Stephanie’s guidebook
Food scene
For that taste of Mexico that's just steps from the ocean and downtown Del Mar, visit En Fuego. Delicious Mexican food, happy hour specials and a great location!
16 locals recommend
En Fuego Cantina & Grill
1342 Camino Del MarFor that taste of Mexico that's just steps from the ocean and downtown Del Mar, visit En Fuego. Delicious Mexican food, happy hour specials and a great location!
For stellar fish tacos at an even better price, El Pueblo can't be beat. Great menu, happy hour and quick fix when you've got the craving.
El Pueblo Bar & Grill - Del Mar
2673 Via De La ValleFor stellar fish tacos at an even better price, El Pueblo can't be beat. Great menu, happy hour and quick fix when you've got the craving.
Delicious food and an even better view. We recommend the fries and getting there early enough to secure seats with a view of the sunset. This is a family friendly spot, as well as the place to go on date night. It's located in downtown Del Mar.
19 locals recommend
Monarch Ocean Pub
1555 Camino Del MarDelicious food and an even better view. We recommend the fries and getting there early enough to secure seats with a view of the sunset. This is a family friendly spot, as well as the place to go on date night. It's located in downtown Del Mar.
The latest addition to another nearby shopping center is the Sky Deck, an indoor/outdoor food court and mingling area. Best of all, our favorite ice-cream spot Handels is directly beneath it.
6 locals recommend
Sky Deck
12841 El Camino RealThe latest addition to another nearby shopping center is the Sky Deck, an indoor/outdoor food court and mingling area. Best of all, our favorite ice-cream spot Handels is directly beneath it.
Neighborhoods
Del Mar is 1-2 miles away from our place and another beautiful ocean town and village. The main downtown area is pedestrian-friendly and has numerous shops and restaurants for browsing.
The long stretch of beach is great for surfing and boogie-boarding (we have one of each available for use at our house), and sometimes you'll even find a sand dollar when walking the sands.
Best of all, the Del Mar Races will be running from July 22 - Sept. 11, so there will be a chance to check out the horses.
180 locals recommend
Del Mar
Del Mar is 1-2 miles away from our place and another beautiful ocean town and village. The main downtown area is pedestrian-friendly and has numerous shops and restaurants for browsing.
The long stretch of beach is great for surfing and boogie-boarding (we have one of each available for use at our house), and sometimes you'll even find a sand dollar when walking the sands.
Best of all, the Del Mar Races will be running from July 22 - Sept. 11, so there will be a chance to check out the horses.
A beautiful village surrounding by mountains overlooking the sea. La Jolla means "the jewel" in Spanish, and it more than lives up to its name.
Spend a day here shopping, strolling, eating and visiting the La Jolla Cove, where sea otters are frequently seen sunbathing on the rocks. You can rent a kayak (with or without a guide) and explore the nearby caves and sea life.
492 locals recommend
La Jolla
A beautiful village surrounding by mountains overlooking the sea. La Jolla means "the jewel" in Spanish, and it more than lives up to its name.
Spend a day here shopping, strolling, eating and visiting the La Jolla Cove, where sea otters are frequently seen sunbathing on the rocks. You can rent a kayak (with or without a guide) and explore the nearby caves and sea life.
Tourists flock to Coronado for its long stretch of white sand beaches and the historical Hotel Del Coronado. Hotel Del has a variety of things to do.
One fun activity is to rent golf carts and explore the island and the gorgeous homes and tree-lined streets.
Get there early enough (before 7am) , and I am told that sand dollars are quite easily found along the beach.
388 locals recommend
Coronado
Tourists flock to Coronado for its long stretch of white sand beaches and the historical Hotel Del Coronado. Hotel Del has a variety of things to do.
One fun activity is to rent golf carts and explore the island and the gorgeous homes and tree-lined streets.
Get there early enough (before 7am) , and I am told that sand dollars are quite easily found along the beach.
Just two exits away from our home, Solana Beach is a little beach town that has something for everyone!
Start your day at Fletcher Cove, a small park and entry to the relatively quiet beach below. After you get your fill of the beach, head a few blocks away to the Cedros Avenue Design District, home to art galleries, unique boutiques and cute cafes and coffee shops. You can also rent an eBike and cruise around Highway 101.
The Farmer's Market takes place every week on Sundays from 12-4pm, so try and play your visit accordingly.
