Guide to entertainment and nightlife in San Diego, California – Part 7
In the words of singer Kenny Chesney, “Everything gets hotter when the sun goes down.” Ken must surely have had San Diego in mind. The city becomes a nighttown playground for grownups once the celestial orb sinks into the Pacific and the millions of bright electric lights illuminate the skyline. Evening adventurers in San Diego can choose from among hundreds of restaurants, lively bars, exciting dance clubs, swanky lounges, and all kinds of top-notch shows.
The area’s restaurants are legendary, ranging from cozy little cafes to tasty fresh seafood by the bay to superb four-star dining. A popular with the locals, try Bella Luna for some authentic Italian. Their Spigola Arrosto, an herb-crusted cut of fresh halibut with a ginger-lemon grass sauce is unforgettable. For some patio dining overlooking the sea, check out Crab Catcher; their Sunday champagne brunch is out of this world! Anthony’s Sea Grill offers inexpensive mouth-watering seafood in a casual atmosphere and boasts the envious title of being voted “best seafood in San Diego” for eleven years in a row! this is a great place to take the whole family. For a tender dry-aged prime cut of beef, a succulent rack of lamb, or a thick ranch pork chop with apple confit, Molly’s in the downtown area is the place to be. Any taste you can imagine will be satisfied in San Diego: Afghan, Thai, English, Australian, French, German, sushi, vegetarian, Spanish, Persian, Lebanese, Mediterranean, Latin, Irish, Hawaiian…the list is virtually infinite.
Follow up a scrumptious meal with a fine show. Popular musicians and bands perform regularly at a number of San Diego venues. Take in a live stage production at the Cygnet Theatre, or help solve an intriguing whodunnit at the Mystery Cafe. If you’re looking for something different, be amazed at the belly dancing action at Belly Dancing Divas. To enjoy a great meal while viewing a live show, try the Pine Hills Lodge, or book a dinner cruise with one of the numerous charters to sample gourmet foods while soaking in the great ocean views. San Diego Opera provides top-quality productions like Aida, Phantom of the Opera, and Mary, Queen of Scots. Enjoy the classical sounds of Berlioz, Brahms, Ravel, or Stavinski, along with contemporary favorites, with the talented San Diego Symphony.
For some exciting late night action, San Diego has everything from neighborhood dives to classy cigar bars to sophisticated champagne lounges. Dance the night away at Altitude Sky Bar, a trendy rooftop club in the Gaslamp Quarter. For some authentic live Irish tunes, try The Field Irish Pub, and for some hot Latin beats, check out Heat. One of the most popular night spots in San Diego is The Onyx Room, a classic cocktail lounge with an adjoining trendy nightclub. If a quieter evening is more your style, you’ll love Anthology, a wonderful piano bar.
No matter how you decide to spend your evenings during your visit, you’ll find something you’ll love. San Diego might be a scenic fun-filled city by day, but her nights are truly magical!
Guide to entertainment and nightlife in San Diego, California – Part 3
As is the case with many major cities, when the sun goes down on San Diego, the bright neon lights appear to herald the start of nightlife entertainment.
CLUBS AND BARS
There are dozens of clubs and bar throughout the city with many of the districts, such as the Gaslamp Quarter having, a wide choice of such venues to cater for every musical taste from Jazz to garage and rock to trance. There are a number of bars with a European flavour. For example, the Bitter End in Fifth Avenue will transport you to Europe for the night with its Brit theme, and simply walk through the doors of the Ould Sod on Adam’s Avenue and you will definitely think of the Emerald Isle.
Your could also try the no-frills 4th and B, appropriately located on B street, downtown, if you want a pot luck evening with anything from funky to orchestral music, or a dressy night at the Ole Madrid club on Fifth Avenue if you fancy a night of dance, music, Tapas and Sangria. Although sometimes too close to the airport for comfort, the Casbah on Kettner Boulevard has some great “former” or “yet to be famous” acts strutting their stuff on a nightly basis.
For something a little different why not visit Martini Ranch/Shaker room, which reputedly has over thirty different types of Martini. Club land in San Diego also offers nights of laughter at the Comedy Store with regular stand up acts and audience participation on certain evenings, particularly on a Sunday. Pop along to Pearl Street and see for yourself. With Gay and Lesbian clubs, such as the male dominated Number club on Park Boulevard, the club scene caters for a cosmopolitan audience.
THEATRES
The gentler forms of nighttime entertainment are catered for by the many performing arts venues in town. La Jolla Playhouse, of which Gregory Peck was a founder, offers a choice of three theatre stage productions nightly, as does the San Diego Repertory Company on Broadway Circle. At these theatres you will find all of your favourites as well as new productions.
Alternatively you can try out the San Diego Opera on Third Street or catch up with the Symphony Orchestra on B Street, both guaranteed to provide a great evenings entertainment.
