Hotel Location

When savory meat is on the agenda, don’t be quick to dismiss this tiny North Park spot with a pig statue on its roof; whatever the small structure may lack in taste it more than makes up for with flavor. On any given day its rotating menu might include a cheeseburger topped with bacon and bacon jam. Take your time deciding, though, because the pork belly, sausage bahn mi and carnitas tacos are just as delectable. And while the naturally raised, locally sourced ingredients may not strictly qualify as “health food,” they definitely make for a better than average late night snack.

Friendly and happy wait staff? Check. Cool, renovated warehouse space? Check. Craft pizza pies, craft beers, and inventive specialty cocktails? Amazing. Whether your tastes range form simple to the impossibly fancy, this is a place for pizza and beer lovers alike. We absolutely love the garlic mashed potato and pancetta pie, and the pepperoni pizza is just darn good. And talk about presentation, every pizza is served with five silver ramekins of sides: salt, pepper, oregano, dried peppers and parmesan. The lowdown? URBN is the perfect place to meet up with a large group or enjoy nestling up to your mate on a two-person bar stool.

While visible from the Lafayette’s front door, this charming Russian bistro is easy to miss. Consider it worth the look though, and not merely to satisfy your Borscht craving. Because look deeper and Pomegranate’s true niche is actually Georgian cuisine. Yeah, that Georgia. The ex-Soviet republic has plenty of its own character, amply on display here, both on the walls and in its colorfully written menu. Tales of aromatic herbs, tender meats and regional wines won’t let you down, while the Salad Sampler Platter proves just how much can be accomplished with pickled vegetables. Cash only, so bring some… and also a sharpie. You’ll see why.

It’s tough to say which is the freshest tasting coffee in San Diego, but safe bet it’s one of the dozen or so varietals offered by this artisan roaster and caffé in North Park. And don’t dismiss that extra f – it hails from Italy, the inspiration behind everything Calabria. In the morning there are tiny sandwiches of soppressata on a mini brioche. At night you’ll find Neapolitan pizza topped with the finest prosciutto. Of course, to truly follow Italy’s example one should sit back and while away the pre-siesta hours enjoying coffee perfection, whether sipping espresso curbside or grabbing a booth and waiting for your personal French press to brew.

The vision behind Blind Lady Ale House (or BLAH) is to offer tasty, handcrafted organic salads, Neapolitan-style pizza, craft beer and wine– or as your crew of differing appetites might call it, something for everyone. And everyone seems to love it. While at first glance it may appear a little crowded, closer inspection reveals the place is merely filled with happy people having a good time. Communal picnic table seating encourages diners to mingle, lending to the sort of casual atmosphere that really typifies San Diego. As does the rotating beer selection, which captures a true representation of California micro-brews even as it spotlights celebrated breweries from further afield. (Or, aficionados may simply want to try the house’s own, Automatic Brewing Co.) Pizza-wise, don’t look for pepperoni on the menu; you’re more likely to find poblano peppers, butternut squash or prosciutto. Nevertheless, amid these adult tastes there are actually several kid-friendly options.

Southern California may not claim a signature pizza tradition along the lines of New York or Chicago, but so appealing climate that a number of great dough slingers now call San Diego home. Take Luigi, an Italian transplant with a penchant for casual dining. His thin crust pies bake to order, with a litany of toppings and sauces, often available for delivery. Stop in for a slice and you’ll face a dozen choices, ranging from pepperoni to a pear and blue cheese special known as the “Frenchie.” Known to stay open late, Luigi’s atmosphere only improves as the night goes on.

If you like a little action with your dinner date, try signing up for one of the nightly culinary classes at Hip Cooks. The three-hour sessions guide you step by step through all the cooking techniques needed to prepare a well rounded multi-course menu, whether it’s making tapas, rolling sushi or picking up some professional knifework for your Coq au Vin. As the evening progresses you’ll enjoy wine pairings and conversation with your classmates, and ultimately enjoy a lovely meal you’ve just learned to cook together. Ready for the best part? Nobody gets stuck washing dishes. Pre-registration required.

“World Famous” by anyone’s standards, the San Diego Zoo is known to be the greatest single attraction in town, and the number of people passing through its gates each year far exceeds the population of the entire county. In other words, it can get crowded. But don’t be deterred – the place is huge, as is its free parking lot, and with over 4,000 animals representing more than 800 species on display throughout the hills of Balboa park, it’s really easier than it sounds to capture an intimate moment with your favorite critter, whether it’s a capuchin, meerkat or chik chik. Of course there are exceptions, though we’d much rather stand in line to see Giant Pandas than any nightclub. Other must-sees include polar bears, koalas, apes and of course elephants, though you may be surprised how many exotic creatures you encounter here.

Recently restored to its original 1928 splendor, The Birch Theatre has truly invigorated both North Park’s arts and dining scenes. Any modern upgrades have only served to improve its use as a movie house, theatrical venue or music performance space, and as a result its 700-seat capacity is put to use most nights, and even during the occasional daylight hour. Any given date will find The Birch playing host to a local Broadway musical production, film screening, concert or festival. Whatever the action, show up early to enjoy a local restaurant, then hit the lobby-adjacent West Coast Tavern for pre-show cocktails.

Originally named for the dancing pink elephants of Dumbo, the décors of this popular North Park lounge still invoke the feel of film’s most famous animated bender, which proves an ideal setting for catching up with friends or even getting a little rowdy. Table service is available in several large vinyl booths, though space may be limited as “The Pink” has a reputation for stiff drinks and quality music bookings that bring all kinds out of the woodwork. It shouldn’t be an issue, though; you can always cozy up to the bar to explore its selection of top shelf spirits, shoot pool on a table of pink felt (naturally) or carouse next to the stage, where dancing may erupt at any moment. We recommend arriving early on weekend nights to beat the crowd.

