San Diego

Food & drink

• Tanner’s Prime Burgers: Award-winning smash burgers made with 100% USDA Prime branded beef; fries cooked in beef tallow; chopped chilies and house-made sauces come standard with every order. Considered one of the top 3 smash burger spots in San Diego County and part of the county’s Michelin-recognized restaurant list. Casual atmosphere, great for a “cheat day.” reel

• Convoy Music Bar (On Air): Secret Tokyo-inspired listening bar hidden in an alley behind O’Brien’s Pub in the Convoy District; look for the glowing “On Air” neon sign. Rare vinyl played on a custom Japanese sound system, craft cocktails (try the Elysium: brown butter rum, maple, citrus, shortbread topper, or ask the bartender to freestyle), and food pairings like olives and burrata. Intimate, moody, tarot-card menus and curated album displays add to the vibe. reel

• Leila: Persian-inspired cocktail bar with luxurious decor: burgundy fabrics, ornate gold chandeliers, intricate brass ceiling fixtures. Full-service bar for an elegant night. reel

• Starlite: Cosmic-themed bar with a dramatic hanging string-light installation creating a starfield ceiling. Extensive cocktail menu displayed on illuminated shelving with red/pink-hued drinks, great for photos. reel

• Fortunate Son: Chinese-inspired restaurant/bar with bold red neon lighting and traditional red lanterns; pairs food with drinks for a fuller dining experience. reel

• Asado Gaucho: Argentinian steak spot at Liberty Public Market known for high-quality steaks. Ran a one-day-only (Sat, March 21) steak frites sandwich for Liberty Public Market’s 10-year anniversary: 8 oz New York strip, homemade chimichurri, chipotle mayo, melted provolone, double-fried fries, on a sesame-toasted Prager Brothers baguette; sold until sold out, arrive early. reel

• Prager Brothers: Bakery supplying the sesame-toasted baguette used in Asado Gaucho’s steak frites sandwich. reel

• Little Frenchie (1166 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118): French-inspired café famous for the Le Parisian Hot Chocolate ($15, serves 2): Valrhona chocolate topped with whipped Chantilly cream, poured tableside into a warm spiral croissant (+$6), with a powdered-strawberry side (+$4), a perfect shareable winter dessert. reel Also offers Parisian picnic baskets year-round plus a seasonal Parisian hot chocolate picnic basket (from $50), including hot chocolate for two, pastries (madeleines, croissants), strawberries, Chantilly cream, blankets, mat, and utensils (charcuterie board add-on available). Order 48 hours ahead via their website; pickup daily 11 AM–7 PM; basket/blankets must be returned within 48 hours (mugs returnable or $20 to keep). reel

• Dough Momma Pizzeria: New York-style pizzeria operating for 6 years. Signature items: Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza (crunchy crust, red sauce with ricotta and house-made hot honey), Honey Lemon Pepper Wings (fried, crispy, salty-sweet). Also serves garlic knots and calzones. Highly recommended by locals. Note: the Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza traditionally comes without red sauce, but you can request it added. Pizza maker Adrian has 10 years of experience and is known for his saucing technique. Good pick if you like a super crunchy, slightly overcooked crust. reel

• Pinpoint Cafe: Treehouse vibes with great views, good coffee and bites, scenic overlook of La Jolla Cove. Ideal for refreshment between activities. reel

Sights & activities

• Torrey Pines Golf Course: One of San Diego’s four most popular courses, ~100,000 rounds played per year. reel
• Encinitas Ranch Golf Course: One of the four most popular courses, ~100,000 rounds per year. reel
• Balboa Golf Course: One of the four most popular courses, ~100,000 rounds per year; scenic cityscape views. reel
• Coronado Golf Course: One of the four most popular courses, ~100,000 rounds per year. reel
• O’Brien’s Pub: Convoy District pub that serves as the entrance marker (via the alley behind it) for the hidden Convoy Music Bar. reel
• Convoy District: San Diego neighborhood home to Convoy Music Bar and O’Brien’s Pub. reel
• The Lafayette Hotel: Retro-themed bar/lounge with vintage yellow lantern lighting and mid-century design; a nostalgic, classic San Diego nightlife stop. (See also Stay.) reel
• Liberty Public Market: Food market at Liberty Station that celebrated its 10-year anniversary (home to Asado Gaucho); parking available in adjacent lots, but expect crowds on event days. reel
• Liberty Station: Area encompassing Liberty Public Market and Asado Gaucho. reel
• Coronado Beach: Popular sunset-viewing spot next to the Hotel del Coronado; ideal for picnicking. reel
• Hotel del Coronado: Hosts a free Wizard of Oz-themed holiday light show with artificial snow, daily 5 PM–9 PM (plays every 30 minutes), running through January 4th. reel
• Birch Aquarium: Newly renovated, interactive marine exhibits, great for kids, beautiful displays. reel
• The Cave Store: Adventurous and unique walk into a sea cave, accessible via stairs down to a notable underground chamber. reel
• Salk Institute: Architecturally stunning hidden gem; modern brutalist design with reflection pools and courtyards. Free to visit for its public courtyard areas. reel
• Marine Room Beach Access: Beautiful beach access point and popular snorkeling spot, with scenic La Jolla shores, tide pools, and marine life. reel

Stay

• The Lafayette Hotel: Historic property with a retro bar/lounge featuring vintage yellow lantern lighting and a nostalgic “fever dream” ambiance. reel

Practical tips

• San Diego has 83 total golf courses (55 public, 28 private), but only 25 of the 55 public courses are listed on Golf Now, making tee times hard to book. Use the free Fairway Finder app (fairwayfinder.io) to book 53 of 55 public courses with no fees. reel
• Finding Convoy Music Bar’s hidden entrance (via the alley behind O’Brien’s Pub, marked by the “On Air” neon sign) is part of the experience. reel
• Tanner’s Prime Burgers is stop #10 of 42 in a series covering all Michelin-recognized restaurants in San Diego County, worth following for more picks. reel
• For a full night out, consider bar-hopping across Leila, Starlite, Fortunate Son, and The Lafayette Hotel; each offers a distinct vibe (elegant, cosmic, bold, retro). reel
• Asado Gaucho’s steak frites sandwich was a one-day-only special. For similar pop-ups, arrive early and expect crowds/parking demand at Liberty Public Market; check @pov_boyfriendd on Instagram for more San Diego food recs. reel
• For Little Frenchie’s picnic basket, book at least 48 hours in advance online; pickup is daily 11 AM–7 PM, and baskets/blankets must be returned within 48 hours (mugs $20 to keep). Pair with a Coronado Beach sunset and the Hotel del Coronado light show for a full winter date itinerary. reel
• Combine Birch Aquarium, Pinpoint Cafe, The Cave Store, Salk Institute, and Marine Room Beach Access for a full La Jolla day experience. reel
• The Honey Lemon Pepper Wings at Dough Momma Pizzeria are described as phenomenal and worth a special trip. reel