How to have the ultimate weekend in San Diego

11.09.2024 - 21:53 / lonelyplanet.com

Sep 11, 2024 • 4 min read

Listen, I love a fast-paced jaunt through Los Angeles, but after a few days of sprawling city madness and innumerable ire-inducing traffic jams, I find myself craving something a tad more chill. This is typically the part where I say, "Ah yes, San Diego exists," and drive south for around 2 hours in search of the same glorious California goodness with a bit of a lower volume.

Despite never actually living in California, residing overseas has made it my typical entry point to the US whenever I return to see friends and family. San Diego has become one of the many places that feel like home to me, and I love popping by once or twice a year to visit my brother. If you have a weekend in town, here's what I'd recommend:

Morning: The morning hours in Little Italy, a walkable neighborhood northwest of downtown, offer just the right experience for getting your weekend started. If you're still fielding Friday work emails but need some caffeine with a view – start by grabbing a coffee (or an iced matcha) at Portal Coffee right in front of Waterfront Park .

When hunger kicks in, grab a light bite on Caffe Italia 's outdoor patio. For something more indulgent, dive into the all-pink Morning Glory , where breakfast from cuisines around the world is highly celebrated. From chilaquiles to Turkish eggs, variety would be an understatement.

How to spend the day: Ocean Beach is easy to get to for a quick afternoon hangout, so I'd recommend heading over for the afternoon to walk around the area or just laze about on the sand doused in sunshine. With volleyball courts and a dog beach, lots of local San Diegans come here regularly, giving it a nice neighborhood-y feel. Grab a poke bowl to-go from It's Raw Poke Shop for lunch – a small counter service spot with a tiny menu that is, indeed, that good to the point where I think about it while I'm away sometimes.

Dinner: The Lafayette Hotel feels like some epic fever dream that transforms into different eras and themes from room to room. The hotel's original heyday was back in the 1940s, with a massive renovation leading it to reopen in 2023. Even if you're not staying there – and most people aren't – the drinking and dining options are open to the public. Take your pick between a 1940s-era American diner, an Oaxacan-style dining room that looks like a church, a swanky outdoor pool bar, and even more that I'll leave you to discover.

After dark: Meander over to North Park for a cocktail or mocktail at Part Time Lover , a gorgeously designed bar and record shop combination that will definitely inspire the decor of my future dream home. Should the night escalate, Bluefoot Bar is ready for you with a dance-inducing selection of hip-hop hits,