Shawn’s guidebook
Sightseeing
This is a must-see when visiting San Diego. It's the most incredible park I've ever seen. It has 17 museums, several restaurant, and countless themed gardens. It's perfect for photos.
If you're hungry stop at The Prado and eat on their outdoor patio.
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I-Balboa Park
This is a must-see when visiting San Diego. It's the most incredible park I've ever seen. It has 17 museums, several restaurant, and countless themed gardens. It's perfect for photos.
If you're hungry stop at The Prado and eat on their outdoor patio.
- The address will take you to a dirt/gravel parking lot. Park here and walk towards the water to find a path that winds down the cliff and to the water.
- There is also a trail that continues on the ridge with incredible views of the ocean and beach below. Towards the end of the this trail you'll see some amazing homes on the cliffs. Fun fact: the largest one that is mostly glass is called The Razor house and is Alicia Keys' house.
WARNING: The beach below is technically a nude beach! It also happens to be one of the most beautiful beaches in San Diego, so if that doesn't bother you it's worth the walk down to the beach
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Black's Beach
- The address will take you to a dirt/gravel parking lot. Park here and walk towards the water to find a path that winds down the cliff and to the water.
- There is also a trail that continues on the ridge with incredible views of the ocean and beach below. Towards the end of the this trail you'll see some amazing homes on the cliffs. Fun fact: the largest one that is mostly glass is called The Razor house and is Alicia Keys' house.
WARNING: The beach below is technically a nude beach! It also happens to be one of the most beautiful beaches in San Diego, so if that doesn't bother you it's worth the walk down to the beach
This trail leads to the highest point in the city of San Diego. The trail is appx 3 miles and will take you several hours. It's San Diego's most popular trail, so expect a crowd.
This trail is entirely exposed to the sun. Check the weather and dress appropriately. It's scorching hot in the height of summer. I recommend starting early during that time of year. Wear sunscreen. Bring plenty of water.
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Cowles Mountain Coffee
7290 Navajo RdThis trail leads to the highest point in the city of San Diego. The trail is appx 3 miles and will take you several hours. It's San Diego's most popular trail, so expect a crowd.
This trail is entirely exposed to the sun. Check the weather and dress appropriately. It's scorching hot in the height of summer. I recommend starting early during that time of year. Wear sunscreen. Bring plenty of water.
This is a great way to get views of the city. The Hornblower cruises have multiple cruise options, including the standard 90 minute cruise where they cover the entire bay, cocktail cruises, dinner cruises, and even whale watching tours.
Note that the food at the dinner cruise is mediocre. I recommend just catching a cocktail cruise to enjoy the views.
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Hornblower Cruises & Events
1800 N Harbor DrThis is a great way to get views of the city. The Hornblower cruises have multiple cruise options, including the standard 90 minute cruise where they cover the entire bay, cocktail cruises, dinner cruises, and even whale watching tours.
Note that the food at the dinner cruise is mediocre. I recommend just catching a cocktail cruise to enjoy the views.
This is a really fun way to spend a chilly afternoon cruising on the bay. Rent a boat with your friends, bring some drinks, and chill in the hot tub while you enjoy the views from the water.
Hot Tub Cruisin
1010 Santa Clara PlThis is a really fun way to spend a chilly afternoon cruising on the bay. Rent a boat with your friends, bring some drinks, and chill in the hot tub while you enjoy the views from the water.
- A absolute must see when visiting San Diego
- Full of seals
- Amazing snorkeling throughout the underwater kelp forest. If you want to snorkel, ensure you check the swell conditions at https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/La-Jolla-Cove/forecasts/latest .
You want waves less than 2ft otherwise visibility will be terrible.
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La Jolla Cove
1100 Coast Blvd- A absolute must see when visiting San Diego
- Full of seals
- Amazing snorkeling throughout the underwater kelp forest. If you want to snorkel, ensure you check the swell conditions at https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/La-Jolla-Cove/forecasts/latest .
You want waves less than 2ft otherwise visibility will be terrible.
Great way to explore the coastal cliffs and caves of La Jolla! Sign up for kayak tours with a professional guide. Rent snorkeling gear to explore the off shore kelp forest.
The kayak tours are an amazing experience where you'll see the ocean caves up close and personal and get close to La Jolla's wildlife.
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La Jolla Kayak
2199 Avenida De La PlayaGreat way to explore the coastal cliffs and caves of La Jolla! Sign up for kayak tours with a professional guide. Rent snorkeling gear to explore the off shore kelp forest.
The kayak tours are an amazing experience where you'll see the ocean caves up close and personal and get close to La Jolla's wildlife.
Amazing views you can access by simply driving and parking
Take some food and wine for a picnic with views
Great place to watch the sunset
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Soledad Mountain
Amazing views you can access by simply driving and parking
Take some food and wine for a picnic with views
Great place to watch the sunset
- This is my favorite beach. Watch the sunset here.
- Beautiful drive getting there as you look out over 50ft tall cliffs.
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Sunset Cliffs
- This is my favorite beach. Watch the sunset here.
- Beautiful drive getting there as you look out over 50ft tall cliffs.
Food scene
- Make sure to ask for rooftop patio seating. Their patio views are the best in the city.
