Webster Guidebook
Food scene
There used to be dozen's of places like this around San Diego. No frills restaurants that grew out of need/neighborhood. This place is attached to a nursery. Its a very short Lyft/Uber away and if you want a low-key local treat, this is a great choice.
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Nate's Garden Grill
3120 Euclid AveThere used to be dozen's of places like this around San Diego. No frills restaurants that grew out of need/neighborhood. This place is attached to a nursery. Its a very short Lyft/Uber away and if you want a low-key local treat, this is a great choice.
Ok - if you are at the house and need a snack, this might be the physically closest restaurant we have. (The mexican places are great, as is the Mariscos food truck.)
Wings Empire has really delicious comfort food, probably highlighted by their pulled pork fries. You can pick it up and be home eating in 5 minutes. If that sounds like something you'd enjoy, give it a whirl.
Wings Empire
4737 Federal BoulevardOk - if you are at the house and need a snack, this might be the physically closest restaurant we have. (The mexican places are great, as is the Mariscos food truck.)
Wings Empire has really delicious comfort food, probably highlighted by their pulled pork fries. You can pick it up and be home eating in 5 minutes. If that sounds like something you'd enjoy, give it a whirl.
Ok - so technically this is a shop that is on a cute/fun street in a "locals" neighborhood of La Mesa. If you want a glimpse into how locals in San Diego go out, where we bring our families who need a little less tourism, you can start at this fun little shop, and eat and drink on the surrounding street. It's a reasonable Lyft/Uber but parking is also much easier than elsewhere in San Diego.
This isn't a "food place" but ABnB won't let me revise the edit. This is a shop - there are multiple great food options on this same block.
Small Batch
8332 La Mesa BlvdOk - so technically this is a shop that is on a cute/fun street in a "locals" neighborhood of La Mesa. If you want a glimpse into how locals in San Diego go out, where we bring our families who need a little less tourism, you can start at this fun little shop, and eat and drink on the surrounding street. It's a reasonable Lyft/Uber but parking is also much easier than elsewhere in San Diego.
This isn't a "food place" but ABnB won't let me revise the edit. This is a shop - there are multiple great food options on this same block.
This place has *excellent* food that is unique to San Diego, in a not chic environment. It's a reasonable Lyft/Uber from the house, and there is plenty to do in the surrounding neighborhood.
It's become pretty popular, but I think this still counts as a local gem.
59 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pomegranate
2312 El Cajon BlvdThis place has *excellent* food that is unique to San Diego, in a not chic environment. It's a reasonable Lyft/Uber from the house, and there is plenty to do in the surrounding neighborhood.
It's become pretty popular, but I think this still counts as a local gem.
Really, really good food and drinks that are "beach adjacent." You cannot go wrong eating out in Pacific or Ocean Beach - this place is across the freeway from the beach and has all the same high qualities but better prices and more local patrons. The neighboring BACI is excellent Italian dining. This is in between Pacific and Ocean beach off the 5, so if you need a respite after a beach day, this is the spot.
108 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Luce Bar & Kitchen
1959 Morena BlvdReally, really good food and drinks that are "beach adjacent." You cannot go wrong eating out in Pacific or Ocean Beach - this place is across the freeway from the beach and has all the same high qualities but better prices and more local patrons. The neighboring BACI is excellent Italian dining. This is in between Pacific and Ocean beach off the 5, so if you need a respite after a beach day, this is the spot.
Go on a Wednesday night, wait in line for the bar, and order half priced lobster tacos. Perhaps the greatest longstanding local tradition in SD.
207 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
World Famous
711 Pacific Beach DrGo on a Wednesday night, wait in line for the bar, and order half priced lobster tacos. Perhaps the greatest longstanding local tradition in SD.
Ok - so if you want to spend the day in Balboa park and would like a nice spot for wine and cheese (Cheeseboard/Charcuterie boards here are amazing) this is 100% the place to go. Park near the park, spend the day or afternoon, then walk over here and try to grab a table. You might try reservations because this place has been busy for decades.
108 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
CUCINA urbana
505 Laurel StOk - so if you want to spend the day in Balboa park and would like a nice spot for wine and cheese (Cheeseboard/Charcuterie boards here are amazing) this is 100% the place to go. Park near the park, spend the day or afternoon, then walk over here and try to grab a table. You might try reservations because this place has been busy for decades.
So charming it's painful. Surprisingly great breakfast sandwiches, great coffee, and there always seems to be a cool dog. Close to the house. If you leave early you can park, but an easy Lyft/Uber from the house.
134 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Krakatoa
1128 25th StSo charming it's painful. Surprisingly great breakfast sandwiches, great coffee, and there always seems to be a cool dog. Close to the house. If you leave early you can park, but an easy Lyft/Uber from the house.
Cook your own meat at this local legend. Also close to the house - an easy Lyft/Uber.
168 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Turf Supper Club
1116 25th StCook your own meat at this local legend. Also close to the house - an easy Lyft/Uber.
There are so many good sushi places in SD - but this one is the best bang for buck. It's tucked away near Little Italy/Downtown. It's small and it has some strange hours - but if you love sushi you will come back to SD just for this place.
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Shino Sushi + Kappo
838 W Ash StThere are so many good sushi places in SD - but this one is the best bang for buck. It's tucked away near Little Italy/Downtown. It's small and it has some strange hours - but if you love sushi you will come back to SD just for this place.
