#1 choice of millions of newcomers, visitors & residents since 1969. This is the original award-winning city guide.

San Diego Restaurants, Attractions, Coupons, 1000 Fun things to do 57yrs.

Here’s instant access to 1000 Best eat, shop, Live, Play, things, maps

If FREE fit’s into your budget then here’s

1000 More FREE Things to See, Do in San Diego

Instant Access to Top San Diego Restaurants

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. Barry even recommends the best place to sit for the best view . The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

Shop Duty-Free in Tijuana

February is Museum Month with 50% off Admission.

Access Table of Contents Below for topics A – Z

Featuring 50 Maps for Exploring fun things to do 

Click Here for Instant Access to 1000 places to eat shop see play

12 Farmer’s Markets

Navigate This Website Even Faster Here’s How: 

(1) Click here for instant access to 50 suburbs & city walking & driving tours with maps. (2) Click on the Barry Icon at the top left corner of every page to return to the home page. (3) Click on the little box with the arrow in it in the right corner to instantly return to the top of any page. (4) SEE Today’s most visited Pages at Bottom of the Home page. 

“

“A Barry Berndes Day Award” is Awarded to Barry for Showing City to Millions for 50 yrs.

The Mayor of San Diego & all of the members of the City Council Awarded Barry a BARRY BERNDES DAY on Jan. 14th, 2018 for showing his hometown of San Diego to millions of newcomers, visitors & residents for over 50 yrs.

San Diego Skyline from Harbor Island, near the airport, where the views are only exceeded by the cuisine served at bayside restaurants. Many diners dine here before departure or upon arrival to the city. 

Barry is city’s Award-Winning International Travel Writer & Food Critic.

He’ll show you his hometown by Air, Land, & Sea.

A fun excursion is to take a lighter than air glider flight off the cliffs of La Jolla or view gliders in flight from the Cliff Hanger Restaurant.

Used by Millions since 1969 for where to eat well & fun things to do

These are the Attractions Residents Visit Often

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to show our out-of-town-guests around. See the Embarcadero Chapter.

Top Attractions are Hot Linked for Instant Access

• San Diego Zoo: See 7000 animals
• USS Midway 1000 ft Aircraft Carrier
• Balboa Park: Zoo & 17 Museums
• SEA WORLD: Aquatic Marine Park
• Cabrillo Monument: Historic site
• Old Town State Park: Free Adm.
• La Jolla: Sightsee, Shop, Dine
• Coronado: Tour Hotel Del 
• Embarcadero: Maritime Museums
• Tijuana: Duty Free Shopping 
• Harbor Champagne Dinner Cruise
• Cultural insights: 56 museum Tours
• Convoy St. Asian Rest. Row
• Do-it-Yourself Micro-Brewery Tour
• kid-Friendly-Attractions

1 in 4 attendees to an attraction is a resident

SAN DIEGO CALENDAR 

San Diego is a resort town enjoyed by locals for the many annual events like the Surfing Championships, multiple parade of lights, sailing regattas, sand castle building exhibitions and the list goes on and on. and never missed are annual attractions. It’s being updated now for it’s annual unveiling.

Catalina is an Island Paradise second to none!

25 Fantastic Nearby Getaways Where locals go to Getaway

Discover the San Diego Locals Love to Explore

With 35,000,000 Visitors Annually, San Diego is America’s Most Visited City

Exploring San Diego is a Great Adventure, Living here is a Whole Lot Better

You’ll find the SAN DIEGO RELOCATION Section at the bottom of this page with detailed information including the top employers as well as the best places to live and play.  With three major universities in San Diego pumping out new graduates annually there is a constant influx of newcomers to the work force as graduating students become year around employed residents. The other major influx of relocating residents comes from the annual 35,000,0000 visitor base. This Local’s City Guide gives an honest assessment for where to live, work and play. Plus, 1 in every 4 attendees to an attraction is a resident. The tools for relocating to America’s favorite City are at your fingertips in the relocation section below.

Where You Eat is Just as Important as What you See & Do in San Diego

I’ve Dined in 10,000 Restaurants since 1969 paying for my meals.

Photo Gallery of top San Diego Restaurants 

Dine like Royalty at the roof top Mr. A’s Restaurants overlooking the city.

These 100 plus restaurants have been personally reviewed by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 10,000 restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals.

Dine-in 70 Kids Eat FREE Daily Places +  See 20 Kid-Friendly Attractions

Kid FREE Meals Everyday & FREE Birthdays

seafood Restaurants with Ocean Views

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. .

Asian Restaurant Row is a Mile Long of dining Excellence

Dine in the Mile Long Delicious Asian Restaurant Row

Restaurant Reviews ARE NOT PAID Advertising

Advertisers are told up front that they can say what they want in their display advertisement, but we reserve the right to say what we personally experienced because we paid for our own meals or admission. Plus, advertise NEVER see what we have written about them before it is published. Thus, our recommendations are unbiased & not paid for.

Sightseeing & Supurb Dining Go Hand in Hand

Hunter’s Steakhouse is an excellent place to dine.

Experience the best with our Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed guide, highlighting hidden gems and must-visit spots. Every attraction listed in the Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed guide has been personally tested for quality, fun, and uniqueness.

100 Best Restaurants Personally Reviewed

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

The Chart House Offers Breathtaking Oceanfront Dining at its Very Best

Dine Dine-in or Do a Curbside Takeaway at an Outback Steakhouse

Enjoy the Moment with a Glass of Wine Served at the White House

Dine at the World Famous Marine Room

Dining at the world-famous Marine Room Restaurant at La Jolla Shores is SUPERB.

Discover 25 World-Famous Burger Joints

Enjoy a delicious burger at this Outback Steakhouse.

100 Where Kids Eat Free Daily

172 Eat Free on Your Birthday

San Diego is a great place to celebrate life be it your birthday or a special occasion. There are hilltop restaurants like Mr. A’s sitting atop of the Fifth Avenue Financial Center, which offers a sweeping view of the city while Commercial Airline glide by in route to landing at San Diego’s international airport. For a sunset Champagne Dinner Cruise on San Diego Bay, look no further than Hornblower Cruises & Events. Oh yes, romantic dancing is included and the cuisine is excellent!

Fiesta de Reyes Offers Outdoor Patio Dining

Dave & Busters is Home to Fun & Games

Dave & Buster’s San Diego Restaurant Bar and Arcade

A Meal at the Old Town Mexican Cafe is a MUST!

Cinco de Mayo Ole! With Great Tasting Mexican Cuisine.

San Diego is Home to 4 Excellent Wine Regions

Orfilia Winery wines have been served at the White House.

Convoy Street is America’s Biggest Asian Restaurant Row & is a Mile Long

Delicious Chinese
Cuisine Await.

Kaiserhof Restaurant & Biergarden is 58 yrs. old

Award Winning Food, and Beer are served at Kaiseroff German Restaurant in Ocean Beach.

Restaurant Hop Middletown Row is Fun

Barry has Dined in 10,000 Restaurants

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

Discover Great Tasting Mexican Cuisine in Historic Old Town (see the Old Town chapter).

Restaurant Reviews ARE NOT PAID Advertising

Advertisers are told up front that they can say what they want in their display advertisement, but we reserve the right to say what we personally experienced because we paid for our own meals or admission. Plus, advertise NEVER see what we have written about them before it is published. Thus, our recommendations are unbiased & not paid for.

100 Banquets, Catering, Party, Wedding, Venues

Tie-the-Knot at one of over 100 Regional Wineries

Here’s how to Navigate This Website Fast: 

kid & Adult-Friendly-Attractions You’ll Love

Kids Party venues are where kids have FUN.

20 Top Attractions Photo Gallery  

If you have kids, or are a kid at heart, then discovering kid-Friendly-Attractions will be a big plus for what to see and do. Plus, kid FREE meals and attractions galore.

San Diego’s 7,000 Animal Zoo is Most Visited

If you are a local visiting a local attraction then you’re one of the 35 million visitors that flock to San Diego’s sea shore annually to enjoy ocean breezes, fine dining, and attractions galore making San Diego the most visited city in America. One in four attendee to an attraction is a resident.

2nd most visited Attraction is a USS Midway Tour

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to show our guests who we are.

#2 Attraction: USS Midway Tour (4 hours) 

A million Newcomers, visitors and residents visit the USS Midway air craft carrier annually to explore this HUGE aircraft carrier, which saw military action in WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The photo illustrates available parking , which is most often correct, Allocated excursion time 4-5 hours. Plus, sightseeing the Embarcadero attractions & dining.

#3 Balboa Park Museums, Galleries & the Zoo

Both visitors and residents alike love visiting the over a dozen museums annually. It’s so popular that  residents are offered FREE admission every Tuesday on a rotation basis visit balboapark.org.

#4 SeaWorld

 

#5 Cabrillo Monument is a Spectacular Attraction

The spectacular 360-degree view of San Diego’s majestic harbor and the lay of the land for 30 miles in all directions will give you the layout of San Diego.  Cabrillo Monument is one of the 1000 Best San Diego things to do w/50 maps. 

#6 Historic Old Town is home to Great Dining

Festive Old Town San Diego is an Historic Treasure worth seeing. It offers FREE admission with FREE parking. After visiting Cabrillo Monument Old Town is just down the road. (see Pt. Loma map).

#7 La Jolla

La Jolla is world famous for its breathtaking ocean view dining and gourmet cuisine. No less memorable is a walk on its pristine La Jolla Shores Beach (see map) and strolling along Girard Avenue”s enticing shops and stores. Be sure to visit world famous La Jolla.

#8 Coronado

#9 Embarcadero

#10 Harbor Dinner Cruise

Take A Harbor Cruise for a remarkable dining and sightseeing adventure, second to none.

#11 Beach Town Getaways

With 52 miles for shoreline and the renowned Highway 101, which hugs the coastline, its popularity has never lessoned. From North to South our beach towns are Oceanside, Carlsbad, Lucedia, Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-sea, Solana Beach, Del Mar (home of the Del Mar Racetrack), La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Coronado, and Imperial Beach. 

#12 City Breweries offer food 

San Diego Microbreweries have more Blue Ribbons than any other city in Americas.  Taking this easy-to-navigate brewery tour of 13 must-visit breweries is a click away. Microbrewery hopping is one of the 1000 Best San Diego things to do w/50 maps.

#14 City Street Fair Events 

In San Diego it’s never what to do, but how much time do we have. So ,finding 1000 Best San Diego’s best things to do using our 50 map is easy. Which is one reason why 1 in 3 attendees to a city attraction is a local.  As lots of residents were once visitors, who cherished the idea of visiting their favorite attractions multiple times a year

#15 Explore 195 Factory Outlets at the Border

You can literally shop till you drop at Las Americas. They feature 185 factory outlet stores.

# 16 Explore San Diego By AIR – LAND – SEA 

#17 Neighborhoods: Explore your city

Downtown consists of many suburbs within the city making it a great fun things to do town for city tours.

# 18 DIY Winery Tours 

Mexico’s Wine Country is Just a Short Trip South of the Border + San Diego County wine country and Temecula to the north.

# 19 San Diego is a Military Town

 

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to  show our guests fun thingss to do.

Free admission for active military and their family to attractions.

Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed

#20 California’s Historic Churches are fun

Click on Churchfinder.com for an extensive and informative list of over 100 places of worship. Since San Diego is Paradise on Earth, it should come as no surprise that locals love to worship God. Also, unique to San Diego and the state of California were the establishment of the 21 Missions founded by Father Serra as the… Read more »

21 Shop Duty-Free in Tijuana

A visit to Tijuana must include an excursion to Rio Tijuana for shopping

Tijuana:  65 Shops, 185 Outlets + park safe

Getting to Tijuana is half the fun. But driving across the border is ill advised, because your American insurance is not valid in Mexico. If you get into an accident then you and your car will be detained until the guilty party pays for the repair. Park at Border Station Parking instead. Being a duty free port of entry, expect to buy French perfume at duty free prices. An extra bonus on the U.S. side of the border are literally hundreds of factory outlet stores

Shop Duty Free in Mexico

Shop 185 Outlets + Safe Border Station Parking

San Diego has awesome factory outlet centers, where you can literally shop till you drop!  Outlet Shopping is one of the TOP 100 San Diego Attractions and one of the 1000 fun things to do in San Diego by air, land and sea. We also showcase the major shopping centers, as they are glamorous major attractions too. 

Shop till you drop at 185 Outlet stores at the U.S. Border. Plus, buy French perfume and imported good in Tijuana, at duty free prices.

Shop Tijuana. Park at Border. Take RT Bus 

Park Safe at TJ Border 

Park safe at Border Station Parking at the US Border. We provide easy-to-use maps and an extensive narrative foe finding this premiere lot. Taking your car into Mexico is a No-No as your insurance isn’t valid in Mexico

Tijuana Guide: Where to Eat, See, Shop, Explore

A visit to Tijuana must include an excursion to Rio Tijuana for shopping

Tijuana:  65 Shops, 185 Outlets + parking safe

Getting to Tijuana is half the fun. But driving across the border is ill advised, because your American insurance is not valid in Mexico. If you get into an accident then you and your car will be detained until the guilty party pays for the repair. Park at Border Station Parking instead. Being a duty free port of entry, expect to buy French perfume at duty free prices. An extra bonus on the U.S. side of the border are literally hundreds of factory outlet stores housed in 4 mega malls, where you can shop till you drop. 

I toured the 3 wine regions & created custom map tours for you.

#23 Winery Tours 

Mexico’s Wine Country is Just a Short Trip South of the Border + San Diego County wine country and Temecula to the north.

The local breweries featured are all excellent.

 #24 Brewery Tours

One of San Diego’s Greatest Pastimes is Discovering the best microbreweries.Microbreweries Throughout the County

 

Find Historic & Modern Day Churches

Click on Churchfinder.com for an extensive and informative list of over 100 places of worship. Since San Diego is Paradise on Earth, it should come as no surprise that locals love to worship God. Also, unique to San Diego and the state of California were the establishment of the 21 Missions founded by Father Serra as the… Read more »

DISCOVER 1000 Fun & Free San Diego things with sandiegan.com

Enjoy major discounts for major attractions and high-end shopping. No less wonderful are the host of restaurant discounts. 

My staff and I have inspected 100’s of hotels and (3) rooms at each hotel before recommending them.

Where to Stay

Vacationers Should Stay at Oceanfront Resort Hotels

But if you’re NOT planning to stay in an oceanfront resort hotel, then stay in centrally located Mission Valley. It’s where everyone stayed before downtown’s mega convention center was built. Thus, the rooms and amenities are good and Mission Valley includes great restaurants, the #1 luxury shopping center, a golf course, and many nearby sights to see. For the best waterfront all inclusive resort hotels in San Diego stay in Mission Bay, Shelter Island or La Jolla.  We reviewed (3) rooms & amenities at each hotel we recommended.

Instant Access to More Fun Things to See and Do

Click on a topic below for 1500 NON PAID researched content to instantly appear.

Airports (7) & air line (19)

All Inclusive Resorts (3)

Asian Restaurant Row (80)

Banquets & Catering (55) 

Bay/Ocean View Dining (23)

Brewery Tours in City (3)

Calandar in construction

Casinos Explore all (8)

Churches + Missions (2)

City Map Tours (30)

EAT FREE B’dayS (72)

Eat in the Best Places (167)

Family Friendly Attractions

Farmer’s Markets

Eat in the Best Places (167)

Golf Courses Best (10)

Harbor Dinner Cruise (1)

Hotels: 12,500 Reviewed

Historical Museums (15)

Jobs: Major Employers (60)

kids eat freE DailY (72) 

Kid Friendly Attractions

Restaurants: Eat in Best

San Diego Bay Tour (50)

Shop Antique Districts (3)

Shop Fashion Valley Ctr

Shop Kobey’s Swap Meet

Shop the Outlets (250) 

Shop Fiesta de Reyes 

Shop Specialty Malls (9)

Sightsee City by Air Tour

Sightsee 27 by Land Tours

Sightsee by Sea Tour

Sports & Rec (46)

Tijuana & Outlets (185)

Tijuana Parking + Shuttle

Travel Getaways (26)

Wedding Venues (150)

Whale Watching Tour

‎Wine Tasting Tours (3) 

1000 FREE Things to Do

SanDiegan.com is a 31 Yr. Internet Pioneer

In 1995, three years before Google even existed the SAN DIEGAN (circa 1969) created SanDiegan.com making us an internet pioneer.

