All Things... A Weekend in San Diego
San Diego has long been a destination place for weekend getaways from neighboring counties and states. Whether you’re just here for a few days or are coming for an extended stay, there always seems to be so much you want to do but not enough time. I’ve narrowed down some of my favorite things to do in this city ranging from dining to drinking to fun outdoor activities. And, Hey, San Diegans, you can get in on these activities too. It’s always fun to play tourist in your own city.
Now, San Diego is a big area to cover but I’m going to focus primarily on the neighborhoods surrounding downtown with some spots that are worth the drive.
Coconut Margs at Coasterra
Grab a patio spot at Coasterra for the best Coconut Margarita you will ever have! Located on Harbor Island, the Coasterra patio gives you panoramic views of downtown San Diego and Coronado Island. If you’re in town, you have to hit up Happy Hour which is from 3:30 to 5:30 Monday through Friday and you’ll find Deb’s Coconut Margarita for $7! This is a local favorite especially when the sun is out.
Photo Courtesy of Coasterra Instagram
Venture over to Coronado
Take the ferry to Coronado. You can either rent a bike or take your walking shoes to Coronado Island from Downtown San Diego. It’s like a mini bay cruise, but for a fraction of the price. For $10 roundtrip ($5 each crossing), you are dropped off right at Ferry Landing in Coronado, where you can venture over to Orange Ave. which will take you to many restaurants and bars. Serrano’s Coronado, my first stop, a Mexican restaurant with delicious craft margaritas and an amazing salsa spread. If you’re looking for something a bit more “San Diego,” nearby Serrano’s is Coronado Brewing Company’s Brew Pub, one of San Diego’s most popular local breweries where you can find pretzels, burgers, and fish tacos. Coronado is a fun island to cruise around before you head back to downtown SD.
Photo Courtesy of Flagship Cruises & Events
A Ballgame at Petco Park
Catch a ballgame at Petco Park and enjoy all the delicious food that the ballpark has to offer! Petco is located in Downtown San Diego’s East Village and the park is known for its delicious food and great craft beer lineup. It’s also in a great location that you can head to Bubs or Blind Burro before or after the game for drinks! Don’t miss Donovan Wine Bar at the park-my first stop when I walk in the park.
Instagrammable Brunch
at Morning Glory
Brunch at Morning Glory has become one of the most Instagrammable experiences in San Diego, but the food is also DELICIOUS! The wait is always long but for good reason. Unfortunately, they don’t take reservations so the best thing to do is put your name in, grab a coffee nearby and stroll around Little Italy. It’s by far one of the most bustling areas of Downtown. Make sure to order the Fried Rice and Souffle Pancakes! They also have a Moet & Chandon vending machine with personal-sized bottles of champagne. Do it for the gram!
Take a Hike!
La Jolla Trail Hike at Torrey Pines. It's a pretty low-impact hike that lets you out onto the famous Black’s Beach once completed. It’s absolutely beautiful and a great way to get your body moving while experiencing an activity the locals love. You have two great options afterward, either hang out at the beach or cruise into La Jolla and have brunch at The Cottage or Cody’s La Jolla- must get the french toast.
Photo Courtesy @jencloesdesigns
Hit a Local Dive Bar with Karaoke
Read for a fun night out? San Diego has some great nightlife and there’s plenty of bars and clubs you can choose from. One of the best hidden secrets that’s loved by the locals is a dive bar located in the quaint neighborhood of Mission Hills called The Lamplighter. Don’t let the dive bar aspect fool you, once it hits 10pm, it fills up pretty quickly by people lining up for their turn at Karaoke and grabbing drinks from the bar. It’s cash only, so make sure to grab some before heading over.
Photo Courtesy of San Diego Reader
Have an Afternoon App & Spritz
Now, you know that I love my wine. Something that I love to do is go to a local restaurant that I know has a great wine list and enjoy some appetizers in the afternoon. A great place to do this is at RustiCucina off Park Blvd in Hillcrest. It’s tucked away and wouldn’t necessarily be a place you’d stumble upon. It has great appetizers, food in general, and a fun Italian wine list. I’ve really been into Barolo’s lately and I was initially introduced to a great one here.
Picnic at Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a staple in San Diego and there are so many places you can discover within the park. Something fun to do is to grab some lunch from a nearby restaurant or shop and have a picnic in the park. Everywhere you read when looking up things to do in San Diego, will mention Balboa Park but you don’t really need a FULL day there. Stroll the park and the butterfly garden and then find a good spot to unplug, have some canned rosé, and lunch. Not too far from the park is a market called, The Marketplace. They make great sandwiches!
Photo Courtesy lajollamom.com
