The TODAY Show wrapped up their week of vacationing across the US here on the California coast with a visit to San Diego. 

They rode the waves in La Jolla Shores with Surf Diva, went kayaking in the La Jolla Sea Caves, took a leisurely ride with The Gondola Company in Coronado and visited the beautiful Hotel del Coronado.  A pretty cool finale to a great series!

Tags: coronado, gondola, hotel del, in the news, kayak, la jolla, surfing

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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can't wait to hang out with my dad!

My dad is coming to visit me this weekend and I couldn’t be more excited! I decided to turn our weekend plans into a special “5 to try,” which includes some of our favorite things to do and some new places we’re going to check out. 

I think we’re going to have a great time this weekend and maybe I’ll see you around?

1. Our first stop will be the Fish Market for oysters and cheesy garlic bread, a little tradition of ours. It’s located right next to the airport and since he arrives in the afternoon, the outdoor patio will be a perfect spot for lunch. The restaurant is located right along San Diego Bay and has awesome views of military ships, sailboats and pelicans. I think this will be a great start to the weekend.
2. The Del Mar Races are in full swing every Wednesday – Sunday until September 9, we’ve never been but we’re going to try our luck this Saturday. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. and tickets cost $6 for stretch run seating and $10 for clubhouse seats. Wish us luck! In addition to the races, this Saturday at the racetrack is the Craft Microbrew Festival from noon to 6 p.m. The festival will have live music from local bands and tasty taps form over 25 of San Diego’s finest breweries; admission to the festival is free with racetrack tickets. Can’t wait!
3. Of course no trip to San Diego would be complete without a visit the beach. We’ll probably head over to my favorite, Ocean Beach, on Sunday morning to hang out and walk around. It’s a great location for people watching, something my dad and I both enjoy, as well as grabbing a quick bite and shopping…Hmm, I wonder if I can talk my dad into getting me a new pair of shoes??
4. The first time my dad came to visit me in San Diego, we went to Busters Beach House & Longboard Bar in Seaport Village. We had such a great time, that we’ve gone back every time he’s visited and this weekend is no exception. We’ll be there sometime between 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the daily happy hour specials, $1 fish taco and $3 Pale Ale, yum! Before we leave, we’ll probably walk around Seaport Village and stay for some of the live music and entertainment.
5. This weekend is the Latin American Festival and Mata Ortiz Pottery Market in Old Town. This free festival takes place Friday through Sunday at Bazaar del Mundo and will showcase really neat, authentic Mata Ortiz pottery, art, music and live art demonstrations. Since my dad has never been to Old Town, this will be a great stop before dinner on Sunday evening. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Tags: 5 to try, craft beer, del mar, dining, free, ocean beach, old town, san diego bay, seaport village, summer

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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I may not have a voice like Celine Dion, but I do enjoy singing “My Heart Will Go On,” from time to time. And why just give my shower and car the only chance to hear my beautiful, melodic voice? Singers of all abilities (or none at all) can sing in front of live audiences just like their favorite pop stars at local karaoke bars. Or just sit back and enjoy listening to everyone else sing “YMCA”. Here are my personal 5 to try:

1. The Lamplighter – This Mission Hills bar brings in a diverse variety of clientele. Patrons can enjoy karaoke every night of the week starting around 9 p.m. I once saw what looked like the leader of a biker gang sing right after a student from UCSD.

2. Kearny Mesa Bowl – What better combination of activities than a game of bowling followed up with a night of karaoke? This multi-tasking venue is also great for bar food and hearing 100’s of renditions of “Rhinestone Cowboy”. Karaoke is on weekends only from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

3. 710 Beach Club – Ever dreamed of singing with your very own live band backing you up? Well you can at every Thursday night at this popular beach bar. As one Yelp reviewer puts it “a great place to make a cool YouTube video”.  I also enjoy the epic beer pong tournaments and drinking Jenga.

4. Tio Leo’s – Killer Mexican food and great karaoke on Thursday and Saturday nights. After a few margaritas, even I start sounding good.

5. The Carriage House – I first went here for a sorority exchange in college and went back when I heard about the fabulous karaoke nights. They have a huge book of songs to choose (crucial!!) and even shuffle-board.

Tags: 5 to try, karaoke, nightlife

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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I love the Travelocity gnome. You know, the little guy with the red hat and the white beard that travels the globe, but isn’t Santa Claus? Well San Diego lovers, if you love the gnome as much as I do, here’s your chance to bring him to our sunny city. Vote to bring the Travelocity gnome to San Diego in the Pick the Roaming Gnome’s Next Adventure contest.

