Offbeat Finds
By Erin Chambers, City Editor
Tired of frequenting the same old hangouts? Walk on the wild side with strange brews, outlandish eateries and odd establishments of all kinds with our list of San Diego treasures that offer a few surprises.
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Habana: A Taste of Cuba
7777 University Ave, La Mesa, CA
The 'burbs of La Mesa hide this savory Cuban menu, live music, salsa dancing and even a cigar bar. -
Jyoti Bihanga
3351 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA
Try a Zen avocado sandwich or a Buddha burger while perusing bookshelves filled with restaurant owner Sri Chinmoy's spiritual teachings. -
The Dancing Dog
1501 India St Ste 105, San Diego, CA
Grab some grub for you and Fido, too at this Little Italy cafe and pet boutique where downtown dog-lovers unite. -
Turquoise Cafe Bar Europa
873 Turquoise St, Pacific Beach, CA
Eat and drink like a European at North PB's decidedly un-American cafe.
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Beauty Bar
4746 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA
Get a manicure with your martini at this kitschy North Park hangout. -
Catalina Lounge
4202 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA
Drowning in same old pool hall? Try bocce ball in this OB dive. -
Fumari
330 G St, San Diego, CA
Puff away at this downtown hookah lounge with more than 40 tobacco flavors.
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L.A. Fairchild Boutique
2029 San Elijo Ave, Cardiff by the Sea, CA
Sip while you shop at this denim boutique with its very own keg in the back room. -
OB People's Market
4765 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA
Local grocery store boasts a few hundred different owners, and they're all OBetians. Offbeat? Um, yes. -
San Diego Bike and Kayak Tours
2222 Avenida de la Playa, LA Jolla, CA
Guided tours venture inside the rocky caves at La Jolla Cove. -
India Street Antiques
2361 India St, San Diego, CA
Diamond-in-the-rough doorknobs, perfectly rusted hinges and more vintage furniture await discovery at this anti-Ikea haven.
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The Keating Hotel
432 F St, San Diego, CA
Gaslamp hot spot offers a members-only lounge and high-speed packages that include a Ferrari rental for the weekend. -
Grand Del Mar
5200 Grand Del Mar Way, San Diego, CA
Forget room service. Reserve your own private villa and get extras like butler and private chef service. -
The Sofia Hotel
150 W Broadway, San Diego, CA
A cool, modern hotel in the Gaslamp for $150 per night? Talk about out-of-the-ordinary. -
Park Manor Suites Hotel
525 Spruce St, San Diego, CA
One of the last apartment-style hotels with kitchenettes, plus a piano bar in the basement.
