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Best Trick or Treat Neighborhoods in San Diego

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

San Diego County is famous for being a family-friendly place to live with a large number of middle- to upper-income neighborhoods. What more could trick-or-treaters want? There are several factors to take into consideration when planning your kids’ trick-or-treating adventures. First and foremost, you want your kids going door-to-door in the safest neighborhoods possible. While most of San Diego is generally safe, there are a few areas that stand out as the safest places to trick-or-treat that have low crime rates and well lit streets. A second factor is whether or not a lot of other trick-or-treaters will be around the area. Dead towns are no fun for kids where there are few people who celebrate, so make sure you head toward areas where a lot of people will be handing out candy with festively decorated homes. You also want a neighborhood with a good density of homes so it doesn’t require walking a marathon just to visit each house in the area. If you still can’t decide on where to go, there are several planned events around San Diego where kids can trick-or-treat safely. Here is a brief list of the top places to go trick-or-treating in San Diego County.

  1. Ocean Beach: The laid back surfer village of O.B. has several good streets for kids to wander and collect bags of candy. The friendly residents love to celebrate Halloween and are waiting with big bowls of candy for all your little ghouls and goblins. The neighborhood has over 12,000 people packed into a 1.5 square mile area which means there are plenty of doors to knock on this Halloween.
  2. Carmel Mountain: Carmel Mountain is often regarded as the ultimate trick-or-treating neighborhood in San Diego because of the massive number of streets packed with tract homes right next to each other. The difference between this area and the rest of suburban San Diego is that the median household income is right around the $100,000 range, meaning the candy bars might be a little bigger and better than other areas. All the streets are family-friendly and most people have their own kids heading out on them to collect as many sweets as possible.
  3. Pacific Beach: P.B. is another densely packed neighborhood, and you may have to drive around a little to find the perfect streets but the good ones will pay huge dividends (in candy that is). P.B. dwellers love to celebrate any chance they get and Halloween is one of their favorite holidays of the year. Count on witnessing some of the wildest costumes, scariest haunted houses, and friendly neighbors around. With over 7,600 people per square mile, it is almost guaranteed that every street will have some good trick-or-treating.
  4. Carlsbad: Carlsbad is the ultimate family-friendly suburban beach town of North County. The median income is well above the San Diego County average and the population of around 100,000 is generally composed of families with young with kids who love to dress up and head out on the streets. Carlsbad is known for its low crime rate and friendly beach-loving residents.
  5. Local Church Halloween Carnivals: There are tons of local churches around San Diego that offer Halloween carnivals where kids can play games and fill their bags with just as much candy as they would on the streets of Ocean Beach. A church Halloween carnival is a safe and fun experience for the youngsters and the parents don’t need to worry about them wandering off too far or knocking on the wrong door.
  6. LEGOLAND California Brick-or-Treat: The most popular kids’ Halloween event in North County is in LEGOLAND where they host Brick-or-Treat. The event happens a few times throughout the month with the biggest on Saturday the 29th (because it’s not a school night). The kids can experience the extravagant LEGOLAND Park while indulging in their favorite costumed candy-eating holiday of the year.
  7. Trick-or-Treat on India Street: Little Italy offers the kids of downtown a fun and safe option for trick-or-treating. They work with a lot of the local businesses in Little Italy who open their doors for trick-or-treaters to come by and show off their costumes in return for handfuls of candy.

Trick-or-Treat on Magic Street: The radio station Magic 92.5 hosts an annual trick-or-treat carnival on Magic Street in Chula Vista. Driving north to downtown is often out of the question for Chula Vista residents so having something in the center of town that is safe and fun for the entire family is a great way to celebrate Halloween.

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Fall Vacation Ideas

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

Just because the weather is cooling and the days are shorter doesn’t mean that you have to hunker down for the winter just yet. Fall vacations may seem challenging at first, but some of the best scenery and the lowest prices come around when the leaves are turning. Off-peak travel deals can be a steal, and crowds are less of a problem. Holidays also bring about all types of fun and festivals, with each local neighborhood offering its own spin on these seasonal celebrations.

Even if for a few days, a fall getaway can renew your spirits and let you cash in on one last hurrah before full-swing school begins and tourist attractions shut down for the winter.

Find the Fall Colors

Vineyards are a beautiful scene in the fall. As the leaves change, many vineyards hold fall events to capitalize on their beauty. Many vineyards hold wine tasting events during the fall, and tours are a popular offering during this time.

State parks are also a great place to visit at the end of the season. Nature does not end when the summer does, and fall is often the best time for hiking and fishing.

Romp around in Rural Areas

You can often find the best fall fun just a short drive away. Heading into the surrounding areas of San Diego, you can find amazing scenery, and quaint towns with their own Oktoberfests, hay rides, and pumpkin carving.

