North Park San Diego Travel Guide

Warm golden sun rays, craft beer and coffee, one-of-a-kind shops, and fabulous food are closer than you think. San Diego’s North Park neighborhood is our pick for an exciting and local Springtime escape (no passport required!).

The Weather (Anytime is a Good Time)

San Diego has one of the most desirable climates in the world. The summers are short, warm, dry and clear, while the winters are mild and cool with the occasional cloudy day. During the warm season, July through October, the average daily temperature is 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with the cool season between November and April averaging 67.

The city is ideal for a getaway whether you’re clamoring to get out of the bitter cold, sick of sweltering summer heat, or are locals like us just craving a change of scenery!

Getting There

San Diego is about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, a five-hour drive or one-hour fight from Phoenix, and a two-hour flight from Seattle. If you’re local to San Diego like us, don’t miss a staycation in North Park for an adventure close to home. Come from out of town or just from across town— the fun is waiting.

Where to Stay

The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club and Bungalows is a must to take in the best of North Park.

Built in 1946, the iconic Lafayette Hotel has served some of Hollywood’s finest, including comedian Bob Hope, actresses Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner and Katharine Hepburn, singer Bing Crosby, and more. The North Park hotel caters to families, single travelers, groups, couples and business professionals alike. Thanks to its massive 6-million-dollar renovation in 2012, The Lafayette offers 130 beautifully-designed rooms, giving this historic boutique hotel a distinctly modern feel.

The Lafayette has traditional suites, family suites with a California king and bunk beds, and two or three-bedroom bungalows to choose from. The best part? The Olympic-sized pool designed by Tarzan actor and five-time Olympic gold medalist Johnny Weissmuller. If you’re just looking for a day trip, grab a “Day-cation Pass” for access to the fabulous pool and all of its amenities.

Read about our recent staycation at the Lafayette Hotel.

Top Things to Do In San Diego’s North Park Neighborhood

Brunch at Cafe 21

Start your day at Cafe 21 on Adams Avenue, an innovative farm-to-table spot with a menu borne from Chef Leyla Javadov’s origins in Azerbaijan and the unmatched local bounty of southern California.

You’ll find instagram-worthy, naturally-colored and delicious vegan lattes (hint: the Trained Dragon with espresso, pitaya, rose syrup, and almond and coconut milk—it’s naturally purple!) and spectacular craft cocktails created to pair beautifully with the scratch-cooking menu. The Bloody Mary is a literal culinary masterpiece in and of itself—tasting just as good as it presents.

Cafe 21’s brunch has an emphasis on small plates, so for the full experience, order a variety of items to try and share. Our picks include the phenomenal avocado toast topped with a perfectly poached egg, whipped feta mousse, and local vegetables dressed in lemon vinaigrette on their famed (and vegan!) house-made sourdough bread, as well as the bright strawberry salad with pistachios, creamy goat cheese, and spinach tossed with raspberry vinaigrette. Don’t miss the short rib crumpet—a decadent Cafe 21 specialty with tender beef short rib, egg, local butter lettuce, and house beet sauerkraut baked and served in a rustic copper pan. We also loved the tomato & egg, featuring hearty slow-stewed tomatoes, melty goat cheese, and a braised egg with a slice of house sourdough to soak up the sauce, as well as the crispy potato pancake served with Chef Javadov’s addictive spicy house spread.

The decor is clean and vibrant and most of the kitchen, bar and home items in use and on display are available for sale online at their market, Nature’s Kitchen Market. We loved all of the cute little bar garnishes and natural food coloring powders for sale—wonderful gift ideas for your epicurean friends.

Take in the Street Art

Street art is an important part of city’s identity, and North Park’s famed art district is a huge part of San Diego’s vibrant street art community. Take a stroll through the neighborhood, starting at the iconic “Greetings from San Diego” mural at 4225 30th Street.

Work your way toward University Avenue and find as many as you can! You might spot a Samurai cat, a giant dinosaur, or if you’re lucky, a mural in progress. If the mystery and intrigue of street art enamors you as it does us, you’ll find no shortage of vibrant murals as you explore the North Park neighborhood.

