San Diego - February 2019

San Diego Waterfront

While Keith, Rakesh and Ria were skiing in Utah, Simran and Shawna opted to spend the weekend in warmer weather in San Diego.  We didn't really get warm weather as there was a cold front that hit the West Coast; however, it was still warmer than Utah!

Accommodations:
Pendry - We shared a room at this hotel located in the Gas Lamp District.  It was a very nice and trendy hotel with a few restaurants.  We were awakened on Friday night by some very noisy neighbors (thankfully they checked out the next day) so Simran complained and got one night comped!

Pendry Hotel

Activities:
Simran arrived early on Friday and explored the city.  Shawna arrived in the late afternoon and after picking up the rental car, she joined Simran at the hotel.  After settling in and catching up, we went out to dinner in Little Italy which turned out to be the area where we had most of our meals!

Yummo Taco

On Saturday, we had breakfast at a coffee shop in Little Italy and then walked around the Little Italy Farmers Market which was quite nice.  We then walked back to the hotel along the waterfront.  That afternoon, we went on a food tour with Bite San Diego in the Gas Lamp District - it was the worst tour we had ever been on so we bailed about two thirds of the way through.  On the tour, we stopped at Royal India where we were told to grab what we wanted from the buffet, Berkeley Pizza, where we tried the pesto garlic and sausage pizzas, Le Parfait where we tried a few macaroons and El Chignon where we tried a taco.  The food was mediocre and the guide was terrible - definitely do not recommend this tour.

Little Italy - Best Restaurants

That afternoon, we drove to Ocean Beach and walked around a little - not really our cup of tea - very dingy.  We then drove over to Point Loma but there was a long line of cars to get into the park so we abandoned that plan.  On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at Liberty Public Market (an indoor market with food stalls) and walked around.  After dinner, we laughed quite a bit - our Uber drive was hilarious telling us about all the areas that were 'white washed'.  And Simran had sent an email to Rakesh, Keith and Ria with a link from Urban Dictionary that defined a California Burrito that she wanted us to try (it's filled with beef and french fries) - well Urban Dictionary also had a 'not so appropriate' definition which then prompted some 'deleting' of the email!

Barrio Logan Murals

On Sunday, we spent the morning walking and eating our way around Barrio Logan which is the hispanic neighborhood near downtown.  We saw the murals painted under the freeway and stopped at a few places to graze.  We also went inside the cleanest and nicest Mexican grocery store we have ever seen - Mercado Northgate - where we tried a barbacoa taco which was quite tasty.  That afternoon, we drove to Torrey Pines but due to all the rain, only two trails were open so instead, we went to Del Mar and walked along the beach - the surf was crazy!

Del Mar

On Monday, we drove around North Park to check out that neighborhood but then did not see anything too exciting.  We then went to Balboa Park and walked around - very pretty with lots of museums.  We wanted to check out the Photography Museum but unfortunately it was closed.  On our way back to the hotel, we stopped in Little Italy for lunch and then went to the hotel to relax before checking out.  We drove back to Liberty Public Market where Simran picked up some empanadas to eat for dinner.  We then went to the airport and flew to Phoenix where Simran stayed for the week while Rakesh and Ria continued to ski in Utah.

Balboa Park

Restaurants:
Juniper and Ivy - Gorgeous restaurant in Little Italy. We shared several small plates which were all very tasty!

Juniper and Ivy

Lofty Coffee - Great coffee shop in Little Italy.  Shawna had a cappuccino and we share the avocado toast.

Lion Fish - A restaurant owned by the hotel where we stayed.  We had happy hour here two nights - Simran had the oysters and we shared a few appetizers (seared albacore, rock shrimp, spicy tuna hand roll) that were quite tasty.

Kettner Exchange - Another trendy restaurant in Little Italy with Asian style dishes.  We could not get a table so we ate in the bar, sharing the lamb noodles, roasted cauliflower and seared hibachi.  Food was fantastic.

Panchita's Bakery #3 - Bakery in a small strip mall in Barrio Logan.  We got a variety of pastries that we ate for breakfast.

Por Vida - Great coffee shop located in Barrio Logan with colorful art on the walls.  Shawna had the horchata latte which was delicious.

Por Vida

Cafe Moto - Another great coffee shop in Barrio Logan.  Shawna had a cappuccino.

Salud - Known for having authentic Mexican in Barrio Logan.  The place was quite busy.  We shared the fish and al pastor tacos, Mexican street corn and a pineapple aqua fresca.  All very good.

Salud

Border X Brewing - Located in Barrio Logan. Stopped here to taste a few of their beers but none were good.

Herb and Wood - Another beautiful Little Italy restaurant.  We could not get a table so we ate in the lounge, sharing the grilled avocado, cauliflower, trumpet mushrooms, carrots and lobster pasta.  We also shared the pear soufflé with caramel.  The dessert was very good but the other dishes were just OK.

Better Buzz - Chic coffee place in Hillcrest.  We shared a breakfast sandwich and Shawna had a very tasty honey latte.

Better Buzz

Crack Shack - An outdoor casual place in Little Italy known for it's fried chicken.  We went here for lunch, sharing a few pieces of fried chicken and french fries - very tasty but way too much food!

Crack Shack

Liberty Public Market - Market with lots of food stalls.  Simran got a couple of empanadas for dinner.