Pacific Beach San Diego, CA

Development in the neighborhood began in 1886, when O. S. Hubbell cleared the land, mapped out lots and auctioned them off. Two of the first developments were a race track and the San Diego College of Letters, both built to attract residents to the area. Some of the first lots were sold in the early 1900s, leading to over 30,000 residents 50 years later. While it once mainly attracted surfers and college students, rising property values saw a shift toward the famous and wealthy. Notable people who have called Pacific Beach home include musician Eddie Vedder, professional surfer Skip Frye, actor and comedian Pauly Shore, and MLB player Tony Gwynn, Jr. Just north in La Jolla sits the Museum of Contemporary Art-San Diego located on Prospect Street. The City Ballet of San Diego lies just off of Garnet between Bayard and Cass streets. Check out seasonal renditions of "The Nutcracker" and "Romeo and Juliet," performed by the studio's ballet students. Pacific Beachfest is held at the Pacific Beach Boardwalk for one day each year. Celebrating all the Pacific beach area has to offer, Beachfest includes a surfing competition, a beach volleyball tournament, and a 5K fun run.

In Pacific Beach, enjoy everything from Argentinian to Hawaiian to Japanese cuisine without leaving the neighborhood. For a night out, you can find everything from dance clubs to hookah lounges and laid-back wine bars. Most restaurants sit off of Garnet Avenue or Mission Boulevard. Vanoos Grillette, a small family-run Mediterranean eatery located on Mission Boulevard, serves fresh fast food, giving you a great meal on the go. Vegetarian options include a huge walnut salad or falafel sandwich. Stick the piping hot fries into your gyro for an authentic touch. At The Patio on Lamont, located on Lamont Street, eat breakfast, fill up on a small plate during lunch or stop in for a drink during happy hour, which lasts from late morning to early evening. The restaurant features a large shaded patio where you can enjoy your beer-mosa, man-mosa or bro-mosa. At Enoteca Adriano, located off of Cass Street, hanging lights create a warm and romantic Italian atmosphere, making it a great place to bring your special someone. The restaurant allows outside wine but may charge a corking fee on certain evenings. Enjoy entrées such as beef carpaccio and pappardelle Bolognese, or stop in for a daily special. A short walk down the beach brings you to Sound Wave Music Hall, where you can watch live music directly on the beach, surrounded by tiki torches and fire pits. Head inland and check out the smooth flavors offered at The Hookah Lab Hookah Lounge. The English breakfast and the San Francisco with an ice tip are both patron favorites. Tasty margaritas and Monday open mic nights are in store at PB Cantina.

Although it is only San Diego’s 27th most-walkable neighborhood, you can still accomplish most errands on foot in Pacific Beach. Walking remains one of the most popular forms of transportation due to the central location of eating and dining establishments along the beach and down Garnet Avenue and Mission Boulevard. Bike lanes and routes, located along Grand Avenue, Garnet Avenue and other streets, make them safe and accommodating for bike riders. For destinations more than a walk or bike ride away, Pacific Beach also has four bus lines passing through, including routes 9, 27 and 30. Residents can also call a cab or book a ride through Uber. I-5 borders the neighborhood to the east, making it easily accessible. Public parking areas sit on Tourmaline Street and on side roads located near the north side of the pier, with other paid lots scattered throughout the neighborhood. Free parking is available in some areas, and paid spaces can be as low as $5 for the entire day.

Pacific Beach houses five free parks, which have a little something for everyone. Kate O. Sessions Park on Soledad Road features over 60 acres of preserved land, with picnic tables and breathtaking views as far away as the hills of Tijuana, Mexico. Crown Point Park on Corona Oriente Road and Crown Point Drive has a play area for kids and fire pits for nighttime bonfires. Palisades Park offers grassy cliffs, sweeping views of the Pacific and private yoga classes. Fanuel Park has a playground with swings that face the bay, so kids can swing and enjoy the view. Capehart Dog Park on Beryl Way and Chalcedony Street offers a water fountain for furry guests, as well as separate areas for big and little dogs.

The cost of living in Pacific Beach hovers near $70,000 a year, nearly 20 percent higher than the average cost in the San Diego area. Costs of groceries and entertainment remain comparable, but housing in Pacific Beach is over 25 percent higher than the city average. Most residential rentals lie on the south half of the neighborhood, with one-bedroom apartments starting at $1,100 downtown or $1,400 for rentals located closer to the beach.

Pacific Beach's center of commerce sits around Garnet Avenue from Mission Boulevard to Dawes Street. The area houses quite a few specialty shops and boutiques, with both high-end and high-value offerings. Sun Splash Swimwear, on Garnet Avenue, carries a variety of beachwear including swimsuits, cover ups and beach dresses. PB Surf Shop, located on Grand Avenue just a few steps off the beach, is the place to rent surfing equipment. It also provides surfing lessons to teach you how to ride the waves like a pro. For quick grocery shopping without venturing far from the beach, head to PB Market and Deli on Cass Street. Along with its fresh sandwiches, find select grocery items to take home. If you need to make a large grocery run, you'll find a Ralphs on Mission Boulevard and a Trader Joe's on Garnet Avenue. If you prefer to shop at a local store rather than a national chain, check out Magic Market on Cass Street. This family operated gem has all the pantry and refrigerator staples you need to get through the week. This store also stocks an ample selection of beer and wine and houses an in-store deli that sells hot and cold sandwiches and salads. The Pacific Beach Certified Farmers' Market, held on Pacific Beach Drive, runs on Saturday mornings and Tuesday afternoons.

Kate Session Park, Crystal Pier, Garnet Avenue, Dave’s Tavern, Farmers Market, surfing