Guidebook for San Diego
Entertainment & Activities
Super cute boardwalk amusement park BEACH SIDE. Parking is free but can get a little congested, I would suggest taking a rideshare or the bus. The wooden rickety “Giant Dipper” coaster is fun because it feels like it will crumble to the ground at any moment, as do all wooden roller coasters. It’s perfect for day-date for couples and great for families. There’s snack shacks everywhere, most take credit cards, and you can walk to and from the beach easily where there are tons of street performers, face painters/ henna tattoos, and you can take surf lessons while your family rides the park rides! And there’s a zip line!
689 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Belmont Park
3146 Mission BlvdSuper cute boardwalk amusement park BEACH SIDE. Parking is free but can get a little congested, I would suggest taking a rideshare or the bus. The wooden rickety “Giant Dipper” coaster is fun because it feels like it will crumble to the ground at any moment, as do all wooden roller coasters. It’s perfect for day-date for couples and great for families. There’s snack shacks everywhere, most take credit cards, and you can walk to and from the beach easily where there are tons of street performers, face painters/ henna tattoos, and you can take surf lessons while your family rides the park rides! And there’s a zip line!
Arts & Culture
Ahoy, matey! The Maritime Museum is probably one of the more budget friendly attractions in San Diego, but you get well more than you pay for. For $16/person, you not only get to view these gigantic naval beasts, you get to board and explore them as well. It features The Star of India which is a huge windjammer that is actually one of the oldest ships still floating and it’s just as beautiful as the day it was built (I assume!!! I wasn’t around in the mid 1800s!!) There’s even a Soviet submarine that you can explore with a really cool periscope! You can also bypass paying to see all of these gorgeous ships simply by driving SOUTH on N. Harbor Drive.
124 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo Marítimo de San Diego
1492 N Harbor DrAhoy, matey! The Maritime Museum is probably one of the more budget friendly attractions in San Diego, but you get well more than you pay for. For $16/person, you not only get to view these gigantic naval beasts, you get to board and explore them as well. It features The Star of India which is a huge windjammer that is actually one of the oldest ships still floating and it’s just as beautiful as the day it was built (I assume!!! I wasn’t around in the mid 1800s!!) There’s even a Soviet submarine that you can explore with a really cool periscope! You can also bypass paying to see all of these gorgeous ships simply by driving SOUTH on N. Harbor Drive.
The Museum of Man is exactly what it sounds like: an anthropologic museum of ancient artifacts and the history of humans. Mummies, ancient findings, and evolutionary evidence is the majority of the exhibits but there’s also exhibits just for kids with interactive learning as well. To get into the California Tower is an extra $5 and the St. Francis Chapel is very beautiful and a must see if you are going to the museum. $5 extra for the tower isn’t so steep, considering the admission is only $13.
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museum of Man Scientific Library
1350 El PradoThe Museum of Man is exactly what it sounds like: an anthropologic museum of ancient artifacts and the history of humans. Mummies, ancient findings, and evolutionary evidence is the majority of the exhibits but there’s also exhibits just for kids with interactive learning as well. To get into the California Tower is an extra $5 and the St. Francis Chapel is very beautiful and a must see if you are going to the museum. $5 extra for the tower isn’t so steep, considering the admission is only $13.
Sightseeing
This is an adorable lighthouse with tons of history. You can even go inside and climb the spiral staircase all the way to the top to see all the views- I believe this might even be the highest point on the peninsula, too. There is a fee to park your car at the Cabrillo National Monument, and there’s a museum at the monument as well. The Old Point Loma is not just the only thing to see around this area, and you can spend quite a few hours exploring the grounds as well as the tide pools and their micro ecosystems nearby on the beach. For those who have a Lighthouse Passport- you can get your stamp inside the National Monument Museum!
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Antiguo Faro de Point Loma
1800 Cabrillo Memorial DrThis is an adorable lighthouse with tons of history. You can even go inside and climb the spiral staircase all the way to the top to see all the views- I believe this might even be the highest point on the peninsula, too. There is a fee to park your car at the Cabrillo National Monument, and there’s a museum at the monument as well. The Old Point Loma is not just the only thing to see around this area, and you can spend quite a few hours exploring the grounds as well as the tide pools and their micro ecosystems nearby on the beach. For those who have a Lighthouse Passport- you can get your stamp inside the National Monument Museum!
Food Scene
With a name like Hodad’s, you can trust that they crank out some BIG burgers. The burgers at Hodad’s are budget friendly and MASSIVE. The shakes are equally as massive, so don’t order one per person- they should definitely be shared. Get a basket of “frings” if you can’t decide between fries or onion rings. They’ll ½ ½ it for you! Get here early or after 3pm. The lunch hour should be avoided at all costs. If you don’t want to sit in the crowded burger joint, get everything to go and sit on the beach!
66 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hodad's Downtown
945 BroadwayWith a name like Hodad’s, you can trust that they crank out some BIG burgers. The burgers at Hodad’s are budget friendly and MASSIVE. The shakes are equally as massive, so don’t order one per person- they should definitely be shared. Get a basket of “frings” if you can’t decide between fries or onion rings. They’ll ½ ½ it for you! Get here early or after 3pm. The lunch hour should be avoided at all costs. If you don’t want to sit in the crowded burger joint, get everything to go and sit on the beach!
