we laugh in the face of danger

Here’s your chance!

As you may recall, back in May I told you about the new Flightline zip-line adventure at the Wild Animal Park. You know, the one where you soar 400 feet above animals, flying at about 40+ miles per hour?

Well recently, some of my fellow bloggers and I took it upon ourselves to test out the Flightline adventure to ensure our trusted readers the highest quality and most accurate information. (It’s a tough job but someone’s gotta do it, right?)

Check it out!

Here’s what we thought…

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Tags: adventure, things to do, wild animal park

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This past weekend was one of the best weather weekends we’ve had in a while!  I really enjoyed my weekly beach volleyball games at Ocean Beach, but decided Sunday afternoon that my dose of beach on Saturday was just not enough for the weekend.

With 70 miles of beaches in San Diego, there are a lot of choices when you “think beach” around here.  When I want a nice view and a fun walk, I usually choose the La Jolla Shores beach.  LJS has a nice, long walkable beach.  All the way from the foot of the Marine Room Restaurant, past the Scripps pier and, depending on the tide levels, further down along the cliffs.

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Tags: beach, hotels, la jolla, outdoors, photography

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If you’re mid-century modern fan, The Mingei Museum in Balboa Park has an exhibit for you this summer.  Masters of the Mid-Century California Modern covers the careers of Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman, designers whose home accessories, furniture and architectural elements were at the forefront of the now iconic design movement.

In celebration of the exhibit, the museum is hosting Hollywood Modern: Modernist Set Design in Mid-Century Cinema, a film series with screenings on three consecutive Thursdays in July. 

The three films they’ve selected all feature amazing mid-century modern design and hilarious hi-jinks: the romantic comedy Pillow Talk, the Doris Day and Rock Hudson classic (July 2); the spy spoof Our Man Flint starring James Coburn (July 9); and Blake Edwards’ raucous comedy The Party with the incomparable Peter Sellers (July 16).

I don’t know about you but I love me some Peter Sellers! 

Hollywood Modern at The Mingei also features that staple of the 50’s and 60’s – the cocktail party – with film-inspired cocktails and appetizers from 6 – 7 p.m.

Admission is $10 for members and students and $15 for non-members.

Tags: balboa park, drinks, film

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Travel Like A Local with Modern Mixology and other summer fun.

Did you know we’ve got an online radio show?

Last week, she interviewed guests who spoke about all the summer activities at Loews Coronado Bay Resort - ranging from Modern Mixology classes to guided herb garden tours – and the free outdoor summer movies presented by San Diego County Parks & Recreation. 

Organic cocktails and outdoor movies?  Sounds like a perfect summer afternoon to me!

Tags: coronado, drinks, film, summer, travel like a local

(2 votes, average: 2.50 out of 5)

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I’m having a Calgon moment and a bubble bath won’t cut it.  I need something stronger.

What’s a girl to do when only a technicolor cocktail with an umbrella will suffice?

Follow the lead of generations of Californians and embrace Tiki culture, of course.  That way, I can take an exotic getaway - just for a happy hour (or two) – and I don’t even have to leave the Gaslamp Quarter much less blow 1000 bucks on airfare to Tahiti.

So, I’m heading to Mister Tiki’s Mai Tai Lounge for their $5 on Fifth happy hour specials. 

This is not the $5 drink. What are you crazy?

Just five smackers will buy me my choice of fun island-inspired drinks like the Haole Mai Tai, Lilikoi Mojito or Coconut Kiss Martini.  And, my guy – he’s not a big umbrella fan- can enjoy a large Sapporo for the same price. 

Of course, the South Seas – like happy hour – are not just about the drinks. 

PuPus are fun to say and even more fun to eat!

Mister Tiki’s deals cross over to the sushi bar where for five bucks you can choose from California, spicy tuna, spicy yellowtail, shrimp tempura or vegetarian rolls.  And, $5 PuPu specials offer modern takes on Tiki fare with crispy shitake & goat cheese wontons, spiced chicken potstickers, chicken lettuce wraps, tempura baby shrimp and calamari fries.