San Diego is a Mecca for shopping centers and huge Factory Outlets. We’ve visited them all!

This FREE Newcomer, Visitor & Resident Guide showcases the city and region via personally reviewed NON-PAID excursions of the many cities and suburbs.

It features maps with extensive narrative. It seeks to provide unlimited resources for discovering the city and region.

One good source is a subscription to the San Diego Union Newspaper and specifically their Reader’s Poll, which is an annual 40 page annual tabloid showcasing the best of San Diego from A to Z. 

San Diego Skyline from Harbor Island.

Jobs Search should include top 60 employers 

With 36 million visitors a year, many fall in love with the city & relocate here to enjoy living in Paradise, and so can you.

Home Buying+Apartments 

The NEWCOMER’S SECTION along with exploring the city via the 50 FREE DIY city tours is a good start for how to find your slice of paradise. A high percentage of San Diego residents were once visitors, in the military or college students. Thus, the need for an online relocation chapter arose out of the necessity for where to live, find a job and navigate the city with ease arose to find and enjoy the 1000 fun things to do in San Diego by air, land and sea. We personally research our recommendations before we recommend them including best places to live near each military base and military housing with personal inspection of multiple units and apartment complexes.  Thus, SanDiegan.com is a trusted resource.

Explore 27 Neighborhoods

Downtown consists of many suburbs within the city making it a great fun things to do town for city tours.

San Diego is a Military Town with museums & ships to explore

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to  show our guests fun thingss to do.

Free admission for active military and their family to attractions.

Wedding, Banquets Catering Events

Winery weddings are special.

Tour the Wineries

DISCOVER 1000 Fun & Free Things to do

#1 choice of millions of newcomers, visitors & residents since 1969. This is the original award-winning city guide.

San Diego Restaurants, Attractions, Coupons, 1000 Fun things to do 57yrs.

Here’s instant access to 1000 Best eat, shop, Live, Play, things, maps

If FREE fit’s into your budget then here’s

1000 More FREE Things to See, Do in San Diego

Instant Access to Top San Diego Restaurants

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. Barry even recommends the best place to sit for the best view . The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

Shop Duty-Free in Tijuana

February is Museum Month with 50% off Admission.

Access Table of Contents Below for topics A – Z

Featuring 50 Maps for Exploring fun things to do 

Click Here for Instant Access to 1000 places to eat shop see play

12 Farmer’s Markets

Navigate This Website Even Faster Here’s How: 

(1) Click here for instant access to 50 suburbs & city walking & driving tours with maps. (2) Click on the Barry Icon at the top left corner of every page to return to the home page. (3) Click on the little box with the arrow in it in the right corner to instantly return to the top of any page. (4) SEE Today’s most visited Pages at Bottom of the Home page. 

“

“A Barry Berndes Day Award” is Awarded to Barry for Showing City to Millions for 50 yrs.

The Mayor of San Diego & all of the members of the City Council Awarded Barry a BARRY BERNDES DAY on Jan. 14th, 2018 for showing his hometown of San Diego to millions of newcomers, visitors & residents for over 50 yrs.

San Diego Skyline from Harbor Island, near the airport, where the views are only exceeded by the cuisine served at bayside restaurants. Many diners dine here before departure or upon arrival to the city. 

Barry is city’s Award-Winning International Travel Writer & Food Critic.

He’ll show you his hometown by Air, Land, & Sea.

A fun excursion is to take a lighter than air glider flight off the cliffs of La Jolla or view gliders in flight from the Cliff Hanger Restaurant.

Used by Millions since 1969 for where to eat well & fun things to do

These are the Attractions Residents Visit Often

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to show our out-of-town-guests around. See the Embarcadero Chapter.

Top Attractions are Hot Linked for Instant Access

• San Diego Zoo: See 7000 animals
• USS Midway 1000 ft Aircraft Carrier
• Balboa Park: Zoo & 17 Museums
• SEA WORLD: Aquatic Marine Park
• Cabrillo Monument: Historic site
• Old Town State Park: Free Adm.
• La Jolla: Sightsee, Shop, Dine
• Coronado: Tour Hotel Del 
• Embarcadero: Maritime Museums
• Tijuana: Duty Free Shopping 
• Harbor Champagne Dinner Cruise
• Cultural insights: 56 museum Tours
• Convoy St. Asian Rest. Row
• Do-it-Yourself Micro-Brewery Tour
• kid-Friendly-Attractions

1 in 4 attendees to an attraction is a resident

SAN DIEGO CALENDAR 

San Diego is a resort town enjoyed by locals for the many annual events like the Surfing Championships, multiple parade of lights, sailing regattas, sand castle building exhibitions and the list goes on and on. and never missed are annual attractions. It’s being updated now for it’s annual unveiling.

Catalina is an Island Paradise second to none!

25 Fantastic Nearby Getaways Where locals go to Getaway

Discover the San Diego Locals Love to Explore

With 35,000,000 Visitors Annually, San Diego is America’s Most Visited City

Exploring San Diego is a Great Adventure, Living here is a Whole Lot Better

You’ll find the SAN DIEGO RELOCATION Section at the bottom of this page with detailed information including the top employers as well as the best places to live and play.  With three major universities in San Diego pumping out new graduates annually there is a constant influx of newcomers to the work force as graduating students become year around employed residents. The other major influx of relocating residents comes from the annual 35,000,0000 visitor base. This Local’s City Guide gives an honest assessment for where to live, work and play. Plus, 1 in every 4 attendees to an attraction is a resident. The tools for relocating to America’s favorite City are at your fingertips in the relocation section below.

Where You Eat is Just as Important as What you See & Do in San Diego

I’ve Dined in 10,000 Restaurants since 1969 paying for my meals.

Photo Gallery of top San Diego Restaurants 

Dine like Royalty at the roof top Mr. A’s Restaurants overlooking the city.

These 100 plus restaurants have been personally reviewed by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 10,000 restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals.

Dine-in 70 Kids Eat FREE Daily Places +  See 20 Kid-Friendly Attractions

Kid FREE Meals Everyday & FREE Birthdays

seafood Restaurants with Ocean Views

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. .

Asian Restaurant Row is a Mile Long of dining Excellence

Dine in the Mile Long Delicious Asian Restaurant Row

Restaurant Reviews ARE NOT PAID Advertising

Advertisers are told up front that they can say what they want in their display advertisement, but we reserve the right to say what we personally experienced because we paid for our own meals or admission. Plus, advertise NEVER see what we have written about them before it is published. Thus, our recommendations are unbiased & not paid for.

Sightseeing & Supurb Dining Go Hand in Hand

Hunter’s Steakhouse is an excellent place to dine.

Experience the best with our Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed guide, highlighting hidden gems and must-visit spots. Every attraction listed in the Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed guide has been personally tested for quality, fun, and uniqueness.

100 Best Restaurants Personally Reviewed

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

The Chart House Offers Breathtaking Oceanfront Dining at its Very Best

Dine Dine-in or Do a Curbside Takeaway at an Outback Steakhouse

Enjoy the Moment with a Glass of Wine Served at the White House

Dine at the World Famous Marine Room

Dining at the world-famous Marine Room Restaurant at La Jolla Shores is SUPERB.

Discover 25 World-Famous Burger Joints

Enjoy a delicious burger at this Outback Steakhouse.

100 Where Kids Eat Free Daily

172 Eat Free on Your Birthday

San Diego is a great place to celebrate life be it your birthday or a special occasion. There are hilltop restaurants like Mr. A’s sitting atop of the Fifth Avenue Financial Center, which offers a sweeping view of the city while Commercial Airline glide by in route to landing at San Diego’s international airport. For a sunset Champagne Dinner Cruise on San Diego Bay, look no further than Hornblower Cruises & Events. Oh yes, romantic dancing is included and the cuisine is excellent!

Fiesta de Reyes Offers Outdoor Patio Dining

Dave & Busters is Home to Fun & Games

Dave & Buster’s San Diego Restaurant Bar and Arcade

A Meal at the Old Town Mexican Cafe is a MUST!

Cinco de Mayo Ole! With Great Tasting Mexican Cuisine.

San Diego is Home to 4 Excellent Wine Regions

Orfilia Winery wines have been served at the White House.

Convoy Street is America’s Biggest Asian Restaurant Row & is a Mile Long

Delicious Chinese
Cuisine Await.

Kaiserhof Restaurant & Biergarden is 58 yrs. old

Award Winning Food, and Beer are served at Kaiseroff German Restaurant in Ocean Beach.

Restaurant Hop Middletown Row is Fun

Barry has Dined in 10,000 Restaurants

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

Discover Great Tasting Mexican Cuisine in Historic Old Town (see the Old Town chapter).

Restaurant Reviews ARE NOT PAID Advertising

Advertisers are told up front that they can say what they want in their display advertisement, but we reserve the right to say what we personally experienced because we paid for our own meals or admission. Plus, advertise NEVER see what we have written about them before it is published. Thus, our recommendations are unbiased & not paid for.

100 Banquets, Catering, Party, Wedding, Venues

Tie-the-Knot at one of over 100 Regional Wineries

Here’s how to Navigate This Website Fast: 

kid & Adult-Friendly-Attractions You’ll Love

Kids Party venues are where kids have FUN.

20 Top Attractions Photo Gallery  

If you have kids, or are a kid at heart, then discovering kid-Friendly-Attractions will be a big plus for what to see and do. Plus, kid FREE meals and attractions galore.

San Diego’s 7,000 Animal Zoo is Most Visited

If you are a local visiting a local attraction then you’re one of the 35 million visitors that flock to San Diego’s sea shore annually to enjoy ocean breezes, fine dining, and attractions galore making San Diego the most visited city in America. One in four attendee to an attraction is a resident.

2nd most visited Attraction is a USS Midway Tour

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to show our guests who we are.

#2 Attraction: USS Midway Tour (4 hours) 

A million Newcomers, visitors and residents visit the USS Midway air craft carrier annually to explore this HUGE aircraft carrier, which saw military action in WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The photo illustrates available parking , which is most often correct, Allocated excursion time 4-5 hours. Plus, sightseeing the Embarcadero attractions & dining.

#3 Balboa Park Museums, Galleries & the Zoo

Both visitors and residents alike love visiting the over a dozen museums annually. It’s so popular that  residents are offered FREE admission every Tuesday on a rotation basis visit balboapark.org.

#4 SeaWorld

 

#5 Cabrillo Monument is a Spectacular Attraction

The spectacular 360-degree view of San Diego’s majestic harbor and the lay of the land for 30 miles in all directions will give you the layout of San Diego.  Cabrillo Monument is one of the 1000 Best San Diego things to do w/50 maps. 

#6 Historic Old Town is home to Great Dining

Festive Old Town San Diego is an Historic Treasure worth seeing. It offers FREE admission with FREE parking. After visiting Cabrillo Monument Old Town is just down the road. (see Pt. Loma map).

#7 La Jolla

La Jolla is world famous for its breathtaking ocean view dining and gourmet cuisine. No less memorable is a walk on its pristine La Jolla Shores Beach (see map) and strolling along Girard Avenue”s enticing shops and stores. Be sure to visit world famous La Jolla.

#8 Coronado

#9 Embarcadero

#10 Harbor Dinner Cruise

Take A Harbor Cruise for a remarkable dining and sightseeing adventure, second to none.

#11 Beach Town Getaways

With 52 miles for shoreline and the renowned Highway 101, which hugs the coastline, its popularity has never lessoned. From North to South our beach towns are Oceanside, Carlsbad, Lucedia, Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-sea, Solana Beach, Del Mar (home of the Del Mar Racetrack), La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Coronado, and Imperial Beach. 

#12 City Breweries offer food 

San Diego Microbreweries have more Blue Ribbons than any other city in Americas.  Taking this easy-to-navigate brewery tour of 13 must-visit breweries is a click away. Microbrewery hopping is one of the 1000 Best San Diego things to do w/50 maps.

#14 City Street Fair Events 

In San Diego it’s never what to do, but how much time do we have. So ,finding 1000 Best San Diego’s best things to do using our 50 map is easy. Which is one reason why 1 in 3 attendees to a city attraction is a local.  As lots of residents were once visitors, who cherished the idea of visiting their favorite attractions multiple times a year

#15 Explore 195 Factory Outlets at the Border

You can literally shop till you drop at Las Americas. They feature 185 factory outlet stores.

# 16 Explore San Diego By AIR – LAND – SEA 

#17 Neighborhoods: Explore your city

Downtown consists of many suburbs within the city making it a great fun things to do town for city tours.

# 18 DIY Winery Tours 

Mexico’s Wine Country is Just a Short Trip South of the Border + San Diego County wine country and Temecula to the north.

# 19 San Diego is a Military Town

 

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to  show our guests fun thingss to do.

Free admission for active military and their family to attractions.

Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed

#20 California’s Historic Churches are fun

Click on Churchfinder.com for an extensive and informative list of over 100 places of worship. Since San Diego is Paradise on Earth, it should come as no surprise that locals love to worship God. Also, unique to San Diego and the state of California were the establishment of the 21 Missions founded by Father Serra as the… Read more »

21 Shop Duty-Free in Tijuana

A visit to Tijuana must include an excursion to Rio Tijuana for shopping

Tijuana:  65 Shops, 185 Outlets + park safe

Getting to Tijuana is half the fun. But driving across the border is ill advised, because your American insurance is not valid in Mexico. If you get into an accident then you and your car will be detained until the guilty party pays for the repair. Park at Border Station Parking instead. Being a duty free port of entry, expect to buy French perfume at duty free prices. An extra bonus on the U.S. side of the border are literally hundreds of factory outlet stores

Shop Duty Free in Mexico

Shop 185 Outlets + Safe Border Station Parking

San Diego has awesome factory outlet centers, where you can literally shop till you drop!  Outlet Shopping is one of the TOP 100 San Diego Attractions and one of the 1000 fun things to do in San Diego by air, land and sea. We also showcase the major shopping centers, as they are glamorous major attractions too. 

Shop till you drop at 185 Outlet stores at the U.S. Border. Plus, buy French perfume and imported good in Tijuana, at duty free prices.

Shop Tijuana. Park at Border. Take RT Bus 

Park Safe at TJ Border 

Park safe at Border Station Parking at the US Border. We provide easy-to-use maps and an extensive narrative foe finding this premiere lot. Taking your car into Mexico is a No-No as your insurance isn’t valid in Mexico

Tijuana Guide: Where to Eat, See, Shop, Explore

A visit to Tijuana must include an excursion to Rio Tijuana for shopping

Tijuana:  65 Shops, 185 Outlets + parking safe

Getting to Tijuana is half the fun. But driving across the border is ill advised, because your American insurance is not valid in Mexico. If you get into an accident then you and your car will be detained until the guilty party pays for the repair. Park at Border Station Parking instead. Being a duty free port of entry, expect to buy French perfume at duty free prices. An extra bonus on the U.S. side of the border are literally hundreds of factory outlet stores housed in 4 mega malls, where you can shop till you drop. 

I toured the 3 wine regions & created custom map tours for you.

#23 Winery Tours 

Mexico’s Wine Country is Just a Short Trip South of the Border + San Diego County wine country and Temecula to the north.

The local breweries featured are all excellent.

