San Diego Locals’ Summer: The Dana Team’s Insider Picks

Summer may be winding down on the calendar, but here in San Diego, we’re not packing up the beach bag just yet. September brings plenty of sunshine, warm weather and fewer crowds. Around here, we call it Locals’ Summer.

What better way to enjoy it than with tips from those who know it best? To help you plan your next Mission Bay getaway, we asked members of our Dana team how they spend their time off, from beach days and sunset spots to margaritas and date-night stops. Consider this your invitation to enjoy San Diego the way the locals do.

What is one San Diego place you enjoy even more once the summer crowds start to thin out?

Cassidy Campbell, our Group Sales Manager, it’s all about, hot dogs, beers and Padres baseball at Petco Park are her favorite post-summer activities! It’s one of her favorite ways to spend a San Diego day.

Flora on our Guest Service Team never gets tired of  Sunset Cliffs. Once the summer crowds start to ease up, it’s even more enjoyable. She enjoys heading out to take in the ocean views and slow down for a little while.

What does your perfect afternoon near Mission Bay or Mission Beach look like?

Tyler Amundson, our Director of Sales & Marketing, keeps his perfect Mission Beach afternoon pretty simple: get a group of friends together, put some upbeat music on a speaker, play beach volleyball and throw the football around. Sunshine, friends and a day at the beach are hard to beat.

Guest Services Supervisor Ulisses would start with some beach volleyball near Mission Beach, then walk over to Belmont Park and grab sushi at Cannonball. He’d end the afternoon with sushi and that rooftop ocean view.

Where is your favorite place to watch the sunset in San Diego?

For sunset, Tyler says Law Street Park in Pacific Beach is his favorite. The elevated grassy lawn is the draw here. You can hang out up top and still get an awesome view of the beach and the sunset.

Our Director of Guest Services Janessa, recommends Kate Sessions Park, also in Pacific Beach, as one of her favorite places to watch the sunset. With open grassy areas for picnics, and plenty of space to sit back, relax and take in the view, it's a locals favorite for watching the sun go down over Mission Bay & the Pacific Ocean.

Where do you take visiting friends or family when they come to San Diego?

Sunset Cliffs gets another vote, this time from our Sales & Catering Coordinator Liliana Gonzale. She enjoys that it gives visitors a chance to slow down, enjoy the coastline and spend some time surrounded by nature.

Anastasia recommends Seaport Village as one of her go-to spots when friends or family are visiting. She likes that you can walk along the waterfront, browse the shops and just wander around for a while without needing much of a plan.

Where do you go for your favorite margarita, cocktail or happy hour, and what are you ordering?

Our Conference Services Manager, Mariana Iturrios, says La Puerta is her go-to for margaritas. La Puerta has a great selection of tequilas, amazing food and she says it is always a fun place to go when she’s in the mood for a margarita.

Lisa, our Reservation Agent, picks Café Coyote in Old Town as they have some of the best “margs” in town. It’s one of her personal favorite stops when she’s craving one. 

Insiders tip: Baja Beach Cafe in Pacific Beach serves famously oversized margaritas right along the Ocean Front Boardwalk. Arrive about an hour before sunset so you can settle in, watch the sun drop over the ocean and, if you’re lucky, catch the green flash.

Aside from Firefly, what San Diego local food spot is always worth the stop?

For our Property Controller, Sheila,  Mona Lisa Italian Foods, just minutes from The Dana, is always worth the stop. She highlights that it’s a family-owned, traditional Italian restaurant and deli. It’s a classic local spot and one she is always happy to recommend.

What is a “touristy” San Diego activity that you think is actually worth the hype?

For our Operations Manager, Marisa, Old Town earns its place on the itinerary. She loves visiting this popular San Diego spot because it is unique and full of character. She says she especially loves walking around and checking out all of the shops.

What is one under-the-radar San Diego spot or experience you wish more visitors knew about?

We’d tell visitors to get out on the water and see San Diego from a different perspective. Take a kayak tour in La Jolla, snorkel with the leopard sharks or hop on the ferry from the Embarcadero to Coronado. Sometimes the best way to explore San Diego is to get off the road altogether!

If you had friends visiting The Dana for one day, what is one San Diego experience you would make sure they tried?

Janessa says The Old Town Trolley Tour is her go-to suggestion for anyone visiting San Diego. Whether it’s your first trip or a return visit, she thinks it’s one of the easiest ways to see so many of the major areas of San Diego in one day.

What’s your go-to date-night spot in San Diego?

For our Director of Catering, Christina, Liberty Station is her go-to date-night spot. There are great restaurants, a movie theater and fun vibes all around. It always makes for a fun night out.

A Little Local Exploring, a Little Bay Time

Borrow a few of our team’s plans, then make the trip your own! Local summer in San Diego is the perfect time to stay in Mission Bay. For a limited time, book our Endless Summer Sale , and save 15% on weekdays, giving you more time to enjoy relaxing days on the bay and our team's favorite San Diego local picks