I’m back with my latest travel guide, this time the great city of San Diego. I have to be honest I wasn’t expecting to love San Diego as much as I did, but the city and surrounding areas are so beautiful that you can’t help but want to come back. Oh it also helps that the food there is delicious.
We ventured to San Diego in March and the weather was a frigid 65F (pause for laughter), the weather is/was incredible but for the natives they were out in there parkas like the next ice age was upon them. Like I have with my travel guides in the past, rather than regale you with day by day descriptions of what happened, I’m going to give you a breakdown of some great places to eat and visit.
Overall Thoughts/Tips for San Diego:
-Pack a light coat, it can get a little chilly in the morning or at night.
-Pack some comfortable walking shoes, San Diego has BEAUTIFUL nature (more to come below) and your feet will be hating you if you wear cute/non-practical shoes when you go out to see the sights.
-San Diego is a mixture of LA & San Francisco, it’s just the right ratio of both in my opinion.
-Finding a hotel can be a huge expense,luckily the AirBNB/VRBO market is affordable here and I highly recommend it. We were able to stay in a studio apartment for a fraction of the cost of a hotel room would’ve costed. I don’t usually like going this route, but in San Diego it was definitely the way to go.
-Don’t rent a car, there’s plenty of ride shares available just about everywhere, despite being a very “neighborhoody” city it was still relatively easy to get around.
-Be respectful of the homeless, there’s quite a bit of a homeless folks in San Diego be mindful of your surroundings and be respectful to the homeless folks you come across.
-Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the city, there’s tons to do and eat.
Okay without further ado.
Where to find good pizza
There is tremendous pizza in San Diego, these two are just one of the many places that you can go and visit.
Haven Pizzeria in Kensington: Located in Kensington this place is really a treasure. Come here on a good weather day and you will taste a little slice of heaven. The menu is sparse but it’s a pizza place and that’s all it needs to do well. We started with an antipasto salad which was well dressed and seasoned. It came with crispy pepperoni, shredded cheese, red onions, and sliced green olives. It’s really a delicious salad, that comes in a big portion size as well even for the small. We then ordered the Cortes pizza and it was amazing, the cook on the crust is perfect. It has just the right amount of crunch to chewyness, think like a tender focaccia. This is a white pizza with crispy candied bacon, arugula, sliced avocado on top and tomatoes. It’s all very subtle and it comes together perfectly. I wish I had more time in SD to eat more pizza here.
Sicilian Thing Pizza in North Park : Really a fun spot, sort of off the beaten path but a real gem. They had a great deal going of 2 slices and a drink for 10 bucks. The staff is really friendly and you can order stuff by the slice which is what I recommend. We got the almost lasagna pizza and the meatda both were really tasty, we got the thick crust in lieu of the thin. It’s like tastier pan pizza from the hut. The lasagna one is pretty good, the ricotta cheese is nice and just enough meat and cheese. The meatda is nice with a good tomato sauce. This place is a must try at least to experience this kind of pizza.
Good Brunch Spots
Cafe 21 in Gaslamp :Cafe 21 is known on the interwebs for the tiramisu pancakes. But overall it’s a really nice spot for brunch. It’s located in the gaslamp district of San Diego and it’s a really pretty location for a brunch crowd. Inside the decor has a middle eastern flair but it’s really modern and well done. The menu has savory crepe cakes, pancakes, omelettes, sandwiches, and house specials. We opted for the chicken pesto sandwich and the shrimp cakes. The shrimp cakes are sweet corn, potato, and shrimp melded together topped with a poached egg and cilantro cream sauce. It’s pretty good but it could use a piece of bread to sop up the yolk. The chicken pesto sandwich was spectacular and really satisfying, with pesto, avocado, and red onion I really recommend ordering it. Overall it’s a solid brunch spot with something for everyone.
Swami’s Cafe in North Park: A really fun brunch spot that has amazing fruit bowls to go with their delicious breakfast and lunch options. It’s not fine dining but who cares it’s a fun restaurant that will be a people pleaser for anyone in your group. You order before you sit down so don’t be alarmed. We went with the pitaya bowl along with the turkey club and they were both heavenly. The parking can be a little bit of a shit show but you can find street parking nearby. Definitely worth a visit.
