I’ve always enjoyed visiting San Diego. It’s an easy drive from Los Angeles, more laid back, and traffic provides much less resistance. Crosstown drives aren’t as daunting, so even if I’m staying north of the 56 freeway, lunch or dinner in Kearny Mesa or Chula Vista isn’t out of the question. My approach has changed over the years. When I was single and in my early 20s, I’d just crash in a Pacific Beach motel and eat nearby or in neighborhoods like North Park and Point Loma. After I got married and had kids, we needed a less brotastic place to stay with more space. That could be La Jolla, Encinitas or Torrey Highlands. My family typically travels to San Diego twice a year. We always grab Asian food at least once in Kearny Mesa and overload on Wayfarer pastries. Other than that, anything goes. Find some of my favorite San Diego food since 2021.

Alhamdani Sweets Baklava – Spring Valley ↓
Must Order: Assorted Baklava

An’s Dry Cleaning – San Diego / An’s Hatmakers – Del Mar ↓
Must Order Ice Cream at An’s Dry Cleaning: Santa’s Hat, Ugly Christmas Sweater
Must Order Ice Cream at An’s Hatmakers: Hard Hat, Visor

Cesarina – Ocean Beach ↓
Must Order Dishes: Frittura Di Paranza, Paccheri Vodka Scampi, Spigola Al Limone

Dodo Bird Donuts – Bird Rock ↓
Must Order Donuts: Devil’s Food, Glazed, Horchata w/Crispy Rice, Lemon, Strawberry

EE NAMI Tonkatsu Izakaya – Clairemont ↓
Must Order Dishes: Dashi Fried Rice, Deluxe Katsu, Niku Miso Eggplant, Omakase Sashimi

El Carrito – Barrio Logan ↓
Must Order Dishes: Chilaquiles Los Divorciados, Enchiladas Las 3 Tumbadas

Gala Chicken – Kearny Mesa ↓
Must Order Fried Chicken: Spicy

Hidden Fish – Kearny Mesa ↓
Must Order: Omakase

IZOLA Bakery – East Village ↓
Must Order: Blackberry Chocolate Croissant, Chocolate Raspberry Croissant, Moroccan Black Olive Chocolate Croissant, Tahitian Vanilla Knot

Jeune Et Jolie – Carlsbad ↓
Must Order: Four Courses, Plateau de Fruits de Mar

John’s Market – Solana Beach ↓
Must Order: Birria Tacos, Chicharrones En Salsa Verde Mini Burrito

JoJo’s Creamery – Encinitas ↓
Must Order Ice Cream: Cayenne Sea Salt Caramel, Nibby Chocolate

Manna – Leucadia ↓
Must Order: Manna Porridge, Torrijas (Spanish French Toast)

Pad Thai Stand – Clairemont + Pacific Beach ↓
Must Order Pad Thai: Northern Style w/Chicken, Southern Style w/Shrimp

Secret Sister – South Park ↓
Must Order: Breakfast Sandwich w/Ham, Meyer Lemon & Oro Blanco Pie, Quiche

Thien Huong – Mira Mesa ↓
Must Order: Bánh Cuốn (Steam Rice Roll) w/Ground Pork (Nhân Thịt), w/Ground Shrimp (Nhân Tôm Xay), w/Eggs and Ground Pork (Nhân Trứng, Thịt))

VG Donut & Bakery – Cardiff ↓
Must Order: Apple Fritter, Glazed Chocolate Donut, Pinecone Glazed Cinnamon Roll

Wayfarer Bread & Pastry – Bird Rock ↓
Must Order: Cream Bun (in seasonal flavors like Cherry Fig Leaf), English Muffins, Ham & Cheese Croissant, Jalapeño Fontina Croissant, Kouign Amann, Strawberry Pistachio Croissant

Xin Chao Vietnamese Eatery – Del Mar ↓
Must Order: Com Tam Plate w/Grilled Pork, Grilled Shrimp + Egg Rolls

WHAT TO DO BETWEEN MEALS (shoutout to A.J. Liebling)

Legoland – Carlsbad ↓

Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater (Steve Taylor) – San Diego ↓

San Diego Zoo – San Diego ↓