San Diego - Tijuana
Very to be completed and work in progress.
Map
Food
From experience
- Civico 1845 (3/3)
- perfect for lunch outside, Southern Italian seafood dishes
- Juniper & Ivy (3/3)
– really delicious American, reservation is a must, evolving menu
- City Tacos (3/3)
- more hole-in-the-wall type of place but worth a visit
- Searsucker San Diego (2/3)
- decent American food in downtown, shrimp and grits is a must
My to-try list
- Born and Raised Little Italy steakhouse, classic
- Kettner Exchange Asian-inflected a la carte, chef Brian Redzikowski known for his Chef’s Table experience
- Davanti Enoteca Italian
- Bencotto Italian
- CUCINA urbana Italian-inspired menu, sharable, modern
- Crack Shack spin-off from Juniper & Ivy team, fried chicken and fresh fare set in all-outdoor setting
- Herb & Wood Sprawling, upscale locale serving rustic, wood-fired dishes & old-school cocktails.
- Herb & Eatery casual counterpart to Herb and Wood
- Addison at The Grand Del Mar tasting menu, French culinary style, reservation must
- Menya Ultra Japanese, ramen, signature tonkotsu broth, likely need to wait during peak time
Drinks
From experience
- Noble Experiment (3/3)
- Grant Grill Lounge (3/3)
- Bar at US Grant, Classic establishment, my favorite hotel bar
My to-try list
Destinations
From experience
- Balboa Park (3/3)
- I’m putting everything in the bracket, including San Diego Zoo, Japanese Friendship Garden, Botanical Building, San Diego Museum of Man, Casa Del Prady:SDYS, San Diego Natural History Museum etc
- Hotel del Coronado (3/3)
- I debated between Destination and Lodging, and decided it’s better suited as a destination. This hotel is historic, grand, and legendary. You can google all the stars and movies shot at this spot and the architecture significance, so I won’t waste any more words. This place is worth a visit even if you decide to stay somewhere else.
- U.S.S. Midway Museum (2/3)
My to-try list
- SeaWorld San Diego
- La Jolla Cove
Art & Architecture
From experience
My to-try list
Lodging
From experience
- The US Grant, Luxury Collection, San Diego (3/3)
- Easily the best hotel in San Diego in my opinion. Historic (100+ years old), Classy, and it comes with a fantastic bar – I simply love everything about this place.
- Pop by the bar to try the Centennial cocktail! It’s made with a special blend of High West that’s only sold at this hotel bar.
- Hotel Republic San Diego, Autograph Collection (2/3)
- Hilton San Diego Bayfront (2/3)
- Nothing spectacular. Not the closest to the bars, not the closest to the convention center. It is right on the harbour so the breakfast view is quite amazing.
My to-try list
- Pendry San Diego
- Very modern and chic hotel in the middle of Gaslamp. I’ve gotten drinks, food and attended conferences here, but I’ve never stayed here. They have a champagne vending machine in the lobby – enough said ;)
- Hotel del Coronado Cross reference ^ same entry above
- The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter