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Beach Front Property Management

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

The beach is a beautiful place. There is something inherently refreshing about a clean ocean breeze, the soft push and pull of the ocean waves, and the feel of the sand between your toes. Unfortunately, we can’t all live so close to the beach, or at least not all year round.

Beachfront vacation homes have become a popular means of getting short bursts of time with the sand, sea, and sun. However, with the mortgage, cost of upkeep, and other expenses, you might consider renting out your vacation home. But this is easier said than done. San Diego’s own property management officials are an indispensable resource in this process and can help you navigate the mysterious waters of beach home renting.

What is Property Management?

You can think of property management primarily as the liaison between the owner (you) and the potential tenants of your vacation home. The management provides a certain buffer for owners who want to distance themselves from tenant constituency while still retaining ownership of the property. This makes a lot of sense for owners of vacation homes as they don’t always live near those vacation home properties.

Property management includes several duties. What are some of the most important?

Legal Protection

There are a lot of strings attached to owning a property and leasing it out to tenants. Landlord-tenant laws are a little hard to keep track of for the average homeowner. Any good property management company is specially trained to understand the ins and outs of these laws. As such, they’ll be able to protect the tenant in the event of any legal problems.

A property management company is aware of local housing laws. As such, an official from the company will go through your vacation home before and after each lease period and inspect each and every detail to ensure you and your tenants are well protected.

Property managers can also help you with your taxes, namely with deductions. In fact, property management services are usually tax-deductible.

Maintenance Issues

In most cases, it’s not uncommon for the owner to live far away from his or her vacation home. This distance can lead to certain difficulties, especially in the case of maintenance emergencies that happen out of the blue. Handling a maintenance call in the middle of the night is jarring, and immediate service can cost you a fortune.

Local property management companies know how to handle maintenance emergencies promptly and affordably without necessarily waking you up in the middle of the night. Property managers are easier to reach and usually offer ‘round-the-clock service. They are also knowledgeable about the best local businesses that can handle specific maintenance issues, whether it’s leaky pipes or a malfunctioning heater.

Vacancies

Part of a property manager’s job is to prepare a property for rent and facilitate the renting and leasing process. Property management companies will point out possible problems in your vacation home or improvements that will increase your home’s rental power.

Managers are also well-aware of the going rate of homes in the area during high and low seasons. They can then market your home at competitive rates that will garner profits for you while ensuring a constant cycle of tenants. In this way, they can shorten periods of vacancy where your home is pretty much just gathering dust.

Posted in General, Vacation Rentals | No Comments »

10 Ways to Secure Your Vacation Home

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

Renting out your vacation home presents a great opportunity to earn some additional income and help pay the bills while you are out traveling the world or living in your primary home. What a lot of owners forget to think about is what they will do during the off season. When you own a home in popular tourist destinations like San Diego, you will experience a rush during the peak summer months followed by a lull in the off season. While San Diego’s off season is shorter than most destinations, there are still security concerns that should be addressed to ensure your home is safe while no one is living in it, and prepared for when vacationers come knocking. Here are ten strategies for securing your home during the off season.

