Penni's Guidebook San Diego
Neighborhoods
Areas of San Diego with distinct neighborhood vibes
Lots of bars and restaurants, Italian grocery stores, close to harbor and walking distance from downtown Loft.
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Little Italy
Lots of bars and restaurants, Italian grocery stores, close to harbor and walking distance from downtown Loft.
Nice beach town to stroll in and stop for a drink at the historic Hotel Del
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Coronado
Nice beach town to stroll in and stop for a drink at the historic Hotel Del
Stroll the bay front, marina and Seaport Village area. Just walk down 5th Street to Convention Center and Seaport and marina are behind it. Or walk down Broadway toward the Bay and see the ships, etc.
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Embarcadero
Stroll the bay front, marina and Seaport Village area. Just walk down 5th Street to Convention Center and Seaport and marina are behind it. Or walk down Broadway toward the Bay and see the ships, etc.
A small but vibrant Latino neighborhood famous for its Chicano Park (with giant murals) great Mexican food and a monthly “art crawl” second Saturday of each month. But plenty of little shops, bars and art galleries open along Logan Avenue each weekend
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Barrio Logan
A small but vibrant Latino neighborhood famous for its Chicano Park (with giant murals) great Mexican food and a monthly “art crawl” second Saturday of each month. But plenty of little shops, bars and art galleries open along Logan Avenue each weekend
Beautiful seaside town 15-20 minutes from downtown. There are walkways and trails along the cliffs overlooking the ocean and shopping and restaurants in the town
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La Jolla
Beautiful seaside town 15-20 minutes from downtown. There are walkways and trails along the cliffs overlooking the ocean and shopping and restaurants in the town
Lots of bars and restaurants (tends to be people in 20s and 30s) and a long, beachfront promenade
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Pacific Beach
Lots of bars and restaurants (tends to be people in 20s and 30s) and a long, beachfront promenade
Hippy dippy beach combers neighborhood with a few antique shops, funky shell and “head” shops, pubs, home to original Houdad’s hamburger joint and a nice beach and pier to walk on
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Ozeanstrand
1850 Ocean Front StHippy dippy beach combers neighborhood with a few antique shops, funky shell and “head” shops, pubs, home to original Houdad’s hamburger joint and a nice beach and pier to walk on
Bars and nightclubs
Mostly bars or bar/restaurants, some with live music
It has full restaurant upstairs but you go for the drinks and laid-back scene downstairs, with live music most weekends
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The Field Irish Pub
544 Fifth AveIt has full restaurant upstairs but you go for the drinks and laid-back scene downstairs, with live music most weekends
Spacious sports bar that doesn’t drown out conversation with too loud TVs, and exceptional bar food
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barleymash
600 Fifth AveSpacious sports bar that doesn’t drown out conversation with too loud TVs, and exceptional bar food
Excellent street tacos and really good enchiladas with either homemade green or red sauce. The organic margaritas are memorable and service is friendly
Serrano's Street Tacos & Bar
624 E StExcellent street tacos and really good enchiladas with either homemade green or red sauce. The organic margaritas are memorable and service is friendly
The rooftop bar is nice and if you wear your swimsuit under your clothes and order a drink they usually let non guests use the rooftop pool.
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Andaz Hyatt San Diego
600F StThe rooftop bar is nice and if you wear your swimsuit under your clothes and order a drink they usually let non guests use the rooftop pool.
Very good craft cocktails (they take it seriously) and good food (bone marrow, chicken and waffles, etc)
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Craft & Commerce
675 W Beech StVery good craft cocktails (they take it seriously) and good food (bone marrow, chicken and waffles, etc)
Large brewer in Little Italy who serves good food as well
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Ballast Point Brewing Little Italy
2215 India StLarge brewer in Little Italy who serves good food as well
Food scene
Restaurants, bakeries and farmers markets
There is a farmers market here every Saturday from 9 am to about 1 pm. Lots of fresh produce, cheeses, meats, etc
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Little Italy Mercato Farmers' Market
600 W Date StThere is a farmers market here every Saturday from 9 am to about 1 pm. Lots of fresh produce, cheeses, meats, etc
Hillcrest Farmer's Market
3960 Normal StA large Farmers market here every Sunday
Great place in Hillcrest for fresh baguettes and pastries
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Bread and Cie Bakery/Cafe
350 University AveGreat place in Hillcrest for fresh baguettes and pastries
Boutique downtown donut shop that makes crazy good donuts - try the creme brûlée donut or the bacon laced cinnamon rolls
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Donut Bar
631 B StBoutique downtown donut shop that makes crazy good donuts - try the creme brûlée donut or the bacon laced cinnamon rolls
Excellent Italian restaurant in La Jolla Shores that has been around for decades with a lovely outdoor patio under a large shade tree. Try the grilled Romaine salad wrapped in prosciutto or sweetbreads.
Also a short walk to the beach
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Piatti
2182 Avenida De La PlayaExcellent Italian restaurant in La Jolla Shores that has been around for decades with a lovely outdoor patio under a large shade tree. Try the grilled Romaine salad wrapped in prosciutto or sweetbreads.
Also a short walk to the beach
Excellent Little Italy brunch place built in old Craftsman cottage with large outdoor dining area as well. Walkable from downtown
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Queenstown Public House
1557 Columbia StExcellent Little Italy brunch place built in old Craftsman cottage with large outdoor dining area as well. Walkable from downtown
Tourists seem to love it, I’m a tad doubtful. Homemade hamburgers as big as your head and thick milkshakes, with a surfer shack vibe in Ocean Beach. Also another less touristy location downtown, but not as charming.