The Surf n’ Turf Burrito is what everyone comes here for, and their creamy tomatillo sauce is just the tip of the Mexican street food iceberg. The food is top-notch auténtico, but one of the main reasons anyone should visit this over the 300+ Mexican joints in San Diego has to be the decor. This luchador-themed restaurant plays old wrestling matches on TVs, colorful luchador masks and championship belts on the walls, and if you’re lucky, you can eat your burrito in peace without getting a taco smackdown from a reigning champ in spandex! Call a few days ahead and reserve the “Championship Booth” with gold leather seats, glittery gold tablecloth, and is roped off for a true VIP feel.
139 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lucha Libre Taco Shop
1810 W Washington StThe Surf n’ Turf Burrito is what everyone comes here for, and their creamy tomatillo sauce is just the tip of the Mexican street food iceberg. The food is top-notch auténtico, but one of the main reasons anyone should visit this over the 300+ Mexican joints in San Diego has to be the decor. This luchador-themed restaurant plays old wrestling matches on TVs, colorful luchador masks and championship belts on the walls, and if you’re lucky, you can eat your burrito in peace without getting a taco smackdown from a reigning champ in spandex! Call a few days ahead and reserve the “Championship Booth” with gold leather seats, glittery gold tablecloth, and is roped off for a true VIP feel.
HANDS DOWN the best Indian food in San Diego, arguably in all of California, is at Masala Street in La Jolla. Even though it only opened up in 2016, it’s blown up because the flavors and textures are truly authentic. How authentic? The owner was the former Executive Chef at the TAJ MAHAL PALACE IN MUMBAI. Try the Tacosa. Try the Pao Bhaji. The flatbread is out of this world. They also offer local craft beers, because what else is hip in La Jolla right now?
MASALA STREET
HANDS DOWN the best Indian food in San Diego, arguably in all of California, is at Masala Street in La Jolla. Even though it only opened up in 2016, it’s blown up because the flavors and textures are truly authentic. How authentic? The owner was the former Executive Chef at the TAJ MAHAL PALACE IN MUMBAI. Try the Tacosa. Try the Pao Bhaji. The flatbread is out of this world. They also offer local craft beers, because what else is hip in La Jolla right now?
Beer - 100%
Food - 100% (I would have posted a pic but I literally devoured my Bacon & Blue Cheese burger)
Service - 120%
The atmosphere was great and very relaxing with the choice where to be seatted. It was a nice sunny day and I had a wonderful place to eat outside at the patio.
I would 100% recommend this place for a lunch, happy hour drinks, dinner or games with friendly and knowledgeable staff, you won't waste your money and time ;)
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Draft Republic
4282 Esplanade CtBeer - 100%
Food - 100% (I would have posted a pic but I literally devoured my Bacon & Blue Cheese burger)
Service - 120%
The atmosphere was great and very relaxing with the choice where to be seatted. It was a nice sunny day and I had a wonderful place to eat outside at the patio.
I would 100% recommend this place for a lunch, happy hour drinks, dinner or games with friendly and knowledgeable staff, you won't waste your money and time ;)
Best burgers around! Big Shoulder Burger," a 1/2 cheeseburger with a side of fries. You can tell that everything was house made. Fresh, never frozen ingredients on a hot grill. Pure, simple, classic. The beef was more or less unblemished with frilly seasonings , and the cooks let the meat do the talking. This burger isn't for someone looking for an explosion of flavor. Instead, its target audience is meant for someone looking for a burger in its simplest, 1/2 lb. form.
Chicago Fire Grill
8935 Towne Centre DrBest burgers around! Big Shoulder Burger," a 1/2 cheeseburger with a side of fries. You can tell that everything was house made. Fresh, never frozen ingredients on a hot grill. Pure, simple, classic. The beef was more or less unblemished with frilly seasonings , and the cooks let the meat do the talking. This burger isn't for someone looking for an explosion of flavor. Instead, its target audience is meant for someone looking for a burger in its simplest, 1/2 lb. form.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Miramar location Ballast Point is the biggest of the four Ballast Points in San Diego. Please note as you read this: Ballast Point is my number one hands down favorite brewing company in the country. Definitely make a reservation. You’re going to want an entire table for the beer flights and the amazing food. The menu is extensive, but I highly recommend any of the Sculpins or the Victory at Sea beers. The burgers are made with Wagyu beef and are to die for. Like dripping down your arm juicy. The parking lot down the street is expensive, but you should probably just take a rideshare to Ballast Point because you shouldn’t be driving after all those beers!
48 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ballast Point Brewing Miramar
9045 Carroll WayThe Miramar location Ballast Point is the biggest of the four Ballast Points in San Diego. Please note as you read this: Ballast Point is my number one hands down favorite brewing company in the country. Definitely make a reservation. You’re going to want an entire table for the beer flights and the amazing food. The menu is extensive, but I highly recommend any of the Sculpins or the Victory at Sea beers. The burgers are made with Wagyu beef and are to die for. Like dripping down your arm juicy. The parking lot down the street is expensive, but you should probably just take a rideshare to Ballast Point because you shouldn’t be driving after all those beers!