Phil's Guidebook
Food scene
This is a great place for pizza! We like the Piera, which is topped with pesto and tomatoes
317 locals recommend
Buona Forchetta - South Park
3001 Beech StThis is a great place for pizza! We like the Piera, which is topped with pesto and tomatoes
A little known local gem with seriously the best tacos and tequila in SD. Get the street tacos! They usually have a great happy hour but it changes sometimes so call ahead
102 locals recommend
Cantina Mayahuel
2934 Adams AveA little known local gem with seriously the best tacos and tequila in SD. Get the street tacos! They usually have a great happy hour but it changes sometimes so call ahead
Station Tavern
2204 Fern StKid friendly, with great local beer! Near the house
This tiny little coffee place belongs to a friend of ours. It is amazing. Try a specialty drink like the banana boat. Swing by when you are in North Park for Cantina Mayahuel
29 locals recommend
Hawthorn Coffee
3019 Adams AveThis tiny little coffee place belongs to a friend of ours. It is amazing. Try a specialty drink like the banana boat. Swing by when you are in North Park for Cantina Mayahuel
This is a unique popsicle bar that carries a tons of different flavors with tons of toppings!
10 locals recommend
Holy Paleta
4230 Bonita RdThis is a unique popsicle bar that carries a tons of different flavors with tons of toppings!
This unlikely area on Convoy street has recently blown up into the best concentration of asian cuisine in the entire city. Rakiraki is our favorite, but the whole street is worth checking out. Make reservations, it gets really busy.
28 locals recommend
Rakiraki Ramen & Tsukemen
4646 Convoy StThis unlikely area on Convoy street has recently blown up into the best concentration of asian cuisine in the entire city. Rakiraki is our favorite, but the whole street is worth checking out. Make reservations, it gets really busy.
Ok. If you want pizza and beer in San Diego, there is not a better local experience than this well established favorite. Tons of quirky (but all delicious) pizzas to choose from, top notch beers, and a warm homey vibe with board games available.
174 locals recommend
Blind Lady Ale House
3416 Adams AveOk. If you want pizza and beer in San Diego, there is not a better local experience than this well established favorite. Tons of quirky (but all delicious) pizzas to choose from, top notch beers, and a warm homey vibe with board games available.
Sightseeing
The 32nd st canyon trail is just outside the door! Come down to the sidewalk, turn right and walk until the street ends, to access the trailhead steps. It’s maybe a 2 minute walk to get there, and a beautiful open space where the city completely disappears.
32nd Street Canyon
3201 A StThe 32nd st canyon trail is just outside the door! Come down to the sidewalk, turn right and walk until the street ends, to access the trailhead steps. It’s maybe a 2 minute walk to get there, and a beautiful open space where the city completely disappears.
One of the most beautiful parks in the world, and very close to the house. Try to catch it on the first Tuesday of the month where a museum will be free. The fleet and science center is an absolute blast for the kids. The whole place is unbelievable around Christmas when they put up the lights. Ask us about where to park!
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
One of the most beautiful parks in the world, and very close to the house. Try to catch it on the first Tuesday of the month where a museum will be free. The fleet and science center is an absolute blast for the kids. The whole place is unbelievable around Christmas when they put up the lights. Ask us about where to park!
The best beach for families. Miles of gently sloping sand. We like the dunes on the north end, which begin near the historic Hotel Del Coronado. Watch out for stingrays!
Also, try to catch concerts in the park at Spreckles every Sunday in the summer time
388 locals recommend
Coronado
The best beach for families. Miles of gently sloping sand. We like the dunes on the north end, which begin near the historic Hotel Del Coronado. Watch out for stingrays!
Also, try to catch concerts in the park at Spreckles every Sunday in the summer time
This is a little known spot, popular with locals. Cool views and a fun experience
65 locals recommend
Spruce Street Suspension Bridge
West Spruce StreetThis is a little known spot, popular with locals. Cool views and a fun experience
If you’re not from the West coast there’s a good chance you think that the green flash is a myth. I did for the first 5 years I lived here! Well it’s a real thing and this is the place to see it, on a clear day. Read about how to look for one here
https://www.livescience.com/26376-green-flash.html
268 locals recommend
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Ladera StreetIf you’re not from the West coast there’s a good chance you think that the green flash is a myth. I did for the first 5 years I lived here! Well it’s a real thing and this is the place to see it, on a clear day. Read about how to look for one here
https://www.livescience.com/26376-green-flash.html
Nightlife
A must if you are into whiskey. This whole area of North Park is a great place to go out, and only a 5 minute Uber from the house
133 locals recommend
Seven Grand San Diego
3054 University AveA must if you are into whiskey. This whole area of North Park is a great place to go out, and only a 5 minute Uber from the house
We recommend just catching happy hour for a cocktail at the bar. One of the best city views from any restaurant in SD.
