Guidebook for San Diego
Essentials
Newly opened - great prices for essentials and within convenient walking distance!
14 locals recommend
Grocery Outlet Bargain Market
5185 Waring RdNewly opened - great prices for essentials and within convenient walking distance!
A bit further away, and a bit pricier, but has all the fancy things you need for a nice picnic at the beach!
323 locals recommend
Vons
3610 Adams AveA bit further away, and a bit pricier, but has all the fancy things you need for a nice picnic at the beach!
Arts & Culture
One of California's beautiful missions, just minutes away!
61 locals recommend
Mission San Diego de Alcala
10818 San Diego Mission RoadOne of California's beautiful missions, just minutes away!
The San Diego Children's Museum is always a great place for young families. On rainy days, this could be a lifesaver! Our favorite parts are the zen-like sandbox, jumbo-sized sink play area, and large object painting on the patio.
115 locals recommend
The New Children’s Museum
200 W Island AveThe San Diego Children's Museum is always a great place for young families. On rainy days, this could be a lifesaver! Our favorite parts are the zen-like sandbox, jumbo-sized sink play area, and large object painting on the patio.
SDSU is just on the other side of the highway from us. Get a taste of college life, or take in a concert on campus! There are bus stops near our home that can take you to campus in about 30 minutes.
75 locals recommend
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile DrSDSU is just on the other side of the highway from us. Get a taste of college life, or take in a concert on campus! There are bus stops near our home that can take you to campus in about 30 minutes.
Liberty Station is packed with tons of great things! First, it is a former Naval Station, but it has been converted into a park, shopping, restaurants, and cultural center. There are museums, a playground, trails along the bay, impressive views of planes taking off from the airport, and lots of tasty food! There is an indoor market, 50s diner, meatballs (Soda & Swine - our favorite, and very group and kid-friendly), and so much more!
269 locals recommend
Liberty Station
2640 Historic Decatur RdLiberty Station is packed with tons of great things! First, it is a former Naval Station, but it has been converted into a park, shopping, restaurants, and cultural center. There are museums, a playground, trails along the bay, impressive views of planes taking off from the airport, and lots of tasty food! There is an indoor market, 50s diner, meatballs (Soda & Swine - our favorite, and very group and kid-friendly), and so much more!
Parks & Nature
Lovely visitor's center, and over 60 miles of trails for avid and novice hikers alike!
194 locals recommend
Mission Trails Regional Park
1 Father Junipero Serra TrailLovely visitor's center, and over 60 miles of trails for avid and novice hikers alike!
We like everything about Balboa Park! From museums, the zoo, to frequent festivals and events, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
We like everything about Balboa Park! From museums, the zoo, to frequent festivals and events, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
We love living so close to Allied Gardens Park. There is a playground, plenty of space, and bathrooms available at the recreation center. There are always lots of joggers and walkers utilizing the paved pathways.
Allied Gardens Recreation Center
5155 Greenbrier AveWe love living so close to Allied Gardens Park. There is a playground, plenty of space, and bathrooms available at the recreation center. There are always lots of joggers and walkers utilizing the paved pathways.
Torrey Pines offers great hilltop hiking, beach hiking, stunning views, surfing, and some lovely peace and quiet! The park can be busy on the weekends, and parking at the park and the nearby lots costs a flat fee.
1108 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadTorrey Pines offers great hilltop hiking, beach hiking, stunning views, surfing, and some lovely peace and quiet! The park can be busy on the weekends, and parking at the park and the nearby lots costs a flat fee.
Getting Around
Take the trolley to downtown, Mission Valley, SDSU, Qualcomm, and Old Town. There is loads of free parking; getting around was never this easy!
13 locals recommend
Grantville Trolley Station
Take the trolley to downtown, Mission Valley, SDSU, Qualcomm, and Old Town. There is loads of free parking; getting around was never this easy!
Food Scene
Fast food burgers and soft serve ice cream. Such an easy walk from our place, it is the perfect place for a sweet treat, or a classic fast food burger, without all the hype!
Fosters Freeze
5129 Waring RdFast food burgers and soft serve ice cream. Such an easy walk from our place, it is the perfect place for a sweet treat, or a classic fast food burger, without all the hype!
Our go-to for pizza in the area. Massive hunger - get their 28 inch pizza! Easy for pick-up or delivery. Ask us for coupons!
