Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Cleveland National Forest

"Another fun thing to do when in town is to watch the San Diego Padres play baseball at the state-of-the-art Petco Park. Considered to be one of the best stadiums in Major League Baseball, it exhibits some lovely architecture and boasts fantastic views over the skyscraper-dotted downtown. Opened in 2004, the striking stadium is clad in sandstone, stucco, and white steel which are meant to evoke the sandy color of the city’s beaches and cliffs."

"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."

"First, it’s close to Petco Park, and second, it’s rooftop bar, Altitudes, is a great spot for a sunset cocktail!. There are several Marriotts in the Gaslamp quarter, so make sure to double-check the name when you make your reservation!"

"San Diego State Historic Park marks the founding of the first European settlement in California and encompasses many of San Diego’s original buildings. Museums, shops, theater and restaurants can be found in this six-block area."

"Built in 1825 after attacks from the Spaniards’ enemies waned, Old Town San Diego was the first town in the city to have ever been built."

"The six square blocks on the site of San Diego's original pueblo are the heart of Old Town. Most of the 20 historic buildings preserved…"

"After taking in some of the best restaurants in Escondido or best brunch spots in Carlsbad, head to Daley Ranch to walk off what you just ate. With over 3,000 miles of conservation area to explore, you can enjoy the natural vegetation, oak woodlands, grasslands, and more. And if you’re interested in some history, there are plenty of old buildings to explore on the property too."

"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."

"Just fifteen minutes’ drive west of downtown San Diego, you can find a stunning stretch of coastline known as the Sunset Cliffs. Now protected as a natural park, the area is named for its steep coastal cliffs that look out over the ocean and is a very popular place to watch the sun set over the Pacific. Tumbling their way down to the ocean, the sheer cliffs and craggy coastal bluffs certainly make for a dramatic sight with hidden coves, tidal pools, and beaches lying at their foot."

"For the best ocean views in town, visit Sunset Cliffs Natural Park: a 68-acre park where people do indeed come to take in the colorful sunsets. The promise of a gorgeous Pacific panorama has made the area incredibly popular with hikers, surfers and birdwatchers."

"Although the beach below this steep hillside waterfront park is nicknamed Garbage Beach, it is anything but. However, a visit to this beautiful spot has to be earned. The descent is so steep that a fixed rope has been installed for safety."

"Head even further north from Mission Beach and you’ll arrive at Pacific Beach. Known among the locals as P.B., if you’re looking for the stereotype of Californian beach life, you’re going to find it here. If you’re looking for a place to have a go at surfing, many newbies start out in the white water around P.B."

"With tables and chairs, benches and stoops, with a fountain constantly gurgling a serene background noise and the bay just within eyesight, this urban piazza in the heart of Little Italy is just amazing. Enjoy a coffee, a rendezvous or a book while you bask in a sunlit day with a cool bay breeze. This memorial to neighborhood soldiers who died during the Korean War is a beautiful monument to these heroes."

"Located in Balboa Park, the Japanese Friendship Garden is a relaxing spot to spend an afternoon in San Diego. The garden was built to represent the friendship between San Diego and its sister city in Japan, Yokohama, and provides a unique and chilled out experience for visitors. Besides its zen atmosphere and impressive garden and architecture designs, the Japanese Friendship Garden hosts regular events throughout the year, such as yoga classes, meditation sessions, and the San Diego Sake Day."

"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."

"The Garden originated as a teahouse during the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition and now lies on two acres near the Spreckels Organ Pavilion."

"Celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey of TLC's Mega Bites and Bravo's Top Chef, opened Searsucker in the heart of San Diego's trendy Gaslamp Quarter. His New American cuisine puts new twists on classic favorites. Specialties include buttermilk fried chicken, bone-in tomahawk ribeye, and locally sourced seafood specialties like Maine scallops."

"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"

"You thought wrong — the duck fat fries at Searsuckers, one of the restaurants of Top Chef alum Brian Malarkey, are fried in rendered duck fat, giving them a rich flavor."

"But, when I made the reservation, I asked for outdoor seating and it said it on my reservation. But when they were seating us,..."

"Coasterra is the place to sit back and sip a margarita or two while admiring our spectacular cityscape. The rest of the cocktail program ranges from fruity and floral to smoky and spicy and pairs perfectly with the modern Mexican menu that features a raw bar, several ceviches and aguachiles, seafood-centric entrees and a killer banana butter cake with Skrewball peanut butter caramel. Join them for happy hour when select appetizers and drinks are just $7."

"This Mexican-inspired restaurant sits at the tip of Harbor Island and offers one of the best views of the San Diego skyline anywhere in the city. Modern decor inside and out, with a full menu of cocktails and special margaritas ensure your evening gets off to the right start. For dinner, start with Ceviche Clasico, featuring local seafood, or oysters on the half shell."

"Instead of dining in downtown San Diego, opt for making reservations at a restaurant where you can enjoy stunning views of the city. Whisk your date away to Shelter Island, a cosy little spot opposite of downtown. It’s there where you’ll find Coasterra, a laidback yet charming place situated right on the water."

"This family-owned cafe has been deemed one of the best retro coffee spots in the nation, and it’s easy to see why. It has a vibe of nostalgia and community. You’ll look to the walls and see memorabilia, like newspaper clippings from when the San Diego Chargers made it into the Super Bowl (which feels like decades ago now!) It’s friendly for humans, dogs, and cars alike: pups are allowed – the restaurant even provides water bowls for them – and there’s a free one-hour parking lot for your car."

"There’s a reason Harry’s Coffee Shop is on so many "best diner" lists, including our own. It's been doing San Diego's finest take on a proper NYC greasy spoon in La Jolla since before bell-bottoms were a thing. Harry’s opens at 6am so early birds can get their eggs and bacon at the crack of dawn, but breakfast is served all day for those who can't function before noon -- which is a whole bunch of you."

"Harry’s Coffee shop has been around since 1960 and boasts the title of La Jolla’s oldest diner. Patrons enjoy revered yet straightforward all-day breakfast favorites like eggs Benedict, scrambles, pancakes, and French toast."

"Whether it’s a group of friends meeting for weekend brunch, a family looking for a fortifying breakfast before embarking on their San Diego adventure, or a local looking to snag a quick cup of coffee on their way to work, Harbor Breakfast is a charming and quaint café everyone will love. Their menu options include dishes like the roasted red bell pepper omelet made with asparagus, green onion, zucchini, and herbed cream cheese or the corned beef hash with two eggs any style. The tantalizing menu and upbeat urban diner vibe make them a must-visit breakfast spot for travelers."

"It’s great to sit out on the outdoor patio and watch the fishermen coming and going. It’s a local haven for omelets, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, fish tacos, and fish & chips. Plus, they also serve mimosas, bloody mary’s, and craft beer!"