It’s A Grind is a best place to people watch, says Cheri Jessup.

The Marina District is ground zero for Downtown’s residential success — if you don’t already own there you’re going to have to pay dearly for the privilege — and also boasts of the fine It’s A Grind coffeehouse. Among those who enjoy the shop at First Avenue and G Street is Realtor Cheri Jessup. “It is one of my favorite places to hang out,” she says. “I can usually be found there around 3:45 in the afternoon, a perfect time to people watch, visit with all my neighbors going to Ralphs, talk to my fellow real estate agents, see past clients and make new clients as well. I have been teased about it being my second office, as sometimes I can find myself sitting there and chatting for hours while watching the world go by. Life is good in Downtown.” (690 First Ave., 546-6971)

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Top of the Hyatt offers views to impress visitors or a potential fiancee.

If you have visitors in town and don’t take them to the Top of the Hyatt for the mind-bending views, shame on you. Your guests will survey San Diego from atop the tallest building on the West Coast waterfront – the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. The 40th story lounge also is a local favorite for those preparing to propose marriage. (1 Market Place, 232-1234, manchestergrand.hyatt.com)

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If you’re looking for some basic Chinese food for delivery or takeout, China Too is one of those places where the surprise is inside. The place isn’t much to look at, if you get our drift. (916 Fifth Ave., 239-4283). Now for a sit-down delight, we can’t get enough of Panda Inn atop Horton Plaza. (233-7800)

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Trendy without looking it, BASIC is one comfortable bar.

Good cocktails and a comfortable atmosphere are the draw for BASIC in East Village. The New Haven, Conn., thin-crust brick-oven pizzas are served nightly into the wee hours. Jon Mangini has done a smashing job of converting a warehouse. Just be careful not to miss it when you walk by. (410 Tenth Ave., 531-8869, barbasic.com)

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The view from the top at Altitude is as cool as the cocktails.

The most smashing view comes from Altitude, the outdoor bar atop the Gaslamp Marriott. Snag a seat at the ledge and peer right down into Petco or across the street at the Convention Center. The view is cool even when no game is in progress. It’s also a fun place to chat up the smitten person sitting next to you, as they likely are in town on business from somewhere else and don’t normally take in such a view. (660 K St., 446-6088, altitudeskybar.com)

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Tasty breakfasts should include exemplary pancakes, which is what Richard Walker’s Pancake House serves up. And don’t miss the $8.50 “The Dutch Harvest,” described on the menu as an “oven baked delight filled with fresh broccoli, onion, tomato, mushrooms, and topped with havarti cheese from Denmark.” (520 Front St, 231-7777, richardwalkers.com)

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Lindsey Baker (left) and Vanessa Valiente at one of their favorite Downtown hot spots, JBAR.

Why does Monday Group publicist Lindsey Baker always look so smashingly appropriate? Credit Vanessa Valiente, owner of Event Wardrobe Stylist. “Her expertise and originality helps to create my look for every Downtown occasion,” says Baker. “From client functions, media parties or hanging with friends, Vanessa’s unique approach to style always turns heads.” (2125 Fifth Ave., 892-3151)

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San Diego Harbor Excursion delivers a memorable brunch experience.

Relative newcomer to San Diego Emil Achmad says his girlfriend has dragged him to untold numbers of fancy San Diego restaurants. But it was brunch aboard the San Diego Harbor Excursion that got him to say “Wow.” “We decided to meet up with some friends and go offshore to spend our Sunday morning aboard San Diego Harbor Excursion’s Sunday Brunch Cruise on San Diego Bay,” Achmad says. “I’d never been on the bay and was definitely amazed by the awesome views of the city. During the two-hour cruise, I got to see all the huge Navy ships and the Coronado Bridge. And the brunch food was great, too. I was expecting either some sloppy eggs or tiny portions of frou-frou food, but the whole bottom deck was a buffet. The fresh seafood bar was kept fully stocked with oysters, sushi, caviar and cocktail shrimp, and our server (good man) never let us see the bottom of our mimosas. Then they had made-to-order omelets, fajitas and a dessert bar, including a full-out chocolate fountain. There was even a live guitarist playing flamenco music. I literally felt like I was on vacation.” (1050 N. Harbor Drive, 234-4111. sdhe.com)

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While it’s not the dive on Broadway between Eighth and Ninth where the dining was elbow-to-elbow and you had no secrets, Sushi Deli II just keeps turning out wonderful tasting, budget-priced lunches. The $2.10 rice bowl from the counter is not to be missed. (135 Broadway, 233-3072)

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Petco Park, says Mike Silva, is best, flanked here on his right by Kevin Silva and Trent Manbeck and his left by Sean Scott.

