It usually doesn't take much convincing to get someone to visit San Diego.
'America's Finest City' has become synonymous with paradise-like weather and a high quality of life. Oh, and the food and drink there isn't half bad either.
This Pacific Ocean-adjacent city near the border with Mexico has been influenced by its location in delicious ways, and the following are just a few of the things to try on your next stop in California.
Fish Tacos
Invented on Mexico's Baja Peninsula, fish tacos have made a splash north of the border, especially in San Diego.
While good fish tacos are almost dime-a-dozen here, surely no-one's is fresher than those at the Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill. Not only do they sell a plethora of fresh fish and seafood, but they'll also grill it up and serve it to you right then and there at their in-house cafe. Try the tacos stuffed with red snapper, swordfish, jumbo shrimp, Mahi Mahi, soft shell crab and more.
You could always visit the Rubio's on Mission Bay Drive too. While it is a 'chain', it's a chain of fish taco restaurants that was started at this precise spot back in 1983.
Rolled Tacos
Another SoCal-Mexican hybrid, rolled tacos are very similar to flautas and are tightly-rolled, filled tacos topped with guacamole and cheese. Head to Las Cuatro Milpas for this no-fuss comfort food at its best.
Carne Asada Fries
These meaty fries are a local guilty pleasure, making sampling a plateful of them mandatory on almost any trip. The dish consists of good French fries topped with seasoned steak, crumbled cheese, guacamole and sometimes a dollop of pico de gallo. Lolita's Taco Shop, in the heart of downtown, is a local favorite.
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Sushi
If you need a break from all the Mexican food, then you can't go wrong with the authentic Japanese cuisine at Sushi Ota. Dine on sushi, sashimi and specials like octopus fritters, sea urchin and yuzu pepper duck.
Donuts
Donuts may not be a San Diegan invention, but many locals would agree that no visit to the city is complete without a pit stop at Donut Bar. Aside from now-standard flavors like salted caramel and maple bacon, this place delights with its special fillings and toppings such as butterbeer, creme brulee and birthday cake oreo.
Craft Beer
You can't write about San Diego without some mention of the city's craft beer scene, which is easily one of the best in the West.
There are more breweries and specialist beer bars here than you can shake a stick at, with Ballast Point Brewing's creative concoctions (try their curry-flavored stout, IPA with mango, or porter with coffee and vanilla) and Stone Brewing's world famous selections being two great places to start.
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Cold Brew Coffee
With its seemingly endless sunny days, San Diego has become something of a mecca for cold brew coffee. Almost every coffee shop serves it (some even offer growlers of the stuff for you to fill up and take home).
Alas, nowhere can quite top Holsem Coffee with its unique cold brews in flavors like Nutella and lemon meringue.
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