5 Must Visit Spots in San Diego, California

It’s hard to believe it’s only been a month of so since Amanda and I traveled to San Diego. We enjoyed four days of colorful lattes, unbelievable spreads of food, and the sound of waves hitting the West Coast. While I truly enjoyed experiencing all the new spaces in a different state, I have chosen 5 must visit spots when your in the San Diego area!

Family of seals in deep sleep at La Jolla Cove

La Jolla Cove sunset

La Jolla Cove sunset – part II

La Jolla Cove

La Jolla Cove

Kicking it off with La Jolla Cove, a small, picturesque cove and beach surrounded by cliffs in La Jolla. We spent our first full day wandering the beach at La Jolla and gazing upon the cute and sometimes very hyper, seals that found sleep on top of the jagged cliffs leading to the ocean. I kept my distance, for the most part. When I saw this cute (family?) of seals sleeping cuddled together I had to tip toe my way closer to snap a pic of their gorgeous faces!

We stayed until the sunset, with eyes closed and the breeze keeping us cool. A couple of photographers (or videographers?) came out when the sun began to set and started taking what I can only imagine are bad ass photos of the waves crashing against the rocks.

Harumama Noodles and Buns in Little Italy, San Diego

Harumama Noodles and Buns in Little Italy, San Diego

Harumama Noodles and Buns

Nestled in Little Italy, San Diego is Harumama Noodles and Buns, one of my favorite restaurants of ALL TIME! The restaurant features an open bar alongside the windows (which are open!) and the best poke bowl I have ever had. Sorry SA, but we need to step up our poke bowl game! Harumama serves up a Superhero Poke bowl complete with salmon + rice and topped with avocado, krab, chia seeds, watermelon radish, sweet onion, micro shiso, scallion, furikake, crispy garlic, tempura crunch and Pokewan sauce. As I write this in San Antonio I am now craving a poke bowl…

Along with awesome poke bowls, Harumama features cute bao bao buns with cartoon features. Very cute, very Instagram-worthy, and most importantly – delicious.

Balboa Park

Community bubbles at Balboa Park

Balboa Park

After an early morning of sipping on lattes and Ubering around SD, I felt exhausted. The time was 10:30 a.m. or so and I called myself an Uber to take me back to our Air B&B in Little Italy, San Diego. Next time I need to rent an RV in San Diego!

While chatting with my driver I mentioned that I wasn’t from here and he asked if he could take me on a little tour of the area to show me the hot spots and I happily agreed. He drove me by Balboa Park and I told him to leave me here and I jumped out with no plans or clear idea of what the park entailed but from what I could see outside the car window, it looked amazing.

Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre urban cultural park featuring open space areas, natural vegetation zones, green belts, gardens, and walking paths. But that’s not it! The park also contains numerous museums, several theaters, and the San Diego Zoo. Sadly I didn’t have enough time to hit up the Zoo, but I did enjoy walking around the grounds (I even had a henna tattoo done!) and sipping coffee from a coffee cart near one of the restaurants. You could easily spend an entire day at Balboa Park so plan accordingly!

Herb & Wood – second dining area

Herb & Wood spring fresh salad

Scallops galore at Herb & Wood

Herb & Wood

When I walked into Herb & Wood I was left in awe. The upscale yet rustic and inviting restaurant was my idea of a secret garden. With natural light pouring in and greenery everywhere you looked, Herb & Wood was one of my favorite places to dine. We went for dinner but I have a feeling if we went for brunch this would be higher on my list. Everything we ate was amazing, however it is pricy so tis a good place for a special occasion meal!

Brunchin’ at Cafe 21

The Mezze Board at Cafe 21

Cafe 21

Oh, Cafe 21, how I adore you. This chic, half outdoor, half indoor cafe stole my heart as soon as I sat down on one of their outdoor picnic tables. The table was decorated with fresh florals, succulents and unique pots for each one. Almost as soon as we sat down the Mezze Board was brought out (see above). Those colors! The Mezze Board featured baba ghanoush, roasted carrot and turmeric hummus, green goddess dairy-free dip, house compotes, beet pickled eggs, pickled onions, tomatoes and cucumbers. The board is served with sourdough bread which I ordered more of because I honestly can’t remember what else I ate at Cafe 21 because I was so immersed with the range of flavors presented to me. If you’re looking for one brunch spot YOU HAVE TO HIT UP, this is it. Cafe 21.

As I finish this I am realizing there are many more places we visited that I’d like to mention and they are below. Wanderlust away, fam!