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Candice Eley (619) [email protected]
Robert Arends (619) [email protected]
Edna Gutierrez (619) [email protected]
Sarah Weinberg (619) [email protected]
Twitter @VisitSD_PRwww.sandiego.org
AUGUST 2015FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EXPLORING SAN DIEGO'S CHARISMATIC NEIGHBORHOODS
One of the most exciting and sophisticated metropolitan regions
in the country,
San Diego comprises more than 100 colorful and unique
neighborhoods. Each of these communities has a style and
personality of their own, and their dynamic medleys of outdoor
activities, arts and culture, dining and shopping opportunities reflect
the rich diversity of the San Diego region.
From downtown’s trendy East Village, to the laid-back
community of Ocean Beach, to the luxury enclave of La Jolla, the
following are a few of San Diego's colorful neighborhoods.
EAST VILLAGE: VIBRANT URBAN LIFE
The revitalization of this warehouse district in downtown San Diego was ignited in 2004 with the opening of Petco Park, the San Diego Padres’ baseball stadium. Today, visitors can enjoy luxury
hotels, fashionable restaurants and cafes, rooftop bars, boutique shops and live music venues scattered throughout the neighborhood (www.sdeastvillage.com).
Beginning in spring, baseball fans can watch the San Diego Padres step up to the plate and play ball at their home field, Petco Park. The state-of-the-art stadium features stunning architecture and landscaping, as well as enticing dining options (www.padres.mlb.com).
Diners can sample a diverse selection of cuisine in many hip downtown settings. Cowboy Star (www.thecowboystar.com) offers contemporary American cuisine with high-quality meats and local produce in an urban steakhouse atmosphere. Neighborhood (www.neighborhoodsd.com) offers a creative, upscale take on burgers and more than 27 local microbrews on tap. Café Chloe (www.cafechloe.com) brings the seductive charm and spectacular cuisine of a Parisian cafe with contemporary updates on traditional French fare and a top-notch wine list. Bottega Americano (www.bottegaamericano.com) focuses on “urban Italian with an American twist,” offering pizza, cured meats, fresh mozzarella, Italian wine and specialty coffees.
Stylish shopping in the East Village ranges from Dianne O Studios (www.dianneo.com) featuring high-fashion apparel, accessories and cosmetics from the world’s top fashion meccas like Milan, New York and Paris, to 5&A Dime (www.5anda dime .com ) serving up the latest men’s and women’s urban street wear.
After dark, hip East Village offers a range of nightlife diversions. East Village Tavern & Bowl (www.bowlevt.com) features 12 bowling lanes, pool tables and a fun and upbeat atmosphere for socializing, while the El Dorado Cocktail Lounge (www.eldoradobar.com) mixes up craft cocktails for patrons to sip while watching local bands or dancing as DJs spin tunes. Guests need to plan ahead and talk to someone in the know to get a seat at Noble Experiment (www.nobleexperimentsd.com), the neighborhood’s hidden speakeasy.
GASLAMP QUARTER: SCENE AND BE SEEN
As the historic heart of downtown San Diego, the 16½-block Gaslamp Quarter combines Victorian-charm with urban living to
create a lively dining, entertainment and shopping district. Once home to San Diego’s "red light" district in the late 1800s, the area once held three gambling halls run by Wyatt Earp. In recent decades, revitalization efforts have spurred the growth of more than 100 restaurants, 40 bars and nightclubs and 100 retail shops, as well as theaters and art galleries (www.gaslamp.org).
Diners can find some of San Diego’s biggest names in dining in the Gaslamp Quarter. Searsucker (www.searsucker.com) serves the New American comfort food menu of Chef Brian Malarkey, former finalist on Bravo’s “Top Chef 3 Miami.” Rustic Root (www.rusticroot.com), helmed by Executive Chef Antonio Friscia, focuses on local, farm-fresh and house-made ingredients. Café 21 (www.cafe-21.com) offers local, organic and farm-to-table cuisine in a homey but spacious venue; the spot is well-known for its sangria flights and over-the-top Bloody Marys during brunch.
