Weekend in San Diego

Our Local Expert Says:

You can easily devote at least a whole day to wandering around this huge urban park. Package deals are available for museum entrances, and can include the San Diego Zoo, at the north end of the park, as well.

Description:

The world-renowned San Diego Zoo is only one part of this magnificent 1,200-acre city park that was built for the 1915-1916 Panama-California Expo. California's Hispanic roots were celebrated as the city erected breathtakingly ornate Spanish-style buildings, which were eventually permanently restored. So much more than just an urban park, it is home to the zoo, 14 museums, a pipe organ pavilion, botanical gardens, international cultural centers, theaters and performance venues, an antique carousel, off leash dog parks, sports fields, hiking trails, a tennis center, municipal pool, and a miniature-scale train. The December Nights Celebration is held the first weekend of December annually and this popular event is an opportunity for the whole family to enjoy pageants, plays, food and music all in the tradition of the Christmas holidays.

Description:

Home to the San Diego Padres, this state-of-the-art baseball park is one of the league's treasures with world class facilities, beautiful views of the city and comfortable seats for 42,000 fans. Besides baseball, Petco Park is used for many civic events like fireworks, picnics, and concerts.

Description:

Welcoming a slew of San Diego Padres fans during the season, the Tilted Kilt might not serve up the best in the area but it serves up food and drink closest to PETCO Park. With waitresses clad in mini skirts and barely there button-downs, the biggest sports fans are always easily dristacted here. Great for both watching the game, half-time appetizers and quick meals that will take you safely home, the Tilted Kilt in the heart of East Village satisfies the bar lovers around town. What makes the downtown Tilted Kilt even more unique is its ambiance - during the afternoons the crowd is laid-back and easy-going, but once happy hour ends and the crowd starts to get rowdy with their moderately priced beers and sports games, it's a new scene.

Our Local Expert Says:

This place is tucked away in North Park's 30th Avenue and is the perfect place for a casual, romantic evening

Description:

Besides serving dishes complete with locally and regionally grown ingredients, North Park's Sea Rocket Bistro has a little known secret - special events offer fans a "movie night," where their family style dining offers up special screenings of classic flicks via a large screen and projector. End of the week specials are typically themed (National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation in December) and is perfect playing in the background with a large group or party. With a friendly staff and a small bar that familiar faces habitually inhabit, Sea Rocket Bistro's local perspective is a perfect jumping point for your night in North Park.

Description:

The city of San Diego has plethora of clubbing and partying options. From pubs to clubs, the nightlife is filled with interesting events and concerts. Bar Pink Cocktail Lounge is one among the many jazzy and hip venues. Locals frequent this place for heady cocktails and funky music. Theres a new theme every week and a complete new genre of music as well. The warm atmosphere adds to the pleasant experience further. While you are here, do try cool concoctions like 'Pink Elephant', 'Sneaky Tiki' and 'Sapphire Savoy'. All in all, a perfect place to spend a chilled-out evening complete with good music and your favorite drink.

Description:

Centrally located in Gaslamp (next door to the powerhouse musical venue the House of Blues), Se San Diego is the latest and most extensive achievement to entertain and house tourists in the area. Se San Diego isn't just defined by its leather sofas, high thread count and entertainment events happening there year round, but by the sweet and comforting ambiance of a city within a city. Florals adorn the walls upon entertain, while fireplaces warm the over 21 crowd who enjoy the sky high windows and downtown vibe before resting their head. If the lobby's entrance blows your mind, just wait until you hit up one of their suites.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is a city favorite, with desserts and beverages that are beyond extraordinary with exquisite designs, flavors and layers

Description:

Chef and proprietor Karen Krasne's talent surpasses the promise of her impressive pedigree, which includes a Certificat de Patisserie from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Dozens of divine creations are available daily, and many are garnished with edible gold or flowers. Among them: a passion-fruit ricotta torte bursting with kiwis, strawberries, and bananas; a gianduia of chocolate cake lathered with hazelnut butter cream, chocolate mousse, and boysenberry preserves, and sprinkled with shards of praline; or the bête noir, a dark-chocolate cake layered with vanilla crème brûlée, chocolate mousse, and chocolate truffle cream. She also sells her own exclusive line of jams, chutneys, syrups, spices, and confections, both at the original location and at an architecturally striking second space in Little Italy, 1430 Union St. (tel. 619/294-7001). The Little Italy location also serves paninis, salads, and artisan cheeses, as well as wine and beer.

Description:

San Diego's rich Genoese and Sicilian history is explored in a flavorful way on this guided tour through the Little Italy district. Guests enjoy an Italian lunch and dessert, hear about Little Italy during the Prohibition era and discover the miracle that named a Little Italy church. The leisurely-paced walk also shows Italian gardens and Sicilian bread-making. Reservations are required; tours are offered year-round on Saturdays only. Lunch is included in the admission price. Admission required. Cash or traveler's checks only.