Apple picking is also a great fall pastime for the whole family. Many orchards offer apple picking along the roadside, and many areas celebrate with apple-picking festivities. Julian is famous for their pies, and this little area is an affordable, fun town to wander around in. A San Diego tradition, the popular Annual Julian Fall Apple Harvest runs from September 15 to November 15 and celebrates the town’s pies and ciders. This town offers fun shops, live entertainment, and the best apple pies in the county.

With Halloween just around the corner, pumpkin patches, pony rides, farmer’s markets, and corn mazes can be found by the handful.

Embrace a New Culture

Fall is a time when many cultures celebrate their heritage. In Downtown San Diego, the 17th annual Little Italy festival parade is not one to miss. This festival offers more than 150 vendors, three stages of entertainment, a stickball exhibition game, and more than 16 blocks of family-friendly fun. Italian cuisine abounds in this area of the city, and this time of the year is a great time to explore the local fare.

Are you a theater buff? Check out the San Diego 12th annual Asian film festival October 20-28th. This festival focuses on Asian-American cinema and allows patrons to meet filmmakers and actors to get the inside scoop on each film.

Spook Yourself

With Halloween in sight, there’s something spooky for everyone. October hosts Sea World’s Halloween Spooktacular where kids can trick-or-treat among sea creatures, see kid-friendly shows, and participate in Halloween crafts. Kids can dress up and take part in this fun event every weekend in October.

For the adults, there is a laundry list of spooky fun in San Diego during the fall. Del Mar hosts The Scream Zone in the month of October every Saturday and Sunday from 7pm to midnight. Here you can jump on a haunted hayride, see the house of horror and experience “the chamber.” You can also visit The Haunted Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter or walk The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park.

Fall is a great time to squeeze in one last vacation. Local visitor centers and chambers of commerce can help you find the best deals of the season. Many local events are still going strong well into the cooler months, and there’s something for everyone—especially around Halloween. Prices are down, and seasonal colors abound. Rural towns begin to pick up as apple-picking season comes around and pumpkins patches ripen, and cultural events begin to unravel around town.

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San Diego October Activities Guide

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

October is one of the most popular months in San Diego because the leaves change colors, ghosts and goblins come out to haunt everyone, German beer flows from beer gardens around the city, and popular annual events like the Asian Film Festival are attracting thousands of visitors. The kids are back in school, the beach still has great weather, and people can’t get their hands on Julian apple pies fast enough. Here are seven popular events and activities that take place during the month of October in San Diego.

  1. Oktoberfest: La Mesa, El Cajon, Carlsbad, and Encinitas all have their own miniature version of the famous Oktoberfest celebration in Munich every year. Most of the German celebrations take place during the first and second weekend of October and the biggest of them all is easily the La Mesa Oktoberfest. This is the best time of the year to get your hands on some authentic German bratwurst, beer, and polka music.
  2. Julian Apple Days Festival: Escape from the city and experience some good ol’ classic fun Julian style. You will spend all day eating endless amounts of apple pie, watching an antique tractor show, panning for gold, tasting beer and wine, listening to music, and dancing alongside some country tunes. The main event is the first weekend of October but the Apple Days Festival lasts almost two months throughout the apple harvest season in Julian. The first 250 people get a free apple pie server so don’t be late.
  3. 17th Annual Little Italy FESTA!: One of the largest Italian festivals on the West Coast, the Little Italy FESTA in San Diego is a great place to experience traditional Italian culture. Taste the great food, listen to Italian music, watch talented artists create masterpieces, participate in arts and crafts, and celebrate Italian heritage. One highlight of the event is the Italian Motor Sports Exhibit where you can admire classic Italian sports cars and motorbikes. There will be three separate stages with live music and over 120,000 people visiting Little Italy throughout the day. The event takes place October 9th from 10am-6pm.
  4. 12th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival: Easily one of the most popular annual events in San Diego is the Asian Film Festival from October 20-28th. Attendees can mingle with filmmakers and actors while they all enjoy a showcasing of Asian and other international cinema. It is a fun week of film watching and partying downtown where you can pick and choose what films interest you and then get to hang with the stars of the show and creators afterwards.
  5. Annual Borrego Days Desert Festival: It isn’t a little secret anymore; the Borrego Days Desert Festival is a fun event great for families and provides tons of activities over a three day weekend. The event takes place out at Borrego Springs, a popular desert location east of San Diego. There will be a parade, mini-carnival, classic car show, artist and vendor booths, live music, tasty festival food, and much more at the annual desert festival that takes place from October 21-23rd.
  6. Tequila Festival and Expo: This event isn’t for everyone, but people looking for a little adventure just across the border shouldn’t miss the annual Tijuana Tequila Expo. You can hop across the border and be at one of North America’s premier tequila events or take a tour with bus transportation from San Diego. Either way, the price you pay for the amount of fun in store is hard for any other San Diego event to compete with. The expo takes place from October 14-16th this year and Five Star Tours offers an organized tour with some tequila education on the ride down.
  7. Haunted Halloween Events: Most locals love when October rolls around because that is when all the extremely scary haunted houses, hotels, forests, restaurants, mazes, and whatever else you can think of being haunted open up. Top events include Scream Zone Del Mar, The Haunted Hotel, Haunted Trail at Balboa Park, LEGOLAND Brick-Or-Treat, Monster Manor, Sea World Spooktacular, and Monster Bash just to name a few. Most of the haunted attractions operate all month long so you have plenty of time to scare yourself and your friends this October.

