Mentioned by Trip101
10 Best Romantic Places in San Diego, California - Updated 2021
"Packed with trails, gardens, museums, zoos, theaters, concert stages and recreational facilities, it’s one of the biggest tourist attractions in the entire state of California. Nature lovers can stroll through dozens of landscapes that include everything from lily ponds to zen gardens. History buffs can take tours through museums, memorials, art houses, science centers and cultural institutes."
"A post shared by Daniel Deming (@grubyoface619) on May 10, 2016 at 9:44pm PDT. Wander through the attractions in Balboa Park before you make your way to The Prado. This full-service restaurant is perfect for a relaxing dinner where you can spend quality time together."
"It’s located in Balboa Park which also features a lot of great museums, such as the Science Center and Natural History Museum. If you have little kids you can also consider visiting the carousel and miniature railroad."
"The New Children's Museum re-opened in 2008 with a motto of think, play and create, which is exactly what kids do here. What is different about The New Children's Museum is that they specifically commission works of art with tactile features that appeal to kids rather than re-create existing art to suit a younger generation. There's hands-on art and exhibits to hold the attention of toddlers up through teen years."
"Not huge but one of the most interactive places for younger generation, the New Children’s Museum is worth a visit if you are in San Diego with kids and family. The museum was originally built in 1983. After that, it had time and again got renovated with the mission of restoring and vitalizing creativity, imagination, and critical thinking through contemporary Art in kids and older generation."
"This unique museum collaborates with contemporary artists to create one-of-a-kind art installations. The exhibits include playhouses, clubhouses, and climbable towers. Kids can interact with the exhibits and engage in active play as they would at home."
"There is an extra fee to enter the Japanese Friendship Garden, which is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama. There’s an upper and lower strolling path where you can see koi pond, landscaped gardens and a Zen garden viewing deck. It’s a very tranquil space."
"Feel the beauty of the waterfalls and greenery as you stroll the pathways of the Japanese Friendship Garden. Skip right past the entrance fee the third Tuesday of every month. As well, explore the Japanese rock garden and take in the current indoor display."
"The elegant Japanese Friendship Garden is also worth a visit. Grab lunch at The Prado, located within Balboa Park., and try to get a table on the outdoor terrace."
"Ghirardelli’s old fashioned soda fountain in the Gaslamp offers shakes, malts, cones, and sundaes galore. My favorite is the salty yet sweet Butterscotch Hot Fudge Sundae. Dark chocolate lovers, however, will revel in three sundaes: Midnight Reverie, Mint Bliss, and Espresso Escape."
"This famous brand are best known for being purveyors of really high-end chocolate, but their ice cream is a hidden gem you should not ignore. They have some great flavours, but to come here and not have a cone with chocolate ice cream on it would be a travesty."
"Located in San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter, this dessert is as good as it gets. Ghirardelli has a long list chocolate-themed desserts that will all make your mouth water. This Cookie Bits Sundae is definitely one of their tastiest."
"The San Diego Padres play at Petco Park, which you can find downtown. Thanks to the year-round sun, a ball game is usually a good excuse to sit outside at any point in the season. If baseball isn’t your thing, though, the stadium also hosts a variety of other sports and concerts."
"Opened in 2004, the stadium was built as part of a redevelopment plan of the aging downtown area of San Diego."
"If you’ve ever driven down Bonita Road on a weekend, you may have seen a massive line outside of Holy Paleta. We visited their second location which serves up all the Miami vibes!. They offer a wide selection of all-natural, handcrafted paletas which make for a perfect afternoon snack on a warm San Diego day."
"They're not technically ice cream, but they're still very worthy of a mention here!. Holy Paleta's handcrafted pops are made with all-natural ingredients and full of delicious toppings. Bold, inventive and exciting flavors range from kid-faves Strawberry Lemonade and Watermelon to Chamango on a Stick!"
"Mission HillsIt’s a bold move, opening a new business in the midst of a pandemic, but Trust Restaurant Group and their Executive Pastry Chef Jeremy Harville did just that, launching Mr. Trustee, an ice creamery with a street-side, walk up window adjacent to Cardellino in Mission Hills. Mr. Trustee offers rotating, seasonal flavors of soft serve and handcrafted ice cream available in cups or house-made waffle cones, and by the pint. Scoops include Cookies and Cream, Malted Chocolate Brownie, Honey-Vanilla, Berry Sorbet, and more, with soft serve options in Captain Crunch, Malted Milk, and the like."
"The Trust Group’s venture into ice cream is this walkup window found next to Cardellino in Mission Hills. Lead by Executive Pastry Chef Jeremy Harville, the shop serves chef-centric flavors like malted chocolate brownie, kiwi cucumber sorbet with Tajin and Captain Crunch or malted milk soft serve."
"This hike will take you through unique rock structures, and at the end, you can enjoy the sunset from the beach (a sometimes nude one). Don’t forget to check out the Mushroom House too while you’re there. More: Photo Guide to Hiking the Ho Chi Minh Trail"
"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."
"Acai bowls are a huge thing out west, but a lot of the world hasn’t even heard of them before. It’s basically a smoothie bowl comprised of acai or pitaya, or both if you’re lucky. Fruit is piled high on top along with nuts, coconut shavings, peanut butter, almond butter, granola, and the list goes on and on."
"Next up is Roseville-Fleet Ridge's Northside Shack, located at 1255 Rosecrans St., with Yelpers giving the breakfast and brunch spot, which offers juice, smoothies and açai bowls, five stars out of 557 reviews."
"Such good food that anything you choose on the large menu will leave you happy. Worth it for the portions!"
"Lobster West is a dog-friendly restaurant serving fresh Maine seafood in Coronado. Visitors to Lobster West can head to one of the seven outdoor tables on its two patios to enjoy a meal alongside their furry friend. Lobster West's menu includes gluten-free dishes, soups, salads, and specialty seafood rolls such as lobster, scallop, crab, shrimp, Lobster Grilled Cheese, and Dieter's Delight."
"You know you’re in store for mind-blowing seafood when the line is long, and diners are grinning from ear to ear over succulent grilled octopus in romesco sauce while enjoying a glass of custom craft beer. Situated along the bay in the Point Loma area, Mitch’s serves up sustainable, daily fresh catches in casual, classic California-style. For the freshest, best seafood in San Diego, try the ceviche of the day or the grilled market special."
"This is the place that’s off the charts, not found in tour books, loved by locals. Mitch’s Seafood is a hole in the wall near the airport going towards Shelter Island serving seafood caught in the waters of San Diego. On a perfect day you’ll want to grab your food and go outside on the dock to get the full San Diego experience."
"Lines are out the door during lunch and dinner for seafood dishes at this casual waterfront eatery. There’s plenty of indoor dining but the most coveted seats are found outside for the best views of the harbor."