Local Wally's Guide to San Diego

Local Wally's Guide to San Diego

best things to do in san diego

DON'T MISS! 4th Annual Wine & Whiskey BBQ at La Jolla's Estancia Hotel and Spa Oct. 7th, 2016

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4th Annual Wine & Whisky BBQ at Estancia La Jolla

WHEN:  Friday, Oct 7th, from 6 to 9PM

GET TICKETS HERE - EVENT WILL SELL OUT!

WHERE:  Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
9700 North Torrey Pines Road
San Diego, CA 92037

WHAT:  The flavors of the deep South and northern California converge for the ultimate West coast BBQ bash at Estancia La Jolla. A nod to the property’s horse ranch heritage, this southern-style feast under the stars features a menu of barbecued brisket, pulled pork mac & cheese, warm cobblers and other comfort food favorites washed down with unlimited whiskey, bourbon and Napa Valley wine tastings.

Let Trinitas Cellars’ proprietor Garret Busch personally lead you through a flight of his winery’s best blends, then taste a trio of both single barrel whiskeys and Woodford bourbon with Jack Daniel’s brand ambassador Eric Tecosky as live blues music and bonfire sparks float on the night air.

WALLY SAYS: A cool local event that should be great fun for locals and visitors alike. Estancia Hotel has a SoCal "rancho" feel but with an upscale twist.  I suspect an event with whiskey, bourbon, wine and BBQ will be a bit hit with those who know the scene so put on your party clothes and get out there for a fun evening with great food and drink!

BUY TICKETS!  CLICK HERE TO GET PRICES AND AVAILABILITY.

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN SAN DIEGO: Yoga on the USS Midway

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Things to Do in San Diego this Weekend:  “Stretch 4 Vets” on the Flight Deck of the USS Midway in Support of Veterans

When:  Saturday, Nov. 21, 8 to 10 AM, at the USS Midway, 910 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego

What is it?: In recognition of Veteran’s Day month and Thanksgiving,the nation’s leading yoga studio CorePower Yoga – America’s leading yoga studio – is partnering with Embrace, a non-profit benefitting homeless veterans to host a 75 minute class on the flight deck of the USS Midway.  Participants will raise funds by collecting pledge money for their practice.  The class will feature live music by Buddha Music Group. Amy Opielowski, CorePower Yoga’s San Diego Program Manager will teach the class with the help of 20 local instructors.

How:  Students, Veterans, Active Military and CorePower Yoga Members: $25; Civilians: $35

     Registration and more information here: http://www.stretch4vets.org/

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN SAN DIEGO: Del Mar Beer and Cider Fest Nov. 28, 2015

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THINGS TO DO IN SAN DIEGO:  DEL MAR BEER AND CIDER FEST

Get hoppy at Del Mar’s Fall Beer and Cider Fest that will be held at The Racetrack Saturday, November 28 starting at noon in the Seaside Concert area. This month, cheers to Bing Crosby Season by sampling a variety of 100 local and international craft brews including seasonal ales and ciders.

GET TICKETS NOW!  $22 GETS YOU ADMISSION AND 5 DELICIOUS 7 OZ TASTINGS!
 
San Diego brewers will set up camp and serve tastes of their signature craft brews – five seven-ounce frosty samples for $20. Come out, grab a beer or cider and catch some world-class Thoroughbred racing. The races begin at 12:30 p.m., gates open at 11:00 a.m. Entrance to Beer and Cider Fest area is free with admission.
 
Confirmed seasonal brews include:
 
-       Anderson Valley Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout
-       Tieton Cider Cherry Cider
-       Mission Brewing Hard Root Beer
-       Uinta Brewing Company Oak Jacked Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Pumpkin Ale
-       Delirium Noel
-       St. Bernardus Christmas Ale
-       101 Cider House So Cal Scrumpy
-       County Cider Company- Waupoos Cider
-       Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin
-       Ballast Point Pumpkin Down
-       Dogfish Head Punkin
-       Port Brewing Santas Little Helper
-       Alpine Duet IPA  
-       Nickel Beer Co. Pearfect Apple Pie Ale
-       Angry Orchard Crisp Apple
-       Magners Pear Cider
-       Washington Gold Hard Cider
 
Pair your beer or cider with gourmet food truck offerings. The event is free with racetrack admission of $6. Stay after the festival and races to catch a free concert by Sublime with Rome.


THINGS TO DO IN SAN DIEGO: The Art of Music, Museum of Art, Balboa Park

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WHAT IS IT?:  The Art of Music Exhibit, Museum of Art in Balboa Park, now through Feb 7th, 2016.  Official exhibition website with special events here.

HOW MUCH?  Included in your ticket price - $12 for adults, $9 for seniors, $4.50 for youths

OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION:  The Art of Music presents a multifacted and culturally diverse exploration of the intersection of music and art.  

UNOFFICIAL DESCRIPTION:  Lots of paintings with people playing instruments by famous artists along with other musically focused artifacts.

I like to go to Balboa Park when I have nothing to do because there's always something. OK, yes, I do love that Panama 66 near the Sculpture Gardens has beer, really good beer, but even I know it's time to branch out a bit. Next to Panama 66 is the Museum of Art and a new exhibit called the Art of Music.  I admittedly know next to nothing about art but what the heck, let's dive in.  I can get a beer later.

OK.  Here we are.  Yes, I am scratching my head but there is something here that makes me stop and comtemplate.  Can you imagine if this family moved in next door to you?  Yes, that's what I was thinking.  Look, I told you I don't know much about art!

Wait, I know this guy.  This is Matisse, right?  Right???  And what's that over there, some manuscript by Beethoven? Hey, did I ever tell you the joke about Beethoven when asked why he was erasing all of his music? He said he was decomposing.  Ba-da- Boom! I'm here all week.

