San Diego Recommendations

I would hit up a Padres game if they are in town

Do NOT miss these restaurants:

1 - inside out
2 - Leila
3 - Starlite

Been to SD many many times, those should be at the top of your list.

What areas are considered safe and which areas do I need to avoid?

Depends on what you’re after. Gaslamp and little Italy are safe, some homeless around but they won’t bother you unless you stray too far east. Bankers hill, mission hills, OB, sunset cliffs, La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, pretty much all coastal areas are great. If you’re in your 20s are partying with people who are, pacific beach is good for you. La mesa further east is getting better restaurants, it’s close to sdsu. North park, South Park, university and normal heights are cool areas too.

drive up to point loma. great views of the city. LINK

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drive up to point loma. great views of the city. LINK

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Drive all the way down rosecrans in Point Loma through liberty station which is a cool spot and past old Venice which is another good spot and Point Loma seafood which I think just got sold. Mitch’s is pretty good for seafood too. Take a right to go west on canyon street. Take a right at the Pete’s coffee and whatever that market is called now and then an almost immediate left onto hill street. Enjoy that ride down to the ocean and tell me it’s not incredible. Head back out the same way for a good view of downtown from across the bay.

Will be in San Diego for the first time during 2nd week of September, so I'm also following this thread. Appreciate all the great suggestions so far!

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Starlite is good for Moscow mules. Born and raised is good. Herb and wood is good too.

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It's been years since I went to Starlite, to the point it was previous owners, but it was such a cool vibe inside.

Born and Raised is absolutely gorgeous both inside and on the rooftop patio. Food is great, and they at least used to do a very solid happy hour. (I stopped getting sent to San Diego around Covid when I changed roles, so it's been a minute)

Herb and Wood actually surprised me with how fantastic it was. I was there for a conference, and we have a lot of diverse eaters in our group. They had something for everyone, and all were executed perfectly. Nice atmosphere too.

I'll throw out False Idol, a speakeasy inside of .. I believe Craft and Commerce? Which is a cool spot in itself because they have a taxiderm mountain lion or something like that, but False Idol is just cool to see. I went by myself and had a great time.

Prohibition Lounge is decent. A band from New Orleans was playing when I went! Noble Experiment (VERY small).. and Young Blood good speakeasy bars. Young Blood and Noble Experiment are both located inside of Neighborhood Restaurant and Bar -- another place that's great in and of itself. I like a speakeasy where the place you're waiting to get in is also really solid. I got so caught up enjoying Neighborhood that I almost declined when it was time to go into Young Blood.

These speakeasies take reservations - I recommend them.

Lion's Share is a chill bar spot. Bar vibes, but I guess technically a restaurant. Dark and easygoing. They serve bison, frog legs, venison, boar, elk, etc. if you like that sort of thing. I do. This place is literally across the street from the convention center, so an easy cross the street walk.

My favorite Little Italy spot is Bencotto, but they're all highly raved about and all good.