Guidebook for San Diego
Essentials
Trader Joe's
1640 Garnet AveYummy unusual groceries at good prices.
Ralphs
101 G StComprehensive supermarket
Sprouts Farmers Market
3015 Clairemont DrReasonably priced health food and fresh produce.
Expensive, but has options for organic produce and meats not available elsewhere.
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Whole Foods Market
711 University AveExpensive, but has options for organic produce and meats not available elsewhere.
Food Scene
Delicious, healthy, reasonably priced Mediterranean food. Great for eating in or taking out. Outdoor patio available, so you can bring your dog.
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Aladdin Hillcrest
3900 Cleveland AveDelicious, healthy, reasonably priced Mediterranean food. Great for eating in or taking out. Outdoor patio available, so you can bring your dog.
Yummy Lebanese food. They have a Sajj oven and make their own flatbread. Great falafels and authentic Lebanese food. Perfect for ultra casual dining (can bring your dog) or for take out.
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Mama's Bakery & Deli
4237 Alabama StYummy Lebanese food. They have a Sajj oven and make their own flatbread. Great falafels and authentic Lebanese food. Perfect for ultra casual dining (can bring your dog) or for take out.
Really great Farmer's Market on Sundays until 2:00 pm. Local organic produce, meats, cheeses, flowers, etc., musical entertainment, crafts, clothes. Great place for breakfast, coffee or lunch.
La Jolla Certified Farmers Market
Really great Farmer's Market on Sundays until 2:00 pm. Local organic produce, meats, cheeses, flowers, etc., musical entertainment, crafts, clothes. Great place for breakfast, coffee or lunch.
They smoke their own meats and make great sandwiches, salads, hot dishes, sides, and cookies.
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Big Front Door
4075 Park BlvdThey smoke their own meats and make great sandwiches, salads, hot dishes, sides, and cookies.
Delicious artisan breads and pastries. Good sandwiches, soups, salads, etc.
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Bread and Cie Bakery/Cafe
350 University AveDelicious artisan breads and pastries. Good sandwiches, soups, salads, etc.
Peet's Coffee
350 University AveGood coffee!
Fabulous Thai take out. Very friendly and efficient staff. Food is excellent.
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Bahn Thai
4646 Park BlvdFabulous Thai take out. Very friendly and efficient staff. Food is excellent.
Delicious pizza made with only the finest ingredients and cooked in a wood burning oven brought all the way from Naples. Fabulous salads. Local beers, wine specials. Nice informal atmosphere.
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Pizzeria Bruno Napoletano
4207 Park BlvdDelicious pizza made with only the finest ingredients and cooked in a wood burning oven brought all the way from Naples. Fabulous salads. Local beers, wine specials. Nice informal atmosphere.
RB Sushi
5943 El Cajon BlvdGood miso soup, yummy sashimi, and sushi rolls
The best gelato! They import some of the ingredients from Italy. Great espresso and Italian sandwiches. The real thing -- you'll think you're in Italy.
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Pappalecco
1602 State StThe best gelato! They import some of the ingredients from Italy. Great espresso and Italian sandwiches. The real thing -- you'll think you're in Italy.
Good food, large portions, full bar. They make their own pies. Walking distance.
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Great Maple
1451 Washington StGood food, large portions, full bar. They make their own pies. Walking distance.
They roast their own coffee and it's delicious. Nice sandwiches and pastries too. Indoor and outdoor seating.
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Caffè Calabria
3933 30th StThey roast their own coffee and it's delicious. Nice sandwiches and pastries too. Indoor and outdoor seating.
Locally owned coffee house -- an institution in the neighborhood. They make their own super delicious pastries. Try a Buster Paw.
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Twiggs
4590 Park BlvdLocally owned coffee house -- an institution in the neighborhood. They make their own super delicious pastries. Try a Buster Paw.
Second location for locally owned Twiggs. They make their own pastries, cakes, cookies, etc. If you like bear claws, try their Buster Paws, named after the owners' previous dog and mascot, Buster.
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Twiggs Bakery & Coffeehouse
2804 Adams AveSecond location for locally owned Twiggs. They make their own pastries, cakes, cookies, etc. If you like bear claws, try their Buster Paws, named after the owners' previous dog and mascot, Buster.