Do Some Shopping

Head to Kiko & Sven after brunch to browse local and eclectic jewelry, housewares, plants, clothing, and the hand-poured (on-site!) Kiko & Sven candles customers can’t get enough of. Be sure to pick up one of the “San Diego” candles, the scent captures the essence of our city. It’s the perfect stop for a gift to remember the trip. You’ll even find unique and charming baby gifts for the new parents in your life. The shop lives and breathes local artisans and craftsmanship, and the owner even sells her own gorgeous hand-made jewelry.

Owner Petey of Kiko & Sven hand pours the “San Diego” candle

Next check out Pigment, an art gallery-turned-shop with a focus on curating the best of local artists and artisans in a beautifully designed space. Whether plants and planters, furniture and housewares, art, jewelry, or stationary, nothing in this space is there by mistake; everything is thoughtfully curated and well-designed. The owners’ background in the arts, as well as design, ensure that you’ll be inspired and enlivened by the plant-filled space you’re in as you shop. We challenge you to leave Pigment without something new for your own home!

Design Display at Pigment

Round out your shopping experience by stopping at Verbatim Books. Here you will find used and rare antiquarian works and over 200 titles by local authors. When you walk through the door, you will be instantly drawn to the wide selection of books and eclectic interior design. While browsing, take a moment to peruse the walls covered in works from San Diego artists and photographers.

Visit a Coffee Shop

No adventure in a new neighborhood is complete without a stop at a local coffee shop. At Communal Coffee, you’ll find craft coffee beverages made with beans from Sightglass Coffee of San Francisco, in addition to refreshing seasonal sippers like strawberry mint lemonade.

Their cafe menu offers snacks like toasts, pizzettas, salads, and other fresh small plates for an afternoon pick-me-up. They also serve bright and refreshing cocktails, like mimosas, sparkling sangria, hard kombuchas, beer, and wine.

Both the indoor and outdoor spaces are clean and lovely— the perfect place to recharge. After enjoying your food and drink, sneak back inside to pick out one of Communal’s fresh flower bouquets to surprise your travel-mate!

Take an Art Class

North Park’s art scene is so immersive, it’s contagious. You might feel so inspired that you feel like partaking! Art on 30th is a community art center offering classes for hobbyists and career artists alike. You’ll find classes like Art 101, Intro to Abstract Art, Art Journaling, The Elements of Design, and Realism Drawing taught by skilled artists who’ve honed their craft.

Art on 30th is a place of education for new artists, but also offers mentorship to working artists looking to grow their skills and make their mark on the art world. It’s a true community gem. The space itself is energizing from the moment you walk through the door, with white brick, exposed beams, and plenty of vibrant art lining the walls.

Check Out a Brewery

If San Diego is the craft beer capital of the world, then North Park is arguably its epicenter. There are several craft breweries to choose from during your visit to North park. Our two must-visits:

Eppig Brewing

Eppig Brewing has gained a cult following since its start in 2016, thanks to its award-winning beers ranging from traditional German lagers to West Coast IPAs, and everything in between. They got their start in North Park, but moved their headquarters to Vista to expand and meet popular demand. They couldn’t wait to get back to North Park, where their fanbase was born, to open a satellite taproom.

We love Eppig because they offer a minimum of four lagers on tap at any given time—a hard thing to find at any brewery! For a traditional, spectacularly-executed classic, try the Eppig Special Lager. It’s light, well-balanced, and pairs well with the fantastic Detroit-style pizza they prepare in-house. It’s pizza and beer, but not like it was in college. Perfection.

For something more adventurous, and made to be sipped patio-style in the San Diego sun, go for the Glitz & Glam, a Berliner Weisse with flavors or cherry and raspberry. The highly effervescent sour won a Silver Medal at the 2020 Great American Beer Festival.

Introducing the Glitz & Glam

Belching Beaver Brewery

Belching Beaver has a wide array of craft brews that make having a beer a ‘Dam Good Time.’ We love IPAs, and Belching Beaver has some of our favorites, like the Hazers Gonna Haze—a classic west-coast style hazy IPA.

