Pictured above is one of our San Diego restaurant picks, Prado, in Balboa Park.

San Diego dining can simply be about satisfying the hunger in the pit of your stomach, or it can be about an entire experience surrounding your senses with food and entertainment. San Diegans are skilled at creating fun times through dining, having adapted some of the wonderful customs from South of the border. San Diego County borders Baja Mexico and many workers in restaurants in San Diego live in Mexico and cross the border daily to go to work. The cultural influences include a more laid back dining experience, later dining, tastier meals and lots of spice to wake up your palate.

Pictured above The Prado at Balboa Park restaurant. The sandwiches, house-made taro chips, dips and ingredients are light, healthy and fresh. The views are just so beautiful as shown above. You can eat indoors but why miss out on the spectacular vistas of Balboa Park? Featuring lunch, dinner and a cocktail lounge, the restaurant is operated by the Cohn Restaurant Group, 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101. (619) 685-8206 balboapark.org. When visiting this gem, be sure to not to miss the building next door, Casa del Prado.
 

Of thousands of restaurants ranging from fast food and chain restaurants to upscale night clubs with live music and live entertainment, you won't go hungry in San Diego. And the beauty of nearly any San Diego hotel stay is that you'll find a restaurant generally just steps away, if not on the hotel premises.

Some of the chain restaurants that tourists and local San Diegans especially like, you'll find Cafe Sevilla, with live music, Spanish dishes and influence. Cafe Sevilla is a place to socialize as much as dine. The hip crowd doesn't mind it loud. Conversations are often set to the backdrop of strumming guitars. This is where the music plays, cocktails flow, and the food is often shared among friends. 555 Fourth Ave., San Diego CA. Call: (619)233-5979

California Pizza Kitchen is a prominent force in San Diego County. With at least six locations, this is by no means the only place you'll get great pizza in San Diego.  Home to a neighborhood, Little Italy, you'll discover that San Diegans have it pretty good when it comes to eating pizzas. Another popular chain based in San Diego County is Sammy's Woodfire Pizza. If you have a chance to try it out, the pizza is delicious. There are only several California locations outside San Diego County--one is in Torrance and other is in Palm Desert.

Cheesecake Factory locations are throughout the United States, and this popular place doesn't serve it cheap, but the quality and flavor of the foods are great. Opening a menu is like reading a magazine. You would assume that Cheesecake Factory is known for its sweets and deserts, but the food is what keeps people lined up and coming back to the restaurant again and again for more.  Salads, Mexican, Italian, American faire and a whole lot more are all prepared consistently well no matter where you go. 7067 Friars Road, San Diego, CA 92108  (619) 683-2800

Mimi's Cafe generally costs a bit less than Cheesecake Factory. The decor is nice, and the menu serves American sandwich favorites, plus meatloaf, cobb salads and many hot, hearty meals, delivered with your choice of hot muffins or bread. The muffins include carrot raisin, a sweet muffin that tastes like carrot cake, and is a desert in its own right.  10788 Westview Parkway, San Diego, CA 92126  (858) 566-6667

P.F. Chang's China Bistro is a chain-based restaurant with many locations in California, including several in San Diego. Fashion Valley Mall is home to one such chain  (7077 Friars Road, San Diego, CA 92108; Call: 619- 260-8484) and there's also a location in La Jolla at La Jolla Village Drive, 4540 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92122. Call: (858) 458-9007.

We told you where to eat...but what about where to stay. Hotels with food that is great include Loews Coronado Bay Resort, with cuisine in their restaurant that really is tops. Event catering is excellent, as well. The hotel's Mistral is quite elegant and ideal for special events, birthday celebrations, anniversaries or corporate woo-ing. But the restaurant we like on site the best is the Market Cafe. The sandwiches, soups and even its desserts are all so fresh and tasty. The chef and cook staff are at the hotel early in the morning, preparing the day's fair. Consistently winning awards both for its food and its wine list is The Westgate Hotel and its restaurant, Le Fontainbleau. Location: 1055 2nd Ave., San Diego, CA.

Cafe Sevilla is one of the fun places with Spanish influence in its foods, entertainment and atmosphere. Guests like to come for the evening to dine and socialize. The cocktail bar is one of the attractions at the restaurant / club filled with conversation and fun.
 

La Jolla < San Diego >Coronado Island