Local Wally's Guide to San Diego

Local Wally's Guide to San Diego

San Diego Modern Home Tour is on Saturday, October 10th, 2015

Local WallyComment

Does your home have wheels on it?  Do you live in a "Tiny House" not because you're a hipster but because it's all you can afford?  Do you stand in front of beautiful homes around San Diego and drool on the sidewalk?  Then you need to go on the San Diego Modern Home Tour, October 10th, 2015, where you can visit some of the coolest and most modern homes in America's Finest City.

This self guided tour gets you INSIDE the homes you've dreamed about.  Do a road trip around San Diego and visit the coolest homes of the year, located from La Mesa to La Jolla to Del Mar.  

THE LOWDOWN:  San Diego Modern Home Tour is October 10, 2015.  You can actually tour 6 of San Diego's most amazing modern homes. 

HOW TO GET TICKETS:  http://modernhometours.com/event/2015-san-diego-modern-home-tour/ 

PRICE:  $30 before event, $40 day of event

Look, if you love homes you have to check this out.  It's San Diego's architectural event of the year and anyone who loves houses, design, and just checking out how the "rich and famous" lives will love spending a leisurely day cruising the homes and pulling into the driveway in your Dodge Caravan like you own the joint.  Wait, doesn't your car leak oil?  Maybe park in front of the neighbor's house.

So get off the couch, forget about mowing your patch of drought dirt lawn and go visit the San Diego Modern Home Tour on Saturday, October 10th, 2015.  

Local Wally

Good Eats San Diego: El Agave Mexican Restaurant & Tequileria in Old Town

restaurantsLocal WallyComment

El Agave in San Diego Old Town is possibly unlike any Mexican restaurant you have ever been to.

This is baffling to me.  I thought I knew Mexican food.  After all, I've lived in San Diego nearly my entire life and have eaten so many tacos and burritos that there should be a sign over my house  ("One Billion Eaten So Far").  I also know that San Diego's Old Town borders on tourist trap territory and have been known to cringe when out of town guests insist we dine there the way a San Franciscan must cringe when you force them to eat at Red Lobster or Joe's Crab Shack.  I mean, come on, San Diego Old Town is to Mexican food what Donny Osmond is to rock and roll.  

And then I went to El Agave Restaurant and Tequileria and got my mind blown.  

EL AGAVE RESTAURANT & TEQUILERIA (SAN DIEGO OLD TOWN)
2304 San Diego Ave, San Diego, 92110
(619) 220-0692
MAP

Inside El Agave in San Diego.  This is Old Town?

This is Old Town?

So let me put this out there for anyone, whether you are a local or tourist, looking for tacos and burritos and mariachi bands.  This is not the place.  In fact, though it is officially "in" Old Town it has nothing to do with the the festivities down the street.  It could be - and probably should be - in a different part of town, maybe even a different country, so that you could avoid comparisons to places like Fred's Mexican Cafe or Casa de Reyes, two of the most popular tourist spots known more for their atmosphere than their food.

But here at El Agave, food matters.  In fact, food is all that matters here.  So let's dive into the chips and salsa.  Yes, they still have chips and salsa.  This IS a Mexican restaurant, right?  

Super delicious chips and salsa (El Agave Old Town San Diego).

Chips and salsa tell you a lot about the food to come and these chips were light, crispy, without any hint of the heaviness that happens when their cooked in old, used oil.  The trio of salsas, which included a nice bean dip, were deep in flavors, rich and complex.  So they passed the first test.  Excellent chips and salsa.  But how about a margarita?  Down the street the margaritas are the size of a bird bath and filled with brightly colored frozen ice slushy concoctions.  

The El Agave house margarita - on the rocks with salt, of course.

I always like to try the house margarita.  A lot of restaurants in town use a margarita mix, a corn syrupy artificially flavored formula, but El Agave uses fresh ingredients.  Tourists beware, it can be a bit more sour than what you might be expecting but to me this margarita was perfect.  But wait, how does it compare to a perfect Cadillac margarita?  

For a few bucks more, upgrade the margarita to a perfect one!

