Food Scene
Scrimshaw Coffee
5542 El Cajon BlvdGreat little mom and pop coffee shop within walking distance.
Fun neighborhood-style coffee and breakfast place within walking distance.
44 locals recommend
The Living Room
5900 El Cajon BlvdFun neighborhood-style coffee and breakfast place within walking distance.
The Broken Yolk Cafe
1760 Camino Del Rio NSan Diego staple for breakfast.
Fish Pit
4632 College AveNeighborhood takeaway place with great poke bowls.
Awesome Mexican restaurant. But get there early or plan on spending time at the bar enjoying a margarita while you wait to be seated.
96 locals recommend
Ponce's
4050 Adams AveAwesome Mexican restaurant. But get there early or plan on spending time at the bar enjoying a margarita while you wait to be seated.
Pappalecco
1602 State StHomemade gelato. Nuff said.
Burger Lounge
4116 Adams AveAwesome grass-fed beef as well as vegetarian burger options.
Located right on the water next to the commercial fishing fleet Mitch's has the freshest seafood around. Amazing tacos and poke bowls. Plus great selection of beer and wine. Very casual.
77 locals recommend
Mitch's Seafood
1403 Scott StLocated right on the water next to the commercial fishing fleet Mitch's has the freshest seafood around. Amazing tacos and poke bowls. Plus great selection of beer and wine. Very casual.
Baja fish tacos, great tap list and ocean views. South Beach never disappoints.
225 locals recommend
South Beach Bar & Grille
5059 Newport AveBaja fish tacos, great tap list and ocean views. South Beach never disappoints.
Best local restaurant near our home. Indoor outdoor seating, fresh food, upscale casual atmosphere. Good for brunch, lunch or dinner.
6 locals recommend
Eureka! SDSU
5140 College AveBest local restaurant near our home. Indoor outdoor seating, fresh food, upscale casual atmosphere. Good for brunch, lunch or dinner.
Drinks & Nightlife
Awesome neighborhood brewery and tasting room that allows you to bring your own food.
6 locals recommend
Benchmark Brewing Company
6190 Fairmount AveAwesome neighborhood brewery and tasting room that allows you to bring your own food.
Another cool local brewery and tasting room. They often have food trucks on Friday and Saturday nights.
11 locals recommend
Groundswell Brew Tasting Room (San Diego)
6304 Riverdale StAnother cool local brewery and tasting room. They often have food trucks on Friday and Saturday nights.
Clem's Tap House
4108 Adams AveGreat selection of craft beers and wine in downtown Kensington.
Quaint little craft beer and wine bar next to an awesome bbq place. A hidden gem of the neighborhood. Jack and Sheryl (owners) always have an unbelievable selection of beer on tap. Very casual.
6 locals recommend
Next Door Craft Beer & Wine Bar
7235 El Cajon BlvdQuaint little craft beer and wine bar next to an awesome bbq place. A hidden gem of the neighborhood. Jack and Sheryl (owners) always have an unbelievable selection of beer on tap. Very casual.
Neighborhood dive with the BEST burgers in town. I recommend the California Burguito with garlic fries.
35 locals recommend
The Balboa
1863 Fifth AveNeighborhood dive with the BEST burgers in town. I recommend the California Burguito with garlic fries.
Great brewery with a good selection of local guest beers. The Mastiff Sausage Company has a kitchen located in the amazing space that this brewery calls home. Get an award-winning Hop Fu IPA and a house-made sausage. You won't be appointed.
57 locals recommend
North Park Beer Company
3038 University AveGreat brewery with a good selection of local guest beers. The Mastiff Sausage Company has a kitchen located in the amazing space that this brewery calls home. Get an award-winning Hop Fu IPA and a house-made sausage. You won't be appointed.
San Diego's sister bar to the infamous San Francisco Toronado. One of the best tap lists you'll find in the city.
57 locals recommend
Toronado San Diego
4026 30th StSan Diego's sister bar to the infamous San Francisco Toronado. One of the best tap lists you'll find in the city.
Situated in Balboa Park, Panama 66 has one of the best locations to grab dinner and drinks and watch live music under the stars. Wednesday nights local teens belt out jazz music as part of the Young Lion Series. Oh and there's no cover charge any night of the week.
80 locals recommend
Panama 66
1450 El PradoSituated in Balboa Park, Panama 66 has one of the best locations to grab dinner and drinks and watch live music under the stars. Wednesday nights local teens belt out jazz music as part of the Young Lion Series. Oh and there's no cover charge any night of the week.
Shopping
If you don't know about Trader Joe's you need to. So excited that there's one within walking distance of my place.
52 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
5495 Grossmont Center DrIf you don't know about Trader Joe's you need to. So excited that there's one within walking distance of my place.
Entertainment & Activities
Great place to catch a concert or an SDSU Aztec's basketball game.