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Hodad's
5010 Newport AveTourists seem to love it, I’m a tad doubtful. Homemade hamburgers as big as your head and thick milkshakes, with a surfer shack vibe in Ocean Beach. Also another less touristy location downtown, but not as charming.
Seriously great ramen and other dishes, sizzling fish platter soooo dang good. Huge selection of craft beer and homemade fruit-infused sakis (melon is delicious). There are 2 OB noodle locations in Ocean Beach - both great. One on Cable Street and one on Niagara Street
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OB Noodle House Bar 1502
4993 Niagara AveSeriously great ramen and other dishes, sizzling fish platter soooo dang good. Huge selection of craft beer and homemade fruit-infused sakis (melon is delicious). There are 2 OB noodle locations in Ocean Beach - both great. One on Cable Street and one on Niagara Street
Right across the street from loft - very good bags of shrimp, shrimp & crawfish mix, or crab legs. Get it Full House (mild) otherwise it can get pretty spicy. Decent beer and cocktails
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Crab Hut
1007 Fifth AveRight across the street from loft - very good bags of shrimp, shrimp & crawfish mix, or crab legs. Get it Full House (mild) otherwise it can get pretty spicy. Decent beer and cocktails
Very good sushi place right around corner from Loft - try their fresh oysters on shaved ice platter - delicious with Asian Pear vinaigrette
Full Moon SD
926 Fifth AveVery good sushi place right around corner from Loft - try their fresh oysters on shaved ice platter - delicious with Asian Pear vinaigrette
Open air fresh fish market on the docks near Seaport Village held every Saturday at 8 am, about 15 stalls where you buy fish, crabs, shrimp from local fishermen. Go early stuff sells fast. They have one stall that will clean and gut your fish for you.
Tuna Harbor Dockside Market
598 Harbor LnOpen air fresh fish market on the docks near Seaport Village held every Saturday at 8 am, about 15 stalls where you buy fish, crabs, shrimp from local fishermen. Go early stuff sells fast. They have one stall that will clean and gut your fish for you.
Sightseeing
Fun and funky places to go for a day trip, as well as local and tourist favorites
Beautiful park and grounds, home to the San Diego Zoo and several museums, as well as Prada restaurant and bar, botanical garden, Japanese Garden, Spanish Village artists collective. Lots of festival held there throughout the year
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Balboa Park
Beautiful park and grounds, home to the San Diego Zoo and several museums, as well as Prada restaurant and bar, botanical garden, Japanese Garden, Spanish Village artists collective. Lots of festival held there throughout the year
One of the best zoos in the world, beautiful to stroll through because of the thousands of exotic plants as well as animals
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San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrOne of the best zoos in the world, beautiful to stroll through because of the thousands of exotic plants as well as animals
About 50 minute drive from downtown San Diego is the town of Temecula , which is home to dozens of wineries. A fun day trip if you like winery hopping
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Temecula Wineries
31285 Temecula PkwyAbout 50 minute drive from downtown San Diego is the town of Temecula , which is home to dozens of wineries. A fun day trip if you like winery hopping
Small mountain town an hour from downtown San Diego- famous for its apple pie shops and artist galleries. Nice drive and good day trip outing
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Julian
Small mountain town an hour from downtown San Diego- famous for its apple pie shops and artist galleries. Nice drive and good day trip outing
Prettiest part of La Jolla, the coves where you can swim and snorkel, often with seals sharing the water with you
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La Jolla Cove
1100 Coast BlvdPrettiest part of La Jolla, the coves where you can swim and snorkel, often with seals sharing the water with you
Beautiful aquarium in La Jolla overlooking the ocean with nice permanent collection of seahorses and sea dragons
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Birch Aquarium at Scripps
2300 Expedition WayBeautiful aquarium in La Jolla overlooking the ocean with nice permanent collection of seahorses and sea dragons
The historic beginning of San Diego as a Spanish Mission. There’s a historic walk among settlers buildings, stables, stores etc plus plenty of restaurants and bars
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Old Town
The historic beginning of San Diego as a Spanish Mission. There’s a historic walk among settlers buildings, stables, stores etc plus plenty of restaurants and bars
Dog parks, beaches and dog-friendly places
Nice leash-free dog beach on Coronado
A small but nice stretch of beach where dogs are allowed to be off-leash all day.
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Coronado Beach & Dog Park
Ocean BoulevardA small but nice stretch of beach where dogs are allowed to be off-leash all day.
Dog Beach
3902 29th StVery large leash-free dog park in Ocean Beach
Grape Street Hundepark
1998 28th StLeash-free dog park
Morley Field Dog Park
2225 Morley Field DrShopping Malls and shopping areas
Large shopping malls and boutique shopping areas for art, crafts, antiques
Probably the largest and grandest shopping mall in San Diego, lots of upscale stores, restaurants, movie theater complex and ice rink
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Westfield UTC
4545 La Jolla Village DrProbably the largest and grandest shopping mall in San Diego, lots of upscale stores, restaurants, movie theater complex and ice rink
An artists collective in Balboa Park with about 20 separate shops run by local potters, jewelers, painters, sculptors and glassblowers.
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Spanisches Dorf Kunstzentrum
1770 Village PlAn artists collective in Balboa Park with about 20 separate shops run by local potters, jewelers, painters, sculptors and glassblowers.
Tipps für Reisende
Verkehrsmittel
Dog Parks
There is a leash-free dog beach in Coronado and a leash free beach in Ocean Beach. Also leash-free dog parks on Grape Street in South Park neighborhood, another by Laurel street bridge in Balboa Park, and another in Ocean Beach.