Our Favorite Places in San Diego
Ranked #6,603 in Travel & Places, #181,650 overall
Out on the Town in San Diego
My husband, Don, spent most of his growing up years in San Diego and considers it his hometown, so when we were invited to go on the USS Nimitz Friends and Family Day Cruise out of San Diego we said yes! We jumped at the chance to not only see our son and tour the USS Nimitz, but also to revisit our favorite places in San Diego. We got into San Diego a couple of days early, hoping to see our son but he ended up having to work so my husband, my other son, and I went out on the town.
Having just come from cold, rainy, Washington, we really enjoyed the balmy San Diego weather so we spent the first day poolside soaking up the sun, swimming and just relaxing. Our hotel was in Old Town San Diego where the air was awash in the aroma of Mexican cooking and that soon drew us out into Old Town to find the Old Town Mexican Cafe which won the Best of San Diego for Mexican food in 2008.
USS Nimitz Friends and Family Day Cruise
Having just come from cold, rainy, Washington, we really enjoyed the balmy San Diego weather so we spent the first day poolside soaking up the sun, swimming and just relaxing. Our hotel was in Old Town San Diego where the air was awash in the aroma of Mexican cooking and that soon drew us out into Old Town to find the Old Town Mexican Cafe which won the Best of San Diego for Mexican food in 2008.
USS Nimitz Friends and Family Day Cruise
The Old Town Mexican Cafe
Best Mexican Restaurant 2008
When you walk in the door of the Old Town Mexican Cafe, the first thing you see is that the tortillas are freshly made. Even the tortilla chips they bring to your table with pico de gallo are made from scratch.
The dining room has open windows with no screens. They call it an open air patio which is great for ambiance but I was a little wary of the birds flying in and out and the ones perching on the beam above our table. We did make it through the meal without any "bird incidents" for which I was thankful!
Between the three of us we had a chili relleno, a cheese enchilada, a beef enchilada, and a beef taco which were all very good. The beans were excellent and the rice was adequate. My husband had a blended Margarita and it was wonderful! The wait staff was very friendly and the food was reasonably priced. We hoped to get back there for another meal but we didn't get a chance.
Don in Old Town San Diego
If you are visiting San Diego we recommend the Old Town Mexican Cafe
Old Town Mexican Cafe
Anthony's Fish Grotto at the Embarcadero
San Diego
Anthony's Fish Grotto has been around for 60 years so they must be doing something right! Don has been going there for 50 years so visiting Anthony's was a must. The food at Anthony's is always excellent. We went there twice and between the four of us we had:
swordfish
sole fillet
fish and chips
deep fried shrimp and fish
kabob with scallops, fish, portobello mushroom, bell pepper, onion and shrimp
portobello mushroom stuffed with crab and served with lemon butter sauce
Cheesecake with fresh strawberries
It was all really great and we can heartily recommend any of those dishes.
The service was fabulous. Our waiter, Jose, took excellent care of us and it was a pleasure to meet him. He is the one who told us about the whale in the harbor that couldn't seem to find its way back to the migration route. We had occasion to be at the harbor four times but never did see Diego the lost whale.
It was from Anthony's that we had our first view of the USS Nimitz which we would board the next day for the Nimitz Friends and Family Day Cruise.
swordfish
sole fillet
fish and chips
deep fried shrimp and fish
kabob with scallops, fish, portobello mushroom, bell pepper, onion and shrimp
portobello mushroom stuffed with crab and served with lemon butter sauce
Cheesecake with fresh strawberries
It was all really great and we can heartily recommend any of those dishes.
The service was fabulous. Our waiter, Jose, took excellent care of us and it was a pleasure to meet him. He is the one who told us about the whale in the harbor that couldn't seem to find its way back to the migration route. We had occasion to be at the harbor four times but never did see Diego the lost whale.
It was from Anthony's that we had our first view of the USS Nimitz which we would board the next day for the Nimitz Friends and Family Day Cruise.
Anthony's Fish Grotto
The San Diego Silver Man
Outside of Anthony's was the San Diego Silver Man. He was a hoot to watch! He stands still as a statue until someone drops a tip in his jar or gets their picture taken with him. A little kid was walking by with his family and the Silver Man reached out to him. It scared the daylights out of the little boy but it was funny as all get out. Here is my husband and son with the San Diego Silver Man.
The San Diego Silver Man on YouTube
This is a street artist who works outside of Anthony's Fish Grotto. Pretty entertaining.
