Guidebook for San Diego

Jason
Guidebook for San Diego

Food Scene

Cheap, fresh and delicious breakfast.
14 locals recommend
The Original Pancake House
14905 Pomerado Rd
14 locals recommend
Cheap, fresh and delicious breakfast.
Reasonably priced, good sushi and ramen. Staff is very friendly. Downside is the quality varies day to day.
24 locals recommend
Ototo Sushi Co.
2558 Laning Rd
24 locals recommend
Reasonably priced, good sushi and ramen. Staff is very friendly. Downside is the quality varies day to day.
Freshly made tea, drinks, coffee, and pastries of all kinds.
16 locals recommend
85C Bakery Cafe - Balboa Mesa
5575 Balboa Ave
16 locals recommend
Freshly made tea, drinks, coffee, and pastries of all kinds.
Great local burger restaurant.
21 locals recommend
The Habit Burger Grill
4175 Genesee Ave
21 locals recommend
Great local burger restaurant.
Sometimes long waits towards dinner time, but the ramen is worth it! Highly rated.
28 locals recommend
Rakiraki Ramen & Tsukemen
4646 Convoy St
28 locals recommend
Sometimes long waits towards dinner time, but the ramen is worth it! Highly rated.
Developed by Richard Blais of Top Chef Season 4, this American style restaurant is elegant and the food is out of this world. I still visit every time I'm in town,sometimes more than once. The kitchen is ran by Executive Chef Anthony Wells. The menu changes EVERY day so there is always something new to try. If you have a party of two or more the duck is a MUST TRY staple of J&I.
123 locals recommend
Juniper & Ivy
2228 Kettner Blvd
123 locals recommend
Developed by Richard Blais of Top Chef Season 4, this American style restaurant is elegant and the food is out of this world. I still visit every time I'm in town,sometimes more than once. The kitchen is ran by Executive Chef Anthony Wells. The menu changes EVERY day so there is always something new to try. If you have a party of two or more the duck is a MUST TRY staple of J&I.
Bar, ocean views, great food. Overall excellent place to relax and eat some amazing food.
228 locals recommend
Wonderland Ocean Pub
5083 Santa Monica Ave
228 locals recommend
Bar, ocean views, great food. Overall excellent place to relax and eat some amazing food.
Dine in or take out fried fish and seafood. Excellent value and great tasting food. They supply you with all condiments and silverware. The seafood platter includes fries, one side, one piece of fish, fried scallops, and fried shrimp.
Mister Fish & Chips
5647 Balboa Ave
Dine in or take out fried fish and seafood. Excellent value and great tasting food. They supply you with all condiments and silverware. The seafood platter includes fries, one side, one piece of fish, fried scallops, and fried shrimp.
A great spot for smoked meat, ribs, chicken, cornbread, excellent BBQ sauce and more. Delivery available on Uber Eats.
32 locals recommend
BBQ House Bar & Grill
5025 Newport Ave
32 locals recommend
A great spot for smoked meat, ribs, chicken, cornbread, excellent BBQ sauce and more. Delivery available on Uber Eats.
"Fast food", build your own, freshly made personal pizza. Choose your crust and toppings and your pizza is cooked within a few minutes. Be sure to opt for the sea salt and oregano at the end of the topping line.
6 locals recommend
Blaze Pizza
5604 Balboa Ave
6 locals recommend
"Fast food", build your own, freshly made personal pizza. Choose your crust and toppings and your pizza is cooked within a few minutes. Be sure to opt for the sea salt and oregano at the end of the topping line.
Unassuming and inside of a strip mall with only a few seats. If you want top tier sushi and sashimi (not california rolls) at a reasonable price look no further.
18 locals recommend
Sushi Tadokoro
2244 San Diego Ave
18 locals recommend
Unassuming and inside of a strip mall with only a few seats. If you want top tier sushi and sashimi (not california rolls) at a reasonable price look no further.
#2 sushi spot in San Diego behind Soichi. The seats fill up extremely fast, there are usually reservations, and almost always a line at the door waiting for the restaurant to open. A little on the pricey side, but the sushi and sashimi are incredibly fresh and worth every penny. If you want to experience the best of the best then come here. A quick 10 minute drive away.
146 locals recommend
Sushi Ota
4529 Mission Bay Dr
146 locals recommend