 #24 Brewery Tours

One of San Diego’s Greatest Pastimes is Discovering the best microbreweries.Microbreweries Throughout the County

 

Find Historic & Modern Day Churches

Click on Churchfinder.com for an extensive and informative list of over 100 places of worship. Since San Diego is Paradise on Earth, it should come as no surprise that locals love to worship God. Also, unique to San Diego and the state of California were the establishment of the 21 Missions founded by Father Serra as the… Read more »

DISCOVER 1000 Fun & Free San Diego things with sandiegan.com

Enjoy major discounts for major attractions and high-end shopping. No less wonderful are the host of restaurant discounts. 

My staff and I have inspected 100’s of hotels and (3) rooms at each hotel before recommending them.

Where to Stay

Vacationers Should Stay at Oceanfront Resort Hotels

But if you’re NOT planning to stay in an oceanfront resort hotel, then stay in centrally located Mission Valley. It’s where everyone stayed before downtown’s mega convention center was built. Thus, the rooms and amenities are good and Mission Valley includes great restaurants, the #1 luxury shopping center, a golf course, and many nearby sights to see. For the best waterfront all inclusive resort hotels in San Diego stay in Mission Bay, Shelter Island or La Jolla.  We reviewed (3) rooms & amenities at each hotel we recommended.

Instant Access to More Fun Things to See and Do

Click on a topic below for 1500 NON PAID researched content to instantly appear.

Airports (7) & air line (19)

All Inclusive Resorts (3)

Asian Restaurant Row (80)

Banquets & Catering (55) 

Bay/Ocean View Dining (23)

Brewery Tours in City (3)

Calandar in construction

Casinos Explore all (8)

Churches + Missions (2)

City Map Tours (30)

EAT FREE B’dayS (72)

Eat in the Best Places (167)

Family Friendly Attractions

Farmer’s Markets

Eat in the Best Places (167)

Golf Courses Best (10)

Harbor Dinner Cruise (1)

Hotels: 12,500 Reviewed

Historical Museums (15)

Jobs: Major Employers (60)

kids eat freE DailY (72) 

Kid Friendly Attractions

Restaurants: Eat in Best

San Diego Bay Tour (50)

Shop Antique Districts (3)

Shop Fashion Valley Ctr

Shop Kobey’s Swap Meet

Shop the Outlets (250) 

Shop Fiesta de Reyes 

Shop Specialty Malls (9)

Sightsee City by Air Tour

Sightsee 27 by Land Tours

Sightsee by Sea Tour

Sports & Rec (46)

Tijuana & Outlets (185)

Tijuana Parking + Shuttle

Travel Getaways (26)

Wedding Venues (150)

Whale Watching Tour

‎Wine Tasting Tours (3) 

1000 FREE Things to Do

SanDiegan.com is a 31 Yr. Internet Pioneer

In 1995, three years before Google even existed the SAN DIEGAN (circa 1969) created SanDiegan.com making us an internet pioneer.

San Diego is a Mecca for shopping centers and huge Factory Outlets. We’ve visited them all!

This FREE Newcomer, Visitor & Resident Guide showcases the city and region via personally reviewed NON-PAID excursions of the many cities and suburbs.

It features maps with extensive narrative. It seeks to provide unlimited resources for discovering the city and region.

One good source is a subscription to the San Diego Union Newspaper and specifically their Reader’s Poll, which is an annual 40 page annual tabloid showcasing the best of San Diego from A to Z. 

San Diego Skyline from Harbor Island.

Jobs Search should include top 60 employers 

With 36 million visitors a year, many fall in love with the city & relocate here to enjoy living in Paradise, and so can you.

Home Buying+Apartments 

The NEWCOMER’S SECTION along with exploring the city via the 50 FREE DIY city tours is a good start for how to find your slice of paradise. A high percentage of San Diego residents were once visitors, in the military or college students. Thus, the need for an online relocation chapter arose out of the necessity for where to live, find a job and navigate the city with ease arose to find and enjoy the 1000 fun things to do in San Diego by air, land and sea. We personally research our recommendations before we recommend them including best places to live near each military base and military housing with personal inspection of multiple units and apartment complexes.  Thus, SanDiegan.com is a trusted resource.

Explore 27 Neighborhoods

Downtown consists of many suburbs within the city making it a great fun things to do town for city tours.

San Diego is a Military Town with museums & ships to explore

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to  show our guests fun thingss to do.

Free admission for active military and their family to attractions.

Wedding, Banquets Catering Events

Winery weddings are special.

Tour the Wineries

DISCOVER 1000 Fun & Free Things to do

#1 choice of millions of newcomers, visitors & residents since 1969. This is the original award-winning city guide.

San Diego Restaurants, Attractions, Coupons, 1000 Fun things to do 57yrs.

Here’s instant access to 1000 Best eat, shop, Live, Play, things, maps

If FREE fit’s into your budget then here’s

1000 More FREE Things to See, Do in San Diego

Instant Access to Top San Diego Restaurants

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. Barry even recommends the best place to sit for the best view . The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

Shop Duty-Free in Tijuana

February is Museum Month with 50% off Admission.

Access Table of Contents Below for topics A – Z

Featuring 50 Maps for Exploring fun things to do 

Click Here for Instant Access to 1000 places to eat shop see play

12 Farmer’s Markets

Navigate This Website Even Faster Here’s How: 

(1) Click here for instant access to 50 suburbs & city walking & driving tours with maps. (2) Click on the Barry Icon at the top left corner of every page to return to the home page. (3) Click on the little box with the arrow in it in the right corner to instantly return to the top of any page. (4) SEE Today’s most visited Pages at Bottom of the Home page. 

“

“A Barry Berndes Day Award” is Awarded to Barry for Showing City to Millions for 50 yrs.

The Mayor of San Diego & all of the members of the City Council Awarded Barry a BARRY BERNDES DAY on Jan. 14th, 2018 for showing his hometown of San Diego to millions of newcomers, visitors & residents for over 50 yrs.

San Diego Skyline from Harbor Island, near the airport, where the views are only exceeded by the cuisine served at bayside restaurants. Many diners dine here before departure or upon arrival to the city. 

Barry is city’s Award-Winning International Travel Writer & Food Critic.

He’ll show you his hometown by Air, Land, & Sea.

A fun excursion is to take a lighter than air glider flight off the cliffs of La Jolla or view gliders in flight from the Cliff Hanger Restaurant.

Used by Millions since 1969 for where to eat well & fun things to do

These are the Attractions Residents Visit Often

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to show our out-of-town-guests around. See the Embarcadero Chapter.

Top Attractions are Hot Linked for Instant Access

• San Diego Zoo: See 7000 animals
• USS Midway 1000 ft Aircraft Carrier
• Balboa Park: Zoo & 17 Museums
• SEA WORLD: Aquatic Marine Park
• Cabrillo Monument: Historic site
• Old Town State Park: Free Adm.
• La Jolla: Sightsee, Shop, Dine
• Coronado: Tour Hotel Del 
• Embarcadero: Maritime Museums
• Tijuana: Duty Free Shopping 
• Harbor Champagne Dinner Cruise
• Cultural insights: 56 museum Tours
• Convoy St. Asian Rest. Row
• Do-it-Yourself Micro-Brewery Tour
• kid-Friendly-Attractions

1 in 4 attendees to an attraction is a resident

SAN DIEGO CALENDAR 

San Diego is a resort town enjoyed by locals for the many annual events like the Surfing Championships, multiple parade of lights, sailing regattas, sand castle building exhibitions and the list goes on and on. and never missed are annual attractions. It’s being updated now for it’s annual unveiling.

Catalina is an Island Paradise second to none!

25 Fantastic Nearby Getaways Where locals go to Getaway

Discover the San Diego Locals Love to Explore

With 35,000,000 Visitors Annually, San Diego is America’s Most Visited City

Exploring San Diego is a Great Adventure, Living here is a Whole Lot Better

You’ll find the SAN DIEGO RELOCATION Section at the bottom of this page with detailed information including the top employers as well as the best places to live and play.  With three major universities in San Diego pumping out new graduates annually there is a constant influx of newcomers to the work force as graduating students become year around employed residents. The other major influx of relocating residents comes from the annual 35,000,0000 visitor base. This Local’s City Guide gives an honest assessment for where to live, work and play. Plus, 1 in every 4 attendees to an attraction is a resident. The tools for relocating to America’s favorite City are at your fingertips in the relocation section below.

Where You Eat is Just as Important as What you See & Do in San Diego

I’ve Dined in 10,000 Restaurants since 1969 paying for my meals.

Photo Gallery of top San Diego Restaurants 

Dine like Royalty at the roof top Mr. A’s Restaurants overlooking the city.

These 100 plus restaurants have been personally reviewed by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 10,000 restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals.

Dine-in 70 Kids Eat FREE Daily Places +  See 20 Kid-Friendly Attractions

Kid FREE Meals Everyday & FREE Birthdays

seafood Restaurants with Ocean Views

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. .

Asian Restaurant Row is a Mile Long of dining Excellence

Dine in the Mile Long Delicious Asian Restaurant Row

Restaurant Reviews ARE NOT PAID Advertising

Advertisers are told up front that they can say what they want in their display advertisement, but we reserve the right to say what we personally experienced because we paid for our own meals or admission. Plus, advertise NEVER see what we have written about them before it is published. Thus, our recommendations are unbiased & not paid for.

Sightseeing & Supurb Dining Go Hand in Hand

Hunter’s Steakhouse is an excellent place to dine.

Experience the best with our Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed guide, highlighting hidden gems and must-visit spots. Every attraction listed in the Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed guide has been personally tested for quality, fun, and uniqueness.

100 Best Restaurants Personally Reviewed

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

The Chart House Offers Breathtaking Oceanfront Dining at its Very Best

Dine Dine-in or Do a Curbside Takeaway at an Outback Steakhouse

Enjoy the Moment with a Glass of Wine Served at the White House

Dine at the World Famous Marine Room

Dining at the world-famous Marine Room Restaurant at La Jolla Shores is SUPERB.

Discover 25 World-Famous Burger Joints

Enjoy a delicious burger at this Outback Steakhouse.

100 Where Kids Eat Free Daily

172 Eat Free on Your Birthday

San Diego is a great place to celebrate life be it your birthday or a special occasion. There are hilltop restaurants like Mr. A’s sitting atop of the Fifth Avenue Financial Center, which offers a sweeping view of the city while Commercial Airline glide by in route to landing at San Diego’s international airport. For a sunset Champagne Dinner Cruise on San Diego Bay, look no further than Hornblower Cruises & Events. Oh yes, romantic dancing is included and the cuisine is excellent!

Fiesta de Reyes Offers Outdoor Patio Dining

Dave & Busters is Home to Fun & Games

Dave & Buster’s San Diego Restaurant Bar and Arcade

A Meal at the Old Town Mexican Cafe is a MUST!

Cinco de Mayo Ole! With Great Tasting Mexican Cuisine.

San Diego is Home to 4 Excellent Wine Regions

Orfilia Winery wines have been served at the White House.

Convoy Street is America’s Biggest Asian Restaurant Row & is a Mile Long

Delicious Chinese
Cuisine Await.

Kaiserhof Restaurant & Biergarden is 58 yrs. old

Award Winning Food, and Beer are served at Kaiseroff German Restaurant in Ocean Beach.

Restaurant Hop Middletown Row is Fun

Barry has Dined in 10,000 Restaurants

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

Discover Great Tasting Mexican Cuisine in Historic Old Town (see the Old Town chapter).

Restaurant Reviews ARE NOT PAID Advertising

Advertisers are told up front that they can say what they want in their display advertisement, but we reserve the right to say what we personally experienced because we paid for our own meals or admission. Plus, advertise NEVER see what we have written about them before it is published. Thus, our recommendations are unbiased & not paid for.

100 Banquets, Catering, Party, Wedding, Venues

Tie-the-Knot at one of over 100 Regional Wineries

Here’s how to Navigate This Website Fast: 

kid & Adult-Friendly-Attractions You’ll Love

Kids Party venues are where kids have FUN.

20 Top Attractions Photo Gallery  

If you have kids, or are a kid at heart, then discovering kid-Friendly-Attractions will be a big plus for what to see and do. Plus, kid FREE meals and attractions galore.

San Diego’s 7,000 Animal Zoo is Most Visited

If you are a local visiting a local attraction then you’re one of the 35 million visitors that flock to San Diego’s sea shore annually to enjoy ocean breezes, fine dining, and attractions galore making San Diego the most visited city in America. One in four attendee to an attraction is a resident.

2nd most visited Attraction is a USS Midway Tour

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to show our guests who we are.

#2 Attraction: USS Midway Tour (4 hours) 

A million Newcomers, visitors and residents visit the USS Midway air craft carrier annually to explore this HUGE aircraft carrier, which saw military action in WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The photo illustrates available parking , which is most often correct, Allocated excursion time 4-5 hours. Plus, sightseeing the Embarcadero attractions & dining.

#3 Balboa Park Museums, Galleries & the Zoo

Both visitors and residents alike love visiting the over a dozen museums annually. It’s so popular that  residents are offered FREE admission every Tuesday on a rotation basis visit balboapark.org.

#4 SeaWorld

 

#5 Cabrillo Monument is a Spectacular Attraction

The spectacular 360-degree view of San Diego’s majestic harbor and the lay of the land for 30 miles in all directions will give you the layout of San Diego.  Cabrillo Monument is one of the 1000 Best San Diego things to do w/50 maps. 

#6 Historic Old Town is home to Great Dining

Festive Old Town San Diego is an Historic Treasure worth seeing. It offers FREE admission with FREE parking. After visiting Cabrillo Monument Old Town is just down the road. (see Pt. Loma map).

#7 La Jolla

La Jolla is world famous for its breathtaking ocean view dining and gourmet cuisine. No less memorable is a walk on its pristine La Jolla Shores Beach (see map) and strolling along Girard Avenue”s enticing shops and stores. Be sure to visit world famous La Jolla.

#8 Coronado

#9 Embarcadero

#10 Harbor Dinner Cruise

Take A Harbor Cruise for a remarkable dining and sightseeing adventure, second to none.

#11 Beach Town Getaways

With 52 miles for shoreline and the renowned Highway 101, which hugs the coastline, its popularity has never lessoned. From North to South our beach towns are Oceanside, Carlsbad, Lucedia, Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-sea, Solana Beach, Del Mar (home of the Del Mar Racetrack), La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Coronado, and Imperial Beach. 

#12 City Breweries offer food 

San Diego Microbreweries have more Blue Ribbons than any other city in Americas.  Taking this easy-to-navigate brewery tour of 13 must-visit breweries is a click away. Microbrewery hopping is one of the 1000 Best San Diego things to do w/50 maps.

#14 City Street Fair Events 

In San Diego it’s never what to do, but how much time do we have. So ,finding 1000 Best San Diego’s best things to do using our 50 map is easy. Which is one reason why 1 in 3 attendees to a city attraction is a local.  As lots of residents were once visitors, who cherished the idea of visiting their favorite attractions multiple times a year

#15 Explore 195 Factory Outlets at the Border

You can literally shop till you drop at Las Americas. They feature 185 factory outlet stores.

# 16 Explore San Diego By AIR – LAND – SEA 

#17 Neighborhoods: Explore your city

Downtown consists of many suburbs within the city making it a great fun things to do town for city tours.

# 18 DIY Winery Tours 

Mexico’s Wine Country is Just a Short Trip South of the Border + San Diego County wine country and Temecula to the north.

# 19 San Diego is a Military Town

 

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to  show our guests fun thingss to do.

Free admission for active military and their family to attractions.

Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed

#20 California’s Historic Churches are fun

Click on Churchfinder.com for an extensive and informative list of over 100 places of worship. Since San Diego is Paradise on Earth, it should come as no surprise that locals love to worship God. Also, unique to San Diego and the state of California were the establishment of the 21 Missions founded by Father Serra as the… Read more »

21 Shop Duty-Free in Tijuana

A visit to Tijuana must include an excursion to Rio Tijuana for shopping

Tijuana:  65 Shops, 185 Outlets + park safe

Getting to Tijuana is half the fun. But driving across the border is ill advised, because your American insurance is not valid in Mexico. If you get into an accident then you and your car will be detained until the guilty party pays for the repair. Park at Border Station Parking instead. Being a duty free port of entry, expect to buy French perfume at duty free prices. An extra bonus on the U.S. side of the border are literally hundreds of factory outlet stores

Shop Duty Free in Mexico

Shop 185 Outlets + Safe Border Station Parking

San Diego has awesome factory outlet centers, where you can literally shop till you drop!  Outlet Shopping is one of the TOP 100 San Diego Attractions and one of the 1000 fun things to do in San Diego by air, land and sea. We also showcase the major shopping centers, as they are glamorous major attractions too. 

Shop till you drop at 185 Outlet stores at the U.S. Border. Plus, buy French perfume and imported good in Tijuana, at duty free prices.

Shop Tijuana. Park at Border. Take RT Bus 

Park Safe at TJ Border 

Park safe at Border Station Parking at the US Border. We provide easy-to-use maps and an extensive narrative foe finding this premiere lot. Taking your car into Mexico is a No-No as your insurance isn’t valid in Mexico

Tijuana Guide: Where to Eat, See, Shop, Explore

A visit to Tijuana must include an excursion to Rio Tijuana for shopping

Tijuana:  65 Shops, 185 Outlets + parking safe

Getting to Tijuana is half the fun. But driving across the border is ill advised, because your American insurance is not valid in Mexico. If you get into an accident then you and your car will be detained until the guilty party pays for the repair. Park at Border Station Parking instead. Being a duty free port of entry, expect to buy French perfume at duty free prices. An extra bonus on the U.S. side of the border are literally hundreds of factory outlet stores housed in 4 mega malls, where you can shop till you drop. 

I toured the 3 wine regions & created custom map tours for you.

#23 Winery Tours 

Mexico’s Wine Country is Just a Short Trip South of the Border + San Diego County wine country and Temecula to the north.

The local breweries featured are all excellent.

 #24 Brewery Tours

One of San Diego’s Greatest Pastimes is Discovering the best microbreweries.Microbreweries Throughout the County

 

Find Historic & Modern Day Churches

Click on Churchfinder.com for an extensive and informative list of over 100 places of worship. Since San Diego is Paradise on Earth, it should come as no surprise that locals love to worship God. Also, unique to San Diego and the state of California were the establishment of the 21 Missions founded by Father Serra as the… Read more »

DISCOVER 1000 Fun & Free San Diego things with sandiegan.com

Enjoy major discounts for major attractions and high-end shopping. No less wonderful are the host of restaurant discounts. 

My staff and I have inspected 100’s of hotels and (3) rooms at each hotel before recommending them.

Where to Stay

Vacationers Should Stay at Oceanfront Resort Hotels

But if you’re NOT planning to stay in an oceanfront resort hotel, then stay in centrally located Mission Valley. It’s where everyone stayed before downtown’s mega convention center was built. Thus, the rooms and amenities are good and Mission Valley includes great restaurants, the #1 luxury shopping center, a golf course, and many nearby sights to see. For the best waterfront all inclusive resort hotels in San Diego stay in Mission Bay, Shelter Island or La Jolla.  We reviewed (3) rooms & amenities at each hotel we recommended.

Instant Access to More Fun Things to See and Do

Click on a topic below for 1500 NON PAID researched content to instantly appear.

Airports (7) & air line (19)

All Inclusive Resorts (3)

Asian Restaurant Row (80)

Banquets & Catering (55) 

Bay/Ocean View Dining (23)

Brewery Tours in City (3)

Calandar in construction

Casinos Explore all (8)

Churches + Missions (2)

City Map Tours (30)

EAT FREE B’dayS (72)

Eat in the Best Places (167)

Family Friendly Attractions

Farmer’s Markets

Eat in the Best Places (167)

Golf Courses Best (10)

Harbor Dinner Cruise (1)

Hotels: 12,500 Reviewed

Historical Museums (15)

Jobs: Major Employers (60)

kids eat freE DailY (72) 

Kid Friendly Attractions

Restaurants: Eat in Best

San Diego Bay Tour (50)

Shop Antique Districts (3)

Shop Fashion Valley Ctr

Shop Kobey’s Swap Meet

Shop the Outlets (250) 

Shop Fiesta de Reyes 

Shop Specialty Malls (9)

Sightsee City by Air Tour

Sightsee 27 by Land Tours

Sightsee by Sea Tour

Sports & Rec (46)

Tijuana & Outlets (185)

Tijuana Parking + Shuttle

Travel Getaways (26)

Wedding Venues (150)

Whale Watching Tour

‎Wine Tasting Tours (3) 

1000 FREE Things to Do

SanDiegan.com is a 31 Yr. Internet Pioneer

In 1995, three years before Google even existed the SAN DIEGAN (circa 1969) created SanDiegan.com making us an internet pioneer.

San Diego is a Mecca for shopping centers and huge Factory Outlets. We’ve visited them all!

This FREE Newcomer, Visitor & Resident Guide showcases the city and region via personally reviewed NON-PAID excursions of the many cities and suburbs.

It features maps with extensive narrative. It seeks to provide unlimited resources for discovering the city and region.

One good source is a subscription to the San Diego Union Newspaper and specifically their Reader’s Poll, which is an annual 40 page annual tabloid showcasing the best of San Diego from A to Z. 

San Diego Skyline from Harbor Island.

Jobs Search should include top 60 employers 

With 36 million visitors a year, many fall in love with the city & relocate here to enjoy living in Paradise, and so can you.

Home Buying+Apartments 

The NEWCOMER’S SECTION along with exploring the city via the 50 FREE DIY city tours is a good start for how to find your slice of paradise. A high percentage of San Diego residents were once visitors, in the military or college students. Thus, the need for an online relocation chapter arose out of the necessity for where to live, find a job and navigate the city with ease arose to find and enjoy the 1000 fun things to do in San Diego by air, land and sea. We personally research our recommendations before we recommend them including best places to live near each military base and military housing with personal inspection of multiple units and apartment complexes.  Thus, SanDiegan.com is a trusted resource.

Explore 27 Neighborhoods

Downtown consists of many suburbs within the city making it a great fun things to do town for city tours.

San Diego is a Military Town with museums & ships to explore

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to  show our guests fun thingss to do.

Free admission for active military and their family to attractions.

Wedding, Banquets Catering Events

Winery weddings are special.

Tour the Wineries

DISCOVER 1000 Fun & Free Things to do

#1 choice of millions of newcomers, visitors & residents since 1969. This is the original award-winning city guide.

San Diego Restaurants, Attractions, Coupons, 1000 Fun things to do 57yrs.

Here’s instant access to 1000 Best eat, shop, Live, Play, things, maps

If FREE fit’s into your budget then here’s

1000 More FREE Things to See, Do in San Diego

Instant Access to Top San Diego Restaurants

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. Barry even recommends the best place to sit for the best view . The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

Shop Duty-Free in Tijuana

February is Museum Month with 50% off Admission.

Access Table of Contents Below for topics A – Z

Featuring 50 Maps for Exploring fun things to do 

Click Here for Instant Access to 1000 places to eat shop see play

12 Farmer’s Markets

Navigate This Website Even Faster Here’s How: 

(1) Click here for instant access to 50 suburbs & city walking & driving tours with maps. (2) Click on the Barry Icon at the top left corner of every page to return to the home page. (3) Click on the little box with the arrow in it in the right corner to instantly return to the top of any page. (4) SEE Today’s most visited Pages at Bottom of the Home page. 

“

“A Barry Berndes Day Award” is Awarded to Barry for Showing City to Millions for 50 yrs.

The Mayor of San Diego & all of the members of the City Council Awarded Barry a BARRY BERNDES DAY on Jan. 14th, 2018 for showing his hometown of San Diego to millions of newcomers, visitors & residents for over 50 yrs.

San Diego Skyline from Harbor Island, near the airport, where the views are only exceeded by the cuisine served at bayside restaurants. Many diners dine here before departure or upon arrival to the city. 

Barry is city’s Award-Winning International Travel Writer & Food Critic.

He’ll show you his hometown by Air, Land, & Sea.

A fun excursion is to take a lighter than air glider flight off the cliffs of La Jolla or view gliders in flight from the Cliff Hanger Restaurant.

Used by Millions since 1969 for where to eat well & fun things to do

These are the Attractions Residents Visit Often

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to show our out-of-town-guests around. See the Embarcadero Chapter.

Top Attractions are Hot Linked for Instant Access

• San Diego Zoo: See 7000 animals
• USS Midway 1000 ft Aircraft Carrier
• Balboa Park: Zoo & 17 Museums
• SEA WORLD: Aquatic Marine Park
• Cabrillo Monument: Historic site
• Old Town State Park: Free Adm.
• La Jolla: Sightsee, Shop, Dine
• Coronado: Tour Hotel Del 
• Embarcadero: Maritime Museums
• Tijuana: Duty Free Shopping 
• Harbor Champagne Dinner Cruise
• Cultural insights: 56 museum Tours
• Convoy St. Asian Rest. Row
• Do-it-Yourself Micro-Brewery Tour
• kid-Friendly-Attractions

1 in 4 attendees to an attraction is a resident

SAN DIEGO CALENDAR 

San Diego is a resort town enjoyed by locals for the many annual events like the Surfing Championships, multiple parade of lights, sailing regattas, sand castle building exhibitions and the list goes on and on. and never missed are annual attractions. It’s being updated now for it’s annual unveiling.

Catalina is an Island Paradise second to none!

25 Fantastic Nearby Getaways Where locals go to Getaway

Discover the San Diego Locals Love to Explore

With 35,000,000 Visitors Annually, San Diego is America’s Most Visited City

Exploring San Diego is a Great Adventure, Living here is a Whole Lot Better

You’ll find the SAN DIEGO RELOCATION Section at the bottom of this page with detailed information including the top employers as well as the best places to live and play.  With three major universities in San Diego pumping out new graduates annually there is a constant influx of newcomers to the work force as graduating students become year around employed residents. The other major influx of relocating residents comes from the annual 35,000,0000 visitor base. This Local’s City Guide gives an honest assessment for where to live, work and play. Plus, 1 in every 4 attendees to an attraction is a resident. The tools for relocating to America’s favorite City are at your fingertips in the relocation section below.

Where You Eat is Just as Important as What you See & Do in San Diego

I’ve Dined in 10,000 Restaurants since 1969 paying for my meals.

Photo Gallery of top San Diego Restaurants 

Dine like Royalty at the roof top Mr. A’s Restaurants overlooking the city.

These 100 plus restaurants have been personally reviewed by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 10,000 restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals.

Dine-in 70 Kids Eat FREE Daily Places +  See 20 Kid-Friendly Attractions

Kid FREE Meals Everyday & FREE Birthdays

seafood Restaurants with Ocean Views

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. .

Asian Restaurant Row is a Mile Long of dining Excellence

Dine in the Mile Long Delicious Asian Restaurant Row

Restaurant Reviews ARE NOT PAID Advertising

Advertisers are told up front that they can say what they want in their display advertisement, but we reserve the right to say what we personally experienced because we paid for our own meals or admission. Plus, advertise NEVER see what we have written about them before it is published. Thus, our recommendations are unbiased & not paid for.

Sightseeing & Supurb Dining Go Hand in Hand

Hunter’s Steakhouse is an excellent place to dine.

Experience the best with our Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed guide, highlighting hidden gems and must-visit spots. Every attraction listed in the Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed guide has been personally tested for quality, fun, and uniqueness.

100 Best Restaurants Personally Reviewed

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

The Chart House Offers Breathtaking Oceanfront Dining at its Very Best

Dine Dine-in or Do a Curbside Takeaway at an Outback Steakhouse

Enjoy the Moment with a Glass of Wine Served at the White House

Dine at the World Famous Marine Room

Dining at the world-famous Marine Room Restaurant at La Jolla Shores is SUPERB.

Discover 25 World-Famous Burger Joints

Enjoy a delicious burger at this Outback Steakhouse.

100 Where Kids Eat Free Daily

172 Eat Free on Your Birthday

San Diego is a great place to celebrate life be it your birthday or a special occasion. There are hilltop restaurants like Mr. A’s sitting atop of the Fifth Avenue Financial Center, which offers a sweeping view of the city while Commercial Airline glide by in route to landing at San Diego’s international airport. For a sunset Champagne Dinner Cruise on San Diego Bay, look no further than Hornblower Cruises & Events. Oh yes, romantic dancing is included and the cuisine is excellent!

Fiesta de Reyes Offers Outdoor Patio Dining

Dave & Busters is Home to Fun & Games

Dave & Buster’s San Diego Restaurant Bar and Arcade

A Meal at the Old Town Mexican Cafe is a MUST!

Cinco de Mayo Ole! With Great Tasting Mexican Cuisine.

San Diego is Home to 4 Excellent Wine Regions

Orfilia Winery wines have been served at the White House.

Convoy Street is America’s Biggest Asian Restaurant Row & is a Mile Long

Delicious Chinese
Cuisine Await.

Kaiserhof Restaurant & Biergarden is 58 yrs. old

Award Winning Food, and Beer are served at Kaiseroff German Restaurant in Ocean Beach.

Restaurant Hop Middletown Row is Fun

Barry has Dined in 10,000 Restaurants

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

Discover Great Tasting Mexican Cuisine in Historic Old Town (see the Old Town chapter).

Restaurant Reviews ARE NOT PAID Advertising

Advertisers are told up front that they can say what they want in their display advertisement, but we reserve the right to say what we personally experienced because we paid for our own meals or admission. Plus, advertise NEVER see what we have written about them before it is published. Thus, our recommendations are unbiased & not paid for.

100 Banquets, Catering, Party, Wedding, Venues

Tie-the-Knot at one of over 100 Regional Wineries

Here’s how to Navigate This Website Fast: 

kid & Adult-Friendly-Attractions You’ll Love

Kids Party venues are where kids have FUN.

20 Top Attractions Photo Gallery  

If you have kids, or are a kid at heart, then discovering kid-Friendly-Attractions will be a big plus for what to see and do. Plus, kid FREE meals and attractions galore.

San Diego’s 7,000 Animal Zoo is Most Visited

If you are a local visiting a local attraction then you’re one of the 35 million visitors that flock to San Diego’s sea shore annually to enjoy ocean breezes, fine dining, and attractions galore making San Diego the most visited city in America. One in four attendee to an attraction is a resident.

2nd most visited Attraction is a USS Midway Tour

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to show our guests who we are.

#2 Attraction: USS Midway Tour (4 hours) 

A million Newcomers, visitors and residents visit the USS Midway air craft carrier annually to explore this HUGE aircraft carrier, which saw military action in WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The photo illustrates available parking , which is most often correct, Allocated excursion time 4-5 hours. Plus, sightseeing the Embarcadero attractions & dining.

#3 Balboa Park Museums, Galleries & the Zoo

Both visitors and residents alike love visiting the over a dozen museums annually. It’s so popular that  residents are offered FREE admission every Tuesday on a rotation basis visit balboapark.org.

#4 SeaWorld

 

#5 Cabrillo Monument is a Spectacular Attraction

The spectacular 360-degree view of San Diego’s majestic harbor and the lay of the land for 30 miles in all directions will give you the layout of San Diego.  Cabrillo Monument is one of the 1000 Best San Diego things to do w/50 maps. 

#6 Historic Old Town is home to Great Dining

Festive Old Town San Diego is an Historic Treasure worth seeing. It offers FREE admission with FREE parking. After visiting Cabrillo Monument Old Town is just down the road. (see Pt. Loma map).

