Given the coronavirus pandemic, this trip was super last minute but felt very necessary. After about 3 months in full quarantine, Austin (my boyfriend) and I decided that it was time for a change of scenery.
Day 1:
Upon arrival in San Diego, our first stop was Eggies in East Village. This place was recommended to us, since we love the Breakfast Republic in San Diego. Eggies is a great, fast casual breakfast right in downtown San Diego. They are known for their breakfast sandwiches. Austin ordered the Eggies Classic which is “eggcellent sauce, maple-sage breakfast sausage, applewood smoked bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese” served on a brioche bun with an over medium egg. I went the vegetarian route and had mine with butter lettuce, kumato tomatoes, and sharp cheddar cheese served on a brioche bun with an over medium egg. We also had the popular French Toast in a Jar which is “brioche bread, strawberries, mascarpone cream, and brown sugar crumble.” Overall, we had a great experience and the staff was super friendly. This is definitely a great spot if you’re trying to have a great tasting breakfast on the go!
For more about Eggies: Click here!
After our quick breakfast, we decided to check into our hotel.
Since many hotels are still closed due to the pandemic, we found a room available at Paradise Point. This resort has bungalow-style guestrooms spread across a little island, mixed with tropical gardens and tranquil lagoons. We got the Premium Lanai King room which comes with a lagoon and garden view. The room itself was spacious, very clean, and comfortable. However, I wish we stayed in the Bayside suites with a cove view instead because the lagoon view was not as good as we hoped. The bayside suite with the cove view has its own patio which overlooks the cove of the bay. Overall, our experience at the hotel was decent but we were disappointed to find the spa and most on-site restaurants closed (except for 1). There was not much to do in the resort, and for the higher price point of the room, I was hoping for more. The pools were decent and the beach around the hotel was more like a bay/cove with some sand (not an actual beach with swimming water).
Images Description:
Top left: Pool side
Top Center: Lagoon view (from patio of our hotel room)
Top right: Pool side
Bottom row: Cove/Beach
Bottom right: free chairs on the cove provided by hotel
For more about Paradise Point: Click here!
Day 1... Continued
When it was time for dinner, we headed back to downtown for a meal at Lionfish SD. From the second we arrived, we had the most amazing experience. Of course it felt good to finally eat a restaurant after months of quarantine, but we also had such great service and friendly staff. First, the vibe of the restaurant was on point. It was most indoor with a few tables on the patio. The whole aesthetic was perfect and made the experience just that much better. We were excited to try out some of their well-known cocktails. First, I got “The Final Rose” which had Absolut Elyx, Lillet Rose, Watermelon, Ginger, Lemon, and Basil..YUMMM. Austin started with the most popular cocktail: “Rice-Paper-Scissors” which was Plymouth Gin, Junmai Ginjo Saké Pimm's Mix, Lemon, Cucumber, Ichimi Togarashi Syrup…this was our favorite. Later we also ordered the “Dante’S Peak” which has Activated Charcoal, Casamigos Reposado, El Silencio Mezcal, Agave, Lime, and Peach Bitters, and the “Hot in Jalisco” which is made with Habanero Infused Don Julio Blanco, Grenadine, Grapefruit, Lime…also a great choice.
Then for the best part, the food. To start, we ordered a few tuna hand rolls and salmon hand rolls off the Happy Hour menu, they were so so good! Then, we got the Tajin Seared Albacore with Daikon Radish, Crispy Onions, Ponzu…my mouth is literally watering. To add, we got the All Star Specialty Roll which had Spicy Tuna, Hiramasa, Striped Bass, Cucumber, Radish Sprouts, Myer Lemon, Kosho, White Garlic, Ponzu (one of the best rolls I’ve ever eaten). At this point, we were so full but had to get the 8 oz Center Cut Filet which comes with Blistered Tomatoes, Demi Glacé, Arugula… and it was definitely worth it.
We honestly had the best time eating and drinking at the Lionfish SD. I cannot wait to go back to San Diego and eat there again. It is an absolute must if you are ever planning a trip there or even if you are a local.