The Gaslamp is great for dinner and a night on the town. Parq (www.parqsd.com/pages/restaurant) is part restaurant and part nightclub. Guests can enjoy the farm-to-table “progressive American” food under the direction of Chef Errol LeBlanc, winner of Food Network’s “Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell,” then move into the nightclub for dancing to big name DJs. Bang Bang (www.bangbangsd.com), known for its bathrooms decked out with pictures of Godzilla and Ryan Gosling, features both an Asian-fusion restaurant and a dance floor that boasts the biggest disco ball on the west coast. Zymology 21 (www.zymology21.com) offers drinks formulated through house fermentation, puree and infusion techniques like organic molecularly-infused liquors and syphon coffee.
The destination for San Diego’s hottest nightclubs, the Gaslamp Quarter lures night owls with FLUXX (www.fluxxsd.com), a high-end dance club featuring organic décor amidst bright, bold colors and playful design elements including a 15-ft. custom rope chandelier, eye-catching art and a robot that delivers champagne to guests’ tables. Syrah Spirit & Wine Parlor (syrahwineparlor.com) is a subterranean hideaway that evokes an Alice in Wonderland look and feel, offering handmade cocktails, unique beers and a diverse wine list. Located in a historic warehouse, Omnia (www.omnianightclub.com) is a luxury restaurant and nightlife venue offering three stories, sumptuous leather lounge furniture and translucent floating staircases leading to a rooftop bar retreat that is popular with visiting celebrities.
Visitors looking to expand their wardrobe can find well-known retailers like Urban Outfitters and Quicksilver. Modern pin-up wear at Bettie Page Clothing, hand-rolled cigars at the Cuban Cigar Factory and hats of all shapes and sizes at Goorin Brothers can also be found tucked away in the Gaslamp Quarter’s Victorian architecture. www.gaslamp.org
LITTLE ITALY: A DELICIOUS PLACE FOR FOOD AND CULTUREOnce home to San Diego's flourishing tuna fishing industry and
generations of Italian families who made their living on the sea, Little Italy in downtown San Diego is a quaint and lively neighborhood filled with outdoor patio cafes, restaurants, pubs, art galleries, boutique shops and the beautiful Amici Park (www.littleitalysd.com).
India Street, Little Italy’s main thoroughfare, is lined with restaurants featuring the neighborhood’s namesake cuisine. Bencotto Italian Kitchen (www.ilovebencotto.com) takes a modern approach to classic Italian home-style dishes, and longtime local favorite Filippi’s Pizza Grotto (www.realcheesepizza.com) features an old-fashioned Italian-American dining experience along with a busy delicatessen and market.
Kettner Street is filled with new, delicious restaurants. Bracero Cocina de Raíz (www.bracerococina.com) is a modern Mexican restaurant with a raw/ceviche bar, a taco space with fresh hand-made tortillas, two bars featuring tequila, mescal, craft beer and wine programs, and a Caja China-fueled open kitchen. Richard Blais, winner of Bravo TV’s “Top Chef” season eight, opened Juniper & Ivy (www.juniperandivy.com). Described as a “left coast cookery” with cuisine focused on locally sourced products, the restaurant features an innovative menu divided into categories such as “Snacks,” “Raw” and “Toast.” Kettner Exchange (www.kettnerexchange.com ) features progressive American cuisine from Executive Chef Brian Redzokiwsky. The menu changes seasonally and is complemented by a cocktail menu and a selection of 32 beers on tap.
Along Fir Street, a number of colorful cottages house boutiques that offer ultra-stylish clothing, accessories and shoes. Along India Street, shoppers can find a diverse selection of art galleries and design stores, while the Kettner Art & Design District offers unique shops and gallery spaces featuring
modern art, contemporary home furnishings and more.
Little Italy is host to a number of annual cultural celebrations and festivities including ArtWalk (www.artwalksandiego.org) in April, which combines live entertainment and a wide variety of art on display in local venues, studios, galleries and businesses. Every October, the Annual Little Italy Festa (www.littleitalysd.com/events/little-italy-festa) transforms the streets of Little Italy for a traditional street festival with music, food, dance, culture, and the colorful Chalk La Strada, a classic Italian street painting exhibit with chalk.