WINING AND DINING
There is a plethora of places to wine and dine in San Diego; it would need a book to review them all. With cuisine from around the world, and likely to suit all pockets, check out more details for these at the web address listed at the end of this article. However, one place does need special mention as it includes music, dancing, food, wine and a cruise, is the Hornblower Cruises, which board at 6.30pm from North Harbour Drive. What better way to spend an evening than floating by delightful scenery with dinner and entertainment provided?
San Diego nightlife is an experience in itself, perhaps one that is worth sleeping away the daytime for!
Restaurant sources:
http://www.frommers.com/destin ations/sandiego/28_inddin.html
Guide to entertainment and nightlife in San Diego, California – Part 5
Of the multitude of cities that boast many venues of entertainment, San Diego is often overlooked. While New York and Los Angeles have more glam and lights, and cities such as Las Vegas and New Orleans are noted for their decadent nightlife, San Diego quietly exhibits a fun and enticing identity all its own.
You have to start, of course, at the historic Gaslamp district in downtown. Over a 3 by 5 block area protruding down towards the Convention Center and beautiful Petco Park (home of the Padres), the Gaslamp is home to such a variety of venues that it will days you many weeks to find them all, let alone start to experience them. The many fine restaurants are each unique, but commonly have seating areas on the sidewalk patios (in addition to their indoor tables) that enables passersby to feast their eyes on the fun and fare, hoping to draw them inside. There are many night spots, shopping areas, and even street performers; but one of the must-dos to any visitor is to take a romantic horse-drawn buggy tour of the downtown area. For a modern city, there is much history and charm.
Then there is Old Town, up the hill and across the 5 freeway from downtown. A well-preserved replica of the original Mexican settlement, Old Town breaks away from the urban area nearby. The Hispanic backdrop is quaint, relaxing, and fun, with natural gardens, shops, and Mariachi bands abounding to give a feel for the city’s early culture. There are some fine Mexican eateries here, and the reduction in noise traffic makes for a wonderful retreat form the usual Friday night crowds.
Going further north, the city of La Jolla is a high-end village where the cuisine is par excellence, and the adventure of finding another exciting gem around the next sidewalk curve is thrilling. Our first time there, we found a late night art exhibit featuring the works of Dr. Seuss (La Jolla was his residence for many years). The exhibit featured more of his adult works, and the lighting from the night sky added a more mysterious backdrop to his works. La Jolla is full of pleasant surprises like this.
The further on up the coast you go, the more you’ll find artsy towns like Carlsbad and Encinitas, amusements like Mission Beach’s amusement park, and the Embarcadero. San Diego is a wealth of fun and adventure for everyone, no matter where you go.
Guide to entertainment and nightlife in San Diego, California – Part 6
When the San Diego sun kisses the golden sands goodnight, and slips behind the horizon in a magnificent display of lavender and magenta hues, don’t be fooled that the day has ended. Yes the day has been incredible I am sure, yet the nightlife is only beginning to warm up.
The town doesn’t accompany the sunset in its pre- slumber preparations,it fires up and becomes one incredible medley of excitement and fun.
It’s time to taste the delights and action of the San Diego at its very best. With a horde of excellent clubs, bars, restaurants, theaters, karaoke venues and so forth, you will not be short of choices.Perchance you wish to dance? Well it doesn’t matter if you wish to disco, boot-scoot, waltz, salsa, or rock and roll, there’s a medley of different venues for each and every taste.
THE JUMPING TURTLE:
Here you can really let your hair down, particularly if you like to rock. They offer a broad range of live music which will include metal, rock, blues, and alternative music. The place gets packed and is dimly lit, noisy, extremely casual, but oh so friendly. The main focus is fun and loud music. Have a game of billiards, or enjoy the music from the outdoor patio if it gets a little too hot.
HOUSE OF BLUES:
The hospitality and the focus on blues here is totally awesome. Yet you will also enjoy some hip-hop, rock, electronic, and reggae. Word has it that MR DAN AKROYD (Elwood Blues) is known to put on a harmonica session with Jim Belushi and John Goodman at times.
There’s also a great restaurant here, the meals are great and the place is also renowned for its Sunday gospel Brunch, which will certainly be awesome. While dining, try the Voodoo Shrimp or chicken pot pie, this is scrumptious. House of Blues will rock your socks off!
GASLAMP QUARTER:
The Gaslamp Quarter comes alive at night with crowds of people heading to so many different fun packed venues. Rock bars, piano bars, blues bars, you name it, you’re sure to find it here. Everyone is well catered for in this part of San Diego, from grunge to formal, elite to the relaxed. The Gaslamp Quarter offers theaters, dance halls, and a great number of restaurants which are world class.
LA JOLLA:
The entertainment here is excellent, La Jolla may be a small community but it sure makes the most of what space it has. There are some excellent nightclubs and bars to enjoy a drink with friends or make new friends. What you do is your prerogative. But whatever you choose to do
