Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in La Playa

"In the heart of downtown San Diego, Balboa Park is 1,400 gorgeous acres of green space. (By comparison, New York City’s Central Park is 842 acres.) In 1915, Balboa Park was the setting for the Panama-California Exposition celebrating the opening of the Panama Canal and securing San Diego’s place as a port, which is why several of the city’s oldest and most ornate buildings can be found here. Many of those historic buildings now house robust museums such as the San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego Museum of Art and family-friendly San Diego Natural History Museum (theNAT)."

"This 1,400-acre site encompasses historical buildings, numerous museums, gardens, and green space. The park was created for the Panama California Exhibition of 1915-1916, and most of the buildings remain from that event. The predominant architecture is Spanish-style, with low-rise buildings that blend in with the natural surroundings."

"Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre urban green space featuring natural vegetation zones, planted gardens and walking paths. It is one of the oldest public recreational areas in the country. The park’s Spreckels Organ Pavilion is the site of free weekly concerts."

"Location: 16765 Bernardo Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92128Phone: (858) 673-7512Website. A vintage wine bar and bistro in Rancho Bernardo, this popular casual eatery is well-loved, and one of our very favorite hangouts. Wines here are superb, and patrons can order by the bottle, glass, or flight."

"Los Peñasquitos (“little cliffs”) is a great beginners’ trail for those who want to enjoy mountain-feel views without having to hire an expedition crew. There are two approaches (east and west), and the trailheads offer a trek of either 6.5, or 5.5 miles, respectively. The terrain is gradual and level, but the trails are surrounded by the sort of views that gave the area its name: scenic rocky outcroppings, and stony formations that ripple with rubble."

"This cute little cottage in the middle of the parking lot of Beachwalk Center offers a great breakfast menu while offering their custom roasted blend of coffee, available by the pound or half-pound. Free Wi-Fi + Menu: Breakfast, Lunch, Desserts (brownies, cookies, cupcakes) + Coffee Club: Yes, and pre-paid cards available for grab ‘n go coffee runs"

"James Coffee Co. is an independently owned and operated coffee shop with four locations in Little Italy, Downtown and Bankers Hill. James Coffee Co. inherently understands a good cup of coffee can be accented by experience and design which is why it in particular, it inhabits a supremely cool, industrial spot in Little Italy called the “Space” - which houses their coffee bar and roastery, as well as a curated collection of boutique shops under one roof. Photo:Kimberly Motos"

"James Coffee Co. on Downtown India St is the most unique coffee shop in San Diego. This location is a converted warehouse that shares its space with other stores, such as an antique store, and guys, there’s even a barbershop in there if you need to trim up that hipster beard or get a haircut."

"The next one of the best coffee shops in San Diego is James Coffee Co. What's great about this place is that they have handcrafted artisan-roasted coffee. They create coffee with beans that come from a single source, which is great!"

"Linda makes more than just donuts… she’ll bake anything your heart desires and will make it fun too!. Case in point: these seasonal kids cookie decorating kits she has available for Valentine’s Day. If you need a cookie fix in between seasons, she’s always got some cookies ready for you."

"Sesame Donuts always has plenty of donuts and they always taste fresh and delicious!. Their customer service is outstanding and they even throw in a few d..."