When people think of California, they immediately conjure up all their favorite memes about Los…read moreAngeles and especially San Francisco. However, having lived here for decades, I think the real story is the treasure trove to be found in San Diego. This is truly the gem of the West Coast with its balmy and mild Barcelona-esque weather all year 'round and the visceral influences of sea, sand, and most of all, it's colorful, vibrant, richly cultural neighbor, Mexico. Nowhere is this more apparent than historic Old Town. It may be a tourist attraction, but every time I have gone, I have fallen in love with it and San Diego all over again. I will keep my comments to a minimum and simply share some photos I shot with a Nikon full frame camera, the last time I visited. No one should visit California without spending some quality time in San Diego, and no visit to San Diego is complete without spending a day or night in Old Town. What do you think?

Such a historic place. I got of work early and was walking distance from the hotel…read more Cute gifts, candies, museums, and restaurants galore! So much to explore and wander around. I went twice during my work week and found something different and interesting in every walk!

The wife and I came here in 2018 and liked it so much that we returned. Thus, I decided to update…read moremy review. This time in 2025, I avoided food poisoning and did not go back to the restaurant that made me deathly ill in 2018. It is still open and still serves gelato. My impression this time was much more favorable. There are so many restaurants to choose from, it is hard to imagine how we made our choices last time. It's a pizza lover's dream. I think you could eat pizza at a different restaurant every day for half a year. There are cute little shops and food stores that sell Italian foods and pasta. The Little Italy is quite large, I think larger than the one in NYC, so you can spend a lot of time walking, eating and drinking, and people watching.

Little Italy was *truly* the perfect spot to stay as first-time visitors to San Diego. We were…read morecentral to so much by staying in the La Pensione. The farmer's market was right outside on Saturday, and there were dozens of top-tier restaurants and bars within short walking distance. I'm so glad we stayed in this neighborhood over Gaslamp, as that was on my radar too but sounded like it may have been too wild. We didn't have a car, so parking wasn't a problem, and public transportation was close by. It was also easy to call for a Lyft. I also appreciated how close it was to the airport. I'd absolutely stay in Little Italy again in the future if the price permits!

I love a good food hall, and this one doesn't disappoint. A great collection of various cuisines,…read moreincluding yummy dessert options. This is a perfect choice for when you're traveling with a group and have a lot of differing preferences. Seating can be a little tricky, especially when you have a group larger than 6 people, but when the weather is nice, outside seating is lovely.

I love a good public market! This is a perfect spot to go with a group of friends or coworkers so…read moreeveryone can get what they want. I always recommend doing a quick walk through to see all the options available. They have over 35+ vendors and a great variety of food from pizza to BBQ to ramen to empanadas to Latin to sushi and seafood. I tried Wicked Maine Lobster and ordered a crab sandwich with fries. This was the perfect portion and the crab tasted fresh, and the fries were perfectly seasoned.  The market has plenty of seating inside and outside. We opted to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful San Diego weather! The market is located near the airport and you can see the plans overhead. It was a little loud for talking sometimes but you get used to the plane noise quickly.   I always enjoy visiting this spot when in San Diego!

I spotted this tree that spoke to me while riding on the way to breakfast at Hash House. After…read moreleaving breakfast, we came back to Balboa Park it was a peaceful and grounding experience before heading to the airport to return home. That moment honestly made me decide the park was a must-visit. I ended up stopping by afterward just to walk around, release some stress, and enjoy the calm energy. I even found myself just sitting in a tree, hugging two or a few, and taking in the quiet; especially in the Trees for Health Garden, which felt fitting for the whole experience. It was a simple but meaningful stop that added a peaceful pause to the end of the trip before heading back to the airport. I even met a squirrel that I chat with; I named him James. While I was chatting with him, he even place his paw on his chest as if he was asking me "are you speaking to me?" It felt great speaking to my own little grandma Willow tree moment.

Yes - park and museums are lovely, but for me, I just didn't love Balboa Park…read more Didn't hate it but if you are someone with just a weekend in town, I think there are better options for afternoon activities in the zillions of things there are to do in SD. All I'm saying is don't get fooled making this a top of your list, must do-thing. Go if you REALLY want to, but don't feel like you missed out if you made a different selection.

