Where GuestBook San Diego 2013

where GUESTBOOK

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Welcome to SAN DIEGO

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Tiffany & Co. Tesla J.Crew whiTe house | BlaCk MarkeT kiehl’s apple Banana repuBliC anThropologie williaMs-sonoMa CraTe & Barrel resToraTion hardware poTTery Barn seasons 52 Tender greens arClighT CineMas Visit westfield Customer service to redeem your destination guide including the little Black Book of exclusive offers.

4545 laJolla Village drive san diego, Ca 92122

/westfielduTC

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S.D. essenCE 20 mission possible

32 dog days

photo essay Photographer Tim King explores Mission Trails Park, the largest park of its kind in California.

canine culture What it’s really like to live and bark here. By wendy lemlin

34 dusk till dawn

26 graham downes

jonathan segal’s home

The city’s top designer unveils his

stunning indoor/outdoor La Jolla estate. By sarah daoust

tribute to a visionary

The late architect left his mark

on San Diego with innovative designs. By sarah daoust

28 eatery empires

local restaurateurs S.D.’s homegrown restaurant groups are branching out big time.

By wendy lemlin

40 strings attached deering banjo company

The beloved maker of banjos

celebrates 50 years in business.

By will carless

44 just a kiss? harbor sculpture

The harbor front’s infamous

“Unconditional Surrender” statue

remains either loved or loathed.

By gerald poindexter

46 food for thought san diego’s “it” dishes

Delicious dishes inspired by

the city’s biggest food trends.

By will carless

52 far out weird attractions

Unusual tourist sites reflect S.D.’s

quirky side. By david moye

(cover) ocean beach photo by limelife photography; (opening spread) ashok sinha; (THIS PAGE, l-r) amy k. fellows, tim king, karen morrison.

contents

4 W H E R E G U E S T B OO K

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contents

S.D. essentialS

must-see ATTRACTIONS Ten city-defining destinations: The order depends entirely on your interests and mood.

54 NEIGHBORHOODS

county guide A tour of San Diego’s most celebrated communities, from Coronado to the North Coast.

57 SPENDING TIME

SHOPPING The region’s major shopping destinations and a selection of local boutiques and galleries.

71 Chow TIME dining A guide to the best restaurants in San Diego County, no matter your taste—from comfort food to sushi.

87 PLAY TIME arts & aTTRACTIONS Museums, theaters, theme parks, nightclubs, spas and more make San Diego a playground for kids and adults alike.

96 parting shot

Lose yourself in Ocean Beach’s serene, sandy stretches.

(l-r) david garcia, matthew segal, john dole.

10 FIRST LOOK

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Blancpa

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where GUESTBOOK

8DINING 8ENTERTAINMENT

ON THE WEB: WHERESD.COM PUBLISHER Jeff Levy EDITOR Sarah Daoust ART DIRECTOR Carol Wakano

8SHOPPING 8SIGHTS

Audrey Nimura

MARKETING DIRECTOR

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR

In SAN DIEGO and other fine cities.

PRODUCTION ARTIST

Heidi Schwindt

Ryan Furuya

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Claire Caraska, Will Carless, Wendy Lemlin, David Moye, Gerald “Dex” Poindexter, Nicole Quiroz CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

John Dole, Amy K. Fellows, David Garcia, James Erin de Jauregui, Tim King, Limelife Photography, Don Mirra, Karen Morrison, Jay Reilly, Edwin Santiago, Matthew Segal, Ashok Sinha, Ian White COPY EDITOR

Claire Caraska

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Kerry Brewer, Joanna McLean, Heather Howard-Heintz, Sara Kemp, Mali Mochow, Sarah Trainor CIRCULATION MANAGER Jordan Fraser PRODUCTION MANAGER Dawn Kiko Cheng WEB MANAGER Christina Xenos ADMINISTRATION

Leanne Killian, Christine Noriega, Stephanie Reid VICE PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL SALES

Rick Mollineaux 202.463.4550

MVP CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER HONORARY PRESIDENT

Haines Wilkerson Ted Levy

3990 OLD TOWN AVE., SUITE B–200 SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92110 PHONE: 619.260.5599 FAX: 619.260.5598 EMAIL ADVERTISING/BUSINESS JLevy@SoCalMedia.com EDITORIAL Editor@SoCalMedia.com ART Art@SoCalMedia.com PRODUCTION Ads@SoCalMedia.com CIRCULATION Jordan.Fraser@SoCalMedia.com Where GuestBook San Diego is published by Southern California Media Group under license from Morris Visitor Publications. Where GuestBook publishes editions for the following U.S. cities and regions: Amelia Island, Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, Beverly Hills, the Big Island, Bonita Springs, Boston, Boulder, Cambridge, Captiva Island, Charlotte, Chicago, Clearwater, Colorado Springs, Dallas, Denver, Fort Myers, Fort Worth, Greater Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Kaua’i, Los Angeles, Marco Island, Maui, Memphis, Miami, Naples, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, O’ahu, Orange County, Orlando, Palm Beach, Philadelphia, Ponte Vedra Beach, Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, San Antonio, San Diego/La Jolla, San Francisco, Sanibel Island, Santa Barbara, Seattle/Eastside, Tacoma, Tampa, Tucson, Wailea, Washington, D.C., and Winston-Salem/Greensboro/High Point.

Copyright© 2013 by Southern California Media Group. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, in whole or in part, without the express prior written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility to any party for the content of any advertisement in this publication, including any errors and omissions therein. By placing an order for an advertisement, the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher against any claims relating to the advertisement.

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contRIBUTORS s s

tim king

• Mission Possible, p. 20 Tim King often struggles to find balance between work and pleasure. Oftentimes, the two end up intermingling such as this edition’s photo essay on Mission Trails Regional Park. When not in San Diego, he enjoys exploring the far regions of the world—from the Amazon jungle to the freezing-cold landscapes of Iceland. Feeding his addiction to traveling, King regularly shoots international events and weddings—widely known as one of the most dependable, talented photographers in the industry.

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• Strings Attached, p. 40 Karen Morrison’s first glimpse into the visual arts world was being involved in theater at a young age. Entranced by its inner workings, she went on to flirt with computer arts, animation and film before falling in love with photography. She is also the director of AIGA San Diego LINK, a nonprofit that provides art workshops for San Diego teens.

s s

karen morrison

nicole quiroz

• Look Book, p. 58 San Diego native Nicole Quiroz is a seasoned entertainment, lifestyle and fashion writer and blogger—having penned dozens of articles for nearly every prominent local magazine. When she’s not juggling a full-time marketing career and her fashion blog, NovelistaFashionista.com, she’s a dedicated mom to her 9-year-old-son, Hayden, who reminds her every day that the most important things in life are to laugh, to be creative and to love.

wendy lemlin • Eatery Empires, p. 28; Dog Days, p. 32 Animal advocate and award-winning food and travel writer, Wendy Lemlin, has called San Diego home since 2004 and relishes the city’s “Dogs rule!” attitude.

Whether traveling to the far-flung corners of the globe, or the near-flung corners of San Diego County, she seeks out the road less traveled—especially if there’s a great restaurant or hiking trail at the end of it. She currently lives near Morley Field, and never misses a chance to dance to live zydeco music.

s s

david moye

• Far Out, p. 52 Accomplished journalist David Moye is a fifthgeneration resident of San Diego County who has lived in La Mesa for 39 of his 48 years.

When not exploring the lesser-known parts of the region with his family, Moye specializes in weird news for The Huffington Post. His favorite spot in the city is the Children’s Zoo because it’s where the Beach Boys shot cover photos for his favorite album, Pet Sounds.

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firstlook

THE CITY’S TOP 10 MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS, IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER. FROM GOLFING TO GLORIOUS BEACHES, SHOPPING TO SHAMU, S.D. IS A DIVERSE PLAYGROUND RICH IN CULTURE.

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The Bays

In 1602, Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno described San Diego Bay as “a port which must be the best to be found in all the South Sea.” Sightseeing and dinner cruises navigate the bay daily, departing from the Cruise Ship Terminal, where one can also catch the ferry to Coronado. Elsewhere along the Embarcadero, historic vessels including the aircraft carrier USS Midway and the 1863 barque Star of India have become floating museums; the area is also home to Seaport Village. On man-made Mission Bay-—part of 4,600-acre Mission Bay Park—kayaks, Jet Skis, sailboats and catamarans ply the calm water as bikers, joggers and skaters cruise along the bayside paths.

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Old Town

San Diego’s earliest settlers and explorers nested here, from the Kumeyaay Indians 9,000 years ago to the Spanish missionaries that arrived in the 18th century. Billed as the “Birthplace of California,” Old Town features authentic historic structures within Old Town State Park, including the recently restored Cosmopolitan Hotel and a lively entertainment complex, plus more contemporary diversions along surrounding streets. Find fresh-made tortillas grilling at the many restaurants lining San Diego Avenue, while the nearby shops at Bazaar del Mundo offer colorful collectibles celebrating Mexican heritage. Other Old Town attractions include an enclave of preserved Victorian homes known as Heritage Park, the Mormon Battalion Historic Site, a Sheriff’s Museum, an early Catholic cemetery and an honest-to-goodness haunted house (Whaley House Museum). San

World-Class Golf

With more than 90 courses, it’s safe to say San Diego is more than a little enamored with the links. Still, it’s quality—not quantity—that counts; thankfully, some of the world’s most sought-after greens are located right here.

From Phil Mickelson to Tiger Woods, the Torrey Pines Golf Course has been played by nearly every boldfaced name in golf; it’s been home to an annual PGA tour stop for nearly four decades. In Carlsbad, the Park Hyatt Aviara boasts San Diego’s only Arnold Palmer signature course, and La Costa Resort has hosted numerous PGA tour events. In Poway, Maderas Golf Club (pictured) was named by Golf Digest as one of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses”—known for its Johnny Miller- and Robert Muir Graves-designed course. For tee times, call Showtime Golf, 866.661.2334.

(opening spread) Jay Reilly; (top left and opposite) Ashok Sinha; (bottom left) aidan bradley

Diego Avenue at Twiggs Street, 619.220.5422

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Balboa Park

The cultural heart of San Diego, Balboa Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country. A gorgeous 1,200-acre patch of green at the city’s center, Balboa Park is home to no fewer than two dozen institutions celebrating the arts and humanities, including the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Natural History Museum, the historic Old Globe Theatre and museums dedicated to nearly every topic imaginable, from photography and folk art to model trains, sports and aviation. In addition to stellar sightseeing, the park also offers plenty of hike and bike trails, a Japanese teahouse and friendship garden, an IMAX theater, and the Spreckels Organ—one of the world’s largest outdoor musical instruments. Pack a picnic and settle in for a free, family-friendly concert, held Sundays at 2 p.m. The Balboa Park Visitors Center is located at the House of Hospitality, 1549 El Prado, 619.239.0512, balboapark.org.

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The Beaches Diverse backdrops and beach life abound along San Diego’s 70 miles of coastline, which stretches from the legendary surf break Trestles in the north to Border Field State Park in the south, where the rusty fence separating the U.S. from Mexico disappears into the sea.

The wide, sandy swaths of La Jolla Shores and Coronado practically beg for sandcastle-building and sunbathing, while people-watching is mandatory along the raucous Mission Beach and Pacific Beach boardwalks. Del Mar’s scenic, flat stretches make for an ideal romantic beach stroll, while sunsets splashed across the sky with the Oceanside Pier completing the backdrop are postcard-perfect. The beaches of sleepy Encinitas and Leucadia invite hours of lulling under an umbrella with a good book. Serious surfers are drawn to Swami’s and Windansea, both known for their challenging breaks and gorgeous craggy cliffs lining the frothy coast.

Meanwhile, curiosity-seekers venture out to clothing-optional (albeit “not officially sanctioned”) Black’s acquainted with their inner exhibitionist. Nude volleyball, anyone?

Pick your beach and make it your own. We promise not to tell.

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edwin santiago

Beach just north of La Jolla to get

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TO U R B I L LO N CONTEMPORARY EXPRESSION OF WATCHMAKING ART SPHERICAL MOON PHASE SILICON/PLATINUM BALANCE WHEEL TRIPLE PARE-CHUTE - SHOCK-ABSORBING SYSTEM FLOATING LUGS

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North Coast

San Diego’s North County coastal communities have a certain charm that must be experienced firsthand to fully appreciate. Yes, the pace is a bit slower than other areas, but locals prefer it that way. The North Coast’s many quaint pockets offer the best in boutique shopping, gallery hopping and beaches.

Don’t miss the California Surf Museum in Oceanside; Legoland in Carlsbad; the architecturally stunning Lux Art Institute in Encinitas; the art-lovers’ paradise Cedros Design District in Solana Beach; dozens of upscale boutiques and fine dining in Del Mar; and a photo op with the infamous “Cardiff Kook” sculpture in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. For a list of North County businesses and attractions, visit ncsandiegodirect.com and sandiego.org/discover/north-county-coastal.

Gaslamp Quarter

Past and present collide in this 16-square-block area full of historic architecture and bustling nightlife in the heart of downtown the Gaslamp Quarter was also the one-time stomping ground of Wild West lawman Wyatt Earp. These days, Victorian-era outlaws have been replaced by 21st-century fun-seekers, who swarm the boutiques and galleries on Fourth and Fifth avenues by day and spill off the sidewalks by night in all their evening finery. With more than 125 restaurants, bars, nightclubs and cafés in the neighborhood, and Petco Park (home of the San Diego Padres) and Convention Center just steps away, the Gaslamp is this beach town’s undisputed urban center. The area’s historic charm is accented by gaslamp-style streetlights and brick building facades.

Fourth, Fifth and Sixth avenues between Broadway and Harbor Drive, 619.233.5227, gaslamp.org

(bottom) ian white; (opposite) James Erin de Jauregui

San Diego. An erstwhile red-light district known as the Stingaree,

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Spectator Sports

Since 1969 San Diegans have supported their hometown Padres, the Major League Baseball team that gave rise to legends such as Hall-ofFamer Tony Gwynn, who is immortalized in a bronze statue just beyond center field at downtown’s Petco Park. Across town, on the gridiron at Qualcomm stadium in Mission Valley, the San Diego Chargers have charged their way into the NFL playoffs multiple times. At the Del Mar Racetrack, “where the turf meets the surf,” A-list celebrities and socialites have been betting on the ponies for more than 75 years. Racing season runs annually from mid-July to early September. And keep an eye out for the dozens of action sports, surfing and pro golf competitions taking place year-round across the county.

Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., East Village, 619.795.5000, padres.com; Qualcomm, 9449 Friars Road, Mission

Valley,

619.641.3100,

chargers.com; Del Mar Racetrack, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.1141, delmarracing.com

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Coronado

Accessible by ferry or via the graceful Coronado Bridge, this charming village across the bay from downtown San Diego is home to one of the city’s most famous sites: the Hotel del Coronado. Known to locals simply as “the Del,” the resort’s iconic red turrets can be seen from the sea—as well as on the silver screen (locals still tell stories about the time Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis came here to film Some Like It Hot). But the rest of Coronado is worth exploring, too, either on foot or while bicycling along 15 miles of dedicated bike paths. Those that run up and down Silver Strand State Beach are especially scenic, running all the way down and past the famed Coronado Cays—known for its romantic gondola tours. Take a stroll down the wide, tree-lined boulevard running through the center of town, which is defined by quaint mom-andpop shops, sidewalk cafés and an array of remarkable early 20thcentury residential architecture, ranging in style from English Tudor to Craftsman to Spanish Colonial. Coronado Visitor Center, 1100 Orange Ave., 619.437.8788, coronadovisitorcenter.com

Animal Attractions

There’s no doubt about it: San Diego has animal magnetism. Begin the wildlife tour at the world-famous San Diego Zoo, whose creative, humane enclosures house many exotic species, from cuddly pandas to clever meerkats. Safari Park (formerly the Wild Animal Park) lets cious tracts of open land. SeaWorld, with its rides and shows, is part theme park, part aquatic zoo, and home to dolphins, penguins and one famous killer whale. More sea creatures, including sharks and sea horses, are on display at the Birch Aquarium, perched on a bluff overlooking La Jolla. San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park, 619.231.1515, sandiegozoo.org; Safari Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, 760.747.8702, sdzsafaripark.org; SeaWorld, 500 SeaWorld Drive, Mission Bay, 619.226.3901, seaworld.com; Birch Aquarium at Scripps, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, 858.534.3474, aquarium.ucsd.edu

(top) Ashok sinha; (bottom) EDWIN SANTIAGO

visitors get up-close and personal with beasts roaming through spa-

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MISSION { WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY TIM KING} As an avid outdoors explorer, I felt challenged to shoot Mission Trails Regional Park—the sixth-largest municipally owned park in the U.S. and the largest in California. The park’s location within San Diego’s city limits is truly dynamic, but also part of my initial frustration. It seemed as though every vantage point was polluted with a view of nearby housing or highways. But then I realized it was the true value of the park; it’s a beautiful getaway in my own backyard. In my photos, I chose to convey a mixture of urban and natural landscapes with a theme of duality.

Using symmetry, stark night and day scenes, and a blend of urban surroundings with natural foregrounds, I aimed to showcase the entirety of the landscape. Faced with more than 5,800 acres and 40 miles of trails, I had a lot of terrain to cover.

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POSSIBLE

A VIEW OF MISSION TRAILS PARK FROM EAST FORTUNA'S SUN-WARMED HILLS.

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t

he park’s location within city limits is truly dynamic ... I chose to convey a mixture of urban and natural landscapes with a theme of duality.

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OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: PLANT LIFE ALONG THE OUTER-RIM HIKE ON THE PARK'S WESTERN SIDE; FLOWERS IN BLOOM ALONG THE OUTER-RIM TRAIL; HALFWAY UP THE SWITCHBACKS OF COWLES MOUNTAIN, SOUTH TRAIL. THIS PAGE: HIDDEN VIEW OF THE FISHING SPOT NEAR OLD MISSION DAM.

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THIS PAGE, TOP: WOODED TRAIL NEAR THE WATER'S EDGE AT LAKE MURRAY; BOTTOM: SUNSET APPROACHING ALONG THE HIGH GRASS OF THE KWAAY PAAY PEAK HIKE. OPPOSITE: LOOKING THROUGH THE TREES AT THE TRAIL HEAD OF EAST FORTUNA.

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路谋

aimed to showcase the entirety of the landscape ... Faced with more than 5,800 acres and 40 miles of trails, I had a lot of terrain to cover.

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GRAHAM DOWNES REMEMBERING THE LATE ARCHITECT AND SAN DIEGO VISIONARY, WHOSE TRAILBLAZING DESIGNS ARE A SALUTE TO THE CITY HE LOVED.

BY SARAH DAOUST

LEFT: GRAHAM DOWNES; OPPOSITE, FROM LEFT: OUTDOOR JACUZZI AT HARD ROCK HOTEL SAN DIEGO AND JRDN RESTAURANT AT TOWER23 HOTEL.

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OPPOSITE, AMY K. FELLOWS

He was so full of life, yet larger than it. He was a lion-hearted hero on the rugby field, yet a sensitive, soulful designer whose sketches were strokes of brilliance. His intense drive, boundless energy and appetite for architecture were infectious, yet could be overwhelming and exhausting at times. He loved and believed in San Diego wholeheartedly, yet never held back criticism of how the city could be better—often when others were afraid to speak up.

Such is the general consensus of those who knew late architect Graham Downes, the fearless South African rugby star who arrived in San Diego in 1986 and never left. With little more than a maxed-out credit card and a 24/7 work ethic, Downes built an empire of noted design, development and branding companies—under his umbrella company Blokhaus—whose resulting projects pushed envelopes and opened minds. His shocking death at the height of his career at age 56 in April 2013 (after succumbing to head injuries sustained in an altercation) made news headlines across Southern California and rattled far pockets of the globe. Massive outpourings of grief and disbelief ensued. A public memorial attended by hundreds celebrated Downes’ illustrious rugby career, which began with Natal in South Africa.

He later joined the OMBAC rugby club in San Diego, where he earned the nickname “Basher” as its star prop. In 1991, Downes represented the U.S. in the Rugby World Cup, and later went on to found and play for the KwaZulu Old Crocs, a masters division rugby club based in San Diego.

As an architect, Downes was a longtime student of the Bauhaus movement, known for his clean, modern and minimal design style. He believed in a few simple yet powerful strokes to make a statement. He detested fussiness, shallow frills and dumbed-down design. He believed in creating energizing, uplifting experiences—not just spaces— that brought people together and endured.

Specializing in hospitality, retail and urban revitalization, Downes left his mark on projects spanning North America, including Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas, Mexico and, of course, San Diego. He blazed trails in then-vulnerable East Village, as well as Barrio Logan, before it was

“cool” to do so—building out his company headquarters in the former in the 1990s, then the latter in 2004. His first major project bringing him sizable cachet locally was Seau’s The Restaurant, on which he worked closely with late NFL star Junior Seau back in 1996. Dozens of high-profile projects followed, including current downtown hotspots BASIC and Gang Kitchen; as well as his firm’s prominent hotel endeavors, Hard Rock Hotel San Diego and Tower23 Hotel in Pacific Beach.

“He was passionate, determined, insistent, but flexible within reason,” recalls Tower23 owner Brett Miller, a good friend and business partner of Downes. The two also worked closely together on the renovation of The Padre Hotel in Bakersfield, Calif., and on HEAT Hotel in Lake Havasu, Ariz.

“We fought for the right architecture. We fought for the right design. We fought with each other to always make the projects better … I looked forward to our design meetings, to our debates and to taking the gloves off and just talking about life … There will never be another Graham. Those who knew him know that he was an original.”

Downes’ most recent area of focus was Bankers

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse, which reopened to the public in May 2013 to rave reviews.

“It takes a special architect to bring new life to a 40-year-old structure,” says Susie Baumann, owner of Tom Ham’s. She also owns Bali Hai, another iconic, decades-old restaurant on Shelter Island that Downes renovated in 2010.

“Graham could look at an older building and see what it could and should be.”

