Reality Bites: San Diego Spots Made Famous on Reality TV
Updated: June 29, 2009
From real housewives and top chefs, to crabby newlyweds and crab fishermen, San Diego is no stranger to the spoils--and high ratings--of reality television. In fact, and maybe it's because we're just a stone's throw from LA, San Diego seems to be one of the most popular reality TV day trip destinations. Is it planned? Is it really real? Do the reality stars ever pay their own way? Read on for all the juicy details.
Reality Bites: San Diego's Camera-Ready Hot Spots
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Confidential Restaurant & Loft
Read Reviews901 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)
Confidential is a double whammy in the reality TV world: One of the original owners is Andrew Firestone (The Bachelor who dumped Jen Scheft a few weeks after giving her the "final rose") and the current chef Rich Sweeny made it past the first few rounds of Bravo's Top Chef, season four.
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Ivy Hotel
Read Reviews600 F St, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)
Remember Jo and Slade's sappy, set-up spinoff from Real Housewives of OC called "Date my Ex"? No? We barely do, either, but we do recall them filming a scene in the swank lobby bar of the Ivy Hotel. Joe and her gal pals stayed in one of the Ivy's two-level suites (infamous for chained-up, double-decker beds) for the weekend.
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La Valencia Hotel
Read Reviews1132 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037 (map)
Ah, sigh for the early days of reality TV. It feels like ages ago that Nick Lachey and Jessican Simpson's show Newlyweds shot an entire romatic getaway episode in San Diego, complete with a rose-petal-adorned room at La Jolla's "Pink Lady," the La Valencia Hotel. Nick planned a hot air balloon ride for his tuna-loving bride in North County as well, and dinner at the Sky Room.
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Legoland
Write a reviewOne Legoland Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008 (map)
Jon & Kate Plus Eight spent the day at Legoland during a trip to San Diego (they also visited the Wild Animal Park) as part of the San Diego/Hawaii (and sadly, marriage vow renewal) episode in 2008.
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Paradise Point Resort & Spa
Read Reviews1404 Vacation Rd, San Diego, CA 92109 (map)
In what has become a regular occurance for the Jon & Kate Plus 8 clan, the famous TLC family of ten accepted free accommodations at Mission Bay's Paradise Point resort for the big "marriage vow renewal" eposide. Jon and Kate stayed in posh digs (private villa?) and, of course, gave glowing reviews of the hotel during their interviews. Nice perk, eh?
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R T's Longboard Grill
Read Reviews1466 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109 (map)
The Discovery Channel recently filmed the recap episode for popular Deadliest Catch series at Longboard's in PB. The recap show "After the Catch" gives the captains a chance to watch the season's footage and reflect and elaborate on the filming process.
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Stingaree
Read Reviews454 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)
"I'm lookin' for my next husband!" Geena was on the prowl during season 3 of Real Housewives of Orange County, when she and the other ladies whooped it up one night in a VIP booth at Stingaree downtown.
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THE US GRANT
Read Reviews326 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)
The Real Housewives of Orange County live in the lap of luxury every day, but even they were blown away by the accommodations in the US Grant's presidential suite during the San Diego roadtrip episode. With soaring ceilings, two levels, over 3000 sq. ft. and panoramic views of downtown, it was the perfect setting for martinis and in-room massages for the group.
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The Oceanaire Seafood Room
Read Reviews400 J St, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)
Brian Malarkey, execuitve chef at Oceanaire downtown, has made the most of his celeb status after making it to the final round of Top Chef Season 3. Malarkey appears at food and wine festivals all across the country, writes a blog at San Diego Magazine and still manages to cook (and work the room) at Oceanaire regularly.
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