San Diego, CA

Eating out in San Diego, CA

After a hard day of playing, San Diego offers hundreds of fantastic restaurants where you can enjoy a great meal. The Gaslamp Quarter, Old Town, and La Jolla are the preferred dining spots, and most are within walking distance of each other.

Gourmet

Fio's Cucina Italia offers award-winning Italian cuisine coupled with an extensive wine list. Impeccable service and traditional décor add up to an elegant dining experience. 801 Fifth Avenue.

Highly Recommended

Croce's Restaurant is run by Ingrid Croce, the widow of singer-songwriter Jim Croce, and was one of the integral factors in the Gaslamp Quarter's recent revival. Featuring a menu with Southern soul food, Asian specialties, and Continental cuisine, this famous restaurant doubles as a club, featuring some of the hottest acts around. 802 Fifth Avenue.

Local Flair

California Cuisine prepares healthy and creative So-Cal meals. The banquet room also features a gallery with work by local artists. A garden patio gives a pleasing view of the surrounding Hillcrest neighborhood. 1027 University Avenue.

Romantic

Top O' the Cove has repeatedly been voted as the "Most Romantic" in local "Best Of" surveys. This historic cottage-turned-restaurant serves Continental cuisine with California overtones. A wonderful spot for a fireside dining. 1216 Prospect Street.

Going party in San Diego, CA

Whether it's dancing or drinking, theatre or art, San Diego is sure to have exactly what you're looking for after sundown. The distinctive Gaslamp Quarter is home to many great theatres, comedy clubs, bars, clubs, and coffeehouses, reminiscent of New York City's Greenwich Village in its glory days. If you don't mind spending a lot, La Jolla is the place to party like the rich and famous!.

Thrusters Lounge

Loud, young, and downtown-cool, this beach bar isn't afraid to look beyond the surfwear-clad singles crowd. On alternating nights, there are DJs spinning house and electronic dance music, jazz bands, or good old jukebox music.

Cafe Sevilla

The Spanish restaurant upstairs serves great food, but downstairs is where all the action is. Instructors help you with your moves before the salsa band strikes up the music. When a band isn't playing, the DJ spins Latin-tweaked disco, house music, and hip-hop.

Cuban Cigar Factory

With obvious concern for embargo regulations, the stogies are not real Cubans, but the atmosphere, the Afro-Cuban jazz music, the architecture, and the men hand-rolling cigars are genuine Old Havana.

Improv Comedy Club

This is the place to catch a rising star. The Improv attracts some of the best performers on the comedy circuit, guaranteeing you a bellyache of a good time.

La Jolla Playhouse

Featuring world premiers of original plays and stagings of beloved classics, this elegant and classy playhouse entertain throughout the year.

The Living Room Coffeehouse

This popular coffeehouse in the revitalized Hillcrest neighborhood is not just a place to get a great cup of joe. It's also a fashionable hangout spot, where a hip young-hearted crowd gathers to chat, dine, and enjoy the sounds of live jazz and acoustic music at night.

Common events in San Diego, CA

Buick Invitational

The PGA Tour men's tournament takes place on the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla. Drawing more than 100,000 spectators, this game features 150 of the best professional players. February.

Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival

A spectacular display of colorful hot-air balloons fill the sky over Lake Skinner. The 3-day festival also includes wine tasting, live music, food, and other entertainment. April.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Mexico's 1862 triumph over the French is commemorated in Old Town with uniformed marching troops, gunfire salutes, and reenactments. Mariachi music and margaritas abound. Weekend closest to May 5.

Lesbian and Gay Pride Festival

The high-spirited parade starts at noon on Saturday and is followed by a festival that lasts well into Sunday evening. July.

US Open Sandcastle Competition

This quintessential beach event draws serious sandcastle builders from around the nation, and results in some astoundingly complex structures. The contest is held on the Imperial Beach Pier, and is accompanied by a children's competition and a parade. August.

Sunset Cinema Film Festival

An entertaining and free event that features original and classic movies and cartoons projected onto large viewing screens over the beach. Held at various locations, the festival is a "BYO blanket" fun time. August.

Street Scene

The 3-day extravaganza fills the Gaslamp Quarter's historic streets with revelers, music, dance, good food and drink. A dozen stages are erected to feature jazz, rock, reggae, and soul bands. Weekend after Labor Day.

Concours d'Elegance

A car buff's dream come true! Featuring classic and classy cars from years past, including Jaguars, Rolls Royce and Ferraris, this antique auto show is a can't miss. October.

Dr Seuss Christmas Readings

Get ready for some lively tongue twisters and displays of flourishing imagination held in honor of the late author and San Diego resident. Featuring actors dressed up in full Seussian garb, it's sure to please the young and young-at-heart. December.

Mission Bay Boat Parade of Lights

A Christmastime tradition featuring brightly adorned boats and the lighting of a 320-foot tower at Sea World. The San Diego Harbor Parade of Lights, a tradition since 1971, also features decorated boats as they sail through the harbor. December.