The following are some of the finest flights San Diego restaurants and bars have to offer visitors looking to mix and match, go wild or mild or try something new alongside something tried and true.

Rise & Shine

San Diego has become a prime destination for breakfast and brunch with dozens of restaurants popping up in recent years catering to the most important meal of the day.

• The new North Park Breakfast Company takes breakfast to the next level with its signature North Park Breakfast Co. Flight where diners can mix and match any three of their 13 waffles, pancakes and French toasts, including lip-smacking standouts like the orange thyme and savory mashed potato waffles, tiramisu and banana bread pancakes and crème brulée French toast.
• A hot spot for quirky and creative breakfast dishes, Breakfast Republic (several locations throughout San Diego) serves up two fun flights to take on the day. Flight of 3 Pancakes allows guests to choose three of eight incredible pancake concoctions, including Oreo cookie, churro and fruity pineapple upside down. For their French Toast Sampler, diners can choose three of seven mouthwatering French toasts, including s’mores, Mr. Presley (peanut butter with bananas Foster and bacon) and gluten-free cinnamon raisin.
• Not just for breakfast anymore, Blackmarket Bakery in University Heights features Friday Night Flights every Friday night (5-10 p.m.), showcasing sweet or savory pastry delights. Some recent finger-licking flights include bread pudding, mini cheesecakes and sweet rolls.

Savory Samplers

For lunch or dinner, visitors can sample a flight of what San Diego does best: Mexican flavors and fresh seafood.

• Bringing modern Mexican cuisine to Old Town, Tahona Restaurant and Bar features Oaxacan-inspired bites including an amazing Mole Flight featuring a zesty mole coloradito, mole verde and mole negro served over a large flauta de papa (rolled up potato taco).
• Puesto downtown and in La Jolla specializes in gourmet street tacos, including 11 tantalizing flavors like filet mignon, shrimp adobada, Maine lobster and verduras, a vegetarian delight brimming with fresh vegetables like Tatume squash, potatoes, nopales (cactus), avocado and zucchini blossom. Guests can mix and match any three tacos to sample what makes Puesto a standout in the local taco scene.
• Wonderland Ocean Pub in Ocean Beach offers guests a Pescadero Sampler to try all three of their tasty seafood cocktails: Mac Daddy ahi poke, fresh fish ceviche and shrimp aquachile served with house-made wonton and corn tortilla chips.

Good Spirits

Visitors can imbibe on an intoxicating array of spirits in San Diego, from mezcal and tequila to fine wines and bubbly flights.

• The first dedicated mezcal bar and tasting room in San Diego, Tahona offers two Mezcal Flights served in traditional small clay cups called copitas. The Espadín Flight features three mezcals made from the most common agave, and their premium Ensemble Flight features three mezcals crafted from different types of agave, each revealing rich distinct layers of flavor.
• The chic and rustic Jalisco Cantina in Oceanside serves several Tequila and Mezcal Flights for guests to sample their spectacular collection of dozens of agave spirits. Equally enticing is their Wednesday Margarita Flight where guests can choose any three unique margarita flavors, including Mexican candy, spicy tamarindo, coco piña, passion mint, Pink Cadillac, O’side Aqua and prickly pear.
• The lively El Chingon in the Gaslamp Quarter is also the toast of the town with its Margarita Flight, featuring three mini margaritas. Guests can pick their poison (tequila or mezcal) and choose from six imaginative margaritas, including the Bad Hombre, Chico and Paloma en Fuego.
• Featuring Middle Eastern cooking with a Californian spin, Cafe 21 downtown and in University Heights offers three popular flights: a Mimosa Flight of six flavorful mimosa creations (flavors change daily), a Sangria Flight of six fruit-infused wines and a Mojito Flight of five tasting glasses of fresh mint, rum, sugar and seasonal fruit purees.
• Gianni Buonomo Vintners in Ocean Beach offers a unique “approach” to their wine flight plan. Called the Pre-flight Flight, visitors about to fly home simply show a boarding pass to winery staff on the day of their departure to receive a 2-for-1 wine tasting or just $12 for two four-taste flights.

Hot Shots

For shots of the nonalcoholic kind, a couple of restaurants are creating a buzz with their unique drink samplers.

• The dazzling new Morning Glory bistro in Little Italy offers a sweet, piping hot Flight of Three Hot Chocolates. From classic and caramel to the flavorfully distinct strawberries & cream, orange & vanilla and maple cinnamon, guests are sure to satisfy their sweet tooth with this warming drink on a winter’s day.
• Fig Tree Cafe (three San Diego locations) offers two drink flights to give guests a pick-me-up through the day. Their Caffeine Sampler includes a flight of three 4 oz. tasters of latte, mocha and zesty Mexican mocha, all made with fair-trade certified 100% organic coffee. For a healthy energy boost packed with vitamins and nutrients, guests can try their Antioxidant Shot Flight which includes goji, mangosteen and acai.

Find your smile and an enticing food or drink flight in San Diego. For more information on San Diego’s offerings, including events, vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority’s website at www.sandiego.org.