San Diego Food
Here's what Yelpers have to say about Food in 92101
- Poppa's Fresh Fish Company (La Mesa)
- "Go to the Little Italy Mercato (Every Saturday from 9-1:30 on Date Street, from Kettner to Union) and try the Live Sea Urchin from Poppa's Fresh Fish. "we..." more
- Halcyon Tea (San Diego)
- "This place has a wonderful, relaxing atmosphere and some really excellent tea. I lucked out on my first visit and happened to come during their Friday..." more
- Homegrown Meats (La Jolla)
- "Homegrown Meats is awesome. I've realized that my body can tell the difference between grass-fed and not so much grass-fed. The ground beef is really good..." more
- Baba Foods (Chula Vista)
- "Always be on a lookout for their tent at most farmer markets. I am obsessed with their pita chips. Sample their wide selection of hummus and dips. Out of..." more
- Assenti's Pasta (San Diego)
- "On a recent visit to San Diego, wandered into this gem. The pastas are beautiful, the owner gracious and the variety of imported cheeses, meats and wine..." more
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Filippi's Pizza Grotto
Several locations in San Diego
Filippi's Pizza Grotto is another time honored tradition in San Diego. Their pizza has always been wonderful as well as the lasagna. We always order a cheese pizza and this time we were a little disappointed because the pizza was much smaller and there wasn't as much cheese on it. We usually go to the one at Pacific Beach or Clairmont Mesa and this time we went to the one in Little Italy so we don't know if that is the difference or if they have changed this at all their stores. This is not to say that their pizza is still not very good, just not as good as we had remembered.
Fillipi's Pizza Grotto
Little Italy San Diego
Fidel's Norte
We have been going to Fidel's Norte since the 1980's. It is a wonderful Mexican restaurant in the north San Diego County beach community of Carlsbad. There is indoor dining and outdoor patio dining with a view of the ocean.
Since we were last there Fidel and his wife have divorced and now the restaurant is called Norte. Many of the family members work in different capacities at Norte.
The three of us had our lunch out on the patio with the ocean view. Between us we had a chile relleno, beef taco, cheese enchilda, and pork tamales. I love chile rellenos and I have eaten them all over the western United States. This was the second best chile relleno ever, the best being from El Charro Avitia in Carson City, Nevada. El Charro's is the absolute best and most chile rellenos cannot hold a candle to theirs, but Norte's comes very close. My menfolk loved everything, but especially the pork tamales. The rice and beans were both excellent as well. Norte did not let us down. The food is still fabulous! No Margarita for Don here as he had to drive through Los Angeles traffic after lunch.
Since we were last there Fidel and his wife have divorced and now the restaurant is called Norte. Many of the family members work in different capacities at Norte.
The three of us had our lunch out on the patio with the ocean view. Between us we had a chile relleno, beef taco, cheese enchilda, and pork tamales. I love chile rellenos and I have eaten them all over the western United States. This was the second best chile relleno ever, the best being from El Charro Avitia in Carson City, Nevada. El Charro's is the absolute best and most chile rellenos cannot hold a candle to theirs, but Norte's comes very close. My menfolk loved everything, but especially the pork tamales. The rice and beans were both excellent as well. Norte did not let us down. The food is still fabulous! No Margarita for Don here as he had to drive through Los Angeles traffic after lunch.
Norte Mexican Restaurant
Carlsbad, California
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Local Flavor in San Diego
Here's what Yelpers have to say about Local Flavor in 92101
- Yelp's Elite New Shirt Showcase @ Donovan's Prime Seafood (San Diego)
- "I was a +1 and to boot, it was my first ever Yelp Elite party. Andy, as many of you know as "Andy H" was my "elitist". We drove aimlessly looking for..." more
- Normal Heights (San Diego)
- "Keep the riff raff out, keep the hood clean. I live out here, so don't go here." more
- Miramar Air Show (San Diego)
- "I wanted to do it right the first time I was going to an Air Show. I got tickets to the SEMPER FI Chalet where there was unlimited food, beer, wine, and..." more
- University Heights (San Diego)
- "The only reason I'm not giving UH 5 stars is because I'm a single girl..... and there are just not enough men around here :) Besides that, UH is amazing. I..." more
- San Diego (San Diego)
- "People come here for vacation. We live here! Sure you have to pay a little more to live here. I've been to a few places myself and it sure beats some of the..." more
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Horton Plaza
Gas Lamp Quarter, San Diego
Horton Plaza in San Diego's Gas Lamp district is a fun, colorful shopping mall. It is indoor and outdoor and has several floors of unique shops. I like the parking garage because instead of numbering the floors they have names such as "Tomato" or "Corn" with a picture of the vegetable. It makes it much easier to remember where you parked your car.
