I wanted to share this, the list of my favorite restaurants and activities from my home town (San Diego), to my blog. Maybe it will inspire a marvelous weekend in arguably the most marvelous city in our country. When it does, please eat a taco for me.
Happy Travels,
Amy
RESTAURANTS
Sugar and Scribe
Great bakery and fun spot for brunch. The presentation is a total insta-worthy moment.
7660 Fay Ave
La Jolla
La Jolla
Wayfarer Bread & Pastry
European level quality. Scrumptious. Everything is a winner, but the English Muffins are legendary. I know. We were just as surprised. Order online if you can. There is always a line and things sell out.
5525 La Jolla Blvd
La Jolla
La Jolla
The Fishery
Classy without being stuffy. A family favorite for dinner.
5040 Cass St.
Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach
Mr. Frostie
Very much a local scene for ice cream or a shake. Grab one and head to the pier.
1470 Garnet Ave
Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach
Kono’s Cafe
A San Diego classic. Great for breakfast or lunch.
704 Garnet Ave
Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach
El Indio Mexican Restaurant
Another family favorite. We often order off their catering menu for dinners/parties/Thanksgiving.
3695 India St
San Diego, CA
San Diego, CA
European Cake Gallery
If you need cake… And trust me, you need this cake.
3661 Voltaire St
Point Loma
Point Loma
The Taco Stand (there are locations in La Jolla, Downtown and a few other spots)
Really. good. tacos.
621 Pearl St.
La Jolla
La Jolla
Animae
Requires a reservation. For fancier/special occasions. Bit of a splurge, but worth it if you need Asian fusion.
969 Pacific Hwy
Downtown San Diego
Downtown San Diego
ACTIVITIES
The standbys of Old Town, the zoo, and Balboa Park are all excellent and worth exploring, but here are some of the things we recommend after you’ve been there and done that.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
2300 Expedition Way
La Jolla
A stunning location, and a quieter experience than the other ocean theme-park attraction San Diego has to offer, the Birch Aquarium has the most incredible view from their outdoor tide pool exhibit. And they have a rescued sea turtle that they have rehabilitated and given a second chance. A big deal to someone I know. The new penguin exhibit is delightful. The science, mission, and education outreach they do is inspiring. It’s a winner.
A stunning location, and a quieter experience than the other ocean theme-park attraction San Diego has to offer, the Birch Aquarium has the most incredible view from their outdoor tide pool exhibit. And they have a rescued sea turtle that they have rehabilitated and given a second chance. A big deal to someone I know. The new penguin exhibit is delightful. The science, mission, and education outreach they do is inspiring. It’s a winner.
La Jolla Sea Caves
Best experienced by kayak, but one of the caves (Sunny Jim’s Cavern) can also be enjoyed via the Cave Store (1325 Coast Blvd, La Jolla). You pay a little fee and then get to walk down a long flight of stairs to the cave, learn about the pirates and smugglers who used the cave, and you can often see garibaldi or sea lines down there without getting wet.
Best experienced by kayak, but one of the caves (Sunny Jim’s Cavern) can also be enjoyed via the Cave Store (1325 Coast Blvd, La Jolla). You pay a little fee and then get to walk down a long flight of stairs to the cave, learn about the pirates and smugglers who used the cave, and you can often see garibaldi or sea lines down there without getting wet.
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
700 Prospect St
La Jolla, CA
A great collection of modern and contemporary art, but also a stunning building with beautiful views. The collection boasts Rothko, Lichtenstein, Goldsworthy, and I can’t remember who else. They just finished their renovation this last spring, and it’s worth checking out if you’re an art lover.
A great collection of modern and contemporary art, but also a stunning building with beautiful views. The collection boasts Rothko, Lichtenstein, Goldsworthy, and I can’t remember who else. They just finished their renovation this last spring, and it’s worth checking out if you’re an art lover.
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 N Torrey Pines Rd
La Jolla, CA
Fun place for hiking and enjoying some beautiful views. Low tide is best if you want the full bluff experience, but any time is good for the majority of the hikes.
Fun place for hiking and enjoying some beautiful views. Low tide is best if you want the full bluff experience, but any time is good for the majority of the hikes.
Snorkeling with Leopard Sharks
This is more of a seasonal activity, but La Jolla shores is frequented by colonies of leopard sharks every summer (June to end of September, sometimes October). Leopard sharks are gentle, harmless creatures (our guide this last summer said their mouths are only the size of a quarter) and people can and do snorkel among them. You can swim out with a buddy at La Jolla shores or you can go on a guided tour. We’ve had a good time with Everyday California but there are lots and lots of tour groups to choose from, most are on Avenida de la Playa, in La Jolla.
This is more of a seasonal activity, but La Jolla shores is frequented by colonies of leopard sharks every summer (June to end of September, sometimes October). Leopard sharks are gentle, harmless creatures (our guide this last summer said their mouths are only the size of a quarter) and people can and do snorkel among them. You can swim out with a buddy at La Jolla shores or you can go on a guided tour. We’ve had a good time with Everyday California but there are lots and lots of tour groups to choose from, most are on Avenida de la Playa, in La Jolla.
Tide Pools
303 Coast Blvd
La Jolla, CA.
La Jolla has some really good tide pools. Sea cucumbers, anemones, crabs, guppies are all regulars, but some more exotic creatures can be found if you look hard enough.
La Jolla has some really good tide pools. Sea cucumbers, anemones, crabs, guppies are all regulars, but some more exotic creatures can be found if you look hard enough.
Beaches
Our favorite beach is La Jolla Shores. It’s great for boogie boarding or surf lessons. Law Street beach in Pacific Beach is another winner–the waves can and do get bigger here. Wind N’ Sea in La Jolla is fun if you want to watch surfers or take pictures–this beach has the gnarliest shore break in all of SD, and so isn’t great for casual enjoyment IMO.