On weekends, the best breakfast sandwiches perhaps on earth. The regular menu is ridiculous as well, but truly special.
51 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Promiscuous Fork
6984 La Jolla BlvdOn weekends, the best breakfast sandwiches perhaps on earth. The regular menu is ridiculous as well, but truly special.
The best Mexican food in the nicest location. You will put this on the 'gram.
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Don Bravo
5504 La Jolla BlvdThe best Mexican food in the nicest location. You will put this on the 'gram.
Neighborhoods
Coming out of the pandemic, things are a little awkward and who knows what restuarants/shops are open/survived/whatever other consequences there are.
A very local mini-neighborhood within-a-neighborhood is in South Park located at 30th and Upas Streets. ~ 3000 Upas.
If you want to go out and walk a little local block, there are a few pubs, restaurants and hopefully some local style shops open here - and its very close to the house.
119 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
South Park
Coming out of the pandemic, things are a little awkward and who knows what restuarants/shops are open/survived/whatever other consequences there are.
A very local mini-neighborhood within-a-neighborhood is in South Park located at 30th and Upas Streets. ~ 3000 Upas.
If you want to go out and walk a little local block, there are a few pubs, restaurants and hopefully some local style shops open here - and its very close to the house.
Ok - So this is a "duh" recommendation. But since the pandemic they've turned parking spaces into outdoor dining, there is a gigantic food and drink pavilion, and two of the best pubs in San Diego. Saturday's are farmers market days.
Just don't drive, because parking is tough unless you want to pay. Lyft or Uber to Beech and India street and walk into the festivities.
889 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Little Italy
Ok - So this is a "duh" recommendation. But since the pandemic they've turned parking spaces into outdoor dining, there is a gigantic food and drink pavilion, and two of the best pubs in San Diego. Saturday's are farmers market days.
Just don't drive, because parking is tough unless you want to pay. Lyft or Uber to Beech and India street and walk into the festivities.
Very close to the house - you can take the trolley even - but a very short, easy Lyft/Uber. Start and end here and you can walk into the Gaslamp to turn up the intensity.
46 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
East Village
Very close to the house - you can take the trolley even - but a very short, easy Lyft/Uber. Start and end here and you can walk into the Gaslamp to turn up the intensity.
Sightseeing
It's a partially off-leash dog park on the beach. If you brought a dog - or if you just want to see some happy pooches - this is one of San Diego's happiest places.
71 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Isla Fiesta
1590 E Mission Bay DrIt's a partially off-leash dog park on the beach. If you brought a dog - or if you just want to see some happy pooches - this is one of San Diego's happiest places.
You might not be into military stuff, and you might not be into museums, but almost everyone who pays the relatively cheap cost to get on this boat is pretty impressed.
775 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
USS Midway Museum
910 N Harbor DrYou might not be into military stuff, and you might not be into museums, but almost everyone who pays the relatively cheap cost to get on this boat is pretty impressed.
If you can find an act you even half like, get tickets, try to get dinner reservations. You can bring your drinks from dinner to the show.
Even if you cannot do all that, performances here are almost always special
54 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Humphreys Concerts By The Bay
2241 Shelter Island DrIf you can find an act you even half like, get tickets, try to get dinner reservations. You can bring your drinks from dinner to the show.
Even if you cannot do all that, performances here are almost always special
A local legend for shows. You can see incredible acts here from five feet away. Tickets can be pricey, and it is a bit of a drive (you can take the train from downtown) - but its totally worth it. Some surprisingly big acts love to play this spot.
271 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Belly Up
143 S Cedros AveA local legend for shows. You can see incredible acts here from five feet away. Tickets can be pricey, and it is a bit of a drive (you can take the train from downtown) - but its totally worth it. Some surprisingly big acts love to play this spot.
It's free, the view is incredible, you can briefly park and see all the way to Mexico and then decide whether you want to go out in Pacific Beach or La Jolla
146 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monumento Nacional a los Veteranos de Mt. Soledad
6905 La Jolla Scenic Dr SIt's free, the view is incredible, you can briefly park and see all the way to Mexico and then decide whether you want to go out in Pacific Beach or La Jolla
All the beaches are great. If you want to spend a full day at a beach, this is the one to plan for. Arrive early for parking, figure out if you are there for the water or the social scene. There is an easily surfable wave, great snorkelling in season, and you can even kayak out.
304 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Jolla Shores Hotel
8110 Camino Del OroAll the beaches are great. If you want to spend a full day at a beach, this is the one to plan for. Arrive early for parking, figure out if you are there for the water or the social scene. There is an easily surfable wave, great snorkelling in season, and you can even kayak out.
Great place to stumble upon during a trip to balboa park
44 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jardín de la Amistad Japonesa
2215 Pan American Rd EGreat place to stumble upon during a trip to balboa park
Come park over here near UCSD, take some amazing photos, and you can even walk down to Black's beach if you hike a little south. This is a great beach hike area. The Salk Institute also has some amazing views/photos if you walk by that campus.
268 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Torrey Pines Gliderport
2800 Torrey Pines Scenic DrCome park over here near UCSD, take some amazing photos, and you can even walk down to Black's beach if you hike a little south. This is a great beach hike area. The Salk Institute also has some amazing views/photos if you walk by that campus.