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Best Places to Get a Sandwich in Mission Beach

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

San Diego is home to the world’s best sunsets, beaches, and sandwiches. Every true San Diegan has their favorite sub sandwich spot and will argue for hours about how much better their restaurant is than yours. If you are looking to test out some of San Diego’s finest subs, the Mission Beach area is your best bet. With one of the highest concentrations of sandwich shops in the city and the most diehard sandwich fans, it will be hard not to eat one of the best sandwiches you will ever have. Every local will give you a different answer to the question “where is the best sandwich place?” but you can decide for yourself by testing out one of these top restaurants. Please, whatever you do, stay away from the Subways and Quiznos of the world; they give quality sandwiches a bad name.

Rubicon – Their website offers up the definition of Rubicon as “the point of no return,” meaning that once you eat a Rubicon sandwich you will never be able to eat at another sandwich place. Thousands of locals with full bellies will happily agree with that definition. Rubicon is a top notch deli with a social atmosphere that keeps customers coming back time and again. Treat yourself to their famous spicy tuna sandwich to truly understand why this place number one on the list. http://www.therubicondeli.com/
Café Mono – All the locals agree that Café Mono is the Panini king of Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. Their French and Italian roots show in the quality and quantity of food served at a price that makes you feel like you are stealing from them. You can also treat yourself to some gelato for dessert or one of their famous cappuccinos. Café Mono may be smack-dab in the center of tourist town, but the locals all show up for their delicious Paninis. Even the standard Turkey Panini is to die for. http://www.cafemonosd.com/
Sneak Joint SD – The best beach bar in San Diego is also home to some of San Diego’s most delicious cuisine. With sandwiches like the “Ultimate Turkey” or burgers such as the “Spicy Chili Guacamole” that are designed to knock you off your seat, it is hard to beat this local favorite. With daily specials, great beer, and arguably some of the best sandwiches in all of San Diego, you can’t miss this place on your tour of sandwich restaurants. Remember to try their famous sweet potato fries, you will not be disappointed. http://www.sneakjointsd.com/
Olde City Grill – Just up the street from Mission Beach is the true Philly cheese steak style sandwich joint Olde City Grill. Run by Philadelphians, this favorite locale uses fresh quality ingredients such as Kobe beef and gives us San Diegans a taste of what Philly is really like. The menu is slightly geared to our Mission Beach taste buds, but that only adds to the restaurant’s greatness. If you don’t know what to try here, just stick to the classic cheese steak. If you are up for a challenge and possibly a heart attack, order “The Triple Bypass” and say your prayers. http://www.oldecitygrill.com/
Which Wich? – Rounding out the top five is the new trendy sub sandwich spot Which Wich? In the Pacific Beach area. Aside from delicious sandwiches and uber-fresh ingredients, they are famous for their innovative ordering process. Walk in, grab a sandwich bag, fill out what you want, and out comes your custom sandwich in your custom bag that you then get to doodle on while eating and add to their community wall. The fun twist on ordering creates a social atmosphere that perfectly complements the enormous sub you are munching on. This small chain blows Subway out of the water. http://www.whichwich.com/

Honorable Mentions

Poor Boy Sandwich –Poor Boy has been a local favorite of San Diego since 1988. Poor Boy has since evolved into a fresh California style restaurant with their beach and surfer chic atmosphere. http://www.yelp.com/biz/poor-boy-subs-i-san-diego
Baked – The best bakery in the area also knows how to throw together a delicious Panini. The newer bakery is winning over the locals with their mouth-watering breads, sweets, and sandwiches. http://www.bakedhot.com/
The Mission – They may be better known for their breakfast but they still know how to create a solid sub after you have had enough pancakes. http://www.themission1.signonsandiego.com/
Voltero’s Deli – Voltero’s is a cheap eatery with great service, a perfect location and amazing cheese steaks and sandwiches.

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San Diego’s Tourism Industry in 2010

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

San Diego is widely known as one of the country’s prime spots for tourism. Its bright and sunny year-round weather and beautiful, idyllic beaches make for one of the most pleasant vacation destinations during the summer months. Every year, millions of tourists from all over the world go to San Diego to relax and take some time off from work and the stresses of everyday life. Even San Diego has suffered from the decline in U.S. tourism caused by the current economic recession. In the last couple of years, business owners and vacation rentals had to come up with new methods of attracting visitors who are not eager to spend a fortune. For this reason, a San Diego vacation is now not only one of the most enjoyable options, but also an extremely affordable one.