And if you're interested in a day or weekend trip up the coast to visit the mission in San Juan Capistrano and Zoomars (great for kids!), San Clemente or Los Angeles, this is the place to pick up the coaster and sit back and enjoy the views!
https://www.visitsolanabeach.com/
73 locals recommend
Solana Beach
Just two exits away from our home, Solana Beach is a little beach town that has something for everyone!
Start your day at Fletcher Cove, a small park and entry to the relatively quiet beach below. After you get your fill of the beach, head a few blocks away to the Cedros Avenue Design District, home to art galleries, unique boutiques and cute cafes and coffee shops. You can also rent an eBike and cruise around Highway 101.
The Farmer's Market takes place every week on Sundays from 12-4pm, so try and play your visit accordingly.
And if you're interested in a day or weekend trip up the coast to visit the mission in San Juan Capistrano and Zoomars (great for kids!), San Clemente or Los Angeles, this is the place to pick up the coaster and sit back and enjoy the views!
https://www.visitsolanabeach.com/
Activities
A beautifully maintained park with shows and rides -- including a water park and marine museum -- for kids of all ages.
1249 locals recommend
LEGOLAND California
One Legoland DrA beautifully maintained park with shows and rides -- including a water park and marine museum -- for kids of all ages.
The San Diego Zoo is a full-day adventure with hundreds of animals and activities for kids and adults alike.
2510 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrThe San Diego Zoo is a full-day adventure with hundreds of animals and activities for kids and adults alike.
San Diego culture at its best. With science, air, natural history museums and more, Balboa Park is a great way to spend the day -- and possibly combine with a trip to the zoo.
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
San Diego culture at its best. With science, air, natural history museums and more, Balboa Park is a great way to spend the day -- and possibly combine with a trip to the zoo.
This is not the Sea World I remember as a kid. Not only does it host a variety of animal exhibits and educational programming, it also includes several fun rides that will keep even the oldest kids squealing with delight.
1754 locals recommend
SeaWorld San Diego
500 Sea World Dr.This is not the Sea World I remember as a kid. Not only does it host a variety of animal exhibits and educational programming, it also includes several fun rides that will keep even the oldest kids squealing with delight.
If you want some old school food and fun (reminiscent of Coney Island), plan to spend the day at Belmont Park and the adjacent Mission Beach. A traditional wooden roller coaster, zip line, and laser tag are just a few of the thrilling activities at the park. Combine these with some swim time at The Plunge indoor pool for a full day of fun.
689 locals recommend
Belmont Park
3146 Mission BlvdIf you want some old school food and fun (reminiscent of Coney Island), plan to spend the day at Belmont Park and the adjacent Mission Beach. A traditional wooden roller coaster, zip line, and laser tag are just a few of the thrilling activities at the park. Combine these with some swim time at The Plunge indoor pool for a full day of fun.
Get your fix of water sports by registering for some group or private classes with Mission Bay Aquatics. They offer sailing, wakeboarding, surfing, paddle boarding, wake boarding and many more water sports activities -- including week-long camps for kids. We haven't done this yet, but it's on our list!
84 locals recommend
Mission Bay Aquatic Center
1001 Santa Clara PlGet your fix of water sports by registering for some group or private classes with Mission Bay Aquatics. They offer sailing, wakeboarding, surfing, paddle boarding, wake boarding and many more water sports activities -- including week-long camps for kids. We haven't done this yet, but it's on our list!
Shopping
Around a mile from our place is the newest mall, One Paseo. It was created as a gathering area with several small shops, restaurants and some of the best local ice cream at Salt & Straw.
24 locals recommend
One Paseo
3725 Paseo PlAround a mile from our place is the newest mall, One Paseo. It was created as a gathering area with several small shops, restaurants and some of the best local ice cream at Salt & Straw.
Recently remodeled, the expansive mall has a food court, numerous restaurants, shopping galore (e.g. jewelry, clothing, phone cases, body cremes, book stores, clothing and more) and an ice-skating rink with public skate times.
381 locals recommend
Westfield UTC
4545 La Jolla Village DrRecently remodeled, the expansive mall has a food court, numerous restaurants, shopping galore (e.g. jewelry, clothing, phone cases, body cremes, book stores, clothing and more) and an ice-skating rink with public skate times.