Archive for December, 2009

5 Best Sushi Restaurants in San Diego

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

san-diego-sushiGood sushi is hard to come by, especially considering that the majority of the world is land locked and far away from a source of fresh fish. San Diego, on the other hand, sits right on the ocean for some of the best fishing around, which means the sushi is always fresh. Sushi is to San Diego, as art is to New York City or wine is to France. To taste the best on the menu, here are the 5 best sushi restaurants in San Diego.

Nobu

This world-renowned restaurant features some of the best sushi San Diego has to offer. Recently opened at the Hard Rock Hotel in Downtown San Diego, it’s become a favorite of the locals who know their sushi. Treat yourself with a bit of spice with the Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño. Nobu has another location Solana Beach for all the North County sushi lovers. Make sure you bring a good amount of cash, as the some of the finest sushi in the world doesn’t come cheap. Be assured that the delicate richness of the food will be well worth it. In a city with no shortage of sushi, Nobu serves provides for a great experience with an elegant break from the normal approach to sushi dining.

Zen 5

This Pacific Beach sushi restaurant is laid back and relaxed. Spend an evening quietly chatting with friends to the tune of reggae favorites for some perfect beach vibes. Their new Tropical Roll comes layered in salmon and mango to make things interesting. A great sushi dish mixed with relaxing music makes for a perfect day at the beach. Unwind and find Zen with a splash of best wasabi.

Sushi on the Rock

For a one of a kind dining experience, Sushi on the Rock serves up the sushi with a dab of humor. Enjoy a Sweet Thing or a Bruce Lee roll washed down with happy hour specials. Located at La Jolla beach, it’s a favorite of locals and tourists. This is sushi with a twist, imagination, and wrapped with popular culture. Who said sushi couldn’t get creative?

Yu Me Ya Sake House

For an authentic Japanese sushi dining experience, check out the Yu Me Ya Sake House. Dine in an authentic dining area as you sip a variety of hot and cold sakes to please your pallet. You can appreciate an assortment of appetizers, but the true sushi palate will love basic tapas and fresh delicacies that are on the menu. This is sushi at a decent price, served in an authentic Japanese dining experience. Throw in some sake and enjoy an authentic Japanese dining experience.

Harney Sushi

For a less than traditional sushi experience, try mixing in some hip-hop. Featuring a very stylish environment, this sushi spot serves up the sushi as DJs spin hip-hop in the background. Its environment is inviting while its services are hip. DJ music blend perfect when washed down with the fresh taste of sushi.

San Diego is what sushi is all about. There are many selections to cater to any style or palate, whether you seek elegance or tradition, hip and trendy, or smart and edgy. The style and culture of San Diego makes for great sushi dining.

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San Diego’s To Do’s during the Winter Season

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

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Locals don’t take the winter season off in San Diego as there are plenty of classic pastimes to help you enjoy the area and its exciting recreational opportunities. There are numerous free and affordable activities you can do, from enjoying traditional holiday parades that are shared on TVs around the world, to saying “Hello!” to migrating whales on the Pacific Coast. The fun never ends because the beautiful weather of San Diego makes winter a wonderful time.

Christmas Spirit

Get the season started right with the festivities at Balboa Park’s December Nights, a two day celebration of fun, camaraderie and holiday cheer during the first weekend of every December. In addition to the festive foods and alluring scents, many educational museums and attractions in Balboa Park (the largest urban cultural park in the nation) open their doors for free. Enjoy carolers, live music and light displays. Ring in the holiday season with this special festival to instill a sense of good cheer.

Whale Watching

California whales migrate to the warmer waters which play home to their breeding grounds off the coast of Baja, CA, just south of San Diego. From September through March, these spectacular animals offer a wonderful show as they pass through the majestic San Diego coastline. It’s a truly inspiring vision of nature that can be shared by the whole family.