When you are in town visiting, this is a must for everyone. There is so much to see, so much to…read moreeat, and so much to do. Plus, you can get your steps in for the day. There are so many parking lots in the area and it really doesn't matter where you park, since they are all in the area and there is something on every corner. On special events, it can get busy and you may not find a parking spot. On this visit, we were here for the Dia de Los Muertos festival and it was packed. Luckily, we got there early, so were able to park quick and right behind the church (best location/lot). First off, make sure to take a picture by the park sign since it tends to get backed up with tourists. There are many vendors along the streets and also inside the shopping area which has lots of cool items and souvenirs. Inside the park, there are little museums that talk about the history of San Diego and the prominent families that call this home. Really cool learning experience and to get an idea of what SD looked like in the past. Plus, there is a cemetery with different tombstones with information for those that are intrigued by learning more about the deceased. Also, be sure to look down when walking on the street, there are grave markers where people have been laid to rest. A bit spooky but interesting. On Dia de Los Muertos, they have special vendors selling custom art pieces and numerous tables to do arts and crafts. I was able to try calligraphy wit a quill pen, make my own sugar skull, and also design a papel picado. There was live music and face painting to celebrate all our loved ones who have passed. The restaurants located in Old Town are also great so make sure you find the one that calls you in. From authentic Mexican food, to a quick bite, there is something for everyone. Be sure to wear walking shoes and shoes you don't mind getting dirty since most of the areas are grassy or have dirt trails. Def recommend everyone to visit at least once to explore. Have fun and enjoy your day at one of San Diego's popular neighborhoods.

If you've grown up in Los Angeles, chances are you've been to Old Town in San Diego. It's a pretty…read moreeasy drive, but feels like you've entered another world. The building were settled to feel like stepping into San Diego at the turn of the 19th century. If you focus on the history of the landscape and the structures themselves, looking beyond the carts filled with modern day tchotchkes and souvenirs, you can definitely appreciate what it must have been like. We were in SD for a game at Petco. I wanted to stay in the Old Town area because I have only ever done day, or once an evening, trips to Fiesta plaza and the restaurants and scores of stores along San Diego Ave, to the east of the OTSDSHP, but never really explored this neighborhood beyond the usual tourist spots. What a treat it was to enjoy this beautiful park at night, long after tourists had departed, and while a few locals remained for a last call, or to close down their stalls and shops for the night. This park takes on a rather special feel, more personal and slightly spookier than I imagined. We felt very safe walking around the grounds at night. Saw a few SDPD patrolling the perimeters, making sure late night bar goers minded their Ps & Qs, as well a a few other couples just strolling around, enjoying the soft lighting and old world charm. Many people and reviews will tell you about the great shops, food and margaritas to be had in Old Town and I fully concur! There's just nothing like a fresh made, hot, buttery flour tortilla and a margarita larger than your head on a warm , sunny day. But, if you can, come check out the area around 9pm and stroll the grounds, reading the various building and history plaques. Crowds have departed and not much, if anything is still open, but the quiet beauty of the park at night is time well spent reflecting on what it must've been like to settle in this beautiful region over 200 years ago. Cheers! "CC"

New favorite Breakfast in SD! Ordered the Brioche French…read moreToast with Strawberries and added Eggs & Bacon. Superb! And the coffee was also very good. They say "farm to table" and based on the fresh tastes I experienced I would have to agree. Highly recommend.

Came here for Mother's Day weekend and had a reservation at 9AM…read more The restaurant is super cute and has a nice vibe inside. Lots of natural light and open air. We all ordered a different type of Benedict, and they enjoyed the Lox and the Crab cake benny but unfortunately the short rib benny fell short for me- it was quite mushy all around and cold in random parts. I would order a different Benedict next time! The brioche French toast saved the day though. With the strawberries and cream, it was so so yummy. The service was nice and pretty quick! Overall a good experience and would recommend this place just not the short rib Benedict

Cardellino has quickly become one of my favorite spots. It feels special in that effortless way,…read moreelevated and a little fancy, but still warm and welcoming. It's the kind of place you can count on when you want a really good meal in a beautiful setting. Everything we ordered felt thoughtfully prepared and high quality, with flavors that feel refined but not overcomplicated. The ambiance makes it perfect for a date night or celebrating something, but it still feels comfortable enough that you can just relax and enjoy being there. It's one of those restaurants you find yourself wanting to come back to again and again. Definitely a standout.

Came here for the Mother's Day brunch; overall had a mix of hits and misses…read more Started with the Primo Marzo; the prosciutto was definitely the star of the dish, super tender, and all the ingredients tasted really fresh. I just felt like it needed one more element to tie everything together. The spicy rigatoni was simple but packed with great tomato and spice flavors. I actually think this dish would've been even better with a meat ragu added to it. The smoked salmon bagel chip was really good; light, fresh, and the salmon was tender and flavorful. The fried capers and thin crispy bagel gave it a fun twist on a traditional bagel and lox. The porcini & pea tortelloni wasn't my favorite. The sauce felt too thick and the pasta was a little too al dente for my taste. The more I ate it, the less I enjoyed it. I really wanted to love the steak and eggs, but the steak was overly salted and hard to enjoy because of it. Dessert was mixed too. The cannoli was delicious; light, crispy, and simple in the best way. The olive oil cake, though, tasted dry to me and the flavors didn't really work together. Not a fan of that one.

