Restaurants

Azúcar

Where: 4820 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107
The laid-back neighborhood of Ocean Beach is home to this culinary gem. Here, pastry chef Vivian Hernandez-Jackson bakes sweet and savory handmade treats, combining her Cuban roots and French pastry training. Stop by Azúcar for a meat pie or guava pastry; there’s no wrong choice at this Cuban-style patisserie.

Barrio Dogg

Where: 2234 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
What started as two items sold via a low rider-styled hot dog cart is now one of Barrio Logan's hottest restaurants. The Chicano comfort food menu at Barrio Dogg now features 13 different types of hot dogs showcasing San Diego’s cross-border cuisine. Favorites include El Xolito, a Tijuana-style hot dog, and El Bombero, a version inspired by the neighborhood’s firehouse and their spice-loving firefighters.

Border X Brewing

Where: 2181 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
Barrio Logan's first brewery is still one of the neighborhood’s most notable. The family-owned tap room pays tribute to its Mexican heritage through its décor and beer. Try the horchata golden stout, with hints of cinnamon and vanilla, or the blood saison, inspired by the traditional Mexican beverage Jamaica. Pints are best enjoyed with delicious tacos on the patio.

Dia del Café

Where: 2873 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
This Dia de los Muertos-themed coffee shop in North Park serves Mexican-inspired hot and iced drinks. All teas and coffees are organic and fair-trade sourced. Signature drinks include the La Muerte latte, with activated charcoal, and the cold brew with horchata. Don’t forget to grab a Mexican pastry or two.

El salvador Pupuseria y Restaurante

Where: 3824 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
This San Diego gem is where locals satisfy their Salvadoran food cravings. Pupusas, a stuffed, thick corn tortilla topped with cabbage relish and tomato sauce, are the highlights of the menu. Selections include cheese with jalapeno, shrimp, and pork. Tip: enjoy your pupusas with a side of fried plantains and an ensalada, a traditional Salvadorian fruit drink.

Empanada Kitchen

Where: North Park – 2855 El Cajon Blvd, Unit 3, San Diego, CA 92104, Downtown – 819 C St, San Diego, CA 92101
With locations in downtown and North Park, Empanada Kitchen offers a casual taste of Argentina. With items like traditional beef and vegan ratatouille, the menu features a range of flavors inspired by family recipes. Enjoy each empanada, baked from scratch, with homemade chimichurri sauce.

Parakeet Café

Where: La Jolla – 927 Silverado St., La Jolla, CA 92037, Little Italy – 1680 India Street, San Diego, CA 92101, Del Mar – 3745 Paseo Place, Suite 820, San Diego, CA 92130, Coronado – 1134 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118
With locations in La Jolla, Little Italy, Del Mar and Coronado, Parakeet Café focuses on serving health-conscious food, coffee and pastries. The café’s all-day menu includes vegan, gluten-free, keto and paleo items. Stop by for brunch and enjoy the cacao waffles accompanied by one of their wellness lattes.

Puesto

Where: Downtown – 789 West Harbor Drive, Ste. 155, San Diego, CA 92101, La Jolla – 1026 Wall St, La Jolla, CA 92037, Mission Valley – 5010 Mission Center Rd, San Diego, CA 92108

Besides hanging out on the beach, one of San Diego’s favorite pastimes is eating tacos. And while taco options abound, Puesto continues to be a local favorite. Their menu features an innovative take on traditional tacos. Their secret ingredient is the handmade blue corn tortillas. Puesto also delivers a refreshing craft bar program at its Mission Valley location.

Tropical Star

Where: 6163 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92111

Don't blink or you might miss this spot. Tropical Star is tucked in a strip mall in the Clairemont Mesa neighborhood. This tiny restaurant and market specializes in authentic Puerto Rican and Latin American cuisine. Dishes are prepared with ingredients imported from the Caribbean and Central and South America; the food is also available for purchase. Don’t leave without trying their Peruvian lomo saltado or their Colombian bandeja paisa.

Shops and More

Angelica B Beauty

Where: 2226 Fern St, San Diego, CA 92104
If you’re looking to relax and unwind, this is the place to be. Owner Angelica Barragan opened this South Park space to connect and empower other women. Services include body treatments, facials, massages, waxing and makeup consultations.

