Roll up your sleeves and enjoy the San Diego Sun

Our Local Expert Says:

You can get a taste of Mexico shopping here, without having to cross the border!

Description:

Touristy as it may be, the Bazaar Del Mundo in Old Town holds quite the San Diego heritage, offering visitors insight into the city's vast Hispanic past. Streets are designed with an Old Spanish theme and shops are filled with knick-knacks and designs found only at the Bazaar, or else across the border. This area should mark a whole day of exploration, where shopping is just the beginning of this attraction - as festival events happens year-round, historic architecture offer world views and Mexican restaurants line every block. Lining just a few blocks in Old Town (from Taylor to Juan Streets), the Bazaar Del Mundo takes straight to another culture. Sizzle up your nightlife with bars that explode with margaritas and meringues with shops filled with guitars, ponchos, sombreros and more.

Description:

A genuine Spanish-era adobe ranchero house is home to this popular restaurant in Old Town, where San Diego began. Inside the restaurant, soft adobe-colored walls are picked out with bright murals in a patio atmosphere complete with a waterfall. Lobster tops the menu, prepared Puerto Nuevo style with a sprinkle of spices. Try Lobster Melts or Lobster Tacos. Happy Hour in the Cantina runs 3pm-7pm Monday-Friday and offers discounted appetizers and drink specials.

Our Local Expert Says:

You can drive on the trolleys, so if you're heading downtown for a night out or over to Petco Park, be safe and drink on the trolley instead of drinking and driving.

Description:

These highly visible green and orange trolleys with well-informed tour guides provide an excellent first glance at the city. For one price, you can tour the city of San Diego with plenty of time to stop and visit attractions along the way. Board or disembark at any of the eight stops, and as long as you reboard at the same stop, you can continue along the full tour. Trolleys embark every 30 minutes for the two-hour tour that stops at such attractions as Horton Plaza, the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park.

Description:

No restaurant in San Diego has been more adept at mixing business and pleasure than Dobson's. Since 1984 it's been synonymous with the power lunch, a place where local executives and politicos come to break bread and make deals. By day it buzzes with the energy of movers and shakers; in the evening it segues from happy-hour watering hole to sophisticated pre- and post-theater American bistro. Look for menu entries like oven-roasted wild salmon; chicken in Marsala, black fig, and thyme jus; flatiron steak in chimichurri sauce; and the signature mussel bisque.

Description:

This very attractive modern hotel is directly adjacent Horton Plaza, one of the city's most famous tourist attractions. Boasting much more than a superb locale, the hotel itself offers luxurious amenities like a sauna and health club, massages and CD players in every room. Spacious rooms have private marble bathrooms, comfortable sofas and outstanding city views. Within walking distance of Seaport Village, the Gaslamp District and superb shopping, you will be right in the center of the downtown scene.

Description:

Airy, even plain, this simply styled restaurant has dominant colors of muted, warm ivory and black. It provides several dining areas and a sleek little bar by the front windows. Live music is offered on Friday-Saturday nights. Calvin Klein is the 'Corporate Sponsor' credited on the menu for staff uniforms. From the dinner menu, try the gourmet pizzas or the veggie-friendly Portobello Stack, which also includes the restaurant's Namesake Eggplant. The sizzling wok dishes include Fired Noodles with Barbecue Duck. Salads are served as accompaniment portions or dinner alternatives.

Description:

Each Saturday you have the chance to take an inexpensive guided tour through the historic Gaslamp Quarter. This 16-block area has it all. Beautiful Victorian houses line some of the streets, and you can choose from more than 60 restaurants for a later lunch or dinner. Of course, at any hour of the day or night, the Gaslamp Quarter is available for self tours, an opportunity to see the melding of old and new San Diego downtown. But, this guided tour is recommended to fully appreciate the history of this downtown San Diego district. Admission required. Cash Only.

Description:

Beautiful one-of-a-kind oil paintings, watercolors, drawings and sculptures by both well-known and emerging artists grace the walls of this upscale downtown gallery. New works are shown regularly and a full catalog of all works is available. The wide selection at the bookstore includes art history, artist biographies and art technique books. Tasteful gifts for art lovers are also available. This is definitely the place to come for the artist in your household.

Description:

Located in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, this popular dining venue offers a festive atmosphere, with indoor and outdoor dining options. The menu features favorites from Mexico City, including the best fajitas you will ever eat. Marinated in an exotic chili spice and served with sautéed bell peppers, onions and tomatoes, the fajitas are heaven on a tortilla.

Description:

Adjacent to Seaport Village and the bay, this landmark is one of San Diego's tallest buildings. You would be remiss to not take the elevator ride up to the top floor observation deck. The panoramic windows offer unparalleled 360-degree views of the city and ocean. If the view doesn't take your breath away, the lavish lobby and guest rooms will. Business travelers will appreciate its proximity to the San Diego Convention Center and should note that the hotel accommodates their needs to the fullest extent.

Description:

Designed as an ersatz Cape Cod community, this choice, 14-acre bayfront outdoor mall provides an idyllic setting that visitors love. Many of the more than 50 shops are of the Southern California cutesy variety, but the atmosphere is pleasant, and there are a few gems. Favorites include the Tile Shop, featuring hand-painted tiles from Mexico and beyond; Best of San Diego, where you can stock up on all your city-themed souvenir needs; and the Upstart Crow bookshop and coffeehouse, with the Crow's Nest children's bookstore inside. Other stores specialize in Scandinavian items, hammocks, travel accessories, and more. There are four sit-down restaurants and a variety of sidewalk eateries, and live music is often scheduled for weekend afternoons; the carousel, with its hand-carved menagerie dating from 1895, is a popular draw with families. You get 2 hours of free parking with purchase ($3 per hour thereafter). Open daily 10am to 9pm; restaurants have extended hours.

Description:

Located in Seaport Village, this favorite spot with tourists and business clientele has a spectacular view of the bay. The atmosphere is not particularly cozy, but the venue is well-known for its delicious cuisine and notable view. The menu includes basics like steak, seafood, chicken and pasta; it is all delicious. The owners do not offer an experimental menu, but if you want good, hearty food you have come to the right place.

Description:

Located inside the Horton Grand Hotel sits this elegant and upscale bar. The decor is from the Victorian age of beautiful ornamental furniture and stand-out colors. The clientele here is upscale and elegantly dressed. A full bar is offered, as well as a wine list. The kitchen is open from Tuesday-Saturday and serves several items, from prime rib to steak and chicken.

Description:

This very attractive modern hotel is directly adjacent Horton Plaza, one of the city's most famous tourist attractions. Boasting much more than a superb locale, the hotel itself offers luxurious amenities like a sauna and health club, massages and CD players in every room. Spacious rooms have private marble bathrooms, comfortable sofas and outstanding city views. Within walking distance of Seaport Village, the Gaslamp District and superb shopping, you will be right in the center of the downtown scene.