Best Hotels and Resorts in San Diego

Looking to visit San Diego for a short trip or maybe even an extended vacation?  Well you’re in luck because SD offers both tourists and business travelers some of the most luxurious accommodations in the nation.  My legendary establishments like the Catamaran near the beach to modern marvels such as the W Hotel near the fast-paced Gaslamp district, this city has something for every taste.  Below are the best places to stay in San Diego:

1. The Grand Del Mar – Click for Profile

858-314-2000‎
5300 Grand Del Mar Court
San Diego, CA 92130

2. W Hotel

619-238-1078
421 W B St
San Diego, CA 92101

3. Hard Rock Boutique Hotel

866-751-7625
207 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101

4. Coronado Island Marriott Resort

619-435-3000
2000 2nd St
Coronado, CA 92118

5. Omni San Diego Hotel

619-231-6664
675 L St
San Diego, CA 92101

6. US Grant Hotel

619-232-3121
326 Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101

7. Scripps Inn

858-454-3391
555 Coast Blvd S
La Jolla, CA 92037

8. La Valencia Hotel

858-454-0771
1132 Prospect St
La Jolla, CA 92037

9. Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

619-232-1234
1 Market Pl
San Diego, CA 92101

10. Westgate Hotel

619-238-1818
1055 2nd Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

Best Gyms and Health Clubs in San Diego

Looking to perfect that beach body?  Well San Diego’s gyms have you covered.  From beautifully appointed health club/spas to bodybuilding gyms, you will have everything you need in order to reach your fitness goals.  Below are the ten best gyms and health clubs in San Diego:

1. Club La Jolla

858-454-7007
7850 Fay Ave Suite 107
La Jolla, CA 92037

2. Boxing Co.

619-224-2269
3165 Rosecrans
San Diego, CA 92110

3. World Gym – Pacific Beach

858-272-3400
2949 Garnet Ave
Pacific Beach, CA 92109

4. Gold’s Gym

619-226-9500
3156 Sports Arena Blvd
San Diego, CA 92110

5. San Diego Yoga Studio

619-276-8766
4134 Napier
San Diego, CA 92110

6. Science Fitness Personal Training

619-563-0333
4228 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116

7. 24 Hour Fitness

858-538-4400
10025 Carmel Mountain Rd
San Diego, CA 92129

8. Curves

619-222-8555
3960 W Point Loma Blvd
San Diego, CA 92110

9. Frog’s Athletic & Racket Club

619-291-3500
901 Hotel Circle South
San Diego, CA 92108

10. Burnit Fitness Studio

619-690-4622
4390 Palm Ave
San Diego, CA 92154

Best Family Activities in San Diego

San Diego is one of the most beautiful cities in the US, the combination of all-year round perfect weather and scenery have turned this Southern Californian gem into a vacation destination that the whole family can enjoy.  And with in mind it should not be surprising that San Diego offers a wide range of family activities.  Whether you are in the mood for exploring the roots of California at Old Town San Diego or enjoying the shows at Sea World, one thing is guaranteed – you will not run out of things to do with the kids while in this stunning city.  Below at the ten best family activities in San Diego:

1. Sea World

619-226-3901
500 Sea World Dr
San Diego, CA 92109

For a day of fun for any age Sea World is the place to go! They offer beautiful landscaping, rides, exhibits, and a whole bunch of sea animals. Here you will be sure to give your family a fun and educational day they will remember always.

2. San Diego Zoo

619-231-1515
2920 Zoo Dr
San Diego, CA 92101

This is one of the top zoos in the country and is a real treat to bring your family to. You will see and learn about amphibians, birds, mammals, reptiles and insects. Don’t miss the famous Panda exhibit or the new Elephant Odyssey. The zoo also offers unique plant life, shows and a fun gift shop.

3. Old Town

3985 Harney St
San Diego, CA 92110

Step back in time into a colorful world of fun and entertainment in beautiful Historic Old Town San Diego, the Birthplace of California where the first Europeans settled. The finest in professional theatre, artisans, galleries and shops are all within easy walking distance with free live entertainment, mariachis, dancers, period attire docents providing tours and more.

4. Pacific Beach

San Diego, CA 92109

A nostalgic look at the icon of the 20th-century features more than 80 historic autos and motorcycles. They include Frank Sinatra’s 1967 Austin Petrol Hire Car and Louie Mattar’s Fabulous $75,000 Car. Special exhibitions every two or three months display other fine vehicles and famous autos.

5. Automotive Museum

619-231-2886
Balboa Park
2080 Pan American Plz
San Diego, CA 92101

The Veterans Memorial Center was formed in March of 1989 to create, maintain and operate an institution to honor and perpetuate the memories of all men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

6. Veterans Museum & Memorial Center

619-239-2300
Balboa Park
2115 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101

The Veterans Memorial Center was formed in March of 1989 to create, maintain and operate an institution to honor and perpetuate the memories of all men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

7. San Diego Wild Animal Park

760-747-8702
15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd
Escondido, CA 92027

Get eye to eye and nose to nose with some of the world’s wildest animals. Check out the amazing exhibits here like the Lion Camp, African Aviary, Hidden Jungle and more.

