San Diego trip review

A few caveats: Took a bunch of suggestions from this board, so thanks to others who had posted about San Diego before. I was there for a week, which isn’t enough time to do everything, so please post anything (including pictures) I may have missed.

First, the weather is everything people say it is. It’s Amazing! Was there the first week of July and the hottest it got was 76 one afternoon. But for the most part it was between 65 and 72 every other day/evening. One day I even wore a long sleeve t-shirt. The breeze of the bay and sun is a great combo. Make sure you wear sunscreen if you burn easily though.

Second, San Diego is super chill. A bunch of laid back people who are really nice. Pedestrian friendly. While it was the 4th of July, the town is very patriotic, especially Coronado where the Navy base is. There are a lot of hobos around. We were only asked for change twice, which isn’t too bad considering how many are there. The streets are also littered with scooters and bikes. Literally, they are everywhere. Makes it pretty easy to get around if you’re comfortable on them.



Gaslamp
Stayed downtown at the Omni in the Gaslamp Dist. Nice hotel with a cheap parking garage across the street. Right next door to Petco Park. Went to a game first night there which was fun. Lot of craft beer and decent food options in the park. We had good seats, but I’d suggest buying cheap tickets, but getting there early with a blanket and setting up on the hill in the outfield. Good view with a fun atmosphere.

Gaslamp is a fun district. Mostly bars with a couple of restaurants. Very crowded, but some fun stuff.


One bar I really liked in the Gaslamp was Werewolf. Great drink selections, lot of fun, 90s music and the food was really good. They don’t ask for a name when you order food, they ask for your spirit animal, so it’s fun listening to them call out honey badger, duckbilled platypus, unicorn, etc when food is ready. Another place was Trailer Park After Dark. You just have to see it. Drink list isn’t very good, but you should at least walk in and take a look. Funny stuff.



One place I have to mention is Cafe Sevilla. Spanish tapas place with really good food. The service was top notch.

Downtown
Some places downtown we stopped (but out of the Gaslamp) was 10 Barrel Brewing. Good beer and a great view. Ate breakfast at the Taco Stand on B. Ave. Really good tacos. Mission Brewery is in a kinda sketchy area with okay beer and atmosphere.
A must do is a stop at Noble Experiment. Seriously, it’s a must do. It’s a speakeasy and requires a reservation, which you can only make a week in advance. But it’s a supercool place. Really small and plays the speakeasy part and the drinks are great. You have to go through a kitchen, to another room with a hidden door behind kegs which leads to a small room with seating for about 20 people. Service, atmosphere and bartenders are top notch.




Little Italy
We loved Little Italy. Great place to stroll around. There’s a farmers market on Wednesday’s.
Beer: Breweries there are okay. Ballast Point is nice although I don’t love their beers. Mikkeller is small, but beers are really good. Bolt is just kinda there. All worth stopping at though. People there love Waterfront Bar & Grill, but the beer selection is ehh. It has outdoor seating and is the towns oldest bar. It was hopping, but I thought it was just an okay place.
Food: Herb & Wood makes great breakfast brunch! Crack Shack had good chicken and drinks. Juniper & Ivy was fancy and had interesting food. It was okay, but we didn’t love it. Ironside has a cool vibe, but food is just okay. Salt & Straw has good ice cream with unique flavors. There’s a food hall next to the outdoor plaza where you can buy beer and sit outside, very cool. Finally, props to LouisianaLady, Landini's Pizza looks like a dive, but has great pizza after a evening of drinking.


Coronado: Went to Coronado. The ferry landing is nice. Ate at a place called Tartine, really small but great place. I’d suggest a stop at Coronado Taste of Oil. The owner is a Navy vet that lived in South Louisiana for several years and is a super nice guy. Get a sparkling water with a balsamic vinegar flavorer. Blue water Grill had great seafood. And it’s an easy walk from there to Hotel de Coronado and the beach. Overall, I didn’t love Coronado as much as other places, but it was still really nice.