Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Serra Mesa

"Comprising 1,200 acres in San Diego, Balboa Park is the largest urban cultural park in the United States, and also one of the oldest. It features over 15 museums, meandering paths, overflowing gardens, green belts, several theaters, gift shops, restaurants, a carousel, mini railroad, and San Diego Zoo. Admittance to the park is free, as is access to the luscious gardens, trails, The Botanical Building, and Timken Art Museum."

"The area that Balboa Park sits on used to be home to the indigenous Kumeyaay village, which soon became an 1835 Spanish park, and then an American city park in 1870. It was named after the first European to cross Central America, Vasco Núñez de Balboa."

"Point LomaJ-FAT’s general store carries produce, eggs, butter, baked goods like hamburger buns and tortillas, and a variety of proteins including Wagyu and Beyond burgers, rib roasts, baby back ribs, ground Italian sausage, shrim, and cooked sliced ribeye. The bar also has Jameson and ginger or Tito’s mule kits and family meals and party kits, including a Taco Tuesday package -- perfect for Cinco de Mayo (which happily falls on Tuesday this year)!. How it works: Order online for pickup or delivery"

"Seaview Restaurant is located inside the impressive Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown San Diego. It’s conveniently situated between the quaint Seaport Village shopping area and the San Diego Convention Center. Diners will have the chance to indulge in one of Downtown’s best breakfast buffets, which features freshly baked pastries, waffles, scrambled eggs, prepared-to-order omelets, sausage, crispy bacon, breakfast potatoes, yogurt, fresh fruit, cold and hot cereal, muffins, breads, bagels, teas, juices, and coffee."

"Studio Diner is open late-night (round-the-clock from Thursday through Sunday and until midnight during the rest of the week) and set on a working studio lot in the Kearny Mesa business district. The menu features a wide array of great selections, made from only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. Try the turkey Reuben sandwich, T-bone steak and eggs, patty melt or other hearty fare but be sure to save room for Yo Mama's apple pie or decadent carrot cake."

"OK, now we're talking genuine diner: all steel and chrome and bay windows. Studio Diner is a true roadside diner, located off the beaten path on the grounds of the Stu Segall studios (Veronica Mars). Refurbished with a movie studio theme, Studio Diner is sleek and slightly upscale, featuring comfort food tweaked ever so slightly, in a delicious way."

"Baci Restaurant is beloved by locals and definitely one of the most famous restaurants in San Diego. It offers diners a hint of old-world Italian charm, with cozy booths, white tab..."

"Baci Restaurant is beloved by locals and definitely one of the most famous restaurants in San Diego. It offers diners a hint of old-world Italian charm, with cozy booths, white tab"

"For a day spa, San Diego may offer overwhelming choices, but Therapie Day Spa is one of the best. Founded by a licensed massage therapist, Therapie offers memberships that boast free monthly treatments and discounts on new and featured products, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Therapie also holds regular retreats and features local artists in its two California locations."

"Located in the southwest corner of San Diego, the Tijuana Estuary is a wetlands area with beach, dune, mudflat, salt marsh, riparian, coastal sage scrub, and upland habitats that are free to explore. Start at the Visitor Center to learn about the trails, flora and fauna (many are rare or endangered), and various things to do during your visit. Kids can earn junior rangers here and they offer a variety of environmental education resources online."

"At the southernmost tip of San Diego is one of the most serene places that few people know about. Where the Tijuana River meets the sea is where you’ll find the Tijuana Slough with over 2,000 acres of wetlands. Over 370 bird species have been observed there with 5 of them being endangered species that are regularly seen."

"Way down in sometimes-forgotten Imperial Beach is found a favorite landscape for many people in San Diego. This Tijuana Estuary is connected to some couple of parks. You are going to find amazing places such as Tijuana River County Open Space Reserve and Border Field State Park."

"SOL CAL Café was founded by Jacob Bell, a former NFL player, who said it was his passion to bring healthy, affordable options to the community. The colorful shop offers juices, smoothies, sandwiches, breakfast foods, bowls, and coffee drinks. While not a strictly vegetarian restaurant, many of the dishes are already vegetarian, and most items can be made vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free upon request."