Adding a bit of orange and Grand Marnier made the El Agave margarita even better!  Without crossing the line to sweetness, the Cadillac margarita might get my vote for best margarita in town, certainly the best in Old Town.  I mean, really the BEST in Old Town.  If you like margaritas, if you can taste the difference between a fresh margarita and one made with artificially enhanced green goo, then you need to try one of these.

So I never do this!  But after one of their margaritas this seemed reasonable, even logical and somewhat mandatory.

El Agave has a couple billion tequila bottles decorating the walls, a real tequila museum, and plenty of the good stuff to sample.  I admittedly know virtually nothing about tequila that Costco doesn't carry so I put my trust into their sampler of their own house tequila and it sure beats out the stuff I've been drinking.  Tequila is the type of drink that can lead to serious trouble so in a way I was glad when the food started to arrive because I was nearly ready do something really stupid and ask for another round.  Oh Waiter.....

Bring on the Food!

Is this the most beautiful Mexican food you have ever seen?  (El Agave, Old Town San Diego)

Is this the most beautiful Mexican food you have ever seen?  (El Agave, Old Town San Diego)

Some of you might not realize this but I am the first guy to take photos of his food starting way back in 1998 when I first launched Local Wally.  I tell you this because I have taken a lot of food pics in a lot of great restaurants but this calamari stuffed with shrimp and chorizo is possible one of the most beautiful dishes I have ever seen.  I just wanted to stare at it, marvel at the artistry of it, but then I could not resist and I - yes - I ate it! 

And wow, what a great starter, the calamari cooked perfectly tender, the filling so very flavorful, I felt a little guilty eating something so beautiful but like they say in the Doritos ad, don't worry, they'll make more.  And I will come back, just for this along.

El Agave's specialty, mole. 

I have a buddy from North Carolina who went to a Mexican restaurant and wanted to know what a mole tasted like.  A mole.  Like a blind rodent Mole.  Well El Agave specializes in mole (as in "mol-lay")  but it's not a creature but a sauce, and a very complex sauce at that.  I got mine with pork though you could also go with chicken. 

Look, don't trust me.  I don't know nothing about mole sauce.  But trust the people behind me, grown men making yummy sounds like Rachael Ray and saying things like how this is better than momma used to make and how they haven't had anything this authentic in years.  Of course they were also ordering shots of tequila so maybe trust me as the rookie who tells you that this trio of mole sauces was, well, yummo.  I'm going to hate myself later for saying that.

Another beautiful and flavorful dish, this time sea bass from El Agave.

Before I was asked one more time by my wife to put the camera away, here is a shot of her sea bass with a garlic chipotle chilli sauce.  Let me remind you that this is a Mexican restaurant, this is Old Town, so what the heck is this plate looking like it came from a high end foodie restaurant doing in front of me?  And once again, the flavors were spot on, fish deliciously cooked, just amazing.  

Dessert at El Agave in Old Town San Diego.

We ended with a bit of dessert, a creme brulee sort of thing with chocolate flavoring and it was decent, though not quite in the same caliber as the rest of the meal.  Next time I would skip the dessert and just walk down the street to get a churro.  Look, I like churros!  In fact, I'm going to get me one right now!

See, I wasn't kidding about the churro!

El Agave Mexican Restaurant and Tequileria surprised me.  It's not your typical Mexican restaurant, it really falls into the gourmet category, a foodie sort of experience that you don't expect to find in Old Town.  Tourists looking for carnitas tacos and carne asada burritos should probably dine elsewhere but if you're looking for a different take on Mexican food, or heck, if you just love food in general, then El Agave doesn't disappoint.  

Local Wally

Good Eats San Diego: Galaxy Tacos in La Jolla

Local WallyComment

George's at the Cove's chef opens a casual taco shop that's unlike any you've even been to!

WHAT:  GALAXY TACOS

WHAT'S SO HIP ABOUT IT?:  Trey Foshee, the chef at wildly popular George's at the Cove, opens a gourmet taco shop in La Jolla in an unassuming location.

WHAT'S GOOD?  Just about everything, but don't come here thinking this is going to be TreyBerto's - this food has more in common with George's than it does with Las Quatros Milpas.  Lots of tequila options to liven things up.