- The drinks are pricey but worth the view
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George's at the Cove
1250 Prospect St- Make sure to ask for rooftop patio seating. Their patio views are the best in the city.
- The drinks are pricey but worth the view
- Go here for a fun night out
- The food hall has multiple options of high quality semi-fast food, including "Not Not Tacos" (TV personality and author Sam "The Cooking Guy" Zien's restaurant)
- Sit in the courtyard and enjoy a bottle of wine from the wine bar "Graze"
- Walk to "Salt & Straw" for the best ice cream in San Diego. Warning that there is always a line around the building for this ice cream, but the wait isn't as long as it looks and it's well worth it.
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Little Italy Food Hall
550 W Date St- Go here for a fun night out
- The food hall has multiple options of high quality semi-fast food, including "Not Not Tacos" (TV personality and author Sam "The Cooking Guy" Zien's restaurant)
- Sit in the courtyard and enjoy a bottle of wine from the wine bar "Graze"
- Walk to "Salt & Straw" for the best ice cream in San Diego. Warning that there is always a line around the building for this ice cream, but the wait isn't as long as it looks and it's well worth it.
- There are a few locations. The one in Pacific Beach delivers to this location.
- My favorite pizzas: 1) Furious Diablo 2) The Hulk
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Mr. Moto Pizza House
3773 30th St- There are a few locations. The one in Pacific Beach delivers to this location.
- My favorite pizzas: 1) Furious Diablo 2) The Hulk
- My favorite restaurant. An absolute must visit.
- Favorite dish: Spicy Garlic Wings. Theses are the best wings on the planet. They were on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on Food Network. Check out an excerpt from the episode here https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/diners-drive-ins-and-dives/videos/all-san-diego-all-the-time
- Second Favorite Dish: House Special Fried Rice
- Make sure to take a shot of their custom peanut butter shot. If you love peanut butter like me you'll find it amazing.
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OB Noodle House Bar 1502
4993 Niagara Ave- My favorite restaurant. An absolute must visit.
- Favorite dish: Spicy Garlic Wings. Theses are the best wings on the planet. They were on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on Food Network. Check out an excerpt from the episode here https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/diners-drive-ins-and-dives/videos/all-san-diego-all-the-time
- Second Favorite Dish: House Special Fried Rice
- Make sure to take a shot of their custom peanut butter shot. If you love peanut butter like me you'll find it amazing.
Jewelry, Art, Souvenirs, Candles, Clothing, and more located in San Diego's Old Town neighborhood. Lots of great authentic Mexican restaurants throughout the area.
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Old Town
Jewelry, Art, Souvenirs, Candles, Clothing, and more located in San Diego's Old Town neighborhood. Lots of great authentic Mexican restaurants throughout the area.
- My favorite bar.
- Pair visiting this spot with stopping by The Friendly. See my recommendation for The Friendly for more info on their food
- This spot has a bunch of unique cocktails you've never had before.
My favorite drink: Evil Genius
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Polite Provisions
4696 30th St- My favorite bar.
- Pair visiting this spot with stopping by The Friendly. See my recommendation for The Friendly for more info on their food
- This spot has a bunch of unique cocktails you've never had before.
My favorite drink: Evil Genius
- Favorite Taco shop
- Go here on a Tuesday for "Taco Tuesday" discounts.
- Eat here before or after visiting La Jolla Cove. Check my recommendation for that to learn more.
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Puesto La Jolla
1026 Wall St- Favorite Taco shop
- Go here on a Tuesday for "Taco Tuesday" discounts.
- Eat here before or after visiting La Jolla Cove. Check my recommendation for that to learn more.
- This is my favorite butcher/small grocery store.
- If you plan to cook, then this is the place to buy your meats. Huge selection. Exotic options. Also sells alcohol and has an amazing deli.
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Siesel's Meats
4131 Ashton St- This is my favorite butcher/small grocery store.
- If you plan to cook, then this is the place to buy your meats. Huge selection. Exotic options. Also sells alcohol and has an amazing deli.
- Favorite Brewery
- If beer is your drink of choice, then this is a must
- This place is massive and has a very nice outdoor garden with a bar
-Perfect for larger groups
-They have a full dinner menu
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Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station
2816 Historic Decatur Rd- Favorite Brewery
- If beer is your drink of choice, then this is a must
- This place is massive and has a very nice outdoor garden with a bar
-Perfect for larger groups
-They have a full dinner menu
- Local secret! BEST burger in San Diego
- Don't judge a book by its cover. This place may look unassuming and the burger may not be pretty, but I've never met anyone that didn't love this burger after trying it
- They only have ONE burger option and they don't allow any substitutions
- Their pizza is great too
- After grabbing a burger head just one block down for my favorite cocktail spot in San Diego, Polite Provisions. See my separate recommendation for more info on this bar
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The Friendly
4592 30th St- Local secret! BEST burger in San Diego
- Don't judge a book by its cover. This place may look unassuming and the burger may not be pretty, but I've never met anyone that didn't love this burger after trying it
- They only have ONE burger option and they don't allow any substitutions
- Their pizza is great too
- After grabbing a burger head just one block down for my favorite cocktail spot in San Diego, Polite Provisions. See my separate recommendation for more info on this bar
- If you want pizza this is the place to go
- They don't deliver to this address, but are offering takeout during COVID
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Tribute Pizza
3077 North Park Way- If you want pizza this is the place to go
- They don't deliver to this address, but are offering takeout during COVID