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August Events in San Diego

Saturday, July 16th, 2011

In the later months of the summer when “June gloom” has burned off, the temperatures have settled into their seasonal warmth and the sun is a welcome participant in every day’s activities, San Diego can feel like the greatest tropical paradise on Earth. Summer in San Diego brings people from all over the country ready to partake in the sand and the surf. From nightlife that abounds with open-air establishments to the bustling daytime Mission Beach boardwalk and countless beaches, there is a long list of activities fit for every California-goer.

August is an especially rich month for San Diego activities, with something for everyone from sports fanatics to theater buffs.

Film and Music

Through August 28th, Screen on the Green takes a free film series to the outdoors on Thursday nights at 8 p.m. in beautiful Balboa Park. Bring some snacks and a lawn chair and take in a flick while you soak up the natural surroundings.

The La Jolla Music Society presents the nationally-recognized Summerfest, with over 70 world-class artists and ensembles. Or take in a concert at Humphreys by the Bay. August artists and comedians include the Moody Blues, Lauryn Hill, B.B. King, Colbie Callait, Billy Idol, Cheech and Chong, and Carlos Mencia.

Food

For foodies, the Old Town Grape Stomp is an August 30th gem. Pick up this first annual festivity at the Plaza del Pasado in the Old Town State Historic Park and savor some wine, food, and grapes, paired with live entertainment. If you enjoy a finely crafted brew, catch Beer-Con, the craft beer conference at the Handelry Hotel on August 27 at 730 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Or round up some local produce and farm-fed fare almost any day of the week at one of the many farmers’ markets that run through the August evenings:

Dancing

If shaking your tail feather is more your style, grab a dance class and give it all you’ve got, swing your hips at the Monday Night Swing class at the U-31 cocktail lounge, or shake the salsa at 6:30 in a Dance Motions Studios dance class. Or if you want to try out something less common, learn to clog at 6:45 p.m. on August 1st at the Balboa Park Recital Hall.

Local Experience

If you want breathe in some of the local history, take a 75-minute historic walking tour of the breathtaking Hotel del Coronado on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.

On August 10th, 23rd and 31st, snorkel with leopard sharks and smooth hound sharks at La Jolla Shores. Hosted by the Birch Aquarium, this outing is a fun way to connect with the local wildlife.

Take a stroll through the monthly desert garden tour hosted by Offshoot Tours and see eclectic trees, cacti, and succulents that grow in the warmth of the San Diego habitat.

Sports

If you’re a sports fanatic, don’t miss some tennis action at the Mercury Insurance Open Carlsbad beginning August 1st, or bet on the ponies when The Turf Meets the Surf as the Del Mar horse racing season gets underway. If baseball is more up your alley, catch the San Diego Padres in action at Petco Park. Also, don’t forget about Southern California’s perpetual playground and hang ten in some of the country’s best surf spots. Test drive a paddleboard on Mission Bay or boogie board to your heart’s content all along the coast.

Looking to watch the action? Head to La Jolla Cove August 7th and see the largest rough-water swimming competition in the U.S., or be entertained by the Polo Club’s Fernando Gutierrez Memorial Cup on the 14th (and catch the finals on the 21st).

No matter what you fancy for fun, August has events specially matched for everyone. From natural water parks to local foods and festivals, every month in San Diego is ripe with special events, guaranteed to make your time in America’s Finest City second to none.

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Catch the Action at the Del Mar Racetrack this Summer!

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

Horse racing is a longstanding tradition in America. Its roots run deep, and at one point, horse racing was second only to major league baseball.

The Del Mar Racetrack has been party to the history of the sport as well as its fluctuating trends and changes over the years. The racetrack is part of the Del Mar Fairgrounds, just twenty miles north of San Diego proper.

Let’s take a brief look at the history of this notable landmark as well as some of its upcoming events this summer.

A Brief History

The Del Mar Racetrack was built as a joint venture between Bing Crosby and several other close actors, musicians, and personalities of the time. The idea was to have a place where people could play all day, party all night, and forget all the worries of the world.

