Mentioned by 10Best
San Diego's Best Restaurants: Locally Sourced, Sustainable and Spectacular
"Located in the Grande Colonial Hotel on (910) Prospect Street, NINE-TEN is definitely one of the best restaurants in La Jolla for a menu determined by what is in season while still keeping some guest favorites on the menu. It’s perfect for a night out, whether it’s a celebration or just date night. The veteran Executive Chef, Jason Knibb, has been at the helm for the past decade and trained under highly-respected names like Wolfgang Puck."
"One of the best destinations in wider San Diego for an upscale lunch is Nine-Ten Restaurant inside La Jolla's Grande Colonial Hotel. Choose terrace seating for ocean views, sidewal..."
"Located in downtown San Diego, just west of Balboa Park, this may very well be the best place in the city to combine fine dining with views to die for. Long time runner and famous for it’s attentive service, fantastic food and beautiful views, the terrace at Mister A's also offers a chance to catch the airplanes landing and taking of from San Diego airport. Serving crafted cocktails, a top-rated wine list and modern American cuisine for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, Mister A's is a great spot for celebrating special occasions."
"Located on the top floor of a tall building in Banker’s Hill, Mister A’s undoubtedly has one of the best views of San Diego. The setting and pricing reflect a formal dining atmosphere, but their casual happy hour is reasonably priced and frequently tops “The Best Happy Hour in San Diego” lists."
"With roots as a jacket-required dinner room, Bertrand's has since turned to a more casual atmosphere while continuing to provide one of the best penthouse restaurant experiences in California.[Learn more]"
"Jose’s Courtroom Patio ViewGet incredible views of La Jolla Cove while nestled up in downtown La Jolla Village from this lively, family friendly Mexican restaurant!. Their menu offers all the classic favorites, including enchiladas, carne asada plates, and burritos, in a super-casual setting. If you happen to arrive when the front patio has some space, grab it quick!"
"For San Diego’s best fajitas, head to Jose’s Courtroom in La Jolla Cove. This place has an upscale dive bar feel. You just have to eat there to see what I mean."
"The buzz: The team behind Rustic Root, Volcano Rabbit, and Side Bar expand with a luxury steakhouse and whisky society.The food: Big, brawny steaks are the stars here, of course, but Executive Chef James Montejano shows a deft hand with seafood as well, sugar spicing a hefty prime rib of salmon or finessing Chilean sea bass with delicate dashi consommé and truffle prawn wontons. Don’t miss the desserts, especially the Insta-worthy Magic Mushroom, a cherry, vanilla, dark chocolate, and pistachio micro sponge and ice cream marvel that wouldn’t look out of place on the forest floor. The bar program boasts one of the largest selections of Japanese whisky in California.The cost: Appetizers and salads are $9-35, entrees are $25-150+, desserts are $10-16, most cocktails are around $15, beer and wine by the glass are $6-59, and whisky flights are $35-310."
"At-home chefs wanting to put their own flourish to restaurant meals should consider Huntress’ dinner packages. From Asian-inspired salmon to the roasted chicken meal, each one requires a little bit of cooking and/or heating up. Orders must be placed by 11 pm on Wednesdays for a Friday afternoon pickup."
"If you have kids, Urge is worth making the trek up to North County. The San Marcos restaurant offers an outdoor patio with an extensive list of games, like oversized Connect 4 and Jenga. There’s even a bowling alley inside, for an additional charge, if you want to extend your outing and rent a lane."
"Starting in a small, single-unit commercial space in San Diego, AleSmith was inspired by European flavors to create its brews. Its newest, modern brewery, oddly enough on AleSmith Court, features the city’s largest tasting room and a brew system that can pump out more than 100,000 barrels per year. The company has enjoyed many accolades and awards over the years, especially for its Barrel-Aged Speedway Stout, which has a whopping 12 percent ABV."
"The Miramar tasting room is now open for limited service Thursday - Sundays. The Gift Shop is open daily for pickup of their packaged beer, crowlers, growlers and kegs. They offer free delivery of order over $75 available through San Diego County."
"A visit to the San Diego Harbor is not complete without a stroll through the Embarcadero Marina Park. Surrounded by the bay on three sides, the Embarcadero Marina provides an authentic San Diego experience complete with scenic views and fresh sea air. Visitors also get a chance to discover the loyalty and courage of many of our Naval Military personnel through various memorials and statues including the Aircraft Carrier Memorial, The Homecoming Statue, and the USS San Diego Memorial."
"During the summer season, a variety of venues host free concerts from local, regional, and national artists. From the Coronado Summer Concerts in the Park to the La Jolla Concert by the Sea, there is an event planned for every week of the summer. At these free concerts, guests are invited to bring their own food, beverages, chairs, and towels for the ultimate concert experience."
"Embarcadero Marina Park South is a park in San Diego, in the U.S. state of California. Embarcadero Marina Park South is situated 1 km northeast of Coronado Ferry Landing Shopping Center. Photo: jimmyweee, CC BY 2.0."
"Study humankind at the San Diego Museum of Man, marvel at aeronautic engineering in the San Diego Air and Space Museum, then catch your breath in the Botanical Building. Head up to North Park for happy hour at Polite Provisions; its beautiful cocktail lounge may hook you up with some small plates if you’re hungry. Save the appetite, though—North Park’s Restaurant Row is nearby."
"The lath building was built for the 1915-1916 Exposition and now houses over 2100 tropical plants and palms (I recommend it if you like orchids). It is open every day except for Thursdays and one of the most photographed spots in San Diego. You can picnic on the grassy areas in front of it, too."
"The Botanical Building houses more than 2,000 tropical plants. Capturing the wood structure with the lily pond in front is one of the most photographed sections of Balboa Park."
"Hikers at Batiquitos can look forward to a low-elevation, wetland walk on a 3.25-mile trail that winds through a park-like environment. If you go, you’ll encounter lots of families, dog walkers, and more than a few bird watchers. Owls, ducks, swans and other water-loving birds make Batiquitos their home in large numbers."
"With various parking areas on the northern side, Batiquitos Lagoon is a great stop for a two-mile hike. Just east of Interstate 5, the area is home to 610 acres of lagoon space and has been preserved for public enjoyment from oceanic silt buildup. Bicycles are not allowed, though pets are – provided they are on a leash."
"You can also volunteer for monthly trail maintenance and lagoon cleanups. During normal times, docents lead tours along the trails, pointing out various flora and fauna along the way. (Location: Carlsbad)"
"This 3,000-acre conservation area near Dixon Lake was established in 1996 to help preserve biologically unique habitats. There are six trails totaling more than 20 miles that are good for walking, biking, and horseback riding. Rangers offer tours of the Daley Ranch House and its outbuildings every second Sunday."
"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Downtowngal used under CC BY-SA 3.0. A great way to explore true southwestern California, the way you’re supposed to, Daley Ranch has fresh air and rustic ambiance in a gorgeous location. The hiking trails are lovely, offering breathtaking views over Escondido ranch land."