DRESS CODE:  Flip flops and t-shirts are just fine - the location near La Jolla Shores guarantees a beachy crowd.

ADDRESS AND OTHER STUFF:  2959 Agenda de la Playa, La Jolla, 858 228-5655, $5 to $6 tacos at lunch, bigger entrees around $25 at dinner.

Galaxy Tacos has a very tasty seafood cocktail - loved it!

George's at the Cove often gets cited as the BEST restaurant in all of San Diego and there's no denying that the upstairs Ocean Terrace has one of the best views in town.  When I heard that Trey Foshee, the chef behind George's, was opening a taco shop I had to stop and think.  I thought, well, do we need another taco shop in San Diego? Yeah, I really thought that because we have a ton of great taco shops around town.  But leave it to Trey to take the lowly taco shop and to elevate it to new heights.

I started my lunch with the seafood cocktail, a sundae sized glass filled with shrimp, scallops, crab, and octopus.  Nicely cooked seafood, not the least rubbery, they know what they are doing. At $16 it's not cheap, but as you scrape the last bits out with your spoon you know that it was worth it.

But come on, let's get to the tacos!

Wait, what's with that weird tortilla? That's a homemade tortilla made from their own freshly ground masa with no-GMO's.  It might look a little strange but tasty, tasty, tasty.  The first taco is a lamb barbacoa topped with onion, tomato mint salsa, and yogurt.  Fresh, clean tasting, and just enough spices to make this a great barbacoa taco.  Winner!

Let me make one thing perfectly clear - I am not a vegetarian.  I say that because I am not even sure this qualifies as vegetarian but I really loved this potato taco.  Tangy with a crispy crunch from the kale chips, I could eat 10 of these.  Another Winner!

Short rib taco was so beautiful it was hard to take the first bite - Galaxy Tacos.

The Birria de Res taco was confusing to me because my Spanish is so bad I had no idea what this one was going to be - but that did not stop me from ordering it.  It turned out to be short ribs topped with pickled onion, cilantro and cabbage and was very delicious.  Ding Ding Ding, another Winner!

I want one more.  Hey, is that a Carne Asada Taco?

Ain't she a beauty?  Tender beef topped with cilantro, guacamole, onion, and spicy smoked bone marrow salsa.  And it was spicy, that's for sure.  I wish they had not called this a carne asada taco because in San Diego carne asada is sacred and this taco, while good, failed as carne asada.  Now if they called it something else, anything else, it would have been great but when I order a carne asada taco I want something that sort of looks like it came from, well, Roberto's.  How about calling it Taco de Lujo?  Translation:  fancy taco :-)  Or maybe a Pantalones de Lujo de Taco, aka the Fancy Pants Taco?  Now that I would love!

So the verdict?  I like it, pretty tasty and a fresh look at gourmet tacos.  If you're from out of town know that these tacos are not what I would call authentic Mexican food, but they're not supposed to be.  Hit the beach, kayak the caves, then go to Galaxy Taco and chow down on some great San Diego good eats and see how the locals like their gourmet tacos.  And Trey, congrats on opening what I'm sure will become one of San Diego's most popular restaurants.

Local Wally

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN SAN DIEGO: Thousands Expected to Attend Del Mar Racetrack for Pacific Classic Weekend

Local WallyComment

DEL MAR, Calif. – Next weekend the 25th running of the $1 Million TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar, the Seaside Track’s signature and most prestigious race, is set to bring the elite summer racing season to a peak. The high stakes weekend will be packed with events and entertainment, starting off on Friday, August 21, with a free performance by San Diego based reggae fusion rock band Pepper. 

Harrah’s Friday Concert Series with Pepper – Friday, August 21, island-rhythm rock band Pepper will perform a free concert. The concert will start following the final race of the day, approximately scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Concert is 18 and up. 

