I’m so fortunate living in San Diego that there are a vast number of options literally on every corner. Find all of your Halloween needs at a local Spirit Halloween store, or get creative and dig through one of the county’s many thrift stores to create a one-of-a-kind design. There’s plenty of goods to be found in the Hillcrest area in thrift stores like Flashbacks, and funky hats galore at the Village Hat Shop. The Pacific Beach area also has great option in walking distance such as Thrift Trader, The Buff and Pink Zone.

With so many shopping options in San Diego, we promise you’re not going to get lost in the shuffle this year with your standout costume.

Tags: Halloween, Hillcrest, pacific beach, Shopping, thrift stores

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One of my favorite things about San Diego is all the diverse neighborhoods located within the county.  All in all, there are more than 100 neighborhoods and one each offers its own unique experience, personality and charm.  While I could go on and on about each, my hands-down favorite is Ocean Beach…well “OB” as us locals like to call it.

With each visit, this town’s laid-back, hippie beach vibe is contagious.  I find myself truly relaxed as I sip mimosas in the sun, in awe with my latest fashion finds and entertained by the diversity of people and personalities that flock to this area. 

To sum it all up, here are my OB highlights, hot spots and favs:

Food

• Whenever friends or family come to visit, I make sure to take them to Tower Two Café.  While the food is just average, it’s the casual beach setting that draws me here…. Ok, and the mimosa beach buckets. (True story: the bottle of champagne comes in a colorful beach pale filled with ice, and it even has a cute little shovel attached!) Here, you can sit in the sun on the outdoor deck and look out into the ocean.  It’s dog- friendly too, so your pup can enjoy the sun, socializing and table scraps.

 

Runner ups:

• Hodad’s has been around for over 40 years and serves some of the best burgers in San Diego, even CNN thinks so.  The catch, it’s so popular that there is almost always a line out the door but the burgers are definitely worth the wait. 
• If you like fish tacos you must go to South Beach Bar & Grill.  This little beach bar has won numerous awards and recognition and in my opinion, serves the best fish tacos I’ve ever tasted…try the Mahi taco, you won’t be disappointed, I promise!!

Shopping

• My go-to for cute shoes or accessories is Lola Luna on OB’s main drag, Newport Avenue.  They always have the best shoes that you don’t see in department stores, which means most people won’t have them.  Also, they always have a sale table outside with $10 shoes… what could be better than that??

Runner ups:

• Dream Girls is one of my newer discoveries and also one of the more expensive places in OB.  It’s located on Newport Ave and they have an amazing selection of
  

  heaven on earth

  good-quality clothes, shoes and accessories so you defiantly get what you pay for.  So far, it’s proven impossible for me to leave this place empty handed.

• Also on Newport Ave. is the Closet.  I like this place for cheap clothes and shoes for nights out or special events.  Since the clothes are always changing to keep up with the latest trends I find that most visits here are either hit or miss.

Activities

• Of course a visit to OB would not be complete without stopping at the beach.  True beach lovers can surf, swim and tan, while those who just  want to take in the view can perch themselves on the boardwalk or walk across the OB Pier for amazing ocean views.  There’s also Dog Beach, a leash free beach area where dogs and their owners can splash through the waves and play fetch on the beach.

Runner ups:

• Every Wednesday from 4-8 pm, (and 4-7pm in winter) OB hosts a fantastic farmer’s market along Newport Ave. Here you can find fresh, locally grown produce and flowers, but there are also delicious food stands with all types of ethnic cuisine (mmm…sambusa) and live music, handmade jewelry and, drum roll please…… llama rides!
• Antiquing… not really my thing but if I was going to take up the hobby, I’d definitely shop in OB where they have the largest concentration of antiques and collectable in all of San Diego. In OB’s Antique District, on Newport Ave. you will find an eclectic array of one-of-a-kind antiques, mid-century modern furniture, fine estate sale items, vintage jewelry and so much more.

Tags: antique, beach, dining, dog, food, ocean beach, Shopping

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Before moving to San Diego, I don’t think I knew what the real definition of a mall was. Sure I’d been to the small mall near my house to pick up my back-to-school essentials, sit in the massage chair at Brookstone and flirt with the good looking surfers at Pacific Sunwear, but if there was ever anything out-of-the-ordinary I needed like a prom dress or a laptop I’d have to head off to another destination. Not the case with San Diego’s Fashion Valley mall.

