San Diego Guide!
All of my favorite spots in San Diego, plus a guide on where to stay if you're visiting!
In case you didn’t know, I went to San Diego State and lived in San Diego for 10 years before moving to Los Angeles in 2020. As much as I love living in LA, I think San Diego will always feel like home. It’s truly an unbelievable place to live. Great weather, beautiful beaches, relaxed lifestyle… you can’t ask for much more!
If you’re planning a visit or live there and want some recommendations, I’ve compiled a nice extensive list below! Enjoy!
COFFEE & BRUNCH
Parakeet Cafe: I came here every day when I lived in San Diego! Such great food and the best iced matcha ever. I get the iced matcha with vanilla cold foam on top (unsweetened matcha is key because the foam is very sweet). They have multiple locations, but if you go to the one at One Paseo pop into Van De Vort for some shopping!
Wayfarer Bread: I am obsessed with this bakery in Bird Rock! They have the most incredible pastries and you absolutely must get their english muffins to take home. They are life changing.
VG’s Donuts: Get a maple bar from here and prepare for your world to be rocked. Head to Bump next door for a coffee!
Seaside Market: Ok, yes this is a grocery store but it’s kind of like the Erewhon of San Diego. Please get the breakfast burrito with tri tip (aka Cardiff Crack). Insane.
Harry’s Coffee Shop: There’s just something special about a diner breakfast and Harry’s is the best!
Nectarine Grove: Tons of gluten free goodies and amazing food! I go here for either breakfast or lunch every time I am in San Diego.
Hermosa Surf Cafe: Fantastic spot for smoothies and matcha. It’s right by Wayfarer Bread so you can hit both spots!
JRDN: Beach/Boardwalk front sit down restaurant with amazing food and drinks. I usually go for brunch/lunch but they have great dinner and happy hour as well.
Goodonya: Healthy eats in Encinitas! I love their breakfast tacos and cinnamon roll.
Stratford Court Cafe: A little hidden gem in Del Mar! Great coffee and breakfast.
Better Buzz Coffee Roasters: Can’t leave San Diego without an Iced Best Drink Ever half sweet.
RESTAURANTS
Animae: This is a super cool spot and although it’s pricey, I think it’s definitely worth it! It’s a Japanese-style steakhouse so I recommend splurging on the wagyu. They bring out fun accompaniments for the steak and it’s just a really unique experience overall.
Marisi La Jolla: This place has amazing Italian food and is perfect for a date night or group dinner. Not only did I love the focaccia and pastas here, the service was fantastic and our large group never felt rushed.
Ken’s Sushi: You definitely don’t come here for the ambiance (it’s located in a business/office building center), but it is some of the best sushi you’ll ever have.
Oscar’s Tacos: If you need a casual, quick lunch by the beach, you need to stop by Oscar’s! They have the best ceviche too.
Campfire: If you’re in North County, a dinner at Campfire is a must! I’ve never had anything bad from there so you can’t go wrong, but you definitely need to order the broccoli. It’s insane.
Puesto: There’s a few locations in San Diego and it’s the perfect spot for lunch or casual dinner. Their tacos, guac and margs are just always perfect.
Cowboy Star: I don’t have many recs for downtown San Diego, but I do love Cowboy Star for a special night out. It’s a fantastic steakhouse with great service and delicious cocktails. I also love their bread!
Seneca: This place is definitely a vibe, located on a rooftop with stunning views of downtown and Coronado. It’s kind of a scene so I didn’t have high hopes for the food but it was amazing!
Wildland All Day: I recently tried this place for dinner, although they’re open for breakfast and lunch as well, and was insanely impressed. They have a really cute back room for big groups too. The Mafaldine pasta was one of the best pasta dishes I’ve had! Their Michelin starred sister restaurant Juene et Jolie is also amazing if you’re looking for something fancy!
Herb & Wood / Herb & Sea: I love these two spots, Herb & Wood in Little Italy has more of a meat-focused menu and Herb & Sea in Encinitas is seafood forward. They’re both incredible! I love the oxtail gnocchi from Herb & Wood and the happy hour “happy meal” at Herb & Sea (which includes a burger, fries, oysters and glass of bubbly for $20) is worth the trip.
Barbusa: A super fun Italian spot in Little Italy! Great energy, food and cocktails.
Cesarina: The cutest Italian spot in Point Loma. I love the food here and it’s perfect for a little date night.
Coasterra: Ok, I don’t LOVE the food here, but the cocktails and view are unbeatable. Go for drinks and apps at sunset.
Nolita Hall: Such a fun bar and their food is also amazing. Some of the best pizza in SD! Stay late night.
Born & Raised: If you are looking for a fancy dinner ($$$) this is your spot. Food is amazing, but you can also just go to the roof for drinks. The decor and architecture is INSANE.
PB Fish Shop: I dream of the Fish Shop shrimp on a regular basis. A great stop in Pacific Beach for casual dinner or lunch.
Fortunate Son: If you are looking for the best Chinese in San Diego, this is your spot!
Monarch Del Mar: Great for a cocktail and to watch the sunset.
Waverly: This spot is super cute and fun for a cocktail! It’s our go to for a girls’ lunch.
WHERE TO STAY
NORTH COUNTY:
Rancho Valencia: If I won the lottery I wouldn’t tell anyone, but there would be signs (I’d stay here every weekend). It is definitely the most expensive hotel in San Diego, but if you’re ready to have a splurge weekend, hit the spa and enjoy dinner at The Pony Room. The only con, it’s pretty secluded so I would recommend for someone not wanting to venture out from the hotel.
L’Auberge Del Mar: I love this hotel, mainly for the location which is right on the beach in Del Mar and walking distance to tons of shops and restaurants. It’s also walking distance to the Del Mar Racetrack!
La Valencia La Jolla: We recently stayed here and enjoyed our stay, although you can’t deny the hotel is in need of an update. But you can’t beat the location and views from the pool! A more updated hotel, but in not very walkable of an area, is Estancia La Jolla.
Alila Marea: This is a newer hotel in Encinitas that is right on the beach. It’s also super close to all the great restaurants and coffee shops in North County. I believe it’s adults only!
DOWNTOWN AREA:
The Pendry: I love this hotel, but it’s definitely in the hustle and bustle of downtown San Diego, which isn’t the first place I would recommend staying (unless you’re looking to party, but even in that case I would still rather go out in Little Italy or PB). It’s close to Petco Park and the Convention Center so if this is the area you want to be in, this is your hotel!
Lafayette Hotel: It feels weird recommending this hotel when I stayed there and didn’t love the experience but I need to understand not everyone is a grumpy old lady like me. This hotel is over the top, has an incredible bar, bowling alley/arcade, 24 hour diner, and a great pool (although it was too busy for us to find a spot even at 8 am). It’s definitely a scene and if you’re looking to party and don’t mind a loud environment, this is your place.
PACIFIC BEACH / MISSION BEACH
Rent a house! There’s some decent hotels in the area, but this is a great place to rent a house near the beach or bay with friends.
I think that’s it! If I missed anything, let me know in the comments! xx
Another breakfast favorite for us is Claire’s on Cedros in Solano Beach. You can bring your dog!
Love this! Fantastic and honest reviews of some gems! I’m a San Diego native (who’s back in North Park after a brief stint in LA), and some other solid stops would be Tribute for some amazing pizzas (North Park), The Friendly’s for the most addictive greasy burger (North Park, PB, Convoy), The Rose Wine Bar for the cutest girl’s night (South Park, do not sleep on the patatas bravas), and Lola’s 55 for some fancy tacos (East Village).