Guidebook for San Diego

Elizabeth
Guidebook for San Diego

Food Scene

Tasty, cheap, and authentic Filipino food.
Porky's Lechon Barbecue
1430 E Plaza Blvd
Tasty, cheap, and authentic Filipino food.
Formerly known as Conching's cafe, this place serves delicious Filipino food and desserts, including pandan, ube, and coconut ice creams!
Erlinda's Filipino Cuisine
3400 E 8th St
Formerly known as Conching's cafe, this place serves delicious Filipino food and desserts, including pandan, ube, and coconut ice creams!
The original and BEST of the Tacos El Gordo locations, they serve yummy street style tacos.
99 locals recommend
Tacos El Gordo
556 Broadway
99 locals recommend
The original and BEST of the Tacos El Gordo locations, they serve yummy street style tacos.
Upscale American comfort food, with such offerings as a lamb and fig meatloaf and a duck confit mac 'n cheese! Sundays they have a bluegrass brunch, and the hangar steak benedict is to die for!
139 locals recommend
Urban Solace & Bar Solace
3823 30th St
139 locals recommend
Upscale American comfort food, with such offerings as a lamb and fig meatloaf and a duck confit mac 'n cheese! Sundays they have a bluegrass brunch, and the hangar steak benedict is to die for!
Probably my favourite place both for breakfast and dinner. Paleo-friendly, though the lemon-ricotta pancake is tempting! In the the cute neighbourhood of University Heights.
69 locals recommend
Parkhouse Eatery
4574 Park Blvd
69 locals recommend
Probably my favourite place both for breakfast and dinner. Paleo-friendly, though the lemon-ricotta pancake is tempting! In the the cute neighbourhood of University Heights.
Truffles, drinking chocolate, brunch, AND dinner! You can't lose with this place! Menu offerings are cocoa-themed but balanced, not overpowering. Fine-dining quality in a casual atmosphere.
77 locals recommend
Eclipse Chocolate Bar & Bistro
2145 Fern St
77 locals recommend
Truffles, drinking chocolate, brunch, AND dinner! You can't lose with this place! Menu offerings are cocoa-themed but balanced, not overpowering. Fine-dining quality in a casual atmosphere.
We first discovered this place when I had a hankering either for truffle fries or duck fat fries. This place had DUCK FAT TRUFFLE FRIES. They also have fine-dining offerings.
114 locals recommend
The Smoking Goat Restaurant
3408 30th St
114 locals recommend
We first discovered this place when I had a hankering either for truffle fries or duck fat fries. This place had DUCK FAT TRUFFLE FRIES. They also have fine-dining offerings.
The best coffee roasters in California, of even the west coast! Don't believe me? Go check it out yourself. The neighbourhood of Bird Rock is also adorable.
217 locals recommend
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
5627 La Jolla Blvd
217 locals recommend
The best coffee roasters in California, of even the west coast! Don't believe me? Go check it out yourself. The neighbourhood of Bird Rock is also adorable.
My favourite farmer's market in San Diego county. The neighbourhood is friendly, the vendors are high-quality, and there is also plenty of prepared items to satisfy any appetite. Dog-friendly!
247 locals recommend
Little Italy Mercato Farmers' Market
600 W Date St
247 locals recommend
My favourite farmer's market in San Diego county. The neighbourhood is friendly, the vendors are high-quality, and there is also plenty of prepared items to satisfy any appetite. Dog-friendly!
One of the best sushi places in San Diego if you love nigiri and sashimi, not just rolls!
80 locals recommend
Hane Sushi
2760 Fifth Ave
80 locals recommend
One of the best sushi places in San Diego if you love nigiri and sashimi, not just rolls!
Called this for a reason. All outdoors, and they specialize in everything related to chicken. Fried chicken, poached eggs, perfect batter and tender and juicy.
145 locals recommend
The Crack Shack - Little Italy
2266 Kettner Blvd
145 locals recommend
Called this for a reason. All outdoors, and they specialize in everything related to chicken. Fried chicken, poached eggs, perfect batter and tender and juicy.
A bit pricey, but fantastic vegan cuisine. Kind of a hippy place with hippy names and attitudes, but the food is no joke. No "faux food" here - everything is made with fresh ingredients selected for quality, texture, and flavour, not substitutes.
59 locals recommend
Cafe Gratitude San Diego
1980 Kettner Blvd
59 locals recommend
A bit pricey, but fantastic vegan cuisine. Kind of a hippy place with hippy names and attitudes, but the food is no joke. No "faux food" here - everything is made with fresh ingredients selected for quality, texture, and flavour, not substitutes.
There are two locations on the same street - head to the original that is just a counter! Absolutely the best fresh-battered fish tacos you'll ever have, not to mention smoked tuna, shredded stingray, or perfectly textured octopus tacos.
38 locals recommend
TJ Oyster Bar
4410 Bonita Rd
38 locals recommend
There are two locations on the same street - head to the original that is just a counter! Absolutely the best fresh-battered fish tacos you'll ever have, not to mention smoked tuna, shredded stingray, or perfectly textured octopus tacos.
Simply delicious French bistro, decent wine selection, and moderately priced. Daily happy hours. Their Sunday night 3-course prix fixe menu is only $21.95, paired with wine for an additional $15.95.
12 locals recommend
Cafe Bleu
807 West Washington Street
12 locals recommend
Simply delicious French bistro, decent wine selection, and moderately priced. Daily happy hours. Their Sunday night 3-course prix fixe menu is only $21.95, paired with wine for an additional $15.95.
Hands down the best gelati and sorbetti in San Diego county!
34 locals recommend
Bobboi Natural Gelato
8008 Girard Ave
34 locals recommend
Hands down the best gelati and sorbetti in San Diego county!