The North Park tasting room offers a wonderful range of brews on tap, including easy-drinking blonde ales, hoppy triple IPAs, creamy milk stouts. The Peanut Butter Milk Stout is to die for, and a must-drink if you’re looking to indulge in something rich and sweet but still wonderfully drinkable— an afternoon treat in a pint.

Another one of our favorites, which caught us by surprise, was the well-bodied Here Comes the Sun Mango IPA. This hoppy delight is refreshing, with a slightly lighter hop profile combined with a delightful hint of mango. Paired perfectly with the San Diego sunshine on the brewery’s patio, this IPA is a crowd favorite.

Order a flight to sample the libations, then take a “Crowler” to go for later! It’s a 32 oz. recyclable can that can be filled any of Belching Beaver’s tap offerings—perfect to bring a taste of your staycation home with you, and less cumbersome than a growler.

Belching Beaver’s hard seltzers are another welcomed addition to their roster. As the days get longer and hotter, we predict seeing plenty of the easy-drinking Raspberry & Blackberry and Passionfruit & Guava sparklers filling San Diego’s coolers at the beach.

Chill at the Lafayette Poolside

Yes, The Lafayette Hotel’s historic Weissmuller Pool made it on our list twice— we love it that much. The Lafayette’s “Day-cation Pass” is currently offered buy one, get one free for a same-day use pass Monday-Thursday for $10. For Friday through Sunday, a day pass is $20 per person. The Lafayette also offers individual and family annual Swim Club passes for year-round fun. No matter your timeline or budget, you’ll find excellent options to bask poolside like Marilyn Monroe once did.

Dinner at Hope 46 Restaurant

As afternoon rolls into early evening, head over to Lafayette’s restaurant, HOPE 46, to find classic American cuisine with a modern touch. We’ve listed HOPE 46 as a dinner option, but it’s truly the perfect place to gather during your stay or day-cation whether it be for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or an afternoon cocktail with snacks.

We love the Blood and Sand cocktail: a delicate mix of single malt scotch, Antica, blood orange, and Cherry Heering. Pair your meal with a glass of Vina Sanzo Verdejo, a crisp and bright Spanish white from the Rueda region. For appetizers, we recommend Parmesan herb fries and roasted red pepper hummus, both of which also fare perfectly as afternoon pool snacks. For entrees, we love the blackened salmon accompanied by roasted fall vegetables and a decadent house aioli, and the “46 Burger,” featuring a half-pound of certified Angus beef with all of the fixings (cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, and house aioli).

Take a Walk in Balboa Park

In the heart of San Diego sits 1,200 acres of open spaces, emerald green gardens, winding walking paths, and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Enjoy a peaceful stroll though the Japanese Friendship Garden or our personal favorite, the breathtaking Old Cactus Garden. Stop for a picture at San Diego’s most photographed spot, the stunning historic Botanical Building and Reflecting Pool.

Balboa Park also houses several of San Diego’s most renowned museums, as well the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

Here’s a deeper dive of things to see and do at Balboa Park.

Eat Tacos at City Tacos

Any staycation or visit to San Diego would be incomplete without a stop at a local taqueria. There are countless food trucks, holes-in-the-wall, and restaurants to choose from. Our must-try in North Park is City Tacos.

They offer traditional taco options like pollo asado, carnitas, and carne asada, in addition to house specialities like the Pescado, filled with golden-fried mahi-mahi, fresh cabbage, pickled red onions, habanero, and strawberries drizzled with cilantro-chipotle aioli. Another favorite is the Portobello, with grilled baby portobello mushrooms, corn, black beans, pasilla chiles, zesty arugula, red onion, and tomato, all sitting atop melted Oaxaca and cotija cheeses and finished with a cilantro-serrano chile aioli.

On Taco Tuesday, City Tacos offers 10% off all menu items, as well as $2.50 Mexican beer. Cheers!

Now It’s Your Turn – North Park Awaits

Ready to plan your staycation in North Park San Diego? Click on any of the links above to learn more.