Archive for
November, 2007
November 12th, 2007 by jamie a
Kono’s Cafe
Photo uploaded by
No matter what cuisine strikes your fancy, this guide to restaurants in San Diego will keep both your stomach and wallet happy!
A stroll away from Pacific Beach lies an American cuisine hotspot with a patio overlooking the ocean. Hang out with the local beach bums while you chow down on “Kono’s potatoes” and piping hot stacks of pancakes. Hailed the quintessential San Diego breakfast, it’s also amazingly cheap.
For a delectable bowl of amazing noodles, check out for Vietnamese cuisine. At $6 a bowl, this place attracts families and twenty-somethings alike, both out to get their fill of beef pho with delicious green onions, Sriracha sauce (made from chile peppers, vinegar, salt, sugar, and garlic), or Hoisin sauce. Get ready for a traditional Vietnamese dining experience with all the authentic flavors you can imagine.
Look no further than for some yummy Mediterranean flavors. From homemade hummus and falafel to beef shawarma and stuffed grape leaves, this place has something for everyone. Enjoy the lovely outdoor seating and top off your meal with some homemade baklava.
Voted one of the best Italian delis in the city, give a try! Known for their huge portions, freshly baked bread, and entirely homemade ingredients, try the sopressata, salami, and sweet Italian sausage on any of their torpedo sandwiches.
A great local bar right by the beach, is known as a perfect hangout spot. With amazing fish tacos, peel & eat shrimp, oysters, steamers, and tostadas, you won’t leave hungry! Bring your friends, grab some drinks and stop in for happy hour from Monday-Friday from 3-6 pm and save with the . After dinner, you can even take a stroll down the beach.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
November 9th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by
If you’re among the countless number of travelers who’ve experienced airport delays this year, then this will be music to your (tired, jet lagged) ears. Wednesday’s Wall Street Journal reported on . Those flying to San Diego should be excited to hear that San Diego’s Airport is listed as 3rd for best on-time arrival rates so far this year. The other airports listed are in Salt Lake City, Oakland, Houston and Chicago. Happy travels!
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
November 8th, 2007 by amy c
Friday, November 9- Sunday, November 11
Fine Arts Festival IV: will be displaying fine and upscale art on sale. Browse jewelry, paintings, and sculpture and check out the museum.
Saturday, November 10
: Celebrating its 144th anniversary, the tallest and oldest active ship will sail from the . Watch from the Embarcadero or visit the ship at the museum.
Wednesday, November 14
: San Diego’s largest culinary festival! Enjoy hundreds of wines, take cooking classes, and savor the culinary masterpieces of celebrity chefs and local fine dining restaurants.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
November 7th, 2007 by amy c
La Jolla Cove
photo uploaded by
As promised, here is an overview of San Diego’s most popular beaches, offering everything a beach bum would desire:
: Known as the party beach, Pacific Beach is home to a neighborhood made up of college students and recent graduates. Part of the beach allows alcohol between noon and 8 pm in non-glass containers, making it a hot-spot for weekend parties.
: La Jolla cove is full of underwater life. At this kid-friendly beach, you can check out the tide pools or enjoy gentle waves. This is also the perfect beach for scuba diving and snorkeling as many plant and animal life make their home in the protected cove. Try for gear and lessons. Nearby are many restuarants and shops, including world famous .
: Known as classic Southern California, this beach is the most southwesterly, offering open space, often quieter and more serene than other beaches north of it. Home to the famous sandcastle contest in July, this beach is perfect for every beach activity, including swimming, surfing, shell collecting, and sunbathing.
: The majestic cliffs that reach almost 300 feet offers a seclusive atmosphere to this beach, making it San Diego’s unofficial nude beach. Powerful waves, especially in the winter months, also attract surfers to this clothing-optional beach.
If you’re planning a trip between December and March, be sure to catch the , where you can see California gray whales making their migration south.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
November 6th, 2007 by jamie a
dining in Old Town
photo uploaded by
Being from the East Coast, I’m sure my experiences with Mexican cuisine pale in comparison to those of the West Coasters. While you’re in San Diego, do yourself a favor and try some authentic Mexican fare. Once you’re home, who knows when you’ll be able to have a handmade tortilla or carne asada fajitas again!
At Cafe Coyote & Cantina in Old Town, you can sit on the patio and watch tortillas being made right before your eyes. A colorful restaurant brimming with vibrant personality, this spot’s got everything from breakfast margaritas to tamales made on site!
