Scooter Mania: Where SD's Vespa Set Scoots Around

by Erin Chambers - Citysearch Editor - 9,287 Reviews - 164 Lists

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Updated: July 30, 2009

Beep, beep! I'm a little bit greener these days with my new red scooter. After renting one in Europe last year, my sweetie and I were convinced it would be the perfect "buzz around" vehicle for our neighborhood in South Park. Turns out, we were very late to a very large party of scooter fanatics already active in San Diego. Here's a few go-to scooter spots we've discovered so far:

On this page:San Diego Scooter Shops, Scooter Bars, Restaurants and Meet-Up Spots.

San Diego Scooter Shops

  1. 1 Vespa Motorsports
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    4225 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104 (map)

    Neighborhood scooter shop sells the Genuine Scooter line (most known for the "Buddy" model) as well as all the baskets, jackets, helmets and accessories one could ever dream of. They also have a repair shop in the back, where they'll fix, restore or customize your ride.

  2. 2 South Coast Scooter
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    1828 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054 (map)

    Sleek new shop in South Oceanside sells the super affordable line of Kymco and Syn scooters, all of which come with a two-year warranty. South Coast also has a relationship with GoKarting, so they'll handle repairs for go-carts as well as any make/model of traditional scooter.

  3. 3 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Vespa Of Oceanside Inc
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    1425 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054 (map)

    They are more expensive (like just about everything that comes from Italy), but it's hard to beat the style and culture associated with owning a Vespa. Vespa of Oceanside has all the latest scooters, plus a good selection of vintage and used ones, too.

Scooter Bars, Restaurants and Meet-Up Spots

  1. 4 3.5 Star Rating: Average Captain Keno's Restaurant
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    158 N Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 (map)

    One of the city's most active scooter enthusiast groups meets here for lunch after monthly morning rides. The food is old-fashioned, well-priced and the parking lot can accommodate at least a few dozen rides.

  2. 5 4 Star Rating: Recommended Gelato Vero Caffe
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    3753 India St, San Diego, CA 92103 (map)

    The entire curb in front of one of the city's orginal Italian cafes is almost always lined with scooters, especially on weekends when local scooter clubs start their Sunday rides here

  3. 6 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Illume Bistro -- CLOSED
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    675 W Beech St, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)

    Little Italy is one of the only neighborhoods in the city to actually incorporate scooter parking (yes, they actually designate it apart from motorcycle parking), and it's right around the corner from Illume Bistro. We love their new outdoor patio seats, too.

  4. 7 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Pappalecco
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    1602 State St, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)

    With parking at a premium these days, scooting around Downtown is definitely the way to go. Little Italy's sidewalk cafe and gelato shop always has a few Vespas parked out front, marking its so-Euro vibe. Watch for beer/wine to hit their menu soo, too.