On Our Radar: San Diego

San Diego has been on our minds lately, probably because we endured a particularly long winter and San Diego has perfect weather. But also because the BlogHer conference will be there in August, and even though we didn’t get much out of the last one we went to, it gives us an excuse to visit San Diego.

Feeling like a visit yourself? Start in the Gaslamp Quarter where hundreds of restaurants, bars and shopping boutiques will keep you busy. We’d like to stay at the Kimpton’s Hotel Solamar. It’s just a stone’s throw from Petco Park if you want to catch a baseball game (where the boys are!). Hotel Solamar also boasts a beautiful rooftop pool, which turns to into the club LoungeSix at night (pictured above). It’s great to have a nightspot built into your hotel so the early-to-bed crew can head back to the room safely while the rest of you keep dancing.

Back in the Gaslamp Quarter, don’t miss Top Chef finalist Brian Malarkey’s new restaurant, Searsucker. Its décor is eclectic and its food imaginative like farm bird lollipops coated in Bloody Mary mix and spicy Baja shrimp with bacon grits. Drink a Peter Rabbit with Pimms #1, bruised basil, pressed lemon and pickled carrot or a Lullaby with white whiskey, St. Germain, Chamomile Bitter and rose geranium. You can’t go wrong with either!

Photo credit Richard Wood: Flickr Creative Commons

No visit to San Diego would be complete without some time at the beach, so head to Coronado beach (above) or Encinitas' Moonlight beach or, better yet, ask that cute surfer dude where he’ll be. Happy travels!