HILLCREST: AN ECLECTIC HOTSPOTThe hub of San Diego’s LGBT community, Hillcrest is an uptown
neighborhood located just minutes from downtown and next to Balboa Park, where visitors can experience the city’s openness, warm hospitality and diversity throughout the year. Hillcrest is well-known for its unique mix of casual eateries, exotic bistros, chic boutiques, vintage clothing stores, eclectic nightlife and more (www.hillquest.com).
Diners can find a variety of restaurants in Hillcrest. Hash House a Go-Go (www.hashhouseagogo.com) serves over-the-top riffs on Midwest classics and a must-have weekend brunch featuring pancakes the size of serving platters. On University Avenue, Hillcrest’s main thoroughfare, Mama Testa Taqueria (www.mamatestataqueria.com) serves up a variety of authentic taco styles from throughout Mexico’s distinct culinary regions. Hillcrest Brewing Company serves pizza, wings, salads, and more alongside a long choice of beers, many of which are brewed onsite.
LGBT partygoers and guests can start their weekend at the Inn at the Park’s (http://www.shellhospitality.com/Inn-at-the-Park) weekly Top of the Park Friday night party. Diverse nightlife venues range from Martini’s Above Fourth (www.martinisabovefourth.com), with an upscale cabaret experience and live musical entertainment, to Urban Mo’s (www.urbanmos.com), popular for its Saturday night line dancing. In July, San Diego LGBT Pride (www.sandiegopride.org) attracts more than 150,000 attendees each year with festivities that include a parade through Hillcrest and two-day festival in neighboring Balboa Park.
Shopping along the main thoroughfares, University Avenue and the tree-lined Fifth Avenue, guests can browse through
trendy boutiques and shops stocked with used books, vintage and designer clothes, records, unique novelty items and more. Highlights include Mint (www.mintshoes.com) for fashion-forward footwear and Flashbacks (www.flashbackintime.com) for the hippest in retro clothes.
NORTH PARK: HIPSTER HAPPENING
This eclectic neighborhood, east of Balboa Park, offers a dynamic mix of coffee houses, cafes, retail shops, art galleries and the city’s most up-and-coming restaurant row, complemented by a dynamic local craft beer scene (www.northparkmainstreet.com).
Notable restaurants include Urban Solace (www.urbansolace.net), a chic and comfortable setting that offers upscale American comfort food and a popular Sunday Bluegrass Brunch. A slow-food-style pub, Ritual Tavern (www.ritualtavern.com) serves fresh house-made specialties, including many vegetarian and vegan twists on classic comfort food. A large variety of local craft beers rounds out the menus at each of these restaurants. The Mexican-influenced eatery, Tacos Perla (www.tacosperla.com), offers traditional and not-so-traditional tacos. Patrons are able to add cheese, chicharrones or even crickets to their tacos. Caffe Calabria (www.caffecalabria.com), a café, roaster, and pizzeria, includes a coffee bar procured from Italy, a Kees van der Westen espresso machine, and a Naples-made brick oven maker.
North Park’s nightlife comes alive on the bar-hopping intersection of University Avenue and 30th Street. Craft beer is king at Toronado San Diego (www.toronadosd.com), with 50 beers on tap featuring the best from local, domestic and international breweries. Bottled offerings number more than 230 and focus on Belgian, French, German and English brews. Bar Pink (www.barpink.com) is a favorite with locals and offers playful signature drinks, an eclectic crowd and live rock music performances. U31 Bar (www.myspace.com/ u31 sd ) has all the ingredients for a memorable evening, including a photo booth and specialty music nights that get the crowd moving. For spirit connoisseurs, Seven Grand (sevengrandbars.com/seven-grand-san-diego) is a whiskey-centric bar offering more than 140 varieties, served in a hunting lodge-inspired setting complete with mounted deer and studded leather upholstery.
For guests seeking artistic adventures in North Park, local businesses, art galleries and boutiques stay open late for art
shows and live entertainment on the second Saturday of each month during Ray At Night (www.rayatnightartwalk.com). Music lovers can catch great live music in a red-decked cathedral hall at The Observatory. Once a venue for opera and dramatic theater in its colorful past life, its acoustics make it a strong place to catch a touring rock or pop group.
