El Mercado
This is where you could find the best mexican food on campus. They have great burritos and the chips are just delicious. They are reasonably priced and located in Muir College by the surf shop. Just a great place to eat and hang out on campus.
Aubergine
I personally haven't had the sushi from this place but I hear that it's pretty good and reasonably priced. The nightclub is tons of fun. The DJ is usually very good and plays all types of music. This place gets a great crowd, good mix between young and old, and it's always been a fun experience. I would highly recommend this night club if you haven't experienced a night club in downtown san diego before, because it's nothing too crazy and usually has a great vibe.
Armory
This is a great place to get some awesome clothes at a decent price along with some cool kicks. Located on the strip of Garnet in PB. Also sell some vinyls in case you wanted to work on your DJ skills while rocking your sick outfit. Great shop with exceptional customer service.
Undefeated Inc
If you're a shoe junkie this is definitely one place that you should check out. They carry some very exclusive shoes and sometimes there are lines going out the door for the premier shoe that month. The also have some legit, hip hop clothes which adds up to a fresh outfit to show off around town. It's a little shop so you'll have to look out for it as you drive through Santa Monica.
Beach Pizza
This place makes some of the largest pizzas I have ever eaten. It's very reasonably priced and the work fast. Don't have to wait that long for your order to be done, maybe a 5 minutes at the most. Great pizza place with very large servings.
Extraordinary Desserts
The tea and coffee are pretty decent for an all desert place. Their specialty is of course some very well prepared and beautifully presented desserts. It's a bit pricey but it's well worth it. The scenery is very nice also, the place has raised ceilings to it's very open. As soon as you walk in the desserts are in display cases just ready for you to choose from.
I love the way in which you get to choose dessert. If you are not choosing from the menu you go up to the display cases and pick your poison ranging from amazing fruit tarts to delicious cheesecake. You can't go wrong with this place, especially for a date.
Roberto's Taco Shop
This is one of those Mexican joints that you only want to go to when you're a hungry, it's Saturday night, and you need a quick fix. The carna sada fries are really good and the California burrito is decent. I would recommend Cotixans instead, but if you're already there then just go for it.
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
Nice place to get some food and grab a few drinks. They have this cool thing where they have suggestions on the menu for which beer they recommend with each entree or appetizer on the menu. It's not too pricey and they always have specials of the month. Fun place to get some dinner and have some quality tasting beer.
East Coast Bagel
This bagel shop is pretty good. My brother worked here for a while and I never really went in before he got the job. After he was hired I went to check it out and it was amazing. The sandwiches are really good and they have a decent variety of bagels. Great bagels for very good prices. Nice location as well, in a strip mall with Jamba Juice right next store.
UCSD Earl's Place
Located in Warren college, this is a great place to hangout with friends and get much needed material and food. They have a nice selection of grocery's, from frozen foods to meats and cereals. There is also a little cafe inside in case you are craving some coffee for that long night of studying ahead. They're open until 1am and they have seating inside as well as outside. Great place to chill out and breathe after midterms/finals.