Known for his feverish work pace and ability to juggle multiple projects and businesses at the same time, Downes was the busiest man in the world in the eyes of colleagues and friends. Yet, he always gave generously of his time to others.

Jonathan Segal, a renowned San Diego architect in his own right, knew Downes for more than 20 years. “Graham was one of the closest friends I will ever have,” he says. “He worked around the clock, but if I needed him he was always available and would immediately stop what he was doing to help me.”

Segal recalls a trip he and Downes took to Berlin and Prague. “He was on his cell phone all the time, yelling at this person and that, then in a

Hill, just north of downtown San Diego, where he lived in a 1910 Craftsman house that he painstakingly restored himself. In 2012 he purchased three properties bound by Fourth and Fifth avenues and Maple Street—including the well-known Mandarin House Chinese restaurant and the historic Britt Scripps Inn—with plans to overhaul and reinvigorate the block.

Downes’ design firm, Graham Downes Architecture, recently announced its final completed project: the renovation of the landmark restaurant and event space on Harbor Island,

split second he could refocus and bust out into a laugh … He just loved life and he loved people. It brings tears to my eyes when I think he is gone.”

Thousands knew his work. Hundreds knew him as a colleague, mentor, rugby comrade and acquaintance. Dozens knew him as a close friend.

His beloved rescued pit bull, Madiba, knew him as “Dad.” Graham Downes Architecture sadly shuttered its doors in June 2013, in the wake of his death. But Downes lives on in his legacy, in those he impacted and mentored, and in his designs. San Diego is the better for them.

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EateryEmpires SAN DIEGO-BASED RESTAURATEURS ARE AT LAST BECOMING THE BIG FISH IN THEIR OWN DINING POND.

BY WENDY LEMLIN

I T WASN’T THAT LONG AGO that San Diego’s restaurant community was dominated by large chains and national operators from outside the region—companies who could neither take advantage of locally sourced ingredients and make them shine, nor risk creative menu selections that specifically played to San Diego sensibilities. The city’s smaller mom-and-pop operators were often overshadowed and struggled.

These days, things have changed in a big way. Local restaurateurs are now growing their own eatery empires with multiple establishments showcasing a panoply of concepts, with many branching out geographically and putting themselves—and our dining community at large—on the national, even global, foodie map. San Diego is undergoing a culinary revolution, and these are just a few of the homegrown restaurant groups that have become the standard bearers.

Today’s multi-restaurant owners owe much to the examples set by two stalwarts of the San Diego dining scene, the Cohn Restaurant Group and Busalacchi Restaurants. Founded by David and Lesley Cohn in 1981, Cohn Restaurant Group now operates 16 widely diverse restaurants in San Diego and Maui, with a couple of food trucks thrown in for good measure. The eight restaurants that Joe and Lisa Busalacchi have developed over the past 25 years celebrate Sicilian cuisine and are mostly centered in the Little Italy and Hillcrest neighborhoods. The methodology might be different, but both groups have shown how to grow success locally.

When he moved to San Diego from the Bay Area, Matt Gordon did so with the intention of starting a restaurant group based on maintaining a sustainable lifestyle, organic growth and keeping an excellent dining experience affordable. In searching out the best

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this page, top: craft + commerce; bottom: solace & the moonlight lounge. opposite, clockwise from top left: jon mangini, matt gordon, tracy borkum, arsalun tafazoli, james brennan, ty hauter, brian malarkey, nathan stanton.

and reopened in June 2013 as Fish Public—presenting the freshest artisanal sea fare from both coasts at accessible prices amid a Nantucket-inspired décor.

Ty Hauter and his Good Time Design outfit could be called the social architects of downtown’s once-shabbynow-hip East Village—with 10 of the group’s 14 venues located there. Primarily known for drink and entertainment establishments, the company has become more foodie friendly with new venues such as the Blind Burro and Southpaw Social Club. Hauter began his company in 2006 “with ambitions greater than my wallet, fixing up old buildings where leases were inexpensive. I saw great potential in the East Village, and it grew from there.” Look for Good Time Design expansion to the Scottsdale, Ariz. market.

For Arsalun Tafazoli and Nathan Stanton, the duo behind Consortium Holdings and such popular venues as Soda & Swine, Underbelly, Craft + Commerce and Noble Experiment, multi-concept growth wasn’t in the original plan. It became a reality when, as Tafazoli explains, “we saw the opportunity to progress the social landscape of San Diego by creating more public gathering places that are affordable and approachable.”

Their seven venues encompass widely differing concepts, but all reflect the company’s commitment to raising customers’ dining and drinking consciousness.

If that includes such controversial initiatives as banning ketchup and vodka, which they consider “lacking in soul and over-marketed,” from their establishments, then so be it.

If there is one group that has received the lion’s share of national media attention, it is Brian Malarkey and James Brennan of Enlightened Hospitality Group. Their fabric-monikered restaurants, including Searsucker and Herringbone, push the concept of “social dining,” where the “see and be seen” experience of socializing in a lively atmosphere is paramount, and the actual dining is semi-optional. Well-known Chef Malarkey—recent winning judge/mentor of ABC’s food competition show The Taste—is the very visible face of the group; he relishes the many challenges of fast-paced expansion, but credits Brennan as the visionary for the multi-concept venture. Having opened six San Diego restaurants in two years, the group recently brought the Searsucker brand to Scottsdale, Ariz. and Austin, Texas, and are planning the national expansion of 15 Herringbone and Searsucker restaurants over the next five years. Not bad for a couple of local kids unafraid to dream big.

nathan stanton, don mirra; brian malarkey and james brennan, chantelle photography

OPENING SPREAD: chic herringbone in la jolla.

handcrafted, non-GMO and natural ingredients—first for Urban Solace in North Park, then for Solace & the Moonlight Lounge in Encinitas and most recently, Sea & Smoke in Del Mar—Gordon has encouraged purveyors to make those types of ingredients more readily available not only for himself, but also for other restaurateurs, thus influencing the industry from within.

Isabel Cruz, the owner of three San Diego restaurants—plus two more eateries and a farm in Oregon— didn’t start out to be a restaurant mogul. However, the proprietor of local favorites Isabel’s Cantina, Barrio Star and Coffee Cup, which serve her Latin-food-madehealthy recipes, states that she fell in love with the business because “I love to cook and didn’t know how to do anything else professionally. Nothing I’ve done is by the book; it was all ‘learn as you go.’ But it all works.”

For Jon Mangini, success came with keeping things basic, which is the name of his first restaurant in East Village. “I did something San Diego had never seen before with BASIC,” he explains, “a minimal, industrial ambiance and a limited menu—just wood-fired pizzas and a bar.” When he expanded to North Park and Vista with URBN Coal Fired Pizza, he added salads, but kept the concept basic. His latest venture, the Gaslamp Quarter’s Gang Kitchen, however, showcases an entirely different model: Asian-fusion cuisine with an eclectic menu. “I’m always looking for the next concept, the next space,” Mangini says. “When I develop a new concept, I generally look for the space first, and let it tell me what will work there.”

When Tracy Borkum entered the dining arena in the 1990s, she addressed the lack of high-quality, neighborhood-centric eateries by opening Kensington Grill, and thus Urban Kitchen Group was born. Known for filling a perceived void with original concepts, Borkum is not averse to change, reinventing two of her signature restaurants in response to a changing dining climate. In 2009, Laurel, her Bankers Hill fine-dining showcase, was reborn as the highly acclaimed, more casual CUCINA Urbana. The brand has been replicated as CUCINA Enoteca in Irvine, Calif., and a third location opened in Del Mar in summer 2013. “We plan to launch the CUCINA concept in several locations across the U.S. in the years ahead. That’s a much different philosophy than we had 10 years ago,” says Borkum, who also owns a catering business and an online shop selling wares found in her restaurants. Longstanding Kensington Grill recently underwent a full overhaul,

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‘Local restaurateurs are now growing their own eatery empires with multiple establishments showcasing a panoply of concepts ... putting themselves—and our dining community at large—on the national, even global, foodie map.’

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DOG DAYS As one of the most petfriendly cities in the nation, San Diego is really going to the dogs.

BY WENDY LEMLiN

NIA AND RINGO (RIGHT) ENJOY SCENIC VIEWS OF SAN DIEGO FROM THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF MOUNT SOLEDAD.

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hen it comes to social culture in San Diego, it seems that everyone is putting on the dog. There’s no pussy-footing around the fact that America’s Finest City is also one of the country’s most pet-centric cities, and dogs are the primo party animals, paws down.

We’re not the only ones to think so, either. Dog Fancy magazine has named San Diego its No. 1 dog-friendly city for multiple years, and a host of other publications and websites have consistently ranked it in the top five. San Diego County boasts four specifically designated dog beaches, more than two dozen leash-free parks, and dozens of pet resorts and dog spas; plus countless restaurants and cafés that happily allow canine companions on their outdoor patios—some even offering special menus of doggy delicacies. Every dog might have its day, but in San Diego a dog’s life can be a very good thing, every day.

David Garcia

Beach Bums

Life’s a beach in San Diego, especially when it includes a wet, sandy dog happily romping in the waves or blissfully chilling in the shade of a beach umbrella. As home of the nation’s first official dog beach, the Ocean Beach community has been the favored location for dogs of every shape and size to do just that on acres of sand and shore, leash-free, 24/7, since 1972.

At Fiesta Island on East Mission Bay, Fido frolics free on 90 acres of beach, dunes and fields yearround. The five miles of shoreline and numerous trails that crisscross the island also provide excellent walking and jogging for his human companion. Fiesta Island is part of Mission Bay Park—the biggest man-made aquatic park in the U.S. at 4,235 acres and the most dog-friendly of its kind.

Pooches also enjoy off-leash privileges at Coronado’s North Beach, next to the U.S. Naval Station entrance, all year, while Del Mar Dog Beach is leash-free from the day after Labor Day until June 15. (During the summer, dogs are welcome to frolic on leash.)

Surf’s Up

San Diego boasts top-notch breaks, and dogs of all breeds can be found “hanging 20” at two annual surfing competitions, which garner national attention and raise money for charities benefiting pets.

For eight years, the Loews Coronado Bay Resort’s Surf Dog Competition has drawn thousands of spectators and international media to the sands of Imperial Beach. In June 2013, approximately 40 canine competitors of all abilities attempted to “grip it and rip it” while raising funds for the ASPCA. Every September, “surFurs” catch the waves as Del Mar Dog Beach hosts the annual Helen Woodward Animal Center Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon benefit to help homeless pets.

Have a dog with aspirations to be a canine Kelly Slater? He or she can go from gremmie to pro with surfing lessons given by the SoCal Surf Dogs group or at several area surf academies.

Playtime

It’s fun in the sun at any of the approximately 25 neighborhood off-leash dog parks in San Diego County—social gathering spots for pups and people alike. Many enduring friendships have begun at neighborhood dog parks, where human denizens congregate on a regular basis to watch their dogs happily tearing around in an ever-growing circle of chase.

For many fur parents, dog parks can be the new singles’ bar—where drinks come from water fountains and “pick-ups” entail using the provided poop bags. Popular parks include Morley Field and Nate’s Point in Balboa Park.

Yappy Hour

All around San Diego, chill canines have plenty of opportunities to socialize at frequent Yappy Hours, where dogs drink free and their “chauffeurs” enjoy a variety of discounted beverages and appetizers. Some of these are regularly scheduled weekly or monthly events; others just naturally happen because San Diegans really love both happy hours and bringing their dogs along. The same goes for dining, and rare is the restaurant patio that doesn’t have at least a dog or two lounging next to its owner’s chair. Happenin’ dog-friendly spots include The Patio on Lamont Street in Pacific Beach, and the rooftop bar at Hotel Indigo in East Village.

Looking the Part With such a busy social life, a pup just has to look, well, bitchin’. Whether it’s just a cool collar or a sophisticated party dress, San Diego dogs are the best dressed around. The city’s full calendar of holiday pet parades, costume contests, charity dog walks and fur balls bring out the most creative getups, but it’s not at all unusual to see pups running around the dog park looking like the cat’s pajamas in hoodies, tees or dressier duds. Locals love the pet boutique inside Bow Wow Beauty Shoppe in Hillcrest.

After a day at the beach or hiking on a dusty trail, a trip to the dog wash is often in order. A plethora of full-service groomers and “spaws” offer posh primping, as do at least a dozen decked-out “mobile spas” that make house calls —a favorite is Absolute Pawfection based in Mira Mesa. There are also plenty of self-service washes close to almost every dog beach and dog park; South Bark Dog Wash in South Park is a staple.

Celebrity Buzz

San Diego has its share of waggers and shakers considered canine celebs.

Surf Dog Ricochet, a golden retriever whose greatest joy is surfing with special-needs kids and disabled adults, has raised more than $300,000 and a million bowls of food for animal and human charities. Her more reserved sister, Rina, patiently endures showing off the most elaborate costumes to bring joy to those she visits as a therapy dog. Chopper the Biker Dog, a dashingly handsome Boston terrier, is often seen around town in full leathers riding his custom remotecontrolled Harley—when he’s not busy visiting hospitals, hospices and nursing homes. Spike Taylor, a papillon rescued from abuse and in frail health from years of congestive heart failure, is often seen at fundraising events riding in a little wagon pulled by his buddy Chopper’s bike. Spike and his brother Scrappy McGee started Operation Pet Pals to give stuffed animals to those in hospitals and nursing homes who need a little comfort in their lives. Then there are the SoCal Surf Dogs, an organization of four-legged friends who love nothing better than to hit the waves with their humans and raise money for good causes. And should you spot Gentleman Norman, the pomeranian author of the book, How to Be a Man, be sure to ask for his autograph.

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DUSK TILL DAWN D DA AWN AWN by sarah daoust

architect Jonathan segal lets the sunshine—and moonlight—in at his striking indoor/outdoor la Jolla home.

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segal’s glass-andconcrete stunner overlooks the pacific.

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in the form of sliding-glass doors) at every turn—blurring, if not altogether erasing, the line between inside and outside with a seemingly wall-less floor plan. The 5,500-square-foot abode maximizes every inch of its lot of about the same size— encompassing three bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms across three seamless levels.

Starting at the top level, ocean views abound in the ultramod master suite, which leads into a master bathroom, another bedroom and an office. At ground level, the kitchen, dining room and living room flow effortlessly into each other—opening out to two expansive outdoor decks, one of which is surrounded on two sides by a reflecting pool. The overall effect is that of a modern moat.

Below ground, Segal built out a 2,400-square-foot basement with natural light wells from glass floors above—a

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS: MATTHEW SEGAL

onathan Segal is no stranger to building impressive residences in tricky locales. There’s nary a city block in or near downtown San Diego that the pioneering architect and developer hasn’t touched during his 20-plus-year career spent building cool urban-living spaces where others wouldn’t—a savvy habit that has earned him numerous design awards and national acclaim. He’s also no stranger to building architectural marvels in seaside La Jolla, with two other residences in the area under his belt. The Cresta, his latest ocean-view triumph, manages to trump them all. It’s a gleaming glass-and-concrete box that stuns with its simplicity, yet breaks all the usual rules; or rather, makes its own.

Named for its address on Avenida Cresta in La Jolla, The Cresta is a single-family home constructed entirely from castin-place concrete and opened up by floor-to-ceiling glass (often

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opposite: the living room’s minimal dÊcor includes a sculpture by chris puzio. this page: segal blurred the lines between indoors and outdoors at every turn.

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this page: a reflecting pool on two sides gives the home a modern, moat-like feel. opposite: jonathan segal; the stark, airy dining room still feels welcoming.

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decision prompted by the lot’s relatively tiny size (compared to other homes on the block), which limited actual above-ground construction.

The space comprises a large family room, movie theater, wine cellar, gym and two-car garage.

The Cresta impresses not only in aesthetics, but also from a designefficiency standpoint. Its concrete construction enables plenty of cross ventilation and allows the home to retain both heat and cold, thereby minimizing the need for heating or air conditioning. It also sped up construction time to a swift nine months, as timeconsuming processes such as painting, insulation-taping and adding drywall were virtually unnecessary. Moreover, the house is electrically sustainable; the roof boasts 23 high-efficiency solar panels and micro-inverters that power nearly 100 percent of energy usage.

Segal’s ever-expanding design repertoire is a family affair. He and his wife and partner, Wendy, divide their time between The Cresta and their twostory penthouse at The Q, a mixed-use development he built in downtown’s Little Italy neighborhood. Their son Matthew (a budding design-builder) and daughter Brittany both work in the family business. For the Segals, there quite literally is no place like home.

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dEERinG BanjO cOmpany in EaST San diEGO cElEBRaTES 50 yEaRS Of maKinG mUSic.

By Will caRlESS pHOTOGRapHy By KaREn mORRiSOn

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The workshop of the Deering Banjo Company in East San Diego is hot with the smell of sawdust and machinery.

Top: deering staff members at work, custom-making the company’s worldrenowned banjos; opposite: greg and janet deering are enjoying their business’ 50-year run (and counting) of making stellar music.

It’s 6:30 p.m. on an early summer’s evening, and three members of the Deering family, which has run this company for more than half a century, are still tinkering about in the company’s cavernous workshop.

Greg Deering, the company’s patriarch, moves from piles of labeled, trussed wood to gleaming machines to racks of half-finished instruments like an excited child discovering a toy store for the first time. “See! These are the scrolls that are going to go on the back, and the little pearl leaves,” he says, pointing with worn, stubby fingers at delicate wisps of mother-of-pearl and carved hardwood. “These are all carved by hand.”

Deering Banjo Company is an American anomaly: a manufacturing company that is not only afloat, but is booming. From its headquarters in Spring Valley, about an 11-mile drive east from downtown San Diego, Deering has grown into a major player in the international market for handmade, high-quality banjos. The company counts among its fans numerous high-profile musicians and celebrities—from the British folk-rock band Mumford & Sons to Taylor Swift to Rod Stewart to comedian and actor Steve Martin.

“Working with Deering has been a wonderful experience,” says Joshua Zimmerman of San Diego band The Silent Comedy. “Visiting their factory taught us so much about the different types of banjos, and how they are constructed. The time and care that they put into their product really shows. That attention to detail and level of quality is what musicians appreciate about Deering.”

Deering recently hit a major milestone this year: 50 years of building banjos. And the company shows no signs of slowing down. Banjos are all the rage in the music world right now.

“It’s unbelievable how good business is,” says Greg.

“We’re booked up a year out and we’re still selling the crap out of banjos every week. I almost have to giggle after our weekly meetings when the staff reports what we’ve sold.”

The company has come a long way since the young Deerings decided they wanted to make a living by manufacturing actual, tangible products. Wife and partner Janet Deering, who grew up attending crafts classes and helping her father add on to their home, says she always knew she wanted a business. Greg, who started making

his first models when he was still a toddler, says his father taught him everything he needed to know about working with his hands.

“My dad taught me to be a good craftsman,” he explains. “He taught me how to think about stuff, figure it out. He challenged me. I didn’t go to college to learn all this.”

A visit to company headquarters is a like a trip into Greg’s inquisitive mind. The 62-year-old remains as committed to innovation and refinement today as when he first started working at a musical instrument store in his teens. Deering is constantly on the lookout for new materials and techniques that will improve the acoustics of its instruments. Greg is as familiar with the works of the world’s top violin makers as he is with the best place to find good red maple, whose soft, supple wood is perfect for forming a banjo’s “drum” or “pot.”

The company even has one of the world’s top banjo players on its payroll: Jens Kruger. He’s something of a creative consultant, and he and Greg regularly get together to wonk out and talk banjos.

The quest for quality at Deering is on display across the warehouse where the instruments are made. When the Deerings realized there wasn’t a machine on the market to shape the bodies of their banjos, Greg designed and built one himself, casting the pieces for the machine and fine-tuning it until it worked like clockwork.

Adjacent to the workshop is a showroom where visitors are encouraged to pick up and try the instruments out. The company runs daily tours of the workshop and showroom from Tuesday to Friday, and even the most tone-deaf visitor can be cajoled into learning to play a simple tune, according to Janet. “We’ll even give them lessons,” she says. “Carolina [Bridges, who runs the company tours] will sit them down and show them the simplest way of playing. I’ve seen her do that with a full elementary class!”

The company has several lines of banjos and makes dozens of different models. Its entry range called “Good Times” runs from about $500 for a basic model to more than $1,000, while the company’s top-of-the-range model, the Gabriella, retails for more than $31,000.

Greg explains, “Hundreds of man hours go into building one of those.”

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“Deering Banjo Company is an American anomaly: a manufacturing company that is not only afloat, but is booming.”

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Just a Kiss?

I

the real story behind S.D. Harbor’s controversial “Unconditional Surrender” statue

by Gerald “Dex” Poindexter

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t was here and then it was not here, and now, it has contemporary landmark public artworks. However, the work epitomized the returned. Artist Seward Johnson’s “Unconditional idea of “by popular demand” and on that basis, its exhibition was extended Surrender” sculpture looks the same, but it is also several times. It remained installed through May 30, 2012, when it was different—sturdier, heavier and since February 2013, finally removed and returned to Johnson’s New Jersey facilities for restoration. permanently installed along the waterfront, in the Several months before then, a proposal to purchase a permanent version of the shadow of the floating USS Midway Museum. As sculpture through public donations was brought before the Port’s Public Art one of San Diego’s most storied works of public art, Committee of artists, curators, architects and administrators. it has endured a headline-stealing journey in recent The proposal, spearheaded by the Midway, had strong public support. But years—capturing the hearts, imaginations and critidespite its unquestioned appeal, the sculpture’s extended stay had its share of cism of many in its presence. Is it art or an eyesore? controversy. As art is subjective and meant to inspire dialogue, some members When a traveling version of “Unconditional of local art circles and the media wanted to see the sculpture leave—forever.

