Hidden gems in San Diego
Skip the tourist circuit. These San Diego spots are the ones locals actually send their out-of-town friends to.
Top spots in San Diego
Balboa Park
CultureBalboa Park
1,200 acres of museums, gardens and the San Diego Zoo.
La Jolla Cove
OutdoorsLa Jolla
Sea caves, kayak tours and resident sea lions on the rocks.
Sunset Cliffs
OutdoorsPoint Loma
Dramatic sandstone bluffs — bring a blanket for sunset.
North Park
Food & DrinkNorth Park
Craft-beer crawl heart of SD — 30+ breweries within walking distance.
Where to eat
Las Cuatro Milpas
$Mexican · Barrio Logan
Family-run since 1933 — handmade tortillas, queue out the door.
Born and Raised
$$$$Steakhouse · Little Italy
Tableside martinis and old-school steakhouse glamour.
Oscar's Mexican Seafood
$Fish tacos · Multiple
Battered fish tacos with smoked-fish sauce — locals' top pick.
Addison
$$$$Tasting menu · Carmel Valley
Three Michelin stars at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar.
Lola 55
$$Tacos · East Village
Modern Baja tacos in a cool warehouse space — get the carnitas.
Frequently asked
- Locals' under-the-radar picks include Balboa Park, La Jolla Cove, Sunset Cliffs. These are the places that don't show up on the first page of mainstream travel guides.