San Diego is a city packed with unique businesses, luxurious hotels, decadent restaurants and exciting attractions. Worth is highlighting the most interesting places to visit next time you’re in town.
Business
CONNECT
Connect brings together key people in finance, technology, biotech and entrepreneurship generally to help grow San Diego business. 4790 Eastgate Mall, Suite 125, 858.964.1300, connect.org
SAN DIEGO ENTREPRENEURSHIP EXCHANGE
SDEE focuses on some of San Diego’s central industries–including biotech, medical devices and alternative energy–and connects entrepreneurs in those fields with the resources they need. 11558 Sorrento Valley Rd., Suite 4, sdentrepreneurs.org
SANFORD CONSORTIUM FOR REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
Major scientific centers often compete with each other. But at Sanford Consortium, a collaborative workspace, scientists from such leading biomedical research centers as the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the University of California, San Diego work together on stem-cell science. 2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Dr., La Jolla, 858.246.1071, sanfordconsortium.org
QUALITY ALE AND FERMENTATION FRATERNITY
QUAFF, San Diego’s home-brew association, is a farm team for local craft breweries, contributing talent and innovation to the booming industry. Monthly meetings are held at Karl Strauss Brewing Company Tasting Room & Beer Garden. 5985 Santa Fe St., quaff.org
Hotels
HOTEL DEL CORONADO
San Diego’s most iconic hotel, and the setting for many Hollywood movies, including Some Like It Hot, this grand property sits right on one of the world’s best beaches in the heart of Coronado Island. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 800.468.3533, hoteldel.com
THE LODGE AT TORREY PINES
Gorgeous Craftsman-style design and furnishings make this hotel one of the most beautiful in town. The world-renowned golf course, right on the ocean, and its top-rated restaurant, A.R. Valentien, add to its appeal. 11480 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, 858.453.4420, lodgetorreypines.com
OMNI LA COSTA RESORT & SPA
This Carlsbad property offers pure pampering and luxury. Whether you seek massage, yoga, meditation—it’s home to the world headquarters of the Chopra Center—shopping, dining or golf, you’ll find it here. 2100 Costa Del Mar Rd., Carlsbad, 760.438.9111, omnihotels.com/hotels/san-diego-la-costa
U.S. GRANT HOTEL
Built in 1910 by Ulysses S. Grant Jr., son of the 18th president, the U.S. Grant is the elder statesman of San Diego hotels. It is a welcoming base for vacationers, who occasionally catch a view of a happy local event: It has long been the downtown go-to for luxury weddings. 326 Broadway, 619.232.3121, marriott.com/hotels/travel/sanlc-the-us-grant-a-luxury-collection-hotel-san-diego
LA VALENCIA HOTEL
La Jolla boasts some of the most beautiful views and architecture in San Diego, and La Valencia Hotel, a luxury landmark for over 90 years, provides access to both. Overlooking the Pacific, the Spanish-style hotel is just a short drive from downtown and the airport. 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla, [email protected], 855.476.6870, lavalencia.com
KIMPTON HOTEL SOLAMAR
Situated at the edge of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter and hip East Village neighborhood, the Solamar is a great location for travelers who like to be in the thick of things. For those who just want to relax, the Solamar also offers poolside yoga and in-room spa services. 435 6th Ave., 619.819.9500, hotelsolamar.com
Restaurants
ADDISON
Located in the Fairmont Grand Del Mar hotel, this Michelin-starred restaurant, headed by chef William Bradley, serves French cuisine in a tasting menu format. You can choose from five or 10 courses, along with wine pairings and a tableside cheese service. 5200 Grand Del Mar Way, [email protected], 858.314.1900, addisiondelmar.com
THE MARINE ROOM
Stunning ocean views, an impressive wine list and French–inspired California fare by executive chef Bernard Guillas and chef de cuisine Thomas Connolly make the Marine Room a wonderful experience. 2000 Spindrift Dr., La Jolla, [email protected], 858.459.7222, marineroom.com
HERB & WOOD
Celebrity chef Brian Malarkey and GM Christopher Puffer partnered on this massive, 8,500-square-foot restaurant—a trendy, hip and happening warehouse space just off Juniper Street, in the heart of San Diego’s newest dining mecca. 2210 Kettner Blvd., 619.955.8495, herbandwood.com
A.R. VALENTIEN
Whether or not you stay at the Lodge at Torrey Pines, it’s worth a trip to its award-winning restaurant. Acclaimed chef Jeff Jackson creates soul-satisfying food that relies on local ingredients; pastry chef Olivier Bioteau is especially well known for his phenomenal pâtés. 11480 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, 858.777.6635, lodgetorreypines.com/ar-valentien
SUSHI OTA
While this Japanese restaurant in an unassuming strip mall won’t win any awards for ambiance, the sushi is some of the best in California. 4529 Mission Bay Dr., 858.270.5670, sushiota.com
Experiences
ALESMITH BREWERY TOUR
San Diego’s largest tasting room belongs to one of its most popular breweries. You can tour the huge brewing facility and walk through the Tony Gwynn Museum and speakeasy-style tasting space, Anvil & Stave, which features barrel-aged versions of many AleSmith classics. 9990 AleSmith Ct., [email protected], 858.549.9888, alesmith.com
LIBERTY STATION
This huge park-like retail enclave was reimagined from an old military base. Restaurants, studios and shops of all kinds provide something for every taste. When you’re ready for some refreshment, Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens–Liberty Station is a good stop for a cold one. 2640 Historic Decatur Rd., [email protected], 619.756.7992, libertystation.com
BALBOA PARK
Originally built up for the Panama-California Exposition that began in 1915, Balboa offers many uniquely San Diego experiences, including numerous museums, a botanical garden, the Old Globe theater complex and a giant fountain. It also houses the San Diego Zoo. 1549 El Prado, 619.239.0512, balboapark.org
SAN DIEGO ZOO
There’s no better way to experience one of the best zoos in the world than behind the scenes with a zookeeper. The San Diego Zoo’s VIP experience—starting at $675 per person—allows you to do just that. Be sure to call at least 72 hours in advance. 2920 Zoo Dr., 619.231.1515, zoo.sandiegozoo.org
TURISTA LIBRE
Those interested in exploring Tijuana, directly across San Diego’s border, can reach out to Turista Libre. The tour operator, founded by former San Diego Union-Tribune journalist Derrik Chinn, organizes highly informed, private tours around the city. [email protected], turistalibre.com