  1. Know Your Neighbors: One of the easiest and friendliest tips for securing a home is to have a good relationship with your neighbors. You may be gone for months at a time, but when you are in town you should make an effort to become friends. When you do have an empty house, your friends will be the ones keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity and it won’t cost you a dime. It’s always good practice to know your neighbors for safety reasons (not to mention, being friends with your neighbors has been shown to be a component of a healthier lifestyle), now you have a good excuse to become even closer with them.
  2. Check the House Frequently: Many vacation home owners have a cleaning person who takes care of the house after renters use it, but they should also be responsible for checking up on the house once per week when it’s not being used. Having someone frequent the home will let the neighborhood know it isn’t abandoned, and people won’t get any bad ideas.
  3. Close the Curtains: Burglars often won’t break into something they can’t see. Just by closing the curtains you will hide all of the valuables and steer away robbers. It is a small step to take that could save you from a huge headache in the long run.
  4. New Window Locks: On that note, many older homes have rusty and non-functioning window locks that any robber can easily break into without causing a ruckus. You might know the very locks that are easy to open because when you locked yourself out of the house you had to break in through that same window. Immediately replace the window locks if they are old, especially if you have broken into your own house through the windows.
  5. “Beware of Dog” Sign: No need to go out and buy a security dog; all you need are one or two simple signs that read “Beware of Dog” and scare away any robbers who forgot their doggy treats. Thieves hate dogs and just having the sign will often keep people off your property.
  6. Security System: There are a variety of security systems to choose from like a basic alarm or full-blown video surveillance. Something is better than nothing, but a lot of people are that finding low-cost video surveillance systems not only catch the robber in the act, but capture video evidence that can be used to find and arrest the criminal.
  7. Keyless Entry System: Traditional locks are usually easy for robbers to pick or break into. If you are planning on using your home as a vacation rental, it might be time to change the locks to a keyless entry system. Unique codes can be generated for every guest and you can even unlock the door from a computer if someone is locked out.
  8. Remove “For Rent” Sign: Some people use the home as a vacation rental until they can find a long term renter, meanwhile using a “for rent” sign in the front yard. When you have one of these signs, it tells passersby that the home is empty and ripe for the picking. Don’t even let the idea get into someone’s head that it is empty (and available for a break-in or defacement) by removing the sign in the first place. Your best bet for generating interest in the property is to advertise it online or in print anyway.
  9. Motion Sensor and Timer Lights: Lights are a tried and true method for fending off thieves. You can have motion sensor lights outside so anyone creeping around will get a spotlight right on them for all the neighbors to see. You can also operate indoor lights that work on a timer and turn on during dinner time to give the illusion that a family is home.
  10. Property Upkeep: The most vandalized properties are the ones that don’t consistently clean up. A dirty, unkempt property gives the impression that the home has been deserted for a while, and robbers or other mischievous folks will easily recognize that as an opportunity to act. Have a gardener keep everything clean and the garden green so it looks like someone has been living there the entire time.

Posted in General, Uncategorized, Vacation Rentals | No Comments »

Property Management for your Summer Home

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

So you’ve been looking around your summer home and you’ve been thinking. You’ve been thinking about the costs of upkeep or the mortgage, the current rental prices, and how perhaps you could make some extra money off the place.

Renting out your summer home can be a great way to pay an existing mortgage, pick up some extra cash, or give yourself the financial freedom to travel. Whether you’re looking to migrate from your existing home for the summer or you have a home that sits vacant for the cooler months, leveraging a property manager can work wonders for your peace of mind and your pocketbook. A well-versed property manager who can expertly navigate the rental ropes can be worth their weight in gold for your rental endeavors.

Well-Researched Tenants

Tenant screening is one of the most important aspects of renting out your home. Removing a troublesome tenant or cleaning up the mess they leave can be a real headache, and potentially very expensive. Accurately screened tenants provide you the security of timely rental payments, better care of your home, a longer lease, and better interactions. Property managers know their way around the screening process and can spot the red flags that you may otherwise not have caught on to.

Legal Protection

A good property management company has a solid grasp on landlord-tenant laws and can keep you well-protected in the event of a legal encounter. A property management company will inspect your home to help make sure you’ve protected yourself appropriately. Your property manager will know the local laws and have a firm grasp on how to safeguard against legal battles.

Property managers can even help you with taxes and instruct you on the deductions you can claim. Property management fees themselves are often tax deductible.

Shorter Vacancies

Property managers can help prepare your property for rent, and point out potential problems with your home or improvements that can increase your home’s rental power. Property managers also know the going rate of the area during high and low seasons, and can market your home at a competitive rate.

Maintenance Management

The last thing you want to worry about when you’re away from your home is maintenance issues. Whether you’re out of town or out of the country, handling a maintenance call in the middle of the night can be a real headache and cost you an arm and a leg for immediate service. A local property management company knows exactly how to handle maintenance emergencies the quickest and cheapest way possible.

Peace of Mind

A property manager can do more than simply take a load off your wallet. They can also ease the stress of renting your home. You have the freedom to travel further away, worry less, make more profit, free up time, and rent to a safer pool of tenants.

Preparing Your Possessions

When getting ready to rent out your home and leave for the season, take a look around before handing it over into the unfamiliar hands of a tenant.

Clear out Your Personal Property

If you have a favorite knick knack, picture, or even a favorite frying pan, take it with you or stow it away in a closet when you vacate your home.

Strip out the extras and leave just the basics behind. You might love your style, but it may not fit everyone who will rent your home. Try to strip out some of the clutter and look at your home from the perspective of a young guy, an older couple, or a budding family. Try to find a way to make your home malleable to any lifestyle.

