Pop in here when you visit and get the real scoop on Carlsbad!

I thought I did.  Legos, flowers, strawberries and surfing, right?

Actually, yes.  But there’s so much more!

On a recent visit, I found out there’s also a charming, walkable downtown full of cute shops, an awesome slice of Hollywood history meets hacienda, a museum dedicated to rocking out (debuting the first ever MOOG exhibit on Aug. 29) and a thriving, dare-I-say urban, theater scene.  

During my explorations, I got to meet Kristianne Kurner, actor, director, producer and one of the founders of the New Village Arts Theater (yep, I feel like an underachiever!), located just steps from the Coaster stop in downtown Carlsbad, and I was totally charmed by both her and the 99-seat theater. 

When I was there, NVA’s professional ensemble was busy rehearsing and just about to open their Summer Comedy Festival (running through Aug. 16) but they were kind enough to give me a backstage tour of the show and their brand-new on-site art studios.  

Run by world-class artists (Kristianne and the other founders are alums of The Actors Studio - yes, that one), NVA has been producing critically-acclaimed plays for 8 seasons up in Carlsbad and they’re just about to kick off season 9 with a couple of regional premieres, some Tennessee Williams, a Pulitzer Prize winner and a smart comedy by none other than The Jerk (I love that he’s a writer!) about Picasso and Einstein in Belle Epoque Paris.

I thought I knew Carlsbad but turns out, it’s full of surprises.  If you head up there, I’d recommend stopping at their visitor center (in the gorgeous, historic Santa Fe train depot) and letting them point you in the right direction.

Tags: Carlsbad, flower fields, legoland, museum, strawberries, surfing, theater

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

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)

 Loading ...

Treat dad to a special Father’s Day this weekend and check out these fun events :

a wet dog or a hot dog, which do you prefer?

1. This Saturday, watch adorable pups ride the waves during the 4th Annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition at Imperial Beach.  This free event, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., features talented surfing dogs as they surf in three different heats: small dogs, large dogs and tandem. 

2. Head over to the UCSD campus this Saturday and Sunday and check out the 23rd Annual La Jolla Festival of Arts and Food Fair.  The festival will have nearly 200 art displays, live music, food, book signings, and special events just for dads.  The festival will also have a new attraction, Calle Color, a live street chalking exhibition.

3. Beginning this weekend, explore  Park at Dark when the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park extends its summer hours to 8 p.m. As daylight turns to darkness, take nightime tours on Journey Into Africa, catch new summer shows with special animal encounters and watch as the park’s nocturnal creatures emerge. 

4. Eat, shop and explore the Little Italy Mercato this Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  More than 70 booths will take over Date Street and offer farm fresh produce, artisan foods and specialty items.  There will also be live music and a special pet place.

5. Celebrate Father’s Day this Sunday by taking dad on a special kayaking adventure.  Bike and Kayak Tours in La Jolla is offering all dads FREE kayak tours after 4 p.m. while the rest of the family will receive 10% off their tour.

Tags: 5 to try, coronado, dog, festival, free, kayak, la jolla, little italy, surfing, wild animal park

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Experts advise you to surf in San Diego!

Surfer Magazine just released their list of the ten best surf towns in America and San Diego’s Encinitas nabbed the number 3 spot.

The serious surfers at Surfer loved Encinitas’ laid-back surf culture, the quality of life (from the climate to abundance of cute girls) and the proximity to all of San Diego’s other great surf breaks.

If you’re just looking to get your feet wet and give surfing a try, some of those San Diego breaks are great for beginners.

Tags: encinitas, in the news, surfing

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

San Diego’s famed Surf Diva Surf School is the world’s number one surf school for women and I was lucky enough to brave the waters during a one-hour lesson.  For me, this was a major step.  I know I live in San Diego where surfing is like a form of breathing, but I’m from Nor Cal where you just don’t go in the ocean, so this wasn’t something I was accustomed to.

sand surfing is so easy

I started out with a safety lesson and introduction to the board.  Then, there was an on-land, or on-sand I should say, simulation of how to paddle, prep and pop into the perfect sideways stance for riding a wave into shore.  Easy enough…

Then my instructor guided me out into the water (well, she actually pulled me out… thankfully), turned me around so I was facing the shore and held me in place until the perfect wave came along.  Then I was off!  Paddle, prep, pop… fall.

So, I never “hung ten” like I had hoped, or actually even stood up for more than ten seconds, but the experience was so fun and totally worth it. 

I felt comfortable and safe learning in the gentle waters of La Jolla Shores and my instructor was so patient and really helpful.  Next time I’ll have to try one of Surf Diva’s two-day weekend or five-day weeklong clinics…watch out Kelly Slater, here I come!

I highly recommend Surf Diva to anyone who’s up for a fun challenge, but there are a number of other surf opportunities in San Diego too.

Oh yeah, and while Surf Diva does promote “girl power,” men and boys are definitely welcomed to come out for private or co-ed lessons.

Tags: la jolla, surfing, what to do

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...