This is our FAVORITE restaurant. We first tried South of Nick's in San Clemente and we absolutely fell in love upon the first meal. A week later...we find out that there was a location opening up just 20 minutes from us! Fate? I'm thinking..YES

This place is home to Lucas' favorite dessert...the warm butter cake with sugar crystals that remind him of the Belgian waffles devoured on childhood family ski vacations.

P.S. The guacamole is a MUST try (Mika says it is the best she has ever had, and if you know her, that is saying a LOT)

So, basically, just trust us ;)

This wide, sandy beach offers swimming, surfing and fishing. Facilities include volleyball and tennis courts, recreational equipment rentals and a snack bar. This spot is where Mika's father used to take her and her two siblings to the beach when they were growing up (foot long Subway sandwiches in tow).

Fun fact: The "moonlight" in the name of this beach comes from the fact that local residents used to come to the area for midnight picnics early in the early 1900s.

The beach in Del Mar is one of the most beautiful and enjoyable in San Diego. The two plus miles of sandy beach offers a great place to relax, walk, or run. Two coastal parks, Powerhouse and Seagrove Parks, are located just above the 15th Street surf break; providing a great spot to picnic with friends and family. The Powerhouse Park also features a barefoot friendly, dog free "tot lot," where kids can play on swings, slides, and climb.

If you are a guest of Fairmont Grand Del Mar their Grand Beach Service will set you up with umbrellas, chairs, and water at 18th Street.

This is a popular SD local spot that offers multiple hiking trails, gorgeous views of the ocean, and sandy beaches with fun tidepools. It is a perfect place for visitors of all ages and abilities. There are 6 hiking trails, intersecting each other to showcase the high broken cliffs, deep ravines overlooking the ocean, and wind-sculpted pines.

Mika and her girl friends love to hike these trails to break from all the stress of grad school; such a great place to take in nature as well as the nice sunny SD weather.

The Gaslamp Quarter is a lively downtown neighborhood, known for its nightlife. Clubs, dive bars and cocktail lounges draw a young crowd, while the Spreckels and Balboa theaters have diverse programs of music, comedy and drama. There's a mix of chain and independent restaurants in the area, with many global options.

The Gaslamp District is the heart and soul of downtown San Diego. With activities for any occasion, the Gaslamp is the perfect spot for a romantic date night, birthday celebration, bachelor/bachelorette party, bar hopping, or even simply dining out with the family.

After your meal, you can choose from a wide variety of entertainment options, including bars, clubs, cigar lounges, comedy shows, live music performances, and even rooftop escapes to avoid the crowded and busy streets. This is a one stop shop where everything is within a five minute walking distance and will surely make your night unforgettable.

The San Diego Zoo is 100 acres in size. It is well known for its lush, naturalistic habitats and unique animal encounters and is home to more than 3,700 rare and endangered animals representing approximately 660 species and subspecies and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 plants.

Balboa Park is a cultural oasis that includes 17 museums, gardens galore and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. At 1,200 acres, Balboa Park is one of North America’s most iconic urban parks and a must see on any visit to San Diego. Located just blocks from downtown San Diego hotels, the park has a rich history reflected through its stunning architecture, thought-provoking exhibits installations, and cultural events throughout the year.

Balboa Park has a storied history – one that is central to the story of San Diego. It started 150 years ago, when civic leaders took the audacious step of setting aside the scrub-filled mesa overlooking downtown to establish a city park. Today, Balboa Park continues to be a potent mix of what makes San Diego so unique. Ethnically diverse, historically rich, culturally abundant, naturally breathtaking, Balboa Park is where you can experience San Diego’s past and see its future.