It’s a proven fact, PuPus are far superior to appetizers in elevating one’s mood.  And, tropical cocktails will make your happy hour happier than most other drinks.

Mister Tiki $5 on Fifth specials, Monday-Friday from 5-7 p.m. 

Mai Tai, take me away!

Tags: deals, downtown, drinks, food, happy hour, tiki

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So much to see, so much to eat and so much to sip this weekend!

1. This Friday and Saturday check out the 3rd Annual San Diego International Beer Festival at the San Diego County Fair where beer lovers can sample more than 300 brews from 17 countries and 20 states.  Of course, some of San Diego’s finest craft brews will be there too; (see Kate’s Get Hoppy post below).  The event takes place in the fair’s Chevrolet Del Mar Arena from 4 -8 p.m. on Friday and noon-7 p.m. on Saturday. Ticket prices range from $20-$43 and include fair admission, a souvenir tasting cup and best of all, a wristband that provides unlimited one-ounce samplings of beer. (And you thought the fair food was something to talk about!)


chili here we come

 

2. The 30th Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-off kicks-off this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on OB’s main drag, Newport Avenue.  Here, you’ll find  live musical performances on 5 stages, 2 beer gardens, a skateboard exhibition, carnival rides, more than 200 vendors and so much more… oh yeah, and delicious chili!  I don’t know about you, but this is where I’ll be on Saturday.

 

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Tags: 5 to try, beach, birch aquarium, craft beer, cruise, festival, food, la jolla, live music, North Park, ocean beach, san diego bay, san diego county fair, snorkel, things to do

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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The hops are on the right...

So, you’ve heard about how San Diego has one of most exciting craft brew scenes in the world and you want to come explore for yourself.   

Maybe you’re a hard-core hop head who wants the insider scoop on cult favorites.  Maybe you’re a newbie looking to broaden your beer horizons.  Maybe you just want to relax and enjoy without worrying about driving. 

If any of the above apply, I’d highly recomend a guided, chauffeured beer tour with Brewery Tours of San Diego  or BrewHop.

Recently, I spent an afternoon with the later touring a few breweries around town.  BrewHop is great because they do custom tours – just you and your group – with tons of personal attention and lots of craft beer insight from their expert guides.

I got to chat with the brewers, sip some blow-your mind beers and hip to barrel-aging, the technique San Diego brewers are using in the country’s most sought-after small-batch brews. 

Check out photos and all the details after the jump…

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Tags: craft beer, drinks, tour

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So what does an attractive, single, 30-something professional do on a Friday night in San Diego?  Well I don’t know about guys like that, but here’s what I did…

Stingaree's Peach Tiramisu

I had the distinct pleasure of patronizing Stingaree for the evening last Friday, and all I can say is that my friends and I will be remembering that night for a while to come.  No, it was not a Hangover reminiscient night of debauchery that I couldn’t remember the next day.  Rather, it was an opportunity to enjoy a delicious dinner with friends, a few dances on the dance floor, and to relax under the stars listening to the DJ (accompanied by the live instruments of Jason Whitmore and Kofi) on Sting’s rooftop deck.

More well known for their nightclub than their restaurant, Stingaree’s been doing great things to bring the restaurant to people’s attention.  Their Happy Hour includes 50% off their lounge menu, and reduced prices on drinks.  But if you’ve got the time, I recommend sitting down for a full dinner!  (TIP:  Those eating dinner at Sting, have complimentary access to the nightclub afterward! Avoid the cover charge & lines and enjoy a great meal instead!)

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Tags: downtown, drinks, food, nightlife

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Downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter is well known as a nightlife destination as well as home to many of San Diego’s signature restaurants and boutiques, but those 16 square blocks south of Broadway also hold the key to the city’s fascinating history.