#7 La Jolla

La Jolla is world famous for its breathtaking ocean view dining and gourmet cuisine. No less memorable is a walk on its pristine La Jolla Shores Beach (see map) and strolling along Girard Avenue”s enticing shops and stores. Be sure to visit world famous La Jolla.

#8 Coronado

#9 Embarcadero

#10 Harbor Dinner Cruise

Take A Harbor Cruise for a remarkable dining and sightseeing adventure, second to none.

#11 Beach Town Getaways

With 52 miles for shoreline and the renowned Highway 101, which hugs the coastline, its popularity has never lessoned. From North to South our beach towns are Oceanside, Carlsbad, Lucedia, Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-sea, Solana Beach, Del Mar (home of the Del Mar Racetrack), La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Coronado, and Imperial Beach. 

#12 City Breweries offer food 

San Diego Microbreweries have more Blue Ribbons than any other city in Americas.  Taking this easy-to-navigate brewery tour of 13 must-visit breweries is a click away. Microbrewery hopping is one of the 1000 Best San Diego things to do w/50 maps.

#14 City Street Fair Events 

In San Diego it’s never what to do, but how much time do we have. So ,finding 1000 Best San Diego’s best things to do using our 50 map is easy. Which is one reason why 1 in 3 attendees to a city attraction is a local.  As lots of residents were once visitors, who cherished the idea of visiting their favorite attractions multiple times a year

#15 Explore 195 Factory Outlets at the Border

You can literally shop till you drop at Las Americas. They feature 185 factory outlet stores.

# 16 Explore San Diego By AIR – LAND – SEA 

#17 Neighborhoods: Explore your city

Downtown consists of many suburbs within the city making it a great fun things to do town for city tours.

# 18 DIY Winery Tours 

Mexico’s Wine Country is Just a Short Trip South of the Border + San Diego County wine country and Temecula to the north.

# 19 San Diego is a Military Town

 

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to  show our guests fun thingss to do.

Free admission for active military and their family to attractions.

Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed

#20 California’s Historic Churches are fun

Click on Churchfinder.com for an extensive and informative list of over 100 places of worship. Since San Diego is Paradise on Earth, it should come as no surprise that locals love to worship God. Also, unique to San Diego and the state of California were the establishment of the 21 Missions founded by Father Serra as the… Read more »

21 Shop Duty-Free in Tijuana

A visit to Tijuana must include an excursion to Rio Tijuana for shopping

Tijuana:  65 Shops, 185 Outlets + park safe

Getting to Tijuana is half the fun. But driving across the border is ill advised, because your American insurance is not valid in Mexico. If you get into an accident then you and your car will be detained until the guilty party pays for the repair. Park at Border Station Parking instead. Being a duty free port of entry, expect to buy French perfume at duty free prices. An extra bonus on the U.S. side of the border are literally hundreds of factory outlet stores

Shop Duty Free in Mexico

Shop 185 Outlets + Safe Border Station Parking

San Diego has awesome factory outlet centers, where you can literally shop till you drop!  Outlet Shopping is one of the TOP 100 San Diego Attractions and one of the 1000 fun things to do in San Diego by air, land and sea. We also showcase the major shopping centers, as they are glamorous major attractions too. 

Shop till you drop at 185 Outlet stores at the U.S. Border. Plus, buy French perfume and imported good in Tijuana, at duty free prices.

Shop Tijuana. Park at Border. Take RT Bus 

Park Safe at TJ Border 

Park safe at Border Station Parking at the US Border. We provide easy-to-use maps and an extensive narrative foe finding this premiere lot. Taking your car into Mexico is a No-No as your insurance isn’t valid in Mexico

Tijuana Guide: Where to Eat, See, Shop, Explore

A visit to Tijuana must include an excursion to Rio Tijuana for shopping

Tijuana:  65 Shops, 185 Outlets + parking safe

Getting to Tijuana is half the fun. But driving across the border is ill advised, because your American insurance is not valid in Mexico. If you get into an accident then you and your car will be detained until the guilty party pays for the repair. Park at Border Station Parking instead. Being a duty free port of entry, expect to buy French perfume at duty free prices. An extra bonus on the U.S. side of the border are literally hundreds of factory outlet stores housed in 4 mega malls, where you can shop till you drop. 

I toured the 3 wine regions & created custom map tours for you.

#23 Winery Tours 

Mexico’s Wine Country is Just a Short Trip South of the Border + San Diego County wine country and Temecula to the north.

The local breweries featured are all excellent.

 #24 Brewery Tours

One of San Diego’s Greatest Pastimes is Discovering the best microbreweries.Microbreweries Throughout the County

 

Find Historic & Modern Day Churches

Click on Churchfinder.com for an extensive and informative list of over 100 places of worship. Since San Diego is Paradise on Earth, it should come as no surprise that locals love to worship God. Also, unique to San Diego and the state of California were the establishment of the 21 Missions founded by Father Serra as the… Read more »

DISCOVER 1000 Fun & Free San Diego things with sandiegan.com

Enjoy major discounts for major attractions and high-end shopping. No less wonderful are the host of restaurant discounts. 

My staff and I have inspected 100’s of hotels and (3) rooms at each hotel before recommending them.

Where to Stay

Vacationers Should Stay at Oceanfront Resort Hotels

But if you’re NOT planning to stay in an oceanfront resort hotel, then stay in centrally located Mission Valley. It’s where everyone stayed before downtown’s mega convention center was built. Thus, the rooms and amenities are good and Mission Valley includes great restaurants, the #1 luxury shopping center, a golf course, and many nearby sights to see. For the best waterfront all inclusive resort hotels in San Diego stay in Mission Bay, Shelter Island or La Jolla.  We reviewed (3) rooms & amenities at each hotel we recommended.

Instant Access to More Fun Things to See and Do

Click on a topic below for 1500 NON PAID researched content to instantly appear.

Airports (7) & air line (19)

All Inclusive Resorts (3)

Asian Restaurant Row (80)

Banquets & Catering (55) 

Bay/Ocean View Dining (23)

Brewery Tours in City (3)

Calandar in construction

Casinos Explore all (8)

Churches + Missions (2)

City Map Tours (30)

EAT FREE B’dayS (72)

Eat in the Best Places (167)

Family Friendly Attractions

Farmer’s Markets

Eat in the Best Places (167)

Golf Courses Best (10)

Harbor Dinner Cruise (1)

Hotels: 12,500 Reviewed

Historical Museums (15)

Jobs: Major Employers (60)

kids eat freE DailY (72) 

Kid Friendly Attractions

Restaurants: Eat in Best

San Diego Bay Tour (50)

Shop Antique Districts (3)

Shop Fashion Valley Ctr

Shop Kobey’s Swap Meet

Shop the Outlets (250) 

Shop Fiesta de Reyes 

Shop Specialty Malls (9)

Sightsee City by Air Tour

Sightsee 27 by Land Tours

Sightsee by Sea Tour

Sports & Rec (46)

Tijuana & Outlets (185)

Tijuana Parking + Shuttle

Travel Getaways (26)

Wedding Venues (150)

Whale Watching Tour

‎Wine Tasting Tours (3) 

1000 FREE Things to Do

SanDiegan.com is a 31 Yr. Internet Pioneer

In 1995, three years before Google even existed the SAN DIEGAN (circa 1969) created SanDiegan.com making us an internet pioneer.

San Diego is a Mecca for shopping centers and huge Factory Outlets. We’ve visited them all!

This FREE Newcomer, Visitor & Resident Guide showcases the city and region via personally reviewed NON-PAID excursions of the many cities and suburbs.

It features maps with extensive narrative. It seeks to provide unlimited resources for discovering the city and region.

One good source is a subscription to the San Diego Union Newspaper and specifically their Reader’s Poll, which is an annual 40 page annual tabloid showcasing the best of San Diego from A to Z. 

San Diego Skyline from Harbor Island.

Jobs Search should include top 60 employers 

With 36 million visitors a year, many fall in love with the city & relocate here to enjoy living in Paradise, and so can you.

Home Buying+Apartments 

The NEWCOMER’S SECTION along with exploring the city via the 50 FREE DIY city tours is a good start for how to find your slice of paradise. A high percentage of San Diego residents were once visitors, in the military or college students. Thus, the need for an online relocation chapter arose out of the necessity for where to live, find a job and navigate the city with ease arose to find and enjoy the 1000 fun things to do in San Diego by air, land and sea. We personally research our recommendations before we recommend them including best places to live near each military base and military housing with personal inspection of multiple units and apartment complexes.  Thus, SanDiegan.com is a trusted resource.

Explore 27 Neighborhoods

Downtown consists of many suburbs within the city making it a great fun things to do town for city tours.

San Diego is a Military Town with museums & ships to explore

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to  show our guests fun thingss to do.

Free admission for active military and their family to attractions.

Wedding, Banquets Catering Events

Winery weddings are special.

Tour the Wineries

DISCOVER 1000 Fun & Free Things to do

#1 choice of millions of newcomers, visitors & residents since 1969. This is the original award-winning city guide.

San Diego Restaurants, Attractions, Coupons, 1000 Fun things to do 57yrs.

Here’s instant access to 1000 Best eat, shop, Live, Play, things, maps

If FREE fit’s into your budget then here’s

1000 More FREE Things to See, Do in San Diego

Instant Access to Top San Diego Restaurants

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. Barry even recommends the best place to sit for the best view . The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

Shop Duty-Free in Tijuana

February is Museum Month with 50% off Admission.

Access Table of Contents Below for topics A – Z

Featuring 50 Maps for Exploring fun things to do 

Click Here for Instant Access to 1000 places to eat shop see play

12 Farmer’s Markets

Navigate This Website Even Faster Here’s How: 

(1) Click here for instant access to 50 suburbs & city walking & driving tours with maps. (2) Click on the Barry Icon at the top left corner of every page to return to the home page. (3) Click on the little box with the arrow in it in the right corner to instantly return to the top of any page. (4) SEE Today’s most visited Pages at Bottom of the Home page. 

“

“A Barry Berndes Day Award” is Awarded to Barry for Showing City to Millions for 50 yrs.

The Mayor of San Diego & all of the members of the City Council Awarded Barry a BARRY BERNDES DAY on Jan. 14th, 2018 for showing his hometown of San Diego to millions of newcomers, visitors & residents for over 50 yrs.

San Diego Skyline from Harbor Island, near the airport, where the views are only exceeded by the cuisine served at bayside restaurants. Many diners dine here before departure or upon arrival to the city. 

Barry is city’s Award-Winning International Travel Writer & Food Critic.

He’ll show you his hometown by Air, Land, & Sea.

A fun excursion is to take a lighter than air glider flight off the cliffs of La Jolla or view gliders in flight from the Cliff Hanger Restaurant.

Used by Millions since 1969 for where to eat well & fun things to do

These are the Attractions Residents Visit Often

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to show our out-of-town-guests around. See the Embarcadero Chapter.

Top Attractions are Hot Linked for Instant Access

• San Diego Zoo: See 7000 animals
• USS Midway 1000 ft Aircraft Carrier
• Balboa Park: Zoo & 17 Museums
• SEA WORLD: Aquatic Marine Park
• Cabrillo Monument: Historic site
• Old Town State Park: Free Adm.
• La Jolla: Sightsee, Shop, Dine
• Coronado: Tour Hotel Del 
• Embarcadero: Maritime Museums
• Tijuana: Duty Free Shopping 
• Harbor Champagne Dinner Cruise
• Cultural insights: 56 museum Tours
• Convoy St. Asian Rest. Row
• Do-it-Yourself Micro-Brewery Tour
• kid-Friendly-Attractions

1 in 4 attendees to an attraction is a resident

SAN DIEGO CALENDAR 

San Diego is a resort town enjoyed by locals for the many annual events like the Surfing Championships, multiple parade of lights, sailing regattas, sand castle building exhibitions and the list goes on and on. and never missed are annual attractions. It’s being updated now for it’s annual unveiling.

Catalina is an Island Paradise second to none!

25 Fantastic Nearby Getaways Where locals go to Getaway

Discover the San Diego Locals Love to Explore

With 35,000,000 Visitors Annually, San Diego is America’s Most Visited City

Exploring San Diego is a Great Adventure, Living here is a Whole Lot Better

You’ll find the SAN DIEGO RELOCATION Section at the bottom of this page with detailed information including the top employers as well as the best places to live and play.  With three major universities in San Diego pumping out new graduates annually there is a constant influx of newcomers to the work force as graduating students become year around employed residents. The other major influx of relocating residents comes from the annual 35,000,0000 visitor base. This Local’s City Guide gives an honest assessment for where to live, work and play. Plus, 1 in every 4 attendees to an attraction is a resident. The tools for relocating to America’s favorite City are at your fingertips in the relocation section below.

Where You Eat is Just as Important as What you See & Do in San Diego

I’ve Dined in 10,000 Restaurants since 1969 paying for my meals.

Photo Gallery of top San Diego Restaurants 

Dine like Royalty at the roof top Mr. A’s Restaurants overlooking the city.

These 100 plus restaurants have been personally reviewed by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 10,000 restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals.

Dine-in 70 Kids Eat FREE Daily Places +  See 20 Kid-Friendly Attractions

Kid FREE Meals Everyday & FREE Birthdays

seafood Restaurants with Ocean Views

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. .

Asian Restaurant Row is a Mile Long of dining Excellence

Dine in the Mile Long Delicious Asian Restaurant Row

Restaurant Reviews ARE NOT PAID Advertising

Advertisers are told up front that they can say what they want in their display advertisement, but we reserve the right to say what we personally experienced because we paid for our own meals or admission. Plus, advertise NEVER see what we have written about them before it is published. Thus, our recommendations are unbiased & not paid for.

Sightseeing & Supurb Dining Go Hand in Hand

Hunter’s Steakhouse is an excellent place to dine.

Experience the best with our Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed guide, highlighting hidden gems and must-visit spots. Every attraction listed in the Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed guide has been personally tested for quality, fun, and uniqueness.

100 Best Restaurants Personally Reviewed

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

The Chart House Offers Breathtaking Oceanfront Dining at its Very Best

Dine Dine-in or Do a Curbside Takeaway at an Outback Steakhouse

Enjoy the Moment with a Glass of Wine Served at the White House

Dine at the World Famous Marine Room

Dining at the world-famous Marine Room Restaurant at La Jolla Shores is SUPERB.

Discover 25 World-Famous Burger Joints

Enjoy a delicious burger at this Outback Steakhouse.

100 Where Kids Eat Free Daily

172 Eat Free on Your Birthday

San Diego is a great place to celebrate life be it your birthday or a special occasion. There are hilltop restaurants like Mr. A’s sitting atop of the Fifth Avenue Financial Center, which offers a sweeping view of the city while Commercial Airline glide by in route to landing at San Diego’s international airport. For a sunset Champagne Dinner Cruise on San Diego Bay, look no further than Hornblower Cruises & Events. Oh yes, romantic dancing is included and the cuisine is excellent!

Fiesta de Reyes Offers Outdoor Patio Dining

Dave & Busters is Home to Fun & Games

Dave & Buster’s San Diego Restaurant Bar and Arcade

A Meal at the Old Town Mexican Cafe is a MUST!

Cinco de Mayo Ole! With Great Tasting Mexican Cuisine.

San Diego is Home to 4 Excellent Wine Regions

Orfilia Winery wines have been served at the White House.

Convoy Street is America’s Biggest Asian Restaurant Row & is a Mile Long

Delicious Chinese
Cuisine Await.

Kaiserhof Restaurant & Biergarden is 58 yrs. old

Award Winning Food, and Beer are served at Kaiseroff German Restaurant in Ocean Beach.

Restaurant Hop Middletown Row is Fun

Barry has Dined in 10,000 Restaurants

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

Discover Great Tasting Mexican Cuisine in Historic Old Town (see the Old Town chapter).

