San Diego, California
San Diego, CA!
Home to the best Zoo in America (if not the world), a fantastic Little Italy, and Will's past trauma from when he had to carry his company's CEO passed out from a car to an AirBnB couch. They were the best of times, they were the worst of times. But San Diego continues to impress!
Food and things
| Name | Links | Description |
|---|---|---|
| JRDN | Google Maps | Arguably the best spot closest to the ocean - many of the other restaurants in Pacific Beach are a bit too bro-centric or overpriced for what you're getting. You'll still see ample bros and 'woo girls', but at least they'll be dressed nicely and chugging $20 cocktails. |
| The Fishery | Google Maps | Great seafood in an unassuming location (there's not much else around...). There's a small patio out front and ample seating indoors. Can get busy, doesn't take reservations, but things move quickly. |
| South Beach Bar and Grille | Google Maps | There are great fish tacos, and there are great fish tacos. Absolutely the best spot in SD for a casual drink and amazing tacos. Head upstairs to the bar, order at the bar, and grab some seating looking out over the ocean. |
| Hodads Ocean Beach | Google Maps | It's a bit of a scene, always busy and chaotic, but the burgers are good and the 'old school burger spot' vibes are authentic. Honestly, I've never eaten here because the line is too long, but I know it's worth a visit if the timing ever works out. |
| Poma's Italian Deli | Google Maps | Get a delicious sandwich by the beach! Everyone goes for their hot sandwiches, but their cold sandwiches are stuffed too. |
| OB Noodle House Bar 1502 | Google Maps | Absolutely not an 'authentically Asian' restaurant, but solid food, great drinks, and a ton of fun. Ample outdoor space makes for a perfect spot to take in the good weather and enjoy a big bowl of noodles. |
| Bistro Europa (In Liberty Market) | Google Maps | Liberty Market itself is worth a visit, but this place is a standout. Their European-style foods are delicious, but let's be honest, this place is all about the bologna and cheese sandwich with pesto sauce. Other things are good, but this is what you want here. |
| Cafe Coyote | Google Maps | No trip to San Diego is complete without a trip to Old Town, and no trip to Old Town is complete without a trip to Cafe Coyote. Always busy but seats turnover fast, their food is better than it should be and drinks are strong. The people watching here is great, and while there's several other spots like it, Cafe Coyote is the one you want. |
| Starlite | Google Maps | The food is good, the drinks are better, but this restaurant is just stunning design. Beautiful to look at and sit in, the back patio, inside bar, and 'grotto' seating area are all worth checking out. |
| Nolita Hall | Google Maps | One of Will's favorite bars in America, the cocktails are great and food is worth nibbling on. The real star is the split-flap display, created by a company in Philadelphia by special order, that shows the flights that are flying over the bar at any given time. Sip a cocktail and imagine being back in a train station in 1889 with the sounds of that display... |
| Crack Shack Little Italy | Google Maps | Fried chicken is good, Crack Shack fried chicken is best, and somehow this Crack Shack in particular just hits different as, in Will's opinion, the best of the best Crack Shacks. The location is great, parking can be a pain, but it's a tasty and inexpensive lunch before exploring Little Italy. |
| Juniper and Ivy | Google Maps | It's expensive, but it's really a treat. The whole experience is elevated and there's a quaint outdoor patio that compliments the chic inside space. |
| Waterfront Bar & Grill | Google Maps | If dive bars had power rankings, this would be near the top. I can't think of a better dive bar, it's massive, and the drinks are great. The food isn't something I'd write home about, but it helps make sure you're not as hungover the next day... |
| Barbusa | Google Maps | There's a lot of Italian places in Little Italy, but this is the one I keep coming back to. Their pastas are excellent, other mains are spot on, and it's always bustling and busy but not too hard to get a reservation for. Make a reservation in advance for sure, but they do tend to have space for walk-ins if you are willing to wait. |
| Lucca Italian Sandwich Shop | Google Maps | Bread, meat, and cheese sounds so simple, but it's so easy to mess up. Lucca doesn't mess up. Prices are fair, portions are large, and it's probably a better sandwich than Bistro Europa if we're comparing the two. |
| IZOLA | Google Maps | A fantastic bakery just outside of the Gaslamp district. They open early and can sell out, but there's usually plenty to go around and the place is spacious. You can't go wrong with whatever you order, and it's a really peaceful place to start the morning. |