A Designer Retreat
Food scene in Pacific Beach and Mission Beach
Enoteca Adriano
4864 Cass StRefined Italian food walking distance from the house.
Costa Brava
1653 Garnet AveSpanish tapas and cuisine, happy hour 5-6pm Wed & Thu.
Pueblo
877 Hornblend StUpscale Mexican coastal cuisine, Baja wine & beer selection.
Waterbar
4325 Ocean BlvdOcean views, seafood, & craft cocktails.
Pacific Beach AleHouse
721 Grand AvePub grub and patio people-watching.
Market-fresh sushi and seafood entrees, walking distance from the house.
117 locals recommend
The Fishery
5040 Cass StMarket-fresh sushi and seafood entrees, walking distance from the house.
American bar & grill with beers on tap, located at Belmont Park
91 locals recommend
Draft South Mission
3105 Ocean Front WalkAmerican bar & grill with beers on tap, located at Belmont Park
Cannonball
3105 Ocean Front WalkSushi and ocean views, at Belmont Park
Pastiamo
841 Turquoise StHouse-made pasta to go.
Great for breakfast/brunch, walking distance from the house.
129 locals recommend
Fig Tree Cafe Pacific Beach
5119 Cass StGreat for breakfast/brunch, walking distance from the house.
Modern, healthy menu with ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients, walking distance from the house.
41 locals recommend
Second Nature
5026 Cass StModern, healthy menu with ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients, walking distance from the house.
Hiking
Located within the city limits, it remains one of the wildest landscapes along the Southern California coast, with miles of unspoiled beaches, chaparral, elegant Torrey Pine trees and a lagoon vital to many species of migrating birds.
1108 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadLocated within the city limits, it remains one of the wildest landscapes along the Southern California coast, with miles of unspoiled beaches, chaparral, elegant Torrey Pine trees and a lagoon vital to many species of migrating birds.
In addition to the tide pools, this park has an excellent visitor center, trails to explore, and two lighthouses to photograph.
65 locals recommend
Point Loma Tide Pools
1800 Cabrillo Memorial DrIn addition to the tide pools, this park has an excellent visitor center, trails to explore, and two lighthouses to photograph.
Cowles Mountain Trail is a popular 3 mile trail located near La Mesa, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is accessible year-round.
314 locals recommend
Cowles Mountain
Cowles MountainCowles Mountain Trail is a popular 3 mile trail located near La Mesa, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is accessible year-round.
Shopping
Vons
1702 Garnet AveLocal supermarket carrying almost everything.
Trader Joe's
1640 Garnet AveSpecialty groceries, produce, and affordable gourmet options.
Specializing in well-priced produce, bulk foods, and natural products.
273 locals recommend
Sprouts Farmers Market
1260 Garnet AveSpecializing in well-priced produce, bulk foods, and natural products.
Gelson's Market
730 Turquoise StHigh-end grocery selection and gourmet prepared food.
The French Gourmet
960 Turquoise StDelicious bakery, quiche, and other French specialties.
mimi & red boutique
5005 Cass StCultivated selection of cute clothes and accessories.
Pangaea Outpost
909 Garnet AveCollective with accessories, gifts, home goods, clothes
Jewelry, pottery, candles and other unique local San-Diego crafted gifts for you or to bring home.
10 locals recommend
Gallery At Lands End
4984 Cass StJewelry, pottery, candles and other unique local San-Diego crafted gifts for you or to bring home.
Things to do
Flagship Cruises & Events
990 N Harbor DrPatriot jet boat thrill ride, or calm sunset cruises.
Wine tasting in Guadalupe Valley in Mexico, east of Ensenada. Book a hotel and stay overnight.
28 locals recommend
La Ruta Del Vino
Wine tasting in Guadalupe Valley in Mexico, east of Ensenada. Book a hotel and stay overnight.
Experience a little bit of Italy with a gondola ride on Coronado Island.
9 locals recommend
The Gondola Company
503 Grand Caribe CausewayExperience a little bit of Italy with a gondola ride on Coronado Island.
Giant metal sculptures in the Anza Borrego desert, a day trip from San Diego.
13 locals recommend
Galleta Meadows, California
1700-1844 Borrego Springs RdGiant metal sculptures in the Anza Borrego desert, a day trip from San Diego.
Wine tasting 45 minutes north of San Diego. Tours/limos available.
67 locals recommend
Temecula Wineries
31285 Temecula PkwyWine tasting 45 minutes north of San Diego. Tours/limos available.
Ride the historic Giant Dipper roller coaster at the seaside amusement park Belmont Park.
689 locals recommend
Belmont Park
3146 Mission BlvdRide the historic Giant Dipper roller coaster at the seaside amusement park Belmont Park.
Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP), kayaks and other water sports can be enjoyed on Mission Bay.
84 locals recommend
Mission Bay Aquatic Center
1001 Santa Clara PlStand Up Paddle Boards (SUP), kayaks and other water sports can be enjoyed on Mission Bay.
Get up close (but not too close) to seals and sea lions at La Jolla Cove. Swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking tours also available at this marine preserve.
1327 locals recommend
La Jolla Cove
1100 Coast BlvdGet up close (but not too close) to seals and sea lions at La Jolla Cove. Swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking tours also available at this marine preserve.
One of the biggest farmers markets in San Diego, take the trolly from the Balboa station to avoid hunting for parking.
247 locals recommend
Little Italy Mercato Farmers' Market
600 W Date StOne of the biggest farmers markets in San Diego, take the trolly from the Balboa station to avoid hunting for parking.
Soar above the beautiful coastline and Torrey Pines on a sunset ride.
9 locals recommend
Compass Balloons
1969 Villa Cardiff DrSoar above the beautiful coastline and Torrey Pines on a sunset ride.
A "forever home" animal sanctuary for previously neglected/abused exotic animals.
12 locals recommend
Lions, Tigers & Bears
24402 Martin WayA "forever home" animal sanctuary for previously neglected/abused exotic animals.
Sightseeing
Great historic area with Mexican restaurants, curio shops, and historic buildings.
170 locals recommend
Old Town San Diego
4002 Wallace StGreat historic area with Mexican restaurants, curio shops, and historic buildings.
City advice
Getting around
Uber and Lyft are the easiest ways if you don't have a car.
If you have a car you can make a day trip up to Disneyland. Parking is also widely available throughout San Diego, although you may need to park in a pay lot downtown or use a meter in Little Italy.
Within Pacific Beach and Mission Beach you can get around easily on scooters from Jump or Spin (app needed).
What to pack
Bring a sweatshirt or hoodie.
It's cool in the early mornings and late afternoons once the sun sets. During May and June the marine layer (cloud cover) lingers over the beach towns until noon or so, so it's best to have a sweatshirt or hoodie with you especially if you're planning to be out sightseeing most of the day/evening.
Please also plan to bring sunscreen or buy it once you're here...even with cloud cover the sun is strong and you'll see many tourists around who are pink/red because they were caught unprepared.