Oh, sure, the cool buildings, distinctive architecture and proximity to a reservoir of high paying jobs are helping attract people to Downtown. But once they are here, it is the vibrant lifestyle that hooks them and keeps their friends popping down for regular visits.

Here’s a sampling of the fun and the fancy, the frivolous and the common sense, and other reasons, attractions and activities that make 92101 the liveliest community in San Diego County. Did we miss your favorite? If so, drop me an e-mail at tim@sandiegometro.com.

— Tim McClain

Best Coffeehouse:
Café Noir (447 Ninth Ave., (619) 235-0075)
If Jack Kerouac were still scribbling he’d be upstairs cranking out another yarn. Brooding and cool. Everything a great coffeehouse should be.

Best Breakfast:
Café 222 (cafe222.com)
Yes, we are biased. But we’re also right. Tasty food beyond pumpkin waffles, superior utensil décor and a great mix of locals and tourists are part of the 222 experience. If you want to see power breakfasting, pull up a chair and grab a linen napkin at the Westgate’s Le Fontainebleau across the street from City Hall. The food’s good too.

Artist Louis Long’s ‘Solar Cactus’ is one of 30 Urban Trees sculptures along the Embarcadero that captivate Rebecca Troyan.

Best Spot For A Morning Jog:
The Embarcadero
“I love seeing the cruise ships when they are in port and of course the Star of India and the Berkeley,” says Rebecca Troyan. “I’m also a big fan of the tree sculptures lining the bayfront. They are really beautiful and I see a new one to appreciate every time I’m down there.”

Best Bay Cruise Deal:
Coronado Ferry (sdhe.com)
For six bucks riders travel from the foot of Broadway in Downtown over to The Landing in Coronado and then back. The fare delivers a hint of adventure and panoramic city views.

Best Way To Drive To Petco Park: (padres.com)
Take Interstate 5 and exit at Imperial. You might even find a free space on the street.

Best Restaurant Seating:
Upstairs at Dobson’s, top of the stairs at Rainwater’s and any sidewalk seating on India Street.

Specialty vodkas and a variety of mixers make for some bloody good daytime specials at Redfield’s in the Manchester Hyatt.

Best Off-Hour Happy Hour: Redfield’s Lounge, Manchester Grand Hyatt. (manchestergrand.hyatt.com)
Seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the deals include an $11 spicy, 23-ounce Bloody Mary with Absolut and Absolut Peppar vodkas blended to perfection with creamy horseradish, Worcestershire, Tabasco, pickle juice, fresh lime and tomato juices, garnish and a chaser of Coronado Brewery Islandweizen. Regularly $15. After 4 p.m. it is 23-ounce beers that star.

Best Hole In The Wall:
Bud’s Louisiana Food Shoppe (2034 Kettner Blvd., (619) 239-5117)
After discovering it on a blind date, Tershia d’Elgin keeps finding her way back to the Little Italy eatery. “It is a hole-in-the-wall Cajun place, still above the high-water line, spicy seasoning, bland décor,” she says.

Best Cheap Lunch:
The Federal Cafeteria (Front Street between Broadway and E Street)
“Just don’t bring a cell phone or a pocket knife and make sure you have a current photo ID,” says Kevin Specht.

Downtown’s grand dame, the U.S. Grant Hotel, was refurbished with a respect for its history.

Best Old Is New Again:
The U.S. Grant Hotel (usgrant.net)
Freshly reopened, the U.S. Grant sparks fond memories for Jan Rieger. “I stayed there when first interviewing here from out of state for a job and loved it,” she says. “My husband (Scott) and I went there once for a getaway-from-the-suburbs weekend. The Grant Grill is a great place for a business or special lunch. The bar is a great place to relax with a drink. And my in-laws met there one Christmas Eve, as newlyweds, when he returned from World War II. Pretty romantic.”

It only takes one visit to be a regular at Dobson’s, where owner Paul Dobson never forgets a name or face.

Best Restaurateur Memory:
Paul Dobson of Dobson’s (dobsonsrestaurant.com)
Not only is his mussel bisque a fabulous signature dish, but Dobson has an elephantine memory for names and faces, and treats everyone like a regular.

Avid biker Jamie Hampton likes to chill at Seaport Village, where an icy drink and cool views are a soothing salve after a long ride.

Best Winter Lunch Spot To Impress An East Coaster:
Top of the Market (thefishmarket.com)
The weather will likely be warm, the birds flying, the grass green and a Navy ship will likely sail by. Great seafood too.

Best Place To Listen To Jazz:
Dizzy’s (dizzyssandiego.com)
Opened on Seventh Avenue when it was off the beaten track — pre-ballpark — Dizzy’s is all about the music; no booze or televisions pouring out the game.

Best Cooldown After A Long Ride:
Seaport Village (spvillage.com)
“After a hard-hitting bike ride through urban trails to Chula Vista and back up the Strand into Coronado, I like to take the ferry back into Downtown,” says Jamie Hampton. “I ride to Seaport Village, grab an iced Americano from Upstart Crow and enjoy casual conversation and beautiful views with my bike-riding friends before we split paths to return to our homes.”

Expect to be involved in the action - like these Local Concept employees - when you book an excursion with Where You Want to Be Tours.

Best Fun On A Sunday Morning:
The Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues (hob.com)
For $33 for adults and $16.50 for kids, you leave with a full tummy and soul, feeling lots better than when you walked in. Promise.

Sips, sushi and a sexy scene at Aubergine are the attraction for Jennifer Matthews and her gal pals.

Best Tour:
Where You Want to Be Tours (wheretours.com)
While the company offers tours of other locales, the Downtown scavenger hunts are great team builders. The photo shows how much fun these folks from Local Concept are having. The mural they are standing in front of is outside the Hard Rock Cafe.

Best Girls’ Night Out:
Aubergine (aubergineon4th.com)
Downtown’s club scene is one of the few industries keeping up with the booming condo scene. Choices are many, but Jennifer Matthews has a favorite: “There’s nothing better then a girls’ night out at the Aubergine,” she says.

Its slogan - ‘Where Iron Chef Meets Girls Gone Wild’ - says it all about RA Sushi’s lure. It has earned a loyal following since its opening three years ago.

Best Sushi On Broadway:
RA Sushi (rasushi.com)
Just outside the Gaslamp Quarter near Fifth Avenue on Broadway, RA Sushi with its hip décor and moderate prices has earned a loyal late-night following since its opening three years ago.

Best Place To Relax After A Hard Week:
Hotel Solamar soaking tub (hotelsolamar.com)
“After a long week of work, I need to relax on Friday nights,” says Lauren Clapperton. “My favorite end-of-week activity Downtown that melts away life’s stressors is rejuvenating in the extra deep Fuji soaking tub in the King Spa Suite at Hotel Solamar. The bathrooms have a tranquil, spa-like feeling with calming aqua blue-green hues that put me in the most peaceful spirit.”

Lauren Clapperton lets a spa tub at the Hotel Solamar take her away after a busy work week.