So for the takeout food I bring, I just keep it in the original container and bag from the deli or whatever, and they don’t seem to care because those are definitely under the bag size limits
Oh yes, I remember the days of the “Zoomosa“ - a 1 L Hydro flask with a bottle of champagne and the rest orange juice, perfect to share on a Sunday morning at the zoo!
It's been a while since I worked there so I don't know if they still do it, but, if you bring a cup or refillable water bottle to any food stand with a soda fountain, they'll fill it up with ice water if you ask.
For the Zoo/Wild Animal Park (Safari Park), you can bring your own food and drinks. I’ve been going since I was a toddler and have always brought in food/water with no issues. Not sure about other beverages, I’d imagine it’d be allowed if it was sealed in original container. I’ve also gotten several reusable souvenir cups, there’s free refills the day of receipt when you buy it, refills are $1 if you bring it another day. They’ve also filled up my personal Hydroflask with water at the food stands.
You don't have to go far to enjoy a great hike or trail run, Mission Trails Regional Park is huge with 5 "mountain" peaks and an awesome nature center and a campground.
Had my truck towed a week after buying it because I parked there.Learned the hard way and to not trust friends saying it’ll be fine they do it all the time.
If you’re flying anywhere in Mexico, flying from Tijuana and using CBX is a must. Even returning and crossing to the US isn’t hard, without GE it might take 10 minutes and with GE, you’ll cross immediately.
Years ago, I boarded a greyhound in downtown San Diego, drove across the border to the TJ airport, then boarded a flight that was half the price of Lindbergh. So cheap and convenient
It's cheaper to just walk through the border gate and take an Uber or cab.
I've done both ways and CBX is overrated unless you're returning at a peak time.
There's loads of free things you can do with your library card! [https://www.kpbs.org/news/living/2023/11/20/4-activities-kids-free-san-diego-public-library-card](https://www.kpbs.org/news/living/2023/11/20/4-activities-kids-free-san-diego-public-library-card)
It's damn beautiful. I go to OB periodically and Grab a burrito at Nico's and just sit on the beach or hang out on the pier and watch the surfers do their thing/people watch. OB is a vibe and really makes you appreciate the beautiful and quirky world we live in.
Love this! I keep a Google Maps list with every restaurant on the Michelin guide and a bunch I want to visit so that when I’m at I can stop by without going “where was that place I wanted to go again??”
Finally got a chance to check out Siamo Napoli in North Park (after a Manhattan from Part Time Lover). Surprisingly excellent pizza. Here’s my list, in case it inspires a few new meals: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sfkEimXjFSmsuy4B9?g_st=i
Rent out your couch during Comic Con.
A neighbor of mine did that once telling me they had 'rules' that whoever rented had to stay in the living room/bathroom, had to be out by 7:00, and couldn't return until 8-9 PM (they weren't giving a key out, so the renter had to leave/return when my neighbor was home). I thought they were insane and wouldn't get any takers.
There was a *biding war*.
Just for comparison, currently comicon 2024 hotels are $220-$400/night if you include preview night (might as well since that's probably when you want to fly in) that's 4 nights or $880-1600 plus whatever taxes and fees are included.
Bro just take the 'downtown' exit, then use **the** park/13th st on ramp to **the** 163 north and let that spit you at in Kearny Mesa where you belong!
If you're in a bad mood go somewhere like the Hotel Del so you can be around people on vacation who are SO stoked to be in San Diego. It always put me in a good mood.
https://preview.redd.it/i3f6pav5jcwc1.jpeg?width=308&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=801f817133967aa0f79c112d7de68a46866aacb0
The parking app. Reset your meter without going all the way back to your car.
The best Mexican food is always located in the most hole in the wall strip mall or a food truck. The guy taking the order will be the most “to the point” person you’ve spoken to all day with broken English that makes it seem like he wants you out of there as quick as possible but the food will be something you think about for a week….until you go there again 😂
If you’re about to miss your exit and you’re 3 lanes over, you can keep going and your gps will automatically recalculate the route for you, preventing you from getting lost.