Surrender” debuted in San Diego in September Their voices were in the minority but did not go unheard. Robert Pincus, the 2007, it was a welcome, albeit temporary addition city’s most visible art critic, wrote in the U-T San Diego: “The figures look like to the local landscape. Art imitated life in the form something from a cheap souvenir factory, blown up beyond any reason.” Users of a striking visual—an American sailor and nurse of sites such as Yelp.com weighed in with mixed reviews. One called it “ugly, locked in a celebratory kiss and sweeping embrace. tacky and just generally in very bad taste. Everyone who steps up to the statue Johnson, a Navy veteran, drew inspiration for the 25-foot-tall sculpture from looks up the nurse’s skirt. It does no justice to the iconic photograph, WWII a moment in New York’s Times Square on August 14, 1945, Victory Over veterans or the U.S. It is a grotesque white elephant on San Diego Harbor.”

Japan Day (aka “V-J Day”), the day Japanese forces surrendered, effectively Even at the Port of San Diego, which by State of California mandate ending World War II. Similar moments were immortalized in famous determines the best use of the public lands surrounding San Diego photographs by Alfred Eisenstaedt and Victor Jorgensen, published Bay, controversy existed. Disagreements took place among the the harbor’s headline-making in Life magazine and The New York Times, respectively. organization’s Public Art Committee and its supervisory Board of “Unconditional Johnson’s interpretation, part of his Icons Revisited series, Commissioners about whether the statue’s purchase and installation Surrender” reflects “the beginning of peace and prosperity, and resonates with met planning criteria and approval processes. The dispute resulted in statue (right). that sense of excitement and romance,” says Allan Tait, manager two members of the committee resigning their positions in protest. of public art for the Port of San Diego, which leased the sculpture.

Ultimately, the sculpture’s unique combination of sentiment and “That was a watershed time—a euphoric, historic moment that appeals to a substance prevailed. Led by the Midway’s “Save the Kiss” campaign, more variety of demographics.” than $1 million was raised in only eight weeks to replace the temporary, travelSuch poignant memories made the sculpture a natural fit in San Diego, a ing urethane version. The new, permanent bronze sculpture, at 25 feet, 14,000 city with an active and longstanding military culture. The Midway, a legendpounds and durably colorized, not only depicts a national triumph, but also ary, post-World War II aircraft-carrier-turned-naval-aviation museum, repthe resilience borne of its own unexpected San Diego saga. resented the perfect background. Veterans and their contemporaries flocked “It’s a chosen, universal image,” says Paula Stoeke, director and curator of to the sculpture. It also became a destination for a constant stream of local the Sculpture Foundation. “It’s a narrative of when and where. The emphasis residents and tourists seeking photo opportunities to replicate “The Kiss.” is on the universal concept of spontaneous joy.”

Soon enough, a nickname emerged: the “kiss statue.”

The new “Unconditional Surrender” sculpture was unveiled in Tuna Harbor Ironically, “Unconditional Surrender” always had specific conditions Park, next to the Midway Museum, on February 16, 2013, as part of the Port attached to its time in San Diego. Foremost, it was a temporary exhibit on a of San Diego’s Greatest Generation Collection. Loved or loathed, “The Kiss” one-year loan from the Sculpture Foundation, which provides exhibitions and u remains much more than just a kiss.

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FOOD for THOUGHT FROM THE KalE CRaZE TO THE RETURn OF MEaTBallS TO THE “dOnUTS aRE THE nEW CUpCaKES” TREnd, San diEGO’S HOTTEST diSHES aRE GOOd EnOUGH TO EaT.

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Food trends come and go, but great dishes stand the test of time.

As each food-craze wave washes through San Diego, then recedes, there are always a few examples of the trend left standing—those select dishes that go beyond fashion and fad, sticking resolutely to the menu long after the wannabes have moved on. So it is with three of the bigger food trends in Southern California. Many have tried, but few have mastered the unique combinations or simple takes on modern classics that will survive into the future as lasting “It” dishes.

opening SPREAD: sweet delights at donut bar downtown.

THIS PAGE: mini meatballs at great maple; opposite: classic meatballs at soda & swine in normal heights.

Here, as elsewhere in Southern California, restaurants have spent recent years digging down to the roots of comfort food in search of a new dimension of Americana. Meatballs, long the staple of the neighborhood Italian joint, have been elevated locally, as chefs infuse new flavors into succulent, exciting takes on a centuries-old theme. Similarly, donuts have made a comeback—but not those flaccid, guilt-inducing lumps of sugarcoated dough interred behind glass at 7-Eleven.

We’re talking gourmet pastries, handcrafted lovingly from artisanal ingredients. And finally, kale is king. In the hands of health-minded local chefs, the reigning leafy wonder-veggie has been taken to new heights.

Meatball Madness Great Maple, one of San Diego’s hottest newer restaurants, opened in February 2013 on the site of a former diner in Hillcrest. And while the cutting-edge, hip décor and menu are as contemporary as any spot in a much bigger city, certain dishes on the menu hark back to simpler times.

Great Maple has no fewer than three showstoppers that made our list, but we’ll deal with just one for the moment: the mini meatball appetizer. These juicy little nuggets of rich, flavorful meat come suspended in a velvety tomato sauce that has been simmered for hours.

The result is a concoction oozing with smoky and tangy flavors, so moreish that when your dish is empty it’s like losing an old friend.

Over in San Diego’s edgy Normal Heights neighborhood, Soda & Swine opened in early 2013 beside the twee-trendy Polite Provisions, a bearded hipster-infused joint by the same owners where you can get your alcoholic pop to bolster your grinds next door. Soda & Swine is sans a liquor license, but the chefs aren’t

holding back on elevating messy, late-night eats into something special. The meatballs are the foundation of the menu and come in five varieties—from smokedchipotle pork (swine) to quinoa, pesto and feta (grain).

Order as many meatballs as you like, and have them squished into a slider, arranged on a submarine sandwich or pasta, or just a la carte. Then choose a side and away you go: Rich, delicious balls of juicy goodness, the perfect fuel to keep you going at the bar next door.

Move Over, Cupcake Santiago Campa, co-owner of the new Donut Bar in downtown San Diego, seems to have an almost constant sugar buzz. The enigmatic artisan received an airmail package full of New York donuts the morning I was there, and as he sliced open the box and perused the Ziploc bags full of day-old pastries, he explained that he would be tasting them for new ideas and inspiration. “I have a few thousand friends on Facebook and some of them send me donuts from all over,” he says, grinning.

Donuts might not be the first breakfast or dessert choice to come to mind in health-conscious San Diego, but these little nuggets of joy are back—and well worth their calorific value. Made from craft ingredients such as real Vermont Maple syrup and high-end chocolate, Donut Bar’s gourmet creations made daily are bursting with flavor and decadence. But get there early; the bar usually sells out of its thousands of donuts by noon every day.

Back at Great Maple, the restaurant also has jumped on the donut-wheeled bandwagon. The diner periodically sends its servers out with a giant donut board loaded with freshly dipped pastries that are distributed among the crowd.

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opposite: KALE SALAD AT GANG KITCHEN. right: APPLE PIE AT GREAT MAPLE.

Great Maple also has resurrected an old dessert staple: apple pie, a dish that has been popping up at more and more eateries around town. Make sure you’ve saved room for Great Maple’s incarnation; the dish comes as a whole, individual apple pie that can easily feed three or four people dessert. The addition of salted caramel, spiced pecans and sharp Vermont cheddar cheese elevate this old favorite to one of the region’s more popular pie dishes.

All Hail Kale Gang Kitchen is an open, lively spot on Sixth Avenue downtown, a couple blocks from the Padres’ Petco Park. The Asian-infused cuisine is partly the inspiration of owner Jon Mangini’s travels to Southeast Asia, blended with the skill and natural talent of the eatery’s Executive Chef Jo Ann Plympton.

With the baby kale salad served here, any blandness of the kale is replaced by flavors both subtle and bold. For starters, the kale comes raw and fresh, nestled on a pile of fluffy quinoa that has been simmered in coconut milk. The result is exquisite; the slightly sweet, slightly smoky feel of the quinoa balances and complements the crisp earthiness of the Tuscan kale. Also dotting the salad are slices of Asian pear for acid and spicy cashews, and the whole thing is drizzled with a tangy dressing of miso, brown rice vinegar, lime and ground cashews.

Plympton says her exercise class is fond of popping in, and she steers them to the salad for a highprotein, high-nutrient power lunch. “Just eat more kale, is all I can say,” Plympton says. “And the rawer the better.”

In La Jolla, neighborhood joint Beaumont’s Eatery has created another one of the dishes that brilliantly captures this trend. The tri-colored kale salad incorporates three different types of the super food, mixed with wispy leaves of baby spinach, pine nuts, Grana Padano cheese and a delicious, velvety, roasted-red-pepper-and-garlic vinaigrette that adds a tangy blanket to the leaves. Executive Chef George Morris is an East Coaster with a knack for picking choice ingredients and pairing them beautifully. It’s the perfect lunch option or dinner appetizer to enjoy with a glass of wine on the restaurant’s remodeled patio, while watching the world go by.

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Visitors to San Diego often associate the city with beaches, sunshine, the film Anchorman, Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. However, the city also boasts an undercurrent of weirdness that isn’t generally showcased in the sightseeing guidebooks. Those willing to branch out from the usual destinations can find some bizarre attractions and historical sites that show off San Diego’s quirkier, funkier side. Prepare to stump even seasoned locals with fun facts about a secret spaceship landing spot in Jamul, and the real difference between taquitos and “rolled tacos.”

Science Fact or Fiction? Many believe God created the Earth in seven days, but you can find out how he did it in less than 45 minutes at the Creation & Earth History Museum in Santee. Easily recognizable by the massive dinosaur guarding the front of the building, this evangelical Christian museum shows off a variety of exhibits that challenge evolution and conventional science. One exhibit suggests that humans lived with dinosaurs, while another explains how it was possible for Noah to fit every animal in the known world onto an ark.

The Creation & Earth History Museum is owned and operated by, surprisingly, a local biotech firm, and the gift shop features all sorts of dinosaur merchandise that will appeal to both believers and those snarky skeptics, who museum officials estimate make up a good 30 percent of visitors. It’s worth a visit to poke around and judge for yourself. 10946 Woodside Ave., Santee, 619.599.1104, creationsd.org

Well, Hot Dog! The local Wienerschnitzel doesn’t exactly scream “tourist attraction.” Looking at this modest, walk-up fast-food outpost, you’d never guess the longtime Hillcrest haunt served up more than hot dogs, chili-cheese fries and old-fashioned sundaes. How about a side order of music history? Legendary singer-songwriter Jack Tempchin, who penned such classic rock hits as “Already Down” and “You Belong to the City,” also wrote the Eagles’ 1973 song, “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” at an outdoor table on the eatery’s north side back in 1972. Documents prove Tempchin wrote at least part of the song here, and “Peaceful Easy Feeling” has since become a soft-rock classic.

City officials got together in 2012, and, with the help of Wienerschnitzel staff, installed a plaque at one of the tables honoring Tempchin’s composition. Rock on. 101 W. Washington St., Hillcrest, 619.298.6483 Taquito Trivia With its close proximity to Baja and coastal locale, San

Diego has long served as the culinary capital for fish tacos. But one of the city’s little-known, yet even bigger claims to food fame is the taquito—often referred to as the “rolled taco.”

(Locals joke that the biggest difference between the two is the pronunciation.)

Basically a tortilla rolled up with filling and deep-fried before being served hot with guacamole, sour cream or salsa, the taquito fittingly was invented at one of the city’s best-known Mexican restaurants, El Indio, back in 1940. El Indio’s original owner, Ralph Pesqueira Sr., got the idea for the dish from his grandmother, who modeled it after the flauta, a similar but larger dish. Most other places make their taquitos as crispy as possible, but El Indio’s are deliberately softer in the center. A warning: The employees will correct you if you ask Inside San Diego’s for “rolled tacos.” 3695 India St., Mission Hills, Weirdest—and Most 619.299.0333, el-indio.com

Far

Calling All Earthlings Located 15

Out

minutes east of downtown San Diego, the Unarius Academy of Science is perhaps the most important building in this part of the universe. With an inteSurprising—Tourist rior featuring Astroturf for carpet, plastic Roman Attractions statues and various science fair-type displays, it is Home Field Advantage Between the planet Earth’s headquarters for a pending visitausual sightseeing downtown, make a stop at Lane

By David Moye tion by 33 spaceships that will land one on top of Field. Between 1936 and 1957, the historic site the other at a private UFO landing spot 15 miles was the home playing field for the San Diego away in Jamul. (Yes, you just read that correctly.)

Padres Major League Baseball team—which, back Unarius members, most of whom are in their 60s and 70s, believe in then, played for the Pacific Coast League. Many major league players played extraterrestrials and reincarnation, and are happy to speak with visitors there, the most famous being local boy Ted Williams. The “Splendid Splinter,” Tuesday through Saturday between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. An especially as he was later called, played at Lane Field in 1936 and 1937. As legend has ideal time to go is the second weekend of October when the group puts on it, Williams hit the "longest home run in all of baseball history" ... when a ball its Interplanetary Confederation Day—a holiday honoring Earth’s admishit by him flew into a passing boxcar on its way to Los Angeles. sion into an interplanetary confederation with 32 other planets, many of The feat most certainly did happen, but speculation still surrounds whether which have names that suspiciously sound like pharmaceuticals (e.g., Myton, it was Williams who deserves credit. The plaque honoring Lane Field mentions Vixall and Po). They parade up the street featuring a 1969 Cadillac with a the legendary home run, but credits Williams, as well as the other lesser-known spaceship on top, with members displaying banners for their adopted planet. players, who may have hit the record-setting ball. Lane Field is located at 900 (Yes, you just read all this correctly, too.) 145 S. Magnolia Ave., El Cajon, W. Broadway, North Embarcadero; the plaque is slated to be moved to a site 619.444.7062, unarius.org at Broadway and Harbor Drive by late 2013.

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Neighborhoods

La Jolla Known as “the Jewel,” La Jolla is the pride of San Diego, boasting unparalleled natural wonders and a cozy sense of community. The village’s tree-lined avenues give it a quaint, Main Street USA feel, only decidedly more upscale, thanks to tony boutiques and four-star bistros with sweeping views of the majestic, craggy coastline below. Surfers flock to La Jolla’s legendary reef breaks—such as Windansea beach, famously chronicled by Tom Wolfe in The Pump House Gang—while kayakers are drawn to the cove’s mysterious caves. Youngsters find endless amusement watching the seals at Children’s Pool beach. The town is also home to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, which presents world-class exhibitions in its spacious galleries overlooking the Pacific.

little italy New York’s got one, Chicago’s got one, and so does San Diego.

Downtown-adjacent Little Italy has a palpable authenticity to it.

Though it’s a popular stop for visitors looking for a slice of la dolce vita, don’t be surprised to hear the mellifluous strains of la madrelingua wafting from the many bistros, pasta markets and sidewalk cafés lining the main drag, India Street. The village-like neighborhood is populated by many actual Italians, whose heritage is celebrated during several lively annual festas. Little Italy has also become one of the trendiest nesting sites for San Diego’s young urbanites, thanks to its contemporary architecture, adorable boutiques and a burgeoning, gallery-filled design district along Kettner Boulevard.

DOWNTOWN/GASLAMP quarter/EAST VILLAGE The one-time red-light district and former hangout of Wild West legends like Wyatt Earp, downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter is now among the country’s most vibrant entertainment districts, packed with a dizzying array of restaurants, nightclubs and boutiques. Downtown is also San Diego’s civic and cultural center, housing the headquarters for the Symphony and Opera, as well as the historic, beautifully renovated Balboa Theatre.

Still more attractions await along the Embarcadero, including the Maritime Museum, the USS Midway aircraft carrier and Seaport Village, with its shops, restaurants and vintage carousel.

Adjacent to the Gaslamp, the developing East Village seems to sprout a new bar or condo highrise weekly, attracting residents with its proximity to Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres.

del mar/ solana beach These North Coast beach towns are a shopper’s paradise.

Upscale but accessible, Del Mar’s pedestrian-friendly downtown has no shortage of bars and restaurants at which to wind down from a day spent indulging in retail therapy at the chic boutiques of Del Mar Plaza or betting on the ponies at the famous Del Mar Racetrack, a longtime hotspot for Hollywood’s elite. A few miles up historic Highway 101 lies funky Solana Beach, where boutiquelined Cedros Avenue forms the spine of the area’s design district.

Converted Quonset huts house all manner of home décor shops, art galleries and clothiers, while by night the Belly Up Tavern books some of the best local and national musical talent on the circuit.

edwin santiago (except little italy by john dole, downtown by ian white)

SAN DIEGO comprises MANY VERY DIFFERENT communities. HERE ARE THE MOST VISITED.

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edwin santiago

Uptown/hillcrest San Diego’s edgiest cultural districts can be found in the ‘hoods just north and east of Balboa Park. Originally the center of the city’s LGBT community, Hillcrest brims with a variety of entertainment options, including stellar shopping, taste-tempting Thai food and lively dance clubs.

Neighboring Mission Hills is home to beautiful estates whose residents frequent its charming boutiques and bistros. Due east, North Park—with its numerous alternative galleries and the historic Birch Theatre—is the city’s newest arts-and-nightlife hub, while its southern neighbor, South Park, is a small but charming collection of shade-dappled streets lined with boutiques, bars and cafés. Take a drive through the area’s residential streets to marvel at fine examples of Craftsman architecture.

encinitas/carlsbad The beach communities of North County have a pace all their own.

Quaint and walkable, the neighborhoods operate on clocks that seem to tick a bit slower, where corporate homogeneity doesn’t stand a chance against homegrown mom-and-pop shops. Locals prize this simple, laid-back lifestyle as the very definition of the good life. Encinitas lends itself to quiet contemplation, whether from atop a longboard at Swami’s beach or while strolling the gardens of the Self-Realization Fellowship, whose golden, lotus blossom-shaped towers define the skyline. To the north, Carlsbad’s village is packed with bistros and antique shops, while Legoland and other attractions, such as the seasonal Flower Fields, are just a short drive to the east.

coronado Sometimes referred to by locals as “the island,” Coronado is actually an isthmus, connected to mainland San Diego by a slim strip of beach known as the Silver Strand. Accessible by ferry from downtown San Diego or via a majestic 2.12-mile-long bridge, Coronado makes for a charming day trip. Wide, tree-lined boulevards and historic homes lend a small-town atmosphere to Coronado’s main drag. As it makes its way toward the Pacific, Orange Avenue winds past the picturesque red turrets of the Hotel del Coronado, a Victorianera resort where Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon famously filmed Some Like It Hot. The area’s scenic beaches are favored by joggers, swimmers, sandcastlebuilding families and dog owners, whose four-legged friends love to frolic in the surf.

pacific beach/mission beach/Mission bay San Diego is home to dozens of colleges and universities, and the beach neighborhoods are where those students live. On a thin peninsula separating Mission Bay from the Pacific Ocean, Mission Beach is one continuous beach party, its boardwalk abuzz with joggers, bicyclists, skateboarders and sightseers on Segways. It’s also home to the historic Giant Dipper roller coaster, which dates back to 1925. East of Mission Beach is Mission Bay, whose salty waters are plied by kayakers, speedboats and catamarans. Nearby Pacific Beach is a haven for swimwear boutiques, surfing, sunbathing and fishing off the end of the iconic Crystal Pier. By night, Garnet Avenue’s lively beach bars and clubs keep the good times rolling.

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last year so half price

old town By day, pedestrian-only Old Town State Park attracts visitors with historic structures, including the city’s first public schoolhouse, oldest surviving newspaper (The San Diego Union) and first brick courthouse. Nearby Heritage Park is a collection of immaculately preserved Victorian homes, including the 1887 Stick/ Eastlake-style Sherman-Gilbert House and Temple Beth Israel, the city’s first synagogue, constructed in 1889. On the hill above Old Town stands the landmark Junípero Serra Museum in Presidio Park, where Father Serra established Alta California’s first mission in 1769. By night, Old Town’s streets become a quaint entertainment district, packed with Mexican restaurants and festive bars.

ocean beach/ point Loma These are the quieter, more scenic cousins to the raucous coastal neighborhoods of Pacific and Mission Beach. Ocean Beach, or “O.B.” to locals, is a holdout of counterculture, full of organic grocers, antique malls and laid-back watering holes. The Wednesday afternoon farmers market—replete with fresh veggies, busking musicians and even llama rides for the kids—offers a perfect snapshot of the community. Adjacent Point Loma houses Cabrillo National Monument, where in 1542 Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo became the first European to set foot on the West Coast. Point Loma’s iconic lighthouse, which dates back to 1855, is also worth a visit.

baja california No longer just a getaway for the youthful partygoer, the new Baja is a worthwhile excursion for passport-wielding foodies and culture-seekers. Though you needn’t look far to find a boisterous party scene in downtown Tijuana, you’ll also find a concert hall, art galleries and a museum at the spherical Centro Cultural, as well as celebrated restaurants like Misión 19 serving haute BajaMed cuisine. Twenty miles south are the coastal towns Rosarito and Puerto Nuevo, where fresh-caught lobster is a local specialty. Surfers and horseback riders are drawn to these beaches, while the area’s luxury spas offer a little R&R (try Rancho La Puerta in Tecate). Baja even has its own wine country, a 14-mile route through the Valle de Guadalupe east of Ensenada.

For WHAT’S HAPPENING IN S.D., see where SAN DIEGO magazine, WherESD.com or the where usa app

GREATER S.D. COUNTY Tourist brochures tend to focus on central San Diego and the coast, but interesting day trips await in the county’s eastern and northeastern reaches. About an hour from downtown is Julian, a charming Gold Rush-era town in the scenic Cuyamaca mountains whose small main drag is lined with historic buildings. It’s particularly beautiful in the fall, when the leaves are turning and the apple harvest is in full swing.

(Try the pie; it’s famous.) San Diego has its own wine country out here, too, home to around 20 small producers including the 120-year-old Bernardo Winery; another 35 are clustered together in nearby Temecula. Many of San Diego’s best breweries, including Stone, are headquartered in the Escondido area and attract a growing number of beer pilgrims.

edwin santiago (except baja by limelife photography)

Neighborhoods

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spending time

dolcetti boutique, karen morrison

SHOPPING san diego style is all about elegance tempered by comfort. this is the common thread uniting the tony Designer shops of la jolla, the independent boutiques springing up downtown and the numerous fashion and outlet malls. Decisions, decisions ...