Description:

When longtime locals think "Little Italy," Filippi's often comes to mind. To get to the dining area decorated with Chianti bottles and red-checked tablecloths, you walk through a "cash and carry" Italian grocery store and deli stocked with cheeses, pastas, wines, bottles of olive oil, and salamis. The intoxicating smell of pizza wafts into the street; Filippi's has more than 15 varieties (including vegetarian). The also offer huge portions of spaghetti, lasagna, and other pasta; children's portions are available. On Friday and Saturday night, the lines to get in can look intimidating, but they move quickly. The original of a dozen branches throughout the county, this Filippi's has free parking. Other locations include 962 Garnet Ave. in Pacific Beach (tel. 858/483-6222).

Description:

Centrally located in Gaslamp (next door to the powerhouse musical venue the House of Blues), Se San Diego is the latest and most extensive achievement to entertain and house tourists in the area. Se San Diego isn't just defined by its leather sofas, high thread count and entertainment events happening there year round, but by the sweet and comforting ambiance of a city within a city. Florals adorn the walls upon entertain, while fireplaces warm the over 21 crowd who enjoy the sky high windows and downtown vibe before resting their head. If the lobby's entrance blows your mind, just wait until you hit up one of their suites.

Description:

The Mission Valley corridor, running east-west about 2 miles north of downtown along I-8, is where you'll find San Diego's major shopping centers. Fashion Valley is the most attractive and most upscale, with six anchor stores: JCPenney, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Saks Fifth Avenue (most of which keep extended hours), plus some 200 specialty shops and an 18-screen AMC movie theater. Other noteworthy shops include M.A.C, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Tiffany & Co., Max Studio, Z Gallerie, Smith & Hawken, and Bose. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 9pm and Sunday 11am to 7pm.

Description:

This old-fashioned outdoor mall predates sleek Fashion Valley and has found a niche with budget-minded stores such as Loehmann's, Nordstrom Rack, and Target; you'll also find Macy's Home & Furniture, West Elm, Sport Chalet, and Bed Bath & Beyond. There's a 20-screen AMC movie theater and 150 other stores and places to eat. Across from the center to the north and west are separate complexes that feature Saks Fifth Avenue's Off Fifth (an outlet store), Borders, and more. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 9pm and Sunday 11am to 6pm.

Description:

Professional sports have a home in San Diego at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers, San Diego's National Football League team, play their home games at this 71,000-seat stadium. Not only does Qualcomm host professional sports, but this stadium is also home to college football events. The San Diego State University Aztecs meet their opponents on the Qualcomm field. Also one of college football's popular bowl games, the Holiday Bowl, is played each year at Qualcomm Stadium. Call or check website for event times and dates.

Our Local Expert Says:

Locally grown, organized and developed, The Linkery boasts some of San Diego's best specialties.

Description:

It isn't about the unique ambiance at The Linkery, it's about the meat. If you're a meat lover, then this recently expanded meat market and restaurant/ bar is the place to consume massive amounts of locallyd created meat - with an extensive menu that requires a few questions here and there, a unique daily menu that showcases their freshest links, infamous hamburger, side entres of green beans and bacon-like skewers and a homegrown supply of cask wine, beer and everything in between, The Linkery in Northpark is where locals go to drink a beer, enjoy a quick appetizer or sit down for a full, relatively inexpensive meal with friends. Far from the stereotypical dishes you'll find at other restaurants, the food here is unlike any other (and fits perfectly within Northpark) while resting on some basics like hamburgers, flatbreads with gobs of cheese and meat, and sausages. Boasting a wide and near-total display of locally grown ingredients, what is extra special about this venue is that it offers the specific type of farm you'll find your tomato, your grapes, your cheese, your potato and your lettuce from.

Description:

This well-known university, usually called SDSU, is a focal point for sporting events, music and drama presentations, and, of course, the education of tens of thousands of San Diegans each year in a variety of degree subjects. The university offers four-year degree opportunities as well as graduate programs. As for the location itself, the campus combines Spanish Mission-style architecture with more modern structures, such as the large Malcolm A. Love Library.

Description:

Centrally located in Gaslamp (next door to the powerhouse musical venue the House of Blues), Se San Diego is the latest and most extensive achievement to entertain and house tourists in the area. Se San Diego isn't just defined by its leather sofas, high thread count and entertainment events happening there year round, but by the sweet and comforting ambiance of a city within a city. Florals adorn the walls upon entertain, while fireplaces warm the over 21 crowd who enjoy the sky high windows and downtown vibe before resting their head. If the lobby's entrance blows your mind, just wait until you hit up one of their suites.