Travel video guide
Where to Eat in San Diego, CA: Beet Salad From vagabrothers
This guide turns 36 Hours in San Diego | Best Locals Travel Guide from vagabrothers into a practical restaurant map with 8 saved spots around San Diego, Coronado, and Encinitas. The mapped places include a park, a restaurant stop, and a hotel. Use it to understand the places, dishes, and trip context before saving the map in Varedelo.
What the creator captured
Vagabrothers rediscovered their hometown by visiting iconic spots like Balboa Park, which they hadn't properly explored since childhood field trips. They emphasized the city's unique blend of surf culture, Spanish Revival architecture, and diverse culinary influences ranging from Mexican burritos to New Zealand lamb. The duo concluded that San Diego remains a premier travel destination for its natural beauty and vibrant neighborhoods.
What this map is good for
- Planning a breakfast restaurant stop or short itinerary in San Diego.
- Comparing food stops from a creator or saved local map before you commit time in the city.
- Saving 8 mapped spots into Varedelo so the list stays usable on the ground.
- Using the original video as context, then turning it into a clean place-by-place map.
Featured spots on this map
- Sail San Diego
Tour Agency in 2720 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106, USA, San Diego, CA, United States
Hours: Hours available - Balboa Park
Park in San Diego, CA, USA, San Diego, California, United States
Hours: Hours available - Serea Coastal Cuisine
Seafood Restaurant in 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118, USA, Coronado, CA, United States
Price level: Cheap - Belmont Park
Park in 3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109, USA, San Diego, CA, United States
Hours: Hours available - Surfhouse
Hotel in 960 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024, USA, Encinitas, CA, United States - Queenstown Public House
Restaurant in 1557 Columbia St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA, San Diego, CA, United States
Price level: High
Hours: Hours available - Lucha Libre Taco Shop
Taco Restaurant in 1810 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103, USA, Mission Hills, California, United States
Price level: Moderate
Hours: Hours available - The Mission
Breakfast Restaurant in 2801 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104, USA, San Diego, CA, United States
Price level: Medium
Hours: Hours available
Food notes from the video
- Surfing California burrito
- Adobado Pina California burrito
- Beet salad
- Lamb burger with mint jelly
- Rack of lamb
- French toast
- Chilaquiles
- Mexican mocha latte
- 1 more included in the app.
Experiences captured
- Stayed at Surf House Encinitas
- Surfed at Sunset Cliffs
- Ate at Lucha Libre Taco Shop
- Explored Balboa Park and botanical gardens
- Used Google Lens to identify Spanish Revival architecture
- Went sailing in San Diego Harbor
- Dined alfresco in Little Italy
- Visited Belmont Park amusement park
Planning notes for San Diego
Middletown, San Diego, established on May 27, 1850, is a residential and commercial area located between Old Town and Downtown. It was founded by a group of businessmen, including William Heath Davis and Andrew Gray, to link the original settlement of Old Town with the developing New Town district. Historical Heritage and Traditional Culture The neighborhood contains a street system that retains the names of its 1850 founders. Historically.
Must-try foods nearby
- California Burrito
A quintessential San Diego staple, this massive flour tortilla is stuffed with carne asada, crispy french fries, melted cheese, and crema. - Baja-Style Fish Tacos
San Diego's signature coastal dish, typically featuring beer-battered white fish, shredded cabbage, and a creamy white sauce. - Uni (Sea Urchin) Sashimi
San Diego is a world-renowned source for sea urchin. Served fresh and buttery, it is a must-try for sushi enthusiasts. - Wood-Fired Neapolitan Pizza
Middletown sits adjacent to Little Italy, where thin-crust, blistered pizzas are an art form. - Cardiff Crack (Tri-Tip)
A legendary burgundy pepper-marinated tri-tip that has reached cult status across San Diego.
When to go: The best time to visit Middletown is during the shoulder seasons of March to May and September to October.
Local tips
- Utilize the Middletown Trolley Station on the Blue or Green lines for easy, traffic-free access to Downtown and Old Town.
- Be prepared for steep hills and uneven topography when walking, as the neighborhood rises sharply from the coastal flatlands.
- Expect limited street parking near the India Street commercial corridor and consider using paid lots or rideshares during peak dining hours.
- Observe standard San Diego dining customs by tipping between 18% and 22% for table service at local eateries.
What travelers are noticing
- Celine Residences Redesign: A major 14-story residential project on the historic Middletown hillside is a focal point of community debate and redesign in 2026.
- International Row Dining: The cluster of restaurants along India Street remains a viral destination for foodies, especially with new 2026 openings in nearby Little Italy.
- Harper’s Topiary Garden: This whimsical residential garden continues to trend as a top 'hidden gem' and viral photography spot for visitors exploring the neighborhood hills.
Extra place context
- Lucha Libre Taco Shop
A world-famous, wrestling-themed institution known for its 'Surfin' California' burrito. This massive creation elevates the standard California burrito by adding shrimp and a secret chipotle sauce to the classic carne asada and french fry base.
food
Official tourism resource
The official travel resource for the San Diego region, providing information on hotels, restaurants, things to do, and events for visitors.
Planning questions
Where did vagabrothers eat in San Diego, CA?
This guide maps all 8 spots featured in the video, with names, addresses, and neighborhoods, so you can plan where to eat in San Diego, CA.
What are the must-try foods in San Diego, CA?
Creator picks from the video include Surfing California burrito, Adobado Pina California burrito, Beet salad, Lamb burger with mint jelly. Open the map in Varedelo to see which spot each one is at.
Can I save these spots to use on my trip?
Yes. Open the map in Varedelo to save every spot, get directions, and revisit the guide from your phone while you travel.
Use it on your trip
Save this restaurant map before you go
Keep the mapped spots, creator context, food notes, and planning details together. Varedelo turns the page into a phone-friendly map you can revisit when you are choosing where to go.