Artelexia

Where: 3803 Ray St, San Diego, CA 92104
This former farmers’ market stand is now a North Park staple. Owner Elexia de la Parra has created a vibrant storefront with handcrafted Mexican imports and unique Hispanic artisan crafts. The colorful mural outside the shop is one of San Diego’s most Instagram-able spots.

Casa Xovi

Where: 2151 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
When you walk into Casa Xovi, you can’t help but smile at the colorful decorations. You can find unique gifts including hand-painted hats, embroidered tabletops, jewelry, home décor and apparel. Owner Xochitl Villareal personally hand-picks all pieces from Mexico and South America.

Combine and Create

Where: 2195 Logan Ave #3, San Diego, CA 92113
Vanessa Alcaraz hand-forges her jewelry out of her art studio in Barrio Logan. Her pieces incorporate gemstones like pink quartz and tiger’s eyes, as well as antique beads and coins. In addition to her studio and her Etsy page, you can find her work in different boutiques throughout San Diego.

Copal & Tierra

Where: 2076 Logan Ave, San Diego CA 92113
Located in Barrio Logan, Copal & Tierra is a healing space that offers classes and tools for self-growth. Services include breathwork, card reading, moon ceremonies and reiki. Also, the shop serves as a specialty market for local vendors selling everything from teas to jewelry and crystals.

Hola Swim

Where: 2159 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
Two lifelong friends, Aida Soria and Syncletica Maestas, founded this swimsuit company on a whim. Their collections are entirely designed and produced in San Diego. Each piece is inspired by their Hispanic roots and named after a friend. Swimsuits are available for purchase online and at their Barrio Logan storefront.

Simón Limón

Where: 2185 Logan Ave Unit 11, San Diego, CA 92113
This Barrio Logan shop focuses on supporting Latine independent artists from San Diego and Tijuana. Its small space features more than 40 small businesses. You can find unique handmade gifts, apparel, jewelry, home décor and clean beauty items.

Art and Cultural Spaces

Centro Cultural de la Raza

Where: 2004 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
This cultural art center is dedicated to creating, promoting, preserving and educating about Chicano, Mexican, Indigenous and Latino art and culture. The nonprofit organization is housed in a former Balboa Park water tower draped with bright murals. The Centro Cultural de la Raza provides classes, arts and crafts, and artistic presentations that support and encourage the creative expression of indigenous cultures. Special outdoor vendor exhibits can be enjoyed on selected weekends.

Chicano Park

Where: 2043-2085 Logan Ave. San Diego, CA 92113
Chicano Park is the geographic and emotional heart of Barrio Logan, San Diego's oldest Mexican-American community, established by refugees in the early 20th century during the Mexican Revolution. Designated a National Historic Landmark, the park is home to the largest concentration of Chicano murals in the United States, with more than 80 paintings on seven acres dotted with sculpture, gardens, picnic tables and playgrounds. Throughout the year, it hosts festivals of music and Aztec dance, the biggest being Chicano Park Day held each April.

The San Diego Latino Film Festival

Where: AMC Westfield Mission Valley, 1640 Camino Del Rio N, San Diego, CA 92108
Every March for two weeks, the San Diego Latino Film Festival organized by Media Arts Center San Diego features cinematic stories of and by the Latino community from Latin America and the United States. It hosts filmmakers and celebrity appearances, workshops, live music, art exhibitions and gala celebrations. The festival helps support year-long educational, creative and production-oriented programs for underserved youth and residents.

San Diego Repertory Theatre

Where: 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Housed in downtown’s Lyceum Theater, the San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) celebrates the diversity and voices of the San Diego region through intimate, provocative and inclusive productions. Every September the San Diego REP’s annual Latinx New Play Festival presents vibrant new works that showcase the voices of rising Latine playwrights. The festival showcases readings, productions, surround events and receptions.

Día de los Muertos

Where: Various locations
Each fall, San Diego is the setting for a wide range of events commemorating Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), the Mexican holiday devoted to honoring and remembering those who have passed on. Celebrations include Old Town San Diego State Historic Park’s three-day event featuring altars, parades, live music, and a candlelight procession. Organized by local residents, The Sherman Heights Día de Los Muertos features Catrina makeup and flower crown workshops and altar displays crafted by local residents.