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LOOK BOOK San Diego is a treasure trove for discerning shoppers, with distinctive boutiques, malls and local design houses offering a range of unique beauty and fashion finds.

By Nicole Quiroz G R A F F I T I B E AC H

Create a custom-scented elixir at La Jolla’s Tijon Parfumerie & Boutique.

With a selection of more than 300 oils to mix and sniff, the experts at the perfume boutique will help patrons create that special, oneof-a-kind fragrance. The store also sells a large selection of perfumes, colognes and body products. Prices range from $69-$129. 7853 Herschel Ave., La Jolla, 619.821.8219

T I J O N PA R F U M E R I E & BOUTIQUE

NEIMAN-MARCUS

Long or short, a floral skirt is a must-have piece for any woman’s closet. This cute Alice + Olivia skirt is perfect for a casual trip to the beach or dressed up for a night out with the girls. Find it for $198 at Neiman-Marcus at Fashion Valley Mall. 7027 Friars Road, Fashion Valley, 619.692.9100 When Noelia Pahissa and Jose Fuentes left Spain for San Diego in 2004, they also brought with them PONS Avarcas. These sandals embody timeless style and comfort.

Each shoe is 100-percent hand-

ALICE + OLIVIA SKIRT, MINH HUYNH

Handmade elegance is the cornerstone of Ardent Reverie. Created by sisters Melanie and Meghan Mina, this turquoise-stone bib necklace is a great accent to a basic tube top or scooped-neck tee. Purchase it for $30 on their website, ardentreverie.com. A variety of Ardent Reverie jewelry can also be found at Graffiti Beach. 2220 Fern St., South Park, 858.433.0950

PIGMENT

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crafted on the island of Menorca near Spain from high-quality leather and rubber soles. Collections feature a wide range of colors in flat and platform styles for men, women and children. Prices range from $65-$95 and can be purchased locally at Pigment. 3827 30th St., North Park, 619.501.6318 Being tech-savvy and fashionable is easy with this chic Kate Spade polka-dot iPhone case. Find it for $40 at the Kate Spade store at Fashion Valley Mall. 7007 Friars Road, Fashion Valley, 619.220.8190 This Ted Baker Adellee skater dress is fun, flirty and perfect for spring, summer and fall. With contrasting edges, pleats and Ted Bakerbranded button detail, this dress is a surefire way of making heads turn. Find it for $225 at Ted Baker at Fashion Valley Mall. 7007 Friars Road, Fashion Valley, 619.398.9800 The Cleo satchel by Leoluca is perfect for the professional onthe-go. Founded and designed by San Diegans Lauren Letizio and Emma Lezak, the handbag features detachable and adjustable straps, interior pockets and a metal snap zipper. For a pop of color, tie on a fun, lightweight scarf. Snag it for $402. leolucahandbags.com

KATE SPADE

LEOLUCA

TED BAKER

Peruse stylish Time Will Tell pieces at historic Old Town’s Bazaar del Mundo—a popular shopping destination for unique trinkets. The colorful collection of fun, fashionable watches recently caught the eye of Oprah Winfrey and appeared on her “O List” of favorite things. Prices range from $79-$89. 4133 Taylor St., Old Town, 619.296.3161

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SHOPPING

RUTH MELERO

PASSION FOR FASHION At least twice a year, fashion mogul Ruth Melero jets to Paris and other European metropolises to scour high-end boutiques for the latest styles and oneof-a-kind statement pieces not available in San Diego—at least until she stocks them in Melero Boutique, her elegant Del Mar shop located at the recently revamped Flower Hill Promenade.

(Melero's original location in Little Italy closed in July 2013.)

Housed in a contemporary, sleek white space adorned with funky modern lamps hanging from the

★ BAZAAR DEL MUNDOCL0000027057 For more than 40 years, Diane Powers’ Bazaar del Mundo has endured as one of San Diego’s most beloved tourist destinations. This festive collection of nine boutique shops just across Juan Street from the State Park features eye-catching items from around the globe, from colorful pottery at Artes de Mexico to feminine clothing and jewelry at Ariana. You’ll also find textiles, kitchen items, home furnishings, paintings, folk art and an inspiring array of coffee-table books and other titles. 4133 Taylor St., Old Town, 619.296.3161, bazaardelmundo.com CARLSBAD PREMIUM OUTLETS Fashion vendors at this outdoor shopping center 30 minutes north of downtown range from Kenneth Cole, Dooney & Bourke and Lacoste to Barneys New York and Brooks Brothers. The outlets also boast wellselected shops specializing in children’s clothes, shoes for every occasion, travel gear and gifts. The center is located just off Interstate 5 (look for the giant windmill). 5620 Paseo del Norte, Carlsbad, 760.804.9000, premiumoutlets.com

ceiling, the new Melero locale features many emerging European designers not widely distributed in the U.S., along with a well-edited lineup of clothing, handbags and jewelry from lines such as Sachin + Babi, Paul & Joe Paris, Ella Luna, Parker and Black Halo.

Melero's discerning eye for quality makes it easy for trend-hunting fashionistas to shop globally without ever setting foot on a plane.

DEL MAR PLAZA Experience the elegant seaside approach to a full shopping excursion. The shops at Del Mar Plaza offer merchandise ranging from specialty clothing, footwear and organic bath products to artwork and gifts. Casual and fine-dining restaurants are perched upon this elevated plaza, providing guests a delightful coastal view. 1555 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, 858.792.1555, delmarplaza.com

★ FASHION VALLEYCL9000006472 There are shopping malls and there are shopping empires. Fashion Valley holds sway as San Diego’s premier shopping destination, with five department stores—including Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s—and 200 shops and restaurants. If Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Burberry are too pricey for your pocketbook, Fashion Valley has all the usual suspects as well, from Abercrombie to Z Gallerie. When shopping fatigue hits, take a breather at FV’s expansive food court. 7007 Friars Road, Mission Valley, 619.688.9113, simon.com FLOWER HILL PROMENADE4 A favorite destination for North County shoppers, this upscale, openair retail center is known for its refined culinary outposts, casual coffee shops and diverse array of luxury boutiques. Unique specialty stores encompass everything from jewelry to shoes to women's and men's fashions to home/garden accessories to artisan food. 2720 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, 858.481.7131, flowerhill.com THE FORUM AT CARLSBADCL9000006474 This North County staple is much more appealing than your average strip mall.

The pedestrian-friendly and aesthetically pleasing shopping center is lined with tropical palm trees and boasts popular retail outlets like Talbots, Victoria’s Secret and Z Gallerie, plus family-oriented eateries such as Buca di Beppo and Panera Bread. 1923 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, 760.479.0166, theforumcarlsbad.com LAS AMERICAS PREMIUM OUTLETS Bargain hunters regularly trek to the border to find discounted treasures at this outdoor fashion outlet center, San

Diego’s largest. With 125 stores and restaurants, including Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Las Americas offers ample square footage to shop. You’ll be happy to discover savings of 25 to 65 percent over retail prices at other malls and stores. Bonus: Tijuana is a five-minute walk away. Hop on the Blue Line trolley from downtown for a hassle-free day. 4211 Camino de la Plaza, San Ysidro, 619.934.8400, premiumoutlets.com SEAPORT VILLAGECL0000027063 Don’t let the “I heart S.D.” mugs and seashell trinkets scare you away—this popular tourist destination has many charms beyond its corner on the local souvenir market. In style, the 14-acre complex pays homage to the early days of the century-old seaport and features 54 shops and a handful of casual and upscale eateries. Miles of bayside cobblestone paths make it an ideal place for strolling on a sun-dappled afternoon. And kids will dig the delightful carved-wood carousel. 849 W. Harbor Drive, Embarcadero, 619.235.4014, seaportvillage.com ★ WESTFIELD UNIVERSITY TOWNE CENTERCL002706 Family-friendly University Towne Center (UTC) is a popular shopping spot for students from nearby UCSD. This sprawling open-air mall, which recently underwent a $180 million renovation, features three major department stores (Nordstrom, Macy’s, Sears) and more than 180 shops and eateries—including a two-story Crate & Barrel. Commissioned artwork includes a dolphin-themed play fountain for children. The mall’s food court overlooks an ice skating rink—one of the few remaining in San Diego. 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.546.8858, westfield.com/utc

KAREN MORRISON

DESTINATION SHOPPING

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JOSEPH BELLOWS GALLERYCL9000006484 Joseph Bellows Gallery features primarily vintage prints and photography in the three exhibition spaces at its La Jolla location. The gallery also offers search, appraisal and consultation services for both beginning and established collectors. Closed Su-M. 7661 Girard Ave., La Jolla, 858.456.5620, josephbellows.com

SOLO

GALLERIES ★ THE ART OF TIM CANTOR CL0000022595 At age 15, Tim Cantor captured recognition when one of his paintings was placed in the White House.

He has since been featured in some of the world’s most prestigious art venues. One of his own galleries, however, is right here in San Diego, offering visitors an up-close look at the artist’s expressive, darkly ethereal original oil paintings and stunning, limited-edition prints. 527 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.235.6990, timcantor.com CHUCK JONES STUDIO GALLERY The work of animator Chuck Jones has been viewed and valued by generations enjoying Saturday morning cartoons, and is now on view at this gallery in the Gaslamp. The gallery features work by Jones, the Oscarwinning creator of such memorable characters as Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, Marvin the Martian and Pepe le Pew, as well as images from San

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Diego’s very own beloved Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel. 232 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.294.9880, chuckjones.com/galleries CIRELLO GALLERYCL9000006511 Cirello Gallery, located in North Park’s arts district, carries an impressive selection of designs by local artisans, including paintings, sculpture, glass, photography, furniture and other decorative objects. Especially cool is the geometric Cirello Jewelry line, made sustainably from discarded steel scraps. Featured artists rotate monthly; open by appointment only. 3803 Ray St., North Park, 619.795.4850, cirellogallery.com DISTINCTION GALLERYCL9000007944 This Escondido contemporary art gallery showcases figurative pop and urban surrealist paintings from emerging and established artists.

Readers of the underground art mag Juxtapoz should find something to like in this 7,000-square-foot building, which features various exhi-

MADISON GALLERYCL9000007945 Gallery owner Lorna York presides over this 3,500-square-foot contemporary art space in the heart of La Jolla, which handles prints from the greats—Warhol, Picasso, Tamayo—as well as work from living artists: media paintings by James Verbicky, sensual stonework by Richard Erdman and metal sculptures from local star Matt Devine. Open daily. 1020 Prospect St., #130, La Jolla, 858.459.0836, madisongalleries.com NOEL-BAZA FINE ARTCL9000006485 Located in the art and design district of Little Italy, Noel-Baza Fine Art features original artwork by living mid-career artists and acknowledged 20th-century masters.

Lichtensteins and Warhols hang alongside canvases and sculptures by contemporary artists in this modern, sunlit space. Closed Su-M. 2165 India St., Little Italy, 619.876.4160, noel-bazafineart.com QUINT GALLERYCL9000007943 For more than 30 years, Mark Quint has been known as one of the most influential gallerists in town, and his opening parties are legendary. People still talk about the time, years ago, that he let an artist shove a telephone pole through the front door, two walls and a back office.

Ryan McGinness, Kim MacConnel and Roy McMakin are among the many big names the acclaimed gal-

lery represents. Closed Su-M. 7547 Girard Ave., La Jolla, 858.454.3409, quintgallery.com SCOTT WHITE CONTEMPORARY ARTCL9000006487 For more than 25 years Scott White Contemporary Art has consistently put together some of the most interesting gallery shows in San Diego, featuring the work of both emerging and mid-career artists. Media ranges from contemporary painting and printmaking to sculpture and photography created by artists from the United States, Canada and Europe.

Willem de Kooning, Frank Stella, Norman Bluhm and Carol K. Brown are just a few of the names whose work has been showcased here. Closed SuM. 7655 Girard Ave., #101, La Jolla, 858.255.8574, scottwhiteart.com

SHOPS & BOUTIQUES ALOHA SUNDAY SUPPLY CO.52 This modern boutique captures the aloha spirit with its collection of clothing and accessories that are “surf-inspired” but not Hawaiianshirt cheesy. Find supersoft printed tees, organic denim skinny jeans and trendy wood-frame sunglasses from Shwood, plus slip-on shoes, African leather chukka boots and other essentials for the contemporary beach-dwelling man. 3118 University Ave., North Park, 619.269.9838, alohasunday.com ★ AMBA GALLERY For beautiful, original handmade textiles—bedding, clothing, house wares, silks and wools—head to this independent boutique and gallery that celebrates the traditional crafts of India. A fair-trade retailer, Amba's merchandise is produced by the skilled craftspeople of India. The gallery works to support and sustain these artisans by investing its profits back into the communities where the work was created. Fabrics never looked and felt so good. Closed M. 143 S. Cedros Ave., #V105B, Solana Beach, 858.259.2622, ambagallery.com

AMY K. FELLOWS

bition spaces as well as 14 artist studios. Closed Su-M. 317 E. Grand Ave., Escondido, 760.707.2770, distinctionart.com

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Change the Chanel

Up To 90% Off Retail mysisterscloset.com Men • Women 060-069_SHOPPING LISTINGS_GBSD13.indd 63

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CapricornCL0000027070 This smart, chic-looking shop in the Bird Rock district features a small but discriminating array of women’s fashions from independent designers including Myne, Gypsy 05, Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry and more in its checkerboard-tiled space. Shoes and accessories, too.

5544-B La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla, 858.551.2660, capricornboutique.com

his boutique

The AtticCL0000333851 This modern-vintage shop on Coronado’s main drag features design-savvy home décor items and accessories including recycled glass bird feeders, oversized rings and silver pendants by local designers, lightweight scarves from fair-trade companies and tea towels bearing the crown insignia, the symbol of Coronado. 1011 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.435.5432; 1112 10th St., Coronado, 619.435.5614, theatticgirls.blogspot.com Azzaria BoutiqueCL9000006476 At this denim lounge and clothing boutique, “bartenders” present drink and denim “menus” and help customers find the perfect-fit jeans from brands like Hudson and 7 For All Mankind. The brains behind the operation are Tammy Neihart and consultant Laura Ann Fairchild. The stylish setting, intimate service and tempting libations will leave your head spinning with a refreshingly satisfied buzz.

2021 San Elijo Ave., Cardiff-by-theSea, 760.753.7572, shopazzaria.com

h Bettie Page ClothingCL0000333835 Go from blah to bombshell in a highwaisted dress or pencil skirt from this Gaslamp Quarter boutique, launched

by Russian-born fashion designer Tatyana Khomyakova, whose retro designs are inspired by the ’50sera pinup queen. 430 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.544.1950, bettiepageclothing.com Bixby & BallCL9000007948 The oldest cottage on South Cedros is now home to this lifestyle boutique carrying items that are coastal chic, minus the kitsch. You’ll find linens and quilts by John Robshaw, oversized throw pillows and natureinspired wall art, along with lotions, scrubs, jewelry, kitchenware and more.

214 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, 858.436.7214, bixbyandball.com Blue Jeans & BikinisCL0000333847 This welcoming boutique aims to make it easier to shop for those two articles of clothing women notoriously dread having to try on. Skinny to boot-

h CarilohaCL003857 Caribbean style and Hawaiian aloha are the inspiration behind Cariloha, whose name is a combination of the two words. The store channels the laid-back style and natural wonder of the islands with its entire line of bamboo products, including apparel, accessories, bedding, handbags, fitness wear, bath goods and more—all made of bamboo, one of the fastest-growing plants in the world, and a sustainable resource. 435 J St., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.550.1414, cariloha.com Crow ThiefCL0000333857 Vintage chairs, antique fans and reclaimed fenceboard cladding set the stage for owner Melissa HendrixLawson’s line of bespoke men’s shirts, made by hand from high-quality fabrics including wool plaid, heavyweight denim and breezy cotton. By appointment only. 3009 Grape St., South Park, 619.961.6210, crowthief.com D.G. Wills BooksCL0000027074 While mega-bookstores peddle everything from CDs to lattes, D.G. Wills sells books. Fiction and non-fiction, stacked high on floor-to-ceiling wood shelves, along with photographs, prints and old-time La Jolla memorabilia.

Owner Dennis Wills can talk at length about all things literary; he also makes

spot-on reading suggestions. The shop long has hosted readings by authors such as Allen Ginsberg, Edward Albee, Gore Vidal and Maureen Dowd. 7461 Girard Ave., La Jolla, 858.456.1800, dgwillsbooks.com Daniel JewelryCL00386 For more than 35 years this La Jolla shop has been providing quality timepieces, diamond rings and jewelry from brands like TAGHeuer, IWC, Mont Blanc and Judith Ripka. 1241 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.454.8001, danieljewelry.net dolcetti boutiqueCL0000333849 This stylish downtown shop, owned by sisters Minet and Natalie Taylor, is one part fashion haven and one part beauty destination—offering a variety of men's and women's clothing, gifts, handbags, shoes and jewelry. Its sister business, full-service hair salon A Style Concierge, is located on the mezzanine of the boutique. 635 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.501.1559, dolcettiboutique.com h The Fabulous Rag Boutique Need a new frock? From fun and flirty prints to casual chic and little black dresses to maxis, this Pacific Beach boutique is filled with one-of-a-kind dresses and other unique fashions.

Whether you’re looking for a new outfit for a night out or a day at the beach, you’ll find it here, as well as the latest styles in jewelry and handbags. 829 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.270.1993, thefabulousrag.com Gone Bananas Beachwear For more than 35 years Gone Bananas’s collection of women’s mixand-match swimwear has been unsurpassed in quality and quantity. With some 15,000 pieces of swimwear, this Mission Beach shop showcases hundreds of designers, including Luli Fama, Beach Bunny, Vitamin A, L Space and Billabong. 3785 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach, 858.488.4900, gonebananasbeachwear.com

karen morrison

cut, find jeans from premium designers like True Religion and Joe's as well as figure-flattering bikinis, tankinis and one-pieces from L Space, Vitamin A and Vix, among other brands. 971 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.319.5858, bluejeansandbikinis.com

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Nikki & Co. Fine Jewelers Since 1948

Located in the Heart of the Gaslamp

Antique Engagement Rings

562 5th Avenue, San Diego (619) 236-0870

NikkiFineJewelers.com

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Fine Swiss Watches

Estate and Antique Jewelry

We Buy, Sell, Trade and Consign

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Goorin BroS.CL0000333859 Design is a priority from head to toe at this well-appointed hat shop in a historic Gaslamp Quarter building.

Fedoras, trucker, cowboy, even quirky baseball caps can be found here. Or try accessorizing with a vintage hatpin— they’re making a comeback. 631 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.450.6303, goorin.com Graffiti BeachCL0000333866 Setting up shop in a 100-year-old building that once housed a fire station, owner Melanie Michaud caters to San Diego’s young, urban side with “beachto-street” fashions from up-and-coming designers, many of whom practice an eco-friendly ethos. Plus, skimpy bikinis, supersoft men’s tees, hats and scarves in hip prints. Closed M. 2220 Fern St., South Park, 858.433.0950, shopgraffitibeach.com

YOU’RE INVITED

Free Olive Oil Tasting Daily • Gourmet Foods & Tapas Premium Artisan Wines • Business Gift Collection Ocean View Wine Bar • Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4pm to 7pm

The finest California Extra Virgin olive oils, artisan vinegars, hand-crafted foods along with premium wines for an exquisite culinary adventure.

1158 Prospect St. La Jolla, CA 92037 (858) 551-8250 SHOP ONLINE lajolla.weolive.com

Grounded Garden ShopCL0000027080 Find a fresh, modern approach to gardening and design at this spot in Encinitas’ Lumberyard. Among the wares on display are indoor and outdoor furnishings by Herman Miller, Blu Dot and Gus Modern along with covetable placemats from Chilewich.

Build up your library with inspirational books devoted to home and garden design. 897 S. Coast Highway 101, #105, Encinitas, 760.230.1563, shopgrounded.com Hillside ArtisansCL0000333860 Hillside Artisans’ two locations are each home to a small yet quality selection of toys and children’s apparel including soft newborn blankets, whimsical lunch boxes, one-of-a-kind outfits, carriers and shoes. A small play space is also available to keep the kids engaged while the grownups shop. 7874 Girard Ave., La Jolla, 858.456.0134; 827 W. Washington St., Mission Hills, 619.293.0134, hillsideartisans.com HISCL9000006851 Whether shopping for the guy's guy who lives in plain tees, or for the guy who prefers a bit more flair, HIS bou-

tique offers an array of men's and kids' clothing and accessories for diverse tastes. HIS carries lines that embody effortless SoCal style. 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, 858.350.6410, hismensstore.com Hunt & GatherCL9000006851 This boutique lives up to its name with its array of vintage clothing, accessories and home décor gathered from up and down the West Coast by owner Zoe Crenshaw, who often customizes her finds with embroidery or other touches. 2871 University Ave., North Park, 619.297.3040, huntandgathershop.com KerutCL9000007924 A cheery yellow awning announces your arrival at this tastefully appointed La Jolla boutique. Owner Lauren Turek, a former investment banker and personal stylist, curates a very of-the-moment collection that hits all of today’s top trends with brands like ALC and Rag & Bone. Having trouble choosing? Mull over your options with a glass of bubbly in Kerut’s cozy lounge. 7944 Girard Ave., La Jolla, 858.456.0800, kerut.com Leo Hamel Fine JewelersCL9006478 San Diego’s largest full-service jewelry store offers an extensive collection that includes brands like Hearts on Fire, Marco Bicego, Pandora, vintage Tiffany & Co. and pre-owned Rolex and Cartier watches, among others. Family owned and operated for more than 30 years, the store’s personal shoppers can help find the right piece in any price range. 1851 San Diego Ave., Old Town, 619.299.1500, leohamel.com M-Theory RecordsCL9000006667 San Diego’s version of the record store in High Fidelity, this shop carries anything from the new Arcade Fire disc to an out-of-print ‘60s soul classic on vinyl. The store has also hosted legendary live performances from acts like Chuck D, Spiritualized, the Hold Steady, Camper Van Beethoven

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and Switchfoot. 915 W. Washington St., Mission Hills, 619.220.0485, mtheorymusic.com

buy it before another fashionista does.