Yummy upscale but casual dining that is VERY dog friendly. They will give your dog a bowl of water and biscuits. Full bar. Nice decor. Sit up front near the wall of plants. Try the shepherds pie. YUM!
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The Patio on Goldfinch
4020 Goldfinch StYummy upscale but casual dining that is VERY dog friendly. They will give your dog a bowl of water and biscuits. Full bar. Nice decor. Sit up front near the wall of plants. Try the shepherds pie. YUM!
Good California style Mexican food. They make their own tortillas! XX beer on tap. They have their own parking lot. Try the posole or the mole.
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Old Town Mexican Cafe
2489 San Diego AvenueGood California style Mexican food. They make their own tortillas! XX beer on tap. They have their own parking lot. Try the posole or the mole.
Delicious Indian/Himalayan/Nepali food. Nice atmosphere. Walking distance from our place.
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Taste of the Himalayas
1260 University AveDelicious Indian/Himalayan/Nepali food. Nice atmosphere. Walking distance from our place.
Best coffee in town. They roast at this location, so it's fun to see roasting going on while the barista prepares your brew. Many brews available. They take their coffee very seriously here and really know what they are doing. Gotta go in the morning, though -- they close at noon at this location. Also, they don't offer food yet other than the most delicious chocolate biscotti, but it's worth a trip just for the coffee.
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Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
5627 La Jolla BlvdBest coffee in town. They roast at this location, so it's fun to see roasting going on while the barista prepares your brew. Many brews available. They take their coffee very seriously here and really know what they are doing. Gotta go in the morning, though -- they close at noon at this location. Also, they don't offer food yet other than the most delicious chocolate biscotti, but it's worth a trip just for the coffee.
Great local brewery. Another location in Ocean Beach.
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Belching Beaver North Park
4223 30th StGreat local brewery. Another location in Ocean Beach.
Another local brewery. Has yummy pizza too. Try their beer buddies -- super good! Additional location in Solana Beach.
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Pizza Port Ocean Beach
1956 Bacon StAnother local brewery. Has yummy pizza too. Try their beer buddies -- super good! Additional location in Solana Beach.
Local Coffeehouse. They have more locations on Park Blvd. and Adams Ave. Good place to have coffee and hang out.
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Lestat's Hillcrest
1045 University AveLocal Coffeehouse. They have more locations on Park Blvd. and Adams Ave. Good place to have coffee and hang out.
Tons of yummy flavors. Dog friendly. Near the beach.
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Handel's Homemade Ice Cream
90 N Coast Hwy 101Tons of yummy flavors. Dog friendly. Near the beach.
Amazing tacos and tequila. They make their own horchata and jamaica drinks. Very reasonable prices. Slightly sketchy neighborhood, although the restaurant is in a new building. Very friendly staff.
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Lola 55
1290 F StAmazing tacos and tequila. They make their own horchata and jamaica drinks. Very reasonable prices. Slightly sketchy neighborhood, although the restaurant is in a new building. Very friendly staff.
Fun scene. Good food. Good beer. Funny drink names. Close -- you can walk! Dog friendly too.
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South Park Brewing Company
1517 30th StFun scene. Good food. Good beer. Funny drink names. Close -- you can walk! Dog friendly too.
Kilowatt Brewing OB Tasting Room
1869 Cable StGood beer. Cool psychedelic theme and art.
Modern Times Beer
3725 Greenwood StGood beer! Another location in Encinitas.
Good ramen. Additional locations in East Village and North Park. The Tajima restaurants on Convoy St. and Mercury St. in Kearny Mesa have a wider selection of Japanese food.
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Tajima Ramen Bar Hillcrest
3739 Sixth AveGood ramen. Additional locations in East Village and North Park. The Tajima restaurants on Convoy St. and Mercury St. in Kearny Mesa have a wider selection of Japanese food.
Amazing fresh sushi. Good friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Innovative chef.
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Ken Sushi Workshop
11375 El Camino RealAmazing fresh sushi. Good friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Innovative chef.
Traditional but informal Japanese restaurant, frequented by the local Japanese community. Be sure to make a reservation -- they fill up!
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Sushi Ota
4529 Mission Bay DrTraditional but informal Japanese restaurant, frequented by the local Japanese community. Be sure to make a reservation -- they fill up!