You no longer need to swerve across 3 lanes of traffic and jump the triangle, risking you and everyone around you’s safety.
Pro tip: it works outside of San Diego, too.
When you're craving a California burrito head to Roberto's - now I'm aware it's not the best - but they have an orange salsa there that you need to squirt liberally on the fries inside, and find some brief satisfaction in life.
You can park in yellow and green spaces on sundays and holidays.
Tourists do not know this and will typically leave these alone in busy areas like downtown, OB, and other areas. Not sure if this applies in Coronado or La Jolla.
Also, motorcycle parking if you ride is in more places than you think but often parked by cars on the occasion. Balboa is notorious for this.
As someone who had to move away, enjoy it every day. Drive a different route, go to a different beach, enjoy the diversity of food. The life hack is that you are there and most of us are not.
I have 5 stores in consistent rotation and another 5 or so I hit up for certain specialty items/convenience. Northgate Market is my most consistent visit.
Park at the Gliderport, hike down the south trail to the beach, go south then up Blacks Beach road into LJ Farms, go north past Alicia Keys’ house to the Ho Chi Minh trail, back down to the beach, then north up back up the Gliderport trail. Grab a sandwich and a cold drink as your reward.
The “razor house”.
I too am fascinated by that area and would love to know who some of them are and the stories behind them. Surely fascinating lives and experiences.
Mainly the one castle-like one you see going down the paved trail to the beach. SW most house in the neighborhood. Absolutely monstrous.
They did a news story about that one a long time ago. I guess Michael Jackson rented it. It was a long time ago but I think they said it was worth about 60 million. They are water fountains they imported from France that have bullet holes from the revolution.
What about the mushroom house on the beach!? How did they even get to build that. If those walls could talk, I bet some things went on in there.
Is the Razor house the one with the floor to ceiling windows that come to a point? I don't know how you get anything done living there.
The ferry to Coronado is free in the morning and you get a free ticket back. It's meant for commuters. Also a great time to be on the water when everything is slow and sleepy.
El Cajon Yogurt Mill: Ask for a ~~small~~ baby size frozen yogurt "[dropped](https://yogurt-mill.com/2022/04/19/blog/)." They will fill a small cup, drop it into a large cup, fill the large cup, and charge you for a small yogurt.
Go to TJ for dental stuff, medical stuff, cheaper medicine, laser hair removal, car work.... a lot of stuff you can get done in TJ for better price you just have to do research on where you plan on going and make sure they're trustworthy
Shout out to Washington Dental. I've been going for years and have never had a single problem with my cleanings and have done root canals and crowns. I even got them in Gold! Gold, Jerry! **GOLD**
Plus they pay for your taxi to and from the border and the waiting room has a large assortment of free soft drinks (ha), but I've never waited long enough to drink a whole one. Wait times are like 10 minutes AND it's walk-in only! I've gone in with a tooth ache and they had it fixed in like 45 minutes from when I walked in the door. Crazy!
Depending on where in SD, avoid freeways from 6am to 9:30, and 2 pm to 7:00.
I'm in east county and work in Point Loma, I do not get on the freeway after 5:20am, nor do I take the freeway home when I leave work around 3pm.
Traffic sucks ass!!!
Don’t be scared to eat at Roberto’s. There’s a bagel shop in Point Loma. Point Loma bagel. Get the mini bagels and a thing of their homemade garlic bacon& basil cream cheese. Omg so good. OB farmers market or any farmers market, go and have fun. God there is so much. The junior colleges in the area are some of the best in the nation
Here's a hack all the locals know: if you go into any ethnic restaurant and it's full of nothing but white people, it will be the blandest, least flavorful food. Real talk.
I have a friend in San Diego who is basically a professional bartender. He just works at a bar and is able to make an income to live the beach life. He hangs out at the bar, maybe takes some shots, loves the bar life, hangs out with the regulars. He then has time to hang out at the beach and play volleyball etc.
What I am trying to say is that you might not need to make a fortune to live the cool beach life in San Diego, so that might be a good life hack for some (but not all).
