13 local gems and touristy must-sees by San Diego
1. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, La Jolla: There’s a Starbucks across the street but this buzzing, locally owned shop in the Bird Rock community at the southern end of La Jolla just past Pacific Beach is the place for your caffeine fix. Try the Gold Digger, a dreamy honey cinnamon latte, if only to hear the barista say, “(Your name here), I have your Gold Digger.’’ A tiny kids play area is decorated with art by Bird Rock Elementary School students.
Details: 5627 La Jolla Blvd., birdrockcoffee.com.
2. Don Bravo Mexican Grill, La Jolla: The sign on the door of this cashonly taco shop said it opens at 10 a.m. but the doors were still locked at 10:10 a.m. “Ten more minutes,’’ yelled a Waste Management driver parked across the street. He’s a regular and was waiting for one of his favorites, machaca and eggs. The shop opened at 10:24 a.m. Alex Ibarra, a construction worker who works on a beachfront home around the corner, was among the first to order, picking up a scallop burrito, surf and turf burrito, carne asada nachos and other favorites to bring back to the crew. The fish tacos are popular with local surfers. We ordered our breakfast burrito to go, but eight stools on the small patio out back provide a glimpse of the ocean.
Details: 5504 La Jolla Blvd. donbravo.com.
3. Calumet Park, La Jolla: Take your coffee and breakfast burrito to Calumet Park, a small neighborhood park overlooking the ocean. Bird Rock resident Dusty Kellogg, whose specialized license plate says BYRDROK, takes her double-pump mocha here and watches surfers at Rock Pile. The mother of two calls family-friendly Bird Rock La Jolla’s “little gem.’’
Details: sandiego.gov/park-and -recreation/parks/regional/shoreline /calumet.
4. Children's Pool and La Jolla Cove, La Jolla: Coast Boulevard, home to these landmarks, is a parking nightmare, especially on weekends. And the area is filled with tourists. (Park in a downtown lot and walk down to the water if you don’t mind a hilly walk back). But kids will delight in seeing the harbor seals and sea lions. Walk out on the crescent-shaped seawall at the Children’s Pool for close-up photos and, depending on the tide, a shower from the crashing waves. Walk north to Scripps Park and La Jolla Cove. Kayaking is popular in La Jolla Cove. If the area is too packed on your drive north, hit it on the way back.
Details: sandiego.gov/lifeguards/beaches/pool, sandiego.gov/lifeguards/beaches/cove.
5. Downtown La Jolla: The village of La Jolla isn’t on the water but it's thisclose and a worthy stop for shoppers and those looking for dining or drinks with a view. At the high end, check out George’s at the Cove, a threefloor restaurant with different menus on each level. The ocean terrace at the top is the best spot for views but is usually packed and the sun beats down if you’re not in the shade. Level 2 has communal tables and booths with ocean views. The bottom level is the most posh and open only for dinner. For bargain tacos, get in line at The Taco Stand, a dive on Pearl Street. Into celebrity chefs? Check out "Top Chef" Brian Malarkey’s Herringbone, a hip spot with seafood, wood-fired pizza and a homey dining room designed like an outdoor patio. Don’t miss the tempurafried squash blossom appetizer.
Details: georgesatthecove.com, letstaco.com, herringboneeats .com/locations/la-jolla.
6. Torrey Pines Gliderport: For free entertainment on the coastal drive, check out the daredevils hang gliding and paragliding at the seaside gliderport. You don't just have to watch. Tandem paragliding flights are offered for a fee. Wander the grounds of the gliderport for some of the best coastal views of the trip. If you skipped downtown La Jolla for lunch, check out the casual Cliffhanger Cafe. Details: flytorrey.com. 7. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve: Pull in for some beach time or to hike up the hill for a workout and views of the famous Torrey Pines municipal golf course. It’s a mile to the visitor center, which offers free guided nature walks on weekends and holidays. Several trails are available, including one that goes down to the beach. Details: torreypine.org. 8. Tide Beach Park, Solana Beach: Fletcher’s Cove is bigger, better known and has better parking, but it has nothing on Tide Beach Park, its neighbor half a mile north, when it comes to charm. Hunt for a free street parking spot in the area of Pacific Avenue and Solana Vista and head down the 143 steps, sandwiched between two beachfront homes, to a sandy cove. Locals run the stairs for exercise. The only people on the secluded beach during our spring-break visit: Stanford student athletes Nina Randolph (field hockey) and Treyvion Foster (football). They brought carne asada tacos and fish tacos from Juanitas Taco Shop in Encintas. Randolph found the beach a year ago on a walk with her dog. “I love the flowers and the fact that it’s in a bay,’’ Randolph said. “Plus, it’s a local beach and not many people know it.’’ Details: ci.solana-beach.ca.us. 9. Cardiff Beach Bar at Tower 13, Cardiff-by-the-Sea: The large beach bar/sports bar, across the busy highway from Cardiff State Beach, is a good stop for lunch or happy hour. The house drink is a Bloody Mary with hot pepperand vegetable-infused vodka. Sandwiches and burgers come with a beer or glass of wine at lunch and mimosas are $2 at lunch. Fish tacos are a favorite. Check out the live music schedule, with country music on Wednesday nights a big draw. The two patios are dog friendly.
Details: 2633 S. Coast Highway 101. tower13.com.
10. Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens, Encinitas: My horoscope on the day of our San Diego scenic drive said, “Spiritual matters might take a more intellectual turn as friends recommend books, videos or other sources of information.’’ That other source turned out to be more inspirational than informational: the tranquil meditation gardens at the sprawling Self-Realization Fellowship complex. The free gardens — a desertand tropical-plant oasis by the sea — offer some of the best coastal views in San Diego and nooks for meditation or reading. June Sharpe and Gayle Tomkiewicz toured the gardens an hour after they arrived in Encinitas from Phoenix. The friends were attending a spiritual retreat at the Self-Realization Fellowship, an international non-profit religious society, and found the gardens to be a peaceful start to the trip. “How can you not relax?’ said Sharpe, a hospice
11. Pannikin Coffee & Tea, Encinitas: The perfect stop if you’re craving more caffeine, something sweet and a break from driving. The coffee shop, whose motto is “Wakin’ up San Diego since 1968,” is housed in a Victorianstyle building that used to be a train station. It gives the place a house-like feel, with seating options galore, including a wraparound patio. Try the Mexican Mocha (a house specialty) and anything from the bakery case. We bought a Magic Bar, raspberry bar and giant chocolate-chip cookie. Souvenirs are available in the gift shop.
Details: 510 N. Coast Highway 101. pannikincoffeeandtea.com.
12. URBN Pizza, Encinitas: Fish 101, a happening spot north of downtown Encinitas, was our original dinner destination but we were warned about long lines and wanted to end the day with sunset on the beach. The solution: takeout margherita pizza with sausage from Urbn, a popular coal-fired pizza restaurant and bar in bustling downtown Encinitas. It is part of the local chain that includes Basic pizza and bar near Petco Park in downtown San Diego.
Details: 764 S. Coast Highway 101. urbnencinitas.com.
13. Sunset at D Street Beach, Encinitas: Moonlight and Swami’s are the biggest beaches in Encinitas and have restrooms, picnic tables, parking and other amenities. But we picked the more intimate, albeit rockier, D Street for our sunset picnic. Descend a wooden staircase, sink into a sand chair and watch other beachgoers covet your pizza as the sun sinks below the horizon.
Details: 450 D St. encinitas.ca.us/ Resident/Parks-Beaches-Trails/ Beaches.