Amazing Korean style soft serve ice cream. Four unusual flavors in fish shaped soft cones. Reasonable prices.
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Somi Somi
4620 Convoy StAmazing Korean style soft serve ice cream. Four unusual flavors in fish shaped soft cones. Reasonable prices.
Yummy individual pot pies (although one can feed two people).
The savory (chicken, pork, vegan) are better than the sweet. For dessert go next door to Stella Jeans for homemade ice cream.
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Pop Pie Co.
4404 Park BlvdYummy individual pot pies (although one can feed two people).
The savory (chicken, pork, vegan) are better than the sweet. For dessert go next door to Stella Jeans for homemade ice cream.
Very yummy homemade ice cream. Standard and unusual flavors. Diary free and vegan options that are just as delicious (or better).
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Stella Jean’s Ice Cream
4404 Park BlvdVery yummy homemade ice cream. Standard and unusual flavors. Diary free and vegan options that are just as delicious (or better).
Great beer and wine choices. Good food. Dog friendly. Sit outside adjacent to the sculpture garden of the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park. Sit at table or picnic on the lawn on blankets provided by the restaurant.
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Panama 66
1450 El PradoGreat beer and wine choices. Good food. Dog friendly. Sit outside adjacent to the sculpture garden of the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park. Sit at table or picnic on the lawn on blankets provided by the restaurant.
Drinks & Nightlife
Large selection of artisanal tequilas from Mexico. Yummy street tacos, unbelievable mole special Tues. & Fri. nights. Awesome happy hour daily.
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Cantina Mayahuel
2934 Adams AveLarge selection of artisanal tequilas from Mexico. Yummy street tacos, unbelievable mole special Tues. & Fri. nights. Awesome happy hour daily.
The Ould Sod
3373 Adams AveFun Irish Pub. Not too expensive. Good crowd.
Cool building with good upscale mixed drinks. A tad on the expensive side.
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Polite Provisions
4696 30th StCool building with good upscale mixed drinks. A tad on the expensive side.
Fun cool bar (even in the middle of the day) in the Gaslamp Quarter. Drink prices (listed on a screen) change minute-by-minute according to popularity, similar to how the stock market works. Want the thrill of playing the stock market, without losing big money? This is your place. Adds a new dimension to drinking. They even have food (with stable prices).
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The Tipsy Crow
770 Fifth AveFun cool bar (even in the middle of the day) in the Gaslamp Quarter. Drink prices (listed on a screen) change minute-by-minute according to popularity, similar to how the stock market works. Want the thrill of playing the stock market, without losing big money? This is your place. Adds a new dimension to drinking. They even have food (with stable prices).
Dueling pianos lead the clientele in classic rock sing-alongs at night. Upbeat bar, great atmosphere -- get's the party going!
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The Shout! House
655 Fourth AveDueling pianos lead the clientele in classic rock sing-alongs at night. Upbeat bar, great atmosphere -- get's the party going!
Hidden bar. Reservations required. Very small and quiet. Swanky speakeasy. Good drinks. Interesting decor.
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Noble Experiment
777 G StHidden bar. Reservations required. Very small and quiet. Swanky speakeasy. Good drinks. Interesting decor.
Cool Korean bar with yummy Korean food. Karaoke rooms available to rent.
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Min Sok Chon
4620 Convoy StCool Korean bar with yummy Korean food. Karaoke rooms available to rent.
Lots of bars and Italian restaurants. A Farmer's Market on Saturdays. Close to the Embarcadero and the waterfront. Take a ride share though -- parking is impossible.
India Street
India StreetLots of bars and Italian restaurants. A Farmer's Market on Saturdays. Close to the Embarcadero and the waterfront. Take a ride share though -- parking is impossible.
Sightseeing
Multiple museums, gardens, the world famous San Diego Zoo, lawn bowling, playgrounds, theaters, off-leash dog parks, hiking trails, velodrome, golf course, tennis courts, soccer fields, pool, etc.
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I-Balboa Park
Multiple museums, gardens, the world famous San Diego Zoo, lawn bowling, playgrounds, theaters, off-leash dog parks, hiking trails, velodrome, golf course, tennis courts, soccer fields, pool, etc.
Great views back to the city. Historic lighthouse. Tide pools at the bottom of the cliff, if the tide is low.
