Discover your new favorite wine at this corner gathering spot in downtown San Diego!
Published by Terri Graham -
Savor international wines and West Coast vintages at this family-owned artisanal wine importer in downtown San Diego. The venue at the corner of Fourth and Cedar features a gorgeous giant teak tasting bar and knowledgeable servers inviting patrons to saunter up and sample. Floor-to-ceiling windows, warm lighting and large wood and metal chandeliers go well with the sips. Flights consist of five wines with a classic version for $16; and a reserve for $24. By-the-glass, flights, or bottle options are paired with an exceptional menu of...Savor soups and sandwiches and swoon over stunning sweet creations at this beloved bakery and deli gracing downtown La Jolla.
Published by Terri Graham -
Savor soups and sandwiches and swoon over stunning sweet creations at this beloved bakery and deli gracing downtown La Jolla. Celebrating 29 years of serving inspired farm-to-table cuisine, the restaurant is also famous for its specialty cakes. Owners Francois and Diana Goedhuys use fresh produce straight from their Julian farm, much to the delight of loyal customers. François, a chef who hails from Belgium, also impresses with his Italian and eight-grain breads and personalized cookies. Enjoy everything freshly baked croissants, muffins and pies, salads and...Shop, Dine, Play & Stay in the San Diego Coastal Community of Ocean Beach!
Published by Terri Graham -
Spend time in this funky-cool California beach community, famous for its long fishing pier, annual street fair and chili cook-off, Oktoberfest, holiday parade, antiques stores, year-round farmers market and oceanfront boardwalk. A great place to start your visit to Ocean Beach “OB” is at the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association on Bacon Street (oceanbeachsandiego.com). Smiling staffers can recommend favorite eateries, tasting rooms, shops, entertaining events and specialty services. Essential to any visit to Ocean Beach is a stroll down Newport Avenue, home to many eclectic shops, restaurants and...Shop, Dine and Play by the Bay at Seaport Village!
Published by Cathy Hendrie -
Nestled along the San Diego Bay with its coastal breezes and views of the Coronado Bridge, Seaport Village is a stunning 14-acre waterfront shopping and dining complex in downtown San Diego. It offers eclectic shops, fine and casual dining and family-friendly entertainment. Finding a favorite flag, trying on eco-friendly clothing or appreciating exclusive art are just a few of the offerings at the 50-plus diverse shops dotting the village. Visitors can also grab a bite at more than a dozen eateries cooking up everything...MainStreet Oceanside’s Farmers and Sunset Markets The Place to Be Thursdays All Year!
Published by Cathy Hendrie -
PassPort to San Diego For free, family fun and fabulous fare, head to MainStreet Oceanside’s Farmer’s Market on Thursdays mornings and Mainstreet’s Sunset Market on Thursday evenings. This dynamic duo of tasty and entertaining events attract thousands of Oceanside residents and visitors each week. At the morning farmers market, stock up on fresh fruit, bread and flowers, buy handmade goods, jewelry, soaps, lotions, art, as well as artisan-baked goods, organic dips and sauces. Enjoy the ocean breezes while strolling and sampling all the offerings at...Get Delicious, World-Famous Argentinian-Style Steaks, homemade pastas, and authentic empanadas in Little Italy!
Published by Terri Graham -
Taste Argentinian-style steaks grilled to perfection at Puerto La Boca, a San Diego favorite located in the festive neighborhood of Little Italy. The warm, refined eatery also serves empanadas, chorizo, salads, chicken, seafood, pastas, Malbecs and a signature sangria. Savory starters include bread and chimichurri sauce (Argentina’s national condiment); chorizo Argentino – delicious grilled beef and pork sausage; empanadas – traditional Argentinian turnovers filled with beef, chicken, ham and cheese, spinach and cheese, or corn and cheese; or classic Provoleta, consisting of grilled provolone cheese,...Take Your Taste Buds On A Trip to the Mediterranean at Spiro’s, With Locations in Coronado and La Jolla!
