Filippi's Pizza Grotto is one of the most beloved Italian restaurants in San Diego. Its pizza has been highly acclaimed since first being served more than 50 years ago. The front of the restaurant is an Italian shop selling dried pasta, wines, candy, canned goods and olives, and a deli selling Italian sausages and cheese. After passing through this aromatic area, one is led to the restaurant itself. The chefs here dish up all the classics including lasagne, spaghetti and meatballs, ravioli and more. Imported and domestic wine and beer is available.
Take a leisurely walk from the Gaslamp Quarter or Horton Plaza and escape the madness of the city for awhile. Stroll down miles of cobblestone paths taking in the greenery, ponds and fountains as you make your way around 54 one-of-a-kind shops, 13 casual dining eateries and four fine-dining restaurants. Unsurpassed views of the bay, its ships and the San Diego-Coronado Bridge surround the park. Complete with a carousel dating from the 1890s, this is a great place to visit for the day. A monthly calender features live blues, jazz, country and swing bands.
Bazaar del Mundo is one of the happiest and most colorful of all marketplaces in San Diego to shop. Part of historic Old Town, where the city's first inhabitants set up the original city, this shopping area is a true delight. Colorful parrots screech, color blooms everywhere, mariachis stroll the grounds, sparkling fountains babble and delicious Mexican dishes permeate the air and tempt the palate. Five restaurants, 15 international specialty shops and plenty of historic sites in adjacent Old Town provide much to explore.
Completely renovated in 1997, this elegant outdoor mall is your best stop for serious shopping in San Diego. Less tourist-like than the flamboyant and exciting Horton Plaza, Fashion Valley Shopping Center is much easier to navigate. It is the main hub for upscale and designer shopping. Exclusive names like Hermès, Neiman Marcus and Rolex are among the luxury brand stores. With 200 stores, seven restaurants, a food court and a movie theatre, even the most discriminating shoppers will find what they are looking for, including foreign currency exchange.
Conveniently located just 20 minutes from downtown is the major shopping center referred to as UTC. Here you will find shopping majors such as Sears, Macy's, and Nordstrom's. More than 160 specialty shops, banks, seven eateries, 16 fast-food sites and an ice skating rink that will entertain and delight you. Events and entertainment are scheduled on weekends. Plenty of free parking is available.
The quaint Girard Avenue offers visitors a chance to experience shopping within small, local businesses. There are a number of art galleries, books stores and craft shops that are not affiliated with any corporation. If you are looking for the most modern and fashionable clothing for women, try Melange. Anyone looking for art should be sure to make a stop at Cosmopolitan Fine Arts. Once you are through shopping and in need of some tasty on-the-go food, try Girard Gourmet.
San Diego has never been known as a men's fashion capital, but that may be changing if Ron Stuart has his way. Businessmen, lawyers, philanthropists and city officials rub shoulders here while finding the perfect Gianpaolo suit. If you want or need the right look and have money and time to spend, this is one of the few shops in San Diego that can accommodate a man in search of the ideal suit. Professional tailoring and alterations are available from master tailor Joe Lafata.
Harold Steven's Jewelers is known for educating clientèle on how to select quality diamonds. The store holds a philosophy, which differs from many other jewelry establishments. Unlike most jewelers, who market finished products, this shop sells loose diamonds. Customers are encouraged to buy diamonds, since this method allows the jeweler to accurately grade the stone's color, cut, clarity and weight. Once a guest has selected a loose diamond, then jewelry is designed to accompany the precious stone.
Attention all sports fans! This is the shop to go to if you're looking for that special collector's card to fill out your collection. In this shop, sports fanatics (and those who love them) will find the perfect gift. Sports cards from the worlds of baseball, football, basketball, hockey, soccer, golf, horse racing, boxing and many obscure sports line the walls from floor to ceiling. Also on hand are autographed balls, helmets and jerseys. The helpful staff will also search for that elusive sports card free of charge.
Stone Company Store On Kettner is an extension of two parent breweries called Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens at Escondido and Liberty Station, San Diego respectively. This pub serves both seasonal and year-round brews produced at the main breweries and allows patrons to bring in their own food like pizzas to complement the beers. The best part is the sprawling beer garden where you can light a fire and relax with a beer in hand, just like at a campsite. This bar also provides card and board games that you can play with your friends. Also sample different beer varieties before making a purchase at the in-house beer store. The shop even sells paraphernalia like growlers, pints, dog biscuits and t-shirts.
Located inside of the Super JR Market in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, in the Market Deli and Catering, the Best Damn Beer Shop offers beer, wine, spirits, cheese, prepared foods, and more. Among their beer list, of which many beers they offer are made at San Diego breweries, are Alpine Pure Hopiness, Green Flash Barleywine, Karl Strauss Pintail Pale Ale, Stone Smoked Porter, Anchorage Love Buzz Saison, Chimay White, and many more. Throughout the year, the Best Damn Beer Shop hosts various events, such as the Best Damn Sour Fest, which includes a tasting of a secret keg. And for those who want to enjoy more of the Best Damn Beer Shop, they offer the Best Damn Home Brew Shop for home brewing. - Erick Pettersen