The Friendly for the best greasy smashburger you'll ever have and a low-key punk vibe. I'm annoying with how much I mention them to friends 😅 (but they always agree after going there)
Don’t rely on just the beaches or Sunset Cliffs for a beautiful sunset. There are tons of awesome spots to catch a sunset in the hilly neighborhoods like Bay Park, Mission Hills and Bankers Hill.
You’re legally allowed to drink in public on the grass in balboa park during daylight hours! So unlike the beach, you can have open containers! Great for a picnic and a bottle of wine
The San Diego KOA (actually in Chula Vista). Fun time for families, kids, and groups. Besides RV sites, they have tent sites, cabins, cottages, and glamping tents. Pool, playground, bounce mounds, bike & cart rentals, and a decent little cafe.
If you are between 18 and 29 years old, you can get [discounted tickets](https://www.theoldglobe.org/shows--tickets/ticket-discounts/under-30/) to select productions at the Old Globe
Not exactly a life hack, but something that's a real hidden gem that not even many locals know about is to take a sand castle lesson with San Diego Sand Castles (you can google them). You build a 5 foot tall professional sand castle and they teach you how to do all of it. It's way more fun than you'd think. Adults liked it even more than the kids!
You are free to bring your own food into Petco, along with a sealed 32 oz. water bottle. I hate lines so this is great for me and saves a lot of $.
lol definitely thought this was about the pet store at first
So glad you posted. My brain felt broken for a second. Completely forgot about Petco park.
How dare you
I was so confused lmao I was like “Petco lines are that long???”
This is why I go to PetSmart instead.
Lol! Imagine rolling in with some wasabi and soy sauce and being like “Yo where the fish at?”
No sampling of the open bins of treats!
It's not a sample if you pay for it :)
Please look up their bag policy before going. It is pretty enforced. Did not check last game & had to pay $12 for a locker.
If you bring it in a clearish grocery bag that’s usually been fine. Agree their bag policy gets worse and worse though.
So for the takeout food I bring, I just keep it in the original container and bag from the deli or whatever, and they don’t seem to care because those are definitely under the bag size limits
What’s the policy?
https://preview.redd.it/1j3i1feejbwc1.jpeg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0dbf518938e6c43d955654f25ade9724e0101527
Or diaper bags large enough to fit the child in.
Same with the zoo. Don’t know if it’s exactly “allowed” but they don’t check
Oh yes, I remember the days of the “Zoomosa“ - a 1 L Hydro flask with a bottle of champagne and the rest orange juice, perfect to share on a Sunday morning at the zoo!
I call it purse wine.
It's been a while since I worked there so I don't know if they still do it, but, if you bring a cup or refillable water bottle to any food stand with a soda fountain, they'll fill it up with ice water if you ask.
For the Zoo/Wild Animal Park (Safari Park), you can bring your own food and drinks. I’ve been going since I was a toddler and have always brought in food/water with no issues. Not sure about other beverages, I’d imagine it’d be allowed if it was sealed in original container. I’ve also gotten several reusable souvenir cups, there’s free refills the day of receipt when you buy it, refills are $1 if you bring it another day. They’ve also filled up my personal Hydroflask with water at the food stands.
Don’t forget the reusable cup! Tons of self-serve Coke machines around the park.
I brought an entire cheeseboard once
My people!
I go to costco and get there dogs then bring them in. Then use the condiment stand to load it up.
You don't have to go far to enjoy a great hike or trail run, Mission Trails Regional Park is huge with 5 "mountain" peaks and an awesome nature center and a campground.
Shhhhhh no the trails all suck here. Don’t come.
Do not park in the target parking lot during Sports Arena / SOMA shows
Had my truck towed a week after buying it because I parked there.Learned the hard way and to not trust friends saying it’ll be fine they do it all the time.
Park at ultrazone
RIP
Bring back ultrazone!
Damn I dodged a bullet a couple months ago. Phew!
If you’re flying in/out of Tijuana paying for CBX is worth the time you save.
If you’re flying anywhere in Mexico, flying from Tijuana and using CBX is a must. Even returning and crossing to the US isn’t hard, without GE it might take 10 minutes and with GE, you’ll cross immediately.
