San Diego Quick Guide
70 Places • 1 Save • ago
Free

San Diego Outdoors:

do
do
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Best hike: Torrey Pines Beach Trail Loop Easy rated trail that lets you take a loop of the entire area. Other trails branch off of here, so you can make it last even longer if you'd like to add on some miles! Some fun trails to add on: Red Ridge Trail, Razor Point, Parry Grove, etc.
Details
do
do
Torrey Pines State Beach
Whether or not you're out hiking, be sure to check out the beach while you're here! The non-gated off street parking will be cheaper (or free?) than parking within the Natural Reserve parking lot.
Details
do
do
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
• Sunset Cliffs Trail Pro tip: want to find the staircase pictures on my social channels? Head to the intersection of Sunset Cliffs Blvd and Ladera St. Park as close as you can, but it'll be very busy! Tip #2: IF the tides are low enough, you can even walk into a cave below the cliffs. We walked past this cave, as it's fenced off from above for obvious safety reasons. There are a few ways down, but do NOT attempt without checking tide charts. It's recommended for the tide to be in the negatives in order for it to be safe to go here. We did not get lucky last time around, but hoping for next time!
Details
do
do
Stairs to lookout on Sunset Cliffs
Location of aforementioned stairs
Details
do
do
La Jolla Natural Park
• La Jolla Beach Trail • Tide Pools Walk (be sure to check the tides!)
Details
do
do
La Jolla Cove
Details
do
do
Coast Walk Trail
Details
do
do
Sunny Jim's Sea Cave
The sea cave does cost money ($10 for adults), and requires descending a long, steep, and slippery set of stairs. You're allowed 15 mins before returning to the top. The cave store where you can enter is free to go into and browse around though!
Details
do
do
Balboa Park
Tons of things to check out here including several trails! Highly recommend walking Palm Canyon Trail, Balboa Park Loop, and checking out the Spanish Village Art Center! Go early in the morning to beat the crowds, and don't forget to stop and look at the gorgeous architecture!
Details
do
do
Annie's Canyon Trail
Details
do
do
Ho Chi Minh Trail - Beach Access
PSA: Very very slippery - use caution.
Details
do
do
Black's Beach
Something to be aware of is that this beach is clothing optional.
Details
do
do
Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier
This is not a pedestrian pier, but it's a gorgeous photo spot, and you can see many surfers here!
Details
do
do
Harper's Topiary Garden
Details
do
do
The Flower Fields
Decently outside of San Diego, but a good honorable mention if you're in the area in spring!
Details
do
do
Swami's Beach
Again, a bit north of SD!
Details

San Diego Food:

drink
drink
Miss B's Coconut Club
Stumbled upon this place while we were staying in Mission Beach down the road. Pro tip: get the fries and/or the wrap! They also feature adult capri suns!
Details
eat
eat
Duke's La Jolla
A bit touristy of course, but a nice homage back to Hawaii and a great view from the patio
Details
eat
eat
Thai Village
Perhaps it was the margs, but this unassuming little resto was absolutely delicious! They were open late and very quick service as well.
Details
drink
drink
El Prez
Pro tip: Get the tacos and go during happy hour!
Details
eat
eat
Devil's Dozen Donut Shop
Quite literally the best donut I've ever had. Get the cranberry. And try some others for good measure. Mexican mocha coffee was also good!
Details
eat
eat
Richard Walker's Pancake House
Details
eat
eat
The Baked Bear
Details
cafe
cafe
Rum Jungle Cafe
Details
eat
eat
The Funky Lemon
Details
eat
eat
Coaster Saloon
Details
eat
eat
Broken Yolk Cafe
Details
eat
eat
Working Class
Details
eat
eat
Crazee Burger
Details
eat
eat
Flap Your Jacks
Details
do
do
Hammond's Gourmet Ice Cream
Details
eat
eat
Little Italy Food Hall
Details
cafe
cafe
Morning Glory
Very popular brunch spot. No longer a "hidden" gem, so arrive early!
Details
eat
eat
Portside Pier
Details
eat
eat
Cali Cream Homemade Ice Cream
Details
eat
eat
Eggies
Details
eat
eat
Swami's Cafe North Park
Details

San Diego Coffee:

cafe
cafe
Better Buzz Coffee Mission Beach
Pro tip: check out their specials and try an açaí bowl!
Details
cafe
cafe
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters - La Jolla
Details
cafe
cafe
S3 Coffee Bar
Details
cafe
cafe
Communal Coffee
Details
cafe
cafe
Cafe Moto
Details
cafe
cafe
Por Vida
Details

