The Fashionlush Guide to San Diego (Master List!!!)

THE SAN DIEGO MASTER LIST IS OFFICIALLY LIVE!!
I first came up with the idea to write this post because of the amount of messages I get asking for San Diego pouring in & it’s really an IMPOSSIBLE thing to answer. I have lived in San Diego since I was 6 years old & have lived all over the place: Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff, North Park, South Park, & NOW- LA MESA. When you say “San Diego”, technically you’re referring to downtown- but there is SO much more to San Diego that is WORTH seeing!!
When I think San Diego, I think anywhere from Downtown to Oceanside & I just really wanted to cover all the bases.
I started the list with just my favorites & as I was done, I realized this was kinda weak. I haven’t been everywhere, haven’t lived in North County in years (so I don’t know all the new hot spots), & I also am not the one to ask when it comes to NIGHTLIFE- so I polled my audience.
& HOLY SHIT- DID THEY COME THROUGH!!! I got so many great recommendations of new places I want to try & little gems I forgot I loved. I sifted through every single one of them, eliminating the places I personally don’t think need to be on the list, making sure this was only repping the CREME DE LA CREME of San Diego (very few were eliminated, FYI!).
ALSO- v proud of the organization of this post!! To make sure it’s easy to read/reference- I created different categories & under those categories are drop-downs based on location. The beauty & wellness category is an exception as I organized this by service since most people would travel for a game changing beauty service! You can also click on most of these restaurants/stores/salons/etc to check out there Instagram!
NOTE: anything with a * indicated something I personally recommend, things I like to do in SD, & all of my past & present SD faves! IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD TO THIS MASTER LIST, PLEASE COMMENT BELOW!!
The Fashionlush Guide to San Diego (Master List)
CUTEST NEIGHBORHOODS
Downtown San Diego
- If you're coming to San Diego for the nightlife & tourist attractions, Downtown is the place to stay!
Little Italy
- Little Italy is close to down, a bit more tamer (although parking is a bitch!) & the spot to go if you're a foodie.
North Park | South Park | Hillcrest | Barrio Logan
THE HIPSTER HOOD:
- North Park: great food, shopping, hip brunch spots, trendy bars, & tons of instagrammable spots!
- South Park: also hip, but a bit smaller then North Park! A great place to live.
- Hillcrest: home to all the best gay bars in San Diego & just a really fun vibe! Going out in Hillcrest is always a good time.
- Barrio Logan: if you love ART, culture, Mexican street corn (my fave!), & eclectic shopping- Barrio Logan is the spot!
La Jolla | Pacific Beach | Ocean Beach
BEACH VIBES!
- La Jolla: if you're looking for something a little beachy, a little bougie- you will love La Jolla!
- Pacific Beach: think college kids by the beach & lots of partying!!
- Ocean Beach: think hippies by the beach & lots of weed smoking ;).
Del Mar | Rancho Santa Fe
FOR MORE OF A FAMILY VIBE:
- Del Mar: a great spot for a family vacay by the beach! Cute restaurants, fun bars, & chic hotels.
- Rancho Santa Fe: where all the fancy people live with some HUGE houses & a few relaxing resorts to check out.
Cardiff | Encinitas | Carlsbad | Oceanside
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THAT "ANIMAL KINGDOM" EXPERIENCE... KEEP IT COASTAL:
- Cardiff: the dreamiest little beach town & my personal fave!
- Encinitas: the mecca of North County & home to all the hippest bars/shopping in that area!
- Carlsbad & Oceanside: in the past these haven't always been the "hot spots" but SO many cute restaurants & shops are opening up here. Also- Animal Kingdom was actually filmed in Oceanside!