SOUTH PARK AND GOLDEN HILL: INDIE CULTURE ABOUNDS
Located just outside of downtown, Greater Golden Hill is home to the blossoming neighborhoods of Golden Hill and South Park, havens for independent shops, galleries and restaurants featuring innovative menus, complemented by the region’s award-winning craft beer (www.southparkscene.com).
Diners in Golden Hill and South Park have no shortage of creative cuisine options, from the retro-styled Turf Supper Club (www.turfsupperclub.com) where locals love the do-it-yourself vibe of grilling their own steaks right in the center of the dining room, to family friendly dining at Station Tavern (www.stationtavern.com) where an old trolley station serves as an innovative burger joint. Buona Forchetta (www.buonaforchettasd.com) serves up authentic Italian food and features a Stefano Ferrara oven, ideal for Neapolitan pizza-making. KINDRED (www.barkindred.com), opening in the summer of 2015, will an all-vegan menu. A bar area will highlight draft beers and kombucha on tap. The signature cocktail program will include house-made syrups, soda and bitters, with a special focus on amari.
With more than 75 years of service, Hamilton’s Tavern (www.hamiltonstavern.com) in South Park is the oldest beer and wine licensed establishment in San Diego. It offers high-quality ales and craft beers from around the world and boasts one of the most diverse bottle selections in the city. At Counterpoint in Golden Hill, visitors can rub elbows with neighborhood residents over a signature cocktail or craft beer from more than a dozen continually changing taps (www.counterpointsd.com).
Crafts, local art, unique fashions and one-of-a-kind treasures that can’t be found at any mall make shopping a treat in Golden Hill and South Park. Make Good (www.themakegood.com) offers everything from gently used name-brand clothing to handmade art and accessories from San Diego designers. A design-oriented boutique for those who prefer their home to be
both fashionable and functional, Progress (www.progresssouthpark.com) sells Scandinavian home decor, modern yet whimsical children's toys and one-of-a-kind accessories. Junc Life & Style (www.shopjuncboutique.com) features trend-setting clothing and accessories for even the most discriminating fashionistas and doubles as a gallery for up-and-coming local artists.
Year-round festive events highlight the neighborhoods’ diversity and their pride in local arts, crafts and culture. The quarterly Walkabout (www.southparkscene.com) warmly welcomes visitors to South Park with local shops and restaurants staying open late and offering special sales and tastes of seasonal menu items. The annual Old House Fair every June provides visitors the chance to tour the neighborhood’s iconic Craftsman-era homes inside and out and includes entertainment, food, arts and crafts and more.
BARRIO LOGAN: LIVELY HISPANIC CULTURE
Originally a refuge for Mexican residents fleeing the revolution in the early 20th century, Barrio Logan today is both the epicenter of San Diego’s Hispanic community and a welcoming neighborhood where young urbanites and artists are spurring a creative renaissance.
Diners can sample San Diego’s freshest handmade tortillas at Las Cuatro Milpas, an unassuming eatery known for having some of the city’s best Mexican food with lines of hungry locals usually extending around the block. Locals also pack Panchitas Bakery for their Mexican pastries baked fresh daily, including pumpkin emapanadas and bolillos stuffed with jalapeno and cheese. Salud (www.saludsd.com) serves up authentic Mexican food, specializing in award winning tacos. A local brewing company, Border X Brewing (www.borderxbrewing.com) serves up an array beer with interesting Mexican and German inspired flavors.
From Mexican street art to the most cutting-edge galleries, Barrio Logan’s art scene is one of San Diego’s most intriguing. In the early 1970s, the Latino community established Chicano Park (www.chicanoparksandiego.com) beneath the San Diego-Coronado Bridge overpass, as part of a community empowerment effort. The park is home to a dazzling display of colorful sculptures and murals painted on the bridge’s pillars.
