Visiting San Diego, California, in the summer – Part 1

San Diego is famous for its near perfect year round weather. During the summer months the average temperature is 75 degrees F with highs in the mid eighties and lows in the sixties and that sounds like paradise to me. Although San Diego is known for its dazzling beaches and abundance of water sports there is a lot more to see and do that isn’t associated with water or beach bunnies and surfer dudes.

ROCK N ROLL MARATHON

The summer kicks off each year with the Rock n Roll Marathon; this is not your run of the mill everyday marathon, but what else would you expect in California? This event combines a 2 day health and fitness expo, May 30th and 31st, with one of them most entertaining and spectacular marathons you will ever be a part of held on June 1st.

There are 26 stages and 45 bands along the course as well as over 2000 local cheerleaders to keep runners motivated and entertained. The running Elvis contingency is trying to break their previous world record of 48 Elvis impersonators set in 2006.

Probably the biggest draw for this event is the Post Race Concert held at the San Diego Convention Center. Last year’s headliner was Seal and he brought down the house. The cost to enter the marathon is $85.00 if you register by 1/31/2008 and $100.00 before 4/18/2008. There are a limited number of spaces available and no on-line registrations will be taken after 5/25/2008.

TASTE OF GASLAMP

The Gaslamp Historical District is famous for the variety and number of restaurants it contains. It would be virtually impossible to eat at every restaurant in the Gaslamp District, well until now. Each year in June Taste of Gaslamp is held; over 30 area restaurants complete for top honors. Samuel Adams has a beer tasting tent with all samples included in ticket price. This is an urban dining experience you won’t want to miss featuring tasty samples from some of the district’s finest restaurants. You will have a blast while visiting these unique, interesting locations and trying their delicious house specialties.

Tickets can be purchased at www.gaslamp.org for $25.00; you will want to get your tickets well in advance as this event usually sells out long before the gates open.

SAN DIEGO STREET SCENE

Since 1984 the San Diego area has been the host to Street Scene, which has grown into California’s biggest music festival with over 100,000 people attending each year. This two day event is held in September at the Del Mar fairgrounds. Last year over 60 bands and artists from any music genre imaginable competed and this year promises an even more awesome line up. Tickets for this event two day are $120.00 and can be purchased through ticket master or at the gate.

San Diego is known for its laid back beach bum attitude, but the real San Diego is full of entertainment, culture and fine dining, the beach is just icing on the cake.

Things to Do in San Diego – a California Road Trip

Relax. Unwind. Here is one vacation you should build in your road trip planner: San Diego, California! Grab your pals, pack your sandals and swimsuits, and get ready to experience all the fascinating things to do in San Diego.

It is no wonder why San Diego is one of California’s most popular vacation destinations. The year-round fair weather and the fabulous coastline with about seventy miles of beach front are already inviting enough. Add the extraordinary list of San Diego things to do, and you are sure to be planning a road trip to one of the biggest cities in California in no time.

If you are coming from Arizona, the best thing to do is to take AZ-85 and then I-8 West. The drive takes approximately seven hours, but you can count on the road trip to be well-worth it. Your San Diego adventure begins as soon as you step foot in the city. Going around San Diego is very convenient as the most popular attractions are located close to each other (and the ocean) and various pay parking areas.

Drive to Old Town for your first stop in this road trip. Old Town is called the birthplace of California due to its significant role in the state’s past. You will see history coming to life all around you. Old Town does not only cater to the interest of history enthusiasts. The place also houses a number of restaurants and retail stores as well as performances by dancers, artisans, mariachis and other theatrical acts. Experience some more of San Diego’s history as you see the beauty of nineteenth century avant-garde Victorian architecture along the Gaslamp Quarter, which covers sixteen blocks of Downtown San Diego. You will also find novelty shops as well as restaurants and bars that stay open until very late. From the antique ambiance of the Gaslamp Quarter, head next to the contrasting Horton Plaza where you would definitely be impressed by its modern architecture. You will also find yourself surrounded with hundreds of upscale retail stores in Horton Plaza as well as trendy restaurants. Retire for the night at The Westin Horton Plaza San Diego.

A visit to San Diego Zoo is one of the top things to do included in every road trip planner’s San Diego itinerary. The zoo is a major hit not only to kids, but also to those who are fascinated with wildlife (or simply remain kids at heart). You will find yourself with your hands full at the zoo. You do not only get to see both endangered and backyard animals, you also get to join various events such as Snow Day for Pandas (April 27), and participate in animal causes like Bear Awareness Days (May 8-11).

No road trip to San Diego is completer without having to spend time at one of the city’s beautiful beaches. Aside from the regular swimming and basking under the sun, there are a lot of other things you can do in the beach. You can also surf, kayak and sail. Or you can challenge San Diego locals or other visitors for a friendly game of volleyball, basketball, soccer or tennis.

Fun and sun – two things that America’s Finest City guarantees. Check out more Things To Do in San Diego to get more ideas to include in your road trip planner.

