Best of San Diego from a local
San Diego is my home! I was born and raised here and have never lived anywhere else. I love it here and I wanted to share with you some of the amazing places San Diego has to offer from sites, amusement parks, restaurants and more!
Amusement Parks
These are great places to visit with children! These are all places I take my own kids to regularly and it's always a great time. As a bonus, my husband and I actually had our wedding reception at Belmont Park overlooking the rollercoaster! :)
The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park are San Diego staples. They are the perfect place to spend the day exploring. It is perfect for people of all ages! They have a new kid's area with splash pads for those hot summer days. I recommend goi...
The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park are San Diego staples. They are the perfect place to spend the day exploring. It is perfect for people of all ages! They have a new kid's area with splash pads for those hot summer days. I recommend goi...
The New Children's Museum is a really cool place for kids. There are so many hands-on, interactive exhibits. It's one big indoor playground. It's fun for the whole family.
Belmont park a great place to spend the afternoon. It is a small amusement park with lots to do! It's actually where my husband and I had our wedding reception!
Restaurants
These are some of my favorite restaurants around San Diego. Honestly, this list isn't even all inclusive because there are SO MANY good restaurants in San Diego. My biggest recommendation is to find an authentic Mexican Restaurant for at least one me...
The Philly Cheesesteak here is TO DIE FOR. I crave it. Everything on their menu is good so you cannot go wrong!
My families favorite local taco shops. It's our comfort food. Our order: Carne Asada Fries, Carne Asada Burrito, California Burrito and a Bean and Cheese Burrito.
Filippi's is another San Diego classic restaurant. There are locations all over San Diego. The one in Little Italy is the original location and is a great place to get some great pizza.
Ballast Point is one of our favorite breweries. The one located in Little Italy has a great outdoor area. They have good food and good beers!
It's worth the drive to Julian for the Apple Pie alone. I highly recommend grabbing a whole pie if you have the time,
We make it a point to stop at Dudley's Bakery at least 2 times a year. Their bread is so good and their sandwiches are amazing.
Sites
These are some of San Diego's staple sites that are actually worth going to. These are the places we go to be tourists in our own city.
Old Town is a must see if you're in San Diego. There are so many historic sites, shops and great restaurants. We always bring our out of town guests to Old Town.
Balboa Park is full of activities that everyone will enjoy. There are tons of museums, scenic walks, gardens and more. It's a great place to spend the afternoon.
My personal favorite beach in San Diego. This is a lively beach town with miles of sandy beaches, restaurants, bars and more. The boardwalk is a great place to take stroll.
Little Italy is another San Diego must see. This district is full of great restaurants, bars and cute shops.
Seaport Village is such a cute place to spend the afternoon. The views of San Diego bay are beautiful and there are so many cute little shops and restaurants.
Coronado Beach is also one of my favorite beaches in San Diego. The famous Hotel Del Coronado is located in this community. It's a great place to soak up the sun and enjoy a beach day.
Crown Point Park is one of our favorite places to paddle board, relax, play in the sand and have parties!
Hikes & Scenic Walks
San Diego has some great hikes. These are just a few of what San Diego has to offer.
This is a really unique hike through some of San Diego's most popular neighborhoods.
This is a great place to go for a variety of trails. The best time to go, in my opinion, is in the Spring when it's green and wildflowers are blooming.
The tide pools at Cabrillo National Monument are deficiently worth checking out. We have been here so many times over the past few years!
Annie's Canyon Trail is a unique trail that takes you through sand stone slots. The slots can get pretty tight but we were able to do the whole thing with a baby carrier on our backs. It's a short hike. Make sure to go in the morning to beat the crow...
I really enjoy these loops along the San Diego bay. They're great for jogs and stroller walks.
The Tijuana Estuary is a great place for some leisurely strolls. The paths are stroller friendly and flat. Keep an eye out for the unique birds that fly through here!
Looking to hike with some ocean views? This is where you need to go! There are a lot of trails to explore. There is a fee to park in the reserve but to bypass that, park at the bottom and walk up.
Dog Friendly
San Diego has a variety of dog parks and dog beaches. These are two of my favorites.
Fiesta Island Dog Park is huge and my favorite place to let my pup run around off leash.
Coronado Dog Beach is a great place to let your dog run around off leash, dig in the sand and play in the water!
Day Trips
If you have some time to spare for a day trip, these are the two places I recommend you visit while in San Diego. Both of these are in San Diego county.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a great place for camping, hiking, day tripping, and off roading. It's one of our favorite places to visit. In the spring you can see wild flowers blooming. The winter is a great time to go on some hikes/nature trail...
Julian is deficiently something to add to your itinerary if you have time. It is such a cute little town with cute shops, restaurants and APPLE PIE. Julian Pie Co. and Moms Pie House are the most popular.