4932 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach, 619.223.5500, missmatchsd.com

MAKE GOODCL9000007927 Located on a tree-lined street in South Park, this small shop represents a collective of local crafters whose handmade, upcycled goods range from messenger bags and cuddly owl-shaped pillows to clothing, paintings and jewelry. Think of it as a brick-and-mortar version of Etsy, for locals only. Closed M. 2207 Fern St., South Park, 619.563.4600, themakegood.com

MISTRALCL0000027093 Named for the winds that flutter from the Alps into the south of France, Mistral specializes in handcrafted soaps, lotions and fragrances that offer healing and relaxation. The shop’s founders are proud of the natural ingredients used in their products, ranging from fresh lavender to verbena to hand-picked gardenias. 146 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, 858.755.5963; 12925 El Camino Real #J-0, Del Mar, 858.755.1675, mistralsoap.com

MELERO BOUTIQUE Specializing in emerging European designers not widely distributed in the U.S., fashion-savvy entrepreneur Ruth Melero oversees a well-edited lineup of elegant clothing, handbags and jewelry from lines such as Sachin + Babi, Paul & Joe Paris, Black Halo, Joanna Louca and Chan Luu at her eponymous Del Mar shop located in the recently revamped Flower Hill Promenade. 2710 Via de la Valle, #B-150, Del Mar, 858.259.7467, melerobg.com MINT SHOESCL0000027091 Get well-heeled without spending a mint at this stylish little shoe shop, painted in a modish spearmint, white and red color scheme. Displayed on clear shelves lining tubular walls are flirty flats and heels from young, hip lines like Oliberté and Jeffrey Campbell, and a wide selection of cool urban kicks for women and men. 525 University Ave., Hillcrest, 619.291.6468, mintshoes.com MISS MATCH1 Located on Ocean Beach’s main drag, this boutique caters to women of all sizes, ages and budgets. With wall-towall clothing, unique handbags, shoes and accessories, Miss Match not only keeps its stock high—with new inventory arriving daily—but also very au currant, carrying only the latest fashion trends and one-of-a-kind items. So if you see something you like, better

MIXTURECL0000027094 High design struts its stuff at this home furnishings and accessories store housed in the spacious former digs of a 1940s brick warehouse. The front gate slides wide open to show off an appealing collection of modern and contemporary indoor and outdoor furniture, home and garden accessories, books, candles, jewelry, gift items and even fine art. 2210 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy, 619.239.4788, mixturehome.com ★ MY SISTER'S CLOSET It’s OK to raid this Sister’s Closet, which is really an upscale designer resale shop. And when you do, you will be pleasantly surprised at what you might find inside: clothing, handbags, jewelry, shoes and accessories from brands such as Coach, Prada, Chanel, Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton and more. With so many fashion scores in this treasure trove's clean, contemporary setting, My Sister’s Closet makes it easy (and fun) to shop till you drop. 8610 Genesee Ave., UTC, 858.455.0045, mysisterscloset.com ★ NA HOKU HAWAII’S FINEST JEWELERS SINCE 1924CL0000027095 Hawaiian for “stars,” Na Hoku captures the Island lifestyle and Hawaiian tradition in its collection of fine jewelry. The store features unique Island-themed lines like the Original

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Diamond Slipper Pendant, Palm Tree Collection and Hawaii Heirloom Collection, plus exquisite designs by well-known jewelry artisans Kabana, Steven Douglas and others.

Many items are set with Tahitian and freshwater pearls, diamonds, colored gemstones and inlays of opal and mother-of-pearl. 7007 Friars Road, Fashion Valley, 619.294.7811; 165 Horton Plaza, Gaslamp Quarter, 619.702.7121, nahoku.com Nicole MillerCL0000027097_ New York designer Nicole Miller’s flirty, feminine dresses give classic silhouettes a modern twist with funky, unforgettable fabrics. Rumor has it she also was the first to coin the term Little Black Dress. You’ll find plenty of those here, plus Miller’s gorgeous bridal line. 1923 Calle Barcelona, #141, Carlsbad, 760.632.7000, nicolemillersd.com

in Balboa Park Over 200 San Diego County artists in 37 working studios located in beautiful Balboa Park.

Open 11am - 4pm daily

Spanish Village Art Center 1770 Village Pl., San Diego, CA 92101 619-233-9050

www.spanishvillageart.com

h Nikki & Co. Fine Jewelers4 Behind its ornate grapevine-motif brass gate, this tiny spot comes courtesy of a third-generation jeweler whose family has been in the business since 1948. Inside, find pre-owned fine Swiss watches from names like Patek Philippe, Panerai, Cartier and Breitling as well as antique and estate jewelry and diamonds, some dating back as far as the Victorian era. 562 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.236.0870, nikkifinejewelers.com Noon DesignsCL9000006661 This charming little shop showcases the work of craftswomen Maie Webb and Nora Alexander. Graphic designer Webb hand-draws and presses Noon’s adorable cards and stationery while Alexander, trained in industrial design, hand-makes its nature-inspired jewelry line. You’ll also find candles, soaps, hand towels and more. 4993 Niagara Ave., Ocean Beach, 619.523.1744, noondesignshop.com h OmegaCL0000333837 As the official timekeeper for 24 Olympic Games, Omega has been a leading

name in impeccable watchmaking since 1848. Designs range from the red gold ladies’ Constellation watch, with its whimsical diamond swirl face, to the navy blue Planet Ocean watch for men, made from scratch-resistant Liquidmetal, a super-strong zirconium-based alloy. 7007 Friars Road #1020, Fashion Valley, 619.260.1120, omegawatches.com PigmentCL9000006479 Pigment has everything for your home and then some, with sleek modern furniture, flooring and home accessories. Pigment also carries baby items, jewelry, eco-friendly totes by Baggu, decorative mini-terrariums by local designer Britt Neubacher and limitededition art prints by co-owner Amy Paul. 3801 30th St., North Park, 619.501.6318, shoppigment.com Pilar’s BeachwearCL0000027099 Forget about teeny-weeny yellow polka-dot bikinis. At Pilar’s, you’ll find every color, shape and size of swimwear imaginable—there are hundreds of brands from which to choose.

At this popular Mission Beach shop, which has been suiting up San Diegans for more than 30 years, it doesn’t matter if you’re a Pilates nut or a couch potato: Pilar’s expert staff will help you find something beautiful and flattering, from the tiniest two-piece to the most forgiving cover-up. 3790 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach, 858.488.3056, pilarsbeachwear.com ProgressCL9000007941 Owned by a design-minded husbandand-wife team, Progress brings a cool, modern vibe to the trendy South Park neighborhood. Most items in the store, from the sculptural cardboard pendant lamps to the benches made from folded-up magazine pages, have an eco-minded twist, and the fun, smart furniture is all sourced from small companies. You’ll also find candles, jewelry, handbags, cards, kids stuff and more. 2225 30th St., South Park, 619.280.5501, progresssouthpark.com

SauvageCL9000006517 You don’t have to be a Sports Illustrated model to look sexy in the Sauvage line by local designer Elizabeth Southwood—although those bathing beauties have been seen in her bikinis.

La Jolla’s Sauvage boutique stocks glamorous beachwear, cover-ups and accessories, all manufactured in San Diego; or choose custom swimwear for a superb fit that flatters. 1025 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.729.0015, sauvageswimwear.com SoloCL0000027107 Located in the trendy Cedros Design District in Solana Beach, this warehouse-like retailer carries all manner of home décor items, stationery and gifts. Find Asian-inspired furniture

by Curio, unique kitchen items, plus a killer array of inspiring architecture and design books, jewelry from local artisans, eye-popping lighting, baby items and much more. 309 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, 858.794.9016, solocedros.com Sunsplash SwimwearCL0000027109 With a vast international selection of swimwear and resort wear, including 200 name brands, SunSplash carries everything from itsy-bitsy Brazilian bikinis to modern designer one-pieces.

Sizes run from 6-16, and SunSplash specialists are trained to find the perfect figure-flattering fit. 979 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.581.3400, sunsplashswimwear.com Sweet PaperCL9000007930 This quaint, sunny stationery boutique run by a pair of sisters celebrates the lost art of the handwritten message.

For a sentiment that just can’t be translated via Twitter or text, check out their selection of clever, smartly illustrated cards by boutique brands; there’s also a well-curated array of scrapbooking stamps, candles, notebooks, recipe cards and more. Bridesto-be will love the shop's bridal lounge, known for dream wedding invitations Closed Su. 7660-A Fay Ave., La Jolla, 858.456.1446, sweet-paper.com

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Taylor GuitarsCL9000006850 Taylor Guitars rest in the hands of famous musicians like Taylor Swift, Prince and Jason Mraz. At the company’s El Cajon factory, you can learn how the guitars are made and even purchase your own axe at the onsite store, which also carries picks, parts, accessories and more. Tours of the factory are offered M-F at 1 p.m.

1980 Gillespie Way, El Cajon, 619.258.1207, taylorguitars.com TourneauCL9000006510 If a new timepiece sounds tempting, turn to Tourneau, recognized by Guinness World Records for its mind-boggling selection—more than 100 brands and 8,000 styles, including rarities, vintage and limited editions. As an added bonus, Tourneau offers lifetime battery replacement. Fashion Valley Mall, 7007 Friars Road, Mission Valley, 619.296.8463, tourneau.com VocabularyCL0000027108 Make this a definite stop on any shopping itinerary. The Little Italy boutique is one of the loveliest around. Tiffanyblue walls, white molding and a plush seating area complement the youthful collection of clothing for women and men, as well as jewelry, home accessories and much more. 414 W. Cedar St., Little Italy, 619.544.1100, vocabularyboutique.com Wandering SageCL9000006663 Owner Ilze Ports designs clothing made from eco-cotton and alpaca wool, produced by a small, family-owned business in Peru. The green boutique also sells embroidered silk scarves, handmade bracelets and other items from artisans from all over the globe—all Fair Trade-certified. 2415 San Diego Ave., #104, Old Town, 619.487.1189, wanderingsage.com Warwick’sCL0000027113 Warwick’s has been a La Jolla institution since it first opened in 1896. Bibliophiles appreciate the wide selection, knowledgeable staff, regular author readings and other

literary events. Peruse the independent bookseller’s bestseller and recommended lists for suggestions. Locals also shop there for stationery, office supplies and gift items. 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla, 858.454.0347, warwicks.com Well Suited Men who want to look sharp without breaking the bank can achieve both goals at this high-end resale shop.

From designer men’s dress wear by Armani and Hugo Boss, to casual brands such as Tommy Bahama, Diesel, True Religion, Lucky and Nat Nast, fashionable, budget-savvy shoppers can find all their favorite labels here at considerably lower prices than retail. Look like a million bucks and save your dough. 8610 Genesee Ave., UTC, 858.455.0045, shopwellsuited.com h We OliveCL9000007966 “You name it, we’ll find a way to get olive oil in it,” says a clerk at this La Jolla retail shop and oceanview wine bar. In addition to Californiagrown oils in flavors like habanero and porcini mushroom, you’ll also find bread mixes, body balms, lotions and soaps made with olive oil, plus balsamic vinegars, party dips and other gourmet items. 1158 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.551.8250, lajolla.weolive.com h WestimeCL9000007956 This chic, spacious, 2,500-square-foot boutique in La Jolla village is the first Westime outpost to open outside of Los Angeles. The multi-brand retailer showcases all manner of timepieces, from popular fashion watches to limited-edition selections from the finest Swiss watchmakers. Hublot, GirardPerregaux, Ulysse Nardin and Bell & Ross are among the brands represented. 1227 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.459.2222, westime.com

829 Garnet Avenue San Diego, CA 92109 858 270 1993 TheFabulousRag.com

FOR more listings, SEE where SAN DIEGO magazine, WherESD.COM OR THE WHERE USA APP

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chow time

courtesy amaya la jolla

DINING it’s not all sandy beers and fish tacos in san diego.

WITH AN ARRAY OF FRESH INGREDIENTS AVAILABLE NEARLY YEAR-ROUND, THE CITY’S CULINARY LANDSCAPE IS NOW ON PAR WITH THAT OF the world’s great urban centers. here’s a sampling of what your taste buds have in store.

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DINING

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK Located below street level on La Jolla’s main drag, Hake Kitchen & Bar takes inspiration from global brasseries—focusing on fresh seafood with Mediterranean, Latin American and Asian influences.

The pristine, airy space features metal, wood and white marble accents, creating a relaxed atmosphere for communal dining. The menu features a range of shareable dishes sourced from both sea and land, from small snacks and tiraditos—lightly dressed sashimistyle preparations such as sea scallops in citrus-chipotle dressing, olive oil and sea salt—to larger appetizers. For non-fish fans, several main courses will satiate carnivorous appetites, such as the Berkshire pork chop with au jus, apples, potatoes and endive; the grilled rib eye; and steak frites.

Besides the usual wine and beer, Hake features a full bar offering classic cocktails and the largest mezcal selection in San Diego.

A.R. VALENTIENCL0026903 California Cuisine. Overlooking the Torrey Pines Golf Course, the signature restaurant of the Craftsman-style Lodge at Torrey Pines is named for an early 20th-century San Diego impressionist whose work is featured in the dining room. With Chef Jeff Jackson at the helm, the restaurant aims to use the best seasonal and local produce to create its own masterpieces. L, D (daily); B (Sa-Su). 11480 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, 858.453.4420, arvalentien.com ADDISONCL0026901 French. This fine restaurant overlooking the rolling green golf course at the Grand Del Mar features contemporary French cuisine intricately fused with Mediterranean flavors. Dinner entrées change seasonally, as Executive Chef William Bradley—a James Beard “Rising Star Chef” nominee and Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux— uses the finest and freshest ingredients available. Pair your meal with a glass of vin from the Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning wine list, which includes more than 3,600 labels. D (Tu-Sa). 5200 Grand Del Mar Way, Del Mar, 858.314.1900, addisondelmar.com

ALCHEMYCL900640 International. This low-key neighborhood restaurant serves American comfort food with an international twist. Dishes change with the seasons but standbys include the grass-fed beef burger with house-cured pickles and an array of street food from all over the world. An in-house mixologist shakes and stirs signature cocktails like the Alchemist's Mule.

D (nightly), Br (Sa-Su). 1503 30th St., South Park, 619.255.0616, alchemysandiego.com AMAYA LA JOLLA American. From its wrought-iron entry gates and intricate woodwork to its Southern-tinged, contemporary American dishes, Amaya is a true study in restaurant craftsmanship from décor to cuisine. Start with the buttermilk-fried quail and smoked mac ‘n’ cheese appetizer, followed by the slow-roasted pork chop or braised veal osso buco cannelloni. Be sure to pair your meal with one of nearly 300 wines on offer. L (M-F), D (nightly). 1205 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.750.3695, amayalajolla.com ARTERRA RESTAURANTCL0026902 California Cuisine. Located at the Marriott Del Mar, this award-winning restaurant specializes in fresh, contemporary seasonal cuisine with Americana influences. Known as a power-lunch spot for area execs, the restaurant’s bar and outdoor lounge are also nice for happy hour, while romantic dinners unfold in the main dining room. Arterra also offers a vast wine list and sushi. B (daily), L (M-F), D (M-Sa). 11966 El Camino Real, Del Mar, 858.369.6032, arterrarestaurant.com

BANKERS HILLCL900675 American. Named for the neighborhood that houses it, this restaurant from popular Executive Chef Carl Schroeder (Market) features farm-fresh shareable small plates and entrées like barbecue pork tacos, house-made pastas and hanger steak, served in a chic urban-casual setting.

The airy interior features quirkily mismatched furniture and yields to a charming enclosed front patio—don’t miss the living tapestry of succulent plants mounted on the wall. D (nightly). 2202 Fourth Ave., Bankers Hill, 619.231.0222, bankershillsd.com BARRIO STARCL900675 Mexican/Southwestern. From veteran restaurateur Isabel Cruz comes this upscale take on Mexican fare. The colorful interior boasts rustic, Día de los Muertos-style decorations, and the menu features signature dishes like fish tacos and elote (roasted corn on the cob sprinkled with cotija cheese and slathered with jalapeño butter). Don’t miss the blackberry margarita, made with house-infused roasted jalapeño tequila. B, L, D (daily). 2706 Fifth Ave., Bankers Hill, 619.501.7827, isabelscantina.com/barrio-star.php BENCOTTO ITALIAN KITCHENCL90069 Italian. The Italian word for “perfectly cooked,” Bencotto’s been a hit with locals almost since Day One. The menu spotlights heaping portions of house-made pastas, cured meats, artisan cheeses and rich desserts—all served in a modern, airy setting inside the glass-concrete-andsteel walls of Little Italy’s Q Building.

L, D (Tu-Su; daily in summer). 750 W. Fir St., Little Italy, 619.450.4786, lovebencotto.com

ADAM WISEMAN

HAKE

★ 1500 OCEAN California Cuisine. 1500 Ocean at the Hotel del Coronado showcases “Southland coastal cuisine” with a delicious ocean view. The menu features seasonal culinary offerings sourced from Cabo San Lucas to Santa Ynez, coupled with wines from across the region. Dine on the oceanfront terrace, in the contemporary dining room or private dining cabanas. D (Tu-Sa). 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.522.8490, hoteldel.com/1500-ocean

★ STARRED LISTINGS ARE FEATURED GUESTBOOK ADVERTISERS. 72

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Fresh Fish • Prime Rib Hot Chocolate Lava Cake Relax in an atmosphere of comfortable elegance while you savor the culinary delights that make Chart House legendary.

FA N TA S T I C H A P P Y H OU R 2588 South Coast Hwy 101 Cardiff, CA 92007 760.436.4044 chart-house.com

Spectacular Waterfront Dining

An island-inspired menu featuring an eclectic mix of fresh seafood, mouthwatering steaks, new wave sushi and more.

1201 FIRST STREET CORONADO FERRY LANDING 619.437.4474 ONLINE RESERvATIONS AT PEOHES.COM

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hattan’s WD-50. The menu features Pork Belly Croque Madame, five different preparations of moules frites (mussels with fries) and the popular crispy Brussels sprouts with pancetta and Parmesan cheese, not to mention craft cocktails. D (nightly). 4996 W. Point Loma Blvd., Ocean Beach, 619.224.2884, bobeaukitchen.com Brick + MortarCL003621 American. This casual bar and eatery, located in the historic Keating Hotel, features a generous sidewalk dining patio along Fifth Avenue, plus a diverse menu of pizzas, sandwiches, salads and American dishes (don't miss the chicken and waffles entrée). The bar features drink specials and weekday daylong happy hours. L (Th-F), D (Tu-Su), Br (Sa-Su). 820 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.814.6375, brickandmortar-brg.com underbelly

Bertrand at Mister A’sCL0026906 American. Step into the foyer of this smart uptown office building and you’d have no inkling of the wonders going on 12 stories above your head.

Undoubtedly one of the most exciting places to eat in San Diego, Mister A's sits above downtown San Diego, with sweeping views that stretch from Tijuana to Orange County.

Watch jetliners bob their way down to the runway at Lindbergh Field airport and enjoy some of the best food served anywhere. Add old-fashioned excellent service to the mix and even the most jaded diner will be impressed. Br (Sa-Su), L (M-F), D (nightly). 2550 Fifth Ave., 12th floor, Bankers Hill, 619.239.1377, bertrandatmisteras.com BiceCL9006842 Italian. Local version of the international chain begun by Beatrice “Bice” Ruggeri, this sleek spot brings Milanese authenticity to the heart of downtown. The eclectic menu features local, seasonal ingredients in

entrées like osso buco. Don’t miss the salumi and cheese bar, with dozens of varieties of fresh and aged cheeses and meats. D (nightly). 425 Island Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.239.2423, bicesandiego.com Blue Point Coastal Cuisine Seafood. This San Francisco-style supper club was the first seafood restaurant to drop anchor in the Gaslamp; these days, it’s popular with both local and visiting oyster aficionados. The décor is classy and the view of bustling Fifth Avenue is unsurpassed. D (nightly). 565 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.6623, dinecrg.com BO Beau Kitchen + BarCL900791 French. Embracing its surroundings in casual Ocean Beach, BO Beau is a pretension-free bistro serving simple, hearty French classics prepared by a young, Paris-trained chef whose résumé includes internships at the French Laundry and Man-

Brooklyn girl eateryCL003621 American. This trendy neighborhood joint is known for its fresh (and complimentary) daily popcorn; its airy, urban Brooklyn pantry vibe; and the now-famous oyster sliders. Grab a casual lunch of matzo ball soup, or dress up—and carb up—for dinner with the addictive gnocchi and short rib entrée. Great cocktails and wine list, too. L (M-F), D (nightly), Br (SaSu). 4033 Goldfinch St., Mission Hills, 619.296.4600, brooklyngirleatery.com Café 222CL0026901 Breakfast. For 16 years, Café 222’s quirky charm (cup-and-saucer chandeliers, mismatched plates) and creative cuisine (Porky Benedict, OrangePecan Pancakes) have made it a locals' favorite. The chef/owner, who’s been featured on the Food Network, describes the menu selections as updated versions of what mom used to make.

