@socaldad2002 …I made lunch reservations our last day at George’s on the terrace! We had a Bloody Mary at the bar at the top , but always wanted to go back to find.
These are all such great suggestions, I wish I could do them all. Will definitely have to come back, I’d like to bring my young adult children and spend more time.
San Diego is a very nice place—there is a lot to see and it is pretty spread out.
We are a bit over an hour away but spent a weekend in gaslamp 2 weeks ago. Zoo and bar hopping, H likes to explore beers and TALK. Lots of fun and no driving. I spent a semester in PB during rotations at VA - S.D. has to be one of the best cities in the world. Last yr we stayed with ocean view of Dole -Hilton, kinda got lost going to Mission Brewery at night. We discovered where many homeless live at night, ask locals if you are walking at night alone.
I like SD for all the $10-15 places that we can actually afford to go to each week.Sushi, pizza, fish, Mexican, BBQ - San Diego has a fair amount of affordable, good, non-fancy places for families. Local beers are a must if you like craft beers at all. As others have mentioned, La Jolla Cove (and Shores) and Torrey Pines are great for walking/hiking and views.
DH likes craft beers, I’ll have to tell him.
@conmama - SD is arguably the best beer city in the world (Portlanders might quibble), so DH should be a happy camper. See my previous comment for some top recommendations 
@marvin100 , are any of your suggestions in the Pacific Beach area.
@conmama - looks like no, but their beers should be available at Pacific Beach Fish Shop, SD TapRoom, and Pacific Beach PB AleHouse!
Thanks!
Another great place for breakfast/lunch is Caroline’s. It’s right by the Scripps Pier off La Jolla Shores Dr. It’s right above the ocean and is a casual spot. You order at the counter and they bring the food to you. You can go for a nice walk on the beach afterwards. My favorite craft brewery is Coronado Brewing Co. Their main tasting room is not in Coronado, it is fairly close to PB off Morena. I second Luce for dinner. Great gourmet brew pub food. If you can’t get a table, Bay Park Fish is right next door, with great fresh caught fish and fish tacos, as well as lots of good beers on tap. I live in La Jolla, and it has been cooler here than the rest of San Diego. No shorts or sundresses for me this week. I was downtown by the water for lunch today at The Fish Market (right next to Midway amuseum) and it was definitely breezy.
@conmama A few of the local breweries I like that you might find on menus a lot: Green Flash, Pizza Port/Port Brewing, Alpine, Stone, and Alesmith. Those all have a quintessential San Diego-style IPA.
My D just started this fall at USD and I’m itching to go out for an extended visit (including seeing her a bit).so I am LOVING all these suggestions. I probably won’t make it out there until my spring break, but I am taking notes!
As a life-long midwesterner (just north of Chicago), San Diego does seem to me to be paradise. My daughter is certainly enjoying it. Her runner-up schools were in Minnesota and Iowa. So far no second thoughts! And come December…
So thanks for all these tips and recommendations…
Lahaina Beach House in PB is a local favorite. Cash only
@conmama - I am sure they’ll let you stay as long as you want. I think most of their business is early, especially around sunset since that’s when you get the best views. But regardless of when you go I I’m pretty sure you’ll have a great time.
San Diego is becoming very famous for craft beer. They have actual brewery tours and ‘destination travel packages’ for the beer. Two local boys became multi millionaires when Ballast Point sold to a giant liquor company a couple years ago.
Us locals consider Stone Brewing more ‘big corporate’ but they do have an incredibly fun restaurant space in Liberty Station.
Try Eppig Brewery in Point Loma. They have a great outdoor location and you get a lovely view of the boats docked nearby and downtown. The brewer worked for Ballast Point for several years before going out on his own. They also have a location in North Park.
@conmama
Sometimes a marine layer (clouds/cool air) can push in from ocean overnight. This layer tends to burn off late AM/early PM. Although locals might shrug at cool air, others, like W, carry a light sweater just in case it’s a little too cool for comfort.
“I like SD for all the $10-15 places that we can actually afford to go to each week.Sushi, pizza, fish, Mexican, BBQ - San Diego has a fair amount of affordable, good, non-fancy places for families.”
I agree. My favorite Italian place in all of San Diego is Lorna’s Kitchen - a moderately-priced cafe located in a strip mall at the corner of Genesee and Governor in the University City area. It has better Italian food than the much pricer places in Little Italy.
@Scipio - Our family has gone to Lorna’s for years. I agree that the food is wonderful.
Following this thread because it looks like we might go to San Diego at the end of October.