Brothers' Giant Pizza
6690 Mission Gorge RoadOur go-to for pizza in the area. Massive hunger - get their 28 inch pizza! Easy for pick-up or delivery. Ask us for coupons!
Best burritos nearby! Their diverse menu is very affordable, and it reminds me of Lucha Libre, as featured on "Man vs. Food."
El Rodeo Taco Shop & Grill
5149 Waring RdBest burritos nearby! Their diverse menu is very affordable, and it reminds me of Lucha Libre, as featured on "Man vs. Food."
TIO LEO'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT
6333 Mission Gorge RdGo-to for sit-down, Tex Mex style Mexican food.
Local fish taco chain - Taco Tuesdays are a must! Batter-fried fish tacos, less than $2 each! I recommend ordering two or three per person! Great for take-out too!
48 locals recommend
Rubio's Coastal Grill
437 Hwy 101Local fish taco chain - Taco Tuesdays are a must! Batter-fried fish tacos, less than $2 each! I recommend ordering two or three per person! Great for take-out too!
My family just tried this restaurant. It was so delicious! I lived with a woman from India for awhile, who taught me how to make meals she would have with her family at home. This place was comparable to her cooking!
Himalayan Curry and Grill
10330 Friars RdMy family just tried this restaurant. It was so delicious! I lived with a woman from India for awhile, who taught me how to make meals she would have with her family at home. This place was comparable to her cooking!
Entertainment & Activities
From SDSU football games to major concerts, SDCCU, formerly Qualcomm Stadium, always has interesting events.
76 locals recommend
SDCCU Stadium
9449 Friars RdFrom SDSU football games to major concerts, SDCCU, formerly Qualcomm Stadium, always has interesting events.
The San Diego Zoo is a must-see attraction in our city! If you can get over the sticker shock, it is worth the price and a great all-day activity! Arrive before it opens and you can watch the releasing of welcoming parrots! Visitors are allowed to bring in outside food and drink, so pack some snacks and save a bit instead of buying park food. Our favorite things are the Skyfari (free with admission), the baboons, the penguins, and the pandas.
2510 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrThe San Diego Zoo is a must-see attraction in our city! If you can get over the sticker shock, it is worth the price and a great all-day activity! Arrive before it opens and you can watch the releasing of welcoming parrots! Visitors are allowed to bring in outside food and drink, so pack some snacks and save a bit instead of buying park food. Our favorite things are the Skyfari (free with admission), the baboons, the penguins, and the pandas.
It's Sea World! I've never been, but don't let that stop you!
1754 locals recommend
SeaWorld San Diego
500 Sea World Dr.It's Sea World! I've never been, but don't let that stop you!
Shopping
Costco Wholesale
2345 Fenton PkwyNeed Costco gas or lots of snacks? We have one nearby!
Ikea is neither unique, nor local, but for people who haven't been or just need a Poang or Kallax, it is so convenient to have San Diego's only Ikea so close by! The cafeteria on the second floor is great for a quick, cheap meal. And don't forget your ice cream cone and/or cinnamon roll before you leave!
11 locals recommend
IKEA
2149 Fenton PkwyIkea is neither unique, nor local, but for people who haven't been or just need a Poang or Kallax, it is so convenient to have San Diego's only Ikea so close by! The cafeteria on the second floor is great for a quick, cheap meal. And don't forget your ice cream cone and/or cinnamon roll before you leave!
Pigment has a great selection of classy gifts, books, cards, succulents, you name it! There is a popular story time for kids, and parking is easy at Liberty Station.
158 locals recommend
Pigment
3801 30th StPigment has a great selection of classy gifts, books, cards, succulents, you name it! There is a popular story time for kids, and parking is easy at Liberty Station.
Right at the US/Mexico border is a huge outlet mall. I have never been, but it seems very popular!
138 locals recommend
Las Americas Premium Outlets
4211 Camino De La PlazaRight at the US/Mexico border is a huge outlet mall. I have never been, but it seems very popular!
Fashion Valley has all of the major high-end retailers, plus a movie theater and some nice dining options (True Food Kitchen, and The Cheesecake Factory, among others). The mall is also on the same trolley line as ours!
833 locals recommend
Fashion Valley
7007 Friars RdFashion Valley has all of the major high-end retailers, plus a movie theater and some nice dining options (True Food Kitchen, and The Cheesecake Factory, among others). The mall is also on the same trolley line as ours!