One Day in San Diego

San Diego is the perfect little weekend getaway from LA. Just a couple of hours down the coast and you’re in one of the most laid back, fun cities around! Not to mention their food scene is insane! We’ve tasted, explored and researched the best of the best there is, so if you only have one day in San Diego…this post is for you! Looking for a place to stay? This gem in North San Diego is the place to be. 

9am: Breakfast at Crushed in Pacific Beach

You wouldn’t expect this trendy spot to be in the heart of divey beach bars but it’s atmosphere and amazing food keep everyone coming back! Order a mimosa flight – that’s right, you can order 3 different mimosa flavors including lavender, elderflower and grapefruit. For breakfast, fuel up for the day with their Nutella Banana Pancakes…you won’t regret it.

10am: Bike ride along the boardwalk

There’s a million bike rental places at the beach, so grab one for a couple hours and bike North to La Jolla! Amazing ocean views and you can hang out with seals along the coast…the best!

12pm: Lunch at Cafe Coyote in Old Town

Going to Old Town is like being transported directly across the border! With tons of cute little shops and restaurants, you feel just like you’re in Mexico! Head to Cafe Coyote and snag a seat on the patio for prime people watching. The margaritas are out of this world and their fajitas come with the best homemade tortillas around!

A photo posted by Cafe Coyote (@cafecoyoteoldtown) on Dec 21, 2015 at 9:35am PST

2pm: Old Town Trolley Tour

For $35 online, you can get a ticket to the Old Town Trolley which will take you all over the city! It’s hop on, hop off so you can stop and explore along the way! You can check out places like the Hotel del Coronado, the Seaport Village, and our favorite, Balboa Park! The guides are hilarious and give great little tidbits about the city along the way. Hop off at Balboa and walk the serene Japanese gardens, listen to a free organ concert in the amphitheater, and check out an art museum to two! Balboa is the cultural mecca of San Diego and a definite must-see!

7pm: Dinner at Bencotto in Little Italy

Make a reservation! This place fills up fast and you won’t want to miss it! San Diego is famous for it’s Little Italy neighborhood and Becotto is some of the best food in town! They have an entire table of meats and cheeses that they hand slice so be sure to build your own charcuterie board to start. For dinner, ORDER PASTA. Everything is homemade and ridiculously amazing. Try one of their creations like the eggplant parmesan or build your own pasta – our personal fave? Gorgonzola filled gnocchi topped with pesto. And finish it off with a frozen espresso mousse…yum!!

A photo posted by Bencotto Italian Kitchen (@bencotto) on May 13, 2015 at 11:51am PDT

 

9pm: After Dinner Drinks at The Noble Experiment in the Gaslamp District

This super secret speakeasy is located in the back of the Neighborhood restaurant in the Gaslamp District. You need to text them a couple weeks in advance to secure a reservation. At the back of the restaurant, you’ll find a wall of kegs…however, it’s actually a secret door! They make all the classics as well as their own special versions of each! Get cozy in a booth and let their mixologists serve up the perfect cocktail!

11pm: Dessert at Extraordinary Desserts

You can’t leave San Diego without a little something sweet at Extraordinary Desserts! Expect to wait in a bit of a line but their cakes and pastries are absolutely to die for so it’s worth the wait! You can’t go wrong with a slice of any of their cakes, the bread pudding or tarts!

A photo posted by Extraordinary Desserts (@extraordinary_desserts) on Oct 9, 2015 at 9:01am PDT