CHIC CAFES
La Jolla | Pacific Beach | Ocean Beach
- Parakeet Cafe La Jolla
- Trilogy Sanctuary La Jolla
- Bird Rock Coffee Roasters La Jolla & Pacific Beach
- Better Buzz Pacific Beach
Del Mar | Solana Beach | Carlsbad | Oceanside
- Creme & Sugar Del Mar
- Pinpoint Cafe Del Mar
- Lofty Coffee Solana Beach & Encinitas
- Better Buzz Encinitas
- Invita Coffee Carlsbad
- Cafe Topes Carlsbad
- Copa Vida Carlsbad
- Revolution Roasters Oceanside
North Park | South Park | Hillcrest | Barrio Logan
- Better Buzz Hillcrest
- Holsem Coffee North Park
- Deja Brew North Park
- Holy Matcha North Park
- Coffee + Tea Collective North Park
- Communal Coffee North Park & South Park
- Cafe Madeline South Park
- Cafe Motto Barrio Logan
- Por Vida Barrio Logan
Downtown | Little Italy
- Coava Coffee Downtown
- Holy Matcha East Village
- Coffee & Tea Collective East Village
- Copa Vida East Village & Little Italy
- James Coffee Co Little Italy
- Lofty Coffee Little Italy
Other Hidden Gems
- SquareBar Kearny Mesa
- Public Square Coffee House La Mesa
- S3 Coffee Bar Mission Gorge
BRUNCH SO HARD
La Jolla
- Wheat & Water La Jolla
- Herringbone La Jolla
- George's at the Cove La Jolla
- Beaumont's Eatery La Jolla
- The Great Maple La Jolla
- La Valencia La Jolla
Pacific Beach | Ocean Beach
- Fig Tree Cafe Pacific Beach
- Crushed Pacific Beach
- Second Nature Pacific Beach
- The Duck Dive Pacific Beach
- Breakfast Republic Ocean Beach & Pacific Beach
- Little Lion Ocean Beach
- OB Surf Lodge Ocean Beach
Del Mar | Solana Beach | Carlsbad | Oceanside
- Searsucker Del Mar
- Prep Kitchen Del Mar
- Claire's on Cedros Solana Beach
- Union Kitchen & Tap Encinitas
- Breakfast Republic Encinitas
- Swamis Encinitas
- Beach Plum Cafe Carlsbad
- Jeune Et Jolie Carlsbad
- Local Tap House Oceanside
North Park | South Park | Hillcrest | University Heights
- Hundred Proof North Park
- The Mission North Park
- Breakfast Republic North Park
- Trust North Park
- Kindred South Park
- The Rose South Park
- Fig Tree Cafe Hillcrest
- Breakfast Bitch Hillcrest
- The Great Maple Hillcrest
- Madison on Park University Heights
Downtown | Little Italy
- Luca Downtown
- Searsucker Downtown
- Tom Ham's Lighthouse Downtown
- Breakfast Republic East Village
- Morning Glory Little Italy
- Farmers Table Little Italy
- Nolita Hall Little Italy
- Herb & Wood Little Italy
Other Hidden Gems
- Farmers Table La Mesa
- The Waffle Spot Mission Valley
- The Yellow Deli Vista
LUNCH & DINNER SPOTS
La Jolla
- The Taco Stand La Jolla
- Javier's Cantina La Jolla
- Piatti La Jolla
- Eddy V's La Jolla
- Barbusa La Jolla
- Isola Pizza Bar La Jolla
Pacific Beach | Ocean Beach | Point Loma
- Liberty Station Point Loma (an open market with tons of different food options!)
- Mitch's Seafood Point Loma
- Sushi OTA Pacific Beach
- The Grass Skirt Pacific Beach
- OB Noodle House Ocean Beach
- Blue Water Seafood Ocean Beach
Del Mar | Solana Beach | Carlsbad | Oceanside
- Jakes Del Mar
- Sbicca Del Ma
- Board & Brew (grab a sandwich & go to the beach!) Del Mar
- North Italia One Paseo in Del Mar
- Cucina Enoteca Del Ma
- Flower Child Solana Beach
- The Crack Shack Encinitas
- Buono Forchetta Encinitas
- The Taco Stand Encinita
- Death By Tequila Encinita
- Jeune Et Jolie Carlsbad
- Harumama Carlsbad
- Blackrail Kitchen + Bar Carlsbad
- Campfire Oceanside
- Wrench & Rodent Oceanside
- Felix's Barbeque Oceanside
- Harney Sushi Oceanside
North Park | South Park | Hillcrest | Mission Hills
- Poke One Half North Park
- Mama's Bakery North Park
- Underbelly North Park
- El Zarape North Park
- Alexanders on 30th North Park
- The Taco Stand North Park
- Soda & Swine North park
- 55 Thai South Park
- Buono Forchetta South Park
- Tajima Ramen Hillcrest
- Karinas Mexican Seafood Mission Hills
Little Italy
- Barbusa Little Italy
- Cucina Urbana Little Italy
- The Lions Share Little Italy
- Monello (order anything in the parm wheel!) Little Italy
- Born & Raised Little Italy
- Harumama Little Italy
- Cafe Gratitude Little Italy
- Isola Pizza Bar Little Italy
- Starlite Little Italy
