“Just south of the tiny beach town Del Mar, there’s a massive, 2000-acre coastal state park that’s the lone home to the Torrey Pine (the rarest pine in North America!), wildlife like bobcats and coyotes, fragrant coastal chaparral, and some of the most mind-blowing views in all of Southern California. Park at the top of the state reserve and hike your way down to the beach; pack a burrito and your bathing suit for a triumphant, sweaty plunge into the Pacific Ocean.”

“San Diego is famous for its easygoing, mild climate, which means that anything and everything grows and flourishes at the exceptional botanic garden in Encinitas. You could get lost here, and I have; wander around the native plant fields (you’ll smell the rare coastal sage scrub before you notice it), the swaying bamboo grove (the largest living collection of bamboo in North America!), and the tropical fruiting tree orchard (with every kind of citrus you can imagine).”

“I’m so jealous of everyone who lives within walking distance of this cozy, ocean-facing bakery, in the Windansea Beach stretch of La Jolla. The bungalow is draped in passion fruit vines and surrounded by vining watermelons and squash; inside, you’ll want to feast on flawless croissants oozing with ham and cheese, crisp-chewy baguettes, fluffy English muffins, and seeded sourdough loaves.”

“Mitch’s Seafood, a super-relaxed, super-fun local seafood spot built right on the edge of the historic Point Loma Marina, is the best place to hang out in the sun, drink cold beer, and watch the seals dart around the docked boats. Grab a stool on the outdoor deck facing the marina, and order a rock shrimp ceviche, swordfish tacos, and octopus tostadas.”

“There’s tons of vibey 1950s-era spots in SD, but Turf Supper Club, where guests cook their own steaks, chops, and burgers over a communal flattop, is my absolute favorite. (And allegedly, it was Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s favorite when visiting San Diego too.) There’s crackling scarlet-leather booths; zero natural light; an insane jukebox stuffed with The Stooges and Black Sabbath; boozy, big drinks; and a self-service salad bar—a.k.a. a perfect night out.”

“This classy La Jolla restaurant was built in 1941 to cater to Hollywood high-society types. It’s built literally on the sandy La Jolla Shores beach, which is illegal now for obvious structural reasons. If you go during high tide, grab a seat at the low bar and order a martini. You’ll watch dramatic eight-foot high waves crash onto the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, just like the stars did 80 years ago.”

“The flaky, impossibly fresh flour tortillas are what I first fell in love with, but everything is perfect at this tiny Barrio Logan taqueria, which has been run by three generations of the Estudillo family since 1933. A side of rice and beans comes with a tamale thrillingly tucked in; the rolled tacos are a San Diego staple executed perfectly; it’s all really wonderful, and worth the long lines.”

“It’s not a trip to San Diego without feasting on the Baja-style ceviches and cocktails so iconic to the area. I love this tiny spot in Logan Heights, which has a cute shaded patio around the back where you can enjoy giant cups stuffed with cocktail de pulpo, plates of fresh oysters drowning in hot sauce, and punchy aguachiles tostadas.”

“There’s a tiny vegetable stand just off a palm-tree-lined road in Rancho Santa Fe, an affluent, mostly residential community in North County. Pull over and delight in the spectacular, organic vegetables and fruits grown by the Chino family—their famous sweet corn and tiny French strawberries, the exquisite melons grown from Taiwanese, Japanese, and Spanish seeds, the ruffled chicories and glowing raspberries—just like Alice Waters and Wolfgang Puck did in the 1980s.”

“Though you couldn’t tell from its nondescript warehouse exterior, anyone can shop at Specialty Produce, which caters primarily to the high-volume needs of the many restaurants and hotels of San Diego. Shop in bulk for myriad seeds, nuts, flours, and grains; wander through the massive refrigerated produce room for hard-to-find scores like borage flowers and bronze fennel from local farms like Girl & Dug.”