Old thread but have the same travel plans so figured I'd just bump this one up. Flying into San Diego Friday and staying El Cajon for a few days then driving up to San Francisco and staying there for a few days. Anyone have any new recommendations? Won't have a car in SF so will be taking BART everywhere. Last time I was in SF I was 10 and a very picky eater so I didn't get to really appreciate any of the good food out there.
Visiting San Diego and San Francisco
- Thread starter DeBo
- Start date
I love these threads 
Stratford, huh? I was just down there at my buddy's house like 3 weeks ago for a pig roast on Swanson Ave
Never been to San Fran, but I just went to San Diego back in April. I posted these pics before in another thread (RIP) before the whole Photophucket debacle. Anyway.....
Right on the San Diego/Santee, CA border is an awesome hole in the wall Mexican joint called "El Rancho." We stayed for a week and I ate there like 8 times, hahaha. Every single thing I got there was awesome
Fish tacos
Carñitas street tacos
The California Burrito (with French fries inside) was great, so was the Carne Asada burrito, the tacos al pastor, the tacos adobada, and the churros
If you can make it up to Ocean Beach (a little north of San Diego), hit up Hodad's! Great burgers, beer in mason jars. Lots of funky shit on the walls; surf boards, bicycles, license plates, etc. Typical SoCal "beach bum" joint.
Directly across the street from Hodad's is Lighthouse Ice Cream for dessert
"Ice Cream Sandwich." 2 blueberry waffles, sea salted caramel (your choice) ice cream, and 3 strips of bacon
Hope this helps! Have a great trip, man
Stratford, huh? I was just down there at my buddy's house like 3 weeks ago for a pig roast on Swanson Ave
Never been to San Fran, but I just went to San Diego back in April. I posted these pics before in another thread (RIP) before the whole Photophucket debacle. Anyway.....
Right on the San Diego/Santee, CA border is an awesome hole in the wall Mexican joint called "El Rancho." We stayed for a week and I ate there like 8 times, hahaha. Every single thing I got there was awesome
Fish tacos
Carñitas street tacos
The California Burrito (with French fries inside) was great, so was the Carne Asada burrito, the tacos al pastor, the tacos adobada, and the churros
If you can make it up to Ocean Beach (a little north of San Diego), hit up Hodad's! Great burgers, beer in mason jars. Lots of funky shit on the walls; surf boards, bicycles, license plates, etc. Typical SoCal "beach bum" joint.
Directly across the street from Hodad's is Lighthouse Ice Cream for dessert
"Ice Cream Sandwich." 2 blueberry waffles, sea salted caramel (your choice) ice cream, and 3 strips of bacon
Hope this helps! Have a great trip, man
SD
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.zagat.com/b/amp/turn-up-the-heat-with-these-8-spicy-dishes-in-san-diego
Some real heat at the end of the list!
SF
https://www.zagat.com/l/restaurants-with-the-spiciest-menus-in-san-francisco
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.zagat.com/b/amp/turn-up-the-heat-with-these-8-spicy-dishes-in-san-diego
Some real heat at the end of the list!
SF
https://www.zagat.com/l/restaurants-with-the-spiciest-menus-in-san-francisco
Former SF resident still in the area here, SF has great food.
http://www.redhotchillipepperca.com/ - Indo-Chinese restaurant in San Carlos (walkable from San Carlos CalTrain station, easy to get the SF terminal)
They have a Ghost Fire Chicken in spicy ghost pepper sauce. The flavor itself isn't all that great, but it is hot. They make you sign a waiver.
As far as stuff in SF, you have to hit The Buena Vista Cafe for an Irish coffee. Scoma's is a seafood spot nearby, they have fantastic fish. It's not on the menu anymore, but you can still order Diplomatica - it's basically a mixed seafood linguine in a white wine cream and garlic sauce that is to die for.
The Giants are shitty this year so tickets are cheap, the stadium is amazing.
Tonga Room and Smuggler's Cove are cool spots for tropical drinks.
If you like beer hit Toronado - make sure you know what you want by the time you get to the register, it's like the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld.
Southern Pacific Brewing Company is a cool spot to hang out and get some brews, it's in a big converted warehouse.
There are also several Off the Grids in different locations on different days. There is one on Friday nights at Fort Mason and I think Saturday afternoon in the Mission. Might be others as well. Tons of food trucks show up and you get get really good stuff like steamed pork buns, Korean pork belly tacos, and all kinds of other stuff.
There are hundreds of great spots in SF, feel free to shoot me a PM if you are looking for anything specific.
Cheers,
Austin
http://www.redhotchillipepperca.com/ - Indo-Chinese restaurant in San Carlos (walkable from San Carlos CalTrain station, easy to get the SF terminal)
They have a Ghost Fire Chicken in spicy ghost pepper sauce. The flavor itself isn't all that great, but it is hot. They make you sign a waiver.
As far as stuff in SF, you have to hit The Buena Vista Cafe for an Irish coffee. Scoma's is a seafood spot nearby, they have fantastic fish. It's not on the menu anymore, but you can still order Diplomatica - it's basically a mixed seafood linguine in a white wine cream and garlic sauce that is to die for.
The Giants are shitty this year so tickets are cheap, the stadium is amazing.
Tonga Room and Smuggler's Cove are cool spots for tropical drinks.
If you like beer hit Toronado - make sure you know what you want by the time you get to the register, it's like the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld.
Southern Pacific Brewing Company is a cool spot to hang out and get some brews, it's in a big converted warehouse.
There are also several Off the Grids in different locations on different days. There is one on Friday nights at Fort Mason and I think Saturday afternoon in the Mission. Might be others as well. Tons of food trucks show up and you get get really good stuff like steamed pork buns, Korean pork belly tacos, and all kinds of other stuff.
There are hundreds of great spots in SF, feel free to shoot me a PM if you are looking for anything specific.
Cheers,
Austin
Hahahaha WOW looks bigger than it did in1980 hahaha thanks brother. Tear in eye damn dustMikeUSMC said:
Pads gems are fun too! Great little stadium village there!
MikeUSMC said:That reminds me....
I didn't get to see it because my 5 year old daughter got sea sick whale watching, but my wife sent me pics from a San Diego Padres game. That stadium looks beautiful too!
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Poor kid, sleeping with her puke bucket, lol
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Update?
Booo! But.... did you find spicy food?
So my buddy and I decided to go to California on a whim after having a few whiskeys at the cigar bar. Started in San Diego to visit his relatives then drove up to San Francisco and Berkeley to see our buddy that lives there.
View from the Hotel Del in Coronado
Our trusty steed for the trip to SF
Had to stop for In-n-Out
Made is to SF
View from the Hotel Del in Coronado
Our trusty steed for the trip to SF
Had to stop for In-n-Out
Made is to SF