For more about Lionfish SD: click here
Day 2:
The next day, I started the day at my favorite SD coffee shop: Better Buzz. In one of my last visits to San Diego, I stopped by this popular spot and discovered the hype. This time, we went to a different location but still had the same great experience. Although we couldn’t go inside the shop due to covid19, I still got to enjoy my iced vanilla latte!
For more about Better Buzz Coffee: Click here!
Then, it was time for breakfast. We went to our favorite, and well-known restaurant, the Breakfast Republic located in Pacific Beach. Austin and I shared the California Breakfast Burrito which comes with eggs, potatoes, skirt steak, pico de gallo infused guacamole, cheddar cheese, black beans, Mexican rice, and the Brioche French Toast. Like always, the service was great and food tasted delicious!!
For more about Breakfast Republic: Click here!
Then, it was time for the beach. We went to Mission Beach and brought our own towels, beach chairs, and snacks / water. Although it was pretty packed, we were able to find a little spot on the sand where we could enjoy the 85-degree weather and relaxing beach waves. I would definitely recommend spending some time at either Ocean Beach or Pacific Beach, laying on the sand and relaxing.
The next stop was the Marina. The Marina district is a neighborhood in the southwest section of downtown San Diego along the San Diego Bay. There’s a lot to see and do in the area including the USS Midway Museum, US Aircraft Memorial, Unconditional Surrender Statue, a walking trail all along the bay, bike rentals, boat rentals, parks, restaurants, and Seaport Village full of shops and restaurants.
Now it was time to visit one of my personal favorite places in San Diego, Little Italy. Little Italy is “a chic, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, packed with trendy cocktail bars, brewpubs and restaurants with bustling patios. Upscale clothing boutiques, indie music venues and quaint piazzas dot the area, while the weekly Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market draws crowds to its mix of produce, gourmet food and craft stalls.” Although we weren’t able to make it to the weekly Mercato, there is still plenty to enjoy. We walked around the cute streets which are full of amazing, cute restaurants.
Finally, we decided on a restaurant that had an open table on the patio. Nonna + Zucchero is located on India Street and is a known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and homey traditional Italian comfort food. To start, we had the focaccia bread which had parmigiano, garlic, herbs, and extra virgin olive oil and busalacchi caeser with Reggiano and toasted artisan breadcrumbs. Then we had the Ravioli Alla Nonna which is a cheese ravioli with vodka sauce, and the stone oven margherita pizza. All of the food was absolutely delicious, and I would definitely recommend visiting this restaurant!!
For more about Nonna + Zucchero: Click here!
After dinner, we wanted to see the sunset. We made it back to our hotel, the Paradise Point Resort, and found a perfect spot to watch the sun set. After a long day, we were beat and it was time for bed!
Day 3:
Our final day started with a nice early morning walk on the resort’s beach and sitting on the sand to relax. After some beach time, we decided to get brunch.
Farmer’s Bottega, a highly recommended and popular restaurant located in Mission Hills. The vintage décor creates a rustic ambiance like that of a real farmhouse. I also love how all the ingredients are fresh, organic and follow the “farm-to-fork” culinary trend. To drink, Austin ordered the Salty Dog Cocktail made with fresh grapefruit juice, vodka, and a salted rim. I had the custom mimosa trio which was a cranberry, grapefruit, and tangerine flavor. And of course, an iced vanilla latte.
To eat, we shared the Mediterranean omelet with house potatoes, organic black beans, and sourdough bread…this was my favorite!! We also had the Brioche French Toast with Strawberries and Cream, so so yummy (Austin’s favorite).
All of the food, drinks, atmosphere, service, and vibe was just amazing. We had such a good, fun brunch and will definitely be coming back to Farmer’s Bottega.
For more about Farmer's Bottega: Click here!
It was finally time to head back to LA. Finishing the trip was bittersweet, but we were thankful for the time away from home. As always, we had a fun time exploring new places in San Diego and relaxing in one of our favorite cities. Until next time SD!!!
-@liattyy