arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up play-button plus tab-indicator dots close menu search facebook google-plus instagram pinterest rss twitter tiktok youtube rss-two heart Check FeaturedBadge linkedin minus apps placeholder linkedin

Only in San Diego

Fabulous foodie finds unique to California's Beach City

San Diego's one-of-a-kind vibes bring chefs from all over the world to create inspiring dishes in California's Beach City. 

San Diego's prime location doesn't just mean nearly 300 days of sunshine a year and beach time in the winter—its combination of geography, diverse topography, and a laid-back lifestyle have set the stage for culinary innovation, too. Dishes, drinks, and brands have started right here in San Diego thanks to the city's unique characteristics.

From cross-border influences in food and craft beer to a Top Chef restaurant empire, here are a few culinary and beer icons born in San Diego.

Fish tacos

Better known as San Diego’s unofficial mascot, the fish taco is said to have debuted in San Diego in 1983 thanks to Ralph Rubio, co-founder of fast-casual Mexican chain Rubio’s. During a 1974 spring break trip to San Felipe on the Baja Peninsula, Rubio stumbled upon the simple, beach-perfect taco and wrote down a list of ingredients from his favorite vendor (rumored to be Taqueria Adriana). He held onto that recipe for seven years before opening his first restaurant, in Mission Beach. Now you can find various interpretations all over the city—from a gourmet riff at Galaxy Taco to the crowd-favorite TJ Oyster Bar in Bonita and the Mariscos Nine Seas food truck in South Park.

Crack Shack

Richard Blais rose to stardom on Top Chef and Top Chef All-Stars, and when he chose to start his restaurant empire, he wanted the Pacific Ocean as his backyard. Blais debuted with his “left coast cookery” Juniper & Ivy in 2014, known for its beef tartare and Instagrammable yodel dessert. Next came Crack Shack, a wildly successful fast-casual eatery devoted to chicken and egg dishes like a two-hands-needed fried chicken sandwich. Since then, Crack Shack has expanded to Encinitas, Orange County, L.A., and Las Vegas with lines out the door.

California Burritos

Burritos are a San Diego staple, whether you’re re-fueling after surfing or taking in a sunset from Windansea Beach. But to make it next-level local, you order a California burrito. Who actually invented this San Diego specialty is a hotly debated subject—some say it’s Roberto’s—but the components are the same: carne asada, guacamole, cheese, and French fries wrapped in a flour tortilla. If you want to try a different spin, in addition to offering a classic California burrito, Lolita’s is famous for their carne aside fries—a mound of crisp French fries topped with carne asada, guacamole, sour cream, and cheddar and cotija cheeses.

Stone Brewing

There are more than 150 breweries (plus brew pubs and tastings rooms) in San Diego, but none have had a meteoric rise quite like Stone Brewing Co. Known for their bold, hoppy beers, Stone launched in 1996 with its sprawling location in Escondido that touts a one-acre beer garden, large patio, and a food menu that champions, local, organic ingredients. Beyond a second location in San Diego’s Liberty Station—which has a bocce court and summer move nights— they’ve expanded globally, too, and you can find Stone beers in Asia, Europe, Australia and more. But they keep their recipe close to home, working with fellow San Diego-bred biz White Labs, a yeast producer that consults many breweries like Stone.

Border X Brewing

It’s craft beer with a Mexican twist at San Diego’s only 100% Latino-owned brewery. Located in Barrio Logan, the city’s epicenter of Chicano culture, Border X shines with Mexican-flavored brews like the Horchata Golden Stout, Abuelita’s Chocolate Stout, and the Blood Saison. They also host events, like Taco Tuesday, cupcake and craft beer pairings, and lotería nights.

Chino Farm

Many cities have farm stands, but not all have ones that are beloved by chefs like Alice Waters and Wolfgang Puck, and written about in The New Yorker. Fans like these have helped spread the world about this “vegetable shop” in Rancho Santa Fe whose roots date back to the early 1920s. Thanks to their microclimate-contained location five miles from the Pacific Ocean, Chino’s 45 acres burst with sweet corn, strawberries, oranges, tomatoes, and other seasonal goods. Around the city, you can find their produce at Wayfarer Bread & Pastry, Nine-Ten La Jolla, George's at the Cove, Mister A’s and Il Dandy.

