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.

• • 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!

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.

We’re all about embracing your weirdness and Portland, Oregon is no different (#KeepPortlandWeird!). This guide was compiled by local Poshers, so you know it’s good. Read on for some awesome recommendations:

FAVORITE LOCAL BOUTIQUES

Word has it, NW 23rd Avenue is the spot to go but here are a few treasures that Poshers mentioned:

• Seven Sisters (811 E Burnside St. Ste 110)
  “A range of beautiful apparel and products that support women and the environment, plus they have great vintage finds.” – @jh1639

• Powell’s City of Books (1005 W Burnside St)
  Hailed “The World’s Largest Independent Bookstore”. Grab a cup of coffee and get lost in this bibliophile’s paradise.

• Amelia Boutique (2230 NE Alberta St)
  Amelia is a neighborhood dress boutique known for locally made dresses and jewelry! One Posher states, “Amelia personally curates every item in the shop and she has a great taste.”

Honorable mentions: Adored Vintage, Frances May, SaySay Boutique, and Village Merchants.

FAVORITE COFFEE SHOPS

Fuel your day with a cup of joe from these local spots.

• Coava Coffee (Multiple locations)
  Previously featured on Jerry Seinfeld’s Netflix show Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee with special guest, Fred Armisen. As one of Portland’s most famous roasters, “it’s a great place to go for coffee and to get a little bit of work done.”
• Dutch Brothers (Multiple locations)
  Full of high energy and keen on spreading lots of love, Dutch Bros isa Portland staple! Did you know there’s a secret menu? You need to check out the Christmas Morning Chai aka Christmas in a cup! “Drive thru it, get pumped up by your bro-rista and go home list, list, list!” says @lillysun06.

• Chapters Books and Coffee (701 E 1st St. Newberg, OR)
  “This place is an amazing Stumptown Cafe partnership run by an incredible family, Chapters is a great place to work, shop, and drink!” says @meganelise29. Added bonus: they’re always giving back to the community and supporting local artists. *Note: This one is a bit of a drive!
• Rose City Coffee (Multiple locations)
  “Rose City Coffee offers more of a homey vibe and often features artwork from various local artists on their walls,” says @joelliebean. Once you’re finished with your cup, grab a blend to go.

Honorable mentions: Barista (try the Oregon Hazelnut Latte), Vivace Coffee House & Creperie, Oracle Coffee Company, Ava’s Roasteria, and Water Avenue Coffee.

• 

• 

• 

MEETING UP WITH PFFs

Need a spot to check-in with a few of your PFFs? Check out these places.

• Psychic Bar (3560 N Mississippi Ave)
  Step into this house-like establishment for a dark, witchy aesthetic with great cocktails and food.

• Bible Club (6716 SE 16th Ave)
  Bible club is a prohibition bar, decorated inside to match that era. Don’t be fooled when first approaching it. The outside looks like a regular house with no actual signage. Once you’re in, you’ll feel like you’ve been taken back in time.

• Taps Growler House (1900 NE 162nd Ave. Ste D112)
  Awesome beers, the best vibes, simple but delicious food, and the best employees.

• The Goodfoot (2845 SE Stark St)
  “If living in the moment and having a good time is the goal, go here. On nights when they have a live band in the lounge area, it’s easy to spend hours dancing with a drink in your hand,” says @curiouscourt.

• McMenamins Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd Ave)
  A few Poshers recommended this one: This is a historic landmark that has been renovated into a restaurant/bar, theater, concert venue, and hotel. It’s hard to not want to spend your whole trip there. Fun fact: During the summer of 2014, Portland Poshers hosted a Covershot workshop, featuring @fancypantsmcgee’s legendary skills.

Honorable mentions: Labrewatory, Multnomah Whiskey Library, Teardrop Cocktail Lounge, Departure, Portland City Grill, and Barista on Alberta (the location of the first ever Portland Posh N Sip).

MUST-TRY RESTAURANTS

Trust us when we say you’ll never be hungry while in Portland!

• Lúc Lác (835 SW 2nd Ave)
  The atmosphere is very Portland; quirky and stylish, with Japanese parasols hanging from the ceiling, a black and white mural on one wall, and Victorian damask wallpaper on the other. And, their food is fantastic and inexpensive. Try the coconut curry, with cream cheese wontons and coconut prawns as appetizers.

