From Avocado Ice Cream to Luxury Apartments, What’s Not to Love in Downtown San Diego?
Written By: Marisa Thrasher Move to Downtown San Diego
What’s not to love about San Diego? If you ever had to wonder, then you haven’t gone to the best parts of America’s Finest City! From Little Italy to Downtown San Diego, there are various pockets to discover and experience. We’ve come up with several reasons (and places) why you should add these on your list—and hopefully they make you stay or return as soon as possible!
Move to Downtown San Diego
#1 | Recharge + Revitalize
Indulge in a day at Spa Pendry where they use a holistic approach to your favorite treatments. Here, they offer a variety of massages, facials, body wraps, body polishes and mani-pedi treatments. Four words: “Indigo Sea Restorative Massage.” Check it out!
Native Knowledge: Be sure to grab a bottle of Champers from the ultra-rare Moet & Chandon vending machine in the hotel lobby on the way out.
Spa Pendry
550 J St
San Diego, CA 92101
619.738.7065
Move to Downtown San Diego
#2 | If Nothing Else, Go for the Wallpaper
The second one to open, Little Italy’s Parakeet Cafe is the spot for health-conscious bites (think avo toast and buddha bowls) and tasty drinks such as the Magic Mushroom Matcha or Moon Milk. Using organic ingredients, many of their items are also vegan or gluten-free; however, they do have proteins such as fish, chicken and eggs. If eating healthy isn’t necessarily your thing, you will at least appreciate the swoon-worthy tropical wallpaper.
Parakeet Cafe
1680 India St
San Diego, CA 92101
619.255.1442
Move to Downtown San Diego
#3 | You’ll Be Screaming for More
Originating in Portland by two cousins who shared a vision and a love for ice cream, the first outpost of Salt & Straw in San Diego found its home in Little Italy. Unique flavors such as Avocado & Oaxacan Chocolate Fudge and Honey Lavender grace the menu. You can usually spot the store by the line of customers spewing out of the door, which is telling in itself.
Native Knowledge: Want to avoid the lines? Join the Pints Club for monthly ice cream shipments, which means you get to try the new seasonal flavors at home!
Salt & Straw
1670 India St
San Diego, CA 92101
619.542.9394
#4 | ReFRESH with These Cocktails
They don’t come fresher than this. At You & Yours Distilling Co., their vodka and gin are distilled directly onsite. Although their menu changes seasonally, you can always catch them using the freshest ingredients from locally-sourced produce to make for some insanely chic and beautiful cocktails. Not to mention the ambiance is also gorgeous!
Native Knowledge: Owner Laura Johnson is a University of San Diego grad!
You & Yours Distilling Co.
1495 G St
San Diego, CA 92101
619.955.8755
#5 | Hotel Living (Except It’s Your Home!)
You may have noticed the super artsy, jagged-edged, 21-story building stemming from the East Village. That place is none other than SHIFT, which is where you should be living if you fancy amenities such as a sky terrace, rooftop pool, a fitness and training center complete with a yoga room and a view (located on the 21st floor!), an Art Walk Courtyard and a high-tech coworking lounge. Let’s not forget your actual apartment could have a kitchen island with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, hardwood-style flooring and floor-to-ceiling windows. Who wouldn’t want to live in this dreamy abode?
SHIFT
1501 Island Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
833.274.9487
#6 | Get Perky!
Who doesn’t love to support small business owners? We’re sure you’ll make Bean Bar your regular coffee spot because there’s too much to love about this place. The industrial yet chic space feels airy and is well-lit; their baristas are extremely passionate about their craft. Their beans are sourced from 49th Parallel (Vancouver, Canada) which is a favorite amongst coffee connoisseurs.
Bean Bar
1068 K St
San Diego, CA 92101
503.358.8554
#7 | Here, Fishy, Fishy!
Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., on a dock off the Embarcadero, be one of the many locals (including chefs!) who stock up for that night’s freshly-caught dinner. The fishermen at Tuna Harbor Dockside Market use sustainable fishing practices to minimize their carbon footprint and love educating the public. Once you get your fish, get it butchered for a reasonable price and grab some tacos on the way out.
Tuna Harbor Dockside Market
879 W Harbor Dr
San Diego, CA 92101
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Locale Magazinehttps://localemagazine.com/author/admin-3/
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Locale Magazinehttps://localemagazine.com/author/admin-3/
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Locale Magazinehttps://localemagazine.com/author/admin-3/
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Locale Magazinehttps://localemagazine.com/author/admin-3/