24 Hours of Food, Drinks, Relaxation, and Fun in the Sun in San Diego

San Diego lives up to its nickname of being “America’s Finest City.”  We could make a list a mile long of beaches to visit, restaurants to dine at, resorts to stay at and other magnificent sights to take in.  But we have narrowed it down to the absolute best way to spend your time in this beautiful California city, even if all you have is 24 hours.

Hotel Stay

Let’s start with the hotel reservation.  The Hotel del Coronado is an absolute must.  It is the crown jewel of the San Diego hotel industry, contains so much history and is set on the most beautiful stretch of beach on the West Coast.  You can wake up and do a spin class with a million-dollar view or go for a barefoot stroll in the sand. The expansive grounds include a pool with an ocean view, rooms with an ocean view and restaurants with an ocean view.  Do you see a pattern here? The ocean view is what people travel here to gaze upon though, and in that respect, the Hotel del Coronado leaves nothing to be desired. Add to that the impeccable service that the Hotel del prides itself on and you’ve got yourself the best hotel reservation in the city.

Ferry Ride Downtown

Staying at the Hotel del is the perfect prelude to the magical ferry ride across the bay and into the famed Gaslamp Quarter in Downtown San Diego.  Just a short shuttle or Uber ride from the hotel, the ferry landing has boats departing about every 30 minutes and being able to look at the Coronado Bridge and the Downtown Skyline from the water is a sight that everyone needs to see.  Once in downtown, there is an endless array of bars, shops and restaurants to keep you entertained. But don’t worry, we are going to make the decision-making process easy.

Dinner Reservation

Once you have perused the Gaslamp, and maybe stopped off at Lou & Mickey’s for a cocktail, it will be time to start considering dinner plans.  While the Gaslamp used to be the hot bed of the San Diego culinary world, that title has recently been stolen by neighboring Little Italy. On a Saturday night, parking and reservations are hard to come by, so definitely make the reservation well in advance.  Opening in Fall of 2017, Born and Raised Steakhouse and their 6 million-dollar interior took the Little Italy food scene by storm. The décor coincides with the name, and photos of Easy E and the like hang in the dining room. There is also an amazing rooftop bar complete with a view of the city.  So, enjoy a craft cocktail on the roof and then hit the dining room for some Caviar and a Filet. The food and the ambiance are the best in the business.

Bar Scene

If you want to keep it a little low-key, try the rooftop bar at Hard Rock called Float.  It is an outdoor venue, perfect for warm summer and fall nights in San Diego. There is usually a DJ and plenty of places to sit and relax.  You can also rent a cabana if you have a larger party and want to go the bottle service route. If you are looking to really go for it in the party department, reserve a table at the Oxford Nightclub at the Pendry Hotel.  The Pendry is one of a few 5-Star hotels in the downtown area, they are the trendy place to stay right now and their club scene is worth the money. Drink and party alongside some of the most beautiful people in Southern California at arguably the hottest club in downtown.

Brunch

A little further North up the coast, you will find Mission Beach and Pacific Beach.  This area embodies quintessential San Diego beach culture. There is a boardwalk where people bike, rollerblade, skateboard, run or stroll from early in the morning until late at night.  There are surfers and body boarders in the water and the distinct smell of salt-water in the air. One of the trendiest places to brunch can be found right in the heart of this area at JRDN at Tower 23.  Tower 23 is a hotel that sits right on the beach. Owned by Michael Jordan (hence the name of the restaurant and the “23”) this is a popular spot with both locals and tourists alike. In true Southern California style, you can enjoy an Acai Bowl, Some Avocado Toast or keep it more traditional with the Biscuits & Gravy or the Chicken & Waffles.  Don’t forget the Tower23 Brunch Mary or a Build Your Own Mimosa. The great food, drinks and views will have you feeling like a Native San Diegan on no time.

Bonus Features

Have a little downtime or a little bit longer than 24 hours?  Here are a few ideas for how to best spend the extra time:

Petco Park

If it is baseball season, get tickets and go to Petco Park, if not for the baseball, just for the experience of being in one of MLB’s most picturesque stadiums.  The craft beer scene that is so San Diego is a big part of the Petco Park experience, as are the iconic eateries represented there, such as Phil’s BBQ, Hodad’s Burgers and Seaside Market (the tri-tip nachos are to die for).  

Del Mar Racetrack

The iconic Del Mar Races are open for a couple of months during the summer.  If you are in town during that time, it is tons of fun to be able to see the beautiful beaches of Del Mar while you sip cocktails and bet on the ponies. There are lots of options for an after-party in the area like Pacifica Del Mar or Cucina Enoteca, which both have stellar food menus and lively bars.

Prospect Street in La Jolla

One of the most scenic parts of the city, La Jolla can be best described as the Beverly Hills of San Diego.  With sprawling beach front mansions, upscale restaurants and expensive boutiques, it is a great place to take in the majestic coastal beauty and indulge in a little retail therapy.

Sit on the Beach, Any Beach

This is what San Diego is famous for. Coronado, La Jolla, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Mission Beach, Encinitas, you name it, its sunny and sandy and picturesque.  There’s no better way to experience San Diego than with your toes in the sand.