Local Picks
Food, drinks, and fun
Bali Hai Restaurant: Mai Tais, Bay Views, and 70 Years of San Diego Tiki
A round building at the tip of Shelter Island, a two-drink limit on the strongest Mai Tai in town, and a view of the skyline that still stops people mid-sentence. Bali Hai isn't a throwback — it never left.
Fitness Quest 10 Lands in Pacific Beach: San Diego's Top-10 Gym Brings HYROX to PB
One of San Diego's most decorated gyms just opened a Pacific Beach location — a HYROX-focused training studio with a serious pedigree and an events calendar to match.
Little Oaks Bakehouse: Gourmet Cookies in Encinitas
Little Oaks Bakehouse makes small-batch gourmet cookies in Leucadia, Encinitas. Order the signature Biscoff by DM on Instagram — new customers get $5 off.
Verdes El Ranchero: La Jolla's 80-Year-Old Ranch
The Ranch has served scratch-made Sonoran Mexican food in La Jolla since 1945. Meet the family who came out of retirement to save it — plus what to order.
Selva Coffee House: Specialty Coffee Inside a Jungle-Like Nursery
A local's guide to Selva Coffee House — creative matcha and coffee inside a jungle-like plant nursery, in Midway and Del Mar.
Finjan Coffee: Sand-Brewed Turkish Coffee and an Arab Twist on Clairemont Mesa
A local's guide to Finjan Coffee — sand-brewed Turkish coffee, knafeh cold brew, and an Arab twist on Clairemont Mesa.
Lani Shore: Pacific Beach's New Coastal Women's Boutique on Garnet Avenue
Lani Shore, Pacific Beach's newest women's boutique at 1152 Garnet Avenue. Sister-owned, coastal-inspired, hand-picked beach dresses, bikinis, coverups, and your whole San Diego summer wardrobe.
The Barista Botanist: Pacific Beach's Organic Coffee & Workspace Haven
A plant-filled, organic, non-GMO, seed-oil-free all-day cafe in Pacific Beach with sourdough pizzas, $14 superfood smoothies, free WiFi, and a no-pressure remote work setup.
Sweet Vibe: Why This Convoy Boba Shop Is Worth the Hype
A Convoy Street boba shop turning out authentic Asian desserts and hand-crafted bubble tea. Bearamisu, Taromisu, fruit slushes, and milk tea — the hidden gem locals keep returning to.
Living Room Coffeehouse La Jolla: The Cozy Escape You've Been Looking For
A La Jolla institution since 1991 — coffee, Mediterranean menu, wood-fired pizzas, full bar, and weekend live music at 1205 Prospect Street. Open daily from 7 AM until midnight (1am on weekends).
Cali Social Cafe Pacific Beach: Your Essential Guide to San Diego's Newest Brunch Spot
A women-owned cafe at 1433 Garnet Avenue blending Indian kebabs, Indo-Chinese favorites, and California fusion under one roof. Here's the menu, hours, and what to order first.
HoneyBees San Diego: Your Complete Guide to Pacific Beach's Sweetest Cafe
Honeybees turned a former vintage home store into Pacific Beach's buzziest new cafe. Honey-infused everything — dream waffles, brûlée lattes — served under honeycomb ceilings. Here's what to order.
Drift Cafe Pacific Beach: Different From Other Beach Cafes
Drift Cafe in Pacific Beach is one block from the water and serves the kind of coffee and breakfast most beach cafes only pretend to. Here's what to order, when to go, and why locals love it.