Christmas Blues

The Blue Christmas in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter on Dec. 10, features live blues, rock and R&B performances, all for free. Live music is offered up at 10 different venues, each delivery a different variety to please any musical palate. There’s nothing like getting into the holiday cheer with some good blues that really jazzes up the night.

Mother Goose Parade

Follow a tradition that’s been a gift to San Diego children since 1947. The Annual Mother Goose Parade on Nov. 22 in the East County city of El Cajon, features one of the biggest parades of its kind in the country. As the largest single day event in San Diego, the parade features floats, marching bands and celebrity appearances, which includes the harry jawed patron of Christmas himself, Santa Claus.

Organ Concerts

Spreckals Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park features free organ concerts at 2 p.m. every Sunday. This includes performances on the world’s largest pipe organ, a San Diego landmark of pride for over 90 years. The 32 foot tall pipes bellow holiday favorites, waltzes and show tunes with an immense propensity that is radiantly awe inspiring, its sure to launch you right out of your seat.

San Diego Beaches

There’s nothing like a beautiful beach while your friends back home are shoveling snow from their driveways in the thick of winter. You can take a walk on San Diego’s 70 miles of beaches, all free and open to the public. With great weather year round, it’s always beach season in San Diego, even in the middle of winter. Live it up and keep sand in your soul while the rest of the world is dumped in snow.

San Diego Bay Lights

The waters of the San Diego Bay are lit up by more than 100 privately decorated boats for the 38th Annual Port of San Diego Parade of Lights on Dec. 13 and 20. Catch the show from the dry land of the Shelter Island, Marina park, the Embarcadero, Sea Port Village and Coronado’s Ferry Landing.

As you can see, even in the dead of winter, San Diego is full of life with numerous activities to choose from. But plan ahead, you may find it hard to catch them all!

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Best Surf Spots in San Diego

Friday, December 11th, 2009

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With 75 miles of open coastline, San Diego is a surfer’s paradise. Most of the beaches consist of long breaks with primarily Southwest exposure, bringing in warm waters to ride the waves. La Jolla and Point Loma have rocky points with numerous beach breaks that feature an assortment of swells, dependent on the current. San Diego’s northern limits feature Trestles, the famous river mouth where surfing is sublime.

The following features some of the best surf spots in San Diego. Spot a wave, and ride it to paradise.

Trestles

Trestles is located at the border of San Diego and Orange Counties, world famous as a river mouth hot spot. You have to earn waves like water wings, fighting for parking spaces as well as a many professional and expert surfers. Take the south to southwest swells for the biggest waves and the longest rides. With the right curve of a wave, a surf session at Trestles can be legendary. If you’re not ready for the hard stuff, try the lighter waves down the coast at Old Man’s. It’s perfect for beginners or those who like long boarding.

Check Trestles surf report and conditions.

Black’s Beach

Black’s Beach is considered by many to have the best surfing year round. As one of the most popular surfing spots in town, expect to wait your turn with the locals. The ocean waves come in fast and powerful, expanding their energy into big hollow peaks that are perfect for surfing. You’ll have to be keen on your doggy paddle to wait in the long lines for a perfect wave. You can ride waves of nearly 12 feet, if your legs can hang on to this impressive swell.

Check Black’s Beach surf report and conditions.

La Jolla Shores

La Jolla Shores is another popular spot, but it’s lighter on the ankles and perfect for beginners who are learning the ropes of surfing. It features gentle waves and a year round lifeguard. It’s the favorite spot for surfing schools, so you can get in some classes if you are still learning. A lot of local kids catch their first waves on this beach before moving on to the larger swells.

Check Laj Jolla Shores surf report and conditions.

Del Mar

Del Mar features nice, safe waves that you don’t have to fight for. It’s one of the most reliable spots in San Diego to find a good wave. With good exposure to swells from all directions, this spot also has a nice sandy bottom so you don’t get stuck in the sludge. Even in the height of summer, crowds have plenty of room, so calling on a wave is easier than catching a cab.

