Which area around San Diego should I stay if I want to be near the beach, nightlife, and shopping.....?

...and I wanted to get a real feel for the city and its natives? I was thinking about checking out one of the following places to find a hotel: Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, La Jolla, DelMar, Cardiff, Encinitas, or Carlsbad. Which one of these places, or any others you can add, has the best beach and natural scenery with good access to restaurants, bars, and shopping within walking distance to the shore? Thank-you!