Green Living Guide to San Diego

by Maren Dougherty - Citysearch Contributor - 201 Reviews - 32 Lists
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From the archives: February 05, 2010

The convenient truth about San Diego is that local businesses are increasingly focusing on sustainable, earth-friendly practices. Here's a guide to some of our favorite "green" spots in the city, from the first LEED-certified hotel to a new all-vegan restaurant on El Cajon. (Photo courtesy of Seabreeze Organic Farm)

On this page:  Restaurants, Markets, Farms, Hotels and Spas, Shopping, etc..

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Restaurants, Markets, Farms

  1. 1 Sea Rocket Bistro
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    3382 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104 (map)

    The 30th Street restaurant combines fresh, locally-sourced produce and fish to create such meals as the Ten Buck Tuna Melt--sustainably caught albacore tuna covered with Winchester gouda on toasted ciabatta bread. To limit waste, the restaurant serves filtered tap water only and uses biodegradable trash bags and to-go containers.

  2. 2 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Jyoti Bihanga
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    3351 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116 (map)

    The restaurant on Adams Avenue offers vegetarian soups, salads, sandwiches and burritos in a serene setting akin to a yoga studio. The standout entree is the Neatloaf--a tangy blend of brown rice, eggs, ricotta cheese, tofu, and spices in a tomato-based sauce.

  3. 3 4 Star Rating: Recommended Stephanie's Bakery
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    4879 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107 (map)

    Vegan baked goods are typically as desirable as non-alcoholic beer, but this Ocean Beach bakery offers mouth-watering carrot cake with vegan cream cheese filing, soyrizo pizza, and flavor-rich black forest strudels made with cherries bathed in dark chocolate.

  4. 4 Seabreeze Organic Farm
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    3909 Arroyo Sorrento Rd, San Diego, CA 92130 (map)

    Members of the North County farm’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program receive weekly deliveries of seasonal fruits, veggies and flowers. The farm stand is open every Saturday from 10am-3pm, offering fresh produce, green products, and eggs laid by "happy hens."

  5. 5 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Loving Hut
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    1905 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104 (map)

    The eclectic menu includes everything from wonton soup to burgers to pasta dishes, but the items all have one thing in common: they’re 100% vegan.

Hotels and Spas

  1. 6 Hotel Indigo
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    509 9th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)

    The downtown hotel incorporates sustainable green building practices into all aspects of hotel, from the 4,000 square-foot green roof to the herb garden on the 9th floor Phi Bar terrace to the on-site recycling program with recycling containers in each guest room. In 2009, it became the first hotel in San Diego to be awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, established by the U.S. Green Building Council.

  2. 7 1 Star Rating: Poor Hyatt Regency Mission Bay
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    1441 Quivira Road, San Diego, CA 92109 (map)

    The spa at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay uses low-flow shower heads, sustainable bamboo floors, and eco-friendly cleaning products. All treatments use organic and natural skincare products. Highlights include the sweet milk and lavender and the organic massage that incorporates organic sunflower, olive, and wheat germ oils.

Shopping, etc.

  1. 8 Lux Art Institute
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    7010 El Camino Del Norte, Rancho Santa FE, CA 92091 (map)

    The Encinitas museum invites artists to live and work on site, enabling visitors to see artists produce commissioned work of art from start to finish. Lux also sets itself apart with its commitment to sustainability: the energy-efficient Artist Pavilion is surrounded with gardens feature native plants that grow naturally in the region without fertilizers or pesticides. It is the first LEED-certified art museum in San Diego County.

  2. 9 Velo Cult
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    2220 Fern St, San Diego, CA 92104 (map)

    The bike enthusiasts at this South Park bike shop offer expert advice for people looking to cut down on car use. The retail selection includes everything from vintage mountain bikes to modern racing bikes, along with apparel, parts, and bags. The shop organizes leisurely group rides every Sunday at 8:30am for people who are planning to ride to nearby farmers markets, coffee shops, or brunch spots.

  3. 10 All Vegan
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    4669 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92116 (map)

    Located near Lei Lounge in University Heights, the shop specializes in non-leather shoes and belts; hard-to-find vegan foods such as soy creamer and marshmallows; and organic lotions and skin care items.

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