Include the Necessities

Make sure that while you’re bringing your home back to basics, you’re also leaving the necessities such as towels, pots and pans, dishcloths, flatware, and some toiletries. Also be sure to leave room for your guests to unpack their clothes and personal items. Don’t leave all your dresser drawers jam-packed with the clothes you’re not taking with you.

Whatever the circumstances, renting out your summer home can be a lucrative endeavor, given you have the right knowledge, experience, and time to make it worthwhile. Property management can give you the upper hand and help you get the most out of renting your property.

Posted in General, News & Updates | No Comments »

Since 1925: A Brief History of Mission Beach

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

Mission Beach is a coastal community and part of the greater San Diego city. The community is located in the coastal area of San Diego, northwest of downtown, and is built on a sandbar between Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It is bounded on the south by the San Diego River, Pacific Beach on the north, and Mission Bay Park on the east.

Mission Beach is a beautiful, laid back part of San Diego and is home to some of the city’s greatest attractions, making it a hot spot for tourists visiting California. However, the beachside community was not always as prosperous and filled with vacation resorts as it is today and has gone through many changes throughout the years. Here is a brief history of Mission Beach.

Early Development

As mentioned earlier, Mission Beach was built on a sandbar. Building and constructing on sand comes with a number of difficulties, and as such, Mission Beach developed much later than Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach, its neighboring communities.

Millionaire developer John D. Spreckels envisioned the area as a sort of tourist playground, and in 1914, offered lots for sale. This resulted in a tent community centered around a swimming pool, bath house, and a bayfront pier.

Spreckels, with help from several other developers, drew up plans for a resort early in the 1900s, but the first World War, flooding, and the Great Depression made for difficulties with funding.

Building Attractions

In 1922, the city’s health code required the removal of all non-permanent buildings, thus putting an end to Spreckels’ tent community.

To promote his electric railway and stimulate real estate sales, Spreckels built the Mission Beach Amusement Center, which is now known as Belmont Park, in 1925. The amusement center featured some attractions still in existence today, including the now famous wooden rollercoaster, the Giant Dipper, as well as the Mission Beach Plunge, the largest indoor heated swimming pool in Southern California. Many of the other attractions were demolished in the late 1980s.

Upon his death, Spreckels granted the Mission Beach Amusement Center (Belmont Park) to the city.

Mission Bay, which was originally tidewater marshland, was crucial in Mission Beach’s early development. In the 1940s, city officials created the Mission Bay Aquatic Park using over 25 million cubic yards of sand and silt.

In 1964, the first Sea World was built just east of what is currently Belmont Park. Interestingly enough, the popular tourist attraction, which is now an aquarium and animal theme park, was originally intended as an underwater restaurant.

Creating a Community

With all these attractions and the generally relaxed atmosphere of the area, construction of a residential area was only imminent. A vast majority of the residential structures in Mission Beach were constructed in the 1930s and 1940s.

The rail line and the bridge to Ocean Beach were removed and West Mission Bay Drive through Mission Bay Park was developed, creating the community’s current circulation system.

Eventually, demand for housing led to the redevelopment of numerous properties, mainly those adjacent to the water and in the southern area of Mission Beach.  This was the earliest development of Mission Beach vacation rentals and led the way for thousands of visitors to enjoy Mission Beach as it is today.

Mission Beach Today

Mission Beach is currently one of the most densely populated areas in San Diego with a land use designation of about 36 dwelling units per acre. Furthermore, the community has some of the smallest lots in the city of San Diego. The range from 1,250 square feet in size to about 2,400 square feet, though a few have been consolidated to create larger lots.

Currently, Belmont Park is still an incredibly popular attraction, despite changes and bankruptcy. The boardwalk that runs along the coast hosts a daily cavalcade of interesting, local characters and also features some nearby shops.

The Mission Beach of today also features a very active nightlife and numerous bars swelling with activity from young locals and tourists alike. Some popular venues include:

  • The Sandbar Sports Grill
  • The Beachcomber
  • The Pennant
  • The Coaster Saloon

Wave House is a beachside bar and grill, similar to most others except it features an 8 foot tall barreling man-made wave and a smaller FlowRider.