$1 Million Pacific Classic – Saturday, August 22 – Del Mar will draw some of the nation’s most talented Thoroughbreds for the most esteemed race of the season: the $1 Million TVG Pacific Classic. The Pacific Classic will bring horse racing enthusiasts out in their finest summer suits, sundresses and spectacular hats for a day much like Opening Day at the historic Seaside Oval. First post is 2 p.m., gates open at 11:30 a.m. 

Daybreak at Del Mar – Every Saturday and Sunday fans have the chance to view racehorses galloping on the track during Daybreak at Del Mar from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.  Early risers can watch the morning workouts while enjoying hot breakfast sandwiches, fresh coffee, juice and more for purchase. American Pharoah fans can also catch the Triple Crown champ galloping around 7:45 a.m.

Family Weekends – Every weekend is family weekend at the track, where children can enjoy activities in the Infield such as: inflatable games, pony rides, jockey stilt walkers and more while catching a 360-degree view of the track. Children receive FREE racetrack admission, adults are only $6. 

Racing at Del Mar happens Wednesdays through Sundays, July 16 - September 7, with post time for the first race on most days at 2 p.m. On Fridays first post is shifted to 4 p.m. For more information, call 858-755-1141 or visit www.delmarscene.com. You can follow the Del Mar racetrack on Twitter and Instagram @DelMarRacing or become a fan on Facebook/DelMarRaces.

Guest Blogger:  Corrinne Bolendorf

San Diego Good Eats: Ironside Fish and Oyster

Local Wally1 Comment
Don't look behind you at Ironside Fish and Oyster!

Don't look behind you at Ironside Fish and Oyster!

I was a bit skeptical when a hipster seafood restaurant opened in Little Italy.  But I was wrong.  Ironside Fish and Oyster just might be my favorite seafood restaurant in San Diego.  Come with me and check it out - but first, the basics.

IRONSIDE FISH AND OYSTER

WHAT IS IT?  Best described as a hipster seafood restaurant in Little Italy with ultra fresh fish and a reasonably priced menu, less than $20 for most dinner entrees.

WHAT'S GOOD?:  Lobster roll with fries is my favorite, but here's the menu.

1654 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 269-3033

 

Eclectic design, a bit of mid-century mixed with a weird ship theme - it's cool!

The restaurant is definitely hipster with a bit of nautical theme meets mid-century with a dash of prohibition period ambiance.  Tables are bistro close so don't be alarmed when the person seated next to you is nearly as close as your date.  Just say hello, be friendly, you can do it.

A large selection of oysters, ask your server to describe them so you get the ones you like.  

Oysters are fresh and delicious here.  Don't get smug, I know they have "oysters" in their name but I've been to plenty of restaurants around town that frankly have questionable oysters.  But these are great, though at $3 apiece a bit pricy.  But you go with your bargain oysters, I'll stick with top shelf.

Paella is a hard dish to get right but Ironside Fish and Oyster does it very, very well.

The menu is nice and simple - whole fish, fancy fish, simple fish - along with a handful of entrees like this incredible Paella, a big bowl of shellfish with chunks of fresh fish mixed into a flavorful rice.  This one is good, very good.  But enough of that, let's take a look at the star of the show, the Lobster Roll.

At $21 the Lobster Roll might seem a bit expensive, but when it arrives at your table everyone will be jealous. Tons of lobster meat inside and out, and it's moist and tender and not in the least dried out or overcooked.  Add to it some excellent fries and you need to trust me when I say "get this"!

Hipsters shouldn't get all the good seafood in San Diego.  Dat wouldn't be right.  So get into Ironsides and sink your teeth into some of San Diego's best seafood served up in a equally fresh setting.  It's my new favorite seafood restaurant!

Local Wally

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

Local Wally1 Comment

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.

San Diego's Mission Brewery Takes Home the Gold!

Local WallyComment
Mission Brewery wins again!

In a few short years, San Diego has become the home of one of the most thriving craft beer cities across the country. With big-name breweries like Green Flash, Mission Brewery, Stone Brewing Co. and Ballast Point being brewed in San Diego, the city has experienced strong support for the growth and spread of this industry. A community that seeks innovative methods for perfecting their newest brews, San Diego has proudly help foster some of the most original craft beers that we have seen on the market.

