Guidebook for San Diego

Aurelia And Logan
Aurelia And Logan
Guidebook for San Diego

Essentials

Yummy unusual groceries at good prices.
752 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
1640 Garnet Ave
752 locals recommend
Yummy unusual groceries at good prices.
Comprehensive supermarket
333 locals recommend
Ralphs
101 G St
333 locals recommend
Comprehensive supermarket
Reasonably priced health food and fresh produce.
209 locals recommend
Sprouts Farmers Market
3015 Clairemont Dr
209 locals recommend
Reasonably priced health food and fresh produce.
Expensive, but has options for organic produce and meats not available elsewhere.
240 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
711 University Ave
240 locals recommend
Expensive, but has options for organic produce and meats not available elsewhere.

Food Scene

Delicious, healthy, reasonably priced Mediterranean food. Great for eating in or taking out. Outdoor patio available, so you can bring your dog.
8 locals recommend
Aladdin Hillcrest
3900 Cleveland Ave
8 locals recommend
Delicious, healthy, reasonably priced Mediterranean food. Great for eating in or taking out. Outdoor patio available, so you can bring your dog.
Yummy Lebanese food. They have a Sajj oven and make their own flatbread. Great falafels and authentic Lebanese food. Perfect for ultra casual dining (can bring your dog) or for take out.
27 locals recommend
Mama's Bakery & Deli
4237 Alabama St
27 locals recommend
Yummy Lebanese food. They have a Sajj oven and make their own flatbread. Great falafels and authentic Lebanese food. Perfect for ultra casual dining (can bring your dog) or for take out.
Really great Farmer's Market on Sundays until 2:00 pm. Local organic produce, meats, cheeses, flowers, etc., musical entertainment, crafts, clothes. Great place for breakfast, coffee or lunch.
La Jolla Certified Farmers Market
Really great Farmer's Market on Sundays until 2:00 pm. Local organic produce, meats, cheeses, flowers, etc., musical entertainment, crafts, clothes. Great place for breakfast, coffee or lunch.
They smoke their own meats and make great sandwiches, salads, hot dishes, sides, and cookies.
39 locals recommend
Big Front Door
4075 Park Blvd
39 locals recommend
They smoke their own meats and make great sandwiches, salads, hot dishes, sides, and cookies.
Delicious artisan breads and pastries. Good sandwiches, soups, salads, etc.
103 locals recommend
Bread and Cie Bakery/Cafe
350 University Ave
103 locals recommend
Delicious artisan breads and pastries. Good sandwiches, soups, salads, etc.
Good coffee!
48 locals recommend
Peet's Coffee
350 University Ave
48 locals recommend
Good coffee!
Fabulous Thai take out. Very friendly and efficient staff. Food is excellent.
95 locals recommend
Bahn Thai
4646 Park Blvd
95 locals recommend
Fabulous Thai take out. Very friendly and efficient staff. Food is excellent.
Delicious pizza made with only the finest ingredients and cooked in a wood burning oven brought all the way from Naples. Fabulous salads. Local beers, wine specials. Nice informal atmosphere.
24 locals recommend
Pizzeria Bruno Napoletano
4207 Park Blvd
24 locals recommend
Delicious pizza made with only the finest ingredients and cooked in a wood burning oven brought all the way from Naples. Fabulous salads. Local beers, wine specials. Nice informal atmosphere.
Good miso soup, yummy sashimi, and sushi rolls
19 locals recommend
RB Sushi
5943 El Cajon Blvd
19 locals recommend
Good miso soup, yummy sashimi, and sushi rolls
The best gelato! They import some of the ingredients from Italy. Great espresso and Italian sandwiches. The real thing -- you'll think you're in Italy.
132 locals recommend
Pappalecco
1602 State St
132 locals recommend
The best gelato! They import some of the ingredients from Italy. Great espresso and Italian sandwiches. The real thing -- you'll think you're in Italy.
Good food, large portions, full bar. They make their own pies. Walking distance.
144 locals recommend
Great Maple