It’s a wonder what John D. Spreckels would think of Mission Beach today, but he might find comfort in knowing the community’s prosperity and popularity amongst tourists and locals.

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Summertime Activities in San Diego

Saturday, April 30th, 2011

Summer is just around the corner. The locals are ready to work on their tans and visitors are coming to steal a piece of the infamous San Diego sunshine. The season only comes once per year and you don’t want to watch it pass you by without capitalizing on all of the fun and exciting things to do during a summer in San Diego. Some people love to be a beach bum while others set a goal to hit every wilderness trail in the county. No matter what your interests are, there is something for everyone in sunny San Diego.

  1. Beach barbecue – While lounging in the sand and frolicking in the waves is fun, take it to the next level of fun by bringing down a mini Weber barbecue and grilling up some burgers and hot dogs. Just bring the bare essentials and make an entire day out of beach bumming. Don’t forget to lather up with sunscreen and bring an umbrella because more than a couple hours under the hot sun will do some major skin damage. Invite all of your friends to meet you at your favorite spot and you are sure to have one of the cheapest and best days of your summer.
  2. Sunset chasing – There is something magical about every single San Diego sunset and posting up at different spots in the area will always yield just a slightly different sunset. Ask your friends where their favorite sunset spot is and spend the summer chasing all of San Diego’s best sunsets. Bring a camera, snacks, and even a little vino if you are lucky enough to have a date in tow.
  3. Shop at farmer’s markets – Purchasing locally produced food is great for the environment and community, but it gets a whole lot better when you step outside into 72 and sunny weather and are ready to have an awesome day. Go get your produce in some of San Diego’s wonderful outdoor farmer’s markets to mingle with locals and enjoy the sunshine simultaneously.
  4. Go on several hikes – Pick a day of the week that you will consistently go try a new hike on. You wouldn’t believe how many unique trails and natural areas are in San Diego County. Start early to skip hiking in the heat and you will still have the rest of the day for more fun activities in the sun. A few hot spots include Torrey Pines, Mt. Laguna, Batiquitos Lagoon, Iron Mountain, and Palomar Mountain.
  5. Grunion run – Something not every tourist is acquainted with are the locally famous summer grunion runs. Time it right and while you and friends are having a bonfire on the beach you can also participate in the grunion run phenomenon. From March through September, you can ask around to find out the specific nights the grunion are expected to wash ashore and lay their eggs. As one wave rolls in, the grunion come with it and lay their eggs, then another wave comes up and takes them all back to the ocean. This is why it is called a “run,” because you need to be quick if you plan on catching several of the small silvery fish with your bare hands.
  6. Over-the-line tournament – The only party on the beach that still allows alcohol is the world famous OTL tournament. Hundreds of teams (with vulgar team names) participate in a small scale game of softball while hundreds of thousands of people watch from the sidelines and participate in the festivities. This is a can’t-miss summer event.
  7. Balboa Park – One of San Diego’s greatest resources is Balboa Park. It is perfect in the summer because you can stroll through the park in warm weather and enjoy music, food, and museums. Visit on Tuesdays for free entry to several of the museums. This is a great place to mingle with both locals and visitors.
  8. Del Mar horse races – Every San Diegan looks forward to Opening Day of the Del Mar horse races and the ensuing month-long party. The beautiful town of Del Mar hosts several high stakes horse races and offers locals a great venue for soaking up the sun, beers, and betting on races (legally).
  9. Free summer concert series – There are several free summer concert series all over San Diego that showcase great local talent and well known bands. The most popular series happens to be the 4 O’clock Fridays at the Del Mar races. There is always a big name band performing on a small outdoor stage free for all the race attendees that day.
  10. Outdoor sports – It doesn’t matter what sport you are interested in, you are guaranteed to find a community group playing or meeting somewhere on a weekly basis. Football, softball, Frisbee, running, biking, surfing, soccer, volleyball, you name it, San Diego has it. Keep your body in peak summer shape and stay tan by participating in an outdoor summer sport where you can also meet some other great locals.

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Best Places to Grab a Burger in San Diego

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

San Diego has enough 5-star fine dining restaurants along its beautiful coast line for an unlimited number of date nights, but those are not the places the locals rave about when it comes to local cuisine. If you ask a local about their go to dining spots, they will almost always tell you about their favorite burger or burrito joint. Every city has their famous one or two burger spots that everyone argues about, but San Diego is home to at least twelve amazing burger restaurants. From the hills in the east to the lively Pacific Beach, San Diegans know how to cook up a quality beef patty.

