San Diego Family Guidebook
Family Dining Nearby & Throughout San Diego
It is on the same property as San Diego’s largest organic nursery with farm animals, City Farmers. In addition to a cozy dining room, Nate’s has a rustic outdoor patio and an eclectic line-up of local musicians that play regularly. It is the perfect setting for relaxing with family and friends and enjoying good quality food, beverages and music.
3.1 miles | 8 mins from the home
36 recommandé par les habitants
Nate's Garden Grill
3120 Euclid AveIt is on the same property as San Diego’s largest organic nursery with farm animals, City Farmers. In addition to a cozy dining room, Nate’s has a rustic outdoor patio and an eclectic line-up of local musicians that play regularly. It is the perfect setting for relaxing with family and friends and enjoying good quality food, beverages and music.
3.1 miles | 8 mins from the home
Surf Rider Pizza is a delicious, family friendly pizza, calzone, stromboli and more restaurant in neighboring La Mesa. There is a kids area and quaint downtown for after pizza strolls. Try visiting on a Friday during the city’s farmers market from 3-7PM, or any other day for less of a crowd.
3.2 miles | 11 mins from the home
43 recommandé par les habitants
Surf Rider Pizza Co.
2163 Abbott StSurf Rider Pizza is a delicious, family friendly pizza, calzone, stromboli and more restaurant in neighboring La Mesa. There is a kids area and quaint downtown for after pizza strolls. Try visiting on a Friday during the city’s farmers market from 3-7PM, or any other day for less of a crowd.
3.2 miles | 11 mins from the home
Garden Kitchen is a neighborhood culinary treat with 7 course tasting menus by reservation only on Friday and Saturday and regular dine in menu on Thursdays. It is not “not kid friendly” but it is best visited by anyone looking for a farm-to-table chef led dining experience. It is an honorable mention as it is also just down the street.
.9 miles | 3 mins from the home
14 recommandé par les habitants
Garden Kitchen
4204 Rolando BlvdGarden Kitchen is a neighborhood culinary treat with 7 course tasting menus by reservation only on Friday and Saturday and regular dine in menu on Thursdays. It is not “not kid friendly” but it is best visited by anyone looking for a farm-to-table chef led dining experience. It is an honorable mention as it is also just down the street.
.9 miles | 3 mins from the home
Alforon Mediterranean & Lebanese Cuisine one of the best restaurants in the SDSU area is Alforon Lebanese restaurant and bakery, specializing in flatbread pizzas. Take-out or dine in but expect to wait for some of the chef’s best dishes which are created fresh with ~20 minute preparation times.
1.3 miles | 6 mins from the home
22 recommandé par les habitants
Alforon Mediterranean
5965 El Cajon BlvdAlforon Mediterranean & Lebanese Cuisine one of the best restaurants in the SDSU area is Alforon Lebanese restaurant and bakery, specializing in flatbread pizzas. Take-out or dine in but expect to wait for some of the chef’s best dishes which are created fresh with ~20 minute preparation times.
1.3 miles | 6 mins from the home
Scrimshaw Coffee is a delicious local coffee house with bagels and pastries and a few more breakfast options available on the weekend. It’s close by for dining in but also on your way to the freeways if you want to pick up coffee on the go.
2.1 miles | 6 mins from the home
12 recommandé par les habitants
Scrimshaw Coffee
5542 El Cajon BlvdScrimshaw Coffee is a delicious local coffee house with bagels and pastries and a few more breakfast options available on the weekend. It’s close by for dining in but also on your way to the freeways if you want to pick up coffee on the go.
2.1 miles | 6 mins from the home
Station Tavern is a great local, open-air, modern beer garden and comfort food restaurant in South Park. The food is traditional American food but the atmosphere is great for relaxing and enjoying yourselves in one of San Diego’s hippest neighborhoods.