Drinks & Nightlife

In the heart of Gaslamp, hidden behind the "Law Offices of Eddie O'Hare." Live music and great cocktails. Recently remodelled, classy vibe.
49 locals recommend
Prohibition Lounge
548 Fifth Ave
49 locals recommend
In the heart of Gaslamp, hidden behind the "Law Offices of Eddie O'Hare." Live music and great cocktails. Recently remodelled, classy vibe.
It might be a bit out there, but this brewery is worth visiting for the wide range of reinvented historic style beers (Lost Abbey) as well as more modern, San Diego-representing IPAs and ales (Port).
21 locals recommend
Port Brewing Company
692 Rancheros Dr
21 locals recommend
It might be a bit out there, but this brewery is worth visiting for the wide range of reinvented historic style beers (Lost Abbey) as well as more modern, San Diego-representing IPAs and ales (Port).
If you love whiskey, this is your place. Many, many pages of scotch, bourbon, and whiskeys from all over the world. Over 400 selections of bourbon alone! Non-pretentious, without the trendy prices. Mellow atmosphere with a jukebox and old school bartenders.
45 locals recommend
Aero Club Bar
3365 India St
45 locals recommend
If you love whiskey, this is your place. Many, many pages of scotch, bourbon, and whiskeys from all over the world. Over 400 selections of bourbon alone! Non-pretentious, without the trendy prices. Mellow atmosphere with a jukebox and old school bartenders.
My hands-down favourite brewery in San Diego, if you like dark, malty beers. They also have great pale ales and IPAs - and this is from someone who prefers some balance rather than hop bombs! Try the Old Numbskull, Wee Heavy, and most definitely the Speedway. Their seasonals are amazing as well.
26 locals recommend
AleSmith Brewing Company
9990 AleSmith Ct
26 locals recommend
My hands-down favourite brewery in San Diego, if you like dark, malty beers. They also have great pale ales and IPAs - and this is from someone who prefers some balance rather than hop bombs! Try the Old Numbskull, Wee Heavy, and most definitely the Speedway. Their seasonals are amazing as well.

Entertainment & Activities

The greatest comic book and gaming store in San Diego! They keep moving, splitting, and rejoining because the spaces just can't contain all that they have to offer! Nerd heaven!
Villainous Lair
3220 Adams Ave
The greatest comic book and gaming store in San Diego! They keep moving, splitting, and rejoining because the spaces just can't contain all that they have to offer! Nerd heaven!

Arts & Culture

Amazing and original artwork with very creative and strange ideas.
Art of Tim Cantor
527 Fourth Ave
Amazing and original artwork with very creative and strange ideas.

Sightseeing

Chicano culture established in street art, graffiti, murals, sculptures in a park.
51 locals recommend
Chicano Park
51 locals recommend
Chicano culture established in street art, graffiti, murals, sculptures in a park.

Parks & Nature

Beautiful, and so much to do or see (or just relax). Depending on the location in the park, you have hills and canyons, native plant hiking trails, museums, grassy lawns, tall trees, fountains, an archery range, dog parks... The organ pavilion is gorgeous, and there is live music throughout the year! Definitely check it out!
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
3290 locals recommend
Beautiful, and so much to do or see (or just relax). Depending on the location in the park, you have hills and canyons, native plant hiking trails, museums, grassy lawns, tall trees, fountains, an archery range, dog parks... The organ pavilion is gorgeous, and there is live music throughout the year! Definitely check it out!

Shopping

Fantastic vintage clothing store
6 locals recommend
Frock You Vintage Clothing
4121 Park Blvd
6 locals recommend
Fantastic vintage clothing store