ALYSSA VILLASENOR MARKETING SPECIALIST FOR EVANS HOTELS “ There is nothing quite like Mission Bay . Start the day with renting bikes from ACTION SPORT RENTALS and head over to DOCKSIDE 1953 for a fresh , delicious meal . The views of the marina and bay are a gorgeous backdrop for breakfast , lunch , or dinner . After dining and a bike ride , return your bikes and hop on a paddleboard to enjoy the sparkling bay from a different perspective . What better way to end a beach day than with a relaxing cruise on a vintage sternwheeler boat ? BAHIA BELLE CRUISES offers seasonal sightseeing tours perfect for families or hop aboard during Bahia Belle After Dark for an adults-only party cruise . The bay is our backyard here in San Diego , so go out there and enjoy !” ( Action Sport Rentals : actionsportrentals . com ; Dockside 1953 : dockside1953 . com ; Bahia Belle Cruises : bahiabelle . com )

JONO TAPP DIRECTOR OF OUTLETS AT THE CATAMARAN HOTEL RESORT AND SPA “ Simplicity and quality of ingredients is what I look for in food and drinks , and San Diego has more and more great options . I do really enjoy good tequila and my go-to spot is CANTINA MAYAHUEL . They have a relaxed vibe , great authentic Mexican food and an extensive tequila list . I recommend getting their margarita , it ’ s simple — you pick your choice of tequila and they make it with fresh ingredients . If you want to sip on a nice tequila , they have an amazing sangrita to go along with it , which is kind of off the menu . Sangrita is a traditional Mexican drink served as a chaser to high-end tequilas . It is a simple mix of juices and spices that is designed to be consumed alongside your tequila , alternating sips and cleansing and brightening the palate . Sit at the bar and watch your carnitas and chicken tacos sizzle away in the open kitchen and talk with the educated bartenders .” ( Cantina Mayahuel : cantginamayahuelsd . com )

DIANTE ASHBY RESERVATIONS SALES AGENT FOR EVANS HOTELS “ I love SEAPORT VILLAGE downtown . You have views of the bay and a big grassy area where you can set up a picnic and just relax , watch the water and boats sailing by . It ’ s a beautiful spot . A good restaurant there to grab a bite to eat is the CHEESECAKE FACTORY . They have a wide variety of foods : burgers , fish and chips , and cheesecake for dessert . There ’ s a restaurant close to the Catamaran Resort , about a block and a half away – a pizza place called SEASIDE PIZZA . It ’ s the best pizza you ’ ll ever have , New York style , thin crust . It ’ s really good . If you want to grab a drink , go to PB ALEHOUSE . That ’ s a nice spot and sometimes they have karaoke nights , if you ’ re out late and want to experience the local nightlife . I really enjoy exploring Pacific Beach , walking the boardwalk and beach area . And then there ’ s Mission Bay . The views are beautiful . That ’ s San Diego in a nutshell : the nice waters , the people are so friendly , the weather is beautiful , and the food is great !” ( Seaport Village : seaportvillage . com ; Seaside Pizza : seasidepizzaco . com ; PB AleHouse : pbalehouse . com )

REBECCA BAUMWIRT DIRECTOR OF SALES AT THE CATAMARAN RESORT HOTEL AND SPA “ There are so many fun activities for families visiting San Diego , but the one that is always at the top of my list of recommendations is BALBOA PARK . There really is something for everyone . With more than 16 museums , 1,200 acres of beautiful grounds and , of course , the San Diego Zoo , it appeals to all ages and interests . Kids love watching the trains in the Model Railroad Museum or riding on the miniature train over by the zoo , learning about planes and rockets at the San Diego Air & Space Museum , being amazed by the dinosaur fossils at the Natural History Museum , watching a puppet show at the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater and riding the fun animals on the historic carousel . My family especially loves watching the ducks and listening to the musicians around the Lily Pond . For dining options , they have everything from upscale , gourmet at The Prado to the more casual Panama 66 , which has a great outdoor area for kids to run around in . Balboa Park is so unique and is truly a San Diego treasure .” ( balboapark . org ) g

MISSION : BEACH ! 47