San Diego Bars/Brews:

drink
drink
Ballast Point Brewing Little Italy
Pro tip: try a flight of small tasters to see what you prefer! Then, walk down the street and check out the rest of Little Italy
Details
drink
drink
Guava Beach Bar & Grill
Details
drink
drink
The Grass Skirt
This place isn't outwardly labeled as a speakeasy, so you may have trouble finding the entrance if you're unaware. The entry will be in a lit shop next door. It's not really labeled and looked like you're entering into pickup food shop. They take you straight through the "freezer door" into the bar!
Details
stay
stay
Moxy San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter
Moxy is a hotel, but the bar is right down in the lobby! Cool area with games and such. Not very common, but we waited out the rain here!
Details
drink
drink
Crushed
Try a mimosa or margarita flight!
Details
drink
drink
MOTHERSHIP
Details
eat
eat
Wolfie's Carousel Bar
Details
drink
drink
Amplified Kitchen + Beer Garden
Details
do
do
Rincon Reservation Road Brewery - Ocean Beach
First Native American owned brewery in SoCal
Details
do
do
Mujeres Brew House
Details
do
do
Thorn Brewing Co.
Details

San Diego Other To Do:

do
do
Belmont Park
We went during the week, but I'm sure it's more lively on weekends!
Details
do
do
Old Point Loma Lighthouse
Details
do
do
Cabrillo National Monument
Details
do
do
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala
Details
drink
drink
Coin-Op Game Room
Details
do
do
Welcome to San Diego Mural
Details
shop
shop
Verbatim Books
Details
do
do
Spruce Street Suspension Bridge
Details
do
do
East Village
Details
do
do
San Diego Zoo
Details

San Diego Stays:

Highly recommend using AirBnb here! One of those cities where Airbnb is usually more affordable and in better locations.

I can recommend this one personally: 

Here are some other popular options I've seen:

stay
stay
La Valencia Hotel
stay
stay
Scripps Inn
stay
stay
La Jolla Shores Hotel
Details
stay
stay
ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel
Details
drink
drink
TOWER23 Hotel
Details
stay
stay
Ocean Park Inn

Send A Tip
Send Alex Dean some gratitude.
Select your tip amount
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$5
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San Diego Quick Guide
70 Places • 1 Save • ago
Free

San Diego Outdoors:

do
do
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Best hike: Torrey Pines Beach Trail Loop Easy rated trail that lets you take a loop of the entire area. Other trails branch off of here, so you can make it last even longer if you'd like to add on some miles! Some fun trails to add on: Red Ridge Trail, Razor Point, Parry Grove, etc.
Details
do
do
Torrey Pines State Beach
Whether or not you're out hiking, be sure to check out the beach while you're here! The non-gated off street parking will be cheaper (or free?) than parking within the Natural Reserve parking lot.
Details
do
do
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
• Sunset Cliffs Trail Pro tip: want to find the staircase pictures on my social channels? Head to the intersection of Sunset Cliffs Blvd and Ladera St. Park as close as you can, but it'll be very busy! Tip #2: IF the tides are low enough, you can even walk into a cave below the cliffs. We walked past this cave, as it's fenced off from above for obvious safety reasons. There are a few ways down, but do NOT attempt without checking tide charts. It's recommended for the tide to be in the negatives in order for it to be safe to go here. We did not get lucky last time around, but hoping for next time!
Details
do
do
Stairs to lookout on Sunset Cliffs
Location of aforementioned stairs
Details
do
do
La Jolla Natural Park
• La Jolla Beach Trail • Tide Pools Walk (be sure to check the tides!)
Details
do
do
La Jolla Cove
Details
do
do
Coast Walk Trail
Details
do
do
Sunny Jim's Sea Cave
The sea cave does cost money ($10 for adults), and requires descending a long, steep, and slippery set of stairs. You're allowed 15 mins before returning to the top. The cave store where you can enter is free to go into and browse around though!
Details
do
do
Balboa Park
Tons of things to check out here including several trails! Highly recommend walking Palm Canyon Trail, Balboa Park Loop, and checking out the Spanish Village Art Center! Go early in the morning to beat the crowds, and don't forget to stop and look at the gorgeous architecture!
Details
do
do
Annie's Canyon Trail
Details
do
do
Ho Chi Minh Trail - Beach Access
PSA: Very very slippery - use caution.
Details
do
do
Black's Beach
Something to be aware of is that this beach is clothing optional.
Details
do
do
Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier
This is not a pedestrian pier, but it's a gorgeous photo spot, and you can see many surfers here!
Details
do
do
Harper's Topiary Garden
Details
do
do
The Flower Fields
Decently outside of San Diego, but a good honorable mention if you're in the area in spring!
Details
do
do
Swami's Beach
Again, a bit north of SD!
Details

