fun vibe. Don’t miss happy hour with 30% off food and their famous peanut butter shots.
Mission BeachMission Beach
Miss B’s Coconut Club: Fun, lively bar with a tropical vibe, tasty food, and very unique rum-based drinks. A great spot to kick off the night. Rosemarie’s Burgers: Casual and laid-back with solid burgers and a good beer selection; easy, tasty, and reliable. Moe’s Steakhouse: Classic steakhouse option with a great happy hour and strong cocktails. Molly’s Mission Beach: Cute and charming spot, perfect for a relaxed meal in a cozy setting. Cannonball: Japanese-inspired food with oceanfront views and a rooftop patio—perfect for sunset dining. Guava Beach Bar & Grill: Beachy spot offering Latin-inspired flavors, tacos, and cocktails in a fun, casual setting. Blue Palm Coffee: Beachy coffee spot with great espresso drinks and a relaxed vibe—perfect for a morning walk along the boardwalk. Olive Café: Casual breakfast and coffee spot near the boardwalk with pastries, sandwiches, and smoothies. Try the banana latte!
Bird RockBird Rock
Beaumont’s: Great vibes any time of day—brunch, lunch, or dinner. Live music on weekends, solid happy hour, and consistently great food. Wayfarer Bread: Local favorite bakery with incredible breads and pastries. Always a line, but you can preorder Thurs–Sat. Pizza nights Friday and Saturday are a must and change monthly. Mandarin House: Our favorite Chinese spot—excellent takeout, plus a great weeknight dinner-for-two deal if you dine in. The Shack: Low-key bar with daily happy hour, pool tables, a small ocean view, and dog-friendly vibes. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters: Great local coffee stop with quality espresso and a relaxed neighborhood feel. Turmeric Thai Garden: Casual, flavorful Thai food that’s perfect for an easy dinner nearby.
La JollaLa Jolla
Duke’s La Jolla: Hawaiian-inspired food right in the Cove with unbeatable ocean views. Excellent upstairs happy hour. George’s at the Cove: Iconic, multi-level restaurant—each floor offers a different vibe, from casual bites to an elevated dining experience. Puesto: Fun, energetic spot for creative tacos, great margaritas, and a lively atmosphere. The Taco Stand: Casual and delicious tacos, burritos, and fries—perfect for a quick meal after exploring the Cove. Catania: Cozy Italian restaurant overlooking the water with great pasta, pizza, and wine. Eddie V’s: Upscale seafood and steaks with live jazz in the lounge—great for a special night out. Bobboi Natural Gelato: Amazing small-batch gelato, perfect for a sweet treat by the ocean.
La Jolla CoveLa Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove is a small, picturesque coastal spot famous for its turquoise water, sea lions, and stunning ocean views. It’s perfect for strolling, photos, snorkeling, and soaking in classic Southern California scenery.
Torrey Pines State Natural ReserveTorrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve offers scenic coastal hikes with dramatic ocean views, sandstone cliffs, and rare Torrey pine trees. The trails range from easy to moderate and are a great way to experience San Diego’s natural beauty. This is also nestled next to the famous Torrey Pines Golf course. If you don't golf or don't want to play a round, it is a great place for lunch!
Little ItalyLittle Italy
Morning Glory: Famous brunch spot with an Instagram-worthy vibe. Order the fried rice and soufflé pancakes. Expect a one-hour wait most days—arrive around 9am, put your name in, and grab coffee while you wait. Barbusa: Great Italian food with a lively, party atmosphere at night. The bone marrow is a standout. Born and Raised: Bougie, retro-themed steakhouse known for the best dirty martini. Pro tip: go right when happy hour starts, then head to Ironside next. Ironside Fish & Oyster: Excellent seafood and a great oyster happy hour (reservations available). Davanti Enoteca: Home of the best honey cheese flatbread. Daily happy hour spritzes make this a must. Nolita Hall: Beautiful pizza spot with great cocktails and an impressive interior. Herb & Wood: Elevated food with an amazing ambiance—perfect for a nicer night out. Ballast Point: Fun, large local brewery with plenty of beer options. Queenstown: New Zealand–inspired food, great lamb burgers, and a cute daytime or early evening stop.
Seaport VillageSeaport Village
Seaport Village is a charming waterfront area in downtown San Diego with boutique shops, casual dining, and beautiful views of the bay. It’s a great spot for strolling, grabbing a bite, and enjoying the harbor atmosphere.
