Hi guys... I am just about finished planning my very first trip to the west coast!!! And I was hoping you could give me some tips on good restaurants in san diego. We will be there for 3 days... maybe one night of splurging and the others in the 25 to 30 dollars a person. WE love seafood.. but are willing to try just about anything. thanks for your help!!

Where in SD are you staying, and when. the where can make a big difference in your planning. SD traffic is getting worse every day. You are lucky, SD has many awesome restaurants, IMO.

The Fish Market - Two locations in San Diego; one downtown (harbor-front), & one in the Del Mar/Solana Beach area. Great sea food and excellent sushi. check www.thefishmarket.com..

There are some great/scenic restaurants not too far outside of SD. Jakes in Dal Mar has great seafood, view, and is pretty reasonable. In La Jolla - the view from the deck at George's On The Cove is phenominal - but it may be a little pricey, it's great for lunch (that what I had...the chicken sandwhich was terrific!).

The Tin Fish downtown is very good and reasonable.

To splurge, we like the Marine Room right on the ocean in LaJolla. Ask for a window seat, especially at high tide. The waves actually splash on the windows. We watched many seals swimming around while we ate one night. We also like George's at the Cove, and The Fish Market. Go to Casa DePico or Casa de Bandini in Old Town for excellent Mexican food and the best margarita's! Have fun!

We vacationed in San Diego in July, and I received my list of restaurants from the wonderful fodorites! We ate at Jake's and I thought it was okay. We ate at the Marine Room in La Jolla, and it was fantastic! Especially for seafood. I just asked out waiter and he was a wealth of information. Also, we brought our 8 and 9 year olds with us, and they made a special pasta meal for them since the halibut that they would have eaten was about $30 or so. You do need to know that it is a big splurge; however, I think it is worth it! Have a great time.

We enjoyed Karl Strauss Bewery Restaurant downtown, the Corvette Diner in Hillcrest (vintage Corvette in the diningroom), Perry's near Old Town for breakfast, and Coyote Cafe in Old Town.

Thee Bungalow and/or 3rd Corner in Ocean Beach.
M

Sorry, forgot to mention www.sandiegomagazine.com
The August issue has the "annual" restaurant reviews.
M

I haven't been for years, but Anthony's (down at the harbor) was always good

I agree about Anthony's both the Grotto and the Star of the Sea--at least for seafood.

Out in Balboa Park is the excellent Prado restaurant, along with the atmospheric Casa de Bandini for Mexican food--and huge margaritas. Not far from the airport is an interesting little Mediterranean bistro that we happened on by chance and liked very much: Luna Notte, at 2833 Avenida de Portugal.