Introduction
I’ve been visiting San Diego every few years since graduating high school. One of my dearest friends moved out there for college and, understandably so, has no intentions of leaving California.
Throughout the years, I’ve grown to know and appreciate San Diego for its laid-back vibe and unobstructed access to the sea. The weather is ideal no matter the time of year, and each neighborhood offers something unique.
I have developed a fondness for this quintessential SoCal town and wanted to highlight some of my favorite attractions, beaches, and cuisines (The ABC’s of a trip well-had).
Old Town
First, I have to talk about Old Town. This region of the city is a window into San Diego’s beautiful Spanish and Mexican roots.
I was lucky enough to witness Old Town’s Cinco de Mayo festival last year and was immersed in the bustling mercados and lowrider showboating of Chicano culture.
Unsurprisingly, the food in this neighborhood is amazing. From breakfast burritos to chilaquiles to street tacos, you’ll eat your heart out at any time of day. Casa de Reyes is one of the many delicious Mexican cantinas in Old Town. Plus, it’s right near San Diego State Historic Park, where artists like mariachi musicians and folklorico dancers perform every weekend.
If you’ve got the flexibility, I recommend flying into LAX (flights are usually cheaper and more convenient) and taking the Southbound Amtrak train to San Diego. This way you can experience a beautiful ride along the Pacific Ocean then get off at the Old Town station to be in the middle of all the action.
Ocean Beach
The Ocean Beach boardwalk at sunset (chef’s kiss).
Skateboarding is also a cornerstone of San Diego’s culture. Just walking around day-to-day, you’ll pass by skateboarders of all ages, who give the city a really chill energy.
Ocean Beach is one of the neighborhoods where you can soak in this classic SoCal vibe. Fun fact: The Robb Field Skateboard Park in Ocean Beach was the first skatepark built by the City of San Diego.
Beyond skateboarding, Ocean Beach’s Newport Avenue is lined with antique stores, surf shops, and breweries. The pedestrian-friendly street deadends at the ocean, where you can lay in the sand or walk along the boardwalk.
Also, Newport Avenue closes to vehicle traffic on Wednesdays for a huge farmer’s market, which is a great place to grab dinner and listen to live music.
Street Tacos
Speaking of dinner, while you’re in Ocean Beach I highly recommend swinging by Mike's Taco Club.
This is a small shack right on Newport Avenue with some of the best fish tacos I’ve ever tasted. While dining there, treat yourself to a Mexicoke, a type of Coca-Cola produced in and imported from Mexico. Mexicoke is sweetened with white sugar instead of the high-fructose corn syrup like the version made in America. Sorry to all the Coke aficionados, but this the only Coke I like.
Mike’s is just one of the many amazing taco places in San Diego. Here is a list of even more options.
La Jolla’s Beaches
A scene from along the La Jolla Cost Walking Trail. (Hi Paige and Hannah <3)
La Jolla is an affluent village North of downtown.
Like most of San Diego, La Jolla is heaven for anyone who likes water activities. You can indulge in an ocean swim, snorkel at La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores, or kayak to secret caves at La Jolla Caves Beach.
I recommend the La Jolla Coast Walking Trail, which follows the shoreline and takes you past some stunning lookout points.
Parking in La Jolla can be challenging so try to arrive earlier in the day and prepare for the potential of having to drive around searching for street parking. Pro tip: Coast Blvd., which is the road closest to the water, is lined with 2-hour parking spots.
It’s also worth noting that dogs are allowed on the walking trail at any time of day, but are only permitted on-leash at the beaches in the early mornings and evenings. (Sorry pups.)
Vegan McDonald’s
You read that right.
Plant Power is a vegan fast food place that is heavily influenced by - but legally distinct from - McDonald’s. They offer breakfast muffin sandwiches, a “Big Zac” double decker burger, and “Snow Days,” which are their take on McFlurries. Unlike Mickey D’s, however, Plant Power also has amazing salads with whole-food ingredients. (I recommend the “chicken” caesar).
Plant Power now has locations all over California, with two in San Diego proper and one in La Jolla. It’s a fun and playful atmosphere, and the food is delicious.
Balboa Park
The Bea Evenson Fountain is an outdoor water feature on the grounds of Balboa Park. Visit at night to witness the light show.
Balboa Park is the largest urban cultural park in the United States. You could spend a whole weekend exploring this region alone, but I’ll provide an overview.
Balboa Park is an art/cultural installation that pays homage to the opening of the Panama Canal. In fact, many of the buildings were created for the Panama-California Inquisition in 1915.
The oldest section of the park features Spanish-Renaissance architecture. Then, with the newer buildings, you're guided through an architectural history of the Southwest, including structures with early Aztec influences, Mexican pueblo style, art deco, and art moderne.
