Marketer, investor, philanthropist, endurance athlete—Jeff Jacobs has worn multiple hats over the years. In 2010 he and three partners acquired the struggling Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa and completely transformed it, prompting U.S. News and World Report to call it the best hotel in the U.S. five years later. Here, his recommendations for your next San Diego visit.
From a cultural perspective, this is one of the best places to go. The Playhouse has sent so many plays to Broadway—from Jersey Boys to A Walk in the Woods.
HARRY’S COFFEE SHOP
This is the most popular place with locals, and it's kind of a legendary place in San Diego. I always get the same thing: eggs over easy with sourdough toast and bacon.
LA JOLLA SHORES
I live on La Jolla Shores and take walks right on the beach. There’s an incredible number of people taking sea kayaks out to La Jolla Cove these days.
TORREY PINES GLIDERPORT
I’m actually afraid of heights but my kids have done it. It’s certainly popular and unique to this area. My kids finished and said, “Let’s go again, Dad.” They taunted me.
PALOMAR MOUNTAIN
It's great for any cycling enthusiast. It’s climbing up 4,500 feet over 12 miles, and the average gradient is around seven percent. There’s a café at the top called Mother’s Kitchen where we recover for the ride down.
BARBARELLA
This is a restaurant on La Jolla Shores I walk to all the time—it’s local and funky. I like simply grilled things so I’ll order the whole striped bass and they’ll cook it in their wood-fire oven. Lemon, olive oil, capers, steamed spinach on the side. It’s fantastic.
VIEJAS ARENA
The best entertainment in San Diego is at Viejas Arena for a big San Diego State University basketball game. It’s a thrilling environment and the team is always fantastic. The student crowd is called “The Show” and they have a lot of entertaining traditions they do pregame and during the game to make an intimidating environment.