For times you prefer to drink around an edgier crowd, this local favorite has the essence of rocker bar dialed in. Sure, the beer selection is top shelf and the black vinyl booths offer comfortable privacy should your party desire it, but the jukebox leans heavily toward homegrown musicians, many of whom are probably hanging at the bar or playing pool in the back, so try to look like you’re not trying too hard to look cool. Live Wire is small, dark and at times loud, and they’ve been doing it that way successfully for 30 years, so clearly it works.

What Small Bar might seem to lack in stature it makes up for in selection, as evidenced by the enormous chalkboard menu boasting 42 taps of quality beer ranging from internationally lauded Belgian Ales to the equally acclaimed work of local craft brewers. Less noticeable and perhaps even more impressive is the stock of top shelf spirits tucked behind the bar, including one of the city’s most refined assortments of bourbon, scotch and Irish whisky. All the quality beverages tend to make the packed-in crowd quite friendly, so expect to rub elbows and have boisterous conversations about the complexities of your drink’s flavor profile.

What’s make Lips different from traditional dinner theater? At Lips, Cher greets you at the door. Actually, he’s just a very convincing facsimile who, once the show starts, will be lip-syncing dance anthems alongside the likes of drag Rihanna and queen Britney Spears. Don’t expect the show to be restricted to the confines of the stage– no seat is safe and everyone’s a target for teasing and over-the-top innuendo– but do try to squeeze in a few bites between blushes and laughter, as dining is mandatory. It might go down easier with the unlimited mimosas of their Sunday Gospel Brunch.

This North Park dive offers more than soft drinks, boasting a full bar, craft beer and a handful of arcade games. Happy hour runs from 5 to 9pm daily, and that’s your only chance at a low-key vibe. The rest of the night will be given over to live music, as Soda Bar is one of the most active venues in the city. In fact, half the space is devoted to local and touring acts and their genres of choice. The other half almost feels like a separate room, featuring a row of intimate booths constituting the bar’s prime real estate. Can’t be bothered to give up your seat to watch the band? No problem, the show’s broadcast live on TV behind the bar. You won’t need to crane your neck to hear, either; this place gets looouud.

So artfully arranged is this 30th St boutique that you may simply want to take a stroll through the shop to breathe it all in. Pigment touts a mix of locally made goods and globally recognized brands, chiefly that class of decorative wares that fall under the umbrella design-conscious. The ingenious array of coffee table books, jewelry, art and home accessories make the space a gifter’s dream, whether you’ve got tasteful friend in mind or want to keep everything for yourself. Most remarkable may be the– for lack of a better term– botanical structures that define the shop’s “organic modern aesthetic.” Succulents are given the status of sculpture; so-called living walls drape vines from horizontal hanging planters; and Eco Orbs allow miniature gardens to seemingly float in midair. Nature walks wish they were this engaging.

Located just down the street, Route 44 is somewhat of a throwback; an honest and independent neighborhood skate shop in a world full of trendy, mall-friendly franchises. The small business carries quality decks for cheap, including gear from both established and upstart skate brands, many of which are local. The owner’s a lifelong skater who long dreamt of owning his own skate shop, and it shows. You’ll find a friendly and knowledgeable staff inside, while a ramp set up outside provides a fun and safe place for kids to skate (adults too, of course). Bottom line? Walk over for some awesome t-shirts, punk-rock records, free stickers and down-to-earth conversations.

Record stores still exist, and though larger, everything-under-the-sun franchises may be on the verge of extinction, independent music sellers survive, if on passion alone. North Park’s hole in the wall rock shop takes an editorial approach, stocking its bins with new and used CD’s more likely to be critical successes than billboard number ones. You could probably dig through its entire stock within a short afternoon, yet, small as it is, there’s a good chance you’ll come across a new favorite, old rarity or sweet deal on a used copy of that album you always loved but never owned.

With roots planted in both New York City and the music industry, this little mens and women’s clothing shop has a rich history. A cool and diverse vibe surrounds this North Park boutique which offers new and vintage selections of simple, yet trendy urban wares (dare we say hipster?). The store has an impressive selection of t-shirts, denim, and vintage leather boots, as well as jewelry sold by local designers displayed in a cleverly aesthetic manner. The bottom line? HOME is a gold mine for quality vintage clothing or new hipster pieces for a good price.

This North Park boutique exudes a cool, ethnic, and distinctive vibe. Here you’ll find a variety of one-of-a-kind, new, vintage and up-cycled pieces ranging from clothing to artwork. The décor changes regularly and reflects local style and art, demonstrated by its funky-styled forms in the front window and inventive pieces on its walls. Shoppers can not only find a vast assortment of men’s and women’s wares and accessories, but there’s also a hand-picked plethora of records (one of H&G’s owners is a local DJ).

North Park has gained some repute as San Diego’s cultural hub, and if the neighborhood has an arts district it begins on this single narrow block near the center of town. Specifically, this portion of Ray St. runs south from University Avenue, just steps from its bustling intersection with 30th. The relatively tranquil strip harbors a dense assortment of independent galleries and design shops, and the peripatetic aesthete will find several others peppering nearby streets. Check Ray St on the second Saturday evening of each month for the longstanding art walk Ray at Night, which features music, refreshments and artwork galore.