Guidebook for San Diego
Food Scene
BBQ and Beer near the beach. Great family run business, good priced food and great beer selection.
32 locals recommend
BBQ House Bar & Grill
5025 Newport AveBBQ and Beer near the beach. Great family run business, good priced food and great beer selection.
Carnitas' Snack Shack - North Park
2632 University AvenueGet the Pork Belly App. Get two.
Bronx Pizza
111 Washington StReal NYC style pizza in San Diego.
Here's the secret. Don't wait in the 45 minute line that wraps around the building. Either go to the bar are if there are seats and order from the bartender, or just get take out and eat it at the apartment. Go right up to the door for take out, don't wait in the long line. You can call in from the parking lot and they put it on the grill when you pay. The beef ribs are delicious.
166 locals recommend
Phil's BBQ
3750 Sports Arena BlvdHere's the secret. Don't wait in the 45 minute line that wraps around the building. Either go to the bar are if there are seats and order from the bartender, or just get take out and eat it at the apartment. Go right up to the door for take out, don't wait in the long line. You can call in from the parking lot and they put it on the grill when you pay. The beef ribs are delicious.
Famous for their Fish Tacos. If it's Tuesday, expect a line.
225 locals recommend
South Beach Bar & Grille
5059 Newport AveFamous for their Fish Tacos. If it's Tuesday, expect a line.
Cafe Bassam
3088 Fifth AveA really cool cafe.
Bar and Pizza Joint just a few steps away. Great for kids. Fantastic beer.
164 locals recommend
Pizza Port Ocean Beach
1956 Bacon StBar and Pizza Joint just a few steps away. Great for kids. Fantastic beer.
If you want to eat by the water, but don't want to pay too much or go to a tourist trap. This spot by the marina is great.
19 locals recommend
Jimmy's Famous American Tavern
4990 N Harbor DrIf you want to eat by the water, but don't want to pay too much or go to a tourist trap. This spot by the marina is great.
This Burger spot has a line most days. It's good, but most locals don't think it's the best. It's more of a destination since it's been around and is iconic. There are many other great burger spots in SD.
291 locals recommend
Hodad's
5010 Newport AveThis Burger spot has a line most days. It's good, but most locals don't think it's the best. It's more of a destination since it's been around and is iconic. There are many other great burger spots in SD.
Local coffee spot, good place to do some work or meet friends. Food, breakfast and all that.
49 locals recommend
Newbreak Coffee & Cafe
1959 Abbott StLocal coffee spot, good place to do some work or meet friends. Food, breakfast and all that.
Get some Pho! Great food and great beer. There's two locations in OB.
205 locals recommend
OB Noodle House & Sake Bar
2218 Cable StGet some Pho! Great food and great beer. There's two locations in OB.
Raglan Public House
1851 Bacon StBar/Restaurant. Good sliders, cool New Zealand style theme.
Late night Tacos!
San Diego's local comfort dish is Carne Asada Fries.
26 locals recommend
Roberto's Taco Shop
4770 Voltaire StLate night Tacos!
San Diego's local comfort dish is Carne Asada Fries.
Drinks & Nightlife
Wonderland is a modern ode to a time past. OB used to be home to "Wonderland" an amusement park and casino. Now, it's a newish bar that has ocean views and great food. It's also so close by I can see it out of my kitchen window.
228 locals recommend
Wonderland Ocean Pub
5083 Santa Monica AveWonderland is a modern ode to a time past. OB used to be home to "Wonderland" an amusement park and casino. Now, it's a newish bar that has ocean views and great food. It's also so close by I can see it out of my kitchen window.
This bar hasn't changed since the 1940's. Very cheap cocktails, cool vibe.
36 locals recommend
Pacific Shores Bar
4927 Newport AveThis bar hasn't changed since the 1940's. Very cheap cocktails, cool vibe.
Winstons Beach Club
1921 Bacon StreetBar with live music, right around the corner.
Arts & Culture
San Diego's crown jewel. Balboa Park is hard to describe, just go there. Take an Uber to the Museum of Man, it'll cost $10 and just wander around.
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
San Diego's crown jewel. Balboa Park is hard to describe, just go there. Take an Uber to the Museum of Man, it'll cost $10 and just wander around.
A good place to start if you head up to La Jolla.
133 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
700 Prospect StA good place to start if you head up to La Jolla.
D Bar San Diego
3930 Fifth AveThere's always an interesting exhibit at this amazing building.
Parks & Nature
It's a moderately challenging hike. My 4 year old niece quit about a 1/4 mile to the top. Her 6 year old sister said "We can't climb to the top of the mountain, it's pointy." She'd never seen a mountain before :) It's about a 45min-1hour hike and the top of the mountain has a 360 degree view of everything San Diego. Go early if it's going to be a hot day, bring a bottle of water.
314 locals recommend
Cowles Mountain
Cowles MountainIt's a moderately challenging hike. My 4 year old niece quit about a 1/4 mile to the top. Her 6 year old sister said "We can't climb to the top of the mountain, it's pointy." She'd never seen a mountain before :) It's about a 45min-1hour hike and the top of the mountain has a 360 degree view of everything San Diego. Go early if it's going to be a hot day, bring a bottle of water.
Another must-see part of San Diego. Beaches and cliffs and trees, it's a breathtaking stretch of coast.
1108 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadAnother must-see part of San Diego. Beaches and cliffs and trees, it's a breathtaking stretch of coast.
Spectacular views of the Bay and Downtown.
502 locals recommend
Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center
1800 Cabrillo Memorial DrSpectacular views of the Bay and Downtown.
Pioneer Park
1521 Washington PlReally Large park, great for hiking.
Go south along the beach and you'll get to the cliffs. Keep going and you'll hit the park.
268 locals recommend
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Ladera StreetGo south along the beach and you'll get to the cliffs. Keep going and you'll hit the park.
Mount Woodson Trailhead
14644 Mount Woodson TrailVery popular hiking trail.
Sightseeing
Great place for a run or jog or just to take a walk. Bring your camera. If you're adventurous, climb down to No Surf beach for your own little beach cove.
580 locals recommend
Sunset Cliffs
Great place for a run or jog or just to take a walk. Bring your camera. If you're adventurous, climb down to No Surf beach for your own little beach cove.
USS Midway Museum
910 N Harbor DrFamous ship, tours.
Julian is a lil Mountain town about an hour or so from Downtown San Diego. It's known for it's Apple Pie. Makes for a nice day trip.
245 locals recommend
Julian
Julian is a lil Mountain town about an hour or so from Downtown San Diego. It's known for it's Apple Pie. Makes for a nice day trip.
Shopping
The Black
5017 Newport AveThe Black is a classic 60's style head shop. It's groovy.
Fashion Valley
7007 Friars RdNice outdoor mall with most the high end retailers.
Another outdoor mall right next to Fashion Valley. Less fancy, still nice.
135 locals recommend
Westfield Mission Valley
1640 Camino Del Rio NAnother outdoor mall right next to Fashion Valley. Less fancy, still nice.
Essentials
Sprouts
1327 Encinitas BlvdHealth minded, but not pretentious, supermarket.
Rite Aid
4840 Niagara AveTypical Rite Aid, good for little things. 24 hours.
Ralphs
101 G StSupermarket
Ocean Beach People's Organic Food Market
4765 Voltaire StHip organic grocery store