Need a place that doesn’t lack sun or fun? Head to San Diego! Local Poshers raved about their city in this guide and we can see why.
FAVORITE LOCAL BOUTIQUES
Treat yourself with some sunshine and novelty gifts to take home.
- Pigment (North Park – 3801 30th St)
This place is your go-to for plants and home decor. Poshers mentioned, “they have great colors and lots of Instagrammable moments inside and out” and note Pigment is the “perfect place for gifts for others and a little gift for yourself.” - Current Collective (5032 Niagara Ave)
Take a break from the beach and head to Current Collective. “This is a true, authentic collection of local and small vendors for art, home decor, gifts, jewelry, and clothing. They feature pop up shops and local artists, and the decor and lighting in here is just pristine,” says @jennarelyn. - The Fabulous Rag Boutique (845 Grant Ave)
Have a special occasion coming up? Be sure to check this place out. The staff there are happy to help you put looks together and make recommendations when needed. - Wysh (300 Carlsbad Village Dr. Ste 117)
Located in downtown Carlsbad, this shop has everything you need for your closet and perfect for little trinkets to decorate your desk.
Honorable mentions: Liberty Station Public Market, Graffiti Beach Boutique, and Be Boutique.
FAVORITE COFFEE SHOPS
Skip Starbucks and head to one of these local coffee shops.
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- Better Buzz Coffee (801 University Ave)
If you’ve ever wanted to experience the “Best Drink Ever,” Better Buzz Coffee has it. “It’s literally the BEST DRINK EVER!” says @mimisdbest. - Bird Rock Coffee (Multiple locations)
Take a seat inside this small coffee shop and enjoy some music from local artists. No need to go alone either, this place is a perfect spot to bring your furry friends too. - Holy Matcha (3118 University Ave)
This is an Instagrammer’s dream. Order the matcha and stay to take the perfect Instagram photo. - Lofty Coffee Little Italy Cafe and Bakery (444 W Cedar St)
Loft is for serious coffee drinks. Made from locally sourced beans, this place will impress every coffee aficionado you know. - Dark Horse Coffee (Multiple locations)
Sounds like Poshers are divided between Better Buzz and Dark Horse. While we can’t make the choice, people say the vegan donuts at Dark Horse are worth checking out!
- Better Buzz Coffee (801 University Ave)
Honorable Mentions: Communal Coffee, Twiggs, Duet Coffee, Industrial Grind Coffee, Bing Haus.
MEETING UP WITH PFFs
After a long day of sharing and listing, here are some places to unwind with your PFFs.
- Kindred (1503 30th St)
Named as one of the hottest spots in town by a local Posher, Kindred is the spot to grab a cocktail and chat with some friends before a night out! - Herringbone (7837 Herschel Ave)
Great happy hour? Check. Live music? Check. A friendly atmosphere? Yes! Grab a seat and order yourself a plate of oysters to share. - JRDN restaurant (Located in Tower23 Hotel – 723 Felspar St)
If sunsets by the water are your thing, this is the place for you. Make sure to request a seat outside! - One Door North (3422 30th St)
One Door North brings nature to you. Take a seat underneath a tent and enjoy the company of your fellow campers. No bug spray required. - Polite Provisions (4696 30th St)
Making cocktails is an art form and Polite Provisions knows what’s up. You’re sure to find something unique. They even provide cocktail classes for anyone who wants to learn! “It reminds me of a bar you would find in London – it has a very interesting and refreshing vibe to it,” says @erinerniecha.
Honorable Mentions: Jayne’s, Biergarden of Encinitas, Lumberyard Tavern, Cutwater Spirits, Mister A’s, Urban Solace, and Blind Lady Ale (get the Bianca Al Prociutto).
MUST TRY RESTAURANTS
Where do we even begin? San Diego is filled with so much good food. Be ready to arrive with a huge appetite!