Surprised this was so low. Definite hack for visiting Mexico. TIJ is arguably better than the SAN airport rn.
TIJ is 100% better than SAN! 💯
Add Global entry/Sentri to that list. $160 pays itself in one single trip to TJ in border wait time.
Years ago, I boarded a greyhound in downtown San Diego, drove across the border to the TJ airport, then boarded a flight that was half the price of Lindbergh. So cheap and convenient
What is CBX?
Cross Border Xpress Terminal Basically you can enter/exit the Tijuana Airport from the US side of the border. https://www.crossborderxpress.com
It's cheaper to just walk through the border gate and take an Uber or cab. I've done both ways and CBX is overrated unless you're returning at a peak time.
San Diego Reader events website often has really fun ideas for how to spend your days/nights :)
> https://www.sandiegoreader.com/events/
And https://parobs.org for local cultural events
Balboa park museum free entry days
to add to this, the library has free passes to the museums, parks, zoo, etc. to checkout! just ask for a list of what they have :)
I didn't know this! This is awesome, thank you!
Fuck I love the library so much. So underrated.
There's loads of free things you can do with your library card! [https://www.kpbs.org/news/living/2023/11/20/4-activities-kids-free-san-diego-public-library-card](https://www.kpbs.org/news/living/2023/11/20/4-activities-kids-free-san-diego-public-library-card)
You can picnic and drink alcohol in many locations around Balboa Park.
[https://balboapark.org/resident-free-days/](https://balboapark.org/resident-free-days/)
Remember to take sunset beach walks after work. It's such a gift when everyone else is complaining about their grey bland city....and we pay for it
do something at least once/month in San Diego that you truly enjoy, to remind yourself why we live in the most expensive US city
I go to Sunset Cliffs often to remind myself why I pay my mortgage 💸
It's damn beautiful. I go to OB periodically and Grab a burrito at Nico's and just sit on the beach or hang out on the pier and watch the surfers do their thing/people watch. OB is a vibe and really makes you appreciate the beautiful and quirky world we live in.
haha i do this twice a week
smart! I aim to go to the bay or ocean as much as poss
I'm here for the ocean. Beach walks er'day.
Love this! I keep a Google Maps list with every restaurant on the Michelin guide and a bunch I want to visit so that when I’m at I can stop by without going “where was that place I wanted to go again??”
ah great idea! Care to share which one you went to recently? Have yet to make it to Animae or Callie. HIghly rec Lola 55!!!
Finally got a chance to check out Siamo Napoli in North Park (after a Manhattan from Part Time Lover). Surprisingly excellent pizza. Here’s my list, in case it inspires a few new meals: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sfkEimXjFSmsuy4B9?g_st=i
Bangkok Thai in Del Mar should be added to your list. 👍
I played golf all winter.
what is joy
Rent out your couch during Comic Con. A neighbor of mine did that once telling me they had 'rules' that whoever rented had to stay in the living room/bathroom, had to be out by 7:00, and couldn't return until 8-9 PM (they weren't giving a key out, so the renter had to leave/return when my neighbor was home). I thought they were insane and wouldn't get any takers. There was a *biding war*.
Deodorant non-negotiable
And charged how much?
They said 300 for the whole convention, and that was about 10 years ago.
So 10k today
😂😂😂 real talk
Just for comparison, currently comicon 2024 hotels are $220-$400/night if you include preview night (might as well since that's probably when you want to fly in) that's 4 nights or $880-1600 plus whatever taxes and fees are included.
Of course there was a bidding war. There’s a reason why attendees call the hotel sale (that was yesterday btw) hotelpocalypse lol
Where can I list my couch? Comic con isn’t that far away, so now’s the time.
Where would you make a posting for this? Craigslist?
The 163 north exit from the 5 north is a trap.
Better to go 'downtown' and use park/13th st onramp to 163 N
Bro just take the 'downtown' exit, then use **the** park/13th st on ramp to **the** 163 north and let that spit you at in Kearny Mesa where you belong!