Published by Terri Graham -
Whether it’s crisp spanakopita, (pastry stuffed with spinach and feta cheese), delicious lamb-beef gyros, mouthwatering chicken kabobs, avgolemono soup or theatrical saganaki (flaming Greek cheese) you’re in for a memorable meal. Pair any dish with San Diego Bay views in Coronado or enjoy an evening on the lovely patio by the cozy fire pit in La Jolla. Cap off lunch or dinner with a glass of wine and baklava, the quintessential Greek dessert. Indoor and outdoor seating is enjoyed amid a white and blue aesthetic...Connect To Nature At This Urban Oasis Nestled Among 37 Acres in Encinitas!
Published by Terri Graham -
Breathe in the fresh air at this plant-lovers’ paradise, a lush urban oasis spanning 37 acres in Encinitas, and home to the West Coast’s largest children’s garden and North America’s biggest public bamboo collection. The venue offers four miles of trails with peaceful ocean vistas, flowering trees, California native plants, majestic palms, a subtropical fruit garden, and an amazing multi-level treehouse. Plants from around the world thrive at this retreat, thanks to the area’s mild climate and diverse topography. No less than 5,300 plant species and...Leucadia Pizzeria & Italian Restaurants Serve The Best Pizza, Pasta and Salads In Town! They Deliver Too!
Published by Terri Graham -
Choose from over 20 piping-hot pizzas at Leucadia Pizzeria & Italian Restaurants’ locations in Encinitas and University Town Center/La Jolla. Aside from their famous pizzas (with a choice of gluten-free crust), the restaurants are known for delicious pastas, fresh entrées, subs, salads and desserts. Each location has a full selection of cocktails, wine and local beers on draft and Happy Hours run 4–7 p.m. Monday-Friday. Both La Jolla and Encinitas restaurants include large patios, perfect for casual banquets! For reservations, delivery or...Enjoy world-renowned attractions, an inspired arts and culinary scene, and popular community events in Escondido, just 30 miles northeast of downtown San Diego.
Published by Terri Graham -
At the city's eastern gateway, the world-famous San Diego Zoo Safari Park provides a home to giraffes, big cats, rhinos and other animals in a vast reserve. Spread over 1,800 acres, the wildlife sanctuary's roughly 3,000 animals and 400 different species roam massive, free-range enclosures that re-create various habitats from around the world. The park is visited by 2 million people annually. A few miles west, giant recreation complex Kit Carson Park contains Queen Califia's Magical Circle, a famous large-scale sculpture garden by French/American artist...Dive into the world of sharks, seahorses and living coral reefs at Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Published by Terri Graham -
Perched on a bluff above the Pacific and featuring more than 60 habitats of fish and invertebrates, the aquarium hosts daily animal-feeding and hands-on educational visitor activities. Birch Aquarium also offers seasonal outdoor excursions such as whale watching, grunion runs, pier walks and more. Other programs include Summer Learning Adventure Camps. Also not be to be missed are living tide-pool displays allowing visitors to touch sea stars, hermit crabs, sea cucumbers and other other unique animals local to San Diego’s tide pools. Open year-round. Birch...Birch Aquarium Receives Prestigious AZA Accreditation
Published by Terri Graham -
[caption id="attachment_121067" align="alignnone" width="850"] Birch Aquarium at Scripps | Photo: Jordann Tomasek[/caption] Accreditation is the ‘gold standard’ for the zoological and aquarium profession. La Jolla, CA (March 26, 2024) — The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has announced that Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego was once again granted accreditation by AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission. The announcement follows on the heels of Birch Aquarium receiving the Quarter Century Award for 25 years of continuous AZA accreditation last September. “Congratulations to the...Indulge in Pancake Perfection at The Mission, With Three San Diego Locations!
Published by Terri Graham -
Gather for fresh and tasty breakfast and lunch fare artfully presented at this urban bistro with three locations in San Diego. The original in Mission Beach has been a local favorite since 1997, with the two others also thriving in North Park and East Village. The menu includes everything from classic pancakes and sandwiches to modern Chino-Latino cuisine. Fluffy flapjacks range from buttermilk to strawberry banana and a zesty lemon curd. Not to be missed is the restaurant's bestseller, the golden-brown French toast, produced from...Explore wonderful shops, restaurants and services at Village Faire in Carlsbad! There’s something for everyone!