When the track opened in 1937, Bing Crosby himself stood at the gate to personally greet fans and horse racing enthusiasts. The Del Mar Racetrack was the first to make use of the photo-finish camera, which has now become a staple of just about every racetrack in the world.

The racetrack gained much popularity in Hollywood and the surrounding Del Mar area, drawing large crowds every race.

In 1938, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club hosted a $25,000 match race between the American handicap champion Seabiscuit and the South American challenger Ligaroti. The race was widely publicized and talked about, becoming the first nationwide broadcast of a Thoroughbred race on NBC radio. The historic race drew 20,000 fans, cementing its popularity and success.

By 1940, the Del Mar Racetrack was a summer playground for Hollywood’s finest. In 1946, The Santa Fe Railroad built a train from Los Angeles to Del Mar, allowing all the Hollywood stars and late-running horses an easy way to travel to and from the racetrack. The train was where the festivities began. Often, if the train was late, the entire race was delayed.

Del Mar Today

Del Mar Racetrack has not lost any steam over the years, still hosting some of the nation’s best horses and horsemen to record crowds each summer.

The track opens every mid-July, starting the 37-day summer racing season.

Although traditions evolve, change, or expire over the years, the track still has the longstanding tradition of wearing a hat on opening day and holds its annual One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest that same day.

Summer and Upcoming Events

Aside from the annual hat day, the draw of the Del Mar Racetrack is, of course, the horse races. The track holds races every Wednesday through Sunday and is usually closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, with a few exceptions.

The number of races wavers between 7 and 9 with the exception of opening day when the track holds 10 races, along with the feature handicap and stakes races. To keep up with the schedule, it’s best to check the Del Mar Racetrack calendar on their website.

The Del Mar Racetrack is also known to hold numerous events and promotions aside from the horse races. This includes:

  • Family Fun Days
  • Daily seminars for newcomers and handicappers
  • Chili cook-offs and salsa contests

A fairly new event is the Del Mar Summer Concert Series. Beginning in 1994, Del Mar played host to free concerts every Friday evening. Del Mar became a live music venue for some of the greatest musical acts in history. In 2001, singer/songwriter Jack Johnson put the Del Mar Racetrack on the musical map. The concert series continues this year, so remember to find your way to the Seaside Stage each Friday.

The Del Mar Beer Fest will give you a chance to sample over 60 different flavors of brews from some of your favorite breweries, including

  • Ballast
  • Coronado
  • Firestone
  • Full Sail
  • Left Coast
  • Green Flash
  • New Belgium
  • Lagunitas
  • Palm
  • Pyramid

Despite the passage of time, the Del Mar Racetrack has held up amazingly and is still home to thrilling races and roaring crowds, and the idea for a horse palace by the ocean where guests could play all day, party all night, and enjoy the fruits of life

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From Trestles to South Bay: A Guide to San Diego Surf Breaks

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

With summer upon us, nothing would be better than a visit to the beach to enjoy the sun and the surf. Cooling off in the ocean is a common, popular form of summer fun in Southern California, especially San Diego.  If you are staying in Pacific Beach or Mission Beach, don’t be afraid to venture further south or north to find more of San Diego’s famous surf lineups.

San Diego has a deep-rooted surf culture that spreads all through the county, up and down the coast. Let’s take a look at some of the best surf breaks in and around the San Diego area.

Trestles

Trestles is a world famous, river-mouth point break located right on the county line between Orange County and San Diego, attracting professionals, amateurs, and first time surfers all at once.

The area is broken up into many different breaks, most notably Upper Trestles, Middle Trestles, and Lower Trestles (more commonly referred to as just “Lowers”) with Lower Trestles consistently having the best waves. An ASP World Tour surfing competition is held at the Lower Trestles on an annual basis, the only ASP tour stop held on the North American continent.

Be prepared to walk a ways to get to Trestles, with the parking lots being 15 minutes from the break or more.  Even after your hike to the lineup, Trestles is often busy 7 days a week. With 60+ surfers in the lineup to catch a wave, avoiding collisions with others often becomes part of the ride.

Despite all the difficulties presented in making it out to Trestles, the area is famous because it continually provides some of the best swells with consistent long rides.

Del Mar

Del Mar has become one of the most reliable surf spots in San Diego. Featuring great exposure to all swell directions, Del Mar is popular all year round. The crowd can spread from the river mouth to Torrey Pines State Beach, giving you the chance to find your own wave without worrying about crashing into other surfers.

The best breaks tend to be in South Del Mar, from 15th Street to 29th Street.

Swami’s

Swami’s in Encinitas is known internationally and has a well-defined peak with a crowd beyond capacity. The break is named after an Indian-style Self Realization Fellowship complex on the bluff.