Remember those folks who said Petco Park Downtown would flop? Neither do we. “This is the best built ball park ever,” says Mike Silva. “Every seat is a good seat. From the food to the drinks to the Western Metal Supply Co., there are flat screens and radio in every nook of the park so that you don’t miss a beat if you have to get up out of your seat for any reason.”

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When Christie Farrell has girlfriends Downtown for a visit, she starts the night at RA Sushi. “It’s quintessential San Diego,” she insists, despite our raised eyebrow. “The music is great, there’s always a crowd of fun people, not to mention tons of eye candy, and the sushi is amazing — really impressive and affordable. We park at Horton Plaza, which is right across the street, and central to everything. RA is a great last stop at the end of the night, too, especially if we’ve met some new friends along the way.” (474 Broadway, 321-0021, rashushi.com)

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No pooches in this picture, but on Wednesdays they are welcome for happy hour at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center.

Facing King Promenade and across the street from the Convention Center, the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center has a lot to offer every day, but for Downtown’s growing dog-owning population, Wednesdays after work are the most fabulous. That’s when the center offers its K-9s-N-Wine happy hour, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (200 Harbor Drive, Suite 120, 231-6400, sdwineculinary.com)

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The grilled halibut tacos at the Tin Fish hit the spot as a pregame meal, says Tom Scott.

Fine dining is the Gaslamp Quarter’s forte, but the casual crowd has a nice selection of options too. Before heading into a Padres game, Tom Scott likes to enjoy a meal at Tin Fish at the foot of the Gaslamp Quarter. “The fish is fresh and consistently well-prepared,” says the executive director of the San Diego Housing Federation. “I love the grilled halibut tacos.” (170 Sixth Ave., 238-8100, thetinfish.net)

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Judy Park’s sweet tooth leads her to Marble Slab Creamery in the Gaslamp Quarter. “They make the ice cream on site and use all natural ingredients,” she says. “My family and I always make sure to visit when we’re Downtown. (611 K St., Suite C, 233-7522, marbleslab.com)

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ESET CEO Anton Zajac with the company’s flagship NOD 32 antivirus and newly released Smart Security software suite.

With a slogan of “Better. Faster. Smaller,” Anton Zajac’s ESET is the best kept software secret in Downtown San Diego. But headquartered on the 19th floor of an office tower, his company’s flagship antivirus product, NOD 32, has earned an international reputation both for being effective and for not dragging down the performance of computers on which it runs. CEO Zajac is introducing this month ESET Smart Security, a package that includes a firewall and programs to ward off viruses, spyware and spam. (610 W. Ash St., 876-5400, eset.com)

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One day a week, San Diego High students hone their math skills aboard the USS Midway.

The best math class in the county takes place every Monday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the USS Midway Museum. San Diego High School students apply math concepts and develop historical projects tied to the various functions and elements of the ship. The students who took part last year scored the school’s greatest gains in math because of the practical application of the concepts each week. (910 N. Harbor Drive, 544-9600, midway.org)

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Palm Restaurant bartender Jon Ruohoniemi pours his famous Silk martini.

For Lauren Tait, the best place to get a pre-game or predinner cocktail tasting is The Palm Restaurant. “My favorite was a Mojito Making where we learned how to make our own mojitos with raspberry, ginger, coconut and pineapple flavors.” The tastings are $30 at the door, which usually includes three drinks and appetizers. If you’re interested, the next one is Nov. 9, featuring single malt scotch. (615 J St., 702-6500, thepalm.com)