Best Fine Dining in San Ysidro

"Described as a ‘left coast cookery’ and serving creative New American cuisine, this Little Italy venue has Executive Chef and partner Richard Blais at the helm and features a frequently changing menu. Within a modern and inviting space complete with exposed beams and colourful art guests can feast upon a host of delectable treats from snacks and raw dishes to plates both small and large."

"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."

"The food here is delicate and unique, with flavors meant to be slowly enjoyed just like your experience there. Fish and other high end meats are the top selections here for one of the best dinner spots in San Diego ."

"One of the most popular fine dining La Jolla restaurants is definitely Eddie V’s. It’s popular for date nights but we also like the happy hour on the Pacific Ocean view patio. You’ll dine on some of the finest seafood and hand-cut steaks with panoramic ocean views in the cozy dining room, intimate bar (with live jazz music) or on the outdoor terrace."

"Located near La Jolla Cove, guests in this restaurant are always pleased to find picturesque views while indulging, and some fine dishes. For starters, they have a crab and corn chowder, Maine lobster bisque, and a chilled Gulf shrimp cocktail style of soup. In addition, there are three variants of sandwiches and various authentic local entrees."

"This local go-to has had its on-the-water Glorietta Bay location across from the Hotel del Coronado for more than 120 years. It serves wonderful surf and turf menu selections in its charming and historic building with some of the best views on the island!. And if you just want a great bar for cocktails, the mahogany bar upstairs is a delight!"

"Top of the Market restaurant in San Diego is located above the Fish Market in an upstairs venue. The expansive views of the San Diego Bay to are breathtaking. The cuisine is among the finest available in all of San Diego."

"Top of the Market serves contemporary American Seafood Cuisine in an upscale atmosphere. Located on North Harbor Drive in the Downtown Embarcadero neighborhood, it features breatht"

"It may surprise you that one of the most popular restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter serves Persian food. Expect filet mignon, lamb chicken, fish garlic, onion, vegetables, nuts, pomegranate, herbs, saffron, lime and other flavors that compliment a healthy eating lifestyle. The portions are quite large with a variety of options suitable for vegetarians."

"EncinitasSan Diegans can once again experience the cuisine of Executive Chef Claudette Zepeda, whose former restaurant in Liberty Station, El Jardín, was included on Michelin's Bib Gourmand list in 2019, at VAGA Restaurant and Bar, newly opened at Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas. Boasting expansive ocean views and a dramatic open kitchen, Chef Zepeda fuses diverse cultures with local ingredients from places like Chino Farms and Cyclops Farms in dishes such as heirloom bean soup, brisket buns, and Baja sea bass on a seasonal menu. The beverage program, led by Alexander Gregg, features rotating signature cocktails, local microbrews, and a dynamic wine list incorporating natural wines utilizing grapes from low-intervention/biodynamic vineyards.How to book: Reservations are recommended and can be made online via SevenRooms."

"The buzz:The Puffer/Malarkey Collective’s finally reopens with a dynamic new culinary director.The food: Now under the helm of acclaimed chef Tara Monsod, it has a lighter, more Southeast Asian focused menu. Sip a Chai Paloma (tequila, coconut chai, cinnamon, grapefruit) alongside savory uni shrimp toast or sweet and sour cauliflower. Then explore the sake menu while you indulge in A5 Wagyu, Shanghai crab noodles with snap peas, garlic chili butter, and cilantro, or Kare Kare Short Ribs with green beans, and eggplant.The cost: Hot and cold starters are $7-22, entrees go for $24-69, cocktails are $14-19, beer and wine by the glass are $8-25, and sake flights run $25.How to book: Make reservations for indoor dining via OpenTable."

"Make dinner a truly grand affair at San Diego's "it" restaurant, Animae. The 5.5 million dollar pan-Asian restaurant sprawls across 9,300 square feet and the ambiance is opulent and seductive. If you go on Valentine's Day, they offer a four-course menu for $95/person."

"For example, if you love animals or are traveling with kids, San Diego Zoo is in the park. It’s huge with many open areas for the animals, and also margaritas and craft beer for the adults. If you just love parks or nature, you can stroll through the park itself or one of its many gardens- including a rose garden, a Japanese garden, and a botanical garden. Note that some gardens (like the last two) close at night."

"You’ve been to zoos before, but you’ve never been to the San Diego Zoo. Home to more than 3,500 animals, the San Diego Zoo is considered one of the best in the world. Tigers stalk around canyons."

"In all honesty we have been to so many zoos that we normally skip them when we come to a city. But there was no way we would skip the San Diego Zoo. I mean come on now, it is THE zoo."

"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."

"This not-for-profit aquarium and zoo connects kids with the animals and plants of the California coast. Located on the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista, the Living Coast Discovery Center offers family-friendly activities and events such as shark, ray, turtle, and eagle feedings; guided trail hikes; Overnight Adventures; and VIP Animal Encounters. Seasonal exhibits promote wildlife conservation and educate young visitors about their impact on the environment."

"This nonprofit discovery center is there to provide environmental education related to coastal resource conservation. You park in a parking lot and bus takes you over to the center. Once there you can see the sharks, visit the sting ray touch tank, and see the bald eagles they have there."

"This is located in the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge in Chula Vista and is a popular choice for school trips. The experience here is pretty unique. You get to feed bat rays and have meet-and-greets with reptiles."

"Situated in the Gaslamp Quarter of the city, this night club is in the heart of the city’s nightlife district. This place is popular specifically for their EDM genre music but they also have a separate room which features hip hop and other genres. They have three bars and a separate smoking lounge too."

"Sugar and Scribe serves up freshly made pastries each day along with custom cakes, artisanal bread and more. Food Network Champion Chef Maeve launched the bakery to fame, going on to win awards like 2017 Best Bakery. Nibble on the scrumptious petit fours to feel like a certified Francophile."

"With a brand new 2018 menu, this Irish-inspired restaurant is helmed by Food Network Champion Chef Maeve. Their menu features a little bit of everything!. Attack your sweet tooth head on with Brioche French Toast, or try a traditional egg scramble or Eggs Benedict (they have four options)."

"Imperial BeachConveniently located right at the entrance to the Imperial Beach Pier, Cow-A Bunga Ice Cream has been serving its handcrafted ice cream to locals since 2000. Grab a cone, ice cream sandwich, or sundae and go for a stroll on the pier or along the beach. They also serve huge shave ice treats, delicious coffee drinks, and smoothies.How to:Limited seating is available on a first-come basis."

"This Imperial Beach spot has been owned by French Chef Fabrice Gaunin for 17 years. With prime views of the pier, Cow-A-Bunga serves equally impressive ice cream. Along with his wife, Nelly, each flavor is handmade in the shop one bucket at a time, sourcing farmers markets for local ingredients, like raspberries and strawberries for special batches."