A 2-story outdoor mall, Fashion Valley is the most all-encompassing shopping Mecca I’ve ever visited. Head to Sephora for a makeover, pick up a new iPhone at the Apple store, a purse at Burberry, home goods at Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn, clothes for the kids at Abercrombie Kids and a meal before you head out at the food court, and you could head out of there with a completely new look for yourself and your home. Every clothing style has a home base: A Lilly Pulitzer for the preppies, an H&M for the hipster crowd, a Bebe for the club-hoppers, a Tommy Bahama for my dad, a Tiffany’s if you forgot your wedding anniversary and need to make up for it, and a Banana Republic and Neiman Marcus for workwear. 

I think my personal record for mall-wandering is probably around 5 hours. Of course, to see everything at Fashion Valley it would most likely take at least a weekend. More if you visit all of the kiosks.

Besides the diversity of retail, another great feature about the mall is that you can enjoy the sunshine while you shop (with sunblock on, of course). And if you left yours at home, you can always pick some up while you’re there.

Tags: fashion, mall, Shopping

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While so many Americans used the long Memorial Day weekend for picnics at the park, camping trips, beach days, and other family bonding activities, I ventured to the Las Americas Outlet Mall to load up on all of the sweet holiday savings.

The Las Americas outlet is about 5 minutes from Mexico, and is full of all of my absolutely favorite stores. J. Crew, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers and Polo Ralph Lauren were all stopping points on my mad shopping rampage. I wish I could say that I took photos during this excursion, but truthfully they would have been back shots of me as I dashed through the shopping aisles or clutching on to a light post for dear life as my husband tried to pry me home.

One of the parts about the outlet is that some stores have additional discounts off of their already dirt cheap amazingly appealing prices. Banana Republic was offering an additional 40% off of all merchandise including clearance items, and The Gap was selling cardigans for $2.50. If I had to mentally visualize a heaven created just for me, this was it.

Las Americas Outlet is part of the Chelsea Premium Outlets which also includes the Carlsbad Premium Outlet, which means if you’re venturing around in North County you can take advantage of all of these bargains too! Las Americas will also feature live music to shop to all summer long. Make sure to check their website frequently around holiday weekends for special offers, and hopefully you’ll be able to finish your seasonal wardrobe for mere pennies like I did.

Tags: live music, mall, Shopping

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Did you know San Diego Bay has 34 miles of scenic coastline dotted with restaurants, shops, hotels, attractions, parks and marinas?  That’s a whole lotta waterfront fun, right downtown. 

What’s even more amazing?  This urban playground is serving up the savings this summer!

These “This is a Good Day” deals include:

• up to 30% off room rates (based upon availability and restrictions) at the 15 San Diego Bay hotels
• more than 100 entrees under $18 at participating San Diego Bay restaurants
• free admission for kids under age 12 with paid adult admission for San Diego Bay attractions like the USS Midway Museum, Hornblower Cruises and Events, San Diego Harbor Excursion and the Maritime Museum of San Diego
• other special offers like a VIP Shopping Pass at Seaport Village and a two-for-one night stay for boaters at Sun Harbor Marina in America’s Cup Harbor.

So, this summer, get out there and make it a great day on San Diego Bay!

Tags: deals, dining, downtown, free, hotels, san diego bay, Shopping, summer

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All the pretty young things will gather May 30 and 31 at downtown San Diego’sWonderhaus Bakery (a former Wonderbread factory) to score deals on amazing clothes and accessories from more than 100 independent designers during Thread Show.

This long-running trunk show goes way beyond a simple shopping experience.  Incorporating runway shows, DJs, art installations, charitable giving, chic cocktails and more, Thread Show has always been a one-stop shop for the hip, style-concious crowd.

This year, local bands Get Back Loretta, Dirty Sweet and The Burning of Rome are getting in on the action and performing live during the event.  Break out your dancing shoes, girls and boys.

Thread Show admission is $10 at the door.  ($8 with advance RSVP.)  The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Tags: fashion, live music, Shopping

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