Meredith’s San Diego guidebook
Food scene
Throw back Palm Spring vibes, just two blocks from our house. Outdoor pool and movie showings throughout the summer months. Fantastic cocktails, wine list and food. Don't miss happy hour.
23 locals recommend
Pearl Hotel
1410 Rosecrans StThrow back Palm Spring vibes, just two blocks from our house. Outdoor pool and movie showings throughout the summer months. Fantastic cocktails, wine list and food. Don't miss happy hour.
Pummaro
1101 Scott StWalking distance from our home, fantastic Italian style pizza.
Just over the hill from our place, this OB Gem has lots of outdoor seating and a great vibe. Go here for the loaded nachos and killer margaritas.
17 locals recommend
La Doña
1852 Bacon StreetJust over the hill from our place, this OB Gem has lots of outdoor seating and a great vibe. Go here for the loaded nachos and killer margaritas.
If you want your current, favorite, Mexican place to be ruined forever, come here. Fresh, authentic cuisine paired with the largest tequila and mezcal list in San Diego. After dinner, hit Polite Provisions just across the way.
102 locals recommend
Cantina Mayahuel
2934 Adams AveIf you want your current, favorite, Mexican place to be ruined forever, come here. Fresh, authentic cuisine paired with the largest tequila and mezcal list in San Diego. After dinner, hit Polite Provisions just across the way.
Naples but in San Diego. Located in the heart of the bustling North Park neighborhood.
13 locals recommend
Siamo Napoli Restaurant
3959 30th StNaples but in San Diego. Located in the heart of the bustling North Park neighborhood.
If you want the best burger in San Diego, look no further. Cash only bar...worth any of the attitude you may get upon arrival. Great beers on tap.
182 locals recommend
Rocky's Crown Pub
3786 Ingraham StIf you want the best burger in San Diego, look no further. Cash only bar...worth any of the attitude you may get upon arrival. Great beers on tap.
Animae
969 Pacific HwyLook no further for a fine dining experience in SD. Book ahead of time.
A hidden Spanish gem in Pacific Beach. Great for tapas and watching soccer games.
108 locals recommend
Costa Brava
1653 Garnet AveA hidden Spanish gem in Pacific Beach. Great for tapas and watching soccer games.
Blue Water Seafood Ocean Beach
5083 Santa Monica AveAwesome seafood spot, close to the OB pier.
A San Diego staple, this particular location has very large outdoor grounds. Great for families, groups or anyone looking to enjoy the sunshine with their meal.
175 locals recommend
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station
2816 Historic Decatur RdA San Diego staple, this particular location has very large outdoor grounds. Great for families, groups or anyone looking to enjoy the sunshine with their meal.
You came to San Diego for the views, right? This swanky place is hip and overlooks the bay and all of downtown.
105 locals recommend
Coasterra
880 Harbor Island DrYou came to San Diego for the views, right? This swanky place is hip and overlooks the bay and all of downtown.
Inside a ship vibe, oyster bar and restaurant. One of the gem's in Little Italy.
207 locals recommend
Ironside Fish & Oyster
1654 India StInside a ship vibe, oyster bar and restaurant. One of the gem's in Little Italy.
Sightseeing
Not to miss, beautiful Balboa Park. Pack a picnic and plan on spending a few hours exploring the grounds. Panama 66 is a restaurant and bar located within the park that has a great vibe. Pro tip: they offer cocktails, beer and wine to go.
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
Not to miss, beautiful Balboa Park. Pack a picnic and plan on spending a few hours exploring the grounds. Panama 66 is a restaurant and bar located within the park that has a great vibe. Pro tip: they offer cocktails, beer and wine to go.
Iconic Torrey Pines State Beach, boasting some of the best views in San Diego. This hiking area has a variety of trails that offer different challenges or leisurely strolls. You can access trails either at the top of the hill, or at the state beach parking at the bottom. Insider tip: end the hike at The Lodge - Torrey Pines golf course's casual eatery.
268 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Beach
Iconic Torrey Pines State Beach, boasting some of the best views in San Diego. This hiking area has a variety of trails that offer different challenges or leisurely strolls. You can access trails either at the top of the hill, or at the state beach parking at the bottom. Insider tip: end the hike at The Lodge - Torrey Pines golf course's casual eatery.
A Saturday to - do. One of the best farmers' markets in San Diego. Live music, fresh food and lots of local vendors to peruse.
247 locals recommend
Little Italy Mercato Farmers' Market
600 W Date StA Saturday to - do. One of the best farmers' markets in San Diego. Live music, fresh food and lots of local vendors to peruse.
Every Wednesday night, Ocean Beach turns into a lively walk about on Newport Ave. Lots of local vendors and live music.
128 locals recommend
Ocean Beach Farmers Market
4900 Newport AveEvery Wednesday night, Ocean Beach turns into a lively walk about on Newport Ave. Lots of local vendors and live music.
If you're looking for an unique Happy Hour spot...this is it. An iconic restaurant in San Diego, with some of the best views in town.