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I-Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center
1800 Cabrillo Memorial DrGreat views back to the city. Historic lighthouse. Tide pools at the bottom of the cliff, if the tide is low.
World famous zoo. Be sure to visit the new section, Africa Rocks. Zoo features humane enclosures for the animals and educational opportunities for the humans. Don't miss the stinky funny flamingos. The Skyfari ride that goes over the park provides a bird's eye view of the zoo and Balboa Park and downtown San Diego. Numerous large aviaries to walk through and a hidden hummingbird aviary.
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Izoo yaseSan Diego
2920 Zoo DrWorld famous zoo. Be sure to visit the new section, Africa Rocks. Zoo features humane enclosures for the animals and educational opportunities for the humans. Don't miss the stinky funny flamingos. The Skyfari ride that goes over the park provides a bird's eye view of the zoo and Balboa Park and downtown San Diego. Numerous large aviaries to walk through and a hidden hummingbird aviary.
Sister location to the San Diego Zoo. Very large savannah-like enclosure where numerous animals roam free and interact. You have to ride a tram around it. Lorikeet enclosure where you can feed these beautiful noisy birds that will land right on you. Cheetah run once a day in the afternoon. Get there early for a space in front or pay extra for VIP viewing. Zip-line over the savannah for an extra fee. If you plan ahead, you can reserve a caravan safari vehicle that will take you into the savannah where you can feed giraffes and rhinos. Lots of educational experiences available.
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San Diego Zoo Safari Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley RdSister location to the San Diego Zoo. Very large savannah-like enclosure where numerous animals roam free and interact. You have to ride a tram around it. Lorikeet enclosure where you can feed these beautiful noisy birds that will land right on you. Cheetah run once a day in the afternoon. Get there early for a space in front or pay extra for VIP viewing. Zip-line over the savannah for an extra fee. If you plan ahead, you can reserve a caravan safari vehicle that will take you into the savannah where you can feed giraffes and rhinos. Lots of educational experiences available.
Everything Else
Wonderful State Park with nice hiking trails and beach. Only one of two places on the planet where Torrey Pine trees grow. No dogs allowed, though, even on leash. No picnics either, except on beach.
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Torrey Pines
Wonderful State Park with nice hiking trails and beach. Only one of two places on the planet where Torrey Pine trees grow. No dogs allowed, though, even on leash. No picnics either, except on beach.
Dog Beach
3902 29th StOff-leash dog beach.
Large off-leash dog park with beach areas and dirt areas. Big enough for the humans to take an exercise walk while the doggies romp. Views of Pacific Beach and downtown San Diego.
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Fiesta Island Park
1590 E Mission Bay DrLarge off-leash dog park with beach areas and dirt areas. Big enough for the humans to take an exercise walk while the doggies romp. Views of Pacific Beach and downtown San Diego.
Morley Field Dog Park
2225 Morley Field DrNice big off-leash dog park. Not fenced, though.
Fun place to take your dog off-leash. Not open all year, though.
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Del Mar North Beach
Fun place to take your dog off-leash. Not open all year, though.
Shopping
Fashion Valley
7007 Friars RdUpscale shopping mall.
Westfield Mission Valley
1640 Camino Del Rio NDownscale shopping mall.
Super cool store full of old and new stuff, everything from African beaded chairs to antique American toys. They carry coffees and teas in bulk too. Unique experience. Wander the whole store, you won't want to miss anything. Great place to find the perfect gift.
Hessian Global Goods
4034 Park BlvdSuper cool store full of old and new stuff, everything from African beaded chairs to antique American toys. They carry coffees and teas in bulk too. Unique experience. Wander the whole store, you won't want to miss anything. Great place to find the perfect gift.
Parks & Nature
Moonlight Beach
400 B StNice North County Beach. Good surfing waves.
Nice dog beach with small waves. Long walk on sand to get to the beach. Your dog must be on leash until you get to the beach. But the dogs have fun once they get there. Hose available in the park by the street to wash your dog off.
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Coronado Beach & Dog Park
Ocean BoulevardNice dog beach with small waves. Long walk on sand to get to the beach. Your dog must be on leash until you get to the beach. But the dogs have fun once they get there. Hose available in the park by the street to wash your dog off.