San Diego summer getaway

WHERE TO EAT

Altitude Sky Bar and Garden Lounge. Rooftop bar with awesome people-watching. At the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter, 660 K St.; 619/696-0234.

Cafe Chloe. A gem in the emerging East Village neighborhood. $$; breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. 721 Ninth Ave.; 619/232-3242.

Croce's Restaurant & Jazz Bar. Contemporary American cuisine and a solid musical lineup have made this a Gaslamp institution. $$$$; breakfast and lunch Sat-Sun, dinner daily. 802 Fifth Ave.; 619/233-4355.

The Fishery. In Pacific Beach, it has some of the best seafood in town. $$$; lunch and dinner daily. 5040 Cass St.; 858/272-9985.

Kono's Cafe. Classic beachfront breakfast joint. $; breakfast and lunch daily. 704 Garnet Ave.; 858/483-1669.

Laurel. One of San Diego's top restaurants, it offers modern Mediterranean cuisine in an elegant room near Balboa Park. $$$; dinner daily. 505 Laurel St.; 619/239-2222.

The Prado. Mexican and Mediterranean dishes and an outdoor patio in the heart of Balboa Park; perfect for pre-Old Globe dining or a relaxing sit-down meal during a park visit. $$$; lunch daily, dinner Tue-Sun. 1549 El Prado; 619/557-9441.

Stingaree. Amid all the flash here, the food holds its own, especially such entrées as slow-braised Kobe beef. The rooftop bar has a pre-ballgame menu. $$$$; dinner Tue-Sun. 454 Sixth; 619/544-9500.