Swami’s has a bend in the coast, helping it pick up extra swell energy. This means bigger, better waves than its neighboring breaks. Of course, this also means larger crowds, but it’s worth it for the great waves.

La Jolla Shores

La Jolla Shores is one of the most popular beaches in San Diego, in part because of its proximity to UC San Diego. The beach is often crowded with college students and locals. A line divides the surfing section and the swimming section, ensuring that surfers do not crash into unaware waders.

The beach also has year-round lifeguard services, facilities, and fairly good parking.

The waves here are generally fairly gentle and safe, making it a prime spot for beginners and seasoned veterans alike. Most surf schools operate here, so those who would like to learn to surf should definitely start here.

Black’s Beach

Black’s Beach, in another part of La Jolla, is one of the best surf spots in California and arguably has the best waves in San Diego. Consistent and great all year round, Black’s Beach features breaks in long, organized lines.

The walk to Black’s Beach is a bit of a hike, though you can arrive either by stairs or by a trail from the neighborhood. Black’s Beach is also a nudist beach, so try not to be too surprised when you arrive.

Paddling out takes a bit of extra work and effort, but it pays off. The waves here are huge, well into the 10-12 foot range. Unlike La Jolla Shores, Black’s Beach is definitely for experienced surfers.

The South Bay

The best place to surf in Coronado is Outlet, a shore break by the North Island Naval Air Base. Outlet faces south and picks up the hurricane swells from Baja in the summer.

Aside from Outlet, Coronado and the rest of the coast all the way south to Imperial Beach are filled with numerous sloping beach breaks with fun, forgiving surf. However, the offshore sand bars at the mouth of the Tijuana River are completely unsurfable.

If you are looking for a surfing destination this summer, we recommend booking a San Diego vacation rental where you will find the best spot to surf and enjoy the break!

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Off the Beaten Path in San Diego

Friday, April 29th, 2011

Off the Beaten Path in San Diego

The greater San Diego area has a population of over 1.3 million residents and receives more than 30 million visitors annually. People love to visit San Diego and then never want to leave. Luckily, there are an endless number of things to do in San Diego, especially if you know where to look. While the famous attractions like Sea World, San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Legoland, and the gorgeous beaches are all well known and have a lot to offer, they are all typical destinations for visitors. If you want to get away from the crowds and see what really makes San Diego a unique city, head off the beaten path.

1.       Temecula Wine Tasting: San Diego is not yet world famous for their wines, but they are the fastest growing wine region in the U.S. Gather some friends and make it a day trip out to the Temecula wineries where you can pick one favorite and spend all day there or hop from place to place. Bring a designated driver or hire one of the tour busses in the area. You’re bound to find a new favorite wine.

2.       Unique Hikes: San Diego isn’t just an urban city; there are plenty of natural preserves, rivers, parks, and even mountains nearby. Blue sky ecological preserve, Cedar Falls, Iron Mountain, and Palomar Mountain state park are just a few of the local’s favorite hiking spots.

3.       Old Town: Although it is a well known town that gets a lot of tourists, it still shows a lot of San Diego’s history and beats all the other areas for best Mexican food restaurants. Visit El Agave for the largest selection of tequila in all of San Diego (and probably California). For some good shopping, check out the Bazaar Del Mundo.

4.       Julian Apple Pie: If you have a car or are renting one, it will be worth your time to make the trip into the mountains to the small town of Julian. They are world famous for their apple pies. When you visit, stop by Mom’s for a taste of the freshest and best apple pies around. There are plenty of unique stores and restaurants to keep you busy all day.

5.       San Diego Gliderport: Some people like a little adventure and this is the best place to get it in San Diego. The Gliderport in Torrey Pines is a great place to experience Hang Gliding or Paragliding; especially since you are flying high above the beaches and Pacific Ocean. The views are amazing and you will get that adrenaline rush you are craving. You don’t have to try the sports, watching from the sidelines is a lot of fun too. http://flytorrey.com/cms/

6.       The Topiary Gardens: If you enjoyed the Edward Scissor Hands movie, you will love Harper’s Topiary Gardens. Edna Harper turned her lush backyard into an outdoor museum of sculptures. She has carved more than 50 creatures out of the gardens including a dinosaur, elephants, surfer, and even Buddha. The most surprising thing about the gardens is that they are located downtown near the airport. http://sandiego.about.com/od/thingstodo/a/topiary_garden.htm

7.       Cinema Under the Stars: Located in the back of Doug Yeagley’s Tops hair salon in Mission Hills, the Cinema Under the Stars is a perfect way to spend an evening during the warmer months in San Diego. If you are looking for a good addition to a romantic date night, this is a must stop. This isn’t like your typical drive-in theater; it is a classy venue with comfortable seats, service, and classic films like Casablanca. http://www.topspresents.com/