B, L (daily). 222 Island Ave., downtown, 619.236.9902, cafe222.com Café ChloeCL002691 French. Aiming to bring some French culture to S.D.’s hippest 'hood, Café Chloe is intimate and

charming, with creative and exciting French fare. The New York Times and the Boston Globe were wowed by this café, and not just for its proximity to the ballpark. B, L, D (daily). 721 Ninth Ave. #1, East Village, 619.232.3242, cafechloe.com Café JapengoCL002691 Japanese. Located in the restaurant village of the Aventine, Café Japengo is a stylish and sophisticated lunch and dinner spot across from the Hyatt Regency La Jolla. The restaurant’s specialty is sushi, which it takes very seriously, with an always-busy sushi bar and a la carte delights that range from traditional to modern. L (M-F), D (nightly). 8960 University Center Lane, La Jolla-Golden Triangle, 858.450.3355, cafejapengo.com Café SevillaCL0026931 International. If you’re just mad about saffron—and the cuisine and culture of España, for that matter— head to downtown’s Café Sevilla. In a Spanish-themed dining room with matador art on the walls and a huge tin bull installed above the bar, feast on rich tapas such as olives, paella, pork skewers, empanadas and fresh seafood preparations. Pitchers of fragrant sangria and live flamenco dinner shows possibly will have you shouting out “Olé!” D (nightly), Br (SaSu). 353 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.5979, cafesevilla.com Candelas M ex i c a n /S o u t hwe ste r n . I t s decidedly chic, sexy, candlelit atmosphere defines the downtown location of this chic Mexico City-style eatery, whose sister spot at Coronado’s Ferry Landing has great bay and skyline views. Favorite dishes include tequila-flambéed lobster tail and steamed, ahi-stuffed artichoke hearts in zucchini flower sauce. D (nightly) at both locations; Br (Sa-Su), L (M-F) in Coronado only. 416 Third Ave., downtown, 619.702.4455; 1201 First St., #115, Coronado, 619.435.4900, candelas-sd.com

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Fresh Fish.

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Sleek and sophisticated, The Oceanaire provides the perfect setting to enjoy an unrivaled atmosphere where you will indulge in tantalizing chef creations, exceptional wines and exquisite desserts.

We’ve Steaked our Claim Prime Steak • Fine Wine • Private dining • exquisite menu

Gaslamp District 400 J Street • San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 858 -2277 • theoceanaire.com Reserve your table today

The Harbor Club | 285 J Street | 619-696-3369

mortons.com/sandiego

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SOLACE & MOONLIGHT LOUNGE | Solace and the Moonlight Lounge is built on the foundations of simplicity, honest food and exemplary service. Beyond seafood-driven dining, mixed with plates of classic yet modern American cuisine, lies Chef Matt Gordon’s commitment to smart sourcing, sustainability and total elimination of all artificial ingredients.

Located in a LEED certified building, this Encinitas hot spot also features live music on Sundays.

25 East E Street, Encinitas 760.753.2433 eatatsolace.com

SEA & SMOKE | Sea & Smoke

explores modern and fresh interpretations of American dishes that celebrate simplicity and healthful integrity. Focusing on the flavors of the centrally located wood-fired oven, the American-style brasserie offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Keeping true to Chef Matt Gordon’s principles and commitment to healthful living, Sea & Smoke serves responsibly sourced meats, seafood and vegetables.

2690 Via de la Valle, Del Mar 858.925.8212 seaandsmoke.com

URBAN SOLACE | Known for its

tasty dishes, sustainable practices and Bluegrass Brunch, Urban Solace brings a creative blend to classic American cuisine. Owner and Executive Chef Matt Gordon invents dishes that break from tradition and focus on organic, sustainable and completely artificial free ingredients. Guests can expect an innovative meal that doesn’t compromise taste, with signature dishes that include seasonal watermelon salad, lamb meatloaf, chicken & dumplings and the popular cheddar biscuits.

3823 30th Street, San Diego 619.295.6464 urbansolace.net

Carnitas' Snack ShackCL003621 American. Don't judge this shoebox-sized joint by its location or size. This Shack by local chef/owner Hanis Cavin quickly became a favorite gourmet quick-service spot since opening in 2012 in North Park. Walk up to the service window and choose from an array of locally sourced, farm-to-table dishes on the dailychanging menu where pork is king— from the pulled pork sandwich and B.L.T. to carnitas tacos and poutine (fries topped with carnitas and pork gravy). Plus burgers, salads and desserts. Outdoor seating. L, D (W-M).

2632 University Ave., North Park, 619.294.7675, carnitassnackshack.com h Casa de Bandini Mexican/Southwestern. Located in the outdoor Forum at Carlsbad, Casa de Bandini channels old Mexico, from the handmade lanterns, bubbling fountain and colorful folk art that decorate the space to the regional classics cooking in the kitchen. Famous for its giant margaritas, the restaurant’s vast menu includes shrimp and mango tacos, a carnitas burrito, seafood specialties, breakfast options and much more.

B (Sa-Su); L, D (daily). 1901 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, 760.634.3443, casadebandini.com h Casa Guadalajara Mexican/Southwestern. Find traditional Mexican cuisine in a hacienda-style setting at this Old Town favorite not far from historical attractions and shopping. The menu features regional specialties such as enchiladas and burritos, as well as a wide selection of seafood. Dine indoors or on the shaded patio in the lush courtyard garden. Pitchers of frosty margaritas, strolling mariachis and festive décor complete the experience. B (Sa-Su); L, D (daily). 4105 Taylor St., Old Town, 619.295.5111, casaguadalajara.com h casa sol y mar Mexican/Southwestern. Casa Sol y Mar celebrates the warmth and charm of Mexico via colorful folk

art, authentic décor and roaming mariachis ready to serenade your table.

Whether dining indoors or al fresco on the patio, feast upon traditional dishes such as enchiladas, quesadillas and tacos, as well as inventive small plates including the Ceviche Del Mar and Queso Fundido, and quench your thirst with a giant, frosty margarita. B, L, D (daily).

12865 El Camino Real, Del Mar, 858.792.4100, casasolymar.com h Chart House American. From coast to coast, the Chart House is synonymous with exceptional waterfront dining. At the Cardiff location, enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific—sliding glass doors open to bring crashing waves and spectacular sunsets that much closer. The menu includes Chart House standards—the macadamiacrusted white sea bass or slowroasted prime rib, for example—as well as dishes that take advantage of local seafood offerings and regional flavors. L (M-Sa), D (nightly), Br (Su). 2588 S. Coast Highway 101, Cardiff, 760.436.4044, chart-house.com h ChiantI Italian. Taking its name from Italy’s largest wine-producing region, Chianti celebrates authentic Italian cuisine, with an emphasis on Tuscan flavors.

Enjoy rustic, yet elegant fare, from seafood and steak to classic pasta dishes, including linguine and clams, lasagna, homemade ravioli and gnocchi.

No Italian meal would be complete without wine, and Chianti offers an extensive list by the glass and bottle.

Mangia! L, D (daily). 644 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.235.8144, chiantirestaurantsd.com Cowboy StarCL0026981 Steak. This downtown steakhouse, with its exposed-beam ceilings, large leather booths, stark landscape photography and cozy fireplace, brings a touch of Old West style to the neighborhood. The adjacent butcher shop

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TAPENADE R E STAU RA N T

Bistro and seasonal menus all year long.

ensures that the meats, like the USDA Prime 35-day dry-aged beef, are top quality. L (Tu-F), D (Tu-Su). 640 10th Ave., East Village, 619.450.5880, thecowboystar.com Craft + CommerceCL9007920 American. As the name implies, this often-packed Little Italy bar/ restaurant is a union of strange bedfellows, right down to the quirky décor (urban-industrial meets library chic). On the menu, hearty dishes like roasted bone marrow and fried chicken are complemented by a rotating selection of two dozen craft beers and potent old-fashioned cocktails. L, D (daily); Br (Sa-Su). 675 W. Beech St., Little Italy, 619.269.2202, craft-commerce.com Craftsman tavernCL002690 American. The duck-fat fries with black-garlic aioli are sinfully tasty at this stylish Encinitas watering hole. Other feel-good favorites on its American comfort-food menu include roasted free-range chicken, deep-fried Brussels sprouts and butterscotch pudding for dessert.

L (W-Sa), D (nightly), Br (Su). 267 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas, 760.452.2000, craftsmantavern.com

7612 Fay Avenue La Jolla

858 551 7500

TapenadeRestaurant.com twitter.com/tapenaderest

Tapenade Restaurant and Catering

Crown RoomCL002691 Breakfast. Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum is credited for designing the crown chandeliers that hang from the Crown Room’s 33-foot-high, vaulted pine ceiling. Today’s visitors can soak in the historic elegance while savoring the gourmet Sunday brunch created at multiple distinct dining stations. Options might include madeto-order omelets, waffles, cheeses and charcuterie, shellfish, prime rib, desserts and such kick-starting classics as mimosas and Bloody Marys. Br (Su). 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.522.8490, hoteldel.com/dining Cucina UrbanaCL0026948 Italian. This always-bustling hotspot in Bankers Hill features antipasti, pizza and pasta from Chef Joe

Magnanelli, as well as a retail wine shop heavy on Italian varietals.

The cozy neighborhood kitchen’s chic décor combines contemporary touches with vintage accents.

Don’t miss the ricotta-stuffed fried squash blossoms. L (Tu-F), D (nightly). 505 Laurel St., Bankers Hill, 619.239.2222, cucinaurbana.com D Bar Desserts. The “D” in D Bar stands not just for the desserts crafted by Pastry Chef Keegan Gerhard (a regular face on the Food Network) but also for dinner and drinks. Choose from a seasonally changing menu of savory eats that includes dishes like vanilla-bacon-wrapped shrimp poppers, salads and sandwiches. But save room for dessert. In addition to decadent cakes, there's a build-yourown-sundae, churros and chocolate mousse, among other treats. Plus cocktails, craft beer and wine. D (TuSu), L (W-F), Br (Sa-Su). 3930 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest, dbarsandiego.com Davanti enoteca Italian. Opened by James Beard Restaurateur of the Year semi-finalist Scott Harris, this wine bar and restaurant serves up rustic Italian cuisine in a fun, casual setting. Enjoy a wide selection of shareable plates, creative bruschetta, artisan pizzas, pasta and more, paired with a glass of wine. Weekend brunch features the popular Bloody Mary bar, where you can build your own beverage.

L, D (daily); Br (Sa-Su). 1655 India St., Little Italy, 619.237.9606; 12955 El Camino Real, Del Mar, 858.519.5060, davantisandiego.com Donovan’sCL00269 Steak. Donovan’s is a true-blue steakhouse, from the mahogany and delicate lighting to the mouth-watering Prime cuts of beef that define the classic menu. The restaurant also serves top-quality pork and veal chops and fresh local seafood, coupled with classic sides. Perfect for business and romantic dinners. D (nightly down-

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town; M-Sa in La Jolla). 4340 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla-Golden Triangle, 858.450.6666; 570 K St., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.237.9700, donovanssteakhouse.com Eddie V’s Prime SeafoodCL003821 Seafood. This upscale La Jolla seafood haven is complete with fire pits, live music in the indoor/ outdoor lounge and a dining room with 200-degree views of the Pacific.

But the food is as much a reason to visit as the view. Find seafood classics like shrimp cocktail, ahi tartare and lobster bisque, plus 28-day aged Prime center-cut steaks. L (Sa-Su), D (nightly). 1270 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.459.5500, eddiev.com El AgaveCL002694 Mexican/Southwestern. This upstairs spot near Old Town State Historic Park has innovative nouvelle Mexican cuisine—think: blue masa tlacoyos and cactus-leaf salad—and more than 2,000 varieties of the finest tequila on the market. Dine indoors or on the sunlit patio. L, D (daily). 2304 San Diego Ave., Old Town, 619.220.0692, elagave.com Extraordinary DessertsCL00269 Desserts. The desserts at Karen Krasne’s two signature restaurants are truly extraordinary. The cozy original location in Hillcrest became so popular that the owners opened another in Little Italy. The menu changes daily but always includes a mouth-watering array of decadent and delicious desserts. The airy, modern Little Italy location also serves paninis, salads, bruschetta and offers a weekly cheese bar (W). Open daily. 1430 Union St., Little Italy, 619.294.7001; 2929 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest, 619.294.2132, extraordinarydesserts.com Gaijin Noodle and Sake HouseCL00269 Eclectic/Fusion. This dark, trendy Gaslamp restaurant (pronounced “guy-jin") features Japanese-fusion cuisine by acclaimed Chef Antonio

Friscia—from noodle bowls, ramen and yakitori (skewered meats and vegetables) to bao bao (steamed ballshaped dumplings filled with meat or vegetables) and an array of Japanesestyle tapas. Happy hour is a great time to sample one of several Asianinspired cocktails, including a daily shaved ice concoction, or sip on Japanese whiskey or sake. Also beer and wine. D (Tu-Su). 627 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.238.0567, gaijinsd.com George’s at the CoveCL0026931 California Cuisine. This foodiefriendly La Jolla landmark offers three distinct dining experiences and a side of picture-perfect ocean views.

Hang out in the laid-back George’s Bar before sampling Chef Trey Foshee’s daily menu of inventive California cuisine in the upscale George’s California Modern dining room (D only). The rooftop Ocean Terrace is a favorite weekend spot with its casual bistro fare. L, D (daily). 1250 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.454.4244, georgesatthecove.com Grant GrillCL002693 California Cuisine. Grant Grill’s been a downtown power spot for business and political leaders since it opened in 1951. The legendary restaurant reopened in 2006 with a renovated interior and menu. Dark woods, leather booths and crisp white linens provide a sophisticated backdrop for contemporary California cuisine crafted by Chef Mark Kropczynski. Movers and shakers only interested in shaken or stirred, take note—mixologist Jeff Josenhans is one of the country’s rising cocktail stars. B, L, D (daily). 326 Broadway, downtown, 619.744.2077, grantgrill.com Great Maple American. Echoing a stylish European dinette with rustic touches, seasonal plates and plenty of pie, Great Maple is an upscale diner serving up well-crafted comfort food and serious drinks. The menu is broken down by

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small plates, a selection of mostly organic salads, plus burgers, sandwiches, seafood, pasta and flatbread pizzas.

Be sure to save room for some housemade apple pie or maple bacon doughnuts. B, L (M-F); D (Tu-Su); Br (SaSu). 1451 Washington St., Hillcrest, 619.255.2282, thegreatmaple.com

Serving San Diego since 1961, this Old Town legend is famous for delicious Scampi Giulio, homemade pastas, seafood and veal. Patio dining. Full bar.

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Hake kitchen & bar Seafood. Inspired by global brasseries, Hake focuses on fresh seafood with Mediterranean, Latin American and Asian influences. Start your meal with one- to two-bite snacks and tiraditos—lightly dressed sashimistyle preparations, such as octopus with yuzu, schiracha chili paste and house-cured pickles. Main courses are sourced from both sea and land (Berkshire pork chop, rib eye steak) and ready for pairing with an assortment of sides, including horseradish mashed potatoes and truffled fries. In addition to wine, beer and classic cocktails, the bar features a large assortment of mezcal. L, D (daily). 1250 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.454.1637, thehake.com Hash House a Go GoCL002693 Breakfast. Famous for its king-sized portions, the Hash House is where San Diegans go when they’re hungry. Really hungry. Always bustling with locals, the restaurant’s decadent and delightful food often warrants a doggy bag. The setting is casual and friendly, with one of the city’s hippest neighborhoods just steps away.

Expect a long wait for weekend brunch. B, L (daily); D (Tu-Su). 3628 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest, 619.298.4646, hashhouseagogo.com

Mexican Restaurant

2836 Juan St., San Diego • 619.297.1631 Old Town’s oldest restaurant, La Piñata is a local favorite for lunch, dinner and cocktails. Live Mariachi; heated patio; free parking.

HerringboneCL003807 Seafood. The fifth installment in celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey’s culinary empire offers “ocean bazaar” cuisine in an indoor/oudoor setting that evokes the feel of an Old World market, complete with 100-year-old olive trees. Dishes like monkfish osso buco, wood-roasted striped bass and whole fish ceviche are prepared fresh

daily. The stylish scene makes for excellent La Jolla people-watching.

L (M-Sa), D (nightly), Br (Su). 7837 Herschel Ave., La Jolla, 858.459.0221, herringboneeats.com h Humphreys Restaurant Seafood. This San Diego landmark, which offers waterfront dining, an extensive wine list and live music every night of the week, features contemporary global cuisine with eco-friendly ingredients, including sustainable seafood, local produce and farm-raised beef. The elegant interior complements one of the finest views in town. B, L, D (daily); Br (Su). 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island, 619.224.3577, humphreysrestaurant.com Indigo GrillCL0026938 Eclectic/Fusion. Even as competition has sprouted up around it, Little Italy’s Indigo Grill continues to reign as a neighborhood favorite. Award-winning Chef Deborah Scott’s flavors span the West Coast, from Alaska to Oaxaca in the south of Mexico. The Indian corn pudding and butternut squash soup have legendary status among locals.

The eye-catching décor mixes the primitive and the refined, a reflection of the fusion fare, and the crowd ranges from post-work to big-evening-out. D (nightly). 1536 India St., Little Italy, 619.234.6802, dinecrg.com h Jack and Giulio’s Italian. Formerly known as Giulio’s of Pacific Beach, this family-operated, Italian restaurant in historic Old Town is a perennial favorite among both San Diego locals and visitors. A sure menu bet is the scampi alla Giulio, served since 1961 and befitting its proud name. Also choose from homemade pastas, veal, poultry, beef and fresh seafood—all just waiting to be paired with a robust Italian wine. Full bar. D (nightly).

2391 San Diego Ave., Old Town, 619.294.2074, jackandgiulios.com

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h JRDN California Cuisine. The beachfront hotel Tower23 upped the culinary ante in Pacific Beach when it launched JRDN. Dramatic lighting, teak-wood accents and water and fire features are part of the ultramodern décor. Dine indoors or out on the patio—gorgeous ocean views abound. JRDN’s menu features contemporary California fresh cuisine (steaks and seafood) with an emphasis on seasonal flavors. B, L, D (daily); Br (Sa-Su) year-round.

723 Felspar St., Pacific Beach, 858.270.5736, jrdn.com JsixCL002694 California Cuisine. Jazzy and contemporary, Jsix is a great spot to unwind and get your groove on. In the middle of the downtown action, the Jsix dining room swaps boring beige for bright colors and original flourishes—check out the wall of fezzes.

Chef Christian Graves’ menu takes care to spotlight plenty of local produce and house-made garnishes. B, L, D (daily); Br (Sa-Su). 616 J St., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.531.8744, jsixrestaurant.com KatsuyaCL003809 Japanese. This restaurant at the Andaz Hotel marks the eighth collaboration between Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi and the famed designer Philippe Starck. The menu features unique rolls, sashimi platters and signature dishes like yellowtail with jalapeño and miso-marinated black cod. D (nightly). 600 F St., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.849.1234, sandiego.andaz.hyatt.com jaynes gastropubCL002694 California Cuisine. Think gastronomy meets pub grub at this casual, UKinspired eatery in North Park. Don't miss the Jayne Burger with Vermont cheddar and frites, the Maple Leaf Farms duck leg confit salad, and a well-edited selection of eclectic wines.

D (Tu-Sa). 4677 30th St., North Park, 619.563.1011, jaynesgastropub.com

KITCHEN 1540CL900796 California Cuisine. Farm-to-table is the concept at this eatery at L’Auberge Del Mar hotel. Executive Chef Scott Thomas Dolbee crafts dishes such as whole roasted Tai snapper and pan-seared black cod, all with seasonal accompaniments.

Dine inside the contrmporary restaurant or on the outdoor patio, which offers ocean views. B, L, D (daily); Br (Sa-Su). 1540 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, 858.793.6460, laubergedelmar.com/kitchen1540 h la fiesta Mexican/Southwestern. Located in the heart of the Gaslamp, La Fiesta serves up traditional Mexican cuisine with modern flair. Choose from mole chicken, carnitas, enchiladas suizas, fajitas and more entrées. Several inventive salads, including the Mexican caprese (tomatos, seared panela cheese and cilantro-pepita pesto), and classic appetizers are ideal for sharing. Daily happy hour showcases a range of specialty margaritas, martinis and cocktails, as well as more than 50 different tequilas. L, D (daily); Br (SaSu). 628 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.232.4242, lafiestasd.com

POSEIDON RESTAURANT On the Beach

1670 Coast Blvd. Del Mar (858) 755-9345 www.poseidonrestaurant.com n

h La Piñata Mexican/Southwestern. Located in a house where Mexican food has been served since the 1920s, La Piñata continues the tradition, offering a host of flavorful Mexican favorites like fajitas, carnitas, pork chile verde, carne asada and shrimp.

Drinks and eats are served in festive, fiesta-style dining rooms—one with golf course views—or on the colordrenched patio, accompanied by live mariachi music. B, L, D (daily). 2836 Juan St., Old Town, 619.297.1631, lapinataoldtown.com The Lion’s ShareCL00362 American. Carnivores will love this under-the-radar hang in the Marina District. Wedged between three higher-profile neighborhoods, The Lion's Share is a locals' hotspot—a hidden

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gem you’ll want to keep all to yourself. Exposed brick and old-timey Edison bulbs lend the place a metropolitan feel, while the adventurous menu includes wild boar ribs, stuffed quail and antelope sliders. Don’t miss the cocktails, an updated spin on classic recipes. D (nightly). 629 Kettner Blvd., downtown, 619.564.6924, lionssharesd.com MARINE ROOMCL0000026950 French. With arguably the best food and location in town, the Marine Room sits practically in the ocean at La Jolla Shores beach. Come during high tide, when the waves lap against the window panes and the surfers look like they could hit the windows at any moment. Chef Bernard Guillas’ food is outrageously innovative and exceptional; the service is formal, but not stuffy, and the ambiance is second to none. D (nightly). 2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla, 858.459.7222, marineroom.com

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MISIÓN 19CL0026953 Eclectic/Fusion. Chef Javier Plascencia’s BajaMed cuisine has been recognized by The New Yorker and The New York Times for its innovative use of local ingredients (don’t miss the tender octopus and savory beef tongue), complemented by a full slate of wines from the nearby Valle de Guadalupe wine country. Housed in a state-of-the-art office tower in Tijuana’s Zona Rio, the modern restaurant also features an upstairs bar with great city views. Reservations recommended. L, D (MSa). Misión San Javier 10643, second floor, Tijuana, 52.664.634.2493, mision19.com

★ MCCORMICK & SCHMICK'S Seafood. This fun, stylish seafoodfocused restaurant inside the Omni Hotel is located just steps from Petco Park. Daily fresh catches include such local selections as swordfish and albacore from nearby Catalina Island. Also known for its aged steaks and fresh salads. B, L, D (daily).