Restaurant Reviews ARE NOT PAID Advertising

Advertisers are told up front that they can say what they want in their display advertisement, but we reserve the right to say what we personally experienced because we paid for our own meals or admission. Plus, advertise NEVER see what we have written about them before it is published. Thus, our recommendations are unbiased & not paid for.

100 Banquets, Catering, Party, Wedding, Venues

Tie-the-Knot at one of over 100 Regional Wineries

Here’s how to Navigate This Website Fast: 

kid & Adult-Friendly-Attractions You’ll Love

Kids Party venues are where kids have FUN.

20 Top Attractions Photo Gallery  

If you have kids, or are a kid at heart, then discovering kid-Friendly-Attractions will be a big plus for what to see and do. Plus, kid FREE meals and attractions galore.

San Diego’s 7,000 Animal Zoo is Most Visited

If you are a local visiting a local attraction then you’re one of the 35 million visitors that flock to San Diego’s sea shore annually to enjoy ocean breezes, fine dining, and attractions galore making San Diego the most visited city in America. One in four attendee to an attraction is a resident.

2nd most visited Attraction is a USS Midway Tour

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to show our guests who we are.

#2 Attraction: USS Midway Tour (4 hours) 

A million Newcomers, visitors and residents visit the USS Midway air craft carrier annually to explore this HUGE aircraft carrier, which saw military action in WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The photo illustrates available parking , which is most often correct, Allocated excursion time 4-5 hours. Plus, sightseeing the Embarcadero attractions & dining.

#3 Balboa Park Museums, Galleries & the Zoo

Both visitors and residents alike love visiting the over a dozen museums annually. It’s so popular that  residents are offered FREE admission every Tuesday on a rotation basis visit balboapark.org.

#4 SeaWorld

 

#5 Cabrillo Monument is a Spectacular Attraction

The spectacular 360-degree view of San Diego’s majestic harbor and the lay of the land for 30 miles in all directions will give you the layout of San Diego.  Cabrillo Monument is one of the 1000 Best San Diego things to do w/50 maps. 

#6 Historic Old Town is home to Great Dining

Festive Old Town San Diego is an Historic Treasure worth seeing. It offers FREE admission with FREE parking. After visiting Cabrillo Monument Old Town is just down the road. (see Pt. Loma map).

#7 La Jolla

La Jolla is world famous for its breathtaking ocean view dining and gourmet cuisine. No less memorable is a walk on its pristine La Jolla Shores Beach (see map) and strolling along Girard Avenue”s enticing shops and stores. Be sure to visit world famous La Jolla.

#8 Coronado

#9 Embarcadero

#10 Harbor Dinner Cruise

Take A Harbor Cruise for a remarkable dining and sightseeing adventure, second to none.

#11 Beach Town Getaways

With 52 miles for shoreline and the renowned Highway 101, which hugs the coastline, its popularity has never lessoned. From North to South our beach towns are Oceanside, Carlsbad, Lucedia, Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-sea, Solana Beach, Del Mar (home of the Del Mar Racetrack), La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Coronado, and Imperial Beach. 

#12 City Breweries offer food 

San Diego Microbreweries have more Blue Ribbons than any other city in Americas.  Taking this easy-to-navigate brewery tour of 13 must-visit breweries is a click away. Microbrewery hopping is one of the 1000 Best San Diego things to do w/50 maps.

#14 City Street Fair Events 

In San Diego it’s never what to do, but how much time do we have. So ,finding 1000 Best San Diego’s best things to do using our 50 map is easy. Which is one reason why 1 in 3 attendees to a city attraction is a local.  As lots of residents were once visitors, who cherished the idea of visiting their favorite attractions multiple times a year

#15 Explore 195 Factory Outlets at the Border

You can literally shop till you drop at Las Americas. They feature 185 factory outlet stores.

# 16 Explore San Diego By AIR – LAND – SEA 

#17 Neighborhoods: Explore your city

Downtown consists of many suburbs within the city making it a great fun things to do town for city tours.

# 18 DIY Winery Tours 

Mexico’s Wine Country is Just a Short Trip South of the Border + San Diego County wine country and Temecula to the north.

# 19 San Diego is a Military Town

 

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to  show our guests fun thingss to do.

Free admission for active military and their family to attractions.

Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed

#20 California’s Historic Churches are fun

Click on Churchfinder.com for an extensive and informative list of over 100 places of worship. Since San Diego is Paradise on Earth, it should come as no surprise that locals love to worship God. Also, unique to San Diego and the state of California were the establishment of the 21 Missions founded by Father Serra as the… Read more »

21 Shop Duty-Free in Tijuana

A visit to Tijuana must include an excursion to Rio Tijuana for shopping

Tijuana:  65 Shops, 185 Outlets + park safe

Getting to Tijuana is half the fun. But driving across the border is ill advised, because your American insurance is not valid in Mexico. If you get into an accident then you and your car will be detained until the guilty party pays for the repair. Park at Border Station Parking instead. Being a duty free port of entry, expect to buy French perfume at duty free prices. An extra bonus on the U.S. side of the border are literally hundreds of factory outlet stores

Shop Duty Free in Mexico

Shop 185 Outlets + Safe Border Station Parking

San Diego has awesome factory outlet centers, where you can literally shop till you drop!  Outlet Shopping is one of the TOP 100 San Diego Attractions and one of the 1000 fun things to do in San Diego by air, land and sea. We also showcase the major shopping centers, as they are glamorous major attractions too. 

Shop till you drop at 185 Outlet stores at the U.S. Border. Plus, buy French perfume and imported good in Tijuana, at duty free prices.

Shop Tijuana. Park at Border. Take RT Bus 

Park Safe at TJ Border 

Park safe at Border Station Parking at the US Border. We provide easy-to-use maps and an extensive narrative foe finding this premiere lot. Taking your car into Mexico is a No-No as your insurance isn’t valid in Mexico

Tijuana Guide: Where to Eat, See, Shop, Explore

A visit to Tijuana must include an excursion to Rio Tijuana for shopping

Tijuana:  65 Shops, 185 Outlets + parking safe

Getting to Tijuana is half the fun. But driving across the border is ill advised, because your American insurance is not valid in Mexico. If you get into an accident then you and your car will be detained until the guilty party pays for the repair. Park at Border Station Parking instead. Being a duty free port of entry, expect to buy French perfume at duty free prices. An extra bonus on the U.S. side of the border are literally hundreds of factory outlet stores housed in 4 mega malls, where you can shop till you drop. 

I toured the 3 wine regions & created custom map tours for you.

#23 Winery Tours 

Mexico’s Wine Country is Just a Short Trip South of the Border + San Diego County wine country and Temecula to the north.

The local breweries featured are all excellent.

 #24 Brewery Tours

One of San Diego’s Greatest Pastimes is Discovering the best microbreweries.Microbreweries Throughout the County

 

Find Historic & Modern Day Churches

Click on Churchfinder.com for an extensive and informative list of over 100 places of worship. Since San Diego is Paradise on Earth, it should come as no surprise that locals love to worship God. Also, unique to San Diego and the state of California were the establishment of the 21 Missions founded by Father Serra as the… Read more »

DISCOVER 1000 Fun & Free San Diego things with sandiegan.com

Enjoy major discounts for major attractions and high-end shopping. No less wonderful are the host of restaurant discounts. 

My staff and I have inspected 100’s of hotels and (3) rooms at each hotel before recommending them.

Where to Stay

Vacationers Should Stay at Oceanfront Resort Hotels

But if you’re NOT planning to stay in an oceanfront resort hotel, then stay in centrally located Mission Valley. It’s where everyone stayed before downtown’s mega convention center was built. Thus, the rooms and amenities are good and Mission Valley includes great restaurants, the #1 luxury shopping center, a golf course, and many nearby sights to see. For the best waterfront all inclusive resort hotels in San Diego stay in Mission Bay, Shelter Island or La Jolla.  We reviewed (3) rooms & amenities at each hotel we recommended.

Instant Access to More Fun Things to See and Do

Click on a topic below for 1500 NON PAID researched content to instantly appear.

Airports (7) & air line (19)

All Inclusive Resorts (3)

Asian Restaurant Row (80)

Banquets & Catering (55) 

Bay/Ocean View Dining (23)

Brewery Tours in City (3)

Calandar in construction

Casinos Explore all (8)

Churches + Missions (2)

City Map Tours (30)

EAT FREE B’dayS (72)

Eat in the Best Places (167)

Family Friendly Attractions

Farmer’s Markets

Eat in the Best Places (167)

Golf Courses Best (10)

Harbor Dinner Cruise (1)

Hotels: 12,500 Reviewed

Historical Museums (15)

Jobs: Major Employers (60)

kids eat freE DailY (72) 

Kid Friendly Attractions

Restaurants: Eat in Best

San Diego Bay Tour (50)

Shop Antique Districts (3)

Shop Fashion Valley Ctr

Shop Kobey’s Swap Meet

Shop the Outlets (250) 

Shop Fiesta de Reyes 

Shop Specialty Malls (9)

Sightsee City by Air Tour

Sightsee 27 by Land Tours

Sightsee by Sea Tour

Sports & Rec (46)

Tijuana & Outlets (185)

Tijuana Parking + Shuttle

Travel Getaways (26)

Wedding Venues (150)

Whale Watching Tour

‎Wine Tasting Tours (3) 

1000 FREE Things to Do

SanDiegan.com is a 31 Yr. Internet Pioneer

In 1995, three years before Google even existed the SAN DIEGAN (circa 1969) created SanDiegan.com making us an internet pioneer.

San Diego is a Mecca for shopping centers and huge Factory Outlets. We’ve visited them all!

This FREE Newcomer, Visitor & Resident Guide showcases the city and region via personally reviewed NON-PAID excursions of the many cities and suburbs.

It features maps with extensive narrative. It seeks to provide unlimited resources for discovering the city and region.

One good source is a subscription to the San Diego Union Newspaper and specifically their Reader’s Poll, which is an annual 40 page annual tabloid showcasing the best of San Diego from A to Z. 

San Diego Skyline from Harbor Island.

Jobs Search should include top 60 employers 

With 36 million visitors a year, many fall in love with the city & relocate here to enjoy living in Paradise, and so can you.

Home Buying+Apartments 

The NEWCOMER’S SECTION along with exploring the city via the 50 FREE DIY city tours is a good start for how to find your slice of paradise. A high percentage of San Diego residents were once visitors, in the military or college students. Thus, the need for an online relocation chapter arose out of the necessity for where to live, find a job and navigate the city with ease arose to find and enjoy the 1000 fun things to do in San Diego by air, land and sea. We personally research our recommendations before we recommend them including best places to live near each military base and military housing with personal inspection of multiple units and apartment complexes.  Thus, SanDiegan.com is a trusted resource.

Explore 27 Neighborhoods

Downtown consists of many suburbs within the city making it a great fun things to do town for city tours.

San Diego is a Military Town with museums & ships to explore

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to  show our guests fun thingss to do.

Free admission for active military and their family to attractions.

Wedding, Banquets Catering Events

Winery weddings are special.

Tour the Wineries

DISCOVER 1000 Fun & Free Things to do

#1 choice of millions of newcomers, visitors & residents since 1969. This is the original award-winning city guide.

San Diego Restaurants, Attractions, Coupons, 1000 Fun things to do 57yrs.

Here’s instant access to 1000 Best eat, shop, Live, Play, things, maps

If FREE fit’s into your budget then here’s

1000 More FREE Things to See, Do in San Diego

Instant Access to Top San Diego Restaurants

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. Barry even recommends the best place to sit for the best view . The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

Shop Duty-Free in Tijuana

February is Museum Month with 50% off Admission.

Access Table of Contents Below for topics A – Z

Featuring 50 Maps for Exploring fun things to do 

Click Here for Instant Access to 1000 places to eat shop see play

12 Farmer’s Markets

Navigate This Website Even Faster Here’s How: 

(1) Click here for instant access to 50 suburbs & city walking & driving tours with maps. (2) Click on the Barry Icon at the top left corner of every page to return to the home page. (3) Click on the little box with the arrow in it in the right corner to instantly return to the top of any page. (4) SEE Today’s most visited Pages at Bottom of the Home page. 

“

“A Barry Berndes Day Award” is Awarded to Barry for Showing City to Millions for 50 yrs.

The Mayor of San Diego & all of the members of the City Council Awarded Barry a BARRY BERNDES DAY on Jan. 14th, 2018 for showing his hometown of San Diego to millions of newcomers, visitors & residents for over 50 yrs.

San Diego Skyline from Harbor Island, near the airport, where the views are only exceeded by the cuisine served at bayside restaurants. Many diners dine here before departure or upon arrival to the city. 

Barry is city’s Award-Winning International Travel Writer & Food Critic.

He’ll show you his hometown by Air, Land, & Sea.

A fun excursion is to take a lighter than air glider flight off the cliffs of La Jolla or view gliders in flight from the Cliff Hanger Restaurant.

Used by Millions since 1969 for where to eat well & fun things to do

These are the Attractions Residents Visit Often

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to show our out-of-town-guests around. See the Embarcadero Chapter.

Top Attractions are Hot Linked for Instant Access

• San Diego Zoo: See 7000 animals
• USS Midway 1000 ft Aircraft Carrier
• Balboa Park: Zoo & 17 Museums
• SEA WORLD: Aquatic Marine Park
• Cabrillo Monument: Historic site
• Old Town State Park: Free Adm.
• La Jolla: Sightsee, Shop, Dine
• Coronado: Tour Hotel Del 
• Embarcadero: Maritime Museums
• Tijuana: Duty Free Shopping 
• Harbor Champagne Dinner Cruise
• Cultural insights: 56 museum Tours
• Convoy St. Asian Rest. Row
• Do-it-Yourself Micro-Brewery Tour
• kid-Friendly-Attractions

1 in 4 attendees to an attraction is a resident

SAN DIEGO CALENDAR 

San Diego is a resort town enjoyed by locals for the many annual events like the Surfing Championships, multiple parade of lights, sailing regattas, sand castle building exhibitions and the list goes on and on. and never missed are annual attractions. It’s being updated now for it’s annual unveiling.

Catalina is an Island Paradise second to none!

25 Fantastic Nearby Getaways Where locals go to Getaway

Discover the San Diego Locals Love to Explore

With 35,000,000 Visitors Annually, San Diego is America’s Most Visited City

Exploring San Diego is a Great Adventure, Living here is a Whole Lot Better

You’ll find the SAN DIEGO RELOCATION Section at the bottom of this page with detailed information including the top employers as well as the best places to live and play.  With three major universities in San Diego pumping out new graduates annually there is a constant influx of newcomers to the work force as graduating students become year around employed residents. The other major influx of relocating residents comes from the annual 35,000,0000 visitor base. This Local’s City Guide gives an honest assessment for where to live, work and play. Plus, 1 in every 4 attendees to an attraction is a resident. The tools for relocating to America’s favorite City are at your fingertips in the relocation section below.

Where You Eat is Just as Important as What you See & Do in San Diego

I’ve Dined in 10,000 Restaurants since 1969 paying for my meals.

Photo Gallery of top San Diego Restaurants 

Dine like Royalty at the roof top Mr. A’s Restaurants overlooking the city.

These 100 plus restaurants have been personally reviewed by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 10,000 restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals.

Dine-in 70 Kids Eat FREE Daily Places +  See 20 Kid-Friendly Attractions

Kid FREE Meals Everyday & FREE Birthdays

seafood Restaurants with Ocean Views

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. .

Asian Restaurant Row is a Mile Long of dining Excellence

Dine in the Mile Long Delicious Asian Restaurant Row

Restaurant Reviews ARE NOT PAID Advertising

Advertisers are told up front that they can say what they want in their display advertisement, but we reserve the right to say what we personally experienced because we paid for our own meals or admission. Plus, advertise NEVER see what we have written about them before it is published. Thus, our recommendations are unbiased & not paid for.