Published by Terri Graham -
The Village Faire Shopping Center in historic Carlsbad Village sits about a block from the ocean. Set in New England-style architecture surrounding a fountain courtyard, the center’s boutique shops include beauty, fitness, a day spa, clothing, gifts, jewelry and imports. Dining covers a wide range of cuisine, including Mediterranean, Italian, Southwestern, Californian and Japanese, not to mention burgers, gelato, smoothies and coffee. Other establishments include a surfboard shop, art galleries, real estate services and a UPS Store. A great way to spend a day exploring...Gather at Vinaka Cafe For Fresh Coffee, Pastries and Sandwiches!
Published by Terri Graham -
Grab an espresso or hang out while savoring specialty coffees at this sunny seaside cafe on the upper level of Carlsbad Village Faire. Enjoy fresh pastries, 100 percent natural ice cream, made-to-order sandwiches (everything from turkey & avocado to fresh veggie wraps), smoothies, cakes and pies. A favorite of locals for 28 years and a laptopper’s paradise, the shop offers free WiFi, a coffee and tea refill, and a relaxed atmosphere in which to work or play games. Welcoming staffers and outdoor seating overlooking the...Enjoy Classic Fare and Fun Car-Themed Decor at Pit Stop Diner in Oceanside!
Published by Terri Graham -
Enjoy retro vibes and classic fare at this American and Mexican-style diner for breakfast, burgers, sandwiches and shakes amid retro-style, car-themed memorabilia. Located at Mission Avenue and El Camino Real in Oceanside, this locals' favorite also serves up burritos, quesadillas, chili cheese fries, and healthy salads and wraps. Check out the fun decor, such as stoplights, gas pumps, hub caps and license plates on the wall, plus street signs, and a 1962 Chrysler New Yorker parked inside. Also enjoy watching your favorite sports teams on...Get Delicious Mexican Fare at Frida’s Street Tacos!
Published by Terri Graham -
Get true Mexican fare at this taqueria hot spot, where locals and out-of-town foodies line up for fresh and flavorful Tijuana-style tacos. Located at the corner of East Valley Parkway and Fig Street, Frida's also serves up quesadillas, burritos, tortas, quesa tacos, mulitas, fries, and papas rellenas (savory stuffed potatoes). Street taco classics include carne asada, adobada, pollo, carnitas, papa con chorizo, birria, chicharrón, and cabeza — all topped with a choice of onions, cilantro, salsas, and/or creamy guacamole. Guests simply order at the register,...Birch Aquarium Welcomes Baby Weedy Seadragons!
Published by Terri Graham -
[caption id="attachment_121058" align="alignnone" width="705"] Birch Aquarium at Scripps | Photo: Jordann Tomasek[/caption] La Jolla, CA (March 3, 2023) — Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is celebrating the arrival of more than 70 tiny newborn Weedy Seadragons, which are incredibly difficult to breed and rear in captivity. Only a handful of facilities have successfully hatched and reared this unique species of fish that are related to seahorses and pipefish. “This is huge for us. We’ve been working on this for decades,” said...Our March E-Newsletter Blossoms With Spring Activities and Events!
Published by Cathy Hendrie -
Enjoy great activities and plenty of springtime fun this month, with Cherry Blossom Season, St. Patrick's Day and Easter events, live concerts, spring camps and more! Check out all the March events in our e-newsletter here: https://buff.ly/3Ijr0Gb #March #SanDiego #SanDiegoCounty #BalboaPark #SanDiegoMuseums #Coronado #DelMar #LaJolla #Carlsbad #Oceanside #vVista #SanMarcos #Escondido #Santee #SanteeLakes #CherryBlossoms #StPatricksDay #Easter #EasterBunny #SeaportVillage #SanDiegoSymphony #LaJollaMusicSociety #SummerCamp #followppsdCome Discover Beautiful Ramona! Great Restaurants and Places to Shop, plus Award-Winning Wineries, Golfing and much more!
Published by Terri Graham -
“The H.E.A.R.T of San Diego” is Ramona, which is located 36 miles northeast of San Diego in the foothills of the Cuyamaca Mountains. Venture over the mountains and you will be in the Anza Borrego desert, playground for the camping enthusiast. The Ramona Chamber of Commerce supports the local businesses with networking opportunities and events to promote their community and guests which includes, The Annual Community Awards, Installation Dinner, Ramona Open Studios Tour, Motorcycle Events, Ramona Country Fair, Taste of Ramona, Merchants Safe Trick...