• Mae (2930 NE Kilingsworth Ave)
  Bite the bullet and splurge on this place. As a ticket-based service, we hear it’s worth it. “The owner of Mae uses her grandmother’s recipes, and the restaurant is definitely a top PDX restaurant for southern comfort food. The sweet tea alone will make you never want to stop indulging in their amazing creations. Everything from their cornbread, to their fried chicken, is some of the best food you can get in Portland,” says @joelliebean.

• ¿Por Que No? Taqueria (Multiple locations)
  Tacos are a great go-to no matter where you go. Head over to ¿Por Que No? For a fun, colorful ambiance and tasty sangria. Be prepared to wait in a line, but we hear it’s well worth the wait!

• Screen Door (2337 E Burnside St)
  “It doesn’t get any more Portland than waiting in the breakfast/brunch line outside Screen Door. Best known for their chicken and waffles… but don’t limit yourself to just that,” says @bumbolina.
• Bamboo Sushi (Multiple locations)
  Your bill will be pricey but it’s for a good reason. Bamboo supports sustainable fishing. It was the first certified sushi restaurant. That sounds AMAZING in our book!

Honorable mentions: Saburo’s, Le Happy, 808 Grinds, Burgerville, Han Oak, Xport Bar & Lounge, Monsoon Thai, Trinket, Boke Bowl, Tin Shed, Mi Mero Mole, Cooper’s Hall,Maurice, and Ava Gene’s.

WHY PORTLAND RULES

Portland is weird and that’s very much embraced (heck yes!), but we wanted to hear it straight from Portlanders.

• “Portland is known for its youthful vibe. They call it the place where young people go to retire. Also known for its nightlife, local bands, and musical talent.” – @heathertrujillo
• “Portland is for sure weird, but it also has a very working-class history. I adore much of the old buildings, and weird stuff you see on the streets on a daily basis. Literally, anything goes, all the time. (ex: seeing people in socks and sandals at black tie events) We have great food, mellow people, and rain. Lots of rain. I’m a native Oregonian so I don’t mind it a bit.” – @haroldnharriet

• “Portland is best known for how original and unique people are. Come here and everyone will love you and love to show off the city they love. You’ll be able to find fashions of all kinds and be accepted no matter what. There are coffee shops on every block and views from every corner. Everyone will treat you like family!” – @candycane1515

• “Portland is weird! We are known for our diversity and out-there personalities. Everyone has their own style and ain’t afraid to show it.” – @ellambrewster

• “It sounds cliche’ to say Portland is ‘quirky’ but it is. It’s no big deal to see a bagpiper on a unicycle or a guy covered in blue paint walking the streets.” – @styleonrepeat

• “Portland is called ‘bridge city’ because we have 14 bridges that make for a beautiful view across the water. Each of them has their own distinct personality! Portland is a smaller sized city packed with tons of amazing food and drink options. People here take their beer, cider, and food seriously.” – @jh1639

• “Portland has been rapidly changing from a city that feels small and off-the-beaten-path to a popular destination. In the last decade, modern architecture, shops, and restaurants have been popping up in every quadrant of the city as density increases. You’ll often hear a lot of people talk about ‘old Portland’ (low key, a bit gritty and “weird”) and ‘new Portland’ (hipster, artisanal and mildly quirky). Overall the city embraces sustainable living, artists/makers, bicycles, brewpubs, coffee roasters, farmers markets, etc.” – @bumbolina

• “Portland gives you a very friendly vibe that anyone can relate to. You just kind of get this feeling, like, ‘Yep, this is it.’” – @bryleavitt

THE ESSENTIALS

Other than packing your waterproof gear, here’s what else you’ll need:

• Your appetite.
• Your wallet. (“Oregon doesn’t have sales tax!”)
• A love for beer. (“Oregon IPAs are a must!”)
• Headphones to get a little taste of our insanely diverse music culture.
• A reusable shopping bag to hold all of your purchases. Portland is very environmentally conscious.
• Visting in the summer? Bring a bathing suit and hiking boots because you can’t visit Oregon in the summer without doing either of those.

---

Thank you to @ally2catz, @haroldnharriet, @mckensyv1, @madelinemomo, @heathertrujillo, @candycane1515, @lkdeisen, @dfizzal, @ellambrewster, @embrace_sisu, @hvincent88, @magickvintage, @styleonrepeat, @joelliebean, @dubbs7, @brittanynel10, @athenalpayne, @jh1639, @meganelise29, @iridessegray, @bumbolina, @lillysun06, @blushingbella, @fenivanova, @curiouscourt, @mcsj565, @bryleavitt, @gordomom, @stylebykristi for contributing to the Portland, OR City Guide.