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One of the biggest strategies for many business owners in the tourism sector was to slash prices, and this did indeed give them an increased spike in the number of visitors. But in 2010, price slashing is no longer enough (and no longer viable for many businesses and property owners). Business owners in the tourism sector this year are relying, instead, largely on vacation package deals to attract vacationer’s attention. Unable to carry the loss of severely discounting their prices, vacation rental owners and business are sometimes offering treats like complimentary food and recreational activities for the children. These “added value packages” also include such things as spa treatments, complimentary museum or zoo visits, and extra-night stays.

Is This a Good Sign?

The fact that retailers, vacation home owners and vacation rental agencies that are part of San Diego’s tourism industry are cutting back on bargains and relying instead on other methods of attracting clientele is, in fact, a good sign. It means that San Diego businesses and individuals are comfortable taking risks and banking on the improved state of the country’s economy. This isn’t to say that discounting will end entirely. There will always be discount rates in the areas that cater to visiting tourists, but these discounts will not be as big as they were in the previous two years. A recovering economy means that people should be willing to spend more on vacations, and relying on attractions other than price cuts is a necessary step in weaning tourists from drastic bargain deals.

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Summer Packages and Attractions

Sea World theme park is one of San Diego’s biggest attractions, and one of the many San Diego enterprises that are relying on special package deals to boost sales this summer. Currently, Sea World is offering a special promotion in which visitors can purchase a child’s admission ticket for only $5 when they purchase a regularly priced adult ticket for $69. The $5 child’s ticket is donated to a wildlife conservation group. The theme park is also offering various vacation packages that give visitors access to other San Diego attractions such as the Hornblower Cruises, Old Town trolley tours, and tours of the Midway museum in the San Diego Bay.

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Aside from the attractions that packages and discount rates offered, San Diego is still banking on its many free attractions to keep visitors coming back. The beautiful year-round Mediterranean weather, the beaches and the surf, the historical landmarks and even some of San Diego’s internationally renowned museums are completely free to the public. As the tourism industry wavers shakily towards recovery, these things will continue to attract people to this southern California city.

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Overview of San Diego Beach Communities

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

San Diego County has 70 miles of Pacific coastline and some of the most beautiful beaches in the state of California, and the country in general. Here is a brief overview of the beach communities that line the San Diego coast, all of which have their own unique setting and atmosphere.

Oceanside

Oceanside is the site of the famous Mission San Luis Rey, which was built by Spanish missionaries in the early 19th century. Today, Oceanside is the third biggest city in San Diego. Its north side borders Camp Pendleton, which is one of the largest military bases in the United States. Oceanside has eight beaches, a large pier that makes for a pleasant stroll, and a small harbor. Oceanside has been experiencing a dramatic growth since the 1970s, and its downtown area is currently being developed, with new apartment buildings, restaurants and hotels being built. Oceanside’s economic base is its commercial and industrial sectors.

Carlsbad

Carlsbad is a quaint coastal town located just south of Oceanside. It has beautiful, clean beaches and a picturesque downtown area where you’ll often find locals jogging, biking, or sitting in the patio of a local café enjoying the sun. There are some great jogging trails on the Carlsbad State Beach, and there are several nearby resorts and great shopping boutiques. Carlsbad is also the home of the famous Legoland Theme Park, a favorite with kids.

Encinitas

Encinitas is located about 25 miles north of downtown San Diego. It’s a beach city that includes the smaller communities of historic Encinitas, new Encinitas, Leucadia, Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Olivenhain. Encinitas’s most famous beach is the beautiful Moonlight Beach. It’s a fairly wide beach that narrows as you walk south and the sea cliffs begin. Encinitas’s biggest industry is the growing of ornamental flowers, poinsettias especially.

Solana Beach

Solana Beach is south of Encinitas and it offers 1.7 miles of beautiful coastline. Fletcher Cove is its most famous beach and is a great spot to watch the sunset. Solana Beach’s Cedros Avenue Design District is a colorful commercial district that offers great shopping, dining and some of the best live music venues in San Diego County.