152 locals recommend
Mister A's
2550 Fifth AveWe recommend just catching happy hour for a cocktail at the bar. One of the best city views from any restaurant in SD.
If you are going to brave downtown, this tiny speakeasy is a cool place to do it. Hidden behind a false wall of beer kegs, in the back of the Neighborhood bar and grill, this spot is by reservation only and books up at least a week out. Make one here https://nobleexperimentsd.com/
116 locals recommend
Noble Experiment
777 G StIf you are going to brave downtown, this tiny speakeasy is a cool place to do it. Hidden behind a false wall of beer kegs, in the back of the Neighborhood bar and grill, this spot is by reservation only and books up at least a week out. Make one here https://nobleexperimentsd.com/
If you want a relatively inexpensive local beer in the heart of beautiful Balboa Park, Panama 66 at the San Diego Museum of Art is the place to go! They have great live jazz most weekend evenings in the summer, be sure to check out the music schedule online!
81 locals recommend
Panama 66
1450 El PradoIf you want a relatively inexpensive local beer in the heart of beautiful Balboa Park, Panama 66 at the San Diego Museum of Art is the place to go! They have great live jazz most weekend evenings in the summer, be sure to check out the music schedule online!
Kid friendly
The New Children’s Museum
200 W Island AveGreat place to bring your kids and let them explore!
Lots of fun for the family. If you have kiddos definitely make this stop when you visit balboa park
93 locals recommend
Fleet Science Center
1875 El PradoLots of fun for the family. If you have kiddos definitely make this stop when you visit balboa park
The drive alone is worth doing. Completely stunning descent down to the edge of America. The tide pools are full of crabs and anemones and other life, and the rangers are really nice and knowledgeable. Make sure you go at low tide! Check them here https://www.tide-forecast.com/locations/San-Diego-California/tides/latest
65 locals recommend
Point Loma Tide Pools
1800 Cabrillo Memorial DrThe drive alone is worth doing. Completely stunning descent down to the edge of America. The tide pools are full of crabs and anemones and other life, and the rangers are really nice and knowledgeable. Make sure you go at low tide! Check them here https://www.tide-forecast.com/locations/San-Diego-California/tides/latest
During the summer, the city of Coronado hosts concerts in the park every Sunday. Very safe and kid friendly. People make some very elaborate picnic setups, and wine is ok to bring! Look up the schedule online
22 locals recommend
Spreckels Park
601 Orange AveDuring the summer, the city of Coronado hosts concerts in the park every Sunday. Very safe and kid friendly. People make some very elaborate picnic setups, and wine is ok to bring! Look up the schedule online
We love bringing the kiddos here for a scoop of ice cream. Be sure to check out the book store next door. It has an amazingly well curated kids section
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
3004 Juniper StreetWe love bringing the kiddos here for a scoop of ice cream. Be sure to check out the book store next door. It has an amazingly well curated kids section
Beer!
Lesser known local breweries you wouldn’t want to miss!
This little tasting room from the local Fall Brewing company is about as San Diego as it gets! Super hip, mind blowing brews and just minutes from the house. We will walk here with the kids sometimes and get them an ice cream cone next door while we try whatever is new (try a hazy pale ale) The bookstore next door is nice part of this stop as well.
Fall Brewing Company South Park Taproom
3010 Juniper StreetThis little tasting room from the local Fall Brewing company is about as San Diego as it gets! Super hip, mind blowing brews and just minutes from the house. We will walk here with the kids sometimes and get them an ice cream cone next door while we try whatever is new (try a hazy pale ale) The bookstore next door is nice part of this stop as well.
Always a good time, never short on creative new beers! (like peanut butter milk stout)
65 locals recommend
Belching Beaver North Park
4223 30th StAlways a good time, never short on creative new beers! (like peanut butter milk stout)
Pretty hard to beat the ambience of this well decorated gem. The outdoor area across the street is really cool too! Outstanding local beers on tap.
10 locals recommend
Pure Project Balboa Park
2865 Fifth AvePretty hard to beat the ambience of this well decorated gem. The outdoor area across the street is really cool too! Outstanding local beers on tap.