- Juniper and Ivy Little Italy
- The Crack Shack Little Italy
- Kettner Exchange Little Italy
- Cloak & Petal Little Italy
Downtown San Diego
- Lola 55 East Village
- The Taco Stand Downtown
- Cowboy Star Downtown
- Eddy V's Downtown
- Coasterra Downtown
- Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant Bankers Hill
- Volcano Rabbit Downtown
Other Hidden Gems
- Banbu La Mesa
- Serea Coastal Cuisine @ the Hotel Del in Coronado
- Donburi Kitchen Clairemont
- J Wata Clairemont
DESSERT GOALS
La Jolla | Pacific Beach | Ocean Beach
- Sugar & Scribe Bakery La Jolla
- The Baked Bear Pacific Beach
- Hammond's Ice Cream Pacific Beach
- Peace Pies Ocean Beach
- Azúcar Ocean Beach
Del Mar | Solana Beach | Carlsbad
- Salt & Straw Del Mar
- Creme & Sugar Del Mar
- Peace Pies Encinitas
- Handel's Ice Cream Carlsbad
North Park | South Park | Hillcrest
- Hammond's Ice Cream North Park
- Stella Jean's Ice Cream North Park
- An's Dry Cleaning North Park
- The Milk Bar North Park
- Figaro Dessert Cafe South Park
- Chocolat Hillcrest
Downtown | Little Italy | Point Loma
- The Sugar Factory Downtown
- Ghiradelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop Downtown
- Extraordinary Deserts Little Italy & Bankers Hill
- Salt + Straw Little Italy
- iDessert by Jean Philippe Little Italy
- Frost Me Gourmet Little Italy
- Le Parfait Paris Liberty Station in Point Loma
- Hammond's Ice Cream Point Loma
WHERE TO SHOP
La Jolla | Pacific Beach | Ocean Beach
- Mimi & Red La Jolla
- UTC Mall La Jolla
- LF La Jolla
- Propsect Ave (window shopping at it's finest! La Jolla
- Trendy & Tipsy Pacific Beach
- Dreamgirls Ocean Beach
Del Mar | Solana Beach | Encinitas | Oceanside
- Pigment Del Mar
- One Paseo Del mar
- Van De Vort Solana Beach
- Cedros Design District a street of shopping in Solana Beach
- Swirl Boutique Encinitas & Carlsbad
- The Forum Carlsbad
- Studio 1220 Carlsbad
- Captains Helm vintage Oceanside
- Sea Hive Marketplace (antique/vintage mall!) Oceanside
North Park | South Park | University Heights
- Pigment North Park
- Love & Aesthetics North Park
- Mimi & Red North Park
- Hunt & Gather North Park
- Grafitti Beach South Park
- Vinyl Junkies South Park
Downtown | Little Italy | Point Loma
- Pigment Point Loma
- Fashion Valley Mall San Diego
- Wild Dove Boutique Downtown
HOTTEST HOTELS
La Jolla | Pacific Beach | Ocean Beach | Point Loma
- La Jolla Cove Suites
- Estancia La Jolla
- Tower 23 Pacific Beach
- The Pearl Point Loma
Del Mar | Solana Beach | Encinitas | Carlsbad | Oceanside
- Hotel Indigo Del Mar (dog friendly!)
- L'Auberge Del Mar
- Fairmont Grand Del Mar
- Rancho Valencia Rancho Santa Fe
- The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
- Omni Resort & Spa La Costa & Carlsbad
Downtown | Coronado | North Park
- The Guild Downtown
- Pendry Downtown
- Westgate Downtown
- Moxy Hotel Downtown
- Andaz Downtown
- US Grant Downtown
- Loews Coronado (dog friendly!)
- Hotel Del Coronado
- The Lafayette North Park
A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN
La Jolla | Pacific Beach
- Beaumont's La Jolla
- Mavericks Beach Club Pacific Beach
- PB Cantina Pacific Beach
- Moonshine Beach Pacific Beach
- The Duck Dive Pacific Beach
Del Mar | Solana Beach | Encinitas | Oceanside
- Searsucker Del Mar
- Belly Up Solana Beach
- ALCE Solana Beach
- Shelter Encinitas
- Death by Tequila Encinitas
- Home & Away Encinitas
- Kilowatt Oceanside
North Park | South Park | Hillcrest | University Heights
- Coin Op North Park
- Polite Provisions North Park
- Inside Out Hillcrest
- Kindred South Park
- Park & Rec University Heights
Downtown | Little Italy
- Oxford Social Club Downtown
- Parq SD Downtown
- Trailer Park After Dark Downtown
- Punch Bowl Social Downtown
- Bang Bang Downtown
- Searsucker Downtown
- Rustic Root Rooftop Downtown
- Born & Raised Little Italy
- El Camino Little Italy
- Nolita Hall Little Italy
THINGS TO DO
La Jolla | Pacific Beach | Ocean Beach | Point Loma
- Head to La Jolla Cove to check out the tidepools, see the seals, & even paddleboard!