Del Mar

Del Mar is one of the wealthier beach towns in San Diego, and many famous celebrities have purchased homes there, including the likes of Brad Pitt and Tony Hawk. Del Mar has many upscale residential communities and resorts. The San Diego County Fair happens every year at the famous Del Mar Fairgrounds, which also host the Del Mar Racetrack, where horseracing aficionados gather every year. Del Mar is one of the few places where the rare Torrey Pine grows.

La Jolla

La Jolla is a small, very wealthy and famously exclusive costal city that is not technically incorporated into the City of San Diego, but is located in San Diego County. La Jolla’s downtown area is very diverse and features plenty of upscale boutiques and restaurants. Downtown La Jolla is just a few blocks away from the beach. The La Jolla Cove attracts a lot of visitors, with its beautiful tide pools and the famous Seal Beach. Other La Jolla attractions include the Birch Aquarium and the Torrey Pines State Reserve. La Jolla is also the home to the University of California’s San Diego campus, as well as many of the country’s most renowned scientific research centers, namely in the biomedical field.

Pacific Beach

Pacific Beach (or PB, as it is more commonly called) is one of the best barhopping spots in San Diego. There is a lively party atmosphere on weekend nights, and always something to do. You’ll find some great breweries and restaurants in Pacific Beach, and can visit the nearby Mission Bay Park, a 4,500 acre water park near Mission Beach, where you can picnic in the grass or venture out into the water and try something new.

Coronado

Coronado Island is located in the middle of the San Diego Bay, and it is one of the most popular vacation beach communities in the country. It has an idyllic beach and a relaxing environment that’s perfect for unwinding and catching up on your down time. Coronado is renowned for its world class hotels and resorts, especially the historic Hotel Del Coronado, which has hosted a long list of famous celebrities, from Marilyn Monroe to Madonna, and was the setting for the classic comedy film “Some Like it Hot”.

Tags: San Diego neighborhoods, san diego places to see, Vacation Ideas
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San Diego Dining: Favorite Restaurant Picks

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

Photo: BeyondtheZoo.com

San Diego is more than just a beach town with great weather. We’ve also got some amazing places to enjoy delicious food, have fun with the whole family, or just hang out with a group of friends.

Stone Brewery, Escondido
Classy and homey at the same time. Stone Brewery is not just a brewery, but a charming garden setting with great food, a standout collection of signature beers and an amiable collection of waitstaff and diners. Enjoy lunch, dinner, or a complimentary tour of the brewery followed by a beer tasting! www.stonebrew.com

Chive, downtown San Diego
Chive is a sleek restaurant with modern food and decor, an impressive list of cocktails and wines by the glass, and some of downtown’s best fare. The food is described as Asian-inspired California cuisine. Look for imaginative preparations of fresh fish, duck, beef and pork, along with several vegetarian dishes and desserts worth a trip in themselves. Open nightly for dinner only and happy hour is seven days a week from 5-7pm. www.sdurbankitchen.com/chive

Morton’s of Chicago, downtown San Diego
Morton’s is an all-American steakhouse known for enticing cuts of beef and live lobsters presented table side for your inspection, then cooked to perfection. The setting is warm and lively, with a lot of chatter and light music. It is ideal for a first-class dinner that isn’t stuffy or too serious. www.mortons.com

Richard Walker’s Pancake House, downtown San Diego
This downtown eatery is your go-to for a scrumptious breakfast. You can order the friendly original-style pancakes, or opt for something different with the world-famous Baked Apple Pancake as well as a variety of crepes, waffles, omelettes, egg dishes, sandwiches and desserts. The gourmet coffee is also a crowd favorite. www.richardwalkers.com

El Agave, Old Town San Diego
Authentic Mexican fare! Fiery mole poblano sauce with chicken or pork, tangy cilantro soup and garlicky sauteed shrimp are a few of the standouts. Tequila? No problemo, more than 100 brands are served by the shot.