San Diego Food:

drink
drink
Miss B's Coconut Club
Stumbled upon this place while we were staying in Mission Beach down the road. Pro tip: get the fries and/or the wrap! They also feature adult capri suns!
Details
eat
eat
Duke's La Jolla
A bit touristy of course, but a nice homage back to Hawaii and a great view from the patio
Details
eat
eat
Thai Village
Perhaps it was the margs, but this unassuming little resto was absolutely delicious! They were open late and very quick service as well.
Details
drink
drink
El Prez
Pro tip: Get the tacos and go during happy hour!
Details
eat
eat
Devil's Dozen Donut Shop
Quite literally the best donut I've ever had. Get the cranberry. And try some others for good measure. Mexican mocha coffee was also good!
Details
eat
eat
Richard Walker's Pancake House
Details
eat
eat
The Baked Bear
Details
cafe
cafe
Rum Jungle Cafe
Details
eat
eat
The Funky Lemon
Details
eat
eat
Coaster Saloon
Details
eat
eat
Broken Yolk Cafe
Details
eat
eat
Working Class
Details
eat
eat
Crazee Burger
Details
eat
eat
Flap Your Jacks
Details
do
do
Hammond's Gourmet Ice Cream
Details
eat
eat
Little Italy Food Hall
Details
cafe
cafe
Morning Glory
Very popular brunch spot. No longer a "hidden" gem, so arrive early!
Details
eat
eat
Portside Pier
Details
eat
eat
Cali Cream Homemade Ice Cream
Details
eat
eat
Eggies
Details
eat
eat
Swami's Cafe North Park
Details

San Diego Coffee:

cafe
cafe
Better Buzz Coffee Mission Beach
Pro tip: check out their specials and try an açaí bowl!
Details
cafe
cafe
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters - La Jolla
Details
cafe
cafe
S3 Coffee Bar
Details
cafe
cafe
Communal Coffee
Details
cafe
cafe
Cafe Moto
Details
cafe
cafe
Por Vida
Details

San Diego Bars/Brews:

drink
drink
Ballast Point Brewing Little Italy
Pro tip: try a flight of small tasters to see what you prefer! Then, walk down the street and check out the rest of Little Italy
Details
drink
drink
Guava Beach Bar & Grill
Details
drink
drink
The Grass Skirt
This place isn't outwardly labeled as a speakeasy, so you may have trouble finding the entrance if you're unaware. The entry will be in a lit shop next door. It's not really labeled and looked like you're entering into pickup food shop. They take you straight through the "freezer door" into the bar!
Details
stay
stay
Moxy San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter
Moxy is a hotel, but the bar is right down in the lobby! Cool area with games and such. Not very common, but we waited out the rain here!
Details
drink
drink
Crushed
Try a mimosa or margarita flight!
Details
drink
drink
MOTHERSHIP
Details
eat
eat
Wolfie's Carousel Bar
Details
drink
drink
Amplified Kitchen + Beer Garden
Details
do
do
Rincon Reservation Road Brewery - Ocean Beach
First Native American owned brewery in SoCal
Details
do
do
Mujeres Brew House
Details
do
do
Thorn Brewing Co.
Details

San Diego Other To Do:

do
do
Belmont Park
We went during the week, but I'm sure it's more lively on weekends!
Details
do
do
Old Point Loma Lighthouse
Details
do
do
Cabrillo National Monument
Details
do
do
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala
Details
drink
drink
Coin-Op Game Room
Details
do
do
Welcome to San Diego Mural
Details
shop
shop
Verbatim Books
Details
do
do
Spruce Street Suspension Bridge
Details
do
do
East Village
Details
do
do
San Diego Zoo
Details

San Diego Stays:

Highly recommend using AirBnb here! One of those cities where Airbnb is usually more affordable and in better locations.

I can recommend this one personally: 

Here are some other popular options I've seen:

stay
stay
La Valencia Hotel
stay
stay
Scripps Inn
stay
stay
La Jolla Shores Hotel
Details
stay
stay
ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel
Details
drink
drink
TOWER23 Hotel
Details
stay
stay
Ocean Park Inn

Send A Tip
Send Alex Dean some gratitude.
Select your tip amount
$3
$5
$10
$20
Or type in other amount
$