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert
Book Now

Related Articles and Features

View All Articles
Restaurants

Convoy District Speakeasy fuses Far-East Cuisine and San Diego Flavor at

Realm of the 52 Remedies

Executive Chef Jonathan Bautista will take your tastebuds to a new realms at this fully-immersive, 1920’s Shanghai-inspired speakeasy in San Diego’s Convoy District.

Discover
Restaurants

Get a Taste of the Sweet Life at San Diego’s Cuban-style Pâtisserie

Introducing Azúcar

Pastry chef Vivian Hernandez-Jackson bakes up Cuban, French and San Diego-inspired sweets in the city's first and only "Cuban-style Pâtisserie".

Discover
Restaurants

Enjoy a Fireside Meal at These 7 Sizzling Spots

An elevated camp-like experience at stunning San Diego restaurants

San Diego’s cool nights make the perfect excuse to cozy up next to a fire under the stars, with friends, family, food, and drinks. These are some of the most enchanting places to gaze into the flames. Enjoy fire-inspired menus prepared by chefs, or even by you in a grill-your-own dinner lounge.

Discover
Restaurants

7 New Restaurants to Try in San Diego

Foodies, rejoice! There’s plenty new on San Diego's menu

From plant-based and space-themed to classic menus and million-dollar views, San Diego’s newest crop of restaurants has something to please everyone’s taste. One thing most all have in common? A respect for and celebration of the city's bounty of local produce, seafood and other regional wares.

Discover

Deals just for you

Venues

$5 Off Any Cruise for Cruise Ship Passengers

Flagship Cruises & Events
Valid: Jan 3 - ongoing

Welcome to beautiful San Diego. Explore the San Diego Bay with the local, Flagship Cruises. Get $5 off any cruise: San Diego Harbor Tour, Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride, Whale Watching, Nightly Dinner...

View this Deal
Accommodation

Rise & Dine

Paradise Point
Valid: Jan 10 - ongoing

Rise and Dine in America’s Finest City. Stay in any of our guestrooms, bungalows or San Diego hotel suites and start your day with a delicious breakfast. Whether you are craving traditional fare...

View this Deal
Team Building

BOGO First Fridays

Asylum Outdoor Bouldering & Fitness
Valid: May 18 - ongoing

Experience the ultimate outdoor climbing extravaganza every first Friday of the month! Enjoy buy one get one day passes as you embark on an adrenaline-fueled adventure. Savor the delectable delights...

View this Deal
View More Deals

Events to check out

Event

San Diego International Auto Show

Dec 29, 2023 - Jan 1, 2024

Where the cars are the stars! The San Diego International Auto Show features the widest variety of new vehicles under one roof.

View this Event
Event

New Year's Eve Signature Early Buffet Dinner

City Cruises
Dec 31, 2023

Ring in 2023 on the water with an unforgettable New Year’s Eve Signature early Dinner Cruise in San Diego. Whether for a romantic date night or a special celebration with friends and family,...

View this Event
Event

San Diego Tequila Tour

San Diego Tequila Tour
Apr 3, 2023 - ongoing

PLEASE VISIT https://sandiegotequilatour.com/ FOR BEST AVAILABLE RATES AND OTHER INFORMATION Read Over 300 5-Star Reviews in the Review section of Award Winning San Diego Tequila Tour website!...

View this Event
View More Events

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

Sign Up

Partners

Explore

Plan

Stay

Follow Us

Language:

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

China
Germany
Great Britain
Japan
Mexico
Korea
Switzerland
Brazil
France
Australia
Canada
USA

Or use Google Translate

Afrikaans
Albanian
Arabic
Belarusian
Bulgarian
Croatian
Danish
Deutsch
Español
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
Francais
Georgian
Greek
Haitian-Creole
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Maltese
Nederlands
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Slovenian
Swahili
Swedish
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukranian
Vietnamese
Yiddish
, Photo By