10. Old Town Mexican Cafe. 2489 San Diego Ave; Old Town.  This indoor/outdoor Mexican restaurant in the heart of Old Town is one of the most popular destinations among tourists with it’s fresh tortillas and good atmosphere. Get $2 tacos, $2.50 margaritas, tequila shots and Tecate beer all day every Tuesday.

9. The Local. 1065 4th Avenue; Gaslamp.  This downtown bar and restaurant has all the food, drinks and entertainment you could ask for.  Taco Tuesdays include $3 lobster, fish & shrimp tacos, $2.50 steak, chicken, spicy Chipotle chicken tacos, $3 margaritas and Mexican beer.

8. La Finca D’Adobe. 5202 Bonita Road; Chula Vista. Authentic Mexican restaurant in Chula Vista.  On Tuesdays, sit inside or on the patio and for around a dollar you can get a carne asada, pollo adobado, or carnitas taco.  These authentic Mexican tacos will fill you up at super low prices.

7. Fiesta Cantina. 142 University Avenue; Hillcrest.  This new bar in Hillcrest has cheap drinks and $5 all you can eat tacos on Tuesdays, served with beans and rice.  Another popular place where seats may be hard to find.

6. PB Shore Club. 4343 Ocean Blvd; Pacific Beach. Located on the second floor on a beach front property.  Half priced appetizers and $3 Dos Equis beer 6pm to close on Tuesdays.  Great bar food and music at this popular destination for the PB young crowd.

See our other articles on the Best Restaurants & Food in San Diego.

2.  San Onofre State Beach.  North San Diego County just south of San Clemente.  3,000 acre coastal park including the San Onofre Buffs, San Mateo Campground, and San Onofre Surf Beach.  Offers camping and day use.  Surfing is legendary at Trestles Beach.

3.  Mission Trails Regional Park.  At 5,800 acres it is one of the largest urban parks in the US.  Park activities include hiking, mountain biking, camping, and horse trails.  Some trails within Mission Trails Park was used by settlers with horse drawn wagons moved to West coast during the 1800s.  Dogs permitted on-leash.

4.  Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.  La Jolla, San Diego.  2,000 acres of park in La Jolla dedicated to preserving the natural environment of San Diego before it was developed.  Hike one of Torrey Pines State Park trails on 8 miles of trail within park, walk on the beach, explore history and park information at the visitor center, or take guided tour over the weekend.  Day use only.  Hike to an overlook of the Pacific Ocean, take a stroll on the beach, photograph rare Torrey pine trees, or observe the birds in the lagoon located within Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

5.  Mission Bay Park.  Largest man made aquatic park in the US at 4,235 acres with 19 miles of sandy beaches.  The area was originally a marsh but was altered by man to create a popular tourist destination for San Diego.  Enjoy popular water sports in Mission Bay including jet skis, wave riders, boating, and sailing.  Fiesta Island, a peninsula inside Mission Bay, is a favorite for bike riders and home of the famous San Diego Over-the-Line Tournament.  Stay overnight on the beach at Campland on the Bay, a section of Mission Bay Park.  Dogs are allowed on-leash in certain areas of the park as well as off-leash on Fiesta Island.

2.  SD Surfing – Blacks Beach.  There is no wonder why UCSD has the best surf team in the country, they are next to Blacks Beach.  At Blacks nudity is allowed so be warned.  Layout as you watch the parachute gliders over the cliff and surfers or test out your own surfing skills.  Waves can be huge here and are some of the best in the US.

3.  With your dog – Dog Beach, Ocean Beach. Dog Beach is a section of Ocean Beach where your dog is allowed to run around off the leash.  Dog Beach is a large sized area for your pet to exercise in or out of the water.  Dog Beach, OB is usually crowded so your beloved dog will have plenty of opportunities to socialize with other dogs and people.

4.  With the family – Coronado Beach Considered the best family beach in San Diego.  Coronado Beach is on many review lists as one of the 10 best beaches in the country.  Ride the ferry over for spectacular postcard worthy shots of downtown or drive across the Coronado bridge.  Parking can be tricky so expect to walk a distance from your car.  When it gets too hot on the beach run inside the Hotel Del Coronado for some ice cream at Moo Time Creamery.

5.  A romantic sunset – Sunset Cliffs Park Beach. There is a little known park located at the end of Sunset Cliffs.  You get there by driving to the end of the cliffs where the stairs lead down take the road leading to the left and enter the dirt road a few hundred feet up on the right into the parking lot.  Hike to the top of the cliffs or go down to the beach below.  If you unchain your dog here no one will bother you about it.

2.  DiMille’s Italian Restaurant.  3492 Adams Avenue, Normal Heights.  Good deep dish, regular, and thin crust pizzas.  Get the DiMille’s Super Works with your choice of any six toppings.  I get the meatball, salami, sausage, mushrooms, red onions, and bell peppers.  Full menu offers other Italian pasta dishes and entrees.

3.  Round Table.  Located throughout San Diego.  Best local pizza chain in San Diego.  They are the only chain I know that actually uses fresh quality ingredients.  Their interiors might look like some cheesy corporate pizza franchise but do not let that fool you, that make a good pie.  Delivery available.

