Top Best American Restaurants in Rancho Peñasquitos

"Love can make you feel like your head’s in the clouds as can the stellar view of the skyline and landing planes from this Bankers Hill classic. That’s probably why it's been the site of so many marriage proposals, Valentine’s dates, and special celebrations since it opened decades ago and especially since it was reimagined by owner Bertrand Hug in 2000. The upscale American menu features standbys like pork chops and duck breasts in their most classic forms as well as modern takes on dishes like swordfish and lamb with smoked date jam."

"Bertrand at Mr. A's just might be one of the best places to enjoy a skyline view of Downtown San Diego, Coronado, Balboa Park and Point Loma, with the occasional plane landing or taking off from the airport. The restaurant is perpetually voted one of the most romantic places to eat in the city. However, its casual elegance is also welcoming to families and you may leave your jacket and tie at home."

"A little ways outside of downtown, there’s nothing that compares to the view of Mister A’s. Big ol’ jet airliners will ride past on approach and departure, using the ocean as backdrop with the city skyline showing off its wares. The hype is real, with the food and drinks perfecting the tableau."

"Known for its interesting twist on Southern California fried chicken and eggs, this restaurant uses meat that is antibiotic-free. The open-air dining combined with lawn games makes for a fun ambiance. The kids’ section, their menu aptly titled, “Little Cluckers” offers a choice of grilled chicken or grilled cheese, nuggets, a side of carrots or petite fries, juice, and a cookie."

"From Top Chef: All-Stars winner Richard Blais comes this Little Italy favorite, a fast-casual spot specializing in humanely raised chicken and eggs. Here, the fried chicken is crispy and not too greasy, and sandwiches like the Malibu Barbie Q..."

"Lil Cluckers” can take their pick fromnuggets, tenders, grilled chix, or grilled cheese, with carrots or petite fries on the side, plus a juice box and a cookie before checking out the bocce ball court and giant chicken statue here."

"What is it: This lively upscale restaurant is the centerpiece of San Diego’s food and drink-obsessed Little Italy. Why go: The airy dining room here continues to be packed out by locals, thanks to chef Anthony Wells' continually shifting, inventive menu. We're talking delicious small plates and culinary-inspired cocktails."

"2228 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101(619) 269-9036Reserve Your Table Here$$$ | Bar | Modern. From the owner of the Crack Shack, Juniper & Ivy also makes my list of good restaurants in San Diego. Their classy take on the farm-fresh movement."

"PrepKitchen has several locations all over San Diego, including this one. It's popular for simple, locally-sourced ingredients and great artisanal cocktails. Locals rave about the shared plates including charred octopus with chorizo and fava beans, roasted pork belly with pickled rhubarb and the cutting board, an amazing display of gourmet cured meats, mustards and artisanal cheese."

"Modern, trendy, small plates, PrepKitchen is the sort of place where you’ll foodies posting instagrams throughout their meal. This is a food focused place where the chefs are serious about using the best ingredients served in a casual setting. Everything is seasonal and every plate is well thought out and served with a unique spin."

"Sabertooth Grill at Elephant Odyssey is leading Zoo dining into a new era, focusing on fresh California cuisine using cutting-edge service concepts."

"Posted by Green Dragon Tavern & Museum on Saturday, 31 August 2019. Though they’re some of Carlsbad’s newest attractions, the Green Dragon Tavern and Museum have become popular with locals and out-of-state visitors. The museum portion of the facility is dedicated to preserving early American history – from the colonial days through the Revolutionary War."

"In 2014, the Green Dragon Tavern & Museum opened its doors with a mission to honor America’s heritage and connect its visitors with the contributions and life stories of its founders. Displaying authentic documents from previous eras, the community centric museum and restaurant is a must visit stop in Carlsbad."

"Shorehouse Kitchen is somewhat new to the La Jolla brunch scene. Their restaurant/ coffee shop located steps away from the beach can be described as trendy beach chic. More than anything I am OBSESSED with their food and always take guests to San Diego here."

"This casual indoor-outdoor eatery in Lo Jolla Shores has a sprawling outdoor patio perfect for leisurely lunches with friends and family."

"Rancho BernardoMostra was started back in 2013 by a group of old friends who were tired of having to drive half an hour to get decent coffee. Now their artisan micro-roasting company is collaborating with a list of breweries like Stone Brewing Co., Karl Strauss, Green Flash, Abnormal Beer Co., and many more. The bourbon-barrel-aged stout Mostra created with 3 Sons Brewing even won Best Beer at this year’s Hunahpu Day Beer Fest."

"Mostra Coffee is named after the Italian word for "show, exhibition and performance," and it definitely steals the show. For the past four years, Mostra served its delicious coffee out of its roasting warehouse, but it recently opened an official café and retail space in Carmel Mountain. This beautiful space features an "English industrial" design and houses the only Mavam espresso machine in San Diego."

"Mostra Coffee is a great place for high-quality coffee in San Diego. The owners of this coffee shop are women, minorities, immigrants, and veterans. The four founders are all different, but they have one thing in common: they love coffee!"

"Next to Burger Lounge, near the heart of the downtown La Jolla, sits Coffee Cup, an assuming storefront with an incredible menu. Many of their dishes are a magical fusion of Asian and Mexican cuisine, utilizing unique ingredients for both their breakfast and lunch entrees. Top breakfast recommendations include: the Pesto Scramble, Soy Chorizo Scramble, Breakfast Enchiladas, and Coffee Cup French Toast."

"The Mexican Mocha is amazing as were all other entrees we tried. Highly recommend this place for breakfast in La Jolla."

"OceansideThis classic, family-owned fish and chippery in Oceanside’s South Harbor is proof that waterfront dining doesn’t need to be a pricey affair. Portions are generous and everything is delicious, just be prepared to defend your food from seagulls that patrol the area, especially if you sit outside. Sign up here for our daily San Diego email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town."

"San Diego Zoo Safari Park is one of the best things to do in San Diego for kids though plenty of adults go for the safaris, to see the animals, and learn more about conservation. Large free-range enclosures are designed to closely mimic the natural habitats of exotic animals like rhinos, camels, cheetahs, gorillas, giraffes, lions, tigers, warthogs, wild cattle, and zebras. More than 3,000 animals representing 300 species roam freely throughout the park, and you can see them from trams, golf carts, trucks, large helium balloons, and zip lines."

"Escondido’s best-known attraction is Safari Park, the sister park to the San Diego Zoo. The Safari Park is 1800-plus acres of exotic animals and botanical gardens galore, carved out of the hills just outside Escondido."

"The Lost Forest is a fun little area packed with extensive trails that wind through exhibits and aviaries. These trails are home to animals from the rainforests of Asia and Africa, and wind their way up into the canopy as well as along the forest floor, with arboreal animals displayed above and ground dwellers below. You’ll find monkeys, barbirusas, tigers, great apes, okapis, and several various species of exotic birds."

"Guests will feel like there are in the rain forest when they enter the Lost Forest. The Lost Forest is in the northeast corner of the Zoo. Some animals in this area include hippos, tigers, okapi, otters, birds and primates."

"The Asian Passage is south of Panda Canyon and is a simulation of a tropical Asian rain forest. This scenic passage includes grizzly bears, snow leopards, and sun bears. This spectacular area also features the Sun Bear Forest, which resembles a southeast Asian rain forest, and the Hawaiian Native Plant Garden."

"The Asian Passage area includes the Sun Bear Forest, Grizzly Bear exhibit, and more. It’s a fun area to explore, and isn’t quite as big as Africa Rocks."