The gallery Glashaus (www.theglashaus.com) is filled with 20 creative studios available for artists and designers to show their work, including glass- blowing, woodworking, sculpture, painting, ceramics, and more. Bread & Salt, which took over a former bakery and where it takes its name, has become a live work and design warehouse for artists. These and other area galleries host a regular Barrio Art Crawl on the second Saturday of every month, highlighting the creative culture burgeoning in the neighborhood.
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS: WARM AND WELCOMING
Surrounded by historic and renovated craftsman-style homes, University Heights is a neighborhood that embraces San Diego’s love for quirky and lively dining, shopping and nightlife. Adjacent to Hillcrest, University Heights is hip yet friendly and welcomes everyone with creative tastes to its main thoroughfare, Park Boulevard, home to popular eateries, shops and lounges (www.uhsd.org).
A local dining landmark, the Parkhouse Eatery (www.parkhouseeatery.com) can be easily spotted by its large neon clock rising above Park Boulevard and the long line of patrons waiting for a table during their legendary weekend breakfast. At this cozy house-turned-restaurant, classic American dishes and Mexican-inspired specialties are served in generous portions, and even the fruit preserve and ketchup are homemade. For a taste of something different, Soltan Banoo (www.soltanbanoo.com) offers eclectic Persian flavors like pomegranate soup and abgousht, a stew of lamb, chickpeas, potatoes, beans, tomatoes and dried limes. S&M Sausage & Meat (www.sausageandmeat.com) serves up exotic sausages, a variety of house-made bacon, and game meats. The menu includes sandwiches and sausage rolls to small bites and full entrees. Patrons can enjoy a full bar featuring twelve taps on unique craft brews and a specialty cocktail menu.
At Folk Arts Rare Records (www.folkartsrarerecords.com), analog music enthusiasts can find folk, blues, jazz, show tunes, rhythm and blues, rock ‘n’ roll and a vast inventory of 78 rpm records. Folk Arts is also home to the Lou Curtiss Sound Library, which comprises more than 90,000 hours and 90 years of vintage sound recordings. Those looking for hip threads love
La Loupe Vintage (www.laloupevintage.com), a vintage clothing and accessory shop full of unique and unusual designer pieces.
Visitors seeking a welcoming nightlife scene can feel at home in University Heights. Small Bar offers a laid back, casual vibe with a great selection of beer, liquor, and food. Park & Rec, a cocktail bar set in a Victorian house, features an assortment of games and delicious items to devour along with tasty drinks. The Diversionary Theatre (www.diversionary.org), one of the oldest LGBT theatres in the country, produces edgy dramatic productions and playful musicals throughout the year.
NORMAL HEIGHTS: ABNORMALLY FUN
Neighboring University Heights and home to unique antique stores and quirky coffeehouses, Normal Heights takes pride in creating a free-spirited environment where resident artists and hippies prove that what’s “normal” in San Diego is a fun-loving attitude (www.normalheights.org).
Antique aficionados love Adams Avenue, the main thoroughfare in Normal Heights that is also known as “Antique Row.” Here, nearly a dozen vintage, antique and consignment shops feature art, furniture and home décor from decades past. Book lovers delight in the shelves of Adams Avenue Bookstore (www.adamsavebooks.com), a true neighborhood book shop with resident cats greeting guests.
Normal Heights celebrates live music day and night with annual music festivals as well as live music venues booking up-and-coming artists throughout the year. Every April, vintage blues, folk, jazz, country and international music take over six stages during the Annual San Diego Adams Avenue Unplugged (www.adamsavenueonline.com), a two-day event that is free to the public. At the Soda Bar (www.sodabarmusic.com), local musicians play alongside tomorrow’s rock and hip-hop stars to savvy music fans who can say, “I saw them before they were famous.” Lestat’s Coffee House (www.lestats.com), open 24 hours, presents live music nightly and often welcomes well-known singer-songwriters to their intimate stage.