4.  Regents Pizzeria.  4150 Regents Park Row, Suite 170, La Jolla.  Regents makes NY style thin crust pizzas as well as the Chicago deep dish variety.  Regents also makes tasty specialty pizzas.  My favorite is the Regents Signature a garlic white cream sauce, grilled chicken, jalapenos, and vegetables.  They also make a pesto chicken pie.

5.  Bronx Pizza.  111 Washington Street.  I lived in New York City and know a real NY slice when I see one.  Bronx Pizza is about as close as it gets.  They even have the small urban neighborhood pie shop feel you see so frequently in NYC.  The basic pepperoni, whitestones, Porko, or Bronx Deluxe pizzas are good selections at Bronx Pizza.

2.  San Diego Zoo.  2920 Zoo Drive. Famous as the only zoo on the west coast to have Chinese Pandas, San Diego Zoo is the premier zoo in the US.  Located in scenic Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo features 800 species and 4,000 animals.  Wear your most comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk several miles when you visit.  Online coupons are available.  For more details on the San Diego Zoo go to www.sandiegozoo.org

3.  Balboa Park.  San Diego.  Originally named City Park, Balboa Park is a San Diego treasure.  Started in 1868, Balboa Park houses stunning examples of Spanish Colonial architecture.  There you will find a 1,200 acre park with an outdoor concert area, fountain, the San Diego Zoo, tennis courts, an arboretum, koi and goldfish ponds, several museums including the Museum of Man, dog parks, events and festivals, and more.  See San Diego’s 10 Best Parks and Recreation

4.  Gaslamp District. Downtown San Diego.  Several blocks of downtown are designated the Gaslamp District with distinct street lights simulating old gas street lamps.  This is where the most popular hotels, bars, restaurants, shopping, and clubs exist in downtown San Diego.  Save time looking for a spot by parking in the Horton Plaza parking lot, entrance is on 4th and F Street, and validate the ticket yourself at a station in the mall.

5.  Old Town San Diego.  Off the I-5, just north of downtown.  Old town has the word tourist written all over it.  Tourists flock here to walk around.  There is no one particular attraction that you must see.  Just beyond the road closed off to pedestrian traffic in the historic portion lies many Mexican restaurants serving 100s of fresh margaritas and tortillas daily.  It is not by any means the best Mexican food in the city but the experience is fun every once in a while.  I prefer to simple here like Fred’s Mexican Cafe, 2470 San Diego Avenue or Casa Guadalajara, 4105 Taylor Street over the old style restaurants with the tortilla making factories inside.  Take a stroll through here or grab a bite to eat and drink before heading downtown for a Padres baseball game at PetCo Park or going to Qualcomm Stadium for a football game on the trolley.

2.  Sunset Cliffs, Point Loma.  A hidden gem and never frequented by tourists.  When paddling in and out be sure to avoid the rocks.  I have seen fins snap on brand new boards by beginners not on their toes.

3.  Trestles, just south of San Clemente.  The Upper and Lower sections are about one mile apart and are some of the best swells in SD.  Be prepared to walk a good distance and fight for your wave from as many as 6o+ surfers.  This is well worth it because on a good day Trestles will reward you with consistent long rides.

4.  Wave House at Belmont Park, Mission Beach.  Okay, Wave House is not a beach but a restaurant and bar.  Wave House has two artificial waves in an outdoor restaurant & bar setting.  Show your stuff on the big waves Sundays during the summers in San Diego as all the girls in bikinis and high heels cheer you on.

5.  La Jolla Shores, La Jolla. Beginners surf here to learn on gentle waves.  This is one of the most popular beaches in San Diego.

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2.  Phils BBQ.  3750 Sports Arena Blvd, (619) 226-6333.  I always order ribs at Phils BBQ but for those who do not eat pork their burger is one of the best in San Diego.  They add their special Phils BBQ sauce on top of an open flame cooked patty.  The onion rings at Phils BBQ are the tastiest in San Diego.  Lines are long so be prepared to wait.  If you live in San Diego and have never been here, make a point to.  It is a true gem for BBQ lovers.  Closed on Mondays.

3.  Bare Back Bar and Grill.  Two, one located at 4640 Mission Blvd and the other is 624 E St(between 6th Ave & 7th Ave).  This is that new, New Zealand burger joint…located in Pacific Beach and the Gaslamp District Downtown.  They specialize in chicken sandwiches and burgers.  If you want a burger, try the Kiwilango which includes BBG sauce, bleu cheese, and jalapenos.  If you like chicken, get a Dirty Jerz made of chicken, swiss cheese, BBG sauce, and bacon.  Avoid the fries, they are similar to cafeteria fries.  The sandwiches are large and very filling.

4.  Rockys Crown Pub.  3786 Ingraham Street (858) 273-9140. It is real simple here, order a hamburger or cheeseburger.  You will get a blank stare if you attempt to tell them how to cook it or what you want on it.  Just chill it will be out when it is ready.  An awesome neighborhood bar that is always crowded.  Come early to get a seat.

5.  In-N-Out.  Located throughout San Diego.  The most simple and best tasting burger restaurant in the fast food business.  Their fries are decent but there chocolate shakes doesn’t have much chocolate flavor.  I order my burgers here “Animal Style”.