- George’s at the Cove (1250 Prospect St in La Jolla)
“George’s has amazing service wonderful food and the views cannot be beaten. It has been renovated and is really a great area to visit. You can walk down to the beach and see the sea lions on the beach before or after dinner,” says @nazer95. Dinner and a show? Count us in. - The Great Maple (1451 Washington St)
This modern American eatery gives you comfort food with a twist. Once you’re done, don’t forget to order the maple bacon doughnut. They’re fresh and made to order, YUM. - BO-beau kitchen + bar (4996 W Point Loma Blvd)
“Definitely a date night spot, but who says you can’t have a date night with a girlfriend? It’s a French cuisine and KNOWN for the brussels sprouts. Trust me, there is nothing like them. A full or a half order you ask? Order the full and thank me later,” says @jennarelyn. - Cowboy Star (640 10th Ave)
This one is for the meat lovers. “They have a wagyu strip steak that is not expensive and I’d be willing to trade my boyfriend in for that steak,” @haute2wear. (LOL!) - Plant Power Fast Food (Multiple locations)
A fast food spot made entirely without the use of animal products, GMOs, or artificial ingredients? Wow. “They have a vegan Big Mac and vegan animal style In-and-Out fries. They also use compostable serving materials, so you can eat junk food virtually guilt-free!” say @erinerniecha. - SALUD (2196 Logan Ave)
“San Diego has the best Mexican food and this place is one of my favorites. They have a great selection of tacos and sides. The restaurant also has beautiful Mexican-American art,” says @chellelibra. - Menya Ultra Ramen (9119 Clairemont Mesa Blvd)
We can’t pass up a good ramen place, even in sunny SoCal! “Everyone has their preferences but Menya Ultra is by far the best ramen spot in San Diego! You’ll have to get there quickly though! Lines will start forming before it even opens and wait times will go up to over an hour on busy days! I think that goes to show just how good it really is,” says @everlynnk.
Honorable Mentions: Little Italy Food Hall, Tocaya Organica, Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill, Buono Forchetta, Tomcats, Hodad’s , Sugar and Scribe Bakery, Board & Brew, Hash House, Pomegranate, Searsucker, Cafe Graditude, Pizza Port.
WHAT MAKES SAN DIEGO SPECIAL?
- “San Diego is an amazing town filled with life, love & fun. The weather is amazing 360 days of the year. Our beaches are beautiful and our Mexican food is AMAZING!” – @mimisdbest
- “I will be biased with my response but San Diego is home to 5 military bases and my fave is the Naval Base Coronado where my husband is stationed at. San Diego is home to 60% of the ships in the fleet of US Navy and the Marine Corps and widely known as ‘America’s Finest City.’” – @hazelmarie06
- “We’re basically living the dream! We’re known for our sunshine, beaches, tacos, babes, outdoor activities and so much more!” – @cageyscloset
- “San Diego County is known for its amazing weather and friendly people! It is an absolutely gorgeous place filled with a variety of things to do. There’s hitting up the beaches, great hike spots, swap meets, farmers markets, and more. I find San Diego to be just as diverse as the people living in it.” – @allison_starr22
- “San Diego loves dogs. Everyone has a dog. And if you don’t have a dog, you want a dog. And every restaurant (so it seems) has a dog-friendly patio. P.S. get the tri-tip nachos.” – @jennarelyn
- “Honestly, San Diego is one of the best cities in the world. We have the best weather, Los Angeles is a hop and a skip away as well as Mexico. San Diego has such a rich Latin-infused culture that makes most residents empathetic to everyone. The fact that you can go have brunch at Lobster Town in Puerto Nuevo or go to Mexican Wine Country and cross back to watch Game of Thrones at night in your apartment in San Diego is epic.” – @haute2wear
- “San Diego is known for its beautiful weather, beaches and omg the food. Did I mention the food? So many different options.” – @carmaldove
- “Born and raised in San Diego and never leaving. I love it here. San Diego is known for its weather, the beaches, and hiking trails are close by. Plus, we have a great selection of restaurants and cuisines.” – @chellelibra
THE ESSENTIALS
- A small bag to carry your goodies including some sunscreen just in case!
- Plenty of spending cash. Prepare yourself for a little fun in the sun.
- Bathing suit. “Whether it’s the jacuzzi, a beach day, going out tanning, or attending a pool party, you never know what you’ll need it for,” says @curiouscourt.
- Running shoes. You’ll be outdoors for the most part so it’s better to be prepared!
- Your appetite. With so much food and beer to try, you’ll want to make sure you have room to try as much as possible.
- Sandals, flip flops, sunglasses, and cutoff shorts. “Everyone dresses very casual here. Just be comfortable!” says @itsoinky.
Thank you to @mimisdbest, @itsoinky, @berryk06, @nazer95, @hazelmarie06, @cageyscloset, @allison_starr22, @chictowear, @jennarelyn, @bossyjocey, @calibriz, @gggabriella, @haute2wear, @erinerniecha, @premierefinds, @girlracer86, @carmaldove, @daintythreadz, @haleyeff, @chellelibra, @mypinkhanger, @everlynnk, @jenangel89, and @\fetchpowers for contributing to the San Diego City Guide.
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