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By Nicholas Carolan

Down on the West Coast, the best places for drinking and playing in San Diego

San Diego often plays second fiddle to its sisters in the north, but with miles of pristine coastline, a dynamic culture inspired by nearby Mexico and, of course, Comic-Con, there’s never a bad time to get down on the West Coast

While Comic-Con’s presence looms large over the popular perception of San Diego, there’s a lot more to California’s southernmost city than the world’s biggest stars would have you believe. Spanning over one hundred kilometres of pristine coastline that will take you within arms reach of Mexico, San Diego is enjoying a popular renaissance as a destination that straddles the divide between rest and recreation.

To help you navigate the city’s 100 eclectic neighbourhoods, GRAZIA spoke to Sasha Roberts – personal concierge to the stars at one of San Diego’s most prestigious hotels and celebrity enclaves, Beach Village at The Del – to solicit a tour of the best places to stay, play, wine and dine in San Diego.

STAY
As far as celebrity-spotting goes, prime celeb watching in San Diego takes place during Comic Con, the annual movie marketing phenomenon and comic book convention held every July. Part of the historic beachside Hotel del Coronado, the 128-year-old Victorian era grand dame nestled in the heart of Coronado Island, Beach Village at the Del and its luxury beachside villas are a sure-fire bet for A-list people watching in a location that cannot be beat. On a smaller scale, The Pearl in Point Loma is a budget-friendly, modern, boutique hotel that possesses a singular charm unique to mid-century architecture – an appeal that’s boosted considerably by perks like dive-in movies and craft cocktails. For the more nocturnally inclined, Roberts recommends the Hard Rock Hotel in downtown San Diego’s vibrant Gaslamp Quarter for its unparalleled convenience, rooftop pool, and in-house entertainment options, including nightclubs and another of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s eponymous, legendary Japanese restaurants.

A photo posted by Hotel del Coronado (@delcoronado) on Nov 5, 2015 at 3:38pm PST

“As far as celebrity-spotting goes, prime celeb-watching takes place during Comic-Con every July when A-list actors, directors and Hollywood industry folks fill the restaurants, bars and clubs.”
EAT
Breakfast Burritos are part of every quintessential San Diego experience – “a MUST HAVE”, according to Roberts. There’s no shortage to be found around a town whose vibrant culinary scene thrives thanks to its proximity to the Mexican border. With three locations in San Diego, you’d be hard pressed to miss one at The Mission. If braving the open-air Tuna Harbour Fish Market sounds like too great an ask, head straight to Saiko Sushi on Coronado Island for some of the best sushi in San Diego. It might seem counterintuitive for a Japanese restaurant that serves year-round fresh fish, but Roberts’ proffered one secret menu tip: “They also have the best meatloaf!” If fish fatigue hasn’t set in by the evening, make a beeline for Ironside Fish & Oyster. Once a 1920s warehouse, Ironside’s stunning interior design (read: an entire wall built from piranha skulls) is rivalled only by the raw bar’s signature one pound lobster rolls and fresh oysters served on platters that come in three sizes: Big, Bigger and Biggest.

A photo posted by Ironside Fish & Oyster (@ironsideoyster) on Dec 8, 2015 at 3:05pm PST

DRINK
Built in 1888, Babcock & Story is The Del’s original hotel bar and not only offers live entertainment nightly in a spectacular setting but boasts a menu of seasonal drinks like the Silver Strand Raspberry Mule and Crown City Grapefruit Julep. Don’t miss the Legends Cocktails, named after the hotel’s resident ghost Kate Morgan and honorary guest, Edward, Prince of Wales. For fans of a clandestine cocktail experience, seek out Noble Experiment. A secret speakeasy bar in the city’s Gaslamp District, Noble Experiment is hidden behind Neighborhood Bar and located behind a deceptive stack of kegs harbouring a secret door. A warning from Roberts: “Their mixologists offer some of the best cocktails in San Diego.” Then, should you wish to take things to another level, head downtown to Altitude. Located downtown on the rooftop of a hotel, Altitude lives up to its name from a height of 22-storeys and overlooks both Petco Park (home of the San Diego Padres) and Coronado Bay. Hand muddled cocktails and specialty martinis, plus a wide variety of the city’s famous craft beer on tap, all but guarantee a home run experience.

A photo posted by altitudeskylounge (@altitudeskylounge) on Apr 20, 2016 at 5:36pm PDT

VISIT
In a city boasting no shortage of markets – seafood and otherwise – Roberts recommends you get lost at The Little Italy Farmer’s Market, which is made up of blocks of fresh, local produce from some of San Diego’s best farms, as well as fresh flowers, seafood and artisan products of all. A fleet of food trucks present a smorgasbord of lunch options, ensuring you’ll have an opinion in the city’s perennial debate over who sells the freshest fish taco. While the city’s famous San Diego Zoo attracts millions of visitors every year, many don’t know about the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park. An expansive wildlife sanctuary set across 1,800 acres, the Safari Park acts as a home to more than 3,500 animals representing more than 300 species whose habitats you can traverse from the novel comfort of a tram. If that all sounds a little too taxing, take to the shores of Coronado. There you’ll find everything from private surfing lessons, to beachside spin classes and – for those more predisposed toward being horizontal – luxury daybed rentals.

A photo posted by San Diego Zoo Safari Park (@sdzsafaripark) on Apr 28, 2016 at 6:19pm PDT

topics: GUIDE, TRAVEL, Nicholas Carolan, California, San Diego, Comic Con