13 Things to Do in San Diego

For my first (!!!) take on a travel guide, here is a list of my favorite spots in San Diego (that don’t suck):

The Pearl Hotel – for a stay at the mid-mod motel of your dreams. The interiors are an effortless blend of mid-century meets casual surf energy.
Charles + Dinorah – restaurant at the Pearl Hotel. The perfect spot for drinks and dinner while posting up and watching a projected film by the evening glow of the pool.
Moniker Coffee / Moniker General – coffee shop and general store with the most amazing curated selection of goods from clothing to homewares and everything in between.
Cafe Gratitude – a next-level plant-based restaurant. I highly recommend going and getting the I Am Ecstatic – their crispy brussels sprouts, and the I Am Blessed – the most amazing butternut squash pasta dish I’ve ever eaten. Both are pictured below!
Sunset Cliffs – the most beautiful cliffs where we watched the sunset every evening. Pro-tip – get take out and sit in your car to watch the sunset for a fun date night, or grab a coffee in the morning and sit on the cliffs to take in the view.
James Coffee – local coffee shop that is zero-waste and plastic-free. They moved to serving all of their drinks in glass jars with lids. You pay a one-time fee to cover the cost of the jar, then bring it back in with you each time you visit as a part of their trade program. Diverting single-use plastic from land fills while still supporting local business? Yes please.
Underbelly Ramen – the best ramen I’ve ever had and their bao buns are a must-try. They have a small menu, but everything is done so well. We visited their Little Italy location but they have another spot in North Park as well.
Japanese Friendship Garden – beautiful garden with a winding path through cherry blossom trees and streams (inside Balboa Park). Admission is $12 per adult, and I’d recommend getting there just before the garden opens so you can get in before it gets super crowded. Give yourself plenty of time to go at a leisurely pace throughout the gardens. They’re absolutely breathtaking, and you don’t want to be rushed!
Balboa Park – expansive park with various museums and gardens including the Japanese Friendship Garden, Botanical Garden, and Cactus Gardens to name a few!
Northside Shack – locals-only açaí and juice bar. If you plan to stay at the Pearl Hotel, there is a Northside Shack location within walking distance in Point Loma.
The Taco Stand – the tacos and aquas frescos that I still dream about to this day. We visited the La Jolla location – but they have a few spots around SD – and everything they serve is delicious. Pro-tip: order online so you can skip the line.
Tourmaline Beach – quintessential surfer beach with free parking and beautiful scenery. We went here several times during our stay. It was the perfect spot with plenty of sand to claim a spot and perfect for people/dog watching.
Paru Tea Bar – everything from loose leaf tea to tea lattes.

And if you aren’t typically on the West coast, then I of course have to add In-N-Out to the list.

Let me know what you think about this guide and if I should make more in the comments below!