San Diego Travel Guide
Last weekend I was lucky enough to tag along on my husbands work trip to San Diego. I spent 4 days there and he stayed another 5 days after I left. Before the trip I reached out to a childhood friend of mine who lives there to get some recommendations and she definitely came through with some goodies! (Thanks Jules!) This was only my first time in San Diego, so I'm sure there are plenty of places I missed, but in this post I am sharing the places I experienced and think you all would love.
Where to stay:
I highly highly highly recommend staying here if you are visiting San Diego! It's a great location and the Moxy is such a fun hotel. They have a super chic and trendy interior, tons of games to play in the lobby an awesome bar, and they offer free coffee every morning! We spent a couple nights just hanging out in the lobby because there is so much to do. They even had a DJ come in on the weekend nights! I will say, it's definitely a spot for millennial's
Where to eat + drink:
I low key love places like this- super trendy, aesthetically pleasing, quick and healthy restaurants. I never really go to them because JT isn't really a fan of over priced "foo foo" food as he says. So I decided to walk here one day while he was working. I ordered the Fajita Del Ray Bowl online beforehand which was smart because when I got there the line was out the door. It was a bit overpriced for the amount I was given in my opinion, but delicious nonetheless.
The Henry is new to Coronado. It's very stylish + chic. A great place to have happy hour!
A 24 hour diner across the street from our hotel (The Moxy). It wasn't your basic diner food. I was surprised to see all of the options they had. Our friends got the buffalo chicken tots which we shared, and then JT and I split the Waffle Cristo. Both did not disappoint. We also got mimosas the size of our face.
This place is a gem! It's located next to the Courtyard Marriott in the downtown/Gaslamp area. It's a rooftop bar so the views are stunning. If you are staying at The Moxy they will give you free drink vouchers for this place. Just ask!
THE CUTEST BRUNCH SPOT. You MUST go here if you plan to explore La Jolla. They stop serving food at 3pm and bar officially closes at 4pm, so make sure you go early. The interior is something out of my dreams. and the view is tooo good! Everything gave me so much inspo. Also, the biscuits and gravy are out of this world FYI, so go ahead and try them. With a nice glass of rose or a mimosa for me ;)
I was recommended this spot by a few people and it did not disappoint. Not going to lie though, the smell of the seals (yes, they smell) had traveled up to the restaurant and it wasn't very pleasant. I'm not sure if it was just the direction of the wind the day I was there, so don't let that be the reason you dont visit this gorgeous spot... plus you do get used to it after a bit!
We had the best meal here. There was a group of 7 of us and not one person had a bad thing to say about their meal. Everything on the menu had my mouth watering and the service was excellent. Good food and good views.
You know I had to find a brunch spot right on the beach! Again, everything on this menu looked so good. Highly recommend getting brunch here and exploring the little town of Ocean Beach.
Popped in here for a drink before heading to the Sunset Cliffs and had the most delicious hibiscus margarita and my girlfriend got the coconut margarita. Both were dangerously good and super fresh.
Another super cute open air bar in the downtown/Gaslamp area. We went later in the night for drinks so I couldn't get a good photo.
Really really good fried chicken. You order at the window and seat yourself.
What to do:
Explore Coronado
The Seals at La Jolla Cove
Sunset Cliffs
Bar Hop Downtown
Explore Ocean Beach
Overall, I loved San Diego. It is definitely a place I could see myself living. The people were so incredibly nice, something I'm not used to in South Florida unfortunately, and everything was so aesthetically pleasing. From the restaurants/businesses to the scenery. I couldn't get enough. I am really hoping to make it back there soon.
Here are some other things my friend Julia recommends doing:
Snorkeling at Marine Room Beach
Pearl Street Shops
Scripps Pier/Beach
Hike Torrey Pines
Seaport Village Shops
San Diego Zoo
Padres Game
Little Italy Farmers Market
Harbor Island
Pacific Beach Pier
Mission Jetty Shack
Belmont Park
Pigment Succulent planting
Shelter Island
Mission Beach Boardwalk
Other recommended restaurants:
Eddie V's
Herringbone
Whisk and Ladle
The Cottage
Baja Beach Cafe
Baked Bear
Second Nature
Communal Coffee
Coasterra
Donut Bar
Monello
Kettner Exchange
James Coffee
Queenstown
Juniper + Ivy
Heard + Wood
Cloak + Petal
Breakfast Republic
Stone Brewing World Taphouse
Liberty Station Food Hall
Monikers General
Northside Shack
Hodad's
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
