WHY

People are always telling me how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place. For years (maybe its because I couldn't drive) I would stay in the little Point Loma & Ocean Beach bubble only hearing what surrounded us in other cities, other parts of our county. I became infatuated with the idea of visiting different scenery's, trying different types of food, experiencing different cultures and spent a majority of my time looking up places online, praying for the day I would be able to make my journey to the actual locations. But of course when I finally got my license I was terrified of the freeway so it took me a little bit longer to actually the visit the places I had looked up. When I finally faced my fear, and got out there, it was a whole new world of spending all my money on food and gas. So to help you avoid the long list of empty promises you will tell your parents about paying them back for the gas money you borrowed or fall into a love affair with expensive food like I sadly have, I have made a list of cheap eats around SAN DIEGO as well as some lookouts & adventures to work off the food you ate.

Why take my advice and branch out of your comfy myopic bubble? Whether you're going away for college or staying here I think that checking out some or all of these places is worth your time and sometimes pocket change.

Cheap Eats Around SD:

1. Nicos - Ocean Beach - Mexican Food - Best burritos in town.
2. Tiki Port - Ocean Beach - Smoothie Bar - Drive thru acai bowls, most popular 420 bowl.
3. Margaritas - Ocean Beach - Breakfast - Way too good for how much it costs.
4. Farmers Market - Ocean Beach - Wednesdays only, all types of food.
5. Olive Tree Market - Ocean Beach - Deli - Make your own sandwich or choose off the menu, so worth it !
6. Thai Time - Ocean Beach - Thai Food - Yellow curry is super good, if you go in for lunch, the lunch special is a super good deal.
7. OB Sushi - Ocean Beach - All rolls are 50% off, although it doesn’t quite make sense that they are half off year round... Good regardless !
8. Sushi Pho Sure - Point Loma - Pho & Sushi - Looks a little scary from the outside but the best pho you can get in PL that is a good deal.
9. Inn n Out - Point Loma - Hamburgers - Everyone knows about this.. but try the protein burger, pieces of lettuce for buns.
10. PL Bagel - Point Loma - Breakfast - If you haven’t been here yet you are missing out, and it’s a block away from the high school.
11. Chronic Smoothie - Pacific Beach - Smoothie Bar & Deli - Bomb sandwiches & smoothies perfect for right after the beach.
12. Baked Bear - Pacific Beach - Icecream - Ice cream sandwiches with your choice of cookies or brownies.
13. Mr. Frostie - Pacific Beach - Icecream - Known worldwide, super good milkshakes and many flavors to choose from.
14. Junz - North Park - Asian Food - Right on the main drag, all types of asian food. Try the mini bowl !
15. Bronx Pizza - Hillcrest - Pizza - A bunch of different types, 5$ for 2 pieces.
16. Golden Spoon - Hillcrest - Frozen Yogurt - Better than any other yogurt around town.
17. Tocumbo Ice Cream - Chicano Park - Mexican Icecream - Different types of ice cream topped with fresh fruit with a spicy twist.
18. Tapioca Express - Kearny Mesa - Boba - All types of teas and boba to choose from, don’t be intimidated by boba ! Give it a try !
19. Nordstrom’s Cafe - Fashion Valley - Soup, Salads, Sandwiches -Best tomato soup you’ll ever have, you're also given the option to pick only half sandwich or salad.
20. Urbane Cafe - Clairemont - Gourmet Sandwiches & Salads - Sooo good, there's always a line out the door.

Adventures / Lookouts Around SD:

1. http://www.hiddensandiego.net - The website that gives you the coolest locations & directions to places all over SD !
2. Lightbox - La Jolla - See if you can find it ! Located somewhere on Mt. Soledad, an amazing view of all of LJ.
3. Mt Soledad - La Jolla - Memorial on the top of the mountain, worth checking out.
4. Blacks Beach / Hike - La Jolla - Take the road right to the beach or take the hiking route for an awesome view up & down the coast.
5. Marine St. - La Jolla - A beautiful beach full of college students and the best body whomping.
6. Torrey Pines State Reserve - Torrey Pines - A beach hike up a cliff, not too bad but a pretty view, don’t forget water !
7. Suspension Bridge - Mission Hills - Hangs over a canyon between the neighborhoods connecting mission hills & balboa park together.
8. Presidio Park - Mission Hills - A nice place to relax, have a picnic, or if it rains Mudslide.
9. Tidepools - Point Loma - At the end of the point and down the cliff, check out a bunch of creatures when low tide comes around.
10. Old Point Loma Lighthouse - Point Loma - Learn a little about how Point Loma came to be & enjoy an amazing view of the ocean at the tip of the community.
11. South Garbage Beach - Point Loma - Less people, bigger beach, sketchy rope down to the beach off the side of the cliff, but totally worth it.
12. No Surf - Point Loma - The locals can be a little rough, but one of my favorite spots to hang out all day. Remember to pick up your trash !
13. The Arch - Point Loma - A fun place to jump off into the ocean but a few rules to remember, check that it is high tide, beware of the police, and don’t get too fancy with your jump.
14. Fort Rosecrans Cemetery - Point Loma - Easily one of the most beautiful cemeteries, over-looking the ocean, and a place to honor those who have served in the military and their family.
15. Adobe Falls - Del Cerro - A waterfall surrounded by graffiti filled rocks is a sight to see.
16. Balboa Park - So many museums to choose from along with beautiful surroundings to walk through.
17. Del Mar Fair - Del Mar - Only open from June to the first week of July, don’t forget to go !
18. Public Water Park- Downtown - A brand new addition to the Downtown area. A public park where water squirts out of the ground in an array of patterns, along with a triangular mound shaped slide.
19. Devils Punchbowl - Ramona - A long hike to a beautiful waterfall, the journey is worth it ! Important to only attempt during winter according to the fire station, which is kind of a bummer.
20. Chicano Park Murals - Chicano Park - Murals fill every inch of this park celebrating hispanic heritage. Make sure to check it out during the day, rumored to be not so safe at night.