675 L St., downtown, 619.645.6545, mccormickandschmicks.com

MISSION CAFÉSCL0026954 Breakfast. The Mission Cafés are a San Diego institution. Show up here on a weekend morning and find a crowd of locals and visitors eager to get at the delicious egg scrambles, health-food specials and delectable rosemary potatoes. The Mission had a healthy, hearty “power” menu long before most restaurants caught on to the fact that tofu sells just as well as bacon. The Mexican fusion dishes are also superb.

Come hungry. B, L (daily). 2801 University Ave., North Park, 619.220.8992; 3795 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach, 858.488.9060; 1250 J St., East Village, 619.232.7662, themissionsd.com

MILLE FLEURSCL0026953 French. Mille Fleurs is one of San Diego’s top special-occasion restaurants. At this out-of-the-way location in tony Rancho Santa Fe, you’ll find elegant haute cuisine in a setting of unparalleled grace. French owner Bertrand Hug has been in the business forever and has risen to the top of his game. The menu of spectacular French fare changes daily depending on what’s freshly available at nearby Chino Farms. Br (Su), L (TuF), D (nightly). 6009 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe, 858.756.3085, millefleurs.com

MISTRALCL9006843 Eclectic/Fusion. Acclaimed Chef Adam Cho (formerly at Katsuya) leads the oceanview dining room at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort.

Mistral cultivates many of its own fruits, vegetables and herbs in the resort’s 3,800-square-foot garden and sources additional ingredients from local farmers, fishermen and artisans to create its refined global fusion cuisine, plus its signature dishes like striped bass and salmon.

D (Tu-Sa). 4000 Loews Coronado Bay Road, Coronado, 619.424.4000, dineatmistral.com

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MonelloCL9006843 Italian. The vibe at this Little Italy hotspot is sleek and casual-glam, with the menu focusing on Milanese street food. Choose from a selection of pizzas, flatbreads, house-made gelato, a daily breakfast menu, a daily aperitivo from 4-7 p.m. with complimentary nibbles from the chef, and its signature vermouth. B, L, D (Tu-Su). 750 W. Fir St., Little Italy, 619.501.0030, lovemonello.com h Morton’s Steak. Part of the popular steakhouse chain, the San Diego location offers everything you’d expect from this national favorite. Succulent steaks— we love the Cajun rib-eye—and fresh seafood specialties are among the many menu selections available.

Home to one of the best martinis in town, the restaurant features a stylish, comfortable setting, near the Convention Center. D (nightly). 285 J St., downtown, 619.696.3369, mortons.com/sandiego Nine-TenCL0026957 California Cuisine. The outdoor tables at this über-classy spot in the Grande Colonial hotel make peoplewatching on La Jolla’s main thoroughfare a delight. The food is also delightful, with innovative offerings and an elaborate, award-winning wine list. Chef Jason Knibb’s seasonally changing dinner menu offers a mix of both classic and contemporary in dishes like the fork-tender red wine-braised Prime beef short ribs topped with chanterelle mushroom foam. B, L, D (daily); Br (Su). 910 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.964.5400, nine-ten.com NobuCL9006721 Japanese. After conquering New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London and Las Vegas, celebrity Chef Nobu Matsuhisa brings his global brand to downtown San Diego with this sleek spot in the Hard Rock Hotel. You’ll find a raw bar as well as signature hot dishes including black cod with miso

and abalone in garlic sauce, when it’s in season. D (nightly). 207 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.814.4124, noburestaurants.com/san-diego h Oceanaire Seafood Room Seafood. No pesky iceberg will ruin your experience at Oceanaire.

The retro supper club has the feel of an elegant 1930s ocean liner— all dark woods, sleek curves and crisp white linens—but it’s docked safely in the middle of the Gaslamp.

Such vintage-style luxury is the perfect backdrop for seafood so fresh it tastes just plucked from the sea.

Perch at the Oyster Bar and throw back some decadent mollusks and a dirty martini. Or slide into a cozy, high-backed leather booth and take your pick from the high-end restaurant’s changing menu, printed daily.

Sides are a la carte. Bon voyage. D (nightly). 400 J St., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.858.2277, theoceanaire.com h Ocean room Seafood. If you crave fresh fish and seafood, look no further than the Ocean Room. The contemporary designed space showcases its exhibition style kitchen, where a range of dishes are prepared—from sushi and shellfish gumbo to crab ravioli and lobster bisque, as well as filet mignon and chicken teriyaki. Plus, an oyster bar, daily happy hour and patio seating. D (nightly). 630 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.501.6550, oceanroomsandiego.com The patio on lamont street California Cuisine. This popular neighborhood nook in Pacific Beach by owner Gina Champion-Cain features craft cocktails, wine, beer and a global menu with California influences by Chef John Medall. Expect such savory dishes as the braised pork shank with bacon-and-asiago risotto and organic salads. Canine members are welcome on its sunwarmed patio. L, D (daily); Br (SaSu). 4445 Lamont St., Pacific Beach, 858.412.4648, thepatioonlamont.com

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★ PEOHE'S Seafood. From the waterfall in the foyer to the giant palm fronds and lava rock throughout the tiered dining room, this waterfront restaurant is a tropical treasure. Indulge in Island-style dining set against floor-toceiling views of San Diego Bay and the downtown skyline. Not surprisingly, fresh seafood with a Polynesian flair and creative sushi rolls are topselling items. Peohe’s is accessible by land or water—just pull your yacht to the dock. L (M-Sa), D (nightly), Br (Su). 1201 First St., Coronado, 619.437.4474, peohes.com ★ POSEIDON RESTAURANT American. Poseidon’s beach-front deck offers a relaxed dining experience day or night. Dinner entrées such as bone-in rib-eye rubbed with rosemary and Kona coffee, cioppino and ginger-pesto day boat scallops make up the contemporary, eclectic menu. L, D (daily); Br (Sa-Su). 1670 Coast Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.9345, poseidonrestaurant.com ★ THE PRADO AT BALBOA PARK International. Nestled among the museums and attractions in Balboa Park, The Prado takes the trophy for prime location. With its vibrant décor and eclectic international tapas, the restaurant is a contender for citywide favorite. Spanish Revival architecture, kaleidoscopic hand-blown glass and unparalleled alfresco views on the terrace serve as a lovely backdrop to California cuisine with Latin and Mediterranean influences. L (daily), D (Tu-Su). 1549 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.557.9441, dinecrg.com

Next to Convention Center

675 L Street, San Diego (619) 645-6545

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★ RICHARD WALKER’S PANCAKE HOUSE Breakfast. Since 1948, the Walker family has been serving gourmet breakfast and lunch favorites. The chain originated in the Chicago area and made its way to San Diego in 2006, opening at the base of downtown’s Pinnacle Museum

Tower. Choose from classic griddlecakes, crepes, omelets or the signature Brittany-style apple puffed pancake. The weekend wait looks long, but is orderly and moves quickly. B, L (daily). 520 Front St., downtown, 619.231.7777, richardwalkers.com ROPPONGICL0026973 Eclectic/Fusion. This sleek spot in the heart of La Jolla is known for its inventive sushi rolls and buttery sashimi. Or choose from the popular tapas menu, which includes spice crusted ahi, crispy pork gyoza, hamachi tacos and kung pao calamari.

The wine list has earned Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence several years running. L, D (daily); Br (Su). 875 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.551.5252, roppongiusa.com SAFFRON Thai. San Diego's first authentic Thai restaurant is known for its saffronmarinated chicken, noodles, sate and healthy approach to traditional dishes. Owner Su-Mei Yu chooses fresh, seasonal ingredients to prepare classic favorites like tomm yum soup, salad rolls and pad-see-ewe noodles, as well as rotating daily specials. A longtime locals' favorite, Saffron features a quick-service order counter, reasonable prices and super-casual neighborhood ambiance. L, D (daily).

3731 India St., Mission Hills, 619.574.7737, saffronsandiego.com ★ SALLY’S SEAFOOD ON THE WATER Seafood. This marina-facing venue at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, which comes complete with knockout views and an exhibition kitchen, is one of San Diego’s best-kept secrets. The seafood-heavy menu includes fresh creations such as diver scallops and crab cakes with tomato relish and avocado aioli. Makes for a great power lunch spot along the waterfront. L, D (daily); B (Sa-Su).

1 Market Place, Embarcadero, 619.358.6740, sallyssandiego.com

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h Sea & smoke American. Located at the Flower Hill Promenade in Del Mar, Sea & Smoke is the newest (and third) restaurant by Chef Matt Gordon (Urban Solace). The massive wood and gas fired oven takes center stage, with lots of oven-roasted meat, seafood and veggie options as the menu stars.

Sharing plates family-style is encouraged; choose your own side dishes— including duck-fat-roasted potatoes, braised-bacon kale and yellow-beet gratin—to complement your proteins.

B, L, D (daily). 2690 Via de la Valle, Suite D210, Del Mar, 858.925.8212, seaandsmoke.com

Snooze, an A.M. EateryCL003805 Breakfast. For the omelet-addicted, waffle-dependent among us, Snooze is a godsend. Housed in a massive, sunlit space in Hillcrest, Snooze’s menu deifies the Benedict—including one with shrimp served over griddled red pepper grit cakes—and serves pancakes in flights like fine wine.

They’ve got burgers, salads and other lunch fare, too. B, L (daily). 3940 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest, 619.500.3344, snoozeeatery.com/san-diego h Solace & the moonlight Lounge California Cuisine. Sister to North Park’s Urban Solace, this North County spot from Executive Chef Matt Gordon offers quality dining without scaring away the taco-stand types. Get situated in the ground-

“The Pinnacle of Pancakes” -san diego magazine

StarliteCL900670 California Cuisine. Behind its hexagonal entryway, this hip, sleek bar/ restaurant spotlights farm-to-table cuisine—including one of the town’s top burgers, served on a buttery brioche bun—and signature cocktails including the Starlite Mule, served in a rustic copper mug. Don’t miss the stunning chandelier suspended over the sunken bar. 21+ only. D (nightly), Br (Su). 3175 India St., Midtown, 619.358.9766, starlitesandiego.com Stone Brewing World Bistro and GardensCL900649 Brewpubs. Known for “big character” beers with clever names like Arrogant Bastard and Ruination IPA, Stone’s enormous North County brewery serves beer-friendly food made from organic, local ingredients—many from their own nearby farm—and also offers a behindthe-scenes tour, complete with free samples of a variety of brews. A second location opened in 2013 in Point Loma's Liberty Station. L, D (daily). 1999 Citracado Parkway, Escondido, 760.294.7866; 816 Historic Decatur Road #116, Point Loma, 619.269.2100, stoneworldbistro.com h Tapenade BISTRO French. Epicures flock to this critically acclaimed French restaurant, where veteran NYC Chef Jean-Michel Diot creates robust, enticing flavors that honor his Provençal roots.

Choose from a number of menus, including lunch (salads, soups, light entrées) and dinner options (from caviar to filet au poivre), as well as tasting selections, vegetarian options, cheeses and desserts. And, of course, vin. L (Tu-F), D (nightly). 7612 Fay Ave., La Jolla, 858.551.7500, tapenaderestaurant.com

Open 7 days a week 6:30 am – 2:30 pm

520 Front street, just south of market downtown san diego 619-231-7777 richardwalkers.com

Humphreys Restaurant

SearsuckerCL9007928 American. At this always-hopping Gaslamp Quarter hotspot, fedorawearing Top Chef finalist Brian Malarkey crafts a bold, flavorful menu that ranges from a mammoth 32-oz. ribeye steak to mini appetizer bites. The enormous space features an exhibition kitchen and see-andbe-seen square bar, where guests can sip on signature cocktails. L (M-F), D (nightly), Br (Su). 611 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.7327, searsucker.com

floor dining room or head to the upstairs raw bar for oysters and seared albacore in the more casual Moonlight Lounge. L, D (daily); Br (Sa-Su). 25 East E St., Encinitas, 760.753.2433, eatatsolace.com

Waterfront Dining featuring Modern Global Cuisine Award-winning wine list San Diego’s favorite Sunday Brunch Live music nightly in Humphreys Backstage LIVE 2241 Shelter Island Drive humphreysrestaurant.com • 619.224.3577

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UnderbellyCL00380 Japanese. Build your own elevated noodle creation from toppings like bacon-wrapped mushrooms and kimchi octopus at this hip, casual ramen bar. For something lighter, try the seven-radish salad or the oysters with pickled watermelon sake mignonette paired with a bottle of Japanese beer. While you slurp down your dinner (sorry, no spoons allowed) notice the living, wall-sized reproduction of Warhol’s Chairman Mao portrait, crafted from more than 3,000 succulents. L, D (daily). 750 W. Fir St., Little Italy, 619.269.4626, godblessunderbelly.com Union Kitchen & Tap American. As the name implies, this is a watering hole for the working man, albeit one with cosmopolitan tastes. Here you'll find interesting beer, craft cocktails, boutique wines and tavern-style grub. Choose from 20 rotating taps of mostly local brews to wash down a bison burger or sweet potato poutine. L (M-F), D (nightly), Br (Sa-Su). 1108 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, 760.230.2337, localunion101.com

“A memorable experience by the sea.

Top notch on all levels; superb menu, wine list and impeccable service. We will always have fond memories of our special dinner at 1500 Ocean and of our visit to Coronado.”

– TripAdvisor Review, May 22, 2013

DINING RESERVATIONS | 619-522-8490 HOTELDEL.COM/1500-OCEAN

h Urban bar and grill American. There is literally something for everyone on the menu here at this casual bar and lounge: Burgers, steak, pasta, flatbread pizzas, salads, seafood and more contemporary American dishes to satisfy nearly every appetite. Plus a variety of creative, globally inspired appetizers, such as Thai red curry mussels, wakami tuna tacos, Vietnamese spring rolls, and pita served with hummus, ideal for sharing. L (Sa-Su), D (nightly).

827 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.235.8700, urbanbarandgrill.com h Urban SolaceCL9006470 American. Enjoy new American comfort food in low-lit modern ambiance. The upscale comfort-food menu is warm to the core with its cheese biscuits with orange honey butter, steamed black mussels, and

“Not Your Momma's Meatloaf” made with ground lamb and pork and served with sweet potato mash.

L, D (daily); B (Sa); Br (Su). 3823 30th St., North Park, 619.295.6464, urbansolace.net VivaceCL002698 Italian. The most opulent of the Aviara resort’s four restaurants, Vivace’s posh surroundings—fine crystal, velvet banquettes, soft lighting—may leave you starry-eyed, but the earthy food will bring you back to terra firma. Rustic wood-fired fowl, grilled Kurobuta pork and seasonal vegetables share the menu with imaginative pastas and risottos.

D (M-Sa), Br (Su). 7100 Aviara Resort Drive, Carlsbad, 760.448.1234, vivace-restaurant.com Wang's North Park Chinese. This former JC Penny's received a major makeover and is now a sophisticated restaurant and lounge that blends Asian fusion with traditional Chinese cuisine. Choose from a wide-ranging menu of dishes such as Mandarin pork, lemon chicken, beef with broccoli, and Szechwan green beans, as well as an array of creative cocktails with cheeky names (like the Wangarita). D (nightly). 3029 University Ave., North Park, 619.291.7500, wangsnorthpark.com Zenbu SushiCL0026984 Japanese. The hippest sushi joint you’ll ever find in a strip mall, Zenbu’s contemporary rolls (the Mexicali roll is a favorite among locals) are made with seafood caught by the owner’s own fleet of fishing boats. Ask about the sushi bar’s off-the-menu creations, including the popular spicy edamame side dish. D (nightly). 7660 Fay Ave., La Jolla, 858.454.4540; 2003 San Elijo Ave., Cardiff, 760.633.2223, zenburestaurants.com FOR more listings, SEE where SAN DIEGO magazine, WherESD.COM OR THE WHERE USA APP

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play time

courtesy polite provisions

ARTS, NIGHTLIFE & ATTRACTIONS FUN TIMES AWAIT FOR KIDS AND ADULTS ALIKE. FROM BARS AND CLUBS TO MUSEUMS AND THEATer TO THEME PARKS, MONUMENTS and one very famous zoo, IT’S ALL right HERE.

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aTTRacTiOnS

BECOMING CUBA AT NORTH COAST REP

Play On Since its founding more than 30 years ago, the north coast Repertory has been delighting local audiences with more than 100 productions in its intimate 194-seat Solana Beach theater. From staging theater classics, such as The Glass Menagerie and Romeo and Juliet to contemporary world-premiere productions, the north coast Rep has earned its reputation for high-quality theater and diverse productions. The Rep is also committed to serving thousands of local youth annually via its Theatre School education and outreach programs. Through these hands-

BalBOa PaRKCL0000333662 At 1,200 acres, this lush green space overlooking downtown San Diego is the largest urban cultural park in the country, home to more than 15 museums, theaters and other cultural institutions, as well as the Spreckels Organ, one of the world’s largest outdoor musical instruments. You’ll also find several spectacular gardens showcasing anything from succulents and palm trees to roses and perennials, plus various facilities for sports and recreation, trails for hiking and mountain biking and Irving Gill’s historic Marston House, one of the finest examples of Arts & Crafts architecture in the U.S. 1549 El Prado, San Diego, 619.239.0512, balboapark.org

on workshops and classes, young people ages 4 to 17 get to learn the art of the theater, both on and offstage—from acting, writing and directing to lighting, sound and set design, as well as singing, dancing and stage combat. Theatre School students also perform in their very own productions at the Rep. To view the current season’s productions, visit northcoastrep.org.

BElMOnT PaRK Located right on Mission Beach, Belmont Park has everything a visitor could want from a summertime beach experience: bumper cars, air hockey, arcades, carousels, cotton candy and Tilt-A-Whirls. New and old live side-by-side in the historic 1925-built Giant Dipper (a classic wooden roller coaster), the Octotron thrill-ride and the Wavehouse (complete with the Flowrider, a simulated wave ride for

surfing and body-boarding). 3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach, 858.228.9283, belmontpark.com BiRcH aQUaRiUM aT ScRiPPS Educational and entertaining, the aquarium features an eye-popping assortment of Pacific marine life and lots of creative, hands-on exhibits highlighting the ongoing research and discoveries of the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Kids will love it— “Hey, is that Nemo?!”—and grownups will leave feeling more informed about the planet’s vastest habitat: the ocean. Check the calendar for special events and activities for children and adults. 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, 858.534.3474, aquarium.ucsd.edu

HORnBlOWER cRUiSES With a fleet of seven vessels capable of carrying from 50 to 1,000 people, Hornblower runs daily narrated tours of San Diego Bay that get you up close and personal with some 50 major landmarks, from the Star of India to Cabrillo National Monument.

Also offered: whale watching, nightly romantic dinner cruises, a two-hour Sunday Champagne brunch cruise (on Saturdays, too, during the summer), yacht charters, weddings and private events. 970 N. Harbor Drive, Embarcadero, 619.686.8715, hornblower.com

caBRillO naTiOnal MOnUMEnT When Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo first gazed on San Diego Bay in 1542, he called the area “a very good enclosed port.” Later, Point Loma would be home to a historic lighthouse and Fort Rosecrans, a key cog in the coastal defense system. Now Cabrillo National Monument gives visitors the best views of downtown and sweeping ocean vistas. 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, Point Loma, 619.557.5450, nps.gov/cabr

lEGOlanDCL0000027015 Stemming from the popular building blocks made for children, Lego owns and operates five theme parks all over the world (including two in Germany). Carlsbad is home to the only American park, featuring more than 50 rides along with model attractions (called Minilands) designed and constructed by master Lego builders using only Lego blocks. The Sea Life Aquarium is adjacent to the park and features educational and interactive entertainment, and a new water park includes a 45-foot water slide tower, a lazy river and more. 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, 760.918.5346, legoland.com

cinÉPOliS lUxURy cinEMaS Latin America’s luxury theater chain made its first entry into the U.S. market with these two San Diego-area locations. Leather recliners, plenty of legroom and in-seat food and drink service takes moviegoing to new levels of luxe. 12905 El Camino Real, Del Mar, 858.794.4045; 6941 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, 760.827.6700, cinepolisusa.com

MiSSiOn San DiEGO DE alcala Founded by Father Junípero Serra in 1769, Mission San Diego de Alcala has served as a historical monument and a working Catholic parish. The church was the first of California’s 21 missions. Pope Paul VI designated the mission a basilica in 1976. Soak in the history and architecture of the mission on a self-guided tour

KEn JacQUES

aTTRacTiOnS h aDVEnTURE R.i.B. RiDES Experience San Diego by sea and get up close and personal with marine life via intimate dolphin/whale-watching and sightseeing excursions onboard a Navy SEAL Rigid Inflatable Boat (R.I.B.). All charters are captained by a licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain, and provide a fun, fast and thrilling ride, allowing you to take in the sights in and around San Diego Bay. Choose from set tours or create your own custom ocean excursion. 619.808.2822, adventureribrides.com

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any day of the week. 10818 San Diego Mission Road, Mission Valley, 619.281.8449, missionsandiego.com Reuben H. Fleet Science CenterCL0000027018 This hands-on science center makes learning a blast. Explore more than 100 interactive exhibits and Kid City, where scientists 5 and younger can climb into the driver’s seat of a model fire truck and play pretend in a mock grocery store checkout line. And the whole family can catch fascinating large-format films and planetarium shows at the IMAX Dome Theater. 1875 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.238.1233, rhfleet.org San Diego Botanic Garden Back in 1957, Charles and Ruth Larabee donated their 30-acre private estate in Encinitas to the county. The San Diego Botanic Garden, now run by a nonprofit organization, immerses visitors in colorful flora and fauna in this urban oasis. Docent-led tours are offered Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, 760.436.3036, sdbgarden.org San Diego Chargers This year, Mike McCoy takes over the helm as coach of the NFL's Chargers, leading star players including quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates. Tailgating is a must before Chargers games—it’s a San Diego tradition. Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Road, Mission Valley, 877.242.7437, chargers.com San Diego PadreS The National League’s San Diego Padres moved into their new downtown ballpark in 2004 and posted some nice numbers in the subsequent seasons, winning their division in 2006.