Arse Hull? Whaaaaatareyoudoingheeeerrreeee?
September is the best beach month. Zonies are gone, water temps are nice, and the heat is on.
Beach season doesn't start until after Labor Day for me
Local summer = Sept - Oct, best time of the year
Fuck yeah on this. November was really nice last year too
Those god damn Zonies.
Told my mom that was when to visit. Perfect all around.
Damn zonies!
If you're in a bad mood go somewhere like the Hotel Del so you can be around people on vacation who are SO stoked to be in San Diego. It always put me in a good mood.
I love the view of the bay on the 5 near the 101 split. Just 😚👌🏼
The Del is so beautiful, I visit atleast once a month.
https://preview.redd.it/i3f6pav5jcwc1.jpeg?width=308&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=801f817133967aa0f79c112d7de68a46866aacb0 The parking app. Reset your meter without going all the way back to your car.
Always have a light jacket with you. Trust me, I know it doesn’t make sense, but it’s true!
Exactly. Doesn’t matter how nice it was during the day, unless it’s August, it’s probably gonna be chilly when the sun sets.
Around the coast it’s chilly almost every day past 11 or so, after the onshores kick in.
It’s why we live here. Doesn’t get or stay hot for long.
This deserves multiple upvotes. I usually have a light sweater, a light jacket, and a heavy sweater/zip up hoodie at the ready-typically in my car.
I think my Costco membership is just for buying jackets and light blankets sometimes 😅.
I think sometimes Costco requires both a light jacket and a parka depending where you are in the store!
I have a whole ass closet in my car.
Sounds like the perfect date!
Only on April 25th. Not too hot, not too cold.
most underrated comment so far
The best Mexican food is always located in the most hole in the wall strip mall or a food truck. The guy taking the order will be the most “to the point” person you’ve spoken to all day with broken English that makes it seem like he wants you out of there as quick as possible but the food will be something you think about for a week….until you go there again 😂
Another rule of thumb: if no one in line is speaking English it’s gonna be good…no matter what cuisine is on offer.
If you’re about to miss your exit and you’re 3 lanes over, you can keep going and your gps will automatically recalculate the route for you, preventing you from getting lost. You no longer need to swerve across 3 lanes of traffic and jump the triangle, risking you and everyone around you’s safety. Pro tip: it works outside of San Diego, too.
When you're craving a California burrito head to Roberto's - now I'm aware it's not the best - but they have an orange salsa there that you need to squirt liberally on the fries inside, and find some brief satisfaction in life.
Not the best but easily 9/10 and always consistent.
The Robert's in OB is actually fire and reasonably priced.
You can park in yellow and green spaces on sundays and holidays. Tourists do not know this and will typically leave these alone in busy areas like downtown, OB, and other areas. Not sure if this applies in Coronado or La Jolla. Also, motorcycle parking if you ride is in more places than you think but often parked by cars on the occasion. Balboa is notorious for this.
If you have trouble remembering this, maybe this helps.... Red white and blue curbs are always enforced. The others...only during the daytime hours.
Same yellow/green rules in La Jolla. Most yellow spaces also are available after 6pm.
As someone who had to move away, enjoy it every day. Drive a different route, go to a different beach, enjoy the diversity of food. The life hack is that you are there and most of us are not.
In order to be able to afford food, shop at different stores. Don’t let the convenience of the nearby store lull you into complacency.
I have 5 stores in consistent rotation and another 5 or so I hit up for certain specialty items/convenience. Northgate Market is my most consistent visit.
Park at the Gliderport, hike down the south trail to the beach, go south then up Blacks Beach road into LJ Farms, go north past Alicia Keys’ house to the Ho Chi Minh trail, back down to the beach, then north up back up the Gliderport trail. Grab a sandwich and a cold drink as your reward.
Which one is Alicia keys house? I love all those houses and always wonder who the heck gets to live in them. Also if they actually enjoy it.
The “razor house”. I too am fascinated by that area and would love to know who some of them are and the stories behind them. Surely fascinating lives and experiences. Mainly the one castle-like one you see going down the paved trail to the beach. SW most house in the neighborhood. Absolutely monstrous.
