Explore America’s Finest City
Your guide to neighborhoods, events, and local gems in San Diego.
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At every turn, San Diego finds ways to live up to its name — America’s Finest City — and nowhere in our seaside metropolis is that more true than in its bustling coastal communities. San Diego has something for everyone, from art aficionados and wine enthusiasts to club goers and history buffs.
As San Diegans are well aware, our city’s neighborhoods have distinct characters all their own. Ocean Beach is a world away from La Jolla, which is a world away from Hillcrest. Little Italy is San Diego’s most walkable urban neighborhood. Its combination of traditional Italian favorites, trend-setting cocktail bars, and high-end restaurants make it one of the region’s most vibrant nightlife destinations. Visitors are almost guaranteed to find some kind of celebration here, be it the Sicilian Festival, the Gesso Italiano (Italian chalk art festival) or the Taste of Little Italy.
For a little maritime history and great boutique shopping, visitors can’t go wrong at the Embarcadero. Get your exercise walking through museums such as the Star of India ship and the USS Midway and shopping at Seaport Village. A plethora of outdoor public art draws residents and tourists alike, while the convention center is a major hub for everything from industry conventions to the world-famous Comic-Con. Nearby, there’s Balboa Park. Known as the “Smithsonian of the West” for its expansive assortment of museums and cultural institutions, this gem offers something for everyone at places like the Old Globe Theatre, the Museum of Man, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and the celebrated San Diego Zoo.
The cultural celebration doesn’t end there. There is also Old Town San Diego — the birthplace of California. Old Town is a colorful world of fun and entertainment, steeped in history as the California cradle where the first Europeans settled. The finest in professional theater, artisans, galleries and shops are within easy walking distance, with free live entertainment, mariachis, dancers, period-attire docents providing tours and more than 150 shops, award-winning restaurants, 17 museums and historical sites — all just a short walk from the San Diego Trolley Transit Center. A stone’s throw from here is Liberty Station, another vibrant and ever-growing community that was once the Naval Training Center (NTC) — the heart of recruit training for the entire U.S. Navy. Today, Liberty Station is a civilianized community of mixed uses, including a diverse and well-planned retail and commercial district, a promenade that now serves as a mecca for the city’s arts and cultural interests, an educational district, a residential district, a hotel district, an office district and a park/open space area along the boat channel.
Start your adventure in the ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station. Explore nearly 120 galleries, museums, artists, distinctive restaurants and shops at the 100-acre campus of the former Naval Training Center. The ARTS DISTRICT abounds with entertainment, festivals and innovative cultural and culinary experiences. The popular monthly Friday Night Liberty art walk features free performances, hands-on art making, exhibitions and unique art installations. All in a historic setting in the heart of Liberty Station.
Bird Rock
Bird Rock is literally named after an offshore rock shaped like a bird.
This coastal enclave is nestled in between Pacific Beach and downtown La Jolla, but has a character all its own. Bird Rock is a quaint, laid-back neighborhood known for beautiful ocean views, cozy restaurants and independent boutiques.
Although the rock has since collapsed, the community has a fascinating history and is one of the most unique and interesting areas of San Diego!
Bird Rock Merchant Locator
Ocean Beach
Relax, recharge and repeat in the bohemian community of Ocean Beach, exuding that quintessential Southern California beach town vibe. With its laidback attitude and hippie soul, OB (as locals call it) offers the perfect place to eat, shop, stay and play!
Take a stroll down Newport Avenue to uncover OB’s eclectic spirit. Palm trees and vibrant murals splash color onto street corners, while surf shops, boutiques and modern eateries line the streets. Tucked between are coffee shops, live music venues and craft breweries to refuel and relax.
Then make your way to the beach, where breathtaking sunsets unfold above the ocean. Explore the tidepools, surf breaks and soft sands. This hidden gem is filled with fun activities for families, couples and solo travelers alike.
Over time, OB embraced its laidback hippie vibe and independent attitude. As the locals say, “Ocean Beach is an attitude, not an address!”
At the north end of OB is Ocean Beach Dog Beach, where you can let your furry friend play off-leash while you enjoy the beach alongside them. This designated off-leash area is a dog lover’s paradise!
Work up an appetite while exploring the vibrant OB Certified Farmers Market, held every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Newport Avenue. Sample fresh produce while browsing handmade crafts from more than 100 vendors. Wander Newport Avenue’s one-of-a-kind shops to soak up OB’s vibe. Explore handmade jewelry, local art, beachy boutiques and surf essentials while chatting with shop owners. Be sure to snag an ‘OB’ souvenir at the Ocean Beach Main Street Association office to commemorate your seaside escape!
When hunger strikes, OB boasts endless dining options to satisfy any craving. Chow down on juicy burgers at Hodad’s, slurp noodles at OB Noodle House or enjoy fish tacos at South Beach while gazing at the waves. OB also hosts a thriving, vibrant nightlife and music scene. Stop by Winston’s, The Holding Company and The Harp for live tunes and cocktails.
