San Diego Travel Guide

After living in San Diego for 4 years of college, I thought it was about time I put together a travel guide of my favorite restaurants and things to do. I was so lucky to go to school in this beautiful place where other people come to vacation. I even got to live steps away from Mission Beach for the last year and a half of college, which was amazing!

San Diego is a huge city, and there’s definitely way too much to cover in this one post. As you can see, I have a couple favorite neighborhoods that I spent the most time in (Mission/Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Little Italy, and Liberty Station), and most of the restaurants/activities I recommend are in those. The San Diego restaurant scene is also kind of insane, and there’s so many I still haven’t gotten a chance to try. However, here’s a list of places I found myself coming back to again and again, either with my friends or family. 

Whether you’re coming for a quick weekend trip or an extended stay, I hope this post helps you plan your visit! 

Accommodations

Rent a beach house - My family did this a couple of times when they came to visit San Diego, most recently for my graduation. If you’re coming with your family or a bigger group, I believe this is the way to go in San Diego. You really can’t beat being steps away from the beach, and it’s nice to have plenty of space to hang out. Most of the houses by the beach are listed on Bluewater Vacation Homes, 710 Beach Rentals, or Vrbo. 

Manchester Grand Hyatt (Downtown/Seaport Village) - I stayed here a couple of times with my family during my freshman year. It’s a nice hotel with plenty of amenities, and it looks out over the San Diego Bay. It’s also within walking distance of Seaport Village and Little Italy. 

The Pendry San Diego (Downtown/Gaslamp) - I haven’t stayed here, but I have been to the rooftop pool for a day, which was super fun. It’s a cute boutique hotel and would be perfect for a girls trip. 

La Valencia Hotel (La Jolla) - I’ve always wanted to stay at this vintage-style hotel. It looks so cute and has a prime location on Prospect St. in La Jolla (plus it’s pink!). It’s definitely on the more expensive side, but worth checking out if you’re looking for a luxurious getaway. 

Coffee

Better Buzz (multiple locations) - A San Diego staple. There are several locations around the city, but I frequented the one on Mission Blvd because I lived about 600 feet away. Get the iced Best Drink Ever half sweet. 

Lazy Eye Coffee (Mission Beach) - A cute, tiny coffee stand in South Mission Beach. They make really good coffee using Verve beans. Grab a latte from here and then go for a walk along Mission Beach. 

Moniker General (Liberty Station) - A very aesthetic coffee shop/home decor store in one. Also a good place to sit with your laptop and get some work done. 

Lofty Coffee (Little Italy) - A cute coffee spot in Little Italy. Ask for an iced vanilla latte with the house syrup. 

Communal Coffee (North Park & South Park) - Another aesthetic coffee shop/store that sells gifts and flowers. 

Brunch 

San Diego is very much a brunch place. As you’ll see, I didn’t even include lunch options on here because I couldn’t really think of any. My suggestion is to do brunch instead because there are so many good options. 

Breakfast Republic (multiple locations) - Another San Diego staple with several locations - my favorite is the Liberty Station one. They don’t take reservations and it’s always busy, so try and get there early. 

The Cottage (La Jolla) - Probably my favorite brunch spot in San Diego (and that’s saying a lot). They have the best French Toast, but you really can’t go wrong with anything on their menu. Pro tip: Put yourself on the Yelp waiting list beforehand. 

Cody’s (La Jolla) - Another one of my favorite brunch spots. Super cute location in La Jolla overlooking the water. It’s always pretty busy as well, so put your name on the waitlist then go walk around Girard Street. 

Zinqué (Little Italy) - A trendy LA restauarant that opened a San Diego location a few years ago. It’s known for the popular “Le Bowl” salad, but the menu has a wide variety of typical brunch options too.

Parakeet Café (multiple locations) - An adorable cafe that’s perfect if you’re looking for a healthier take on classic brunch options. I like the location in the One Paseo in Del Mar. 

Olive Café (Mission Beach) - If you’re looking for a no frills but delicious breakfast by the beach, Olive Café is your spot. I also went here very often last year because I lived so close by. Be sure to get one of their homemade scones on the side. 

Morning Glory (Little Italy) - This spot is known for its bright pink, very aesthetically-pleasing decor. However, it can have astronomical wait times (like 4 hours long). It’s definitely an experience, but if you’re only in San Diego for a couple days, I wouldn’t say it’s worth waiting hours to eat here. 

Duke’s (La Jolla) - A good option if you’re looking for a fancier brunch. It’s not my favorite food ever (the menu is a bit small), but it’s in a prime location right by the water. 

The French Toast and an Aperol Spritz from Zinqué

The inside of Morning Glory

Dinner

Madison (South Park) - One of my absolute favorite restaurants in San Diego. They have the best food and cocktails and a super cool location with an open roof. It’s a bit fancier, so it’s a good choice if you want to get dressed up. I’ve only been for dinner, but their brunch menu looks really good too!