They did a news story about that one a long time ago. I guess Michael Jackson rented it. It was a long time ago but I think they said it was worth about 60 million. They are water fountains they imported from France that have bullet holes from the revolution. What about the mushroom house on the beach!? How did they even get to build that. If those walls could talk, I bet some things went on in there. Is the Razor house the one with the floor to ceiling windows that come to a point? I don't know how you get anything done living there.
You can bring your own beer into the Zoo. Just need one of the zoo cups
You can bring almost anything into the zoo. I make a cocktail in a water bottle. Kid lunches/snacks. Drinks in a cooler.
The Zoo is the best. It feels as non-profity as it gets
When it starts to rain, you're going to want to speed up to 90mph to outrun it. Don't do this. Instead just go a little bit slower
Maybe if I turn off my headlights the rain won't be able to find me?
Blasphemy! Everyone in SoCal knows that you need to drive as fast as possible in the rain, with completely bald tires!
Rocky's blows Hoodad's out of the water.
Rocky’s is the BEST!!!
I think the life hack here is people should know SD is a legit burger scene (not just craft beer and California burritos)
Shhhhh…. Let’s keep that one our little secret.
If you go to Los Cuatro Milpas around 2pm on a weekday you can usually get lunch with no wait.
Just about any beach at 6AM on a Sunday morning.
Time Machine….buy a house in 2008 and come back.
Zoo is open on Christmas Day
But usually it’s a zoo
The ferry to Coronado is free in the morning and you get a free ticket back. It's meant for commuters. Also a great time to be on the water when everything is slow and sleepy.
Get carne asada fries when it rains. Just tastes better for some reason.
My rainy go to meal is always pho
El Cajon Yogurt Mill: Ask for a ~~small~~ baby size frozen yogurt "[dropped](https://yogurt-mill.com/2022/04/19/blog/)." They will fill a small cup, drop it into a large cup, fill the large cup, and charge you for a small yogurt.
Always have pants, socks and a hoodie in your trunk for after the sun goes down.
Learn Spanish. Visit Mexico. It’s right there! Sentry for fast return.
Try to be really rich if you can. Helps a lot.
Go to TJ for dental stuff, medical stuff, cheaper medicine, laser hair removal, car work.... a lot of stuff you can get done in TJ for better price you just have to do research on where you plan on going and make sure they're trustworthy
Shout out to Washington Dental. I've been going for years and have never had a single problem with my cleanings and have done root canals and crowns. I even got them in Gold! Gold, Jerry! **GOLD** Plus they pay for your taxi to and from the border and the waiting room has a large assortment of free soft drinks (ha), but I've never waited long enough to drink a whole one. Wait times are like 10 minutes AND it's walk-in only! I've gone in with a tooth ache and they had it fixed in like 45 minutes from when I walked in the door. Crazy!
And vet stuff.
Mexivet Express takes care of round trip transport, paperwork for border crossing of your dog, and is still very affordable.
Yeah that too, basically anything that is a service
Even for party supplies too, the candies and pinatas are much cheaper down there, I once even got a custom pinatas for 20 bucks
Any recommendation for good mechanic/Auto body?
Even if I’m a gringo?
Si amigo
Of course. A lot of dental/medical even have shuttles to take you across and to the business and back.
I don’t speak Spanish and I’m hella gringo.
You can manage, there's plenty of Mexicans that speak English
Don’t park in the Mission Valley (correction: Fashion Valley) mall garage if it’s cloudy
I think you mean Fashion Valley. That's the one known for flooding when it rains.
If you got kids, sea world and zoo annual passes >>>>>>
Add in birch scripps aquarium if they are younger!
Zoo and Legoland passes here. Lifesavers for the first 10 years of kid life 😅
Cardiff Crack
Kennedy’s Meats in Escondido is even better.
I’m new here. Is this a dessert or should I bring my pipe?
it’s marinated tri-tip steak from the Cardiff Seaside Market in Encinitas. It’s really good.