6.6 miles | 12 mins from the house
174 recommandé par les habitants
Station Tavern
2204 Fern StStation Tavern is a great local, open-air, modern beer garden and comfort food restaurant in South Park. The food is traditional American food but the atmosphere is great for relaxing and enjoying yourselves in one of San Diego’s hippest neighborhoods.
6.6 miles | 12 mins from the house
Liberty Public Market is San Diego’s indoor food and craft market with multiple stalls for everyone to find something unique and an outdoor dining area to come back and dine together. It is located in Liberty Station, an old Navy complex, renovated for shops, galleries, and restaurants plus acres of grassy areas and playgrounds along the San Diego channel and harbor. There is even The Lot movie theater with in-movie dining and the world famous Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens. This is also my favorite spot to rent a stand up paddle board during the summer.
12 mi | 18 mins from the home
227 recommandé par les habitants
Liberty Public Market
2820 Historic Decatur RdLiberty Public Market is San Diego’s indoor food and craft market with multiple stalls for everyone to find something unique and an outdoor dining area to come back and dine together. It is located in Liberty Station, an old Navy complex, renovated for shops, galleries, and restaurants plus acres of grassy areas and playgrounds along the San Diego channel and harbor. There is even The Lot movie theater with in-movie dining and the world famous Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens. This is also my favorite spot to rent a stand up paddle board during the summer.
12 mi | 18 mins from the home
Family Fun Nearby & Throughout San Diego
Chollas Lake Park is a scenic lake with a shady tree covered walking/running trail surrounding it. There are barbeques, tables, benches, and additional walking trails as well as a large playground located up the trails or at the second parking lot. This is a beautiful place to escape the heat, crowds or just have a nice nature walk/run.
1 mi | 4 min drive or 20 min walk from the home
29 recommandé par les habitants
Parc du lac Chollas
6350 College Grove DrChollas Lake Park is a scenic lake with a shady tree covered walking/running trail surrounding it. There are barbeques, tables, benches, and additional walking trails as well as a large playground located up the trails or at the second parking lot. This is a beautiful place to escape the heat, crowds or just have a nice nature walk/run.
1 mi | 4 min drive or 20 min walk from the home
Balboa Park is a sprawling outdoor San Diego destination is home to the city’s zoo; 17 art, science and history museums; multiple gardens and botanical centers, restaurants, shops, playgrounds, theaters and more. Each Tuesday of the month is a different free museum–please see their website for details. You can also check schedules for the Old Globe Theater and outdoor Spreckels Organ Pavilion for shows. The park is a great place to walk and see sights as well as let children play on multiple playgrounds or ride the miniature train or carousel. There are some great food trucks and restaurants (we love Panama 66) and pottery and craft shopping in the Spanish Village Art Center. It can be hot midday in the late summer but the early mornings or late afternoons and evenings are always beautiful.
6.5 mi | 10 min from the home
3290 recommandé par les habitants
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a sprawling outdoor San Diego destination is home to the city’s zoo; 17 art, science and history museums; multiple gardens and botanical centers, restaurants, shops, playgrounds, theaters and more. Each Tuesday of the month is a different free museum–please see their website for details. You can also check schedules for the Old Globe Theater and outdoor Spreckels Organ Pavilion for shows. The park is a great place to walk and see sights as well as let children play on multiple playgrounds or ride the miniature train or carousel. There are some great food trucks and restaurants (we love Panama 66) and pottery and craft shopping in the Spanish Village Art Center. It can be hot midday in the late summer but the early mornings or late afternoons and evenings are always beautiful.
6.5 mi | 10 min from the home
San Diego Zoo is one of the most acclaimed zoos in the country. It features beautiful exhibits by global region with animals, landscaping and cuisine to feel like you’re traveling the world. There are guided bus tours, Skyfari aerial tram and an excellent new kids area, Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, with plenty of educational exhibits and play areas–including a water feature, so bring suits or at least a change of clothes.
