San Diego - A US Jewel

We found restaurant shopping and menu reading a fun thing to do in the Gaslamp Quarter and nearby Little Italy. Most of the restaurants have outdoor sidewalk tables and posted menus.

Quick Tips:

Take public transportation and only rent a car for a couple of days, when you want to venture out. Parking is a premium and only available via valet.

Best Way To Get Around:

Use the trolley and orange and blue lines to get to most attractions.

Best Things Nearby:
There were restaurants, restaurants, and more restaurants. Many of the best in San Diego are within 1 or 2 blocks.

Best Things About the Resort:
It is a beautiful old building with marble everywhere. Even the hallways were lined with marble. It is located on the corner of 5th and E Streets, the heart of the Gaslamp.

Resort Experience:
We had a spacious (for the inner city) unit on the corner on the fifth floor overlooking 5th street. The views of the city were great. The unit was very well kept and well decorated. Closet space was small but adequate. The mini-kitchen was well appointed. The complimentary daily continental breakfasts were good and well maintained. They were on the rooftop with great views.

The staff was very friendly and helpful. I don't really like having to use valet parking, but the attendants were punctual and courteous. We even attended a birthday bash for the manager one afternoon when we went to the rooftop to see the view and stumbled on the celebration. The staff insisted that we stay for the band and refreshments. They welcomed us like we were a part of them.

It is only 5 blocks to the waterfront and seaport village shops. Also, this is a severely undervalued place points-wise. We stayed a week in a one-bedroom unit for 28,500 points. It is definitely worth much more. We had read reviews that it was noisy but had no problems with it. We had spent the week prior in San Francisco, near Union Square, and it was very noisy compared to this place. We highly recommend the Gaslamp Suites to anyone who wants to visit San Diego.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Good
• Amenities: Not Available
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

This cafe is located in the heart of Little Italy in San Diego. It is essentially a southwestern gourmet cafe with very unusual and unique dishes. It has a bistro flair, but with an unmistakable Southwestern flavor. It is reasonably priced, and the service is excellent.

Don't go here looking for regular meat-and-potatoes kind of food. It is very different and exceptionally good. The butternut squash soup and the spaghetti squash spinach salad are superb. The entrees are varied and all great-sounding for anyone who likes gourmet foods, and the presentation is excellent. If you are in the area, it is a must-visit place.

Excellent food, atmosphere, and price. If you are in the Gaslamp Quarter, it is one of the better places. The food is Southwestern with a gourmet flair. Service was excellent, and so was the food. You really need to try their sampler dessert. You can choose three smaller portions from a list of six or seven items. All are great. The cheesecake, chocolate flan cake, and the creme brulee are scrumptious.

Albert's advertises their cuisine as American, Nuevo Latino, and Southwestern. I'm not sure which category I would put it in, but the best category would be "excellent food". It's by far one of the best restaurants in the San Diego area and a pleasant surprise to find in right in the middle of the zoo, where one would expect to find only fast food. I had their vegetarian lasagna, which is not only good, but the best I have ever had. It was a gourmet blend of vegetables and cheeses, and topped with an excellent red pepper sauce. It is a must-stop if you visit the San Diego Zoo.

Prado is a jewel in the middle of Balboa Park. We were visiting the park on a hot day, and Prado was a welcomed break from the museums and gardens. We ate outside on the patio, with a great view of the Japanese tea garden. The food was fabulous and the service was great. I had their portabella napoleon salad and vegetarian black bean soup. Both were superb.

I understand that you really need reservations in the evening, but at lunchtime it wasn't all that crowded. If you plan to take in Balboa Park, schedule lunch or an early dinner with it. It is one of the better restaurants in San Diego.

A must-see when visiting San Diego is the Top of the Hyatt lounge. It is open daily, beginning at 3pm. Go during the daylight hours because the view is the best in San Diego. Views of the bay to the north and south are excellent and unlike any you will see anywhere in the area. Food selection is limited, but try it out for a cocktail before dinner. You will be sorry if you miss this one.