1451 Washington St
144 locals recommend
Good food, large portions, full bar. They make their own pies. Walking distance.
They roast their own coffee and it's delicious. Nice sandwiches and pastries too. Indoor and outdoor seating.
124 locals recommend
Caffè Calabria
3933 30th St
124 locals recommend
They roast their own coffee and it's delicious. Nice sandwiches and pastries too. Indoor and outdoor seating.
Locally owned coffee house -- an institution in the neighborhood. They make their own super delicious pastries. Try a Buster Paw.
35 locals recommend
Twiggs
4590 Park Blvd
35 locals recommend
Locally owned coffee house -- an institution in the neighborhood. They make their own super delicious pastries. Try a Buster Paw.
Second location for locally owned Twiggs. They make their own pastries, cakes, cookies, etc. If you like bear claws, try their Buster Paws, named after the owners' previous dog and mascot, Buster.
37 locals recommend
Twiggs Bakery & Coffeehouse
2804 Adams Ave
37 locals recommend
Second location for locally owned Twiggs. They make their own pastries, cakes, cookies, etc. If you like bear claws, try their Buster Paws, named after the owners' previous dog and mascot, Buster.
Yummy upscale but casual dining that is VERY dog friendly. They will give your dog a bowl of water and biscuits. Full bar. Nice decor. Sit up front near the wall of plants. Try the shepherds pie. YUM!
71 locals recommend
The Patio on Goldfinch
4020 Goldfinch St
71 locals recommend
Yummy upscale but casual dining that is VERY dog friendly. They will give your dog a bowl of water and biscuits. Full bar. Nice decor. Sit up front near the wall of plants. Try the shepherds pie. YUM!
Good California style Mexican food. They make their own tortillas! XX beer on tap. They have their own parking lot. Try the posole or the mole.
92 locals recommend
Old Town Mexican Cafe
2489 San Diego Avenue
92 locals recommend
Good California style Mexican food. They make their own tortillas! XX beer on tap. They have their own parking lot. Try the posole or the mole.
Delicious Indian/Himalayan/Nepali food. Nice atmosphere. Walking distance from our place.
27 locals recommend
Taste of the Himalayas
1260 University Ave
27 locals recommend
Delicious Indian/Himalayan/Nepali food. Nice atmosphere. Walking distance from our place.
Best coffee in town. They roast at this location, so it's fun to see roasting going on while the barista prepares your brew. Many brews available. They take their coffee very seriously here and really know what they are doing. Gotta go in the morning, though -- they close at noon at this location. Also, they don't offer food yet other than the most delicious chocolate biscotti, but it's worth a trip just for the coffee.
217 locals recommend
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
5627 La Jolla Blvd
217 locals recommend
Best coffee in town. They roast at this location, so it's fun to see roasting going on while the barista prepares your brew. Many brews available. They take their coffee very seriously here and really know what they are doing. Gotta go in the morning, though -- they close at noon at this location. Also, they don't offer food yet other than the most delicious chocolate biscotti, but it's worth a trip just for the coffee.
Great local brewery. Another location in Ocean Beach.
65 locals recommend
Belching Beaver North Park
4223 30th St
65 locals recommend
Great local brewery. Another location in Ocean Beach.
Another local brewery. Has yummy pizza too. Try their beer buddies -- super good! Additional location in Solana Beach.
164 locals recommend
Pizza Port Ocean Beach
1956 Bacon St
164 locals recommend
Another local brewery. Has yummy pizza too. Try their beer buddies -- super good! Additional location in Solana Beach.
Local Coffeehouse. They have more locations on Park Blvd. and Adams Ave. Good place to have coffee and hang out.
16 locals recommend
Lestat's Hillcrest
1045 University Ave
16 locals recommend