The Mission in North Park:The food here at the mission is very strong. We ordered the mission French toast and the steak and eggs. The French toast is made with cinnamon bread so it has a magical taste of cinnamon, nuts, and a hint of sugar. Meanwhile the steak and eggs is made with hanger steak, which is the perfect lean but yet tender meat option for steak and eggs. Paired with delicately made scrambled eggs and hearty pieces of fresh sourdough and you have a can’t miss meal. I really enjoyed it here, the staff is nice and the prices are reasonable .
Donuts & Pie in San Diego
Rose Donuts: These donuts are INCREDIBLE!! This place is such a breath of fresh air compared to the national chains. All the donuts are made fresh and they have a fun assortment of flavors. The prices are very affordable. I recommend the cinnamon crumb donuts, they’re squishy and heavenly all at the same time. Definitely worth it.
Donut Factory in North Park: A really solid donut shop, it’s clean inside and they have a lot of options. We got a couple cake donuts and the hazel nut chocolate donut. The flavor and texture is pretty good. The place needs descriptions for the donuts it can be tough to figure out what the flavors are. Still for a dollar a donut it’s a great price.
Pop Pie Co. in University Heights:While it is a bit hipstery inside, the pies here are legit. Honestly you can skip everything, just get the chocolate pie it’s fantastic. This mini pie is filled with a delicious rich chocolatey filling that tastes like brownie batter and it has a yummy black forest was he coconut filling on top. To go with all that the crust has a very good bake on it. If there other pies are as good as this one, this place is a home run.
The Different Neighborhoods of San Diego
San Diego is more than just there downtown, it has a wide and expansive footprint and within that are little neighborhoods with their own flavor and vibe. I highly recommend venturing out into these areas because that’s where the best food is and you avoid the weird pirate burnout crowd that seems to linger near the beaches and downtown. My favorite areas were Normal Heights (a little rough around the edges but perfectly safe and has great places to eat), North Park, Hillcrest, and University Heights.
Hillcrest Farmers Market: When you walk into this farmers market you immediately get a food boner for all the amazing food ingredients you have at your disposal. I highly recommend coming with an appetite so you can get a delicious sampling of all the amazing meal options they have here as well. The market is divided in two, the ingredients first and then the food stands next. I would recommend catching a Lyft or Uber there since parking can be a pain. Some of the best food stands are the flavors of Africa stand, the two Turkish food stands, the pupusas stand, and the crepes. They have something for everyone here, it’s great to come here and eat and then to enjoy the weather.
Beautiful Places to See in San Diego (and nearby)
Cabrillo National Monument: This place offers the best views in all of San Diego, it’s amazing. I definitely recommend bringing drinks and snacks for the long hike if you go, it’s a little sparse here for provisions so you’re on your own really. You can see all the different ships leaving and coming in as well as all the aircraft flying in and out of the area. If you’re a lover of military aircraft this place will definitely be a treat. There’s plenty of parking, we used a Lyft but this place is better served by driving yourself if you can.
Torrey Pines State Park: There’s not much to say other than this place is absolutely breathtaking and it’s perfect for people who love to walk by the beach or to go on a short hike. Parking is relatively plentiful, so bring some comfy shoes, pack sunscreen, and prepare to wow your eye holes with all the pretty.
Sunset Cliffs: This place is really beautiful and it’s all about the sunset…uh duh. It’s worth coming here at least once to take in this amazing view, the surrounding area is sort of a weird pirate/mermaid burnout area that has some famous restaurants (i.e. Hodad’s burgers) but it really wasn’t for me. It’s like a weird mix of tourists, burnouts, and a seedy element. So take a Lyft to the park and then go somewhere else for dinner (that’s what we did).
Balboa Park: It’s hard to beat the beauty and majesty of Balboa Park, it’s highly visited by tourists and locals alike and for good reason it’s completely stunning. Go on a day with good weather and just take in the sights and sounds you wont regret it. I do recommend either getting a Lyft there or getting there early because parking fills up fast and it can be a pain in the ass.
Coronado: Home to the Navy SEALS and the Hotel del Coronado, the city/town of Coronado is right outside of San Diego and is a must visit. There’s plenty of shops and restaurants to try or I recommend making a little picnic for yourself by the beach. This is another area where you can just walk and get lost in how stunning everything is.