One of the community’s newest legends is Mission Brewery’s Hard Root Beer. A twist on the classic IPAs and ales that we see being created, Mission’s Hard Root Beer has opened up a new door for those looking to expand their craft-brewed palette.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the response our craft hard root beer has received in the market,” Mission Brewery owner Dan Selis said. “We expect it to continue growing in popularity.” 

A new taste on the craft beer scene, the Hard Root Beer has seen growing popularity in the past year. In the 2015 US Open Beer Championship, Mission proudly received the Gold Medal for their Hard Root Beer, beating out competitors from all across the country. Creamy, smooth, and sweet but not cloying, Mission’s Hard Root Beer has traditional root beer notes of sarsaparilla and vanilla. This new trend on the craft beer market is one that you don’t want to miss! Get out of your comfort zone and experience one of San Diego’s newest innovations: a gold-medal winning hard root beer, proudly brewed right here in down town San Diego.

Guest Blog by  Alisha Starelli

Wally Adds a Few Comments

Great local beer at San Diego's Mission Brewery

When I was a kid my favorite school field trip was to the Wonder Bread factory. The smells of baking bread were intoxicating and the tiny little loaf of Wonder Bread they gave you at the end was like a tiny block of edible gold.  Today that same Wonder Bread factory is home to Mission Brewery and while they no longer make bread you can get some pretty darn incredible beer there!  I wonder if kids today go on field trips to Mission Brewery to see how beer is made and to take home a sample 6 pack for Dad?  Doubt it, but what a good idea!

It's no surprise that Mission Brewery has won awards and you need to get yourself in there to taste for yourself why it's one of San Diego's most popular beers.  Go before a Padre game, go after, go whenever, it's still one of the best field trips you will ever go on.

Congrats, Mission Brewery!

Local Wally

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!

TOP 10 REASONS WHY I LOVE PARADISE POINT RESORT AND SPA

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PARADISE POINT RESORT

1404 Vacation Rd, San Diego, CA 92109

(858) 274-4630

San Diego is blessed with a lot of things, including a plethora of great hotels and resorts.  But for my vacation (or stay-cation) dollar, Paradise Point Report on Mission Bay stands out as my top pick.  Here are the Top 10 reasons why your next getaway should be the Paradise Point Resort.  It's my favorite as you will soon see.

10.  LOOKS MORE LIKE HAWAII THAN HAWAII

Paradise Point Resort and Spa has beautiful grounds.

No one can blame you if you start hollering "AAA-LO-HAAAA!" at the top of your lungs when you arrive.  If you didn't know better you might think you were in Maui with the mature tropical plantings and meandering walkways.  Palm trees swaying in the breeze, the serenity of the ponds, the sound of birds in the background, you instantly forget that this is on Mission Bay.  Lush and beautiful, it's  simply is one of San Diego's most beautiful resort settings.

9.  MORE ROMANTIC THAN A HONEYMOON NIGHT

Romantic walks on the beach around Paradise Point Resort.

Hey you - did you really buy your wife a new set of tires for your last anniversary?  I know, they were steel belted radials - but really??  A weekend at Paradise Point Resort is guaranteed to get you out of the doghouse though what happens after that is up to you.  Perfect for honeymooners, anniversaries, special occasions, or anyone just needing to get away, Paradise Point rates higher than a Barry White album on the romantic scale. Bring champagne!

8.  MAI-TAI'S AND TROPICAL DRINKS WILL MAKE YOU SING KOKOMO

Seriously, this place feels just like Hawaii, all the way down to the Mai Tai's! (Paradise Point Resort)

Nothing says vacation more than a tropical drink and you'll find them all over Paradise Point, from the popular Barefoot Bar to poolside.  The Mai Tai's pack the punch but if punch is what you are after then there's nothing better than an ice cold, rum filled frosty glass of Paradise Punch, a drink that so easy to sip that you might never leave.  Tasty, tasty, tasty!

7.  THE BAREFOOT BAR, A SAN DIEGO INSTITUTION

Vintage Barefoot Bar logo from Paradise Point Resort.