Mission Beach is currently battling Venice Beach in Los Angeles and South Beach in Miami, and we need your votes (and the votes from your friends, family, co-workers, long-lost relatives and random people you meet on the street) to put San Diego on the map. Voting also makes you more attractive, so the more you vote, the better looking you are!*

Voting goes on until Tuesday, August 4th, so please vote all week and ensure that San Diego goes down in the books as being the best beach city in the U.S. Plus, it wouldn’t hurt to have a personal photo with the cutest gnome we can think of.

VOTE NOW

*No clinical studies have ever been conducted to prove this theory.

Tags: contest, mission beach

(4 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

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San Diego is a major theater town.  Productions that premiere here head off to the Great White Way every year. Lately, we’ve had a lot of luck with musicals like The Old Globe’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and La Jolla Playhouse’s Tony Award-winning Jersey Boys. 

In fact, debuting this fall on Broadway is Memphis which I saw right here, at La Jolla Playhouse, last year. It’s good, check it out if you’re in NYC!

What does this mean for you? Especially if you’re visiting San Diego? Well, you can brag to theater buffs that you saw it first in San Diego. 

This season, if luck holds, it looks like The Old Globe is giving musical fans a chance to preview another (future) Broadway show with the world premiere of The First Wive’s Club: A New Musical showing now through Aug. 23 in Balboa Park. 

Check out a preview of the show with new songs by Motown legends Holland-Dozier-Holland:

PS.  This is our 100th post.  Hooray!

Tags: balboa park, La Jolla Playhouse, musical, old globe, theater

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Wicked

I am super excited that Broadway San Diego is bringing Wicked back to San Diego this summer!  I missed it when it was here in 2006, and have been waiting patiently (or at least somewhat-patiently) for its return! 

Wicked will be playing at the San Diego Civic Center from July 29 – August 30.  For those who aren’t familiar with the story (what rock have you been hiding under?!), here’s the official blurb:

Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz.  One – born with emerald-green skin – is smart, fiery and misunderstood.  The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular.  WICKED tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, and how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

I am particularly excited for this show, as I just recently saw the Lamb’s Player Theatre’s production of Godspell down the street at the Horton Grand Theater.  The lyrics and music for Godspell were written by Stephen Schwartz, who also did the music and lyrics for Wicked!

If only Wicked drew as dedicated an audience as Comic Con!  Wouldn’t it be awesome to have the theater filled with audience members with green faces and tall, pointy black hats?!

Tags: downtown, theater

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The other weekend, the guys and I took a little trip to a destination famous for its gambling opportunities and had a great time.  But in truth, I spent very little time at the tables and slots.  Why did I forgo this intregal part of the trip, you ask?  ‘Cause I’ve got plenty of opportunities to gamble here in San Diego when the mood strikes!

Barona Casino

San Diego has numerous Indian Casinos in our East and North county regions. In all honesty, I’m not a huge gambler but do enjoy it for the entertainment value every once in a while. After a few months of playing poker online, I work up the courage to head over to one of the Indian Casinos and try my luck with some real money.  San Diego casinos that I’ve visited and enjoyed are:  Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino, Sycuan Resort & Casino and Viejas Casino & Outlet Center.

My last casino visit was to the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino a couple of months ago. Barona recently won like 25 awards for their casino, so I figured I should roll someplace recognized as a leader in their field.  Unfortunately, my online Texas Hold ‘Em skills weren’t quite honed to perfection that night, and the fine ladies and gentlemen at my table quickly added my $40 to their stacks of chips.  Vowing to return one day and sweep the table, I cheered myself up with an amazing steak dinner at Barona’s Oaks Steakhouse - absolutely fantastic!  Definitely one of the better steakhouses that I’ve eaten at.

Ranch House Buffet at Barona Ranch Resort & Casino

If you’re a casino regular, you’re also well familiar with the concept of the casino buffet.  I’ve had the pleasure of eating at Barona’s Ranch House Buffet, and I gotta say that my mouth still waters thinking about it.  Now, I’m not a huge buffet guy, but when I do a buffet, I do it big!  The Ranch House Buffet has multiple islands of different types of foods (I think my first plate had sushi, macaroni & cheese, salad and carne asada on it). I definitely ate my fill that day!  In fact, I’ve even been tempted to drive out to Barona just to do Sunday brunch there!

 

Tags: casino, dining, east county, food, north county

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Want to see the BIGGEST movies for free this summer? 

Now through Sept. 7, you can see IMAX flicks for free at The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park by printing out a Summer Splash coupon and paying regular gallery admission – $10 for adults, $8.75 for kids and seniors. 