11 locals recommend
Viejas Arena SDSU
5500 Canyon Crest DrGreat place to catch a concert or an SDSU Aztec's basketball game.
Large concert and sports venue at San Diego State University (just across the road from our neighborhood)
11 locals recommend
Viejas Arena SDSU
5500 Canyon Crest DrLarge concert and sports venue at San Diego State University (just across the road from our neighborhood)
Parks & Nature
MUST SEE. Second largest municipal park in the U.S. Home to several great museums within it's gates, lively restaurants and the World Famous San Diego Zoo. BEST people watching, not just for tourists! Friday night food trucks in summer, go online for the latest events there. There's something fun going on each weekend. Also check out the Japanese Friendship Garden (separate entry fee required) which is beautiful into itself and also offers private events like yoga and sound baths you can find on Eventbrite.
3289 locals recommend
Balboa Park
MUST SEE. Second largest municipal park in the U.S. Home to several great museums within it's gates, lively restaurants and the World Famous San Diego Zoo. BEST people watching, not just for tourists! Friday night food trucks in summer, go online for the latest events there. There's something fun going on each weekend. Also check out the Japanese Friendship Garden (separate entry fee required) which is beautiful into itself and also offers private events like yoga and sound baths you can find on Eventbrite.
Local park with plenty of hiking and biking trails.
47 locals recommend
Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center
1 Father Junipero Serra TrailLocal park with plenty of hiking and biking trails.
Relaxing, nature garden. The Japanese Friendship Garden, also known as San Kei En is a Japanese Garden within Balboa Park, San Diego. It is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city Yokohama that binds the two cultures to create a unique experience for visitors from all over the world. Admission: $5; $4 seniors, military and students; Free for children under 6. Free on the first Friday of the month, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Guided tours: $8; $7 seniors.
44 locals recommend
Japanese Friendship Garden
2215 Pan American Rd ERelaxing, nature garden. The Japanese Friendship Garden, also known as San Kei En is a Japanese Garden within Balboa Park, San Diego. It is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city Yokohama that binds the two cultures to create a unique experience for visitors from all over the world. Admission: $5; $4 seniors, military and students; Free for children under 6. Free on the first Friday of the month, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Guided tours: $8; $7 seniors.
For a wonderful local hike, visit Lake Murray and walk the paved trail with the locals (it's about a 6-mile walk both directions, does not fully loop/connect). This is where we walk our dogs! Lake Murray Reservoir is located within the boundary of Mission Trails Regional Park, which lies between the city of San Diego and the neighboring communities of La Mesa and Santee. The lake is open for shore fishing and kayak rentals are available. Permits can be purchased at the concession stand. Easy, free parking is available at both ends of the trail, and there are porta potties along the way.
9 locals recommend
Lake Murray Trail Head
5540 Kiowa DrFor a wonderful local hike, visit Lake Murray and walk the paved trail with the locals (it's about a 6-mile walk both directions, does not fully loop/connect). This is where we walk our dogs! Lake Murray Reservoir is located within the boundary of Mission Trails Regional Park, which lies between the city of San Diego and the neighboring communities of La Mesa and Santee. The lake is open for shore fishing and kayak rentals are available. Permits can be purchased at the concession stand. Easy, free parking is available at both ends of the trail, and there are porta potties along the way.
BEST MOUNTAIN. Cowles Mountain is a prominent mountain located in the San Carlos neighborhood, within the City of San Diego, San Diego County, California. The 1,593-foot summit is the highest point of the city of San Diego. It is protected within Mission Trails Regional Park. Difficult but worth the hike straight up - the BEST VIEWS of the city!
314 locals recommend
Cowles Mountain
Cowles MountainBEST MOUNTAIN. Cowles Mountain is a prominent mountain located in the San Carlos neighborhood, within the City of San Diego, San Diego County, California. The 1,593-foot summit is the highest point of the city of San Diego. It is protected within Mission Trails Regional Park. Difficult but worth the hike straight up - the BEST VIEWS of the city!
ALL THE HIKING and sightseeing! There are 6 trails at this beautiful reserve right on the Pacific Ocean. Very popular. Parking can be difficult but the views are worth it. Often you will see hang gliders.
1108 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadALL THE HIKING and sightseeing! There are 6 trails at this beautiful reserve right on the Pacific Ocean. Very popular. Parking can be difficult but the views are worth it. Often you will see hang gliders.
Getting Around
Hop on the trolley and head to Old Town, the Gaslamp Quarter or all the way to the Mexican border!
32 locals recommend
Trolley / Bus-Transit Center
Hop on the trolley and head to Old Town, the Gaslamp Quarter or all the way to the Mexican border!
Best Ramen
Best ramen around, cozy, low key vibe (not a scene just good food and local taps). Friendliest servers in town. Fun monkey theme with jokes on the wall, our neighborhood fave.
7 locals recommend
Nozaru Ramen Bar
3375 Adams AveBest ramen around, cozy, low key vibe (not a scene just good food and local taps). Friendliest servers in town. Fun monkey theme with jokes on the wall, our neighborhood fave.
Best ambiance while eating ramen. Go at night, great people watching with it's indoor/outdoor corner location and fire pits.
164 locals recommend
Underbelly North Park
3000 Upas StBest ambiance while eating ramen. Go at night, great people watching with it's indoor/outdoor corner location and fire pits.