The story is that The Barefoot Bar was built on top of a bomb shelter back when the original Vacation Village opened in 1963 and the joke was that you could get bombed at the bar but not bombed from the sky.  Ahhh, humor back in the Cold War times, nothing better!  The original Barefoot Bar had sand on the floor but no longer, which is probably OK when you think about it.  Great food, live music, a view of the bay, this place screams VACATION!  Locals, stop in for lunch and take a "play-cation" this weekend and be a tourist in our hometown.  It's super fun and the food is great.  Speaking of which....

6.  LOCAL FOOD THAT LOCALS LOVE TO EAT

Super fresh seafood at the Barefoot Bar at Paradise Point Resort.

Just look at that bite - fresh ahi poke with some mango salsa and avocado on top of a crispy won ton wrapper.  CRUNCH!  Ahhhh!  If you could taste what I tasted you would know why I rave about The Barefoot Bar.  Open for both lunch and dinner the menu features plenty of fresh seafood options as well as steaks, chicken and burgers.  It's a creative menu and one that was so good the last time I went that I can't wait to go back and try more dishes.  Next time you're looking for a place to eat and you want something different from the usual suspects in San Diego set your sights on The Barefoot Bar.  It's good, really good!

5.  FIVE POOLS TO KEEP YOU VERY HAPPY

Great people watching at the pool - just don't get caught! (Paradise Point Resort and Spa)

A great resort needs a great pool and Paradise Point's main pool fits the bill.  Kids splashing in the pool and a cocktail waitress to help you ignore the kids splashing, it's the perfect set up for a perfect day.  But if the idea of pumped up music and Summer-sized energy isn't your idea of relaxation then head over to any of the other smaller, more private pools, some with age restrictions that keep the munchkins on the other side of the gate.  Nice!  I mean, nice that there are options.

4.  A ROOM WITH A VIEW

Watch the boats sail by from your private patio.

Watch the boats sail by from your private patio.

This is the view from my room.  I sat in that chair and watched the sailboats go by in the afternoon.  I watched the sun go down.  I watched the bonfires at night.  And in the morning I watched the day slowly unfold, the kayakers taking advantage of the calm, and the beginning of another day in Paradise.  Now imagine you sitting in that chair with your glass of wine and imagine that this is your vacation, not mine.  This is the Paradise Point lifestyle and it doesn't get much better than this.

3.  A ROOM TO MATCH THE VIEW

Beautiful and recently updated rooms at the Paradise Point Resort

I'm not sure which is prettier, the view from the room or the room itself.  Pick a room on the bayside and you'll be stepping outside to a patio that drops right into the sand and the rooms on the interior aren't slouches either, especially if you get one that lines one of the pools or tropical gardens.  What's cool about Paradise Point is that the rooms are bungalows.  No high rise hotel.  No boring corporate compound.  It feels like you are on vacation - hey, you are!  I've stayed at enough boring Marriott's throughout the year on dismal business trips.  When I go on vacation I want something that makes me forget about work and a bungalow on the beach sound just about right.  

2.  PLENTY OF FUN STUFF TO DO

Rent a sailboat for an afternoon of gentle sailing on the calm waters at Paradise Point.

Located right on the bay, Paradise Point offers plenty of opportunities to get out on the water.  If you've never been to San Diego then here's a quick lesson.  There are two bays in San Diego.  The big one near the airport, Seaport Village and the Convention Center, is called, well, San Diego Bay.  It's the one with the Coronado Bridge going over it and an aircraft carrier docked on it.  It's big, it's windy, and it's great for experienced sailors wanting to push their skills.  Mission Bay, on the other hand, is nice and calm.  That's where Paradise Point Marina is and this is where you can rent a little sailboat and try to remember what you learned back at Summer camp in Junior High.  You can also rent a kayak or jet ski or whatever you want.  Or forgetaboutit and just hop on the water taxi to take a short trip to SeaWorld where you can skip the long lines in front if you purchase your tickets at the resort. 

And if water isn't your thing then rent a bike and cruise around the bay.  I might suggest a little ride over to the Catamaran Hotel on the other side of the bay as a destination (tip:  cocktail bar) and a leisurely ride back then a jump in the pool.  There are so many options that there is no way you'll run out of things to do.