#2 sushi spot in San Diego behind Soichi. The seats fill up extremely fast, there are usually reservations, and almost always a line at the door waiting for the restaurant to open. A little on the pricey side, but the sushi and sashimi are incredibly fresh and worth every penny. If you want to experience the best of the best then come here. A quick 10 minute drive away.
#3 sushi restaurant in San Diego. Downtown setting so this is higher priced than my other favorite spots. They prepare the sushi and sashimi with a little extra kick (wasabi) compared to the other locations. Just because I ranked it #3 doesn't mean I wouldn't go back every week for more.
24 locals recommend
Shino Sushi + Kappo
838 W Ash St
24 locals recommend
#3 sushi restaurant in San Diego. Downtown setting so this is higher priced than my other favorite spots. They prepare the sushi and sashimi with a little extra kick (wasabi) compared to the other locations. Just because I ranked it #3 doesn't mean I wouldn't go back every week for more.
Chef Nobu is a "celebrity chef" with appearances on various cooking shows. Classy, high end restaurant with a standalone sushi bar. Japanese food with Peruvian ingredients. Opt for any of the local fresh seafood or the, "Omakase" course. Omakase is a multi-course presentation and meal starting at $100 and up. The meal lasts an hour and a half or more.
22 locals recommend
Nobu San Diego
207 Fifth Ave
22 locals recommend
Chef Nobu is a "celebrity chef" with appearances on various cooking shows. Classy, high end restaurant with a standalone sushi bar. Japanese food with Peruvian ingredients. Opt for any of the local fresh seafood or the, "Omakase" course. Omakase is a multi-course presentation and meal starting at $100 and up. The meal lasts an hour and a half or more.
Every Saturday from 8am-1pm the local fishermen sell their catch to the public here. There is also a small booth cooking fresh fish sandwiches. There is also a cutting station that will portion out an entire fish should you buy one. Find a wide array of seafood straight off the boat here including sea urchin, crabs, snails, lobster, tuna, and other fish.
Tuna Harbor Dockside Market
598 Harbor Ln
Every Saturday from 8am-1pm the local fishermen sell their catch to the public here. There is also a small booth cooking fresh fish sandwiches. There is also a cutting station that will portion out an entire fish should you buy one. Find a wide array of seafood straight off the boat here including sea urchin, crabs, snails, lobster, tuna, and other fish.
A walk in style market with fresh seafood. They also serve food here. There is everything from fish jerky, to dip, to the fresh catches of the day. The oysters by the dozen here are amazing. They have tables outside where you can eat.
120 locals recommend
Point Loma Seafoods
2805 Emerson St
120 locals recommend
A walk in style market with fresh seafood. They also serve food here. There is everything from fish jerky, to dip, to the fresh catches of the day. The oysters by the dozen here are amazing. They have tables outside where you can eat.
A spin off open air restaurant from Chef Blais right next to Juniper and Ivy. This place is "all day chicken and eggs". Dishes are based off of those two ingredients. Full bar, wine, outside seating, and all ingredients are high quality - only the best here.
145 locals recommend
The Crack Shack - Little Italy
2266 Kettner Blvd
145 locals recommend
A spin off open air restaurant from Chef Blais right next to Juniper and Ivy. This place is "all day chicken and eggs". Dishes are based off of those two ingredients. Full bar, wine, outside seating, and all ingredients are high quality - only the best here.
Large selection of affordable sushi rolls. They focus almost entirely on rolls so don't go here if you want nigiri or sashimi. The rolls are very tasty and there are enough of them to satisfy anyone's preferences.
54 locals recommend
Sushi Deli 1
228 W Washington St
54 locals recommend
Large selection of affordable sushi rolls. They focus almost entirely on rolls so don't go here if you want nigiri or sashimi. The rolls are very tasty and there are enough of them to satisfy anyone's preferences.
Legendary ice cream sandwiches. You choose the ice cream, toppings, and two freshly made cookies. Combine them all for a hand held treat.
97 locals recommend
The Baked Bear
4516 Mission Blvd
97 locals recommend