There are plenty of juice and fresh fruit places in San Diego, but Senor Mangos is one of the best. Located in Normal Heights, this hole in the wall has amazingly fresh juices, smoothies, and shakes. If you’re in the mood for a sandwich they have that as well, I recommend going with one of their recommended concoctions as opposed to making your own, leave it to the professionals. Keep in mind all the juices require a base, so you can’t just get mango and strawberry for example.
Delicious Mexican Spots
The Taco Stand in LaJolla: A really awesome taco shop. Expect a line but persevere as these tacos are freaking delicious. We went with the carne asada and al pastor tacos, out of the two I would say the pastor are better. We also ordered the chicken quesadillas which were enormous and huge ?but also delicous). But overall everything is fantastic and super delicious . It can get hectic so just prepare for that kind of eating experience. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention their sauce bar, the cilantro bar and pickled onions are the way to go. Also parking is a bit of a bitch here so be prepared to search a little.
Miguels Cocina in Coronado: Despite being a local chain (that just means they’re so good they needed more places!) this is a really fun place that has great food. The best thing here though is the chips, the chips are amazing and the associated queso dip that comes for free with them is even better. The chips are crunchy, warm, and fresh. I opted for the los dos, which is a two taco combo. The fish tacos here are fried which isn’t my preference but they are still really good. The chicken tacos are a bit bland so I would skip them. The tortillas are very well made and delicious. The food here is solid overall and the service is good. Pricing is reasonable too.
Mauricios Mexican Food in Normal Heights : Amazing food, the portion sizes are enormous and the prices are super reasonable too. It was really quiet when we walked in, you just walk up and order. We went with chips and guac, Cali burrito, al pastor tacos, and carnitas tacos. The taco meat portions are enormous and the tacos are delicious. Both were good and if you want a solid taco go with those. But the star was the Cali burrito, it’s so delicious. The steak fries inside it are magical, also it’s the size of a small infant so definitely split it.
Eclectic Restaurants Worth Trying
Pomegranate in University Heights: I’m new to Georgian-Russian cuisine but it’s very similar to Persian food here (actual Persian not just kabobs) The food here is very good. Go on a Friday or Saturday for the Adjaruli it’s a bread boat filled with cheese with an egg on top, it’s sexual how good this thing is. I opted for the Chakapuli which is a braised lamb shank in a delicious broth served with rice and potatoes on the side. I recommend deboning the shank first and to eat that with the rice and then finish with the broth. It’s a delicious creation that reminds me of Persian mahicheh. If lamb isn’t your thing, the shashlik is also a good option.
The perogis and borscht were also ordered and everyone seemed to love them.
The atmosphere here is great and I loved the ambiance. The parking can be a bit of a pain, but persevere it’s worth it.
Flavors of East Africa in University Heights – Tasted their food at the farmers market, they do a really great job building flavors. The African sweet jerk chicken is delicious. I loved the cinnamon and anise flavored rice, it’s a great compliment for the chicken. I loved the collard greens, not too bitter and the combination with the cabbage is excellent. Definitely a place that should be on your list.
Soltan Banoo in University Heights: I loved this place, as a Persian it’s always good to go to a place that feels like home. Now first things first they sort of whiten up the menu so the white folks can understand what the he’ll is going on. But that’s fine, they gotta make a profit. This place isn’t a standard Persian Chelow kabobi, it’s more of a Persian eatery that has a smattering of Persian food to go with every thing else. They have stuff like hummus, baba ghanoush, and dolmeh for those of you who equate Persian food to that stuff (even though it has nothing to do with Persian food for the most part). We ordered the maast o khiar which had just the right amount of seasoning and flavor to go with the yogurt. The bread is store bought gyro bread but it’s still good enough. From there we ordered the combination platter kabob of jujeh and koobideh, both are solid. It’s not exactly chelow kabobi but it does the job. The rice that is served with it is well prepared and tastes really good. The Shirin polow /zereshk polow was really neither but still tasted great, order it with the chicken. Overall this place just has tasty food even if it sort of misses the mark on standard Chelow kabobi fare. The staff is very nice and the prices are reasonable.
Overall I absolutely loved San Diego, you should definitely go visit and eat eat eat eat.