These days the team that gave the world Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn plays 81 games per year at Petco Park; the Friar mascot gets fans riled up, as do between-inning games and contests. Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., downtown, 877.374.2784, padres.com

h San Diego Zoo As the old children’s rhyme goes: You belong in the zoo. And at the worldfamous San Diego Zoo, visitors will be in good company with more than 4,000 creatures from nearly every corner of the world. Animals, both well-known and unfamiliar, live in habitats rich with features and activities (such as the Elephant Odyssey and new Koalafornia Dreamin' exhibits). The Zoo is a longtime leader in animal care and wildlife conservation, and it shows at this landmark San Diego attraction. 2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park, 619.231.1515, sandiegozoo.org h San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park The Serengeti is thousands of miles away, but the 1,800-acre Safari Park (formerly the Wild Animal Park) lets visitors experience a safari right here in San Diego. More than 375 species roam the extensive exhibits, which are designed to resemble natural habitats like savannas, forests and lakes.

Guided and self-guided tours bring animal adventurers safely close toWhereSDGuestbook_SDZoo_2013.indd elephants, giraffes, gorillas, lions, antelopes, zebras, rhinos and more. 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, 760.747.8702, sdzsafaripark.org

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SeaWorldCL0000027027 With San Diego’s connection to the Pacific Ocean, SeaWorld remains the signature theme park of America’s Finest City. From Dining with Shamu to Shipwreck Rapids, the park balances informative, fun aquatic shows with thrilling coasters. Get wet on the splashy Journey to Atlantis, or explore polar life in Base Station Wild Arctic.

The Turtle Reef attraction offers an up-close look at some 60 threatened or endangered sea turtles. 500 Sea World Drive, Mission Bay, 800.257.4268, seaworld.com h Spanish Village Art Center This artists’ haven includes 37 working studios and an outdoor patio

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la cOSTa RESORT Measure your game against golfing’s elite at La Costa, the site of numerous PGA Tour events. Amid 400 acres in the coastal foothills of Carlsbad, La Costa features two 18-hole courses recently restored with a $20 million renovation. The site also features a driving range, equipment rental, Southern California’s only TOUR Golf Academy and unique programs offered on-site by the U.S. Golf Fitness Association and the Chopra Center. 2100 Costa del Mar Road, Carlsbad, 800.854.5000, lacosta.com/golf

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area where visitors can watch resident artists create original works of art. With more than 200 artists represented, the center displays a large variety of paintings, glass, gourds, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, photography, fiber arts, enamel, woodwork and more. 1770 Village Place, Balboa Park, 619.233.9050, spanishvillageart.com h TiJOn PaRFUMERiE & BOUTiQUE Don’t just buy perfume: Learn the art of perfume-making as you create your very own custom fragrance.

Not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill perfumery, Tijon is a multisensory interactive laboratory where customers get to mix beakers of oils (under the guidance of Tijon’s own experts) and watch the perfume/ cologne production process as it unfolds. Choose from more than 300 oils to formulate your unique scent. And once it’s done, be ready to name it, too. 7853 Herschel Ave., La Jolla, 619.821.8219, tijon.com

USS MiDWayCL9000007768 The world’s largest floating navalaviation museum, the USS Midway, showcases restored airplanes and interactive exhibits. The Midway is the world’s longest-serving aircraft carrier, and many of the storytelling docents are veterans who served onboard the carrier during its 47-year history. 910 N. Harbor Drive, Embarcadero, 619.544.9600, midway.org

caSinOS BaROna VallEy RancH RESORT anD caSinO This spot boasts more than 2,000 slot machines, 70+ table games, satellite wagering and a buffet. Daily, 24 hours. 1932 Wildcat Canyon Road, Lakeside, 619.443.2300, barona.com ViEJaS caSinOCL0000333846 This Alpine casino features more than 2,500 Vegas-style slots, table games, satellite wagering, high-stakes bingo, buffet and six restaurants. Daily, 24 hours. 5000 Willows Road, Alpine, 800.847.6537, viejas.com

h MaDERaS GOlF clUB This Johnny Miller- and Robert Muir Graves-designed course is set in secluded canyons and ravines 20 minutes northeast of downtown, complemented by oaks, sycamores, creeks, lakes, waterfalls and 40 acres of native wildflowers. This 18-hole course plays to 7,115 yards from the back tees, and with five sets of tees it can be enjoyed by golfers of all skill levels. 17750 Old Coach Road, Poway, 866.233.0496, maderasgolf.com PaRK HyaTT aViaRaCL9000006343 The only Arnold Palmer signature golf course in San Diego, Aviara winds through rolling valleys with ocean views. Named by Golf Digest and Golf magazines as one of the best resort courses in the nation, and by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the best in the world, the resort also welcomes non-guests to play. 7447 Batiquitos Drive, Carlsbad, 760.603.6900, golfaviara.com TORREy PinES GOlF cOURSE Home of the PGA Tour’s annual Farmers Insurance Open and the 2008 U.S. Open, this is one of the best-known courses in the U.S. (Tiger Woods and local Phil Mickelson are among the greats who have played here.) The two courses have stunning

ocean views from the bluffs above the Pacific, wide fairways and sloping greens. The seventh and 12th holes on the South Course are two of the town’s toughest. 11480 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, 858.552.1662, torreypinesgolfcourse.com

MUSEUMS caliFORnia SURF MUSEUM Founded in 1986, the California Surf Museum documents not just the history of San Diego’s surf culture, but the whole state’s. The museum’s occasional exhibitions explore classic surf photography, the evolution of surfboard design and relics from the sport’s golden era. From highly specialized gear to music, art and clothing, the museum’s small but informative collection tells the story of a life lived according to the way the waves are breaking. 312 Pier View Way, Oceanside, 760.721.6876, surfmuseum.org lUx aRT inSTiTUTECL9000006328 Challenging the traditional museum experience, Lux makes art more accessible by allowing viewers to “see art happen,” as the tagline says. The unique space lets visitors engage with artists-in-residence in a studio-like environment. 1550 S. El Camino Real, Encinitas, 760.436.6611, luxartinstitute.org MinGEi inTERnaTiOnal MUSEUM Mingei—or art of the people— takes center stage at the Mingei International Museum, which showcases a rich collection of handmade folk art, craft and design from all eras and cultures of the world. One of the museum’s current exhibitions includes an exploration of San Diego's Allied Craftsmen, showcasing more than 100 objects—from ceramics and metalwork to furniture and fiber arts—created by this craftsmen's group founded in 1947 (on view through Jan. 5, 2014). 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.239.0003, mingei.org

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MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGOCL9000006330 With two distinctive locations— coastal and urban—the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego keeps native and visiting culture-vultures satiated with lectures, film series and rotating exhibitions that have included marquee art-world names as well as notable up-and-comers. MCASD La Jolla, perched above the dazzling Pacific, showcases the whimsical and charming outdoor Edwards Sculpture Garden, while the downtown galleries occupy the historic Santa Fe Depot and feature commissions from artists including Richard Serra, Jenny Holzer, Roman de Salvo and Richard Wright. 1001 and 1100 Kettner Blvd., downtown; 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.454.3541; mcasd.org ★ MUSEUM OF MAKING MUSIC In an effort to bring the story of American popular music to life, this museum showcases vintage musical instruments, interactive audio and visual exhibits, films, concerts and discussions that explore the history of music making in the U.S. from the 1890s to the present day. Exhibits often focus on specific instruments, from the harp to the saxophone. Closed M. 5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad, 760.438.5996, museumofmakingmusic.org MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS Since 1983, the Museum of Photographic Arts has brought the best of moving and still images to San Diego, ranging from pure art photography to pointed social commentary.

The permanent collection consists of more than 7,000 images, from the earliest daguerreotypes to modern photojournalism. MoPA also shows films in its state-of-the-art theater and has one of Balboa Park’s coolest gift shops. 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.238.7559, mopa.org NEW CHILDREN’S MUSEUMCL0000333625 Designed just for kids, this awesome interactive art/play space downtown

encourages its wee visitors to interact with the exhibits. Though there is fun to be had for kids of all ages.

200 W. Island Ave., downtown, 619.233.8792, thinkplaycreate.org SAN DIEGO AIR & SPACE MUSEUMCL0000333626 This cavernous museum traces the history of human flight, from the earliest contraptions to military jets, all suspended from the ceiling above interactive, educational exhibits that tell the stories of the two World Wars.

The 4D theater provides an immersive thrill for all ages. 2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, 619.234.8291, sandiegoairandspace.org SAN DIEGO HALL OF CHAMPIONS MUSEUMCL0000027020 Balboa Park’s Hall of Champions honors the athletes that loom large in the annals of San Diego sporting history. The museum’s collection covers www.museumofmakingmusic.org 760.438.5996 high school, college and professional sports, and includes contributions from baseball legend Ted Williams and boxer Archie Moore. Baseball and football exhibits highlightUntitled-1 1 Padres and Chargers achievements.

YEAR-ROUND WHALE & DOLPHIN WATCHING San Diego’s active extreme-sports HARBOR TOURS • PRIVATE CHARTERS scene isn’t overlooked either— Experience an up-close, fun, skateboarder Tony Hawk also gets fast paced adventure on some serious recognition. 2131 board an authentic Navy Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, SEAL Team Rigid Inflatable Boat (R.I.B.) 619.234.2544, sdhoc.com

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SAN DIEGO MARITIME MUSEUM San Diego’s Maritime Museum is world famous for its beautifully preserved historic ships and collection of seafaring memorabilia. Take a tour of the magnificent Star of India, the world’s oldest active ship. Since her maiden voyage in 1863, she’s survived a mutiny, a collision and thousands of tourists. Now safely docked—except for a couple of exhibition sails each year—she’s a tall ship with plenty of tall tales just waiting to be imagined. 1492 N. Harbor Drive, Embarcadero, 619.234.9153, sdmaritime.org

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San Diego Museum of ArtCL9000006334 Opened in 1926 as the Fine Arts Gallery of San Diego, the museum’s diverse collection today includes Italian Renaissance and Spanish Baroque works, 19th and 20th century American and European paintings and sculpture and a vast Asian collection.

Director Roxana Velásquez, formerly of Mexico City’s Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes, has launched exhibitions featuring works from soughtafter foreign collections. 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931, sdmart.org San Diego Museum of ManCL0000027022 Located in the historic California Plaza at the center of Balboa Park, the Museum of Man is known as much for its architecture as its exhibitions—the museum’s California Tower is Balboa Park’s signature landmark. Past exhibitions have spotlighted everything from ancient Egypt to medieval torture devices. 1350 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.239.2001, museumofman.org San Diego Natural History MuseumCL0000027023 Housed in a building designed by San Diego architect William Templeton Johnson (who also designed the nearby Museum of Art), the Natural History Museum hosts permanent exhibitions such as Fossil Mysteries (prehistory of Southern California and Baja) as well as temporary ones showcasing nature photography. The museum also features an extensive film schedule at its 300-seat giant-screen 3D theater. 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.3821, sdnhm.org Stuart Collection of Sculpture at UCSDCL9000006335 The Stuart Collection of Sculpture is a group of several site-specific artworks scattered across the expansive 1,200-acre campus at UCSD. The commissioned pieces come from cutting-edge artists including Barbara

Kruger, William Wegman, Robert Irwin (a major figure in the Light & Space movement) and Niki de Saint Phalle, whose iconic Sun God sculpture is not to be missed. A map of all works can be downloaded from the collection’s website for self-guided tours. UCSD, Gilman and La Jolla Village drives, La Jolla, 858.534.2117, stuartcollection.ucsd.edu

Nightlife Altitude Sky LoungeCL9000006350 San Diego looks good from 22 stories up. The highest open-air rooftop bar in Southern California, Altitude Sky Lounge at the Marriott Gaslamp offers two full-service bars and a design that caters to comfort and style. Spectacular views of the harbor, downtown skyline and an inside peek into Petco Park can be enjoyed with VIP service. With plenty of ledge seating and a swank fire pit, Altitude Sky Lounge allows guests to sit atop the world in style. 660 K St., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.758.3507, altitudeskylounge.com Belly Up TavernCL9000006355 Built in a converted Quonset hut, this intimate club has offered some of the best live music in the county since 1974. The diverse lineup runs the gamut from local and indie bands to well-known names in folk, world, rock, country and so on. It’s a short haul from downtown San Diego, and well worth it. Be sure to check out rock poster art by Scrojo, the Belly Up’s resident artist. 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, 858.481.8140, bellyup.com blind lady ale house355 This bicyclist-friendly local favorite housed in a former window blind shop is repeatedly voted as one of the best beer bars in the U.S. thanks to its vast beer selection, including several of its own homemade brews on tap.

(Check out the mini-brewery in the back.) Plus, delicious gourmet pizzas and organic salads. 3416 Adams Ave., Normal Heights, 619.255.2491, blindladyalehouse.com

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The CasbahCL9000006844 This small but legendary rock club hosted music superstars like Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins way before they became household names.

You’ll know you’re at the right place by the metallic flames licking the building’s exterior blood-red walls.

2501 Kettner Blvd., Midtown, 619.232.4355, casbahmusic.com FluxxCL9000006363 This theatrical nightspot gets its name from the continually changing atmosphere. But it’s not only the chameleon-like décor that attracts S.D.’s trendiest clubgoers to the 11,000-square-foot nighclub’s central sunken dance floor: Fluxx’s sophisticated lighting and sound systems along with its barely clad bartenders make for unforgettable nights. Open F-Sa, select Th. 500 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.232.8100, fluxxsd.com House of BluesCL9000006365 The well-established national juggernaut of music, folk art and Southern cuisine planted its flag in San Diego in 2005 and has since asserted itself as local monarch of live music and promotion. The walls of the multi-level venue are bedecked with vibrant folk art. Clientele at HOB largely depends on the type of band onstage, but music lovers across the spectrum relish its paramount sound-and-stage technology.

1055 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.299.2583, hob.com/sandiego The IvyCL9000006361 This Gaslamp mega-club inside the Andaz Hotel is all about seeing and being seen. Or more precisely, being watched. The multi-level club boasts an unabashedly voyeuristic atmosphere, with mirrored surfaces, a scantily clad service staff and sumptuously textured décor. There’s a dance club in the basement, a street-level wine bar and a rooftop poolside lounge complete with intimate cabanas. Andaz Hotel, 600 F St., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.814.2055, ivyentertainmentsandiego.com

Noble ExperimentCL9000006367 Behind the wall of kegs in Neighborhood lies an exclusive speakeasy-style lounge with golden skulls, glittering chandeliers and knowledgeable bartenders ready to satisfy your every classic cocktail whim, with a twist. Be sure to request the “Dealer’s Choice,” when these mixology magicians whip up the perfect concoction based on your preferences and serve it over an iceberg-size ice cube. Reservations are arranged via text message, so ask a Neighborhood staffer for the secret number and get your request in early—the bar fills up fast. 777 G St., downtown, 619.888.4713, nobleexperimentsd.com polite provisions000006367 Take a trip back in time to the nostalgic era of Main Street America— where people gathered at the local drugstore to catch up. Polite Provisions takes its inspiration from the days of the soda jerk, serving up milk shakes, egg creams and malts, as well as beer cocktails. An ornate bar and a custom 46-tap system dispense wine, handcrafted sodas, spirits, medicinally inspired cocktails and boozy punch bowls. 4696 30th St., Normal Heights, 619.677.3784, politeprovisions.com StingareeCL9000006373 Ironically named for San Diego’s seedy red-light district of the 19th century, Stingaree today is the pinnacle of posh. No fewer than 22,000 square feet define the parameters of this ultrachic mega-club steps from Petco Park. A well-groomed urban demographic flush with disposable income populates the three-level space, from the street-level Guesthouse bar to the VIP mezzanine to the starlit rooftop lounge. 454 Sixth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.544.9500, stingsandiego.com Vin de SyrahCL9000006376 For a drink with a bit of whimsy, go down the rabbit hole at this Alice in Wonderland-themed underground wine and spirit lounge, whose imagi-

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native décor includes grass growing up the walls, oversized wingback chairs and upside-down umbrellas suspended from the ceiling. Closed M. 901 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.234.4166, syrahwineparlor.com The gorgeous textures and beautiful colors are designed exclusively for Amba gallery and crafted by many artisan partners in India.

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Performing Arts Balboa TheatreCL9000006325 The Balboa Theatre has enjoyed a long and colorful life since its construction in 1924. Originally a vaudeville and movie palace, it was transformed in 1934 into the Teatro Balboa, used by the Navy during WWII, served as single-occupancy housing after that and in 1959 was rescued from possible demolition by the Russo family. In 1986 the City purchased the theater and in 2002 decided to restore and renovate the historical building. In January 2008, after many years and $26 million, the Balboa Theatre finally reopened its doors as a local, national and international performing venue.

868 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.570.1100, sandiegotheatres.org Cygnet TheatreCL9000006849 Critics applaud the award-winning Cygnet Theatre, whose productions range from stage classics to world premieres, clever comedies to edgy brow-raisers. Shows take place at Cygnet’s intimate, 250-seat space in the heart of Old Town. Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town, 619.337.1525, cygnettheatre.com h La Jolla Playhouse The Who’s Tommy. Memphis. Jersey Boys. All won a bevy of Tony Awards, and all premiered here, 3,000 miles off Broadway in La Jolla. This theater founded by Gregory Peck and others in 1947 has a storied history, and continues to draw top-flight original musical and theatrical productions.

2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010, lajollaplayhouse.org Lamb’s Players TheatreCL9000006337 This ensemble theater company presents a year-round schedule of pro-

ductions in two different venues—its resident stage, a beautiful 350-seat space in Coronado’s historic Spreckels Building, and the newly refurbished Horton Grand Theatre, an intimate 250-seat space in downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. This energetic company serves up an engaging range of comedies, musicals, classics, bold dramas and new work.

1142 Orange Ave., Coronado; Horton Grand Theatre, 444 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.437.6000, lambsplayers.org The North Coast Repertory Theatre38 From classic plays and musicals to world-premiere stagings, the North Coast Rep has been delivering highquality and diverse productions for more than 30 years. Comedy and drama are no stranger to the stage at the intimate 194-seat theater in the coastal town of Solana Beach, just 23 miles north of San Diego. The Rep is also committed to fostering a love of theater in local youth via its Theatre School education and outreach programs. 987-D Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, 858.481.1055, northcoastrep.org The Old Globe TheatreCL9000006338 Mixing traditional Tudor architecture and Shakespearean staging with contemporary plays, the Old Globe, founded in 1935, brings high-quality theater to the heart of Balboa Park.

The complex actually holds three stages: the main Old Globe Theatre (capacity: 580), the more intimate White Theater arena stage and the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, with 615 seats. In addition to its annual summer Shakespeare festival and popular holiday offering, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, the Globe this year features the Broadway comedy, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, the 2013 Tony Award-winner for “Best Play” (May-June 2014). 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623, theoldglobe.org

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San Diego OperaCL9000006339 Opera isn’t just Vikings in helmets and rotund ladies in braids anymore.

With an interactive Web site and informative podcasts, San Diego Opera continues to make strides to bring its beautiful music and theater to new audiences. Ranked by Opera America as one of the top 10 opera companies in the U.S., the company produces four operas a year at San Diego Civic Theatre. The 2014 season, which runs from January through April, includes Pagliacci, The Elixir of Love, A Masked Ball and Don Quixote. 1100 Third Ave., downtown, 619.533.7000, sdopera.com San Diego Repertory TheatreCL9000006340 Small but prestigious, The Rep stages several plays annually at the downtown Lyceum Theatre space, including a few—such as It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues—that have moved on to Broadway. With an emphasis on multicultural programming, The Rep also produces Kuumba Fest, a celebration of African-American culture, and the Lipinsky Family Jewish Arts Festival. Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, Gaslamp Quarter, 619.544.1000, sdrep.org San Diego Symphony CL9000006341 San Diego Symphony has been enriching local culture for more than a century now. Under the leadership of Music Director Jahja Ling, the orchestra performs both classical and symphonic pops concerts throughout the year. Its winter home is downtown’s beautifully restored Copley Symphony Hall. For the Summer Pops series, the orchestra moves outdoors to the waterfront Embarcadero Marina Park South. 750 B St., downtown, 619.235.0804, sandiegosymphony.com

SPAS catamaran spa000006325 As the only beachfront spa in San Diego, the Catamaran offers complimentary amenities, including a

Jacuzzi overlooking Mission Bay, comfy beach chairs, access to its indoor/outdoor fitness center and use of most hotel amenities. Spa services, featuring exclusive marine- and botanical-based products, include massages, facials, body wraps and hydrotherapy treatments. Book a couples’ massage in one of its tranquil suites before some Jacuzzi time under the sun on the co-ed terrace.

3999 Mission Blvd., Pacific Beach, 858.539.8820, catamaranspa.com h kin spa000006325 Located inside downtown’s Manchester Grand Hyatt, Kin Spa provides the perfect, luxurious escape for some rest and relaxation. Treat yourself to a full-body massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, hair styling and rejuvenating skin treatments, in a tranquil setting overlooking San Diego Bay. At Kin Oasis, an adultsonly pool, you can rent a spacious cabana, complete with plush couches and chairs perfect for napping or curling up with a good book. 1 Market Place, downtown, 619.358.6699, kinspa.hyattpure.com sanctuary day spa000006325 Just two blocks from the sea in sleepy Ocean Beach, Sanctuary Day Spa is known for its focus on privacy, rest and overall wellness. Spa services include tailored facials, massage, waxing, makeup artistry and private makeovers. The grounds are dotted with private bungalows in which guests can receive customized treatments; a favorite is the couples' massage. Guests can also shop among exclusive and organic makeup and skincare lines, detoxifying wellness products and rare teas, as well as rejuvenate at the raw elixir bar—San Diego's first. 1955 Cable St., Ocean Beach, 619.861.8351, thesanctuarytoday.com FOR more listings, SEE where SAN DIEGO magazine, WherESD.COM OR THE WHERE USA APP

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