Legendary ice cream sandwiches. You choose the ice cream, toppings, and two freshly made cookies. Combine them all for a hand held treat.
The Pho is simply amazing. The broth is perfectly balanced and you could drink it by itself. A must visit.
Mignon Pho + Seafood
3860 Convoy St
The Pho is simply amazing. The broth is perfectly balanced and you could drink it by itself. A must visit.
Wow. Come here for fresh off the boat fish sandwiches, tacos, ceviche, sashimi, and poke. You can also purchase fresh fish products. There is a line at 1045a every morning!
100 locals recommend
Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill
3667 India St
100 locals recommend
Wow. Come here for fresh off the boat fish sandwiches, tacos, ceviche, sashimi, and poke. You can also purchase fresh fish products. There is a line at 1045a every morning!
Expect some creative dishes. When you're done eating head in back to the hidden tiki bar False Idol.
151 locals recommend
Craft & Commerce
675 W Beech St
151 locals recommend
Expect some creative dishes. When you're done eating head in back to the hidden tiki bar False Idol.
Open late when you are craving Borscht, pierogies, or other Russian fare. The bar has great drinks as well.
Pushkin Russian Restaurant
750 Sixth Ave
Open late when you are craving Borscht, pierogies, or other Russian fare. The bar has great drinks as well.
Looking for a quick lunch bite? Head here for more fresh fish put into delicious tacos and other mexican dishes.
25 locals recommend
Rubio's
4504 E Mission Bay Dr
25 locals recommend
Looking for a quick lunch bite? Head here for more fresh fish put into delicious tacos and other mexican dishes.
Recently awarded their first Michelin star, Soichi is the best sushi experience in town. Reservations are extremely difficult to get now. Call Rachael and let them know I referred you!
12 locals recommend
SOICHI
2121 Adams Ave
12 locals recommend
Recently awarded their first Michelin star, Soichi is the best sushi experience in town. Reservations are extremely difficult to get now. Call Rachael and let them know I referred you!
Celeb chef Brian Malarkey's Asian fusion restaurant.
8 locals recommend
Animae
969 Pacific Hwy
8 locals recommend
Celeb chef Brian Malarkey's Asian fusion restaurant.
Smoothies and boba tea here, many great flavors and creations
It's Boba Time
4344 Convoy St
Smoothies and boba tea here, many great flavors and creations
Recently voted best seafood restaurant in the city, ask for Nick the GM and enjoy your journey.
117 locals recommend
The Fishery
5040 Cass St
117 locals recommend
Recently voted best seafood restaurant in the city, ask for Nick the GM and enjoy your journey.
Another wood fired earthy American restaurant from Celeb Chef Malarkey.
62 locals recommend
Herb & Wood
2210 Kettner Blvd
62 locals recommend
Another wood fired earthy American restaurant from Celeb Chef Malarkey.
Check out the clam chowder and lobster tacos with an ocean view
207 locals recommend
World Famous
711 Pacific Beach Dr
207 locals recommend
Check out the clam chowder and lobster tacos with an ocean view
Best ice cream I've ever had, really. Unique flavors and impressive 5 star reviews
Pacific Beach Ice Cream Co.
Best ice cream I've ever had, really. Unique flavors and impressive 5 star reviews
Their Poke bowls are among my favorite
29 locals recommend
Poké Chop
1404 Garnet Ave
29 locals recommend
Their Poke bowls are among my favorite
My favorite place in town for Pad Thai
7 locals recommend
Tweety Thai Cuisine
1768 Garnet Ave
7 locals recommend
My favorite place in town for Pad Thai
Hawaiian style chicken and steak with rice and sides. A local favorite
24 locals recommend
Chris' Ono Grinds Island Grill - North Park
4506 30th St
24 locals recommend
Hawaiian style chicken and steak with rice and sides. A local favorite
#1 Ramen in the city. Get the Tonkotsu Chashu
24 locals recommend
Menya Ultra
8199 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
24 locals recommend
#1 Ramen in the city. Get the Tonkotsu Chashu
Delicious pot pies and desserts
26 locals recommend
Pop Pie Co.
4404 Park Blvd
26 locals recommend
Delicious pot pies and desserts
Fantastic breakfast dishes, Japanese soufflé pancakes, and everything is pink
72 locals recommend
Morning Glory
550 W Date St
72 locals recommend
Fantastic breakfast dishes, Japanese soufflé pancakes, and everything is pink