152 locals recommend
Mister A's
2550 Fifth AveIf you're looking for an unique Happy Hour spot...this is it. An iconic restaurant in San Diego, with some of the best views in town.
Live Music
Right down the street from us, Humphrey’s host great artists throughout the year. Local tip, rent kayaks and catch shows from the water.
7 locals recommend
Humphreys Half Moon Inn
2303 Shelter Island DrRight down the street from us, Humphrey’s host great artists throughout the year. Local tip, rent kayaks and catch shows from the water.
For summer travelers, check out San Diego's Symphony Embarcadero location called "The Shell" an outdoor music venue which hosts "Summer Pops" series every year. Fun family event, great for groups or a solo adventure.
56 locals recommend
San Diego Symphony
750 B StFor summer travelers, check out San Diego's Symphony Embarcadero location called "The Shell" an outdoor music venue which hosts "Summer Pops" series every year. Fun family event, great for groups or a solo adventure.
Take a trip to North County San Diego and hit the iconic Belly Up Tavern. From our house you can take the Coaster from the Old Town Station and land within walking distance to the venue in Solana Beach. Go a few hours early and stroll Cedros St. with cute shops, eateries and urban wineries.
271 locals recommend
Belly Up
143 S Cedros AveTake a trip to North County San Diego and hit the iconic Belly Up Tavern. From our house you can take the Coaster from the Old Town Station and land within walking distance to the venue in Solana Beach. Go a few hours early and stroll Cedros St. with cute shops, eateries and urban wineries.
Intimate venue that hosts newer, fresh on the scene bands and fantastic cover bands. Located within walking distance of the heart of Little Italy.
87 locals recommend
The Casbah
2501 Kettner BlvdIntimate venue that hosts newer, fresh on the scene bands and fantastic cover bands. Located within walking distance of the heart of Little Italy.
Especially notable line up around the time of Coachella, check out The Observatory for an awesome live music experience.
125 locals recommend
The Observatory North Park
2891 University AveEspecially notable line up around the time of Coachella, check out The Observatory for an awesome live music experience.
Brunch
Little Lion Cafe
1424 Sunset Cliffs BlvdQuaint brunch spot right in Sunset Cliffs area.
A hillcrest favorite. Pick up some coffee on the way and plan on a wait but enjoy the people watching while you do. If you leave without a maple bacon doughnut, you're messing up.
144 locals recommend
Great Maple
1451 Washington StA hillcrest favorite. Pick up some coffee on the way and plan on a wait but enjoy the people watching while you do. If you leave without a maple bacon doughnut, you're messing up.
A hidden gem located in the neighborhood of Bay Park. Bay Park Coffee and a local brewery are across the way for before or after!
108 locals recommend
Luce Bar & Kitchen
1959 Morena BlvdA hidden gem located in the neighborhood of Bay Park. Bay Park Coffee and a local brewery are across the way for before or after!
Grab N Go
For the sweet tooth's out there, don't miss this Bakery. Pro tip: order ahead online and skip the long lines. Feeling adventures, try the guava and cheese pastry.
70 locals recommend
Azucar
4820 Newport AvenueFor the sweet tooth's out there, don't miss this Bakery. Pro tip: order ahead online and skip the long lines. Feeling adventures, try the guava and cheese pastry.
Similar set up to the SF Ferry building or Seattle Public Market, this is a great place to go to try a variety of San Diego favorite shops. Family and group friendly.
227 locals recommend
Liberty Public Market
2820 Historic Decatur RdSimilar set up to the SF Ferry building or Seattle Public Market, this is a great place to go to try a variety of San Diego favorite shops. Family and group friendly.
An OB favorite market for last minute items and a phenomenal deli, boasting some of the best sandwiches in town. Great for taking to go to the beach, bay or park.
95 locals recommend
The Olive Tree Market
4805 Narragansett AveAn OB favorite market for last minute items and a phenomenal deli, boasting some of the best sandwiches in town. Great for taking to go to the beach, bay or park.
Inexpensive, authentic Mexican cuisine. Great for a quick grab and go. Pro tip: order online or call ahead. Don't miss the carne asada.
La Perla Cocina #3
1224 Rosecrans StreetInexpensive, authentic Mexican cuisine. Great for a quick grab and go. Pro tip: order online or call ahead. Don't miss the carne asada.
Great for coffee or cocktails...win, win. Located next door to a local favorite home boutique called Pigment.
13 locals recommend
Moniker Coffee Co
2860 Sims RdGreat for coffee or cocktails...win, win. Located next door to a local favorite home boutique called Pigment.
In walking distance from us. Great local seafood market. Call and order in advance and take your food to the beach or eat on their outside patio overlooking the harbor. We love the halibut sandwich.
120 locals recommend
Point Loma Seafoods
2805 Emerson StIn walking distance from us. Great local seafood market. Call and order in advance and take your food to the beach or eat on their outside patio overlooking the harbor. We love the halibut sandwich.