Local Coffeehouse. They have more locations on Park Blvd. and Adams Ave. Good place to have coffee and hang out.
Tons of yummy flavors. Dog friendly. Near the beach.
31 locals recommend
Handel's Homemade Ice Cream
90 N Coast Hwy 101
31 locals recommend
Tons of yummy flavors. Dog friendly. Near the beach.
Amazing tacos and tequila. They make their own horchata and jamaica drinks. Very reasonable prices. Slightly sketchy neighborhood, although the restaurant is in a new building. Very friendly staff.
23 locals recommend
Lola 55
1290 F St
23 locals recommend
Amazing tacos and tequila. They make their own horchata and jamaica drinks. Very reasonable prices. Slightly sketchy neighborhood, although the restaurant is in a new building. Very friendly staff.
Fun scene. Good food. Good beer. Funny drink names. Close -- you can walk! Dog friendly too.
105 locals recommend
South Park Brewing Company
1517 30th St
105 locals recommend
Fun scene. Good food. Good beer. Funny drink names. Close -- you can walk! Dog friendly too.
Good beer. Cool psychedelic theme and art.
30 locals recommend
Kilowatt Brewing OB Tasting Room
1869 Cable St
30 locals recommend
Good beer. Cool psychedelic theme and art.
Good beer! Another location in Encinitas.
41 locals recommend
Modern Times Beer
3725 Greenwood St
41 locals recommend
Good beer! Another location in Encinitas.
Good ramen. Additional locations in East Village and North Park. The Tajima restaurants on Convoy St. and Mercury St. in Kearny Mesa have a wider selection of Japanese food.
28 locals recommend
Tajima Ramen Bar Hillcrest
3739 Sixth Ave
28 locals recommend
Good ramen. Additional locations in East Village and North Park. The Tajima restaurants on Convoy St. and Mercury St. in Kearny Mesa have a wider selection of Japanese food.
Amazing fresh sushi. Good friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Innovative chef.
8 locals recommend
Ken Sushi Workshop
11375 El Camino Real
8 locals recommend
Amazing fresh sushi. Good friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Innovative chef.
Traditional but informal Japanese restaurant, frequented by the local Japanese community. Be sure to make a reservation -- they fill up!
146 locals recommend
Sushi Ota
4529 Mission Bay Dr
146 locals recommend
Traditional but informal Japanese restaurant, frequented by the local Japanese community. Be sure to make a reservation -- they fill up!
Amazing Korean style soft serve ice cream. Four unusual flavors in fish shaped soft cones. Reasonable prices.
15 locals recommend
Somi Somi
4620 Convoy St
15 locals recommend
Amazing Korean style soft serve ice cream. Four unusual flavors in fish shaped soft cones. Reasonable prices.
Yummy individual pot pies (although one can feed two people). The savory (chicken, pork, vegan) are better than the sweet. For dessert go next door to Stella Jeans for homemade ice cream.
26 locals recommend
Pop Pie Co.
4404 Park Blvd
26 locals recommend
Yummy individual pot pies (although one can feed two people). The savory (chicken, pork, vegan) are better than the sweet. For dessert go next door to Stella Jeans for homemade ice cream.
Very yummy homemade ice cream. Standard and unusual flavors. Diary free and vegan options that are just as delicious (or better).
17 locals recommend
Stella Jean’s Ice Cream
4404 Park Blvd
17 locals recommend
Very yummy homemade ice cream. Standard and unusual flavors. Diary free and vegan options that are just as delicious (or better).
Great beer and wine choices. Good food. Dog friendly. Sit outside adjacent to the sculpture garden of the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park. Sit at table or picnic on the lawn on blankets provided by the restaurant.
81 locals recommend
Panama 66
1450 El Prado
81 locals recommend
Great beer and wine choices. Good food. Dog friendly. Sit outside adjacent to the sculpture garden of the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park. Sit at table or picnic on the lawn on blankets provided by the restaurant.