Free IMAX Summer Splash Flicks at the Fleet

The Summer Splash IMAX movies are:

ADVENTURES IN WILD CALIFORNIA - Careen down an icy raven; skysurf on thermals above the clouds; swim through the oceans with otters; explore the heart of a thirty-story tall Giant Sequoia and ride one of California’s biggest, surfable waves in this virtual  Golden State expedition. (Showing daily July-Aug.)

UNDER THE SEA – Be transported to some of the most exotic and isolated undersea locations on Earth, including South Australia, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Coral Triangle islands of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, for face-to-face encounters with mysterious sea creatures. (Showing daily July-Aug.)
 
LEWIS & CLARK – The journey of exploration that shaped a nation is re-created in this film.  (Showing Aug. 1-9)
 
EVEREST – The true story of climbers who found strength in tragedy on the world’s highest mountain. (Showing Aug. 10-16)
 
JOURNEY INTO AMAZING CAVES –  Explore unusual caves, including ice caves in Greenland and underwater caves in the jungles of Mexico.  (Showing Aug. 17-23)
 
MYSTERIES OF EGYPT -  Journey through the Land of the Pharaohs against the wondrous backdrop of the sweeping Nile and the majestic Giza pyramids.  (Showing Aug. 24-31)

Tags: balboa park, deals, film, free, summer

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Par 4 #11 at Salt Creek

Saturday I took advantage of the warm summer weather and got out to Salt Creek Golf Club. This great links-style course is nestled into the foothills of Chula Vista, a suburb about 25 minutes from Downtown San Diego.

Golf for Normal People
I love the fact that the course is a challenge, and it is an authentic golf experience, but there is no pretense at Salt Creek. There are no snooty members, no overzealous Tiger wannabe’s, just working people who love the game and want a fun and challenging course they can afford.

Course Honors
Make no mistake though, this is a serious golf course, Golf Digest gave them 4 ½ Stars in their Best Places to Play 2008-2009. There is also a massive all-grass driving range with lights so you can hit balls until the wee-hours.

If you get a tee time after the morning haze lifts hole #1’s tee-box offers great views all the way to the Pacific Ocean and the Coronado Islands.

Rates
Rates vary from $35 – to- $95, if you call the club (619 482-4666) and mention that you saw this blog they will give you a special deal! Be sure to also look for great last minute specials, and the Players Club, a great value.

How to Get There
From the north it is best to use the new toll-road. It’s $3 each way and exact change is required. It was also loaded with cops, so don’t think your $6 just bought you a pass on the autobahn.

Conditions Right Now
Superintendent Rob Browns deserves some love for keeping the course in such great shape during the warm dry days of a San Diego summer. The course is in amazing condition.

How I Scored
Not a scorecard I want to frame, that’s for certain. Let’s put it this way, I went to the beach the following day and I can’t tell which location had me in more sand.

I had to scramble up a good back nine to break 100, and it seems like I was hitting out of a bunker on every other hole, but that’s links golf for you.

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I’m back!  In case you were wondering, my fish & chips lunch was delicious.  And my people-watching session proved to be more fruitful than I expected!  Through the magic of common begging — and with the help of a generous Comic-Con attendee — my boys and I were able to enter the Con and take a quick lap around the exhibit hall to see what we could see.  (By the way, you haven’t truly experienced gridlock until you’ve attempted to push a stroller through Comic-Con on Saturday.  My apologies to all the ankles I smashed yesterday.)

"Nobody move! I dropped a contact lens."

So you all know what Bat-, Spider- and Supermen look like.  Here are a couple of my favorite creative efforts from this year.

HimTube: Live @ Comic-Con 2009

The dark side: the side with style!

Imagine how excited I was to see this! After all these years, I finally found Waldo!

You ask me, this is the real Mardi Gras in San Diego.  (I mean Samedi Gras.)

During my quick visit to the exhibit hall, I was reminded of another of Comic-Con’s attractions — the art!  There are rows upon rows of artists displaying their work and even creating new, original sketches for fans before their very eyes.  This is, after all, what it’s all about.  These are the guys and gals who inspire the madness we see every year downtown in the first place.  I was happy to find at least one artist I recognized, in action (pictured below).  Maybe next year, I’ll go to the Con dressed as him.

G-Man and Mini Marvels creator Chris Giarrusso sketches the cutest superheroes ever.

Hurry! There are precious few hours left in which to get your superpeople-watching on!

‘Nuff said.

Tags: comic-con, downtown, fun, San Diego Events

(4 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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