Best Diners in Inspiration Point Way

"Harry's Coffee Shop is popular with locals and tourists alike for an old-school, casual ambiance as well as enormous portions. Coffee is refilled quickly while the menu is varied featuring delicious omelettes and items with a Mexican flair. There's counter and booth seating as well as dog-friendly, al fresco dining in front."

"This La Jolla institution is renowned for their potato pancakes served with sour cream and applesauce but they've got everything from healthy egg white omelettes to throwbacks that include chipped beef on toast."

"Listed in "Gourmet" magazine as one of America's greatest hometown cafes, this local favorite has been around since 1944. Serves up such hearty breakfasts as smoked pork chops and eggs, eggs Benedict, French toast, pancakes, waffles, and much more. All their baked goods are packaged to go, so you can easily take something along with you for later in the day."

"A pure dose of dining nostalgia, this San Diego landmark has been serving up generous portions of classic American comfort food since the mid-1940s. With an expansive menu, dishes like the homemade roast beef hash and traditional eggs Benedict have kept customers coming back for more."

"Hob Nob Hill, known for their breakfast, has been serving up American eats since 1944. Don't forget to check out their selection of fresh bakery items while you're there."

"It’s a diner that pays homage to every era time has gone by since diners were a thing. From a brightly colored 50s retro diner with a milk bar and vintage care behind the hostess, to the train room with a black and white film showing above each booth, to a modern red room dedicated to corvette car lovers. A radio DJ booth pumps out Frank Sinatra, New York, New York and other classic tunes like Wild Thing, which matches the 70s groove room we dined in."

"Corvette Diner is a San Diego institution now located in the Point Loma area of Liberty Station. It's a 50s diner the serves up shakes, burgers, fries and other comfort food by sassy wait staff dressed in poodle skirts. Kids love it not only for the retro decor, casual vibe and food, but there's a killer arcade called Gamer's Garage in the back with 50 games and opportunities to win prizes."

"Have a blast from the past by taking your family to Corvette Diner in Liberty Station. This restaurant is more than a place to eat, it’s a true experience!. Retro decorations, car-themed booths, music, and wait staff full of character and decked out in full costume make this a place treat to remember."

"Studio Diner is open late-night (round-the-clock from Thursday through Sunday and until midnight during the rest of the week) and set on a working studio lot in the Kearny Mesa business district. The menu features a wide array of great selections, made from only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. Try the turkey Reuben sandwich, T-bone steak and eggs, patty melt or other hearty fare but be sure to save room for Yo Mama's apple pie or decadent carrot cake."

"You'll feel like you've gone back in time in this classic movie-themed diner-style restaurant when you walk into Studio Diner. Their menu consists of American classics and even an "East Coast Specials Menu.". So if you find yourself vacationing in SD (or if you already live here) and can't decide what to eat, take some advice from Guy Fieri himself and try out one of these San Diego restaurants."

"OK, now we're talking genuine diner: all steel and chrome and bay windows. Studio Diner is a true roadside diner, located off the beaten path on the grounds of the Stu Segall studios (Veronica Mars). Refurbished with a movie studio theme, Studio Diner is sleek and slightly upscale, featuring comfort food tweaked ever so slightly, in a delicious way."

"Sometimes mom and dad want a bloody Mary or mimosa with breakfast. While on vacation, indulge in a greasy, calorie-laden breakfast with a cocktail at MaryJane’s Diner in the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. Even their omelets seem imbued with some sort of magic potion (cream, I suspect)."

"If Rudford's had chrome instead of stucco, it would be a genuine diner, because it has the bay windows and mid-century signage. In any case, it's a landmark (and just down the street from the Chicken Pie Shop). Basic comfort fare here, which gets mixed reviews."

"Equally popular with the early bird special crowd and after-bar party goers; both sets agree that the biscuits and gravy and chicken fried steak at this 24-hour diner are first rate."

"Los Peñasquitos (“little cliffs”) is a great beginners’ trail for those who want to enjoy mountain-feel views without having to hire an expedition crew. There are two approaches (east and west), and the trailheads offer a trek of either 6.5, or 5.5 miles, respectively. The terrain is gradual and level, but the trails are surrounded by the sort of views that gave the area its name: scenic rocky outcroppings, and stony formations that ripple with rubble."

"Built in the 1930s, La Jolla’s Children’s Pool was created as a family beach space, but since then it's been descended on by herds of seals and sea lions. Despite the pinnipeds' particularly pungent odor, tourists come in droves to see them larking around, swimming, fighting and mating. Visitors can get extremely close via a concrete platform surrounding the cove, and the seals don't seem to mind – but there's strictly no touching, feeding or selfies to be taken with the seals."

"What is it: The average gaslamp restaurant has nothing on Searsucker, where dramatic interiors, New American fare and a flirty bar scene are all on offer. Why go: An airy dining room with tufted leather banquettes and massive pendants sets the stage for proper sit-down dinners of tomahawk ribeyes and whole grilled branzino. A spirited after-work and weekend crowd clusters around plush couches in the expansive lounge for cocktails and noshable bites including duck fat fries and Philly meatballs."

"A warm, comfortable San Diego breakfast restaurant with a stylish atmosphere, serving share plates. Breakfast and brunch items are served on weekends only, but it’s worth the wait. You’ll savor pork belly hash, house-made banana bread, bottomless mimosas, and even a short rib breakfast poutine!"

"Start your evening at one of the Gaslamp’s rooftop bars (Altitudes is a favorite), followed by dinner at Searsucker. San Diego Itinerary Day three: Balboa Park and Point Loma"

"What is it: Sleek hotel restaurant overlooking Pacific Beach that's a go-to spot for sushi and weekend brunch. Why go: Set within the sleek Tower 23 boutique hotel, the recently refreshed dining room features cool grey, concrete interiors and enviable beachfront patio alongside the bustling Pacific Beach boardwalk. Weekend brunch hosts a lively scene, while a new raw and sushi bar lures daytime and evening diners with fusion rolls such as the Surf + Turf with wagyu beef carpaccio, spicy scallop, yuzo-miso and a sesame-kale crumble."

"JRDN Restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy classic and flavorful cuisine and 32 oz cocktails on a modern patio near the oceanfront in Pacific Beach. They even have a romantic three-course meal Valentine’s Day dinner special going on starting February 12th through 15th!"