Dining options are anything but cookie cutter in Normal Heights. Seats are always full at the Blind Lady Ale House
(www.blindladyalehouse.com), which offers thin-crust pizzas made of locally sourced organic ingredients and a beer list of dozens of craft brews. Vegetarians swoon over the “Neatloaf” at Jyoti Bihanga (www.jyotibihanga.com), an all-vegetarian restaurant owned and operated by students of spiritual master Sri Chinmoy. Both vegetarians and omnivores love Tao, whose Vietnamese menu features chicken curries and housemade tofu, and all entrees come with a salad and dessert included.
Visitors with a sweet tooth love the creamy homemade ice creams in flavors like Mexican chocolate and blueberry cheesecake at Mariposa Ice Cream Shop (www.mariposaicecream.com). The exotic flavors at Viva Pops (www.ilovevivapops.com), which include lavender lemonade and nectarine basil, are a big hit with local residents and visitors alike.
OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO: WHERE HISTORY MEETS ENTERTAINMENT
Visitors can witness the living legacy of California’s birthplace in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, San Diego’s first “downtown.” Old Town marks the site of the first Spanish settlement on the U.S. West Coast and features 12 acres of Mexican lore and historical sites, colorful shops, early-California-style restaurants, museums, a theater and the newly restored Comsopolitan Hotel (www.oldtownsandiegoguide.com).
San Diego’s history comes alive in Old Town’s many preserved sites. Constructed in 1825, Casa de Estudillo unveils the lifestyle of a prominent San Diego family and is the most famous of the original adobe buildings in Old Town, furnished with representative items from the 16th to 20th centuries within its 13 rooms. The Whaley House (www.whaleyhouse.org) is one of only two officially designated haunted houses in California. Constructed in 1856 on a former gallows’ site, the house was once home to the Whaley family as well as San Diego’s first theater and the county courthouse. The Junípero Serra Museum (www.sandiegohistory.org/serra_museum.html) in Old Town’s Presidio Park is one of the most familiar landmarks in San Diego and is recognized as the site where California began. Neighboring Heritage Park (www.heritageparksd.com) showcases San Diego’s Victorian era with six picturesque homes and San Diego’s first synagogue, built between 1887-1910.
Known for colorful Mexican cuisine, Old Town’s dining is lively and vibrant. For authentic flavors and techniques in an upscale atmosphere, diners head to El Agave (www.elagave.com). This second-floor hacienda-style hideaway boasts a mind-blowing tequila collection and a menu specializing in upscale dishes that celebrate indigenous Mexican ingredients. At Café Coyote (www.cafecoyote.com), the festive décor, massive margaritas, strolling mariachis and open air atmosphere prove that diners don’t have to choose between flavor and fun. For a change of pace, Harney Sushi (www.harneysushi.com) offers creative Japanese dishes and sushi roll concoctions, such as the “Mike Check” roll featuring lobster, cilantro, garlic ponzu and wonton chips, as well as expertly prepared traditional nigiri.
Shopping in Old Town reflects the history of the 1800s and captures the essence of San Diego’s colorful past. Shoppers can find a diverse selection of stores, from Cousin’s Candy where fresh taffy is made and Toby’s Candle Shop where guests make their own candles, to the Johnson House that specializes in millinary. In the center of Old Town, guest can find the Old Town Market Place, an open-air courtyard with a variety of carts and shops that sell handcrafted trinkets, clothing and accessories traditional to the Mexican culture. At the Bazaar del Mundo Shops (www.bazaardelmundo.com), guests can find a vibrant and colorful array of eclectic folk art, artisan jewelry, accessories, pottery, home décor and many other international treasures.
In May, the annual Fiesta Old Town Cinco De Mayo is the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration north of the Mexican border, with an incredible variety of festivities and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Each October, the Old Town San Diego Art Festival (www.oldtownartfestival.com) features more than four dozen contemporary artists, craftsman, fashion and home décor artisans, plus wine tasting, international food sampling and live music. In November, more than 25 Old Town museums, restaurants and shops participate in a community-wide celebration of Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, creating traditional Mexican altars and offerings to departed loved ones. A candlelight procession from the Whaley House to the El Campo Santo cemetery to make offerings to Old Town's earliest families at their gravesites tops off this unique cultural experience.