Buona Forchetta (multiple locations) - An authentic Italian restaurant where you get your choice of sauce and type of pasta. My favorite is the carbonara. I’ve been to their locations in Liberty Station and South Park, and both are really good!

Puesto (multiple locations) - A trendy spot for tacos and margs. The food’s definitely expensive for what it is, but it’s so good. I like their Headquarters location in Seaport Village. Be sure to make a reservation a few days in advance. 

Bencotto (Little Italy) - My favorite restaurant in Little Italy. Amazing food and service!

Miguels (multiple locations) - San Diego is known for its Mexican food, and a visit to Old Town is a must. The streets are lined with Mexican restaurants, but Miguel’s is the best in my opinion.

Cesarina (Point Loma) - The cutest Italian restaurant ever. They thought of every little detail, from the beautiful ceramic dishes to the waiters’ pink aprons. I only just went here for the first time in April, and my only regret is not discovering it sooner! 

Herringbone (La Jolla) - An elegant but cozy seafood restaurant. It’s super aesthetic and has delicious food and cocktails. Get the $1 oysters to start.

Fat Fish (Pacific Beach) - A casual spot for really good Mexican food and margs by the beach. 

Isola (La Jolla & Little Italy) - A cute and cozy spot for the best pizza. I really like both locations!

Bucatini arrabbiatissima from Cesarina – almost too pretty to eat!

Bars

So I am not exactly the expert on this, as I only really had a few months where I was able to go out in San Diego, and it was still during COVID. All my recommendations are also limited to the Pacific Beach area because the college kids mainly stay around there, but I guarantee these places are a good time!

Firehouse - Probably my favorite bar in Pacific Beach. Trendy and has good cocktails. More of a nighttime spot. 

El Prez  - A popular rooftop bar for day drinking (no one really goes at night). They have the best frosé. 

The Local - A casual spot that’s fun at night and during the day. The staff are super nice here. 

Mavericks - Another popular spot in PB with good drinks. It was pretty low-key during COVID, but I hear it’s a lot more fun without restrictions in place. 

Moonshine - They play country music and do line dancing until 10pm, then it turns into a club. Super fun, but the lines to get in can be crazy. 

Things To Do

Beach - An obvious one in San Diego! There’s so many to choose from. I went to Mission Beach the most often, but my favorite is Windansea in La Jolla. 

Downtown La Jolla - Get brunch and walk around Girard Avenue and Prospect Street after. It’s a really pretty neighborhood right by the water. 

Seaport Village - Another cute waterfront neighborhood with lots of shops and restaurants. Fun to walk around and very convenient if you’re staying downtown. It’s right next to Little Italy, so you can easily hit both in one day. 

Little Italy Farmers Market - There’s several farmers markets around San Diego, but the Little Italy one on Saturday mornings is my favorite. It’s 5 blocks long and has cute stands selling food, flowers, gifts, etc. 

Coronado Island - A gorgeous beach town known for the grand Hotel Del Coronado. I didn’t get over here too often as it’s a bit far from Mission Beach, but I always enjoyed it when I went!

One Paseo Del Mar - A high-end lifestyle destination with restaurants and cute boutiques. Worth going to walk around and pop into a few stores (my favorites are Van De Vort, Whiskey & Leather, and Pigment). 

Westfield UTC La Jolla - A beautiful outdoor upscale mall. If you’re looking to do some serious shopping, this is your place. They have about every store you could possibly want!

Torrey Pines Hike - There are plenty of nice hikes in San Diego, but Torrey Pines near Del Mar was my favorite. There’s a couple different trails to choose from ranging in length and difficulty. If you don’t want to do a full-blown hike, a walk by the beach always works too!

Sunset Cliffs + Picnic - So this is kind of a cliché San Diego thing to do, but it’s super pretty here at sunset. Grab something casual like burritos, lay out a picnic blanket, and enjoy a beautiful San Diego sunset.

Tips

• If you plan to rent a house, start looking months in advance. The good ones go quickly, especially during peak vacation times. 

• Given San Diego’s laidback lifestyle, most people dress pretty casually. You can definitely get dressed up to go out to brunch/dinner, but also know you won’t be out of place in jeans. 

• Getting an Uber could always be a bit tough in San Diego, and it’s gotten even worse since COVID (plus more expensive). If you won’t have a car, you may want to stay in a neighborhood that's within walking distance of some of the places you’ll want to visit. 

• Not to burst anyone’s bubble, but I realized the “300 days of sun” San Diego likes to advertise is a bit of a myth. While the weather is still usually pretty good, it’s not necessarily beach weather everyday, and it can definitely get cloudy and windy near the water. For the best weather, I suggest visiting between August and October (even November is usually pretty nice). It can get pretty overcast in the spring, and you definitely want to avoid the June Gloom. 

Enjoy your trip! x