Sightseeing & Supurb Dining Go Hand in Hand

Hunter’s Steakhouse is an excellent place to dine.

Experience the best with our Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed guide, highlighting hidden gems and must-visit spots. Every attraction listed in the Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed guide has been personally tested for quality, fun, and uniqueness.

100 Best Restaurants Personally Reviewed

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

The Chart House Offers Breathtaking Oceanfront Dining at its Very Best

Dine Dine-in or Do a Curbside Takeaway at an Outback Steakhouse

Enjoy the Moment with a Glass of Wine Served at the White House

Dine at the World Famous Marine Room

Dining at the world-famous Marine Room Restaurant at La Jolla Shores is SUPERB.

Discover 25 World-Famous Burger Joints

Enjoy a delicious burger at this Outback Steakhouse.

100 Where Kids Eat Free Daily

172 Eat Free on Your Birthday

San Diego is a great place to celebrate life be it your birthday or a special occasion. There are hilltop restaurants like Mr. A’s sitting atop of the Fifth Avenue Financial Center, which offers a sweeping view of the city while Commercial Airline glide by in route to landing at San Diego’s international airport. For a sunset Champagne Dinner Cruise on San Diego Bay, look no further than Hornblower Cruises & Events. Oh yes, romantic dancing is included and the cuisine is excellent!

Fiesta de Reyes Offers Outdoor Patio Dining

Dave & Busters is Home to Fun & Games

Dave & Buster’s San Diego Restaurant Bar and Arcade

A Meal at the Old Town Mexican Cafe is a MUST!

Cinco de Mayo Ole! With Great Tasting Mexican Cuisine.

San Diego is Home to 4 Excellent Wine Regions

Orfilia Winery wines have been served at the White House.

Convoy Street is America’s Biggest Asian Restaurant Row & is a Mile Long

Delicious Chinese
Cuisine Await.

Kaiserhof Restaurant & Biergarden is 58 yrs. old

Award Winning Food, and Beer are served at Kaiseroff German Restaurant in Ocean Beach.

Restaurant Hop Middletown Row is Fun

Barry has Dined in 10,000 Restaurants

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

Discover Great Tasting Mexican Cuisine in Historic Old Town (see the Old Town chapter).

Restaurant Reviews ARE NOT PAID Advertising

Advertisers are told up front that they can say what they want in their display advertisement, but we reserve the right to say what we personally experienced because we paid for our own meals or admission. Plus, advertise NEVER see what we have written about them before it is published. Thus, our recommendations are unbiased & not paid for.

100 Banquets, Catering, Party, Wedding, Venues

Tie-the-Knot at one of over 100 Regional Wineries

Here’s how to Navigate This Website Fast: 

kid & Adult-Friendly-Attractions You’ll Love

Kids Party venues are where kids have FUN.

20 Top Attractions Photo Gallery  

If you have kids, or are a kid at heart, then discovering kid-Friendly-Attractions will be a big plus for what to see and do. Plus, kid FREE meals and attractions galore.

San Diego’s 7,000 Animal Zoo is Most Visited

If you are a local visiting a local attraction then you’re one of the 35 million visitors that flock to San Diego’s sea shore annually to enjoy ocean breezes, fine dining, and attractions galore making San Diego the most visited city in America. One in four attendee to an attraction is a resident.

2nd most visited Attraction is a USS Midway Tour

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to show our guests who we are.

#2 Attraction: USS Midway Tour (4 hours) 

A million Newcomers, visitors and residents visit the USS Midway air craft carrier annually to explore this HUGE aircraft carrier, which saw military action in WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The photo illustrates available parking , which is most often correct, Allocated excursion time 4-5 hours. Plus, sightseeing the Embarcadero attractions & dining.

#3 Balboa Park Museums, Galleries & the Zoo

Both visitors and residents alike love visiting the over a dozen museums annually. It’s so popular that  residents are offered FREE admission every Tuesday on a rotation basis visit balboapark.org.

#4 SeaWorld

 

#5 Cabrillo Monument is a Spectacular Attraction

The spectacular 360-degree view of San Diego’s majestic harbor and the lay of the land for 30 miles in all directions will give you the layout of San Diego.  Cabrillo Monument is one of the 1000 Best San Diego things to do w/50 maps. 

#6 Historic Old Town is home to Great Dining

Festive Old Town San Diego is an Historic Treasure worth seeing. It offers FREE admission with FREE parking. After visiting Cabrillo Monument Old Town is just down the road. (see Pt. Loma map).

#7 La Jolla

La Jolla is world famous for its breathtaking ocean view dining and gourmet cuisine. No less memorable is a walk on its pristine La Jolla Shores Beach (see map) and strolling along Girard Avenue”s enticing shops and stores. Be sure to visit world famous La Jolla.

#8 Coronado

#9 Embarcadero

#10 Harbor Dinner Cruise

Take A Harbor Cruise for a remarkable dining and sightseeing adventure, second to none.

#11 Beach Town Getaways

With 52 miles for shoreline and the renowned Highway 101, which hugs the coastline, its popularity has never lessoned. From North to South our beach towns are Oceanside, Carlsbad, Lucedia, Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-sea, Solana Beach, Del Mar (home of the Del Mar Racetrack), La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Coronado, and Imperial Beach. 

#12 City Breweries offer food 

San Diego Microbreweries have more Blue Ribbons than any other city in Americas.  Taking this easy-to-navigate brewery tour of 13 must-visit breweries is a click away. Microbrewery hopping is one of the 1000 Best San Diego things to do w/50 maps.

#14 City Street Fair Events 

In San Diego it’s never what to do, but how much time do we have. So ,finding 1000 Best San Diego’s best things to do using our 50 map is easy. Which is one reason why 1 in 3 attendees to a city attraction is a local.  As lots of residents were once visitors, who cherished the idea of visiting their favorite attractions multiple times a year

#15 Explore 195 Factory Outlets at the Border

You can literally shop till you drop at Las Americas. They feature 185 factory outlet stores.

# 16 Explore San Diego By AIR – LAND – SEA 

#17 Neighborhoods: Explore your city

Downtown consists of many suburbs within the city making it a great fun things to do town for city tours.

# 18 DIY Winery Tours 

Mexico’s Wine Country is Just a Short Trip South of the Border + San Diego County wine country and Temecula to the north.

# 19 San Diego is a Military Town

 

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to  show our guests fun thingss to do.

Free admission for active military and their family to attractions.

Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed

#20 California’s Historic Churches are fun

Click on Churchfinder.com for an extensive and informative list of over 100 places of worship. Since San Diego is Paradise on Earth, it should come as no surprise that locals love to worship God. Also, unique to San Diego and the state of California were the establishment of the 21 Missions founded by Father Serra as the… Read more »

21 Shop Duty-Free in Tijuana

A visit to Tijuana must include an excursion to Rio Tijuana for shopping

Tijuana:  65 Shops, 185 Outlets + park safe

Getting to Tijuana is half the fun. But driving across the border is ill advised, because your American insurance is not valid in Mexico. If you get into an accident then you and your car will be detained until the guilty party pays for the repair. Park at Border Station Parking instead. Being a duty free port of entry, expect to buy French perfume at duty free prices. An extra bonus on the U.S. side of the border are literally hundreds of factory outlet stores

Shop Duty Free in Mexico

Shop 185 Outlets + Safe Border Station Parking

San Diego has awesome factory outlet centers, where you can literally shop till you drop!  Outlet Shopping is one of the TOP 100 San Diego Attractions and one of the 1000 fun things to do in San Diego by air, land and sea. We also showcase the major shopping centers, as they are glamorous major attractions too. 

Shop till you drop at 185 Outlet stores at the U.S. Border. Plus, buy French perfume and imported good in Tijuana, at duty free prices.

Shop Tijuana. Park at Border. Take RT Bus 

Park Safe at TJ Border 

Park safe at Border Station Parking at the US Border. We provide easy-to-use maps and an extensive narrative foe finding this premiere lot. Taking your car into Mexico is a No-No as your insurance isn’t valid in Mexico

Tijuana Guide: Where to Eat, See, Shop, Explore

A visit to Tijuana must include an excursion to Rio Tijuana for shopping

Tijuana:  65 Shops, 185 Outlets + parking safe

Getting to Tijuana is half the fun. But driving across the border is ill advised, because your American insurance is not valid in Mexico. If you get into an accident then you and your car will be detained until the guilty party pays for the repair. Park at Border Station Parking instead. Being a duty free port of entry, expect to buy French perfume at duty free prices. An extra bonus on the U.S. side of the border are literally hundreds of factory outlet stores housed in 4 mega malls, where you can shop till you drop. 

I toured the 3 wine regions & created custom map tours for you.

#23 Winery Tours 

Mexico’s Wine Country is Just a Short Trip South of the Border + San Diego County wine country and Temecula to the north.

The local breweries featured are all excellent.

 #24 Brewery Tours

One of San Diego’s Greatest Pastimes is Discovering the best microbreweries.Microbreweries Throughout the County

 

Find Historic & Modern Day Churches

Click on Churchfinder.com for an extensive and informative list of over 100 places of worship. Since San Diego is Paradise on Earth, it should come as no surprise that locals love to worship God. Also, unique to San Diego and the state of California were the establishment of the 21 Missions founded by Father Serra as the… Read more »

DISCOVER 1000 Fun & Free San Diego things with sandiegan.com

Enjoy major discounts for major attractions and high-end shopping. No less wonderful are the host of restaurant discounts. 

My staff and I have inspected 100’s of hotels and (3) rooms at each hotel before recommending them.

Where to Stay

Vacationers Should Stay at Oceanfront Resort Hotels

But if you’re NOT planning to stay in an oceanfront resort hotel, then stay in centrally located Mission Valley. It’s where everyone stayed before downtown’s mega convention center was built. Thus, the rooms and amenities are good and Mission Valley includes great restaurants, the #1 luxury shopping center, a golf course, and many nearby sights to see. For the best waterfront all inclusive resort hotels in San Diego stay in Mission Bay, Shelter Island or La Jolla.  We reviewed (3) rooms & amenities at each hotel we recommended.

Instant Access to More Fun Things to See and Do

Click on a topic below for 1500 NON PAID researched content to instantly appear.

Airports (7) & air line (19)

All Inclusive Resorts (3)

Asian Restaurant Row (80)

Banquets & Catering (55) 

Bay/Ocean View Dining (23)

Brewery Tours in City (3)

Calandar in construction

Casinos Explore all (8)

Churches + Missions (2)

City Map Tours (30)

EAT FREE B’dayS (72)

Eat in the Best Places (167)

Family Friendly Attractions

Farmer’s Markets

Eat in the Best Places (167)

Golf Courses Best (10)

Harbor Dinner Cruise (1)

Hotels: 12,500 Reviewed

Historical Museums (15)

Jobs: Major Employers (60)

kids eat freE DailY (72) 

Kid Friendly Attractions

Restaurants: Eat in Best

San Diego Bay Tour (50)

Shop Antique Districts (3)

Shop Fashion Valley Ctr

Shop Kobey’s Swap Meet

Shop the Outlets (250) 

Shop Fiesta de Reyes 

Shop Specialty Malls (9)

Sightsee City by Air Tour

Sightsee 27 by Land Tours

Sightsee by Sea Tour

Sports & Rec (46)

Tijuana & Outlets (185)

Tijuana Parking + Shuttle

Travel Getaways (26)

Wedding Venues (150)

Whale Watching Tour

‎Wine Tasting Tours (3) 

1000 FREE Things to Do

SanDiegan.com is a 31 Yr. Internet Pioneer

In 1995, three years before Google even existed the SAN DIEGAN (circa 1969) created SanDiegan.com making us an internet pioneer.

San Diego is a Mecca for shopping centers and huge Factory Outlets. We’ve visited them all!

This FREE Newcomer, Visitor & Resident Guide showcases the city and region via personally reviewed NON-PAID excursions of the many cities and suburbs.

It features maps with extensive narrative. It seeks to provide unlimited resources for discovering the city and region.

One good source is a subscription to the San Diego Union Newspaper and specifically their Reader’s Poll, which is an annual 40 page annual tabloid showcasing the best of San Diego from A to Z. 

San Diego Skyline from Harbor Island.

Jobs Search should include top 60 employers 

With 36 million visitors a year, many fall in love with the city & relocate here to enjoy living in Paradise, and so can you.

Home Buying+Apartments 

The NEWCOMER’S SECTION along with exploring the city via the 50 FREE DIY city tours is a good start for how to find your slice of paradise. A high percentage of San Diego residents were once visitors, in the military or college students. Thus, the need for an online relocation chapter arose out of the necessity for where to live, find a job and navigate the city with ease arose to find and enjoy the 1000 fun things to do in San Diego by air, land and sea. We personally research our recommendations before we recommend them including best places to live near each military base and military housing with personal inspection of multiple units and apartment complexes.  Thus, SanDiegan.com is a trusted resource.

Explore 27 Neighborhoods

Downtown consists of many suburbs within the city making it a great fun things to do town for city tours.

San Diego is a Military Town with museums & ships to explore

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to  show our guests fun thingss to do.

Free admission for active military and their family to attractions.

Wedding, Banquets Catering Events

Winery weddings are special.

Tour the Wineries

DISCOVER 1000 Fun & Free Things to do

#1 choice of millions of newcomers, visitors & residents since 1969. This is the original award-winning city guide.

San Diego Restaurants, Attractions, Coupons, 1000 Fun things to do 57yrs.

Here’s instant access to 1000 Best eat, shop, Live, Play, things, maps

If FREE fit’s into your budget then here’s

1000 More FREE Things to See, Do in San Diego

Instant Access to Top San Diego Restaurants

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. Barry even recommends the best place to sit for the best view . The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

Shop Duty-Free in Tijuana

February is Museum Month with 50% off Admission.

Access Table of Contents Below for topics A – Z

Featuring 50 Maps for Exploring fun things to do 

Click Here for Instant Access to 1000 places to eat shop see play

12 Farmer’s Markets

Navigate This Website Even Faster Here’s How: 

(1) Click here for instant access to 50 suburbs & city walking & driving tours with maps. (2) Click on the Barry Icon at the top left corner of every page to return to the home page. (3) Click on the little box with the arrow in it in the right corner to instantly return to the top of any page. (4) SEE Today’s most visited Pages at Bottom of the Home page. 

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“A Barry Berndes Day Award” is Awarded to Barry for Showing City to Millions for 50 yrs.

The Mayor of San Diego & all of the members of the City Council Awarded Barry a BARRY BERNDES DAY on Jan. 14th, 2018 for showing his hometown of San Diego to millions of newcomers, visitors & residents for over 50 yrs.

San Diego Skyline from Harbor Island, near the airport, where the views are only exceeded by the cuisine served at bayside restaurants. Many diners dine here before departure or upon arrival to the city. 

Barry is city’s Award-Winning International Travel Writer & Food Critic.

He’ll show you his hometown by Air, Land, & Sea.

A fun excursion is to take a lighter than air glider flight off the cliffs of La Jolla or view gliders in flight from the Cliff Hanger Restaurant.

Used by Millions since 1969 for where to eat well & fun things to do

These are the Attractions Residents Visit Often

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to show our out-of-town-guests around. See the Embarcadero Chapter.

Top Attractions are Hot Linked for Instant Access

• San Diego Zoo: See 7000 animals
• USS Midway 1000 ft Aircraft Carrier
• Balboa Park: Zoo & 17 Museums
• SEA WORLD: Aquatic Marine Park
• Cabrillo Monument: Historic site
• Old Town State Park: Free Adm.
• La Jolla: Sightsee, Shop, Dine
• Coronado: Tour Hotel Del 
• Embarcadero: Maritime Museums
• Tijuana: Duty Free Shopping 
• Harbor Champagne Dinner Cruise
• Cultural insights: 56 museum Tours
• Convoy St. Asian Rest. Row
• Do-it-Yourself Micro-Brewery Tour
• kid-Friendly-Attractions

1 in 4 attendees to an attraction is a resident

SAN DIEGO CALENDAR 

San Diego is a resort town enjoyed by locals for the many annual events like the Surfing Championships, multiple parade of lights, sailing regattas, sand castle building exhibitions and the list goes on and on. and never missed are annual attractions. It’s being updated now for it’s annual unveiling.