  1. In-N-Out Burger (multiple locations): Although San Diego can’t solely claim the infamous fast food burger joint, we definitely have In-N-Out running in our blood. Even vegetarians will cheat when it comes to ordering a “Double-Double Animal Style.” Fresh vegetables, beef, fries, all delivered at a low price and fast speed. This is the only fast food burger joint to make the list, and it easily holds a place in the hearts of more San Diegans than any other burger place.
  2. Hodad’s (Ocean Beach): “No shirt, no shoes, no problem” is the motto at this laid back beach venue. Hodad’s sticks to the burger basics and gets it right every single time. Ranked on CNN’s list as one of the top five burger joints in the country, this is definitely a place worth visiting. They have great prices, large patties, delicious bacon, and fresh ingredients. Just be careful not to go there when you are too hungry, you are likely to wait in a long line to taste one of their juicy burgers.
  3. Rocky’s Crown Pub (Pacific Beach): Easily the burger place with the most diehard and committed fans is Rocky’s in P.B. The burgers are basic and the lines are long, but Rocky’s burgers are so tasty and cheap everyone keeps coming back for more. Rocky’s and Hodad’s have a bit of a rivalry, so don’t bring up their competitor’s name when you’re inside or you risk starting a civil war in San Diego. This laid-back, cash-only joint has even fewer items on their menu than the minimalist king In-N-Out Burger. Show up early to skip the lines and enjoy a pint while you are there.
  4. Burger Lounge (multiple locations): The new chain trying to give In-N-Out a run for their money is the Burger Lounge restaurants. This chain doesn’t have a drive-thru, but the service is good and fast so you can still somewhat call it fast food. Their claim to fame is that they have “premium burgers” using only grass-fed beef and environmentally friendly principles. The prices are higher than the competition, but once you bite into the juicy burger and onion rings you will realize it was well worth it.
  5. Bare Back Grill (Pacific Beach and Gaslamp): 100% organic beef ground daily and locally grown veggies is the big selling point at Bare Back and it seems to be working quite well. There burger has won numerous “best burger in San Diego” awards over the years and they are still pumping out deliciously giant burgers. They have more options than the first four on the list and are a little classier too. Prices are getting up to $10 per burger but you are guaranteed to walk away full. Skip the fries if you are picky, they aren’t what the restaurant is known for.
  6. Phil’s BBQ (Point Loma and San Marcos): This delicious barbecue joint is more known for their ribs but they throw together a char-grilled BBQ burger that locals are whispering great things about. Like the other top places though, expect to be tempted by the delicious barbeque smells while suffering in a long line.
  7. The Linkery (North Park): This place is a national award winning gastro pub that serves high quality craft beers alongside their farm fresh food, creating a perfect combo for us San Diegans. Their farm-to-table strategy means that they create the menu according to what is currently available and in season at local farms. The burgers are especially flavorful with organic grass fed beef sourced from the Tallgrass Beef Farmers cooperative.
  8. Tioli’s Crazee Burger (North Park): Hands down, Crazee Burger is the home of San Diego’s craziest burgers around. They do not serve anything you will find at the other eleven burger joints on this list. Try your hand at an alligator, kangaroo, or lamb burger, just to name a few. If you are up for a little culinary adventure, this is the place to go.
  9. Cheers (Ramona): A local dive bar with live music and… world famous cheeseburgers. The bar is at least a 30 minute drive for most San Diegans but it still draws a crowd for their oversized and extremely tasty burgers. Nothing extraordinarily fancy there, just burgers done the right way.
  10. Nessy Burgers (Fallbrook): Since 1989, Nessy’s has been making high quality burgers just off the 15 and highway 76. A little out of the way if you live downtown, but the perfect pit stop for road trips. The locally sourced beef and ingredients could easily compete with the rest of San Diego’s best if it was not so far out of the way.
  11. The Waterfront Bar and Grill (Little Italy): If you are planning to head downtown, this should be your starting point for the night. Load up on great beer, free popcorn, and delicious burgers. This San Diego staple has been around since just after prohibition ended and the likes of Wyatt Earp are said to have frequented here during its early days. A lot has changed since then, but their half pound burgers are just as good as ever.
  12. The Encinitas Ale House (Encinitas): Although this place changed itself into a beer connoisseur’s hang out, they still have their famous Kobe beef burgers to pair with that Belgium brew. Located all the way up in the laid back beach town of Encinitas, this place serves what they call “locally world famous burgers & ales.” Come in on a Tuesday for a deal that can’t be beat, two burgers for the price of one.

