Coronado:

Night & day cafe - casual breakfast & Mexican food

Clayton’s - ice cream, bakery, cafe.

The Henry - sit down Breakfast

Saiko sushi

Walk around the Hotel del Coronado and take a beach stroll.

Spreckles Park

Rent a bike and bike to Imperial Beach (Silver Strand) and back. Flat with water on both sides most of the way

La Mesa ideas:

Public Square Coffee & Pierre’s Pizza (Wednesday-Sunday)

City Tacos - casual taco shop

Papalo - Mexican/BBQ fusion

Surf rider pizza - Order by the slice or the whole pie. Casual outdoor seating.

Sheldon’s Station - breakfast cafe

Farmers table - sit down spot for brunch

Riviera Supper Club - cocktail

Friday farmers market - downtown La Mesa market with local vendors and food trucks.

Top cocktail spots:

Convoy Music Bar - Japanese-style speakeasy with amazing cocktails and vinyl music. Convoy

Moniker Bar - coffee by day, cocktails by night. Liberty Station

Books & records - great cocktails and apps. Banker’s Hill.

The Lafayette Hotel - multiple bars/restaurants in a renovated historic hotel. Very cool space, It can get busy during the weekend. North Park

Lost Cause Meadery - Meadery with an outdoor courtyard connected to a brewery, local winery, and wood-fired pizza spot. Mission Bay

Bivouac Cider Lodge - A great spot for cider lovers in North Park.

Bar Kamon - Japanese-inspired cocktail lounge in downtown San Diego.

Kindred - vegan restaurant with fun cocktails, and a glamorous punk aesthetic. South Park.

Top food:

Kitakata Ramen - JB’s all time favorite ramen spot. Kearny Mesa

Thanh Tinh Chay - Vegan and non-vegan Vietnamese deliciousness, 5 stars on Yelp, this hole-in-the-wall spot is amazing. City Heights

Soi 30th - Hanna’s favorite Thai spot (North Park)

Wayfarer Bread and Pastry Bakery in Bird Rock - Coffee is good here too. Afterward, it’s a Quick Walk to a great ocean overlook at Calumet Park.

Havana Grill - Sit-down Cuban entrees (Mission Valley)

Shawarma Guys - Casual Shawarma place- we almost catered their food for the wedding (South Park or La Mesa) Top rated!

Buona Forchetta - Sit-down Italian spot (Many Locations) Little Italy (Little Italy in general has a fun vibe. Food Hall, Gelato, Pastries, and of course dozens of Italian restaurants and bars).

The Fire Spot KBBQ - JB’s favorite Korean BBQ spot if you are looking for unlimited meats and Korean sides in a communal dining setting (Convoy)

Salud Tacos - A variety of street taco flavors in a casual setting (Barrio Logan)

The Friendly - Greasy flat top burgers- super casual (2 locations in North Park)

California Burritos - Hanna’s favorite grab-and-go burrito spot (Linda Vista)

Tacos el Gordo - Famous Tijuana-style street tacos on this side of the border (multiple locations)

Señor Mangos - Yummy açaí bowls and smoothies (2 North Park locations)

Oscars Mexican Seafood - Grab and go casual spot for ceviches and fish tacos (Hillcrest, Pacific Beach)

TJ Oyster Bar - Great casual spot for ceviches and fish tacos (we recommend the sit-down location at 4410 Bonita Rd.)

Puesto is one of Dawn’s favorite spots for tacos(especially the filet mignon). Pricey but delicious.

Coffee:

Mnemonic Coffee -Bankers Hill

Genteel - North Park

Provecho - Barrio Logan

Bird rock - Multiple locations including LaJolla, Downtown S.D., Del Mar

Copa Vida - Several locations

Mostra coffee - Several locations

Activities:

Sunset cliffs: cliffs along the ocean. Ocean Beach Area-street parking

Balboa Park: SD zoo, museums, gardens, European style architecture to walk around.

La Jolla: great oceanfront town(beautiful overlooks and surfers especially by Windansea beach). Shops, restaurants, art galleries-very walkable. La Jolla Cove is the place to watch the seals.

Tide Pools in LaJolla too! The address is 303 Coast Blvd, La Jolla.

Liberty Public Market: bustling market in an old Navy building with food, bars, specialty foods, and craft vendors.

Hike Cowles Mountain: an hour hike going up and down. Located in East County.

Rent a bike on Coronado, then bike along Silver Strand from Coronado to Imperial Beach.

Walk along the San Diego Harbor-Embarcadero

USS Midway tour: Historic ships

Torrey Pines State Beach: Amazing hiking trails with beautiful ocean overlooks.

Torrey Pines Glider Port: watch local hang gliders jump the cliffs over the ocean. (Or for brave souls, bring your wallet and sign up to do it with a guide). Great sunset spot.

Mission Bay: fun place to do water activities(rentals available) such as stand-up paddle boarding, sailboats, kayaks or just hanging by the water. Sail Bay is a nice beach.

Beaches for swimming: North County beaches. Any beaches from Del Mar to Carlsbad. Solana Beach, La Jolla shores, Moonlight Beach in Encinitas