8.       ARCO Olympic Training Center: Not many tourists have heard about the Olympic training center in San Diego and it is a little out of the way, but the 20-30 minute drive is worth the unique experience. Located down south in Chula Vista, the center is for prospective Olympic athletes of almost every sport; even bobsledding. There is housing on site for the athletes but the center is also a good resource for local athletes looking to make it to the next level. There is a good visitor center and a lot of ways you can enjoy watching the training. http://www.teamusa.org/about-usoc/u-s-olympic-training-center-chula-vista

9.       Unique bars: If there is one industry that is booming in San Diego, it is craft beer. Instead of trying to stop in all 45 different breweries around the county, just visit the best and most unique beer bars in town. The Blind Lady Ale House and Toronado are two local favorites; though busy, they are absolutely worth the wait. They offer some of the world’s best beers on draft, so plan on spending the entire evening tasting a few brews.

10.   Kate Sessions Park: Last but not least is San Diego’s favorite park. Kate Sessions sits atop a hill that overlooks Mission Bay and downtown San Diego. You can see for miles on a clear day. The park always has active groups playing sports, friends and families having barbecues, and kids’ birthday parties. The sunsets are especially amazing from Kate Sessions.

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Tips To Avoid a Bad Sunburn

Monday, April 4th, 2011

San Diego is known for its mild climate and year-round sunshine, making it a great place to spend time outdoors and catch some rays. But its southern latitude combined with the high number of sunny days greatly increases the danger of sunburn, skin cancer, and sun disease in comparison to places further north. While the best protection from the sun is to stay out of it, people don’t visit San Diego to stay inside. More likely, you’re headed to San Diego to play on the beach and enjoy warm outdoor temperatures, regardless of the time of year. Following are some tips for avoiding bad sunburn, or even a mild one, on your trip to San Diego.

  1. Wear Sunscreen. While this one may seem overtly obvious, the importance of wearing sunscreen can’t be stressed enough, even if you think you’re only going to be outside for a short period of time. Sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15 or higher should be applied to all parts of your body that will see the sun 30 minutes prior to exposure, and it should be reapplied every two hours. If you’ll be swimming, be sure to choose a waterproof sunscreen and reapply it every time you get out of the water.

    2. On your face and shoulders, it’s advisable to wear a higher SPF that’s face-specific, even if your makeup or morning moisturizer already contains sunscreen. A higher SPF is also advisable for younger children, whose skin hasn’t had as much sun exposure and less resistance. Babies under six months shouldn’t wear sunscreen at all, so you’ll need to be prepared with plenty of light-colored, long-sleeved clothing and a protective shade device in addition to the one built into your stroller or carrier. Babies over six months should wear a baby-specific sunscreen, which with an SPF of 45 or more.

  2. Wear protective clothing. Even if you’re liberally applying sunscreen, it’s always a good idea to give your skin a break with some lightweight, light-colored long-sleeved shirts and pants, especially if you have a full day of outdoor activities planned. Clothing with built-in UV protection can be purchased at many outdoor clothing stores. Choose moisture-wicking synthetic materials over cotton in order to help you stay cool and dry. It’s a good idea to wear a hat at all times when outdoors to protect your face, neck, and shoulders. Large-brimmed sun hats make a good choice for the ladies, while men may be better suited to a cowboy-style hat. Sunglasses are another essential item in San Diego, which help protect your eyes from both immediate and long-term UV damage.
  3. Take a break from the sun. If you’re spending long days at the beach or anywhere outside, take a break between 11am and 2pm when the sun’s rays are most intense and damaging. Find a cool spot indoors to eat lunch and take an afternoon siesta immediately afterward to give everyone an hour or so to digest. The midday hours can also be a good time to go grocery shopping, mall shopping, or catch a movie.
  4. Alternate days in the sun with days indoors. Spending several days in a row outside is far more damaging to your skin, so plan your vacation in advance to include days with both indoor and outdoor activities that alternate every other day. In addition to its beaches, San Diego is also known for its plethora of museums, which can provide a wonderful day-long haven from the sun.
  5. Bring some shade with you to the beach. Don’t forget that sand and water reflect light off the ground and back onto your body, giving you a double dose of sunshine at the beach. While beaches sometimes provide large umbrellas and other shade devices, you may have to get there early to stake your claim. Bringing shade with you will ensure that you and your family have a place to nap and relax away from the glaring rays. Options include anything from portable large shade umbrellas to shade tents. If you’re out walking around in the sun all day, it’s not a bad idea to carry an umbrella or parasol with you to shade you from the sun no matter where you find yourself.
  6. Pre-tan before your vacation. Getting some sun exposure and a light tan before you leave home will help protect your skin from long days of rays on your vacation. Tanning beds provide an even tan in a short period of time, and if your skin hasn’t seen the light of day in awhile, artificial tanning for only ten to fifteen minutes just a few times can be enough to do the trick. You can wear protective lotion with a low (2-4) SPF to block harmful rays and still get a little color. Self-tanning lotion will also give you a base tan that helps protect your skin from the sun, but be sure to apply it evenly and wash your hands immediately.
  7. Don’t be fooled by sea level, cloudy days, or winter sun. While sun is more intense at higher altitudes than at sea level, the lower latitude of San Diego is enough to compensate for the difference, especially in winter when the sun is lower in latitude, lower in the sky, and closer to the earth. Likewise, don’t go without sunscreen on cloudy days, as your skin can still burn through the clouds, and the weather may change at a moment’s notice.
  8. Beware of medications. If you’re taking any medications, even over the counter ones, you may want to discuss the risk of your meds and sun exposure with your doctor or pharmacists and do some research online. Many medications can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and increase your risk of sunburn, even for several days after you stop taking them. Common culprits include certain types of antibiotics, acne medications, oral contraceptives, as well as ibuprofen.

