I know about the visiting SD thread, but if I just read that and came to my own conclusions i would miss out on angry responses from people about starting a thread. also, honestly would value some feedback if you'd be so kind. taking an SD newbie from Seattle for a mini road trip to SD. going to get a place to crash for the evening. so far plan is to go to Alesmith, then Modern Times and Societe. at that point we will most likely transition into getting a home base and Uburing to get around for the rest of the evening. hoping to hear suggestions on best areas to stay, in terms of proximity to other places to go, and places to go. this will be on a Sunday by the way thanks friends
North Park is your friend. Bunch of tasting rooms (MT, rip current, belching beaver, North Park brewing) plus toronado and a handful of gastropubs.
I would go to Alesmith and then Societe since those two breweries are closer together, then branch out to Modern Times. Downtown is another good home base if you are willing to Uber, it's a short distance to Little Italy for Ballast Point Kitchen, Bottlecraft, Stone Kettner or stay downtown for the pubs and bars plus Monkey Paw and Mission Brewery.
I recommend staying at the Lafayette Hotel in North Park. Especially with that pool this time of year. And it's very close to many beer and dining options. Enjoy!
+1 on J47paco's suggestion. My brother stayed there the last time he was in town and it was legit! It was also stupid close to the bars and breweries in NP
It's a younger crowd and they may have a pool party that day with a dj. Not sure if that is your scene. But the place is cool and it's a short stumble to the main drag with all of those options.
FTFY, remember he decided to go and injure himself probably while trying to hang with the younger crowd.
any other not to miss breweries besides Mod Times and Society? how is the Lost Abbey tasting room in Encinitas by the way? lots of angry moms?
I'd highly recommend hitting North Park Beer Co. Kelsey is still dialing the system in so his hoppy beers aren't quite at their peak, but everything is at least good and the cream ale is outstanding. The Confessional in Lost Abbey is fairly chill, definitely a bit more upscale crowd than your average tasting room due to its location, but still a relaxed vibe. Nice if you want to grab some food and change up the setting from warehouses in business parks but not an essential stop.
Hitting breweries is fine and all, but you might be better served by just going to the better beer bars within SD. O'briens, Toronado, Hamilton's, Churchill's... these bars are going to carry a wide variety of really good local stuff. As others have mentioned, you can experience a lot of shit just by going to North Park. Toro, NPBC, Rip Current, Belching Beaver, Tiger!Tiger!, Fall Brewing, Modern Times...
Did this already happen? What were your findings? If didn't happen and you're looking to eat like me after Societe, Alesmith then you go to http://www.okanus.com/ that's okan US... not OK Anus
It's fantastic. You're probably aware of Carnitas Snack Shack too for when you're in North Park, very close to Tiger Tiger. Can BYO i think
Okan is probably one of the most consistently best places I've eaten in San Diego. You almost can't go wrong and it's amazing how good everything comes out considering their menu is actually pretty big.
