Glitzy LA may capture all the attention, but if you want to wet your feet and soak up the SoCal beach scene in serious style, catch a wave to affluent, conservative, golf-coursed, blessed-by-nature, merging-with-Mexico San Diego.
Its superb coastline, near-perfect climate and Mediterranean facade make it the quintessential Southern California beach city, but there's no chance to develop ennui. The smorgasbord of museums, zoos, animal parks and beaches will have you wondering which way to run next.
Points of Interest
Old Town State Historic Park
San Diego Ave at Twiggs St | visitor center 10am-5pm
Downhill, Old Town State Historic Park preserves five original adobe buildings and several re-created structures from the first pueblo, including a schoolhouse and a newspaper office. Most now contain museums, shops or restaurants, and there are more restaurants along San Diego Ave. The visitor center operates free tours.
Seaworld
500 SeaWorld Dr | 9am-11pm Jul-mid-Aug, shorter hours rest of year
Mission Bay's four-star attraction is SeaWorld. It's easy to spend a day here, shuttling among shows, rides and exhibits. The biggest draws are live animal shows, particularly Believe, featuring Shamu, the world's most famous killer whale, and his killer whale amigos leaping, diving and gliding. Some may find the presentation a little, well, awww, but the animals induce awe. Dolphin shows are also popular. Avoid marked 'soak zones' near the tanks or you will get wet. There are also zoolike animal exhibits and a few amusement-park-style rides, such as the Journey to Atlantis flume. Lines can be long in summer and around holidays. Parking is $12.
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego - Downtown
1001 Kettner Blvd | 11:00-17:00 Thu-Tue
As of January 2007, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego - Downtown completed work on its ambitious expansion, with renovation of the existing building - which used to be the train station's baggage building, plus a three-story contemporary art space, which adds a modern counterpoint to the museum's Mission-style architecture. MCASD is the downtown branch of the La Jolla-based institution that has brought groundbreaking art to San Diegans since the 1960s.
San Diego Museum of Art
Plaza de Panama | 10am-5pm Tue-Sat, noon-5pm Sun, closed Mon
Further east, a trio of museums rings Plaza de Panama, including the San Diego Museum of Art, which gets accolades for its European old masters and good collections of American and Asian art.
Oceanaire
400 J St | 5-10pm Sun-Thu, 5-11pm Fri & Sat
[ourpick] Oceanaire The look is art-deco ocean liner and the service is just as refined, with an oyster bar (get them for a buck during happy hour, 5pm to 6pm Monday to Friday) and inventive creations, including Maryland blue crab cakes and horseradish-crusted Alaskan halibut.
Old Town Mexican Café
2489 San Diego Ave | 7am-midnight
[ourpick] Old Town Mexican Café Watch the staff turn out fresh tortillas in the window while waiting for a table. Besides breakfast (great chilaquiles - soft tortilla chips covered with mole), there's a big bar (try the Old Town ultimate margarita) and rambling dining room serving famous machacas (shredded pork with onions and peppers).
Roppongi
875 Prospect St | 11:30am-9:30pm Sun-Thu, 11:30am-10:30pm Fri & Sat
Tapas-style Asian fusion shines at this gorgeous eatery with clever lighting that makes everyone look good. The Polynesian crab stack, piled high and tossed at table, is a killer choice, and the ahi tuna with watermelon is a surprising flavor bomb.
The Vine
1851 Bacon St | from 16:00 Tue-Sun
For when you need a reprieve from the flip-flops and anklet set. This relative newcomer exudes zero pretension and caters to the beer and wine aficionado with more than 50 bottled Belgians of the former and the same number of wines by the glass. The small plates accompany the liquids perfectly.
Wine Steals
1243 University Ave | 14:00-22:00 Mon-Thu, 14:00-24:00 Fri & Sat
A convivial neighbourhood place that specialises in fine but inexpensive wines (half a pour for nix, glasses at standard prices or a 'splash' for a quarter), which you can pair with cheese-charcuterie boards.
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