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Dog Parks in San Diego

Saturday, March 12th, 2011

San Diego is a very dog-friendly city, with over thirty dog parks and leash-free zones across the county. The City of San Diego has designated off-leash areas so that dogs can run free, play, and socialize with other dogs. Dog parks are also a great place for dog owners to play with their furry friends and socialize with other dog owners.

Many San Diego city parks also allow dogs on leashes not longer than eight feet outside the leash-free zones, including on trails and canyons within city parks. There are a few rules that dog owners are asked to follow when bringing their pooches to both the city parks and dog parks:

  1. Dogs must be leashed until they are inside the leash-free zones.
  2. Puppies are not welcome at the parks until after they’ve received all of their required vaccinations.
  3. Adult dogs must be up-to-date on their vaccinations.
  4. Dogs are not allowed on any athletic field at any time.
  5. Dogs must wear a current license from the county department of animal services.
  6. Owners are required to pick up after their dogs. Some parks provide doggie bags and some don’t, so please come prepared with a supply of plastic bags to use for cleaning up after your dog.

Following is a list of the San Diego City Dog Parks and their locations, plus some basic information about each:

  1. Nate’s Point Dog Park: 2500 Balboa Drive. City employee Nate Wells used his free time to transform this unused, overgrown area into a beautiful 2.3 acre dog park in 1996. One of the most popular dog parks in San Diego, it is completely fenced in and includes drinking fountains, picnic tables, trees, and shaded areas. Nate’s Point is located inside Balboa Park.
  2. Grape Street Dog Park: at Grape Street & 28th Street. This unfenced dog park is open during the day from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Friday, and from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
  3. Fiesta Island: in Mission Bay Park, this is a great place to take your dog to the beach. The island allows dogs anywhere outside the fenced areas. Open from 6am to 10pm every day, the park features a 5.2 mile paved path around the island for dog walkers.
  4. Morley Field Sports Complex: 2221 Morley Field Drive. Also in Balboa Park, located northwest of the tennis courts, this dog park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  5. Rancho Bernardo Dog Park: 18448 West Bernardo Dive. Next to the Rancho Bernardo Community Park, this 2.66 acre dog park is unfenced and includes a separate parking area for the dog park users.
  6. Kearny Mesa Community Park: 3170 Armstrong Street. Near the Kearny Mesa Recreation Area, this one-acre dog park is open from 6:30 am to 10pm and is lighted at night. The park also has a water station for dogs and water fountains for people.
  7. Dog Beach: on Voltaire Street in Ocean Beach, at the west end of the San Diego River Floodway, also called the Ocean Beach Flood Control Channel. This area is open 24 hours a day with access to the beach and ocean so dogs can swim.
  8. Cadman Community Park: 4280 Avati Drive in Clairemont. In fall, winter, and spring, the leash-free area of the park is open from 7:30 am to 10am and 4:30 pm to 7pm. In summer, the dog park is open from 7am to 9:30am and 5pm to 7:30 pm. The leash-free area is unfenced and adjacent to the baseball field, so the dog park is closed during Little League games on Saturday mornings in the summertime.
  9. Capeheart Park: at the corner of Felspar and Soledad Mountain Road. This one-acre dog park has its own parking area and two fenced turf areas: one for small dogs only and one for all dogs. The park also has a doggie water station, drinking fountains, picnic tables, and benches.
  10. Doyle Community Park: 8175 Regents Road, behind the Doyle Recreation Center. Although the park is not lighted, it is open 24 hours a day. It also features two fenced turf areas: one for small dogs only and one for all dogs.
  11. Dusty Rhodes Neighborhood Park: on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard between Nimitz and West Point Loma. This one-acre park may soon be expanded to five acres with a dog water station and drinking fountains.
  12. Maddox Neighborhood Park: 7815 Flanders Street. The .65 acre park has a turf area, walkway, and drinking fountain.
  13. Nobel Park: 8820 Judicial Drive, near the Nobel Fields and Athletic Area. The park has a parking area for dog park users and two separate areas for small and large dogs.
  14. Rancho Penasquitos Park: at Salmon River Road and Fairgrove Lane. Open year-round from dawn until dusk, this one-acre park has two fenced turf areas: one for small dogs and one for all dogs.
  15. Torrey Highlands Park: at Lansdale Drive and Del Mar Heights Road. This one-acre dog park has a turf area and a mulched area, open 24 hours a day.