With all this history, it’s no surprise that Balboa Park houses most of San Diego's museums.
In addition to cool architecture and museums, Balboa Park also has a peaceful rose garden and The Botanical Building, which has free admission. All in all, this complex is a great place to grab a coffee and take a stroll.
Cocktails and Chinese Food
Polite Provisions serves happy hour until 5:30 pm Monday-Friday.
This might sound like a odd combination, but trust me.
Polite Provisions is a really nice cocktail bar between the Kensington and University Heights neighborhoods. The ambiance transports you back in time and makes you feel like a character in The Great Gatsby.
Also, the bar / dining area has a lot of character and beautiful natural lighting, both of which I appreciate.
After you’ve got a nice buzz going, I recommend walking next door to Fortunate Son for Chinese food.
Again, the atmosphere at Fortunate Son is really nice. The restaurant has a terrace for outdoor seating, but I actually recommend sitting inside.
Florals and red lanterns hang from the ceiling, and the dining area is filled with cozy wooden seating and soft, ambient lighting.
The food at Fortunate Son isn’t knock-your-socks-off good, but it’s still tasty and the portions are huge. Plus, I think the vibes alone are worth a visit.
The combination of these two places makes for the perfect date night.
Beautiful florals and lanterns hang from the ceiling at Fortunate Son.
Dave, buzzed off cocktails and excited about crab rangoon.
I will say, neither spot allows you to make a reservation, but you’ll be in California so I encourage you to go with the flow (or consider an earlier dinner).
Polite Provisions opens at noon on weekends and 4 pm on weekdays. Fortunate Son opens at 3 pm on weekends and 5 pm on weekdays.
Coronado Penninsula
If you’ll have access to a car, the drive across the Coronado bridge is breathtaking, and you can catch beautiful views of the San Diego skyline.
Coronado is the place to be if you feel like splurging. This peninsula houses a lot of high-end shops and five-star restaurants…and also a U.S. naval station. Here is a list of Coronado’s culinary highlights.
In the summer months you can drive across the bridge and enjoy the free concert series at Spreckels Park. This park also hosts a year-round art show on the first and third Sunday of every month.
Mission Beach
The Ocean Front Walk at Mission Beach is a nice place to walk along the water.
If you’re craving a day at the ocean, Mission Beach is massive so there’s no shortage of places to sunbathe and swim.
I really like the paved promenade (Ocean Front Walk at Mission Beach) for biking, rollerblading, or taking a stroll along the water. Along the way, you can admire the luxury condos or chill in the sand.
The Ocean Front Walk also takes you past grassy parks, multiple food options, and even an amusement park. Belmont Park offers vintage games, gift shops, rides, and a wooden roller coaster right next to the beach.
I can imagine that the Mission Beach area would be a great area for young families.
Creative Gelato
An’s Dry Cleaning may not sound like the best ice cream shop in town, but it is. In fact, it was voted the 2nd best ice cream shop in the entire country
This small shop, formerly a local dry cleaner’s by the same name, serves up a rotating menu of small-batch gelato with flavors like Vegan Matcha + Pistachio; Rice Milk + Cinnamon + Snickerdoodle; and Peppermint Liqueur + Fresh Mint Sugar + Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies.
I mean, come on.
An’s is also a block away from Polite Provisions and Fortunate Son so you can cap off your date night with something sweet.
University Heights
Taken during a sunset walk through University Heights.
Between the ocean breeze and stunning sunsets, you can’t go wrong with rooftop dining in San Diego. I really like Kairoa Brewing Company in University Heights.
I think University Heights is the most walkable neighborhood in town. It also has a variety of delicious food options, and you can find some really nice AirBnBs in this area.
If you happen to be in University Heights on weekdays, Red House Pizza has a delicious menu and offers daily specials Monday-Thursday.
Pop Pie Co. has a few locations, one of which is in University Heights. This place serves up sweet and savory pies in a cozy little restaurant. The University Heights location feels like a corner deli mixed with a trendy coffee bar.
Conclusion
So there you have it, my San Diego highlights for sun, fun, and yums.
This town holds a lot of sentimental memories for me. It was a recurring checkpoint as I evolved from adolescence through young adulthood and into my mid-20s. Though across the country from my home, San Diego has become a place of solace, a safe space to talk through the highs and lows of life with one of my most cherished friends.
Sentimentality aside, I can say with certainty that San Diego offers a diverse range of opportunities to satisfy all ages, interests, and diets. It’s sure as hell welcomed the various versions of myself that I’ve transitioned through over the past decade.
Plus, with near-perfect weather year-round, there's never a bad time to visit. So, even if you don’t have a local for a dear friend, I’m sure this coastal paradise will not disappoint you.