OCEAN BEACH: A LAID-BACK BEACH TOWN
With perpetual sun, swaying palms and sparkling surf, the funky neighborhood of Ocean Beach, referred to locally as O.B., is the epitome of Southern California beach culture. Newport Avenue, its main street, can be both laid-back and energized with boisterous bars, cafes, surf shops, tattoo parlors and a 1960s hippie attitude (www.oceanbeachsandiego.com).
With hundreds of antique dealers in six malls, the Ocean Beach Antique District (www.obantiquedistrict.com ), located along Newport Avenue, offers the largest concentration of antique and collectible dealers in San Diego County. The district offers an array of eclectic retail settings and features one-of-a-kind antiques, mid-century modern furniture, fine estate sale items, vintage jewelry and specialty memorabilia.
O.B. is home to diverse eateries, many with views of the beautiful Pacific Ocean and featuring open patios that welcome man’s best friend. Hodad’s (www.hodadies.com) is a famous surf-themed burger joint serving truly amazing hamburgers for 40 years. Guests can dine inside an old VW van on a table where the dashboard used to be located. At the end of Newport Avenue, South Beach Bar & Grill (www.southbeachob.com) is a casual hangout where locals feast on fresh fish tacos like marinated and grilled mahi mahi, which once earned recognition as “America’s best fish taco” from Bon Appetit magazine. At Bo-Beau Kitchen + Bar (www.bobeaukitchen.com), traditional French dishes are served in a relaxed environment reminiscent of a cozy French farmhouse.
Ocean Beach is one of San Diego’s prime surf spots. Popular locations are just north of O.B.’s long wooden pier, which is perfect for fishing, and the expert waters off nearby Sunset Cliffs. O.B. is also popular for its kid-friendly tidepools and Dog Beach, where even the tail-waggin' members of the family can play Frisbee and romp in the surf.
PACIFIC BEACH/MISSION BEACH: THE BEACH AND THE BEAUTIFUL
Pacific Beach, referred to locally as P.B., is a seaside mecca and surfer's paradise for college students and the younger set with boisterous bars, cafes and casual restaurants aplenty. Located just south of P.B. and connected by a three-mile boardwalk, Mission Beach
is another popular surf spot and hip hangout for the younger set (www.sandiego.gov/lifeguards/beaches).
Throughout the year, the boardwalk connecting P.B. and Mission Beach features an endless parade of hard bodies and other beach goers walking, running, biking, inline-skating and just hanging out in the sun. Numerous bars, cafes and restaurants can also be found here. At the sophisticated JRDN restaurant in the Tower23 Hotel (www.tower23hotel.com), guests can dine, drink and lounge in a stunning South Beach-inspired setting. Diners can also discover how the local landmark World Famous restaurant earned its name with delicious and affordably priced seafood and steak specialties, paired with a beachside location offering spectacular ocean views. Iron Pig Alehouse (www.ironpigalehouse.com), located in a renovated warehouse that dates back to 1945, is an American barbeque house offering a modern approach to traditional barbecue with smoked meats including chicken, ribs and pork chops.
Located along the boardwalk in Mission Beach, Belmont Park (www.belmontpark.com) features the “Giant Dipper” wooden roller coaster, a National Historic Landmark, carnival rides, amusement arcades and The Wave House, with an on-land, water wave simulator.
As the sun goes down, night owls head to P.B.’s thriving beach bar scene. At Firehouse American Eatery & Lounge, visitors can take advantage of daily happy hour drink specials as they overlook the Pacific from the lounge’s rooftop patio. For a closer view of the sunset, Lahaina Beach House offers guests a beach-front patio to socialize while enjoying an ice cold beer. After dark, the area comes alive with sandal-wearing coeds and partygoers in their 20s. A favorite amongst locals is The Beachwood, a three-level bar with a large dance floor, DJs and rooftop bar.
Lined along P.B.’s main streets, Grand and Garnet Avenues, beachgoers can find a plethora of restaurants, thrift stores, vintage clothing stores, boutiques and tattoo parlors. Visitors looking to embrace the area’s beach style can head to signature surf shops like Mission Surf, Beachworks and South Coast PB to find wetsuits, sunglasses, swimsuits and flip flops from major and local retailers. Inexpensive boutiques, located all over P.B., are filled with hip attire ranging from beachwear to clubwear. Trendy options include Madison and cult fashion
favorite Brandy Melville.