Since 1933, Las Quatro Milpas (”The Four Cornfields”) has been delighting guests with homestyle Mexican food at low, low prices. This hole-in-the-wall is known for its Chorizo con Huevos for breakfast and the rolled tacos and carnitas burritos are said to be heavenly. This spot attracts a line down the block, so it’s best to go early so you don’t have to wait in line very long.
Voted both “Best Mexican” and “Best Margarita” in 2007, El Agave serves the finest in Mexican Nouvelle cuisine. This impressive spot also has specialties such as mole, a European and Asian influenced curry, and over 1700 different kinds of tequila. If you’re in the mood for the best margarita of your life, head on over here! The wait staff is also familiar with giving suggestions for your drinks if you’re up for trying something new.
For 24-hour cravings, hit up Roberto’s Taco Shop, an authentic hole-in-the-wall taco stand. The locals recommend ordering your burrito “wet.” It costs a bit more, but comes out ready for your fork covered in delicious cheese and enchilada sauce. There’s a drive-thru for those on the go, or you can eat your carne adsada fries loaded with guacamole right there on the side of the road.
At El Zarape, you’d be crazy not to order their scallop, lobster, or fish tacos and burritos. With meat, health-concious, and vegetarian options, any palate will be pleased. There’s also a salsa bar to test your spice-level tolerance, so of course you have to try them all.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
November 5th, 2007 by amy c
Hotel Del Coronado
photo uploaded by
The small island town of Coronado, connected to the mainland by the iconic Coronado Bridge, is a great vacation spot, offering restaurants, award winning beaches, shopping, and sightseeing. A resort community with a taste of Mexico, Coronado is a tourist favorite and the ultimate nearby getaway for locals.
Hop on the Coronado Ferry in Downtown San Diego for a quick, scenic ride to the charming island.
Coronado is the perfect cycling city. It’s flat paved roads and multitudes of bike riders make every destination easily accessible by bicycle. Pick up your own set of wheels at PeDel’s Bike Rentals, located at the historic where celebrities, presidents, and dignitaries have stayed and where Some Like it Hot was filmed.
Our own Shannon B. recommends grabbing gelato from one of the hotel’s many restaurants and bars and enjoying the treat on the award-winning beach. The Travel Channel recently rated the Del’s beach the second best in the country, known for picturesque sunsets, gentle waves, and a long stretch of white sand.
Even if you can’t afford to stay in the ritzy hotel, you can still enjoy the architectural beauty of the building and the history with the Hotel Del Coronado Walking Tour.
Just two blocks from the “Del” is another city landmark that will bring you back to an era of glamor. Tent City, a makeshift resort opened in 1900, quickly becoming a popular and fashionable destination for summer vacationers. Attracting authors, actors, presidents, and those looking for a slightly more rustic beach-side vacation. Today, the celebrates this era of Coronado history with casual, sophisticated dining, specializing in fresh California-eclectic cuisine.
A leisurely stroll through Coronado will give you a chance to soak up the beauty and history of the quaint island. The will take you on a 90-minute tour of Coronado’s most famous buildings, offering insight into why this unique place has been a famous playground to celebrities.
Offering a daily happy hour from 2-6, the is another perfect place to stop in for one or two or three of famous hand-crafted beers. You can also enjoy a full meal, including pizzas and calzones made in wood fire ovens. Casual, family dining and the daily sports coverage makes this restaurant a Coronado favorite.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
November 1st, 2007 by amy c
Old Town
photo uploaded by
San Diego’s Old Town exudes Cal-Mex culture with mariachi bands, margaritas, and markets that feature traditional hand-made Mexican arts and crafts. An afternoon in Old Town will take you back to the days of California’s first European settlement and offer a taste of traditional Mexican cuisine.
The Junipero Serra Museum, created in 1929 to commemorate the first mission established by Father Junipero Serra and Captain Gaspar de Portola, features artifacts from the Native American, Spanish, and Mexican periods.
Frequented by the ghost of San Diego pioneer, Thomas Whaley, the historic Whaley House is said to be the most haunted house in America, gaining world-famous stature for several paranormal incidents experienced by the visitors. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, you’ll appreciate the beautiful architecture and rich history that has made this house a San Diego landmark since 1857.
No Old Town excursion is complete without a taste of the traditional Mexican flavors that have seasoned California cuisine. I recommend El Agave, to get an intoxicating Mexican experience with its variety of fresh seafood, traditional dishes, including “moles” which utilize a wide array of surprising and complementary spices, and their selection of over a hundred tequilas. Not only does the food make this restaurant worthy of its “Best Mexican Restaurant in San Diego” title, but the rustic decor and outside seating will give you the feeling you are dining in a Mexican palace.
Check back for ways to enjoy another one of San Diego’s historical neighborhoods: Coronado Island!
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