- Find the "hidden" big swing in La jolla
- Kayak La Jolla Shores
- Pacific Beach for a beach day!
- La Jolla, Pacific Beach, & Ocean Beach all have great beaches (OB has a great dog beach too!)
- The Lot Point Loma
- Liberty Station Point Loma cruise around for food & shopping!
- picnic & sunset at Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach
Del Mar | Solana Beach | Carlsbad | Oceanside
- Torrey Pines State Beach: Beach Day!
- Paddle Boarding at the Carlsbad Lagoon
- Del Mar dog beach
- also tons of great beaches along the coast in north county!
- Carlsbad Flower Fields (if the flowers are blooming, this is a site to see!)
Downtown | Little Italy | Mission Hills | Coronado
- Little Italy's Farmers Market on Saturday
- Cinema Under the Stars Mission Hills
- Rooftop Cinema Club Downtown
- visit the USS Midway Downtown
- hang out at Seaport Village Downtown
- Spend the day in Coronado: great dog beach, great regular beach, & hotel Del!
Day Trips!
- take a trip to Julian (esp in the Fall for apple picking!)
- head 3 hours away to Salvation Mountain, TRUST ME- IT IS WORTH IT!
- make the quick trip to Mexico, head to Rosarito & get yourself some bomb ass lobster!
WHERE TO WORKOUT
La Jolla | Pacific Beach | Ocean Beach | Point Loma
- Sparkcycle La Jolla & Point Loma
- Corepower Yoga La Jolla, Pacific Beach, & Point Loma
- SoulCycle La Jolla
- The Boxing Club La Jolla
- Reach Yoga Pacific Beach
- PB Fitness Pacific Beach
- Yoga Six Point Loma
Del Mar | Solana Beach | Encinitas | La Costa | Oceanside
- BodyRok Pilates & Spin Del Mar & Encinitas
- Fitwall Solana Beach
- Elevate Pilates Solana Beach
- Yoga Tropics Encinitas
- Lagree Fit Oceanside
- Vital Climbing Gym Oceanside
North Park | South Park | Hillcrest
- Barry's Bootcamp Hillcrest
- Studio Reform Pilates Hillcrest
- Sweat Society Fitness North Park
- Corepower Yoga Hillcrest & North Park
- Club Pilates North Park
- Ginseng Gfit South Park
Downtown | Little Italy
- Elevate Pilates Downtown
- Aquavie Wellness downtown
- The Boxing Club Downtown
- Corepower Yoga Little Italy & Downtown
- Fit Athletic Club Little Italy
Hikes, For the Outdoorsy Type!
- Hike Torrey Pines, Del mar
- Hike Cowles Mountain, La Mesa
- Hike Potato Chip Rock, Poway
THE BEST IN HEALTH & BEAUTY
Hair Salons
- Bluxom Salon North Park
- The Drybar Del Mar & La Jolla
- Honey Luxe Salon La Mesa
Brows
- Browtique for brows w/ Lindsay Rancho Santa Fe
- Emanate Beauty for Microblading Encinitas
- Browology Del Mar
- Reina Eyebrows & Threading San Carlos
- La Doyenne Microblading University Heights
Hair Removal
- La Di Da Sugaring Bankers Hill
- Sev Laser Hair Removal La Jolla
- Cleo Sugaring La Jolla
Makeup Artist
- Ryan Crociante (comes to you!)
Skincare
- Shop Good Clean Beauty + Wellness (facials & more!) North Park & Del Mar
- Lumos Skincare (for acne facials!) La Mesa
- The Skin Studio Encinitas
- Skin Habit Facial Shop North Park
Spas
- Alcheme Med Spa Little Italy
- Yu Spa (korean style!) Clairemont
- PB Beauty Bar & Spa (hair, lashes, tans, facials, sugaring, etc.) Pacific Beach
- Rancho Valencia Spa Rancho Santa Fe
- Sente Bella Med Spa Downtown
- Spa Kingston Bankers Hill
- Green Tea Spa (cbd massage & facials!) Pacific Beach
- Holden Timeless Beauty Med Spa Encinitas
Faux Tan
- Blush Tan La Jolla & Encinitas
- Lux Spray Tan Downtown
Wellness
- Fix Body Group chiropractic & massage Mission Valley
- Nourish Medical Center (natural doctors!) Sorrento Valley
- Four Moons Spa (massage, skin, energy healing, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, etc) Encinitas