San Diego: Editor Picks

Balboa Park This 1,200-acre park is also the cultural center of San Diego, with The Old Globe Theatre, scenic tours, and fifteen museums; Tuesdays feature rotating free admission at museums. 1549 El Prado; 619-239-0512; www.balboapark.org
family | culture | things to do | art

Croces A Gaslamp mainstay, this tribute to singer-songwriter Jim Croce (by his wife, Ingrid) offers the best jazz in town. Make dinner reservation for the best seats. Gaslamp/Downtown; 802 Fifth Ave.; 619-233-4355; www.croces.com
jazz | live entertainment | nightlife | bar

Downtown La Jolla A whole day can be spent strolling through this neighborhood’s art galleries, high-end clothiers, and hotel shops. along Prospect St.
boutique | art | shopping | specialty

Island Prime Jutting out over the ocean, Island Prime serves dangerously good cocktails (try the pomegranate pearl martini) and seafood; try the hazelnut crusted diver scallops, sweet Alaskan crab legs, or the plank salmon. Harbor Island; 880 Harbor Island Dr.; 619-298-6802; www.cohnrestaurants.com
smart splurge | restaurant | expensive | seafood | waterfront

Julian This town is known for its apple pies and cider, but there’s much more. Visit quaint shops and historic sites, hike trails, go wine tasting, or camp out in the beautiful Cuyamaca mountains. 60 miles northeast of San Diego; www.julianca.com
culinary | shop | wine tasting | day trip

La Valencia La Valencia's location alone is nothing short of spectacular: nestled cliffside in the upscale La Jolla neighborhood, the hotel's distinctive gold-domed tower is a prime spot for gazing at stunning sea views and coastal mountain vistas. Opened in 1926, La Valencia evokes a timeless sense of class, recalling the days when moneyed elite and Hollywood luminaries such as Charlie Chaplin and Groucho Marx were among its avid devotees. Modern-day visitors will be just as captivated by La Valencia, however, after walking through the palm-shaded front patio and into the hotel's lobby, where magnificent floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Pacific. The 117 rooms are all designed with a sumptuous European flair, though some may find them a bit dated. Standard rooms and suites range in size, but are all spacious, and furnished with queen or king beds, floral headboards, gold chandeliers, fringed curtains, and marble bathrooms. The newer, sun-filled ocean villas are the size of one- or two-bedroom apartments, and are lavishly appointed with beamed ceilings, marble floors, hand-painted Mexican tiles, and fireplaces. La Jolla; 1132 Prospect St.; 858-454-0771; www.lavalencia.com
luxury | hotel | smart splurge | historic | expensive | view

Laurel Restaurant Seasonal menu of French/Mediterranean cuisine like petite filet and short ribs, jidori roast chicken with saffron chickpea waffle, and lamb shank with red beet pasta. Free shuttle service to The Old Globe Theatre. Balboa Park; 505 Laurel St.; 619-239-2222; www.laurelrestaurant.com
restaurant | expensive | french | mediterranean

The Beaches Coronado Island is a quiet military town with wealthy tourist beaches and resorts; Ocean Beach caters to surfers and Dead Heads; Pacific Beach is a great (albeit crowded) family beach; Mission Beach features barbecue and grassy areas; Black’s Beach combines good surfing, a gay area, and a clothing optional section.
beach | family | things to do

The San Diego Zoo Home to over 4,000 rare and endangered animals and more than 700,000 exotic plants, the 100-acre zoo features guided tours, shows, special events for the kiddies, and more. Balboa Park; 2920 Zoo Dr.; 619-234-3153; www.sandiegozoo.org
family | wildlife | things to do | zoo

The Sofia Hotel Renovated in 2006, the Sofia has become one of downtown’s hottest boutiques; expect dark wood furniture, flat-screen TVs, and pillow-top mattresses. Downtown; 150 W. Broadway; 800-826-0009; www.thesofiahotel.com
hotel | moderate | boutique | pet friendly | great value