Catalina is an Island Paradise second to none!

25 Fantastic Nearby Getaways Where locals go to Getaway

Discover the San Diego Locals Love to Explore

With 35,000,000 Visitors Annually, San Diego is America’s Most Visited City

Exploring San Diego is a Great Adventure, Living here is a Whole Lot Better

You’ll find the SAN DIEGO RELOCATION Section at the bottom of this page with detailed information including the top employers as well as the best places to live and play.  With three major universities in San Diego pumping out new graduates annually there is a constant influx of newcomers to the work force as graduating students become year around employed residents. The other major influx of relocating residents comes from the annual 35,000,0000 visitor base. This Local’s City Guide gives an honest assessment for where to live, work and play. Plus, 1 in every 4 attendees to an attraction is a resident. The tools for relocating to America’s favorite City are at your fingertips in the relocation section below.

Where You Eat is Just as Important as What you See & Do in San Diego

I’ve Dined in 10,000 Restaurants since 1969 paying for my meals.

Photo Gallery of top San Diego Restaurants 

Dine like Royalty at the roof top Mr. A’s Restaurants overlooking the city.

These 100 plus restaurants have been personally reviewed by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 10,000 restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals.

Dine-in 70 Kids Eat FREE Daily Places +  See 20 Kid-Friendly Attractions

Kid FREE Meals Everyday & FREE Birthdays

seafood Restaurants with Ocean Views

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. .

Asian Restaurant Row is a Mile Long of dining Excellence

Dine in the Mile Long Delicious Asian Restaurant Row

Restaurant Reviews ARE NOT PAID Advertising

Advertisers are told up front that they can say what they want in their display advertisement, but we reserve the right to say what we personally experienced because we paid for our own meals or admission. Plus, advertise NEVER see what we have written about them before it is published. Thus, our recommendations are unbiased & not paid for.

Sightseeing & Supurb Dining Go Hand in Hand

Hunter’s Steakhouse is an excellent place to dine.

Experience the best with our Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed guide, highlighting hidden gems and must-visit spots. Every attraction listed in the Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed guide has been personally tested for quality, fun, and uniqueness.

100 Best Restaurants Personally Reviewed

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

The Chart House Offers Breathtaking Oceanfront Dining at its Very Best

Dine Dine-in or Do a Curbside Takeaway at an Outback Steakhouse

Enjoy the Moment with a Glass of Wine Served at the White House

Dine at the World Famous Marine Room

Dining at the world-famous Marine Room Restaurant at La Jolla Shores is SUPERB.

Discover 25 World-Famous Burger Joints

Enjoy a delicious burger at this Outback Steakhouse.

100 Where Kids Eat Free Daily

172 Eat Free on Your Birthday

San Diego is a great place to celebrate life be it your birthday or a special occasion. There are hilltop restaurants like Mr. A’s sitting atop of the Fifth Avenue Financial Center, which offers a sweeping view of the city while Commercial Airline glide by in route to landing at San Diego’s international airport. For a sunset Champagne Dinner Cruise on San Diego Bay, look no further than Hornblower Cruises & Events. Oh yes, romantic dancing is included and the cuisine is excellent!

Fiesta de Reyes Offers Outdoor Patio Dining

Dave & Busters is Home to Fun & Games

Dave & Buster’s San Diego Restaurant Bar and Arcade

A Meal at the Old Town Mexican Cafe is a MUST!

Cinco de Mayo Ole! With Great Tasting Mexican Cuisine.

San Diego is Home to 4 Excellent Wine Regions

Orfilia Winery wines have been served at the White House.

Convoy Street is America’s Biggest Asian Restaurant Row & is a Mile Long

Delicious Chinese
Cuisine Await.

Kaiserhof Restaurant & Biergarden is 58 yrs. old

Award Winning Food, and Beer are served at Kaiseroff German Restaurant in Ocean Beach.

Restaurant Hop Middletown Row is Fun

Barry has Dined in 10,000 Restaurants

Featured are 100 personally reviewed restaurants by Barry Berndes, San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. Barry has literally dined in 1,000s of restaurants since 1969, by going unannounced, paying for his own meals, eating three meals at one seating, and inspected their kitchen. The same extensive research is done for attractions, museums, cities, and suburbs. It’s like your best friend is giving you a tour of their hometown. 

Discover Great Tasting Mexican Cuisine in Historic Old Town (see the Old Town chapter).

Restaurant Reviews ARE NOT PAID Advertising

Advertisers are told up front that they can say what they want in their display advertisement, but we reserve the right to say what we personally experienced because we paid for our own meals or admission. Plus, advertise NEVER see what we have written about them before it is published. Thus, our recommendations are unbiased & not paid for.

100 Banquets, Catering, Party, Wedding, Venues

Tie-the-Knot at one of over 100 Regional Wineries

Here’s how to Navigate This Website Fast: 

kid & Adult-Friendly-Attractions You’ll Love

Kids Party venues are where kids have FUN.

20 Top Attractions Photo Gallery  

If you have kids, or are a kid at heart, then discovering kid-Friendly-Attractions will be a big plus for what to see and do. Plus, kid FREE meals and attractions galore.

San Diego’s 7,000 Animal Zoo is Most Visited

If you are a local visiting a local attraction then you’re one of the 35 million visitors that flock to San Diego’s sea shore annually to enjoy ocean breezes, fine dining, and attractions galore making San Diego the most visited city in America. One in four attendee to an attraction is a resident.

2nd most visited Attraction is a USS Midway Tour

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to show our guests who we are.

#2 Attraction: USS Midway Tour (4 hours) 

A million Newcomers, visitors and residents visit the USS Midway air craft carrier annually to explore this HUGE aircraft carrier, which saw military action in WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The photo illustrates available parking , which is most often correct, Allocated excursion time 4-5 hours. Plus, sightseeing the Embarcadero attractions & dining.

#3 Balboa Park Museums, Galleries & the Zoo

Both visitors and residents alike love visiting the over a dozen museums annually. It’s so popular that  residents are offered FREE admission every Tuesday on a rotation basis visit balboapark.org.

#4 SeaWorld

 

#5 Cabrillo Monument is a Spectacular Attraction

The spectacular 360-degree view of San Diego’s majestic harbor and the lay of the land for 30 miles in all directions will give you the layout of San Diego.  Cabrillo Monument is one of the 1000 Best San Diego things to do w/50 maps. 

#6 Historic Old Town is home to Great Dining

Festive Old Town San Diego is an Historic Treasure worth seeing. It offers FREE admission with FREE parking. After visiting Cabrillo Monument Old Town is just down the road. (see Pt. Loma map).

#7 La Jolla

La Jolla is world famous for its breathtaking ocean view dining and gourmet cuisine. No less memorable is a walk on its pristine La Jolla Shores Beach (see map) and strolling along Girard Avenue”s enticing shops and stores. Be sure to visit world famous La Jolla.

#8 Coronado

#9 Embarcadero

#10 Harbor Dinner Cruise

Take A Harbor Cruise for a remarkable dining and sightseeing adventure, second to none.

#11 Beach Town Getaways

With 52 miles for shoreline and the renowned Highway 101, which hugs the coastline, its popularity has never lessoned. From North to South our beach towns are Oceanside, Carlsbad, Lucedia, Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-sea, Solana Beach, Del Mar (home of the Del Mar Racetrack), La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Coronado, and Imperial Beach. 

#12 City Breweries offer food 

San Diego Microbreweries have more Blue Ribbons than any other city in Americas.  Taking this easy-to-navigate brewery tour of 13 must-visit breweries is a click away. Microbrewery hopping is one of the 1000 Best San Diego things to do w/50 maps.

#14 City Street Fair Events 

In San Diego it’s never what to do, but how much time do we have. So ,finding 1000 Best San Diego’s best things to do using our 50 map is easy. Which is one reason why 1 in 3 attendees to a city attraction is a local.  As lots of residents were once visitors, who cherished the idea of visiting their favorite attractions multiple times a year

#15 Explore 195 Factory Outlets at the Border

You can literally shop till you drop at Las Americas. They feature 185 factory outlet stores.

# 16 Explore San Diego By AIR – LAND – SEA 

#17 Neighborhoods: Explore your city

Downtown consists of many suburbs within the city making it a great fun things to do town for city tours.

# 18 DIY Winery Tours 

Mexico’s Wine Country is Just a Short Trip South of the Border + San Diego County wine country and Temecula to the north.

# 19 San Diego is a Military Town

 

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to  show our guests fun thingss to do.

Free admission for active military and their family to attractions.

Best 1000 San Diego eat shop live play attractions Reviewed

#20 California’s Historic Churches are fun

Click on Churchfinder.com for an extensive and informative list of over 100 places of worship. Since San Diego is Paradise on Earth, it should come as no surprise that locals love to worship God. Also, unique to San Diego and the state of California were the establishment of the 21 Missions founded by Father Serra as the… Read more »

21 Shop Duty-Free in Tijuana

A visit to Tijuana must include an excursion to Rio Tijuana for shopping

Tijuana:  65 Shops, 185 Outlets + park safe

Getting to Tijuana is half the fun. But driving across the border is ill advised, because your American insurance is not valid in Mexico. If you get into an accident then you and your car will be detained until the guilty party pays for the repair. Park at Border Station Parking instead. Being a duty free port of entry, expect to buy French perfume at duty free prices. An extra bonus on the U.S. side of the border are literally hundreds of factory outlet stores

Shop Duty Free in Mexico

Shop 185 Outlets + Safe Border Station Parking

San Diego has awesome factory outlet centers, where you can literally shop till you drop!  Outlet Shopping is one of the TOP 100 San Diego Attractions and one of the 1000 fun things to do in San Diego by air, land and sea. We also showcase the major shopping centers, as they are glamorous major attractions too. 

Shop till you drop at 185 Outlet stores at the U.S. Border. Plus, buy French perfume and imported good in Tijuana, at duty free prices.

Shop Tijuana. Park at Border. Take RT Bus 

Park Safe at TJ Border 

Park safe at Border Station Parking at the US Border. We provide easy-to-use maps and an extensive narrative foe finding this premiere lot. Taking your car into Mexico is a No-No as your insurance isn’t valid in Mexico

Tijuana Guide: Where to Eat, See, Shop, Explore

A visit to Tijuana must include an excursion to Rio Tijuana for shopping

Tijuana:  65 Shops, 185 Outlets + parking safe

Getting to Tijuana is half the fun. But driving across the border is ill advised, because your American insurance is not valid in Mexico. If you get into an accident then you and your car will be detained until the guilty party pays for the repair. Park at Border Station Parking instead. Being a duty free port of entry, expect to buy French perfume at duty free prices. An extra bonus on the U.S. side of the border are literally hundreds of factory outlet stores housed in 4 mega malls, where you can shop till you drop. 

I toured the 3 wine regions & created custom map tours for you.

#23 Winery Tours 

Mexico’s Wine Country is Just a Short Trip South of the Border + San Diego County wine country and Temecula to the north.

The local breweries featured are all excellent.

 #24 Brewery Tours

One of San Diego’s Greatest Pastimes is Discovering the best microbreweries.Microbreweries Throughout the County

 

Find Historic & Modern Day Churches

Click on Churchfinder.com for an extensive and informative list of over 100 places of worship. Since San Diego is Paradise on Earth, it should come as no surprise that locals love to worship God. Also, unique to San Diego and the state of California were the establishment of the 21 Missions founded by Father Serra as the… Read more »

DISCOVER 1000 Fun & Free San Diego things with sandiegan.com

Enjoy major discounts for major attractions and high-end shopping. No less wonderful are the host of restaurant discounts. 

My staff and I have inspected 100’s of hotels and (3) rooms at each hotel before recommending them.

Where to Stay

Vacationers Should Stay at Oceanfront Resort Hotels

But if you’re NOT planning to stay in an oceanfront resort hotel, then stay in centrally located Mission Valley. It’s where everyone stayed before downtown’s mega convention center was built. Thus, the rooms and amenities are good and Mission Valley includes great restaurants, the #1 luxury shopping center, a golf course, and many nearby sights to see. For the best waterfront all inclusive resort hotels in San Diego stay in Mission Bay, Shelter Island or La Jolla.  We reviewed (3) rooms & amenities at each hotel we recommended.

Instant Access to More Fun Things to See and Do

Click on a topic below for 1500 NON PAID researched content to instantly appear.

Airports (7) & air line (19)

All Inclusive Resorts (3)

Asian Restaurant Row (80)

Banquets & Catering (55) 

Bay/Ocean View Dining (23)

Brewery Tours in City (3)

Calandar in construction

Casinos Explore all (8)

Churches + Missions (2)

City Map Tours (30)

EAT FREE B’dayS (72)

Eat in the Best Places (167)

Family Friendly Attractions

Farmer’s Markets

Eat in the Best Places (167)

Golf Courses Best (10)

Harbor Dinner Cruise (1)

Hotels: 12,500 Reviewed

Historical Museums (15)

Jobs: Major Employers (60)

kids eat freE DailY (72) 

Kid Friendly Attractions

Restaurants: Eat in Best

San Diego Bay Tour (50)

Shop Antique Districts (3)

Shop Fashion Valley Ctr

Shop Kobey’s Swap Meet

Shop the Outlets (250) 

Shop Fiesta de Reyes 

Shop Specialty Malls (9)

Sightsee City by Air Tour

Sightsee 27 by Land Tours

Sightsee by Sea Tour

Sports & Rec (46)

Tijuana & Outlets (185)

Tijuana Parking + Shuttle

Travel Getaways (26)

Wedding Venues (150)

Whale Watching Tour

‎Wine Tasting Tours (3) 

1000 FREE Things to Do

SanDiegan.com is a 31 Yr. Internet Pioneer

In 1995, three years before Google even existed the SAN DIEGAN (circa 1969) created SanDiegan.com making us an internet pioneer.

San Diego is a Mecca for shopping centers and huge Factory Outlets. We’ve visited them all!

This FREE Newcomer, Visitor & Resident Guide showcases the city and region via personally reviewed NON-PAID excursions of the many cities and suburbs.

It features maps with extensive narrative. It seeks to provide unlimited resources for discovering the city and region.

One good source is a subscription to the San Diego Union Newspaper and specifically their Reader’s Poll, which is an annual 40 page annual tabloid showcasing the best of San Diego from A to Z. 

San Diego Skyline from Harbor Island.

Jobs Search should include top 60 employers 

With 36 million visitors a year, many fall in love with the city & relocate here to enjoy living in Paradise, and so can you.

Home Buying+Apartments 

The NEWCOMER’S SECTION along with exploring the city via the 50 FREE DIY city tours is a good start for how to find your slice of paradise. A high percentage of San Diego residents were once visitors, in the military or college students. Thus, the need for an online relocation chapter arose out of the necessity for where to live, find a job and navigate the city with ease arose to find and enjoy the 1000 fun things to do in San Diego by air, land and sea. We personally research our recommendations before we recommend them including best places to live near each military base and military housing with personal inspection of multiple units and apartment complexes.  Thus, SanDiegan.com is a trusted resource.

Explore 27 Neighborhoods

Downtown consists of many suburbs within the city making it a great fun things to do town for city tours.

San Diego is a Military Town with museums & ships to explore

A tour of the USS Midway will make you proud to be an American. We are a Navy town and like to  show our guests fun thingss to do.

Free admission for active military and their family to attractions.

Wedding, Banquets Catering Events

Winery weddings are special.

Tour the Wineries

DISCOVER 1000 Fun & Free Things to do