San Diego recs for first trip

Mission beach and the little amusement park at the pier. Catch a Padres game if you can. 2-3 days should be good

There was a similar question a few days ago about SD and LA. It a a few pages back now but this is the link.

San Diego - LA trip question

Behind your hotel is a nice park, Embarcadero Marina Park North, that you should check out. One time we were there a lot of people were flying large kites and just enjoying the day.

Across the street from your hotel is local train line which is a convenient way to get around to some parts of the city. There is stop near Little Italy and Old Town San Diego.

Balboa Park is a must see, IMO. If we ever get back plan to see Cabrillo National Monument and/Point Loma.

if you are a fan of Dinners, Drive Inn and Dives, he has been to SD a lot. One of his top places is Hodad's at Ocean Beach. OB is worth a visit even if you don't eat there.

If you like history, there are a couple of missions that we enjoyed walking through and learning about; Mission San Diego de Alcala and Mission San Luis Rey de Francia.

Drive over to Coronado and down Hwy 75 if you have time. You might see the Navy Seals training. The Silver Strand State Beach is about as far down that road that I've been.
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A couple of the kites they were flying and the bridge to Coronado in the background.

Puesto Restaurant. Easy walk from your hotel. Haven’t been in a few years, but good food and great atmosphere. Visit Coronado island and grab lunch at the hotel Del. San Diego is pretty spectacular. Not a big fan of LA.

Little Italy extends that far to Parma Cucina? Barbusa was good as well

Just came from there a few weeks ago (also have been there a few times due to family)

If you have a car, I always enjoy spending a day in La Jolla. everything from bakery, walking around, beach, etc.

As someone said, spend some time at Balboa Park.

If you enjoy museums, USS Midway is easily the one to do.

As for food:
Ironside - happy hour was pretty good, considering I can kill a couple dozen raw solo locally (New Orleans)

Menya Ultra Ramen - I have eaten way too many ramen places in my lifetime, this is easily top 3.

Soichi or Sushi Tadokoro - if you like omakase, either one will be worth your while. reservations get taken up quickly, so I would try to keep it on your radar to do it ahead of time. We didn't go this past trip because it was too late second.

Bencotto - pretty solid italian upscale restaurant. same group as Born & Raised (if i remember properly). I would rather spend my money & time here though. Skip Born & Raised. Nice ambiance, but the food is overrated

Say what you want, Tacos El Gordo is always worth the time to eat at midnight.

Barbusa is good too. I don’t really compare them though because they’re not at all the same concept, ya know?

Herb and Wood is one of the best recent meals I’ve had in San Diego.

Seconding Bencotto above. Incredible handmade pasta. I don’t think it’s part of the Consortium Holdings group, though. Ironside is. They have like 10 places or something and all are great. Craft and Commerce is super fun to drink at, and the speakeasy in the back is awesome.

The Lion’s Share also great. They have some fun wild game items on their menu. And they’re cool as hell in there. It’s just a dark bar.

As part of our conference, we’re doing the zoo and the Midway museum. I’m really looking forward to both of them.

As far as food, I really want a west coast seafood experience.

I really appreciate all the great suggestions everyone is providing.

My wife and daughter want to have lunch at the Coronado. I’m looking forward to it as well. I remember watching Some Like It Hot with my parents as a kid.