Coronado IslandCoronado Island
An EXTRA special place to us, where we got engaged! Hotel del Coronado: Iconic beachfront hotel—stroll the property, sip at the lounge, or hit the beach. STAKE Chophouse: Happy hour heaven with incredible steaks and cocktails. Lobster West: Casual spot with the best lobster rolls. The Henry: Charming brunch or lunch spot with solid food and cute vibes. McP’s Irish Pub: Lively bar with great food and fun atmosphere. Yummy Sushi: All-you-can-eat sushi and sashimi with half rolls so you can try more. Mignon: Upscale French bistro for pastries, quiches, and small plates. Miguel’s Cocina: Legendary Mexican food, tacos, and festive margaritas. Bluewater Boathouse Seafood Grill: Fresh seafood on the water—perfect for lunch or happy hour. Café 1134: Cozy breakfast and lunch spot with coffee and pastries to go.
North ParkNorth Park
Madison: Nicer restaurant with great portions for the price and excellent cocktails. Set inside the hull of a boat (!), so it can get a little chilly—bring a jacket on cooler nights. Mabel’s Gone Fishin’: Small-plate seafood spot that’s perfect for a fun, elevated date night. Reservations are a must. It’s loud, lively, and full of energy. Bosforo: Cozy Turkish restaurant with amazing mezze, house-made bread, and comforting mains. Great for a relaxed dinner with big flavor. Polite Provisions :Award-winning cocktail bar with a vintage pharmacy vibe. Fantastic drinks and a great place to start (or end) the night. Ann’s Dry Cleaning: Hidden speakeasy tucked behind a functioning dry cleaner. Craft cocktails, intimate setting, and a cool surprise if you know where to look. The Lafayette Hotel: Iconic, retro hotel with multiple bars, restaurants, and a beautiful pool. A fun spot to wander, grab a drink, or soak up old-Hollywood vibes.
Balboa ParkBalboa Park
Absolutely! Here’s a revised punchy version that makes it clear each village represents a different country: Discover Balboa Park, San Diego’s cultural heart! Wander through lush gardens, explore world-class museums, and step into the park’s colorful country villages—each representing a different nation with its own unique architecture and charm. On Sundays, catch the legendary Spreckels Organ in action—free, live, and under the open sky. From St. Louis to San Diego to San Francisco, these parks pack serious fun! Forest Park flexes the biggest muscles at 1,326 acres. Balboa Park dazzles with gardens, museums, and a world-famous zoo. Golden Gate Park may be slightly smaller, but it stretches three miles of trails, lakes, and iconic sights. Park bragging rights: engaged!
San Diego ZooSan Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is a world-famous attraction home to thousands of animals in lush, open-air habitats. Located in Balboa Park, it’s a fun and memorable outing for visitors of all ages.
Bankers HillBankers Hill
Cucina Urbana – Excellent Italian food in a lively setting Hob Nob Hill – Great brunch, large portions, lots of options, upscale diner vibe Extraordinary Desserts – Famous for both large and small (and delicious) desserts Mister A’s – Iconic fine dining with incredible views, including planes landing at the airport Azuki Sushi – Fresh, high-quality sushi and local favorite
Old Town Trolley ToursOld Town Trolley Tours
The Old Town Trolley Tour is a fun, hop-on hop-off way to see San Diego’s top sights, with narrated stops in Old Town, downtown, Balboa Park, and along the waterfront. It’s an easy, relaxed option for first-time visitors to get a feel for the city.
USS Midway MuseumUSS Midway Museum
The USS Midway Museum is a historic aircraft carrier turned museum on San Diego Bay, featuring restored aircraft, interactive exhibits, and panoramic harbor views. It’s a fascinating stop for history buffs and first-time visitors alike.
North County: Solana Beach, Cardiff, Encinitas, CarlsbadNorth County: Solana Beach, Cardiff, Encinitas, Carlsbad
Solana Beach Bangkok Bay Thai: Amazing Thai, one block from the beach. Don’t miss the appetizer boat! Brigantine: Classic seafood and local favorite. Cardiff Seaside Market: Famous cracked sandwiches, especially tri-tip. Waverly: Cute brunch spot. Lourdes Mexican: Casual, tasty Mexican. Encinitas FISH 101: Fresh, casual seafood—name a fish, they have it. Good on Ya: Organic, non-GMO café. Buona Forchetta: Incredible Italian. Birdseye Kitchen: Thai, Lao, Vietnamese dishes with creative cocktails. Coffee: Lofty, Iron Roasters, Bump Coffee. Carlsbad The Camp Store: Beachfront pizza, live music, fire pits. Park 101: Cocktails, BBQ, and daytime fun. Wildland: Casual breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Jeune et Joliet: Michelin-starred French with coursed meals.