Now here is something I understand!  It's stunning how this artist captured the playfulness of youth, a mirror into our own souls with a bit of surrealism mixed with modern imagery and realism.  I wonder who the artist is?

Oh shoot.  Well, I like it anyway.  Good job, kids!  What's next?  And make that kid stop staring at me!

OK, now we are back in my comfort zone, a bit of 60's rock art.  I know you have probably seen the psychedelic posters like these before but stop and look more carefully. It's amazing how the artists wove the names of the bands in and out of the art. It's even more amazing that the stoned kids of the 60's could read it. I mean, I was really trying to read the names of the bands and could only figure out half of them. But then again, I wasn't stoned. I hadn't even had a beer - yet.

THE VERDICT:  Actually a very enjoyable exhibit even for those of you who never typically step inside an art museum. Next time you have an afternoon looking for something different to do, head over to Balboa Park and check out Art of Music exhibit. It's quite interesting and you can even explore the rest of the museum on the same ticket. Then afterwards go to Panama 66 and have a beer. That's the plan. 

Local Wally 

THINGS TO DO IN SAN DIEGO: San Diego Homebrew Festival, Nov 15th, 2015

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Sample some of San Diego's best home brews and support a good cause at the same time at the San Diego Homebrew Festival and Competition.  All proceeds will go to Friends of Jefferson to engage in efforts to support children attending their neighborhood school, Thomas Jefferson Elementary, and to raise funds needed to create and sustain educational enrichment programs and purchase unfunded capital & non-capital improvements.  Hey, I like kids, I like beer, sounds like a winner to me.

Tickets are on sale now and just $35 - check out San Diego Homebrew Festival's official website here.  Tell your friends, mark your calendars, and make sure you head over to the 1st annual Homebrew Festival on Nov. 15th, 2015, in North Park.  See you there!

What to Do in San Diego this Weekend: FOOD TRUCKS AT DEL MAR RACETRACK!

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I have to be honest.  I love going to the Del Mar Racetrack but the only time I have ever won big was when I was looking at the wrong racing form and bet on the wrong horse!  But this weekend everyone wins because on AUG 15th the racetrack will host 50 food trucks in the 5th Annual Gourmet Food Truck Festival. 

WHAT IS IT:  50 food trucks at the Del Mar Racetrack, Seaside Concert Area

WHEN IS IT:  Aug 15th, Saturday, noon to 6 PM

WHAT IS THE COST:  FREE with admission to the racetrack

From Korean to burgers, lobster to sausages, just about every type of food truck will be there with most items in the $4 to $8 range.  This is a winner of an event, if you haven't been to the races this year then this is your weekend!  50 trucks!  It's another Best Thing to Do this Weekend in San Diego!  

Click for more info on Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

What to Do in San Diego This Weekend: Go Beer Tasting!

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This is a nice welcome at Belching Beaver Brewery.

Beer in San Diego?  Heck yeah, San Diego has over 100 breweries.  You knew that.  I mean, everyone knows that!  But if the only breweries you've visited have been the big names like Stone or Karl Strauss then come on a beer tasting safari with me and discover some cool little breweries in San Diego's North County.

Yes, this is Belching Beaver.  Really, it is!

Leave it to (Belching) Beaver

This is Belching Beaver Brewery in Vista.  No, this doesn't look like a corporate joint like Rock Bottom Brewery or Gordon Biersch.  And that's why I like it.  A lot of the breweries in North County are housed in industrial parks and the guy behind the counter is usually the owner or beermeister.  That's pretty cool.  In fact, let me introduce you to Dave, one of the owners of Belching Beaver.

Hi Dave from Belching Beaver!

It might be a good time to mention that right in the same area is Iron Fist Brewing, Aztec Brewing, Indian Joe, Booze Brothers, and Lattitude 33.  Mother Earth Brewing isn't too far away, either, so you can really make a day of this if you have the stamina.  You can even get a cool Brewery Pass that gets you discounts at some of these.  See, Local Wally is always looking out for you!

But wait a second, is that Mishmash Gourmet out in the parking lot?  Whadda ya cooking?

Pop up dining at its best with Mishmash Gourmet from Vista. 

This is anther thing I like about these smaller breweries.  No corporate food, no frozen burger patties, no overpriced and overcooked "pub food", you can find some serious good eats, especially when it's Mishmash Gourmet.

This is not your standard fish taco at Mishmash Gourmet.

Their "fish taco" is not what you might expect.  It's seasoned tilapia on top of mango and arugula tossed with a zesty citrus vinaigrette stuffed into a crisp wonton on top of a bed of rice.  $10 and definitely worth it.

I love fries and you get a ton of them at Mishmash.

And you have to get some fries, right?  Especially when they have truffle parmesan fries.  No wimpy serving, it's enough so you don't mind if your friend snakes a few.  So take note, I have a beer, I have wonton tacos, I have fries, can it get any better?

Great scene outside at Belching Beaver Brewery.

Great scene outside at Belching Beaver Brewery.

Sure, you could sit inside but my favorite spot at Belching Beaver is under the oak trees on the back patio where there is often music on the weekend.

Is that Jennifer Corday?  Yes, it is.

Is that Jennifer Corday?  Yes, it is.

I'm a big fan of Jennifer Corday.  Well, OK, I have only heard her once and that was this day but any singer who goes from The Carpenters to Joplin is A-OK in my book.  Hey, how come I was the only one singing along to Top of the World???? 

So there you go, a few lost hours on a Sunday afternoon that, as Miss Landers from Leave it to Beaver would have said, I will never get back.  But I am totally OK with that.  Come visit Belching Beaver or any of the other Vista breweries this weekend and see what I mean.  It's one of the Best Things to Do this Weekend in San Diego!