True San Diego
By Becca BlondThe country’s eighth largest city, bright and bubbly San Diego, promotes itself as "America’s Finest." And why not? Boasting unbeatable weather (read: sunny and warm), turquoise tinged surf and gold sand beaches, contagious nightlife, gourmet dining, designer shopping and a big serving of culture (and cultural diversity), San Diego goes down just as smoothly as fine champagne. Plus the attitude is less pretentious than northern neighbor L.A., with year–round surfing and a downtown–partially lit by gaslight–that feels hometown comfortable.
Thread Count
The Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa (877–437–8262) is luxurious and romantic without feeling pretentious. Rooms are beyond comfortable, and the outdoor public areas are lushly manicured. Kick back by the sparkling pool or sip bubbly at the bar’s outdoor fireplace. Book into the original building at the iconic Hotel del Coronado (800–468–3533) for a century’s worth of history and lux sleeping right on the beach. Downtown, the jazzy Bristol Hotel (800–662–4477) has original pop art, bright colors and fresh flowers. Rooms are big and modern. In the Gaslamp Quarter, the Ivy (619–814–1000) is a couples oriented sexy, modern boutique.
Food Fix
La Jolla’s Tapenade (858–551–7500) is consistently voted one of the city’s top restaurants, serving seasonal French cuisine. Fusion shines at Roppongi (858–551–5252) also in La Jolla, an eatery that looks as good as the Asian meets Polynesian tapas taste. In the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, Croce’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar (619–233–4355) sizzles nightly with live Jazz and excellent American cooking. It’s rare to find an empty table. The Gaslamp Strip Club (619–231–3140) is a throwback to old Vegas, with pin–ups on the wall, unique martinis (or grab a vintage bottle from the wine vault) and excellent cuts of meat you char at open tableside grills.
Night Out
The former brothel turned bar, the Bitter End (619–338–9300) is an atmospheric Gaslamp Quarter watering hole with a big on–tap beer selection. Nearby, there are dueling pianos at the Shout House (619–231–6700), a more rowdy Gaslamp club. 4th & B (619–231–4343), at the corner of the streets by the same name, is a mid–sized venue that books a diverse lineup–from unsigned artists to big name punk and rock acts. Downtown, the Onyx Room & Thin (619–235–6699) has candle–lit jazz and dancing downstairs, and "old school cocktails" in the quieter upstairs lounge called Thin. The Coaster Saloon (858–488–4438) on Mission Beach is an old–style neighborhood pub serving good margaritas and rollercoaster views.
Don’t Miss
The San Diego Zoo (619–231–1515) is one of the country’s best, and the 3,000 plus animals here live in attractive, well–maintained housing. The zoo is in gorgeously maintained Balboa Park, San Diego’s cultural hub that’s home to more than a dozen museums. Ritzy La Jolla, a San Diego suburb for the wealthy, is nestled into one of Southern California’s prettiest coastlines and has a great beach, and an Underwater Park & Ecological Reserve for DIY snorkeling and scuba. OEX (858–454–6195) gives tours and rents gear. Just north of La Jolla, the Torrey Pines State Reserve (858–755–2063) is perfect for long beach strolls and protects the endangered Torrey pine tree.
Stone’s Throw
Take a tram ride on the wild side at the San Diego Wild Animal Park (760–747–8702), an open range African safari experience where giraffe, elephants and lions roam nearly free on 1,900 acres of space just 35 miles north of San Diego. For a different kind of international experience, cross the border into Mexico at Tijuana, a loud and scruffy city just south of San Diego that’s been captivating the imagination of Americans for decades. From San Diego, take the trolley to the border and walk across. The Avenida Revolucion, the main tourist strip, is a 15–minute walk from here.
The Lowdown
Beach Time The coolest surfing spot would be Del Mar Beach. It’s such a beautiful area. My friends and I love to hang out around the 15th St area (of the beach), but 19th St is really popular too.
Tasty Eat My boyfriend just took me to a wonderful new place called C Level overlooking the water off Harbor Island. Order the grilled chicken sandwich.
Best Sleep The Hotel del Coronado is where I send visitors. It has so much history and it’s right on the ocean.
- Friday lunch for two at the Pamplemousse Grille Restaurant, in the Solana Beach neighborhood, serving delicious upscale continental French in laid–back elegant environs.
- A surf lesson with the Pacific Beach Surf School plus assorted ointments, band–aids and Ibuprofin for scrapes and pain after.
- Two tickets to hear a live show at the legendary music venue Casbah, where tomorrow’s headliners get their start.
- One decent seat (or two lowest tiers) at the San Diego Opera, which is performing Verdi’s La Traviata on April 17, 20, 23 and 25.
- Dinner for two at award–winning George’s Terrace Restaurant & Bistro, in La Jolla, famed for its ambiance inducing outdoor terrace overlooking the water and creative American cuisine.
Tagged: San Diego, Hotel del Coronado, Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, Bristol Hotel, The Gaslamp Strip Club, Croce's Restaurant & Jazz Bar, Roppongi, 4th & B, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Opera
