My husband and I along with another couple will be traveling to San Diego for a weekend getaway from LA & Orange Counties. We would like suggestions for great, casual places for lunch and for nice dinners out. We are not looking for any particular type of food - pretty much like everything. Thank you in advance.

We had dinner at George's in LaJolla - about a 20 minute drive from downtown San Diego - a couple of weeks ago and thought it was wonderful - you'll definately need a reservation, though. We also ate one evening at a place in the La Jolla Shores area called Barbarella which was more casual but lively and good basic menu. Enjoy!

There are plenty of great Mexican restaurants in and around the Old Town State Park. Casa de Pico and Old Town Mexican Cafe are my choices.

The Gaslamp area can be crowded and pretentious at night, especially on the weekends. It may remind you of back home though. It does have a multitude of choices.

A couple of recommendations in the Gaslamp area for dinner are Osteria Panevino (Italian), and Aubergine (Nouvelle). If you enjoy wine, check out the Wine Bank downtown. Incredible wine shop.

Downtown, try Laurel's. Great wine list and food. drive up to north county to El Bizcocho at Rancho Bernardo for a really fine - and very romantic - dinner.

Hi-

Here's my favorites in San Diego:

Kimo Sabe's in Hillcrest - Eclectic, good food.
Jake's in Del Mar - Sea Fare, on the water
Il Forniao - Del Mar - Italian with a view
Agave's in Old Town, Small, yet real mexican dishes from all over Mexico (try the chipolte).

Both George's at the Cove and Top of the Cove have rooftop bars/more casual dining in La Jolla. The restaurants downstairs are 'fancy' for San Diego and top notch.

If you want to really go top shelf, Milles Fleurs and Delicias in Rancho Sante Fe drip pretention, but have great wine lists and cuisine (I can't say food with these places.) ;-)

Jose's in La Jolla is nice for Mexican too.

There's about a million other's I would recommend too.

Wait....If you want a casual breakfast, go to Mission 2 Cafe on the boardwalk in Pacific Beach. You sit on the boardwalk and they have great eggs, potatoes, pancakes, etc. The scenery is great too.

The Gaslamp district is good if you want wide variety; you can just go down there, drop your name at a place that looks good, and window shop until your table is ready.

Remember to bring light sweaters, you need them year round at night.

Have fun.

Local's favorite for a casual lunch - Point Loma Seafoods. Georges in La Jolla is an excellent suggestion. They have formal dining inside and casual dining on the rooftop terrace. Piattis Italian Restaurant in the La Jolla Shores area is one of my favorites. The Fish Market downtown or Del Mar is very popular. For Mexican, many people swear by Miguels in Coronado or Point Loma. For the very best sushi and another local's favorite, Sushi Ota in Pacific Beach.

Thank you all for your many suggestions - I wish I had more than a weekend to try them all.

Dick - what style of food is served at Laurel's?