Check Del Mar surf reports and conditions.

Sunset Cliffs

Sunset Cliffs lets you fight it out with the locals, who prize this beach for its intense waves and perfect sun. Featuring rocky reefs and multiple point breaks, this beach features varying degrees of swell sizes, depending on the tide, so tread carefully. This is a challenging surf spot, so be careful, and let’s see what you’re made of.

Check Laj Jolla Shores surf report and conditions.

Choose the Beach that Fits Your Board

San Diego features some of the finest surfing in the world, and its’ right in the heart of Southern California. The right beach depends on your skill or expertise. If you are new to surfing, start with the smaller waves and work your way up. It’s good to enjoy the water, sun, and sand to appreciate what the sport is all about. When you’re ready to go big, try a spot with larger waves. San Diego has beaches to sooth or challenge, depending on your mood and skill on the board. Catch a wave, and give the dolphins something to talk about. If you’re traveling to San Diego this year, check out some of our beautiful beach front vacation rentals.

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Best San Diego Attractions for Kids

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

With its beautiful beaches and sunny weather year round, San Diego is a family vacation paradise with more things for a single visit to be enough. Kids will love all San Diego has to offer including Sea World, Lego Land, The Wild Animal Park, and much more. San Diego’s climate isn’t conducive to boredom.

Legoland

Every kid has dreamed of it, and yes California has made it a reality. The park features 50 rides, shows and attractions, all made out of Legos or carrying a Lego theme. Imagine life-sized Lego hotels you can spend the night in. Eat in restaurants made entirely of Legos. Legoland is a dream come true, whether you are six or 60.

san-diego-legoland

San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is one of the best in the world, featuring Pandas and a host of exotic animals the kids will love. Kids can check out the Children’s Zoo within the zoo, and who doesn’t like feeding the seals. Feel like a kid again. The gorillas will be happy to see you back.

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Balboa Park

There are always street performers on hand to light up a smile, and a clown to turn on the laughter or an animal shaped balloon. The nearby National History Museum, National Railroad Museum and the Air and Space museum also attract kids like the earth’s gravitational pull. They’ll be having too much fun to even realize they’re being educated.

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Sea World

Located on Mission Bay, Sea World lets kids and dolphins get to know each other up close. Chat it up with the penguins in their best tuxedos. Get your thrill in with the wet and wild thrill rides the park has to offer. Younger children will really enjoy the new Sesame Street themed rides and activities, including a musical production and a 4-D movie experience.

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Wild Animal Park

Recreating the savannahs of Africa with freely roaming animals, the San Diego Wild Animal Park puts the animals up close like an expedition into the wild paradise of Africa. For visitors 4 and up, the Roar and Snore Camping Program offers the chance to sleep among the animals, as long as lion snoring doesn’t tend to keep you awake at night.

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Get up for school on vacation

Don’t worry. The kids won’t complain once they realize there’s no homework. . The Old Towne State Historic Park features a one-room schoolhouse for kids to enjoy. The park offers a safe environment where kids can run free, check out the exhibits on their own, and see how bad Dad really had it in the Dark Ages of grammar school.

old-town-state-historic-park

Take a flight in the Red Baron’s cockpit

Biplane Air Combat and War Bird Adventures features real biplane rides like Snoopy swooping down on the Red Baron. Soar over the Coast in loops and rolls through the sky like you’ve never experience flying before. The best part is looking down. There’s nothing between you and the sky but your own gaping jaw. Kids will love the thrill. A biplane ride is something they’ll never forget.

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Something for everybody

San Diego is a popular family vacation destination because there is something for the whole family. Whether it’s taking in a show or a daredevil airplane ride, San Diego turns family fun on its head. San Diego takes the kid inside us all for a day of fun and memories that last a lifetime. You’ll have vacation stories the kids will be talking about for years. Blow their minds and make their memories. Kids never had it so good.

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