This whimsical city has the perfect weather seemingly everyday, an abundance of beaches, amazing eateries and a care free vibe that we can really get used to. We visited San Diego a few weeks ago and left the city with lots of thoughts, should we move? Is this one of the best lifestyles in America? Was that one of the best food trips we’ve had in a long time? As you can see we thoroughly enjoyed our time there, so we decided to curate a quick guide for the next time you’re headed to San Diego.

8AM - Breakfast at Morning Glory

A trendy breakfast/brunch spot right in Little Italy. Get here early to grab a seat as this restaurant fills up quick.We ordered the breakfast Carbonara and fried rice and enjoyed every bite. Oh, and let’s not forget to mention how stunning the space is.

11AM - Explore the historical Balboa Park.

Located just blocks from downtown San Diego (about a 5 minute drive) sits the beautiful Balboa Park. There’s stunning Spanish Colonia architecture, cafes, and lush gardens to check out here. You’ll even catch live music on occasion.

4PM - Check In to your hotel

We stayed at The Pendry, a lively hotel located right in the center of the action in Gaslamp District.

7PM - Dinner at Herb and Wood

With a bustling atmosphere, delicious cocktails, and a wonderfully unique spin on their dishes this Mediterranean restaurant isn’t to be missed. We’re pretty sure you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but one thing that you shouldn’t miss are the off menu Parker House Rolls. (Thanks us later)

9AM - Morning coffee at Garden Coffee

This charming coffee shop makes sure to add a special touch to your morning. The coffee is great here but the staff is the real highlight.

11AM - Take a walk on the cliff of La Jolla

There’s beauty all over San Diego, but La Jolla is particularly beautiful. Take in some of the sights and check out the walking trails.

6PM - Cocktails at Polite Provisions

Polite Provisions is one of our favorite bars in the US and everytime we’re in San Diego it’s a must that we stop here. Their creative cocktails are sure to wow you.

7:30PM - Dinner at Animae

After dining at Animae we asked ourselves, “Was that our best meal of the year?”. We had quite the experience at this swanky eatery. The Asian fusion dishes were spectacular as well as the cocktails. You’re in for a treat when dining at Animae. Don’t miss this!

9PM - Rooftop Cinema

We ended the evening with a movie on the roof. Not only was this a great experience but it’s a great way to take in the San Diego Skyline.

9AM - Coffee at Communal Coffee

Communal coffee has multiple locations around the city and considered one of the best coffee shops in San Diego by the locals. Here’s a tip. Always trust the locals!

11AM - Brunch at Cafe 21

Tapas, anyone? This Mediterranean restaurant serves small plates allowing you to order a variety of items to try. Everything is made from scratch and is full of flavor. Our personal favorite was the Dutch baby!

2PM - take in a museum in Balboa parl.

Balboa park has a great amount of museums. We stopped by the Mingei International Museum, which celebrates folk art, craft, and design from all eras and cultures of the world.

5PM - Cocktails at Coco Maya

Be transported to the tropics with a visit to Coco Maya, a rooftop in the buzzing neighborhood of Little Italy. Expect some vibrant music, Caribbean flavors, and tasty cocktails.

7PM - Dinner at Seneca Trattoria

Secretly one of our favorite stops in San Diego, we were blown away by the design and attention to detail at Seneca Trattoria. As if things couldn’t get any better, we took a few bites of our food and fell in love even more. Seneca feels rustic but tropical at the same time. Grab a seat in a banquette and be transported for a few hours.

8AM - Grab a coffee at the Moniker Coffee

Moniker is another one of those highly recommended coffee shops by locals. Located in Liberty Station ( home to stylish bars, boutiques, and restaurants), it feels like you're apart of the community when you’re at Moniker, a feeling we always are in search of when we travel. There’s an ample amount of seating available, making it a great spot to get some work done or people watch.