Horton Plaza
Shopping in San Diego
Moon over Hotel del Coronado
It has been said that Hotel del Coronado is the closest thing San Diego has to a castle. It is a beautiful, historic San Diego landmark and is still a functioning hotel. It is said to be haunted.
Hotel del Coronado
What are the best San Diego Restaurants?
San Diego in the News
- New Mexico in first after beating of San Diego St.
- SAN DIEGO -- New Mexico came into No. 13 San Diego State's loud, crazy arena and made a bold statement of their own. Kendall Williams scored 21 points and Drew Gordon had 17 points and 17 rebounds as the Lobos stunned the Aztecs 77-67 on Wednesday ...
- No 3 Missouri romps, No. 13 San Diego St. loses
- SAN DIEGO (AP) ? Kendall Williams scored 21 points and Drew Gordon had 17 points and 17 rebounds as New Mexico moved into first place in the Mountain West Conference. The Lobos (21-4, 7-2) won their sixth straight game and held Chase Tapley, ...
- University of Portland (6-19) at San Diego (10-15) (ET)
- By Sports Network GAME NOTES: With just one win in the last month, the University of Portland Pilots find themselves with the fewest overall wins in the West Coast Conference, as they challenge the San Diego Toreros tonight at Jenny Craig Pavilion.
- San Diego Chargers Offseason 2012: Part 1 Coaches and Front Office
- 2012 is a must-win year for the Chargers for a number of reasons, and every organizational decision will be crucial to the success of the team and the future of professional football in San Diego. The following is part one of a nine-part series ...
Other San Diego Lenses
Have you visited San Diego?
If not, what are you waiting for?
San Diego is a great city with lovely weather and a multitude of things to see and do. There is so much more than what I have written about here. It has been pointed out to us that we seem to plan our vacations around the restaurants. Well why not? We love good food and San Diego has an abundance of good eateries.
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MarkUpshaw
Oct 29, 2010 @ 6:37 am | delete
- I love all of California and San Diego in particular.
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grannysage
Dec 13, 2009 @ 1:33 am | delete
- I lived in Northern San Diego for 10 years and I still miss it. I miss the ocean most of all. Another great food place is Restaurant Row in San Marcos.
I want to go back to California!
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stargazer00
Apr 13, 2009 @ 3:23 pm | in reply to EverythingMouse | delete
- Thank you so much for the angel blessing, Mouse! The Hotel del Coronado is beautiful. I've never seen Disney's Grand Floridian but I bet it's pretty too.
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EverythingMouse
Apr 13, 2009 @ 2:58 pm | delete
- Wonderful lens. Angel Blessings to you. Disney's Grand Floridian Hotel was based on the design of the Coronado hotel. I have been lucky enough to stay in both!
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luvmyludwig
Apr 8, 2009 @ 10:40 pm | delete
- welcome to the squidoo skidoo group.
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seegreen
Apr 2, 2009 @ 12:24 am | delete
- Hi, we lived in San Diego for a few years and have family there. We still enjoy visiting when we can.
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GlobalOpps
Mar 29, 2009 @ 9:56 am | delete
- We've lived on the northern edge of San Diego county and you covered some places even we hadn't heard about yet. Love San Diego. Another great lens stargazer00. Welcome to the "Best Places to Visit in California" group!
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KimGiancaterino Mar 29, 2009 @ 1:15 am | delete
- Oh, you make me realize we're long overdue for a drive down to San Diego. I especially love the Polar Bears at the zoo. Thanks for adding this to All Things Travel.
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Susan52
Mar 27, 2009 @ 1:11 pm | delete
- You've made me very hungry! I've never been to San Diego, but I would love to visit. I love chile rellenos, too! Great lens. Glad you had a good trip!
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kris1956
Mar 27, 2009 @ 1:09 pm | delete
- I lived in San Diego from 1970 to 1996, graduated from Point Loma High School in 1973. It is a beautiful city and miss it a lot, but it's so crowded now. I love green and rain and it doesn't have much of either, but the atmosphere and the energy of the people there are hard to live without.
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by stargazer00
stargazer00
Hello and Welcome! I am a wife and a mother of three grown sons. I love the whimsical and the quirky. I love to read, cook, design T-shirts, make squidoo... more »
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