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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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Top 3 Annual San Diego Events

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

America’s Finest City is not just a hot spot for surfers and scantily-clad sunbathers; it also hosts some of the nation’s most popular events that bring in people from all over the world. San Diegans love to celebrate music, movies, food, and even comic books, among other things. The top three annual events may be different in each person’s eyes depending on what interests them, but there are several that stand out as the most popular every single year. For the top three, we chose events where both the locals and visitors have a great time. From dressing up in star wars costumes at the San Diego Comic Con to wagering the last of your savings and wearing ridiculous hats at the Del Mar Races, San Diego knows how to put on a great show.

Top 3 Annual Events in San Diego

  • San Diego Comic-Con International: Comic professionals and fans have been filling the San Diego Convention Center to its max every year since its beginning in 1970. The event had over 130,000 in attendance in 2010 and all of downtown was packed with additional visitors just coming to look on at the spectacle. Everyone gets in their best comic outfit and heads down to the world’s fourth largest comic convention where they hope to rub shoulders with famous artists, actors and characters throughout the day. Visitors can catch a glimpse of upcoming feature films, get autographs from comic professionals and actors, stop by workshops and seminars, and all meet up for one crazy night at the Masquerade. The event usually takes place every July but the past few years have sold out far in advance. Plan on buying tickets a year in advance and if you don’t get them in time you can still head downtown for some great sightseeing with Klingons roaming the streets.
  • Del Mar Racing Season: The famous summer race track down in Del Mar draws horse racing fans from all around the world. The summer series runs for 37 days starting in mid July and consistently sees crowds of 40,000 or more. “Where the turf meets the surf” is the slogan for a race track that was started by Bing Crosby in 1937 and has a history of hosting famous horses from Seabiscuit in 1938 to Zenyatta in 2010. Opening Day is a local favorite where everyone gets dolled up and sports their best hats, bringing back the style from the race tracks’ heyday. Locals, visitors, and celebrities all show up to watch the world’s finest thoroughbreds race for top dollar stakes. Unlike Comic Con, you don’t need to buy tickets in advance and you can even catch popular concerts for free if you attend the 4 O’clock Fridays shows down at Del Mar.
  • Farmers Insurance Open: What most people still think of as the great Buick Open has a new sponsor but the same great golf that has brought people to San Diego for years. The “West Coast Swing” of the PGA Tour takes place on the Torrey Pines Golf Course in the beautiful beach town of La Jolla. Bubba Watson won in early 2011 and took home over one million dollars but the entire last decade was ruled by Tiger Woods himself, winning a total of six tournaments and setting several course records. Although the tournament takes place every January, San Diego is well known for beautiful weather year round which makes for a perfect weekend of golf.

Annual Events – Honorable Mentions

  • Street Scene: One of the largest music festival in the United States and historically located downtown San Diego had a rough two years and it is still undecided if it will be back. If it is, Street Scene would easily make its way up to our top three events in San Diego. The festival takes place downtown with several stages over a three-day period and hosts some of the most popular bands alongside incredible underground musicians. Stay tuned this summer to see if it makes its comeback because it is truly a San Diego event everyone must experience.
  • San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon: If running, or walking for a very long time, is your thing, don’t miss the unique marathon winding through downtown with live music set up at every mile marker during the race. It is like street scene stretched out over 26.2 miles. The Rock n’ Roll marathon comes every summer and is a great place for starters to test out their legs while rocking out to music.
  • San Diego Wine and Food Festival: All of your favorite restaurants, chefs, and wineries join up for a delicious event showcasing the best of San Diego and California. With VIP tastings, exclusive after parties, and a chef competition, you will be in for a fun filled weekend downtown. The event is held every November and brings people in from all over the world to taste what San Diego has to offer.

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Best Mexican Food Restaurants in San Diego

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

San Diego has a lot of different restaurants to choose from, but it’s a great idea to sample a lot of Mexican cuisine while visiting the area because you can get a taste of some real, authentic Mexican food unlike any you’ve ever encountered. San Diego’s close proximity to Mexico has a lot of influence, of course, so the area has some of the best seafood tacos and Tijuana-style Mexican food that America has to offer.