Parks & Nature

Relaxing waterfront park
71 locals recommend
Fiesta Island Park
1590 E Mission Bay Dr
71 locals recommend
Relaxing waterfront park
Nice place to visit to learn about fish and sea life on the west coast. Mostly indoors. There is an outside section with an amazing ocean view.
366 locals recommend
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
2300 Expedition Way
366 locals recommend
Nice place to visit to learn about fish and sea life on the west coast. Mostly indoors. There is an outside section with an amazing ocean view.

Drinks & Nightlife

Live music, good drinks and people. Fun vibe
14 locals recommend
710 Beach Club
710 Garnet Ave
14 locals recommend
Live music, good drinks and people. Fun vibe
British Pub in the heart of Little Italy. Plenty of drinks and traditional food
23 locals recommend
Princess Pub & Grille
1665 India St
23 locals recommend
British Pub in the heart of Little Italy. Plenty of drinks and traditional food
Intimate night club with three levels. Great DJ sets. Laid back and friendly crowd. More relaxed and low key compared to Omnia. Mixed drinks are pricey - $13
24 locals recommend
Music Box
1337 India St
24 locals recommend
Intimate night club with three levels. Great DJ sets. Laid back and friendly crowd. More relaxed and low key compared to Omnia. Mixed drinks are pricey - $13
A very Irish dive bar. Live Irish music, karaoke night and more. It is a quick 10 minute walk from here to there.
7 locals recommend
Blarney Stone Pub
5617 Balboa Ave
7 locals recommend
A very Irish dive bar. Live Irish music, karaoke night and more. It is a quick 10 minute walk from here to there.
Speakeasy storefront / revolving wall leading to a fantastic dark bar and plush seating area. Reservations recommended.
39 locals recommend
Raised by Wolves
4301 La Jolla Village Dr
39 locals recommend
Speakeasy storefront / revolving wall leading to a fantastic dark bar and plush seating area. Reservations recommended.
A hidden tiki style bar within Craft and Commerce with plenty of fruity rum drinks. Reservations are needed
47 locals recommend
False Idol
675 W Beech St
47 locals recommend
A hidden tiki style bar within Craft and Commerce with plenty of fruity rum drinks. Reservations are needed
Best place for custom-tailored cocktails in the city.
Young Blood
Best place for custom-tailored cocktails in the city.

Sightseeing

"Old west" style village with many shops for trinkets and souvenirs. Live music, several restaurants, and small museums are here.
1070 locals recommend
Old Town
1070 locals recommend
"Old west" style village with many shops for trinkets and souvenirs. Live music, several restaurants, and small museums are here.
Shops, music, food, great views. Great place to visit
762 locals recommend
Seaport Village
849 W Harbor Dr
762 locals recommend
Shops, music, food, great views. Great place to visit
Hop aboard the USS Midway, grab a set of headphones to listen to the audio tour, and walk the ship step by step. My tour was cut short, but I would guess you can spend 3-6 hours or more here if you take your time and look at everything.
775 locals recommend
USS Midway Museum
910 N Harbor Dr
775 locals recommend
Hop aboard the USS Midway, grab a set of headphones to listen to the audio tour, and walk the ship step by step. My tour was cut short, but I would guess you can spend 3-6 hours or more here if you take your time and look at everything.
Hop a ride on a hornblower cruise and tour the north bay, south bay, or go whale watching. Food and spirits on board, of course.
49 locals recommend
Hornblower Cruises & Events
1800 N Harbor Dr
49 locals recommend
Hop a ride on a hornblower cruise and tour the north bay, south bay, or go whale watching. Food and spirits on board, of course.
Great rollercoaster from the early 1900's, Mini Golf, and a newly created indoor pool / kids obstacle course.
689 locals recommend
Belmont Park
3146 Mission Blvd
689 locals recommend
Great rollercoaster from the early 1900's, Mini Golf, and a newly created indoor pool / kids obstacle course.