I recently took a friend from out of state to dine at NI. We had a wonderful experience from start…read moreto finish. We were greeted promptly by a hostess who kindly showed us to our table. Shortly after being seated, our server, Michaela, welcomed us with a warm and friendly demeanor. Michaela was attentive, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful when we had questions about the menu. She checked on us several times throughout the meal to make sure everything was perfect, which made us feel genuinely cared for. Her recommendation of the meatballs was spot on- they were absolutely delicious and a highlight of our meal. I don't usually take the time to write reviews, but I felt it was important to recognize Michaela for her professionalism and outstanding service. She truly represented the restaurant in the best way possible and made our dining experience memorable. I will return and ask for her!

We love this place, and it's always a solid choice. We made a reservation and were seated quickly,…read moreand service was great throughout. The Aperol spritz brought me back to Italy! Overall the food is delicious, just slightly smaller portions for the price. - Spicy Vodka Rigatoni 5/5: So yummy, one of my favorites. Perfectly savory with a nice kick. - Calamari 5/5: Divine, crispy and flavorful. - The Pig Pizza 4.5/5: Really tasty, but the crust was a little burnt.

I'm glad Ron Burgundy lives forever on this mural in America's finest city. It's easy to pass right…read moreby it because it is facing a parking lot and it sneaks up on you quickly, the address is correct though!

Stay classy San Diego. This mural is painted on the side of Hi Auto Repair and overlooks a decent…read moresized parking lot. It was painted in September 2022 by Aqua One Art and is 17 feet tall and 120 feet wide. It depicts San Diego's own Anchor Man character, Ron Burgundy, standing in water that comes midway up his torso, while a group of dolphins are jumping and playing right next to him. You also see a small sail boat off in the distance and a pelican sitting on a small pier. Aqua is a self-proclaimed graffiti artist. So, of course the mural has his, tag in graffiti lettering. I think he is much more than a graffiti artist though. I like Aqua's style. He seems to learn toward sea life a lot. This mural is such an odd pairing and it works for me. I could actually see Ron Burgundy standing in an ocean in his perfect suit with dolphins around him. Since this mural overlooks a parking lot, parking here to get a closer look is very easy to do. I just pulled into the lot, parked and gazed at the piece. Anyway, as with most murals that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.

Liberty Station is one of my favorite spots in Point Loma. I used to work nearby at the naval base,…read moreso I was here ALL the time grabbing Trader Joe's snacks on my break, walking along the water, or meeting up with friends at the parks. Every corner has history: old Navy buildings, statues, memorials, even ships, sailors, and men and women in uniform. Afterall, it is a military town. What to do? Plenty!! For free you can just walk the waterfront, hang at NTC Park, people-watch, bring your furry friends, and kids can play on the open lawns. There's water sports like paddleboarding, kayaking and weekend activities. I've been to many picnics, birthday gatherings, all kinds of celebrations, and even just to soak up the sun while strolling. What to eat? As a vegan, the Liberty Public Market has something for everyone. I've had vegan bowls, veggie dishes, and sweet treats. Fig Tree Cafe has plant-based options and Nekter Juice bar is perfect for a quick juice or smoothie. Mama Made Thai, Slurp, Berry Fresh, and Mia Sorella Chimney Cakes has vegan options as well! WOOT! And YES, Trader Joe's is right there for snack emergencies! When to go? Mornings are more calm and afternoons are lively. Evenings are beautiful and can be a spot for a romantic date night. Parking is usually fine unless it's a summer weekend because it has become very touristy. The vibes? San Diego weather never misses! Nine times out of ten you have blue skies, ocean breeze, and sunshine. This spot feels good all year-round! Overall, Liberty Station is a go-to spot for food, views, history, and relaxing energy. As a local, it's a regular spot. For tourists, it's definitely worth a visit.

It's always really nice what they have in liberty station there's many things you can do there's a…read moreplace where you can paint pottery and there's a place where you can buy from local artist, delicious food, etc. etc. it's the only problem is that sometimes it gets really crowded and really busy and sometimes it's really hard to find parking due to the fact how popular it can be I usually go when it's not the weekend because it's a little bit less busy but it depends really I would just recommend to be prepared to look for parking for a little minute. And the ambience is really good. They also have a park as well. The last thing I would say is that it be easy to get lost. If you if you haven't been there for multiple times, but usually there are locations where they have maps to show you where are different locations