Mentioned by SmarterTravel
The Best Cheap Eats in San Diego
"If you’re looking for a solid taco or burrito, head to Taco Stand. It’s inspired by the taco stands of Tijuana and Baja Mexico and busy for a reason. It’s best to go on the early side to avoid peak lunch and dinner crowds (or opt for takeout)."
"You may have heard San Diego’s a great place for Mexican food, but that's not quite accurate. Instead, what you're getting is Cali-Mex: an Americanized version of what you'd find south of the border."
"Established in 2009, Evolution is San Diego’s original vegan fast food outlet and the vegetarian’s answer to the universal fast food burger joint, including the drive-thru window. Following the successful formula of meat-centric burger joints, the restaurant has a menu of burgers, tacos, and wraps, including the gluten-free Evo Burger with either a black bean or house-made tempeh patty stacked with fresh lettuce, pickles, grilled onions, cheddar cheese, tomato, and a creamy Thousand Island dressing. Pair burgers with a side of chili cheese fries and organic shakes or smoothies."
"Evolution offers all the convenience of a fast food restaurant, including a drive-thru, but serves an entirely vegetarian and vegan menu. That means burgers, sandwiches, tacos, fries, chicken tenders, smoothies, shakes, desserts, and even a few raw options. Everything is made in-house, and the containers and utensils are environmentally friendly."
"What we found: Evolution is the original vegan drive-through restaurant in San Diego. The menu features fast food classics like burgers, fries, sandwiches, wraps, as well as such California musts as burritos, tacos, and smoothies. There’s also a number of pre-made desserts stacked in a refrigerated showcase by the register."
"What we found: When I was researching San Diego vegan restaurants, someone in a local Facebook group suggested visiting Plant Power vegan fast food, saying that it was so good they were thinking of taking a trip to San Diego specifically to stop by this place. Plant Power is located in a nice building on a busy intersection, and has its own parking lot and a couple drive-in terminals. It appeared to be very popular with the local vegan and veg-curious crowd."
"A good example of this is the amount of vegan ‘fast food’ places that are popping up in California. You might not think the words “healthy” and “fast food” could be in the same sentence, but vegan fast food eateries have changed the game, offering healthy meals on the go. I used to only be able to find sit-down vegan restaurants that would take ages to prepare the food (sorry Cafe Gratitude, I’m looking at you)."
"For a quick bite, head to this friendly counter service spot in Ocean Beach. The menu is packed with vegan versions of fast food favorites, from crispy “chicken” sandwiches to chili “cheese” fries. For those with further dietary restrictions, the entire menu is cholesterol-and GMO-free, and the fries, sauces, and even sodas are made from organic and all-natural ingredients."
"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."
"You can take a break here on a layover or if staying at one of the San Diego Airport hotels because this fun area is across the street from the airport. You’ll find a small sandy beach (the only along the bay), picnic tables, public art, a play structure, and panoramic views. (Location: Downtown)"
"Spanish Landing Park is a long narrow park along busy North Harbor Drive in San Diego. This park is near San Diego International Airport and the Harbor Island Marina."
"So head to Old Town, a festive spot filled with amazing Mexican restaurants, to toast your beach day with margaritas and burritos. Day five – A Bonus Day"
"Day 2: Old Town, The Midway & Coronado [Skip to Page] Day 3: La Jolla, the beaches, Cabrillo Point & Point Loma [Skip to Page]"
"Art is a powerful voice for people and helps us connect and express ourselves beyond language barriers. The Mingei International Museum showcases the “art of the people” across time and cultures. The exhibits are constantly changing to highlight new historical, contemporary folk art, crafts, and design and discover the finest examples of creative expression from underappreciated artists."
"Located in San Diego’s Balboa Park, Mingei exhibits folk art, craft & design from all eras & cultures. Art of the world, art of the people."