LA JOLLA: THE JEWEL OF SAN DIEGO
The treasures of this Mediterranean-style village make La Jolla one of the most sought-after vacation destinations in Southern California. With luxurious and historic hotels, fine dining and shopping, world-class arts and culture, unbeatable outdoor recreation and a strikingly beautiful setting, it’s no wonder why La Jolla is nicknamed the “jewel” of San Diego (www. lajolla bythesea.com ).
La Jolla’s beautiful beaches and coastline provide endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. The gentle waves of La Jolla Shores create the perfect environment for swimming, kayaking and learning to surf, while the protected waters of the La Jolla Underwater Park and Ecological Reserve offer a fascinating diving spot thriving with marine life. Just a couple miles north is Torrey Pines, with recreational options that range from hiking among native wildlife at the Torrey Pines State Reserve (www.torreypines.org) to golfing at the internationally recognized Torrey Pines Golf Course (www.sandiego.gov/torreypines). At the neighboring Torrey Pines Gliderport (ww.flytorrey.com), adventure seekers can soar high above the ocean with this award-winning paragliding company.
La Jolla is one of San Diego’s most desirable shopping districts and is known for its variety of specialty shops and boutiques that feature top designers and luxury items from around the world. Sometimes called the “Rodeo Drive of San Diego,” Prospect Street overlooks the ocean and is lined with small boutiques, antique emporiums and art galleries. Girard Avenue features everything from Armani to upscale stationary stores, while the Upper Girard Design District is where shoppers delight in modern home and lifestyle stores that carry one-of-a-kind pieces from around the globe (www.lajollabythesea.com/shopping). Located at the south end of La Jolla along La Jolla Blvd., Bird Rock offers an upscale, eco-friendly environment for posh shopping that boasts everything from an organic coffee shop and green nail salon, to designer boutiques adorned with fashionable shoes, bags and bikinis, to upscale children’s clothing boutiques. (www.birdrock.org)
Combining spectacular ocean views with award-winning menus that focus on farm- fresh organic ingredients, La Jolla’s
restaurants offer some of San Diego’s finest dining experiences. George's at the Cove (www.georgesathecove.com ) has unbeatable ocean views and a creative award-winning menu of regional cuisine that has earned the restaurant national recognition. Whisknladle (www.whisknladle.com) presents a back-to-basics philosophy reflected in a menu of upscale comfort foods where everything is baked, churned, smoked, aged, cured and pickled in-house. A.R. Valentien (www.arvalentien.com) in the Craftsman-style Lodge at Torrey Pines is among the top farm-to-table restaurants in the nation with a menu that draws inspiration from the freshest, seasonal ingredients from local farmers, ranchers and fishermen. The award-winning Nine-Ten (www.nine-ten.com) restaurant in the historic Grande Colonial Hotel is one of the neighborhood's hottest bistros, serving market fresh, evolving California cuisine in a casually elegant atmosphere.
La Jolla offers a dynamic and diverse display of cultural opportunities. The Tony Award®-winning La Jolla Playhouse (www.lajollaplayhouse.com) is one of the most respected and prestigious theaters in the nation, which has created 23 productions that have moved on to Broadway, earning a total of 35 Tony Awards. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (www.mcasd.org) on Prospect Street features contemporary paintings, sculptures, photography, drawings and classic graphic art in galleries complemented by spectacular ocean views. The La Jolla Music Society (www.lajollamusicsociety.com) presents internationally recognized classical music performances and events throughout the year. The site-specific sculptures of the Stuart Collection (http://stuartcollection.ucsd.edu) on the University of California San Diego campus and the Birch Aquarium at Scripps (www.aquarium.ucsd.edu) round out La Jolla’s cultural offerings.
Happiness is calling in San Diego. For more information on San
Diego’s offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable
coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego
Tourism Authority's website at www.sandiego.org.
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“Funded in part by the San Diego Tourism Marketing District with City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District Assessment Funds.”