8. Ruben H. Fleet Science Center

619-238-1233
Balboa Park
1875 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101

The Science Center boasts more than 100 interactive science exhibits in five galleries, as well as major traveling exhibitions. Visitors can create colored shadows, design images with a sand pendulum, examine the vibration of guitar strings and get their hands on a variety of intriguing scientific phenomena.

9. Model Railroad Museum

619-696-0199
Balboa Park
1649 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101

All aboard for railroad fun& adventure!  At 27,000 sq. ft., the museum is the largest indoor model railroad display in the world. A fantastic site to see with your family.

10. Mission Bay Sportcenter

858-488-1004
1010 Santa Clara Pl
San Diego, CA 92109

If family fun in the sun is what you are looking for in San Diego, Mission Bay Sportcenter has it all. This includes boating, jet skiing, sailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding and many other water sport activities. The Sportcenter offers private and group lessons year-round.

Best Apartments and Condos in San Diego

Whether you are a young professional, new family, or student attending one of the local universities, San Diego has some of the most luxurious rental accommodations in the country.  Having the honor and pleasure of living in this beautiful city for several years, I can attest to how wonderful a place this city truly is.  Below are the ten best apartments and condos in San Diego:

Best Bars in San Diego

San Diego has created a fantastic nightlife culture over the past few years and boasts some of the hottest bars in Southern California.  If you like the nightlife scene, make sure to check out the Gaslamp District in downtown SD, it is definitely my favorite part of this beautiful city.  Below are the ten best bars in San Diego:

1. Confidential

619-696-8888
901 4th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

2. Altitude Skybar & Garden Lounge

619-446-6086
Marriott Gaslamp Quarter
660 K St
San Diego, CA 92101

3. W Hotel

619-238-1078
Rooftop Bar
421 W B St
San Diego, CA 92101

4. Airport Lounge

619-685-3881
2400 India St
San Diego, CA 92101

5. Side Bar

619-696-0946
536 Market St
San Diego, CA 92101

6. The Cask Room

619-822-1606
550 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101

7. The Bitter End

619-338-9300
770 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

8. Onyx Room and Thin

619-235-6699
852 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

9. Casbah

619-232-4355
2501 Kettner Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101

10. Envy / Eden

619-814-2055
The Ivy Hotel
600 F St
San Diego, CA 92101

Best Sushi Bars in San Diego

Considering that I used to live in San Diego, I can honestly attest to the amazing sushi bars that the city has to offer.  Whether you are in the mood for exotic rolls or you are simply craving some fresh sashimi, you will not have to look far in this town.  For the most part my favorite establishments are located in the Gaslamp District in downtown.  Below are the ten best Sushi Bars in San Diego:

1. NOBU

619-814-4124
Hard Rock Hotel
207 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

2. Aubergine

619-232-8100
500 4th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

3. Ra Sushi

619-321-0021
474 Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101

4. Sushi Itto

619-291-6060
441 Washington St
San Diego, CA 92103

5. Sushi on the Rock

858-456-1138
7734 Girard Ave
La Jolla, CA 92037

6. Yu Me Ya Sake House

760-633-4288
1246 N Coast Highway 101
Encinitas, CA 92023

7. Café Japengo

848-450-3355
8960 University Center Lane
La Jolla, CA 92122

8. Sushi Ota

858-270-5670
4529 Mission Bay Dr
San Diego, CA 92109

9. Zen 5 Sushi

858-490-0121
1130 Garnet Ave
Pacific Beach, CA 92109

10. Harney Sushi

619-295-3272
3964 Harney St
Old Town, CA 92110

Best Home Decor Boutiques in San Diego

Whether you are looking to re-design the interior of your home or you simply are in need of an accent piece, these home decor boutiques have you covered.  I especially enjoyed the wide range of styles that these establishments offer, I can assure that you will have a fun day (or week) of spending time at each one!  Below are the ten best home decor shopping boutiques in San Diego:

1. Avitatt

619-338-8245
232 Fifth Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

2. Island Provenance

619-435-8232
1053 B Avenue
Coronado, CA 92118

3. Amilien Antic

619-234-6213
1360 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101

4. Kalos Designs

3827 30th St
(between North Park Way & University Ave)
North Park, CA 92104

5. Cathedral

619-296-4046
435 University Ave
(between 4th Ave & 5th Ave)
San Diego, CA 92103

6. Genghis Khan Furniture

619-275-1182
1136 Morena Blvd
San Diego, CA 92110

7. Cottage Antiques

619-222-1967
4873 Newport Ave
San Diego, CA 92107

8. Mixture

800-903-1913
2210 Kettner Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101

9. Aesthetyx

760-203-9697
466 North Coast Hwy 101
Encinitas, CA 92024

10. Anthropologie

760-436-9110
1911 Calle Barcelona
Carlsbad, CA 92009