These recommendations are based on authentic Mexican food rather than American or Tex-Mex style Mexican food. And most are cheap or inexpensive, although there is some gourmet Mexican thrown into the mix.

Super Cocina – 3627 University Avenue, San Diego

Super Cocina offers some of the best home-style Mexican food available, prepared by Mexicans who bring their own family recipes into the rotation of over 100 dishes that change daily. You may not be able to return the next day (or week) to eat the same dish twice, but this means their food is always fresh and you’ll be forced to try other equally wonderful dishes. Located east of North Park, past the 805 Freeway, this is one Mexican Food Restaurant you can’t pass up.

Super Cocina is a buffet-style restaurant, so this is the place to try a lot of samples, as well as get some good recommendations, before loading up your plate. You’ll find plenty of meat on the bone cooked in rich and flavorful sauces and spices, in addition to rice and bean-based side dishes, rather than the tacos and burritos you might be expecting.

Tacos El Paisa – 3096 National Avenue; 840 South 47th Street; 2494 Imperial Avenue, San Diego

Since Tacos El Paisa may have the best mini street tacos San Diego has to offer, plan to order three or four. The juicy carnitas tacos melt in your mouth, and the carne asada and adobada also come highly recommended. You order from a street cart, bring your order over to a truck where the food is prepared inside, and they bring it to you at your outdoor seating location. The top-notch salsa and condiment bar is also served to you right at your table, so you can add as much or as little as you like as you go along, with a chance to customize everything to your liking.

Las Cuatro Milpas – 1875 Logan Avenue, San Diego

Don’t let the long lines, peeling paint, or limited menu options dissuade you. Las Cuatro Milpas has been serving authentic, old school Mexican food for over 75 years, and you can’t find this style of food at any other hole in the wall Mexican joint. While the atmosphere has room for improvement, the long lines full of San Diego locals are an indication of how much the food is worth the wait, and the six or seven items on the menu make it easier to order. The traditional tacos are simple and the rolled tacos are authentic. Every order is served with warm tortillas, which go wonderfully with the chorizo rice and beans as a side dish.

El Cuervo Taco Shop – 110 West Washington Street, San Diego

For the best hole in the wall San Diego neighborhood Mexican joint, visit El Cuervo Taco Shop. While dozens of San Diego taco shops have more or less the same menu, the food here has a thoughtful preparation through which you can taste a difference, placing it above your average hole in the wall. For basic Mexican food that the locals prefer, a tasty salsa bar, low prices, and reliable service, El Cuervo is your best bet.

Cockteleria La Playita – 5185 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, San Diego

In the tiny Cockteleria La Playita, you can sit at the small counter sipping on a seafood cocktail as you watch a single person prepare your food on a four-burner stove. The small menu offers seafood items only, but everything is extremely fresh, flavorful, and simple. The fish tacos are not your usual fish taco, served with breaded fish instead of battered and lettuce instead of cabbage. The ceviche is some of the best in San Diego, and the ceviche tostada comes highly recommended.

Ranas Mexico City Cuisine – 9683 Campo Road, Spring Valley

Although not in the heart of San Diego, the food at Ranas Mexico City Cuisine is worth the drive and is considered the best East County Mexican food available. Although it is located in a strip mall, the food is authentic Mexico City style cuisine, as the restaurant’s name suggests, and they have an extensive menu coupled with great service. This is a great choice if you want to get away from the “hole in the wall” style Mexican joints you’ll find all over San Diego and have a casual sit-down dinner. The cochinita pibil, alambres, and al pastor tacos are all great recommendations, or simply try one of the main entrée choices.

Candelas Restaurant – 416 3rd Avenue, San Diego

For gourmet Mexican food, fine dining, and unique authentic dishes, Candelas Restaurant is the top choice in San Diego. Fine dining and Mexican food don’t always go hand in hand, so Candelas is not to be missed if that’s the combination you’re looking for. Candelas is in a great location just a few blocks away from the Gaslamp Quarter. You can enjoy appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, desserts, and cocktails, and the portion sizes are larger than what you would expect from the gourmet portion sizes found in many American restaurants, making Candelas a distinctly central-Mexico experience.

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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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