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Whale Watching in San Diego

Monday, February 21st, 2011

Each winter the waters off the San Diego coastline are briefly inhabited by gray whales as they migrate between nutrient-rich waters in Alaska and their breeding grounds in the Gulf of Mexico. Typically, the whales first appear in mid-December and will be seen through March. During this time, it’s become a popular for families to take whale watching trips and spot a few of the 26,000 whales as they swim by.  (Image by wjklos )

Finding gray whales as they make their 10,000-mile migration is helped by their large size (they grow to around 50 feet long), slow swimming speed (5 mph) and limited time spent diving. Since gray whales don’t swim too far off shore they can be seen from land and the best vantage points are at higher elevations like Torrey Pines State Beach and Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma. But for up close and personal views, head out to sea on one of the many whale watching expeditions. Here is some information about a few different San Diego whale watching operations:

Bike, Hike, Kayak Take a guided kayak tour out of La Jolla Shores and paddle about a mile off shore and meet up with the whales as they swim by. Expect to get wet and do a lot of paddling as you make your way out to sea. To keep warm from water splashes, Bike, Hike, Kayak provides everybody with wetsuits and booties, but it’s also recommended to wear water-safe shoes and a bathing suit. Kayaking experience isn’t necessary. Children under 8 years old cannot join and the ability to swim is a must. The cost of the 3-hour tour is $60 for single kayaks or $55 per person for tandem kayaks.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps and Flagship Cruises & EventsFlagship Cruises and Events joined with the Birch Aquarium to create a narrated, educational experience as you look for gray whales. Supplementing the narration, passengers receive a fact sheet about gray whales. Flagship launches two trips per day (9:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.) and weekday rates are $30 (adults), $25 (seniors and military) and $15 (children), but on weekends add $5 to the adult and senior prices. If you’re a teacher and want to take your students on a whale watching trip, call for group rates.

Dennis Conner’s America’s Cup ExperienceSail in style onboard the ‘America,’ which claims to offer a seasick-free trip and the guarantee for a whale sighting. Last year the ship carried 4,300 guests on 110 whale watching trips and will travel off shore up to eight or nine miles to live up to their whale spotting guarantee. ‘America’ passengers can bring their own lunch and drinks for a “picnic on the ocean.” The trip lasts four hours (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and costs $65 for adults and $34 for children (ages 12 years old and younger) on weekdays and $85 for adults and $44 for children (ages 12 years and under) on weekends.

Hornblower whale-watching cruisesThe Hornblower offers two, 3.5-hour departures per day and already boasts a half-day trip this year which passengers saw over 50 gray whales and a pod of about 2,000 common dolphins. Don’t get too excited about that result because a normal trip means seeing six to 10 gray whales (which is still a very successful day). If you want to see a detailed list of each day’s sights check out their whale watching report. Hornblower also guarantees a while sighting or it will issue a voucher for another trip. Weekday rates are $34 for adults, $17 for children ages 4 to 12 and seniors/military are $29, while weekend prices are $39, $19.50 and $34, respectively.

Whale Watching Tips

Before you embark on your next whale watching trip, talk to the company you’re going out with and ask about what they recommend to bring, including food, drinks and proper clothing. In case you forget to ask, here are a few good tips to remember. (Image by Cabby14)

1. Some boats allow you to bring food onboard, while others ask that you purchase food from their galley. It doesn’t hurt to pack a lunch for your family; if you have to leave it in the car, then you have a snack on the way home.

2. It is best to dress in layers because boats go a few miles off shore where it can get windy and the temperature can be 10 degrees colder than on land. Wear close-toed shoes with traction since you’ll be walking around on a pitching deck and it might get slippery.

3. Bring binoculars because there is no guarantee your captain will be able to maneuver his boat very close to the gray whales. But when those up close moments happen, have your camera or video camera in hand to document the experience. Whales spout, breach (jump out of the water), spy hop (pop their head up vertically to see above the water) and you’re encouraged to capture all their actions.

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