Drinks & Nightlife

Large selection of artisanal tequilas from Mexico. Yummy street tacos, unbelievable mole special Tues. & Fri. nights. Awesome happy hour daily.
102 locals recommend
Cantina Mayahuel
2934 Adams Ave
102 locals recommend
Large selection of artisanal tequilas from Mexico. Yummy street tacos, unbelievable mole special Tues. & Fri. nights. Awesome happy hour daily.
Fun Irish Pub. Not too expensive. Good crowd.
39 locals recommend
The Ould Sod
3373 Adams Ave
39 locals recommend
Fun Irish Pub. Not too expensive. Good crowd.
Cool building with good upscale mixed drinks. A tad on the expensive side.
245 locals recommend
Polite Provisions
4696 30th St
245 locals recommend
Cool building with good upscale mixed drinks. A tad on the expensive side.
Fun cool bar (even in the middle of the day) in the Gaslamp Quarter. Drink prices (listed on a screen) change minute-by-minute according to popularity, similar to how the stock market works. Want the thrill of playing the stock market, without losing big money? This is your place. Adds a new dimension to drinking. They even have food (with stable prices).
36 locals recommend
The Tipsy Crow
770 Fifth Ave
36 locals recommend
Fun cool bar (even in the middle of the day) in the Gaslamp Quarter. Drink prices (listed on a screen) change minute-by-minute according to popularity, similar to how the stock market works. Want the thrill of playing the stock market, without losing big money? This is your place. Adds a new dimension to drinking. They even have food (with stable prices).
Dueling pianos lead the clientele in classic rock sing-alongs at night. Upbeat bar, great atmosphere -- get's the party going!
47 locals recommend
The Shout! House
655 Fourth Ave
47 locals recommend
Dueling pianos lead the clientele in classic rock sing-alongs at night. Upbeat bar, great atmosphere -- get's the party going!
Hidden bar. Reservations required. Very small and quiet. Swanky speakeasy. Good drinks. Interesting decor.
116 locals recommend
Noble Experiment
777 G St
116 locals recommend
Hidden bar. Reservations required. Very small and quiet. Swanky speakeasy. Good drinks. Interesting decor.
Cool Korean bar with yummy Korean food. Karaoke rooms available to rent.
7 locals recommend
Min Sok Chon
4620 Convoy St
7 locals recommend
Cool Korean bar with yummy Korean food. Karaoke rooms available to rent.
Lots of bars and Italian restaurants. A Farmer's Market on Saturdays. Close to the Embarcadero and the waterfront. Take a ride share though -- parking is impossible.
India Street
India Street
Lots of bars and Italian restaurants. A Farmer's Market on Saturdays. Close to the Embarcadero and the waterfront. Take a ride share though -- parking is impossible.

Sightseeing

Multiple museums, gardens, the world famous San Diego Zoo, lawn bowling, playgrounds, theaters, off-leash dog parks, hiking trails, velodrome, golf course, tennis courts, soccer fields, pool, etc.
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
3290 locals recommend
Multiple museums, gardens, the world famous San Diego Zoo, lawn bowling, playgrounds, theaters, off-leash dog parks, hiking trails, velodrome, golf course, tennis courts, soccer fields, pool, etc.
Great views back to the city. Historic lighthouse. Tide pools at the bottom of the cliff, if the tide is low.
502 locals recommend
Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr
502 locals recommend
Great views back to the city. Historic lighthouse. Tide pools at the bottom of the cliff, if the tide is low.
World famous zoo. Be sure to visit the new section, Africa Rocks. Zoo features humane enclosures for the animals and educational opportunities for the humans. Don't miss the stinky funny flamingos. The Skyfari ride that goes over the park provides a bird's eye view of the zoo and Balboa Park and downtown San Diego. Numerous large aviaries to walk through and a hidden hummingbird aviary.
2510 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo Dr
2510 locals recommend
World famous zoo. Be sure to visit the new section, Africa Rocks. Zoo features humane enclosures for the animals and educational opportunities for the humans. Don't miss the stinky funny flamingos. The Skyfari ride that goes over the park provides a bird's eye view of the zoo and Balboa Park and downtown San Diego. Numerous large aviaries to walk through and a hidden hummingbird aviary.
Sister location to the San Diego Zoo. Very large savannah-like enclosure where numerous animals roam free and interact. You have to ride a tram around it. Lorikeet enclosure where you can feed these beautiful noisy birds that will land right on you. Cheetah run once a day in the afternoon. Get there early for a space in front or pay extra for VIP viewing. Zip-line over the savannah for an extra fee. If you plan ahead, you can reserve a caravan safari vehicle that will take you into the savannah where you can feed giraffes and rhinos. Lots of educational experiences available.
967 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd
967 locals recommend
Sister location to the San Diego Zoo. Very large savannah-like enclosure where numerous animals roam free and interact. You have to ride a tram around it. Lorikeet enclosure where you can feed these beautiful noisy birds that will land right on you. Cheetah run once a day in the afternoon. Get there early for a space in front or pay extra for VIP viewing. Zip-line over the savannah for an extra fee. If you plan ahead, you can reserve a caravan safari vehicle that will take you into the savannah where you can feed giraffes and rhinos. Lots of educational experiences available.