Corvette Diner, San Diego Historic Liberty Station
The Corvette Diner is fun and casual, kid-friendly restaurant that’s not just a restaurant, but an experience. Take a trip back to the 50s with dressed-up waitresses, ’50s décor and a fun party atmosphere. Their huge menu ranges from burgers and chicken sandwiches to comfort foods like spaghetti, meat loaf and chicken fried steak. Special children’s menu pricing is available. No reservations. www.cohnrestaurants.com

If just one restaurant isn’t enough for you, make sure to catch the 2009 Taste of Downtown on September 24, 2009 from 5 to 9pm. Guests will have the opportunity to sample food from San Diego’s finest restaurants located in the historic Gaslamp Quarter, the Financial District, Little Italy and the newly renovated Ballpark District. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door the day of the taste. For information, call McFarlane Promotions at 619.233.5008 or visit www.dtsd.org.

Staying at a San Diego vacation rental means you can enjoy all that San Diego has to offer, so get out there and let your taste buds do the walking!

Tags: san diego restaurants
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San Diego Neighborhoods: Hillcrest

Friday, June 26th, 2009

Looking for a selection of culture and diversity with everything from bar burgers to authentic Afghanistan restaurants, classic thrift stores to independent fashion forward shops, and urban cafes to wine cellars, all in a low key, laid back area? Then you cannot afford to miss Hillcrest.

When planning a San Diego vacation, make sure to spend some quiet time away from the regular hustle bustle of busy city life in this suburb. The warm and welcoming tree-lined streets with boutique shops and specialty restaurants in this quaint San Diego area make Hillcrest an ideal place to spend a day.

Near the grassy Balboa Park and majority of the San Diego museums, Hillcrest, known as the first suburb of San Diego, closely resembles a village rather than an urban town tucked away on a ridge between Mission Hills and Bankers Hill.

This small suburb is full of little coffee shops, restaurants, specialty food outlets, antique stores, specialty shops, bookstores and boutiques. Hillcrest is a classy suburban shopping destination for those who have shopping on their agenda. Thanks to its cool and serene California atmosphere, you will often find tourists with their families either walking or cycling through the Hillcrest neighborhood. So if you need to get away from your San Diego beach rental for a day, make your way up to this colorful neighborhood.

Tags: Hillcrest, San Diego beach rental, San Diego neighborhoods, San Diego vacation
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San Diego Number One on Hotwire.com’s Top 10 Summer Road Trip Destinations

Saturday, June 13th, 2009

Hotwire.com, a leading travel search engine recently came out with a top 10 list of the best places to go on a road trip for summer 2009. The list showcases the most highly-sought summer destinations with the highest percentage of hotel transactions coming from nearby locales, and San Diego is number one! I guess vacationers just can’t resist the amazing weather and gorgeous beaches

With gas prices at historical lows and families looking for cheaper alternatives for vacations, now is a great time to take a road trip and spend some time in a San Diego vacation rental.

Curious to see what cities made the rest of the list? The top 10 summer road-trip destinations are:

1. San Diego
2. Philadelphia
3. Houston
4. San Francisco
5. Dallas
6. Los Angeles
7. Boston
8. Phoenix
9. Saint Louis
10. Washington DC

Tags: road trip
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San Diego Student Rentals

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

Looking for a San Diego student rental for next year? Penny Realty offers a great selection of rentals specifically for students. Now you can browse through our Student Rental listings on the website to find the place that matches your needs. Whether you’re looking for a one, two or three bedroom, Penny Realty has a great selection of beautiful and spacious properties in Mission Beach and Pacific Beach, some right next to the ocean. Our San Diego student rental properties are available for rent from 9/1/2009 to 5/31/2010.

To help with the application process, please keep the following in mind:

All paperwork must be completed including notarized guarantor forms, all application fees, and proof of income within five (5) calendar days of first application.
Guarantor required unless income standard requirements are met.
A $36 application fee per applicant and $36 application fee per guarantor is required. Exact cash only (no personal checks).
Approved applicants must bring in full security deposit in the form of money order or cashiers check at time of lease signing.
Lease must be signed within 7 days after approval.
Due to high volume of students, application fees must be paid to “hold” unit and the process is “first come first serve”.
Due to high volume of applications, approval may take up to 10 days.
No pets allowed at any time

Note: All units are occupied. Do not disturb occupants.