Delightful San Diego California

If you love beaches, clean air, enjoying fishing, dinning at fine restaurants, checking out wild animal parks and other popular attractions. Then San Diego may be the place you’re looking for?

San Diego offers historical attractions. Of particular interest, downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter contains a cluster of historic Victorian buildings and structures. In Horton Plaza, there is the San Diego Zoo and a number of museums, which have made Horton Plaza the most visited neighborhood in Downtown San Diego. There are also the miles of long beaches, which many tourists enjoy.

Apart from the beach, there is a lot to do in the city itself and a vacation to San Diego is perfect for those interested in any type of adventure vacation. Known as one of the best vacation destinations in the country due to its sunny weather, amazing attractions, and miles of gorgeous sandy beaches, San Diego, California is an absolute must-see for any discerning traveler.

It goes without saying that the months of December through March are pretty nippy, but there is another period when the beaches are barren and it might surprise you. Deserts, beaches and wildlife are key tourist attractions in the city of San Diego. You can lay on beaches in relative solitude. Literally thousands of the fish simply come storming up the beach with the waves to lay their eggs in the wet sand.

Beaches

Restaurants in San Diego are known for their outstanding dishes as well as for their outstanding service. Most of the restaurants are built around a concept and have signature recipes that add to the whole experience of dining out. Don’t forget to try one of the air-conditioned coffee shop, which you should have no problem locating on one of the cities corner’s.

When you have made your decision and San Diego is for you, then it’s time to seek out a local realtor. Your San Diego realtor can assist you and take many factors into consideration when determining the asking price for a home. That makes choosing a realtor just as important and a crucial decision that can add to the stressful event or make it smoother and easier.

San Diego boasts of one of the finest town planning and its maintenance programs in America. In the entire State of California, A total of 33,107 homes sold for a million dollars or more last year. San Diego hosts more than 30 million tourists every year

There are many places for all animal lovers in San Diego—Sea World and the Wild Animal Parks are very popular attractions. The San Diego Zoo also operates the San Diego Wild Animal Park, where the animals have more freedom than in the zoo. The Balboa Park should top the itinerary of any tourist.

The streets of La Jolla are lined with gourmet chocolatiers, designer clothes shops and top name jewelers. When visiting San Diego, a stop at the charming town of La Jolla will be a highlight of your vacation. This beautiful city is located just north of San Diego city it’s self.

In conclusion, plan ahead before you visit San Diego. Perform searches online, call you’re the Automobile Association of California for maps and guide books. Most all, enjoy your vacation while in San Diego.

Guide to entertainment and nightlife in San Diego, California – Part 8

San Diego is famous for it’s proximity to sunny beaches, snowy mountains and warm, sultry

Tijuana Mexico.

You may be wondering if the town shuts down with the gorgeous sunset.

After-all once you’ve seen both of the Zoos, toured Balboa Park, baked yourself on the Beach, and scared 10-years-off your life in a Tijuana Taxi-ride, what else is there?

Well, there’s the night-life. San Diego is working hard on becoming the West-Coast City that never sleeps!

Here’s a pretty good list of things to do furnished by sandiego.com:

*HAPPY HOUR, * LATE NIGHT DINING (DOWNTOWN), * LATE NIGHT ACTIVITIES

*LATE NIGHT ACTIVITIES*

(sandiego.com)

Downtown

Broadway Pizza 1008 Broadway

619-232-6264 | 3:00 AM

DW’s Pub-San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina 333 W

Harbor Drive

619-234-1500 | 1:00 AM

Lazer Tag

ULTRAZONE SD | 24hrs

3146 Sports Arena Blvd. Suite 21 San Diego, CA 92110

(619) 221 – 0100

Parkway Bow

1280 Fletcher Parkway El Cajon, CA 92020

(619) 448-4111

Lazer Tag l Saturdays 11:00 am – Midnight

Catch a Movie

The Rocky Horror Picture Show | Every Friday at

Midnight

La Paloma Theatre

On the corner of South Coast Highway 101 and D

Street in Encinitas

760-436-SHOW (7469)

Bowling

Parkway Bowl

1280 Fletcher Parkway El Cajon, CA 92020

(619) 448-4111

Cosmic Bowling | Friday and Saturday 11:30 – 1:30am

Bowling | Friday and Saturday Midnight – 3:00 am

Billiards

San Diego Sports Club

1271 University Ave San Diego , CA 92103

619-299-7372

Monday – Friday 12:00 noon to 2 :00 am

Saturday – Sunday 9:00 am to 2:00 am

Parkway Bowl

1280 Fletcher Parkway El Cajon, CA 92020

(619) 448-4111

Friday 4:00pm – 2:00 am

Saturday Noon – 2:00 am

Bacchus House

3054 University Ave. San Diego, CA 92104

(619) 299-2032

Daily til 2:00am, afterhours on Saturdays til 4:00am

Sing A Song

The Lamplighter

817 W. Washington San Diego , CA 92103

619-298-3624

Karaoke Daily 8:00 pm – 2:00 am

Dancing

Bacchus House

3054 University Ave. San Diego, CA 92104

(619) 299-2032

Daily til 2:00 am, afterhours on Saturdays til 4:00 am

Play the Slots

Casino Pauma 24hrs

777 Pauma Reservation Rd. Pauma Valley , CA 92059

760-742-2177

====================

LATE NIGHT DINING (DOWNTOWN)