Like any Wild West town, the story of San Diego is rich with sensational stories of heroism and infamy – from its origins as “New Town” to its era as the red light district, through its time of decay into its renaissance – and you can relive it all through these unique and entertaining sightseeing tours.

• The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation’s historical walking tour leaves every Saturday at 11:00 A.M. from the William Heath Davis House on 4th & Island Ave.  The house itself is the oldest surviving structure in downtown San Diego – each of its rooms showcasing a unique period in San Diego’s history – and it only gets more interesting from there.  On this tour, you’ll get to see the Gaslamp Quarter with new eyes as you retrace the steps of many colorful residents (including former San Diego “capitalist” Wyatt Earp), visit historic Victorian-style buildings, and walk the streets of the former red light district.
  The tour costs $10.00 for adults, and $8.00 for seniors, students and military.  Kids’ tours and private group tours are also available.

• Back Alley Tours focuses on the Gaslamp Quarter’s risqué history as our original red light district.  Here you will travel back in time to the more lawless days and nights of the ”Stingaree,” as it was known then.  Owner and tour guide Melanie Young prepared this unique and unusual tour by spending a year digging through the archives at the Museum of San Diego History reading periodicals and journals, studying historic photographs and absorbing every bit of historical information she could get her hands on.  The result is a unique and thoroughly entertaining look at old San Diego.
  Back Alley Tours take place in the evenings Wednesdays through Saturdays.  Tickets cost $20 each, or $35 for a pair. Seniors, students and military tickets are $18.
• Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours and Ghostly Tours In History provide a different kind of thrill after dark.  Hear macabre tales of San Diego’s history, explore its mysteries, and walk in the footsteps of some historical figures who met untimely or unjust demises in the streets of “New Town.”  Yup, they’re still hanging around, waiting for some resolution or perhaps just enjoying the San Diego weather.  Both tours also visit other historic districts of San Diego such as Old Town and Coronado. The tours are billed as “PG-13″ but don’t worry – it’s an Edgar Allen Poe spooky, not a Rosemary’s Baby spooky.
  Tour pricing varies by type of tour.  Check out their websites for details.

Will you ever look at downtown San Diego the same way again?  I quote the raven: “Nevermore!”

Tags: downtown, fun, Gaslamp Quarter, ghosts, history, museum, outdoors, things to do, tour, what to do

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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For those who have forgotten how much fun it is to play dress up and enjoy a cup of tea with your grandma/stuffed animals/imaginary friends, I advise you to throw on your best dress and head to the nearest tea room – stat.

I brought my sorority alumnae group to Mrs. Burton’s Tea Room and Victorian Shop for an afternoon tea party a few weeks ago and we had an amazing time. Mrs. Burton’s Tea Room is in an old Victorian-style house in Old Town that hosts tea parties for all ages. The shabby chic decor and collection of large hats and colorful boas to wear during your party add to the old-time ambiance. The tea room is great for baby showers, bridal showers, children’s birthday parties, or just to catch up with a friend.

Tea Time!

The tea party is fit for a princess, complete with finger sandwiches, scones,
and endless refills of warm tea. After the tea, there is optional croquet on the  lawn (think Alice in Wonderland, minus the flamingos and hedgehogs), or even storytelling available, along with a group photo on the outside patio. And of course, your prince can come too. Top hats are provided, so he can leave his at home.

For a unique, unforgettable and alcohol-free party experience, tea parties are a great idea for people of all ages. Dressing up in your favorite frocks is always fun, and being able to enjoy a pot of tea with your friends (and not just your kid’s stuffed animals) is sure to be memorable.

Other tea options to try:

The Aubrey Rose Tea Room – La Mesa
Tea Upon Chatsworth - Point Loma
The Westgate Hotel - Downtown. Afternoon tea Friday – Sunday.
Shakespeare Corner – Mission Hills
Four Seasons Aviara - Carlsbad

Tags: old town, tea rooms

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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