Tags: student rentals
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Fun and Free Things to do in San Diego

Saturday, April 4th, 2009

Botanical Gardens, Balboa Park

One great thing about San Diego is there are plenty of things to see and do, and you do not have to spend a lot of money to do them! In fact, San Diego has plenty of fun and free activities that are great for the whole family. So if you’re planning to stay in a San Diego vacation rental this summer, make sure to check out these fun and free San Diego activities

• Go to the beach. San Diego is known for it’s beautiful weather, laid back atmosphere and beautiful beaches. If you’re visiting San Diego during the spring or summer (and sometimes in the fall or winter!), one thing you have to do is take a trip to the beach.

• Stroll along Mission Beach Boardwalk. When you go to the beach, you don’t have to stay on the sand! Rollerblade, skateboard or bicycle along the scenic 3-mile boardwalk along picturesque Mission and Pacific Beaches. The area perfectly matches the leisure of the area; you can only speed along at 8MPH or less!

• Spend an afternoon at Mission Bay Park. Right alongside the boardwalk is Mission Bay Park. Have a picnic, fly kites, and enjoy the scenery.

• Explore the waters at Point Loma Tide Pools. These pools are host to a myriad of tidal creatures such as octopus, sea anemone, starfish, lobster, abalone, crabs and more! The whole family can view a real living ecosystem up close!

• Window shop at Seaport Village. This quaint seaside village features a variety of unique shops to browse through, as well a perfect view for boat and people watching. Seaport Village also hosts daily music and entertainment throughout the area.

• Visit Balboa Park – Balboa Park is a must-see San Diego attraction. Along with a wide range of events, museums and performances the beautiful gardens, architecture and scenery are a sight to see all by themselves! The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is free on the third Tuesday of each month (the downtown facility is free daily). Other free Balboa Park attracts include: The Botanical Building and Lily Pond, House of Pacific Relations International Cottages, and Timken Museum of Art.

• Enjoy a concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Balboa Park is also home to the impressive Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Every Sunday at 2pm, you can enjoy a free concert.

• Wander free through the Old Town San Diego historic buildings, including the blacksmith shop, Seeley Stables, Stewart House, Estudillo House and the oldest schoolhouse in San Diego. You can also see mariachi bands and folk dancers at the Bazaar del Mundo on Saturdays and Sundays

• Walkabout International offers free guided walking tours every month. Visit www.walkabout-int.org for a complete schedule of walks.

Tags: san diego activities
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Find Everything You Wanted to Know about San Diego on the San Diego Wiki Page!

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

Looking for more information on San Diego? DiscoverSD.com has officially launched the San Diego Wiki page. Whether you’ve been living in San Diego for years, or if you’re staying for a week at a San Diego vacation rental, you’ll find a wealth of useful information on everything from history to festivals to transporation. The best part is, since it is a Wiki page, registered users can also submit thier own content or edit what’s already there. Check out this ultimate resource for San Diego living at sandiegowiki.discoversd.com.

Tags: san diego wiki
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Is Taking A Vacation Good For Your Health?

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

Turns out, vacations are actually good for your health. The next time you feel like you need a vacation, you should probably listen to your body and take one. Stress ages us and decreases our productivity at work. You don’t have to take an expensive luxury vacation every time you get burned out, but you do need to take some kind of break every once in a while.

Taking a much needed vacation can also help inspire creativity! Stepping away from work and allowing yourself to have some leisure time relaxes your mind and opens it to new ideas. Along the same lines, a vacation can help with job performance as it increases your quality of life and overall happiness. Unhappy people do not perform nearly as well on the job as content people.

Besides the benefits at work, taking a vacation with family or friends is a great way to strengthen bonds and keep your close relationships strong. So this year, take time to recharge and refresh. You will be better equipped to handle your job, life and any obstacles that come along the way.

San Diego vacation rentals are the perfect way to get away for a week without traveling too far and spending a lot of money. Bring the whole family, or just your significant other, and enjoy a few fun and stress-free days on the beach! Vacation rentals are a great alternative to hotels because you can save money and have more space to stretch out in. So take a load off this Spring or Summer, it’s good for your health!

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