Carl’s guidebook
Food scene
One of my favorite restuarants in the city. Excellent Hawaiian. I recommend the Volcano bowl with sweet potatoes.
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Chris' Ono Grinds Island Grill - North Park
4506 30th StOne of my favorite restuarants in the city. Excellent Hawaiian. I recommend the Volcano bowl with sweet potatoes.
Fantastic premium sushi. You likely will need to make a reservation.
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Sushi Ota
4529 Mission Bay DrFantastic premium sushi. You likely will need to make a reservation.
Nearby mexican food. They make a great Buenos Dias breakfast burrito, and I also recommend their tortas.
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Burritos Santana
10443 San Diego Mission RdNearby mexican food. They make a great Buenos Dias breakfast burrito, and I also recommend their tortas.
Big American style breakfasts in a cafe with American decor. One of my favorites.
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Antique Row Cafe
3002 Adams AveBig American style breakfasts in a cafe with American decor. One of my favorites.
JAVA GARDEN
2699 Mission Village DriveWalkable. They serve coffee, breakfast paninis, and small baked goods.
Mike's Taco Club
5060 Newport AveFish tacos at the beach. What else do you want to know?
Remember the piano scene in the original Top Gun movie? It was filmed here. Skip the food here and instead get a Top Gun lager made by Green Flash specifically for this iconic bar.
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Kansas City Barbeque
600 W Harbor DrRemember the piano scene in the original Top Gun movie? It was filmed here. Skip the food here and instead get a Top Gun lager made by Green Flash specifically for this iconic bar.
Excellent italian food. This is my fav, but there are a lot of great choices for Italian food in Little Italy too.
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Buona Forchetta - South Park
3001 Beech StExcellent italian food. This is my fav, but there are a lot of great choices for Italian food in Little Italy too.
In-N-Out Burger
10370 Friars RoadA California fast food staple
Grand Ole BBQ Y Asado
3302 32nd StHands down the best BBQ in SD
Super inventive breakfast foods and MASSIVE portions. Bring an appetite!
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Hash House A Go Go
3628 Fifth AveSuper inventive breakfast foods and MASSIVE portions. Bring an appetite!
Get a table on their Ocean Terrace for beautiful ocean views while you eat.
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George's at the Cove
1250 Prospect StGet a table on their Ocean Terrace for beautiful ocean views while you eat.
Sightseeing
A truly unique spot in San Diego for hiking along the cliffs and the beach
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Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadA truly unique spot in San Diego for hiking along the cliffs and the beach
World renowned public golf course with breathtaking views of the coast and skyline. If you like to golf this is a must visit. Another great choice for golf: Balboa Park GC has views overlooking the downtown skyline on the back 9.
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Torrey Pines Golf Course
11480 N Torrey Pines RdWorld renowned public golf course with breathtaking views of the coast and skyline. If you like to golf this is a must visit. Another great choice for golf: Balboa Park GC has views overlooking the downtown skyline on the back 9.
World famous zoo. Also check out the Safari Park location - also run by the San Diego Zoo. There are different animals at each and it's worth seeing both.
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San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrWorld famous zoo. Also check out the Safari Park location - also run by the San Diego Zoo. There are different animals at each and it's worth seeing both.
Historic Hotel on the beach. It's worth going to see the architecture and history and you can take a walk along the shops in Coronado or along the beach boardwalk. In the winter they have a beach ice-skating rink.
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Hotel Del Coronado
1500 Orange AveHistoric Hotel on the beach. It's worth going to see the architecture and history and you can take a walk along the shops in Coronado or along the beach boardwalk. In the winter they have a beach ice-skating rink.
Great place for a walk along a scenic part of the coast. You can also explore around Ocean Beach for great food and chill vibes or head further down point loma to Cabrillo NM and the lighthouse.
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Sunset Cliffs
Great place for a walk along a scenic part of the coast. You can also explore around Ocean Beach for great food and chill vibes or head further down point loma to Cabrillo NM and the lighthouse.
IMHO, this is one of the most scenic beaches in San Diego. I also recommend the beach in Del Mar. This is also a great place to rent kayaks, paddleboards, or take surf lessons. You can continue to nearby La Jolla Cove to see the wildlife and more scenic views.
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La Jolla Shores Strand
IMHO, this is one of the most scenic beaches in San Diego. I also recommend the beach in Del Mar. This is also a great place to rent kayaks, paddleboards, or take surf lessons. You can continue to nearby La Jolla Cove to see the wildlife and more scenic views.
You'll be close enough to walk! Check out their schedule online and catch a sporting event or an arena-style concert during your trip!
Snapdragon Stadium
You'll be close enough to walk! Check out their schedule online and catch a sporting event or an arena-style concert during your trip!
Great place at the edge of Balboa for a picnic or to watch the sunset with views of the downtown skyline. Another good choice: Kate Sessions Park in PB.
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Bird Park
Pershing DriveGreat place at the edge of Balboa for a picnic or to watch the sunset with views of the downtown skyline. Another good choice: Kate Sessions Park in PB.
Drinks
Nolita Hall
2305 India StCreative dishes and cocktails in Little Italy
Kettner Exchange
2001 Kettner BlvdSame. Creative dishes and cocktails in Little Italy
Another choice for food and cocktails in Little Italy.
There's also a hidden tiki bar here. (You might need a reservation.)
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Craft & Commerce
675 W Beech StAnother choice for food and cocktails in Little Italy.
There's also a hidden tiki bar here. (You might need a reservation.)
The Nolen
453 Sixth AveStylish rooftop bar
Sycamore Den
3391 Adams AveTriple Crown Pub
3221 Adams AveClassic Dive Bar
McGregor's Grill
10475 San Diego Mission RdClose by. Lots of food and drink options.
Breweries
There are well over 100 breweries in SD, so feel free to find your own. Here are some of my favorites.
And if you're looking for a lot of breweries all in walking distance of one another, your best bet is North Park where you can easily walk between 15+ brewery tasting rooms.
Fall Brewing Company
4542 30th StPure Project Balboa Park
2865 Fifth AveHarland Brewing Co. - Bay Park
4112 Napier StNorth Park Beer Company
3038 University AveBay City Brewing Co Tasting Room
627 Eighth AvenueHalf Door Brewing Co.
903 Island AveVineyards
One of many wineries to choose from in Escondido and Temecula. Worth the drive if you have some time.
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Espinosa Vineyards
15360 Bandy Canyon RoadOne of many wineries to choose from in Escondido and Temecula. Worth the drive if you have some time.
One of many wineries to choose from in Escondido and Temecula. Worth the drive if you have some time.
ZXQ Vineyards and Winery
One of many wineries to choose from in Escondido and Temecula. Worth the drive if you have some time.
If you have a full day, you could consider going south of the border to the napa of Mexico. Valle Guadalupe has tons of beautiful wineries with daily tastings. You can even book a tour if you want to avoid driving in Mexico. This is just one of the many great options in the valley.
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Relieve Vinícola
S/N Calle GranateIf you have a full day, you could consider going south of the border to the napa of Mexico. Valle Guadalupe has tons of beautiful wineries with daily tastings. You can even book a tour if you want to avoid driving in Mexico. This is just one of the many great options in the valley.