As sunset nears, stroll along Sunset Cliffs Boulevard south of Newport. It’s one of San Diego’s top spots to watch the sunset. Find a seat on a cliffside bench and admire nature’s artistry.
When you’re ready to rest, charming cottages and boutique hotels like the Ocean Beach Hotel and Inn at Sunset Cliffs offer ocean views and pet-friendly options.
The Ocean Beach Main Street Association works hard to support local businesses and keep the neighborhood vibrant. Its mission is to build a district meeting the needs of residents and visitors alike.
For more information and trip planning, visit OceanBeachSanDiego.com.
Ocean Beach Merchant Locator
Pacific Beach
Welcome to Pacific Beach — or PB, as the locals call it! PB, along with Mission Beach and Mission Bay, has it all: beach, sand, surf and shops, restaurants and bars! Around 1,400 businesses call the greater PB area home, and with our pedestrian-friendly, easy-going beachside vibe, it’s easy to see why so many visitors love coming here.
Looking for a few suggestions for fun things to do during your visit? For starters, take a stroll on the boardwalk along the Pacific Ocean and stop into a local coffeehouse. Or rent a bike at a bike shop and cruise around beautiful Mission Bay.
Afterward, be sure to grab something tasty at any of our hundreds of diverse restaurants. From sandwiches to sushi, seafood to steaks and everything in between, your quest for a great dining experience will be found right here in PB (sunset views included at no additional charge).
Be sure to leave your coat and tie at home, as just about anywhere welcomes “PB casual” attire. Flip flops are the norm around here.
With so many fun shops, you may need to extend your vacation just to take in all of the shopping options. Eclectic boutiques, salons, surf shops and more make shopping here a favorite local sport. Everyone from the serious collector to the novice window shopper will find what they are looking for.
Be sure to check out www.pacificbeach.org for PB business directory, as well as upcoming events and activities.
Pacific Beach Merchant Locator
Liberty Station
Meet, explore, shop, dine and buy local art. Whatever you are looking for, Liberty Station has it. Whether it’s brushing up on the local art scene, catching the latest dance performance, or a must-see movie, or even grabbing dinner and drinks with friends.
Nestled in the heart of Point Loma, this former Naval Training Center has transformed into a vibrant community hub offering activities for all ages. Enjoy a family movie night at The LOT, explore diverse food vendors at Liberty Public Market, or step back in time at the retro-themed Corvette Diner.
Discover Liberty Station’s rich history on a walking tour, or unleash your creativity at various arts and crafts workshops. Guests are invited to experience Arts District Liberty Station on the first Friday of every month. Meet working artists, discover outdoor public art installations, wander and explore all that Arts District has to offer at historic Liberty Station.
And don’t miss seasonal events like ice skating, holiday tree lighting and other festivities at the Liberty Station events calendar.
One thing is clear: Liberty Station is where San Diego lives.
It’s always changing, evolving and inviting guests to explore all the things that make it unique. This is the place where artists can showcase their craft in art, performance, design, fashion, culinary deliciousness and more. It is a hub for growth, innovation, and inspiration, promoting connection, creativity and community.
Learn more about installations at the Station and the community programs at Arts District, and ways you can support them, at the NTC Foundation.
Old Town
Visit Old Town San Diego — the birthplace of California. Old Town is a colorful world of fun and entertainment, steeped in history as the California cradle where the first Europeans settled.
The finest in professional theater, artisans, galleries and shops are within easy walking distance, with free live entertainment, mariachis, dancers, period-attire docents providing tours and more than 150 shops, award-winning restaurants, 17 museums and historical sites—all just a short walk from the San Diego Trolley Transit Center.
La Mesa
Welcome to La Mesa, dubbed the “Jewel of the Hills” and the unofficial gateway to East County. A near-perfect climate, tree-lined streets, walkable neighborhoods, easy access to retail and commercial areas and a quaint downtown village make La Mesa a highly desirable community in which to live and work.
There is more to La Mesa than just geography. It’s about the myriad people who have called La Mesa home for the last 100 years, whom we honor for their extraordinary accomplishments as well as their devotion to the community.
It’s about discovering one-of-a-kind places tucked away in tree-lined neighborhoods, and finding the friendly ambience that hallmarks La Mesa as a small, picturesque city with lots of character. You are invited to experience the wealth of treasures that make up La Mesa… the Jewel of the Hills.
Enjoy special events such as: La Mesa Village Farmers Market, the La Mesa Classic Car Show, Holiday in the Village and perhaps the most popular being the La Mesa Oktoberfest.
These free, community events are what make La Mesa Village so special and help to create a cohesive and thriving community for both its residents and businesses alike.
For more information, please contact the La Mesa Village Association at info@lamesavillageassociation.org or call (619) 343-2460.
La Mesa Merchant Locator
Places of Interest
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Events
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