1.  BEST FAMILY OR ROMANTIC VACATION, EVER!

Create lasting memories doing nothing more than laying on the beach at Paradise Point.

Remember that favorite family vacation you took as a kid?  This is the place to create those happy memories with your family and friends.  A bungalow on the beach, the sand between your toes, the kids laughing while floating on a raft, you've done a good job picking Paradise Point as your vacation spot.  And locals, when the kids are getting restless forget about the long lines at Disneyland or the scorching hot temps of Palm Springs and just stay here. The kids get an adventure, you get a drink and some sunshine, everyone wins!

Get that balance back into your life with a stay at Paradise Point.

Whether this is your big family vacation, a honeymoon destination or just a weekend getaway the end result is the same - a Zen-like happiness that makes you feel great about your experience.  Paradise Point Resort is a hidden gem, a piece of Hawaii that somehow ended up on Mission Bay. There are a lot of places to say in San Diego but only one that is truly paradise!

Get More Info on Paradise Point including rates on their official site!

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What to Do This Weekend in San Diego: Beer and Flowers at Balboa Park

Local WallyComment

Looking for something to do this weekend in San Diego other than fireworks?  How about checking out my new secret beer spot in Balboa Park and then a stroll through the gardens?  Whether you're a local or tourist, here's the perfect Sunday afternoon in San Diego.

Panama 66 is the best place to get a cold, local beer in Balboa Park

PANAMA 66

I knew that getting rid of that parking lot in front of the San Diego Museum of Art would be a good thing.  Where there once was a fairly non-descript and generic "park food" cafe is not Panama 66, the offshoot restaurant from Blind Lady Ale House and Tiger! Tiger!, two foodie (and beer) favorites in the North Park area.

Wish there was still a parking lot here?  Not me!

Order up some food and a cold beer and grab a table looking into the new plaza.  It's not Paris but you can sort of pretend it is, watching people stroll by and the tourists with their cameras.  Oh crap, I look like a tourist!  Well, these are the sort of things I do for my readers.

Panama 66 in Balboa Park makes some serious pub food like these fries.

Really great food at Panama 66 - not too fancy, perfect lunch spot.

Really great food at Panama 66 - not too fancy, perfect lunch spot.

The menu at Panama 66 is short and casual and the quality is beyond what you might expect from a cafe in Balboa Park.  You order at the bar and don't be discouraged if all you want is a beer and you see a long line - the line on the left, the short one, is for beer and wine only. 

You probably already know that I LOVE french fries and Panama 66 does a very credible job with crispy kennebecs that can be topped with truffle oil and parmesan if you want, though truffle oil is so last decade and who wants to be mocked by a foodie (or Gordon Ramsey, for that matter)?  The turkey and brie was great and the salads all looked outstanding - I'd get one next time, with fries, of course.  Kids meals too, get one for your dog if you don't have a kid as dogs are welcome here.

The secret picnic spot for beer and wine in Balboa park!

Behind the cafe is the Art Sculpture Garden, a place you probably walked by a hundred times and never stopped.  Well here's my secret - it's also the place you can grab a beer or glass of wine (get the sparkling!) and have a wonderful picnic.  Family friendly, nice grassy area, I could sit here all afternoon.  And while I love the food at Panama 66, they won't let you take it to the lawn area so next time I'm packing in my own bread and cheese and we'll see if I get kicked out - I'll let you know!

Next up, the Botanical Gardens

Visit the Botanical Gardens in Balboa Park.

If you're looking for FREE stuff to do in San Diego, Balboa Park is the place.  While the museums all charge a fee (except for the first four Tuesdays of each month for residents), there are plenty of things to do and see that doesn't cost anything.  I love just going to the gardens to shoot some pics and take in the scenery.  I gave my camera to my wife and she shot the pics below.  Pretty good!

So there you have it - a perfect thing to do this weekend in San Diego.  Go to Balboa Park for a light lunch, a dark beer, and a stroll through the gardens.  It's a fabulous way to spend a few hours exploring the town we call home.

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