Everything Else

Wonderful State Park with nice hiking trails and beach. Only one of two places on the planet where Torrey Pine trees grow. No dogs allowed, though, even on leash. No picnics either, except on beach.
206 locals recommend
Torrey Pines
206 locals recommend
Wonderful State Park with nice hiking trails and beach. Only one of two places on the planet where Torrey Pine trees grow. No dogs allowed, though, even on leash. No picnics either, except on beach.
Off-leash dog beach.
174 locals recommend
Dog Beach
3902 29th St
174 locals recommend
Off-leash dog beach.
Large off-leash dog park with beach areas and dirt areas. Big enough for the humans to take an exercise walk while the doggies romp. Views of Pacific Beach and downtown San Diego.
71 locals recommend
Fiesta Island Park
1590 E Mission Bay Dr
71 locals recommend
Large off-leash dog park with beach areas and dirt areas. Big enough for the humans to take an exercise walk while the doggies romp. Views of Pacific Beach and downtown San Diego.
Nice big off-leash dog park. Not fenced, though.
21 locals recommend
Morley Field Dog Park
2225 Morley Field Dr
21 locals recommend
Nice big off-leash dog park. Not fenced, though.
Fun place to take your dog off-leash. Not open all year, though.
62 locals recommend
Del Mar North Beach
62 locals recommend
Fun place to take your dog off-leash. Not open all year, though.

Shopping

Upscale shopping mall.
833 locals recommend
Fashion Valley
7007 Friars Rd
833 locals recommend
Upscale shopping mall.
Downscale shopping mall.
135 locals recommend
Westfield Mission Valley
1640 Camino Del Rio N
135 locals recommend
Downscale shopping mall.
Super cool store full of old and new stuff, everything from African beaded chairs to antique American toys. They carry coffees and teas in bulk too. Unique experience. Wander the whole store, you won't want to miss anything. Great place to find the perfect gift.
Hessian Global Goods
4034 Park Blvd
Super cool store full of old and new stuff, everything from African beaded chairs to antique American toys. They carry coffees and teas in bulk too. Unique experience. Wander the whole store, you won't want to miss anything. Great place to find the perfect gift.

Parks & Nature

Nice North County Beach. Good surfing waves.
322 locals recommend
Moonlight Beach
400 B St
322 locals recommend
Nice North County Beach. Good surfing waves.
Nice dog beach with small waves. Long walk on sand to get to the beach. Your dog must be on leash until you get to the beach. But the dogs have fun once they get there. Hose available in the park by the street to wash your dog off.
144 locals recommend
Coronado Beach & Dog Park
Ocean Boulevard
144 locals recommend
Nice dog beach with small waves. Long walk on sand to get to the beach. Your dog must be on leash until you get to the beach. But the dogs have fun once they get there. Hose available in the park by the street to wash your dog off.