San Diego native Lisa Sikes is happy to admit she loves her city — and she loves food. Becoming the owner of the culinary walking tour company Bite San Diego in 2016 gave her the perfect opportunity to combine those passions and share them with visitors. San Diego’s amazing weather makes an exploration of the city’s exceptional restaurants a year-round option, and visitors learn about the history and stories that shaped the city’s restaurant scene while sampling diverse and delicious cuisine.

Experiencing a destination through local foods is arguably one of the most sensory-intense ways of truly discovering a new place. “Food is a common bond we all share and such an exciting way to experience a new city or town,” offers Sikes. “I always try in my travels to find out local recommendations and really get a feel for how the locals eat. It’s amazing what you can find — and usually always delicious. It inserts you into the local culture and gives a unique perspective on the city you’re visiting. You really get to experience a city through its food; it just makes traveling more rewarding, especially for your taste buds.”

Greg Louvier, Sr., who met my husband and I at Slater’s 50/50 Burgers by Design, led my tour. This restaurant and the others we experienced are found at San Diego’s fabulous Liberty Station, an absolute haven for foodies. From Slater’s 50/50, we made our way to Liberty Public Market, Olala Crepes and Parana Empanadas, then ducked into Venissimo and paused to sample teas at Point Loma Tea. The tour ended with an amazing spread at Solare, winner of San Diego’s Best Restaurants 2017. Chef Accursio Lota of Solare was also honored, receiving the Best Chef award.

As San Diego’s food scene continues to grow, Sikes expands her routes and offerings with new restaurant partners on both public and private tour routes. Besides delivering an amazing and immersive experience focused on the best food San Diego has to offer, participants of Bite San Diego are fed interesting tales of the area’s vibrant history.

“We’re looking at adding new routes and additional tours that can showcase San Diego’s awesome craft beer scene and nearby vineyards,” said Sikes. “Bite and Sip San Diego is on the horizon.”