Beach, Burgers and Bars in San Diego

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Parent Category: Travel Info

Category: Travel Feature

Published on Wednesday, 20 July 2011 05:00

Written by Lindsey Saletta

The eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California, San Diego sits on the coast of Southern California by the Pacific Ocean, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border.

With its mild year-round climate, natural deep-water harbor, and long association with the U.S. Navy, the birthplace of California is a great place to visit. It is known for its beaches, burgers, bars and a yearly event called Comic-Con. Though the population was 1,307,402 -- according to the 2010 census -- it increases by over 100,000 people during the near-week of this ultimate geek fest. But when the fans hit the town, where else do they know to go besides the Convention Center?

Here are seven places to hit outside of Comic-Con this weekend.

The Hidden Local Cove: 

A trip to San Diego is not a trip to San Diego without the beach. These things don’t have names unless you’re in Orange County. While most noobs flock to the safe, packed expanses of the big, popular beaches (La Jolla Shores, anyone?), mix up your break from nerd-central with a trip to one of the many no-name hidden coves tucked along the SD coast.

Either find your own beach (drive residential streets along the coast and look for gates at the top of cliffs -- these usually conceal beach access), or hit up one of our personal favorites at the end of Santa Cruz Blvd in Ocean Beach.

This perfect little patch of sand is stuck between two mussel- and crab-covered outcroppings of rock, meaning it’s not the safest swimming location. But the view is hands-down breathtaking -- if you don’t mind the hula-hoop wielding Rastafarians, that is. All part of the local culture.

Insider tip: If you do end up talking to a local, don’t say "dude" or "whatever, man" every other word. They can tell the difference.

The True San Diego Cult Burger Joint:

Los Angeles has Pinks, New York has the Shake Shack, and San Diego has Hodad‛s.

This little burger dive in Ocean Beach is well worth the side trip if you’re looking for an excellent burger and a true San Diegan chill vibe. Trust us, the never-ending line is worth it to sink your pearly whites into one of their trademark Bacon Burgers.

If the crowd of surfers, dudes, and road-tripping European hippies isn’t enough entertainment, the walls are papered with license plates from every country (and smart-aleck disposition) possible, so you can play I Spy as you wait for your extra order of fries. We’re talking big, succulent fries; no McDonalds limp, did-that-really-come-from-a-potato offerings here. Oh, and the vanilla malts are heart-stoppingly delicious. And huge.

Insider tip: Hodad’s recently opened a downtown location. Same great burgers. Less entertaining crowd.

The Classic California Experience:

If you’re unfortunate enough to live in a state less awesome than California, do yourself a favor and do not leave until you sample our signature contribution to the fast food world. Easy, low maintenance, reliable and chill, In-N-Out Burger is typical California cool. And it's just good.

Insider tip: There is a secret menu. Don’t worry about it. Here’s a hint: "Animal Style" means good things.

Mexico Without the Passport:

Legend has it that a little old Mexican lady lives in the back of this traditional spot, Old Town Mexican Café, and makes tortillas by hand all day, every day, just like she has been doing for the past 500 years (only pausing to change locations of course).

Little old lady or not, you don’t get much more authentic than this local staple, and there is definitely something special about their tortillas.

Once upon a time, you’d be able to hop the border for some real tacos after a day of Comic-Con madness. Seeing as that isn’t exactly the safest option anymore, and Mexican food is still a San Diego priority, Old Town Mexican Café is your best bet.

Chips, salsa, guacamole…we’re drooling just thinking about it. The menu ranges from gringo-safe fare (tacos, burritos, etc) to more traditional Mexican cuisine like mole and molcajete.

Insider tip: "Pollo" means chicken and is pronounced "poy-yo," not "polo." And tequila shots are $2.50 on Taco Tuesdays. Just saying.

The Posh Hotel Bar: 

So you’ve spent all day running around dressed as Princess Leia and now (for some strange reason -- chafing perhaps?) you feel the need to class it up a bit.

If the secret, mildly snobby side of you is looking for a chic hotel bar with excellent cocktails and an unspoken "no costumes" door policy, the US Grant Hotel‛s Grant’s Grill has a bar which is the place to go.

Open until 11:30pm, this swanky (and historical! It’s been a San Diego institution since 1910) joint is perfect for a refreshing pit stop or a nice, intimate chat. Men, if your lady friend isn’t going gaga over the obscure gaming trivia you’ve been rattling off all day, this is an opportunity to show you have range.

Insider tip: Try the Privee Cocktail (Maissenez Ginger Liqueur, Passion Fruit Puree, Moet Chandon) for some fruity goodness.  

The Always Pumping, Aren’t-You-Jealous Venue:

Always packed. Always a line. One of those "what did YOU do last night" kind of places. Then again, being a San Diego nightlife icon, the crowd comes with the territory.

Connected to the popular 207 Club and famous for hosting its own rooftop pool parties, The Hard Rock Hotel  can be safely labeled as San Diego’s ultimate luxury party hotel. If you want peace and quiet, go elsewhere.

If you and your gang of minions want to stay out all night, go here. Steps from the Convention Center, the hotel stands right outside the entrance to the Gaslamp. So if there isn’t enough nightlife for you at the hotel, the rest of San Diego’s best restaurants, bars and clubs are literally just outside.

Insider tip: Sorry, minors, the Gaslamp is notorious for its strict carding policies. If you aren’t 21, it’s probably not worth trying.

For the rest of you, this means no high schoolers will be crashing your party.

The Old-School San Diego Speakeasy:

If a dark, mahogany bar with a piano man and pictures of women dressed (or not dressed) in vintage lingerie piques your interest, waste no time and head over to Lady Cora’s Marble Room, the local speakeasy for an after-dinner drink.

Or come here early and have dinner -- we hear the sea bass is divine. After the dinner crowd clears out, though, there’s room at the bar for the entire Zelda cast.

Though it’s not the same as the ocarina, their piano man is a sport, has been there for ages, and can play practically anything (except two years ago, he didn’t know "Message in a Bottle". We haven’t asked again).  

Regardless, the Marble Room’s Moulin-Rouge-meets-Wild-West ambiance is something you won’t find anywhere else.

Insider tip: Back when the Gaslamp was San Diego’s bustling Redlight district, the Marble Room was the location of one of the most popular brothels of its day. The waitresses still wear corsets.

The "Hidden Local Cove"
End of Santa Cruz Blvd
(past Bacon Street)
San Diego, CA

Hodad’s
5010 Newport Ave.
Ocean Beach, CA
619-224-4623
hodadies.com

Hodad’s Downtown:
945 Broadway Ave
Ocean Beach, CA  
619-234-6326

In-N-Out Burger
Everywhere
For locations, check out www.in-n-out.com
(or let your Android be your guide)

Old Town Mexican Café
2489 San Diego Avenue
San Diego, CA
619-297-4330
www.oldtownmexcafe.com

Grant’s Grill
US Grant Hotel
326 Broadway
San Diego, CA
619-232-3121
www.grantgrill.com

The Hard Rock Hotel
207 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA
866-751-7625
www.hardrockhotelsd.com

Lady Cora’s Marble Room
535 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
619-702-5595
themarbleroom.com

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