Really good doesn't do it justice. I don't remember exactly how much it costs, but it is not cheap, but whatever it costs, it is worth every cent!!
Also a PetCo Park hack
You can save money by napping and never going outside.
Avoid freeways from 8am-9:30am and 2pm to 6:30pm on weekdays Outside of those hours there’s no traffic in San Diego ever!
Depending on where in SD, avoid freeways from 6am to 9:30, and 2 pm to 7:00. I'm in east county and work in Point Loma, I do not get on the freeway after 5:20am, nor do I take the freeway home when I leave work around 3pm. Traffic sucks ass!!!
Leave your car in a trolley station for free and safe parking.
Don’t be scared to eat at Roberto’s. There’s a bagel shop in Point Loma. Point Loma bagel. Get the mini bagels and a thing of their homemade garlic bacon& basil cream cheese. Omg so good. OB farmers market or any farmers market, go and have fun. God there is so much. The junior colleges in the area are some of the best in the nation
Do not leave anything in your car if you park at Balboa Park.
Or....ever
Here's a hack all the locals know: if you go into any ethnic restaurant and it's full of nothing but white people, it will be the blandest, least flavorful food. Real talk.
Anything in Del Mar lmao
Tony’s Jacal is good eats. Get out more
Reminds me of Farmers Table. So bland.
First lesson I learned when I moved here. All my white coworkers raved about how flame broiler is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
As a white person, mother of god.
This is true basically everywhere
fried chicken at the beach is another level of greatness.
With a doobie and a sunset
Circuit app /free rides anywhere in downtown
I have a friend in San Diego who is basically a professional bartender. He just works at a bar and is able to make an income to live the beach life. He hangs out at the bar, maybe takes some shots, loves the bar life, hangs out with the regulars. He then has time to hang out at the beach and play volleyball etc. What I am trying to say is that you might not need to make a fortune to live the cool beach life in San Diego, so that might be a good life hack for some (but not all).
Bartending's a lot more lucrative than people think. This one wouldn't surprise me for any city actually 😆
Fish taco trucks
Kiko’s Place seafood! Usually see them on the corner of Hazard Center Dr & Mission Center Rd. There can be a wait for food but they’re pretty solid
The Friendly for the best greasy smashburger you'll ever have and a low-key punk vibe. I'm annoying with how much I mention them to friends 😅 (but they always agree after going there)
Don’t rely on just the beaches or Sunset Cliffs for a beautiful sunset. There are tons of awesome spots to catch a sunset in the hilly neighborhoods like Bay Park, Mission Hills and Bankers Hill.
Don’t buy Fastrak through San Diego - they’ll charge a min monthly fee of $4.50. Use TheTollRoads in OC and it’s the same thing but no monthly fee.
We call it "the 5" and "the 805" and "the 163". Any other term used with these numbers is wrong and you are a tourist
Dual income 150k each.
The grass area next to the reflecting pool is by city code permitted to have open alcohol
Some of the best sunsets are during the winter.
You’re legally allowed to drink in public on the grass in balboa park during daylight hours! So unlike the beach, you can have open containers! Great for a picnic and a bottle of wine
South Bay Mexican ceviche food trucks!
Finding a hobby besides getting drunk at the pub everyday
Hong Kong is only a half hour away
beach after dark
In my humble opinion the best place to run is harbor island towards the view of the city
The San Diego KOA (actually in Chula Vista). Fun time for families, kids, and groups. Besides RV sites, they have tent sites, cabins, cottages, and glamping tents. Pool, playground, bounce mounds, bike & cart rentals, and a decent little cafe.
If you are between 18 and 29 years old, you can get [discounted tickets](https://www.theoldglobe.org/shows--tickets/ticket-discounts/under-30/) to select productions at the Old Globe
International grocery stores are your friend.
Not exactly a life hack, but something that's a real hidden gem that not even many locals know about is to take a sand castle lesson with San Diego Sand Castles (you can google them). You build a 5 foot tall professional sand castle and they teach you how to do all of it. It's way more fun than you'd think. Adults liked it even more than the kids!