(SanDiego.com)

Dick’s Last Resort 345 4th Avenue

619-231-9100 | 12:30 AM

Kansas City Barbecue

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

Restaurant reviews: Sipz Fusion Cafe, San Diego, California

Few dining experiences have touched me as much as my very first trip to Sipz Fusion Cafe in Clairemont Mesa. A friend of mine had been trying to get me to go with her for years before I finally went. My deterrent? It’s a totally VEGAN restaurant, and I am not a vegetarian. As if eating one meal there would suddenly force me to lose my current tastes… quite the opposite, in fact.

When I first went there, it was a little hole-in-the-wall cafe right in the middle of a strip mall, that probably only had 8-10 tables, max. Business has been well enough that they’ve expanded to twice that size, which makes it a lot easier to be seated and served during those pesky lunch and dinner rushes. The atmosphere is laid back and almost etherial. The food is all asian cuisine-themed (including the best udon soup I have ever had in my life!) and the waiters there have a fun little “spiciness meter”: no matter WHAT you’re ordering, you can put it on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being not spicy at all, 10 being lethal). Even my spicy-food-loving friend can’t make it past a 5. All of the portions are so big you can barely finish them, and all reasonably priced between $5-$9. They even have “meat substitutes” for those of us who can’t seem to let a meal go without something that didn’t grow from dirt. The staff are always smiling and friendly, sometimes even joining in conversations – but not in an annoying way. And now they’re getting ready to open up a second location in North Park!

Sipz Fusion Cafe is a fun night out with good food that won’t break your bank, plain and simple.

Guide to entertainment and nightlife in San Diego, California

Unlike Las Vegas, SAN DIEGO does in fact get some sleep. A little bit. At least on weeknights, for a couple hours, with the exception of local Indian casinos. Not to worry though, if you’re coming to San Diego, there’s plenty to do to stay up until the cows come home in SAN DIEGO’s GASLAMP QUARTER. Here are some nightlife and entertainment ideas for your visit to San Diego:

RESTAURANTS: To start your evening with the best selection of dining options, I recommend you head over to San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. They’ve got American Food, Indian Food, Irish Food, Chinese Food, Steakhouses, Pizza Parlors, Thai Food, Sports Bars, and Wine Bars.

ENTERTAINMENT: You can stay in the Gaslamp Quarter if you like, you’ll find plenty of fun bars to hit up there. Some of my favorite stops are The Bitter End on Fifth Avenue, and The Onyx Room also on Fifth Avenue.

LIVE MUSIC: One of the best venues in town is San Diego’s House of Blues, located at 1055 5th Avenue. They have between so-so to well known bands performing most nights, and Britney Spears has even played there. Check out the Gospel Brunch on Sundays.

WINE TASTING: Enjoy weekly wine tasting at The Wine Bank on Friday evenings from 6-8 p.m. The Wine Bank is located at 363 Fifth Avenue.

ANNUAL EVENTS:

HALLOWEEN: Hit up the Haunted Hotel at 424 Market Street during the month of October. Be prepared to be chased by a man holding a chainsaw.

MARDI GRAS, FAT TUESDAY: Grab your boas and beads for the west coast equivalent of New Orleans. The Gaslamp Quarter goes off on Fat Tuesday with live music, Cajun treats, and frosty hurricanes!

CINCO DE MAYO: It doesn’t matter whether the 5th of May falls on a Thursday or a Sunday or any other day of the week, there will always be a block party downtown. See Mariachi bands, and have a cerveza or margarita.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS OUTSIDE THE GASLAMP:

VIEJAS CASINO: If you’ve got to get your fill of blackjack or three card poker on your trip to San Diego, save the five hour drive to Las Vegas and take I-8 East to Viejas Casino. They are open 24 hours, and have 2,500 slots, plenty of table games, bingo, and off-track betting.

SURFSIDE RACE PLACE:(HORSE-RACING): You can bet on horse races year around at Del Mar’s Satellite Wagering Facility. They are open during the day and also Thursday – Sunday evenings. Visit www.surfsideraceplace.com.

LA JOLLA COMEDY STORE: Get your laugh on at the La Jolla Comedy Store! Located at 916 Pearl Street, La Jolla, CA 92037, this Hollywood Comedy Store is the place to be for drinks and good (or sometimes really bad) jokes.. Sunday night is Potluck night, so come prepared to face the agony of trying to make a whole room of people laugh.