Bakeries, Cafes and neighbourhoods in LA and San Diego

LA is a big place with lots of interesting neighborhoods, all depends on what you like.

• For beachy/artsy, consider Venice/Abbott Kinney or Santa Monica.
• For hipster/artsy, consider Los Feliz or Silver Lake.
• For urban, consider Hollywood or downtown LA.

A few LA bakeries of note:

• Porto's http://www.portosbakery.com/ (several locations) 
• Maison Richard (formerly Michel Richard) http://www.maisonrichard.com/
• La Brea Bakery http://www.labreabakery.com/la-brea-avenue-bakery/
• King's Hawaiian http://www.kingshawaiianrestaurants.com/bakery/
• Bread Lounge http://www.yelp.com/biz/bread-lounge-los-angeles

Chow has a list for LA, so does Yelp. 

I can't even begin to list places to eat, so much variety in L.A., both flavors, locations & price...  Comme Ca, Superba Snack Bar, Animal, Daikokuya, Langers, Musso & Frank. Jonathan Gold has an excellent list that shows you the insane variety of LA. Yelp and Chow will be helpful.

For San Diego, staying near Seaport Village or in the Gaslamp quarter is probably the most fun/convenient. Lots of places to dine, and pretty easy transportation via the trolley. Of course, San Diego has some nice beachy parts too. 

In San Diego I recommend (I've eaten at all of these):

• Neighborhood: http://www.yelp.com/biz/neighborhood-san-diego
• Cucina Urbana: http://www.yelp.com/biz/cucina-urbana-san-diego
• The Blind Burro (excellent ceviche): http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-blind-burro-san-diego
• El Pulpo (divey but really great fish tacos): http://www.yelp.com/biz/mariscos-el-pulpo-san-diego

There's lots of great mexican food in San Diego (you have to have some good fish tacos), use Yelp or Chow to seek it out.