6.5 mi | 10 mins from the home
2510 recommandé par les habitants
Zoo de San Diego
2920 Zoo DrSan Diego Zoo is one of the most acclaimed zoos in the country. It features beautiful exhibits by global region with animals, landscaping and cuisine to feel like you’re traveling the world. There are guided bus tours, Skyfari aerial tram and an excellent new kids area, Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, with plenty of educational exhibits and play areas–including a water feature, so bring suits or at least a change of clothes.
6.5 mi | 10 mins from the home
Coronado
Mission Bay is another sprawling San Diego destination. There are parks and entries along the bay starting at the freeway all the way to the ocean. We recommend Mission Bay Aquatic Center for boat and paddleboard rentals (early morning for best conditions) or Fanuel Street Park for a shaded grassy park right off the main bay. There is a playground for the kids, white sand beaches for laying out and a bike/skate/walking path that goes all around the bay and even to downtown Mission Beach.
16 mi | 22 mins from the home
50 recommandé par les habitants
Parc de la plage de Fanuel
4000 Fanuel StMission Bay is another sprawling San Diego destination. There are parks and entries along the bay starting at the freeway all the way to the ocean. We recommend Mission Bay Aquatic Center for boat and paddleboard rentals (early morning for best conditions) or Fanuel Street Park for a shaded grassy park right off the main bay. There is a playground for the kids, white sand beaches for laying out and a bike/skate/walking path that goes all around the bay and even to downtown Mission Beach.
16 mi | 22 mins from the home
La Jolla Shores is one of the area’s most idyllic beach spots. Parking on the weekends (or even summer weekdays) can be very difficult so get here early, but plan to spend the day. There is a beachfront playground and surf and Kayak rentals. You can even get Kayak or snorkeling guides to explore marine life and ocean caves. There are beach restrooms and outdoor showers to get the sand off. After playing on the beach you can walk around the coastal town for dining, drinks and shopping.
20 mi | 22 mins from the home
304 recommandé par les habitants
La Jolla Shores Hotel
8110 Camino Del OroLa Jolla Shores is one of the area’s most idyllic beach spots. Parking on the weekends (or even summer weekdays) can be very difficult so get here early, but plan to spend the day. There is a beachfront playground and surf and Kayak rentals. You can even get Kayak or snorkeling guides to explore marine life and ocean caves. There are beach restrooms and outdoor showers to get the sand off. After playing on the beach you can walk around the coastal town for dining, drinks and shopping.
20 mi | 22 mins from the home
Fletcher Cove Beach Park is another picturesque park, grassy area, ocean views and (in our opinion) the most beautiful beach in the county. Solana Beach is considered North County and is a bit of a drive but you can also take the North County Coaster from Old Town for about $6 each way. The Coaster is a clean, comfortable and modern commuter train that runs from downtown to Oceanside. There are some incredible views as it passes right over Torrey Pines beach, Del Mar and other famous beaches. We use the Pronto app to ride but the staff onboard are incredibly welcoming and can help you figure it out on the train if you don’t get the app figured out before your train arrives. We get off the Coaster in Solana Beach and have lunch at Pizza Port before spending the rest of the afternoon at the beach.
27 mi | 30 mins drive or 30 min scenic coaster ride
87 recommandé par les habitants
Fletcher Cove Beach Park
111 S Sierra AveFletcher Cove Beach Park is another picturesque park, grassy area, ocean views and (in our opinion) the most beautiful beach in the county. Solana Beach is considered North County and is a bit of a drive but you can also take the North County Coaster from Old Town for about $6 each way. The Coaster is a clean, comfortable and modern commuter train that runs from downtown to Oceanside. There are some incredible views as it passes right over Torrey Pines beach, Del Mar and other famous beaches. We use the Pronto app to ride but the staff onboard are incredibly welcoming and can help you figure it out on the train if you don’t get the app figured out before your train arrives. We get off the Coaster in Solana Beach and have lunch at Pizza Port before spending the rest of the afternoon at the beach.
27 mi | 30 mins drive or 30 min scenic coaster ride