San Diego is home to three well-known California universities, making it not only a college friendly city, but a family friendly city year-round. May is especially unique, as San Diego quickly fills with proud parents who travel to this beautiful beach town to watch their children walk across the stage and receive their hard-earned college diplomas.
Graduation day is a cherished memory for any parent, and the celebration usually lasts long past the ceremony itself! With a plethora of restaurants and event spaces to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow down the best place to celebrate your child, family member, or friend’s exciting achievement. Luckily, you have us! We’ve compiled a list of graduation-friendly restaurants that will fill the needs of your pickiest eaters and your most fanatic foodies, allowing you to worry less about the party and more about cherishing the moment. Here are some of our favorite places to celebrate post-graduation festivities:
- The Prado in Balboa Park, 1549 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101
This beautiful restaurant serves up New American cuisine, and rests in the heart of San Diego’s famous Balboa Park. The Prado is an impressive place to celebrate your loved one’s graduation, boasting elegant spanish decor and a “four star” rating on Yelp.The average price of each dish ranges from $15 to $20 dollars, and the location sits equidistant from all three major universities, making this a great restaurant for a classy evening with family and friends!
- Bluefin Fusion Japanese Restaurant, 4305 La Jolla Village Dr. Suite L-2 San Diego, CA 92122
Located in the beautiful La Jolla village, Bluefin is a wonderful choice for UCSD graduates with a penchant for sushi. Bluefin is a perfect place for vegetarians, non-fish eaters, and meat eaters alike as they can tailor their menu to fit your party’s needs. Rated three and a half stars on Yelp and with a menu full of under $20 choices, Bluefin Fusion is an affordable place to enjoy a celebratory graduation lunch or dinner.
- Kous Kous, 3940 4th Avenue Suite 110 San Diego, CA 92103
Contrary to popular belief, San Diego isn’t just known for its amazing Mexican food! In fact, there are a large number of excellent Moroccan restaurants available in this Southern Californian paradise, including Kous Kous. Kous Kous is one of the most popular places to go for lamb tagines and pita bread. Located in diverse and fun Hillcrest, an equal distance from both USD and SDSU, it’s a perfect place for an elegant dinner. Rated four and a half stars on Yelp with all dishes under $20, it is a great pick for a party that wants to explore great new flavors.
- Enoteca Adriano, 4864 Cass Street, San Diego, CA 92109
Located in sunny Pacific Beach, just blocks from the Ocean Park Inn, Enoteca offers authentic Italian food in an intimate setting. Rated with four and a half stars on Yelp and with dishes ranging from an average of $13-$25, it is an ideal place for a party of Italian food lovers and SDSU graduates.
Your graduation party is sure to be a success when it includes a meal from one these four restaurants. But where to rest after a long day of celebration? Pacific Beach’s own Ocean Park Inn is the ideal place to stay for your child’s graduation! Just a short drive to any of San Diego’s famous universities, Ocean Park Inn ensures excellent memories from a wonderful graduation weekend. For booking information visit http://bit.ly/QN1Jod.