San Diego Travel Guide for Design Enthusiasts: Stylish Spots & Hidden Gems
From a maximalist boutique hotel to luxurious modern eateries, TRIBEZA's Editor-in-Chief shares curated picks on where to stay, dine, and explore for an aesthetically inspired vacation
Beyond its sun-drenched beaches and relaxed atmosphere, San Diego also offers a distinctly design-forward side. From striking boutique hotels to elevated dining and hidden gems, we recently set out to experience a fresh edge to the Southern California city through a stylish lens. For a San Diego getaway defined by design, here are a few recommendations for where to stay, dine and explore.
Stay: The Lafayette Hotel and Club
Tucked into San Diego’s lively North Park neighborhood, the Lafayette Hotel and Club is more than just a place to stay — it’s a full-blown sensory experience. After a dazzling $31 million renovation in 2023 by the Consortium Holdings group, CH Projects, this historic hotel effortlessly blends old Hollywood glamour with a maximalist twist. Designed by Post Company, the Lafayette is a dream of color, texture and opulence.
Since originally opening in 1946, the Lafayette has hosted icons like Ava Gardner, Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra. One main attraction then — and now — is the famed Weissmuller Pool, named for Olympic swimmer and “Tarzan” star, Johnny Weissmuller, who designed it himself. Today, the pool remains the heart of the property, with striped loungers and umbrellas, swaying palm trees and a poolside bar that transports guests to a golden age of leisure.
This San Diego hotel hums with energy as electric as its decor
“The design and concept really stemmed from the storied history of the hotel itself,” says Leigh Salem, partner at Post Company. “The narrative of the property is grounded in this return to the Grand Hotel — a decadent world for conviviality, hosting and escapism.”
Each guest room boasts a dramatic personality, styled with vintage furniture, mixed patterns and a kaleidoscope of rich colors. There’s whimsy in every detail, including custom wallpaper and tasseled lamp shades. The design is maximalism at its most curated.
Salem notes the design team took a playful approach, even embedding hidden illustrations into the wallpaper to “balance grandeur with a sense of ruin.”
“The massive sculpture of Atlas at the lobby’s back bar is depicted as a crumbling statue in the guest room wallpaper,” explains Salem. “As designers, these small details bring the greater narrative together and reward a sense of curiosity for the guest.”
Dining options at the Lafayette are equally inspired. Quixote, the hotel’s mezcal-forward Oaxacan restaurant, was rebuilt using materials from a decommissioned Mexican church, featuring dark wood, stained glass and pews encircling a pulpit-style bar. The Gutter, a vintage-style bowling alley and lounge, was modeled after the elegant wood-paneled lanes in the basement of New York’s Frick Museum. Lou Lou’s Jungle Room, a reimagined supper club, includes a restored 1940s clamshell stage and sunken hardwood dance floor. Beginner’s Diner channels classic Americana in a 1940s-style setting.
Every aspect of the Lafayette offers more complexity than meets the eye. Beginner’s Diner, for example, is one of Salem’s favorite elements of Post Company’s work.
“The Beginner’s Diner space is an ode to the diner as an institution and legacy, one rooted in film and pop culture,” says Salem. “We worked with a diner historian to explore its evolution. While there is something very classic about the space, we were also interested in capturing the cinematic references explored by David Lynch and other directors. The diner acts as a stage for a diverse group of characters and subcultures, an archetype of welcoming all.”
At the Lafayette, more is certainly more. Whether you’re sipping cocktails under the palms, listening to music in Lou Lou’s or simply lounging in your jewel-toned suite, the Lafayette isn’t just a place to retreat — it’s a place to feel like an old Hollywood star, reimagined for a new era.
Dine: Gorgeous Spaces to Eat and Drink in San Diego
Breakfast: Morning Glory
Located in the heart of Little Italy, Morning Glory is a popular restaurant with playful design elements, including plush pink booths, a champagne vending machine and a 30-foot neon flower. The eatery delivers a vibrant and Instagram-worthy dining experience. The menu includes standout dishes such as Japanese soufflé pancakes, breakfast carbonara and pork belly fried rice, and the restaurant earned the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand award in 2021.
Dinner: Leila
Leila is a Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant designed to evoke the ambiance of a Moroccan souk, complete with hanging lanterns, a starry ceiling and a waterfall leading to pools crossed by a bridge. The menu, crafted by CH Projects founder Arsalun Tafazoli, draws from his heritage and features shared mezze, fire-grilled kebabs and cocktails infused with flavors like cardamom and pomegranate.
Drinks: Starlite
Starlite blends mid-century modern and retro-futuristic elements to create a moody, transportive atmosphere. Guests enter through a dramatic hexagonal tunnel into a dimly-lit space with a sunken bar, warm wood paneling, brass accents and geometric lighting. Plush seating and vintage details make it feel like a hidden gem from a stylish 1960s cocktail lounge. A secluded back patio offers a lush outdoor setting to complement the stunning interiors.
Explore: What to See and Do in San Diego
Day Trip: Hotel del Coronado
This historic beachfront resort, with its red turrets and Victorian charm, is ideal for a day trip. Stroll through the elegant lobby, shop the boutiques, grab a cocktail, indulge in a spa treatment, or relax on the expansive beach. History buffs will enjoy the self-guided walking tour, while food lovers can savor beachside dining with ocean views.
Nature and Shopping: La Jolla
At La Jolla Cove, you’ll find one of San Diego’s most beloved sights — wild harbor seals and sea lions lounging on the sand or diving into the surf. Enjoy coastal walking paths, or hike the scenic trails of Torrey Pines State Reserve. After soaking in the views, browse La Jolla Village for luxury shopping, art galleries and chic boutiques.
Museums and Zoo: Balboa Park
Balboa Park is San Diego’s cultural heart, home to Spanish Renaissance architecture, lush gardens and world-class museums. Explore iconic institutions such as the San Diego Museum of Art, the Fleet Science Center and the San Diego Zoo, all set within the park’s 1,200 beautifully-landscaped acres.
