three parking spots, a full kitchen, washer/dryer, grill, WIFI, bikes, and 3 balconies for guests to use during their stay, just to name a few! Aside from all of the amazing amenities, the location of our rental was phenomenal. The unit had plenty of indoor and outdoor space for socializing as well as private spacious bedrooms and quiet sitting areas for anyone to go off on their own and have some alone time. Perhaps our favorite spot on the property belonged to the rooftop patio, where we loved spending the day taking in the ocean breeze and the evening underneath the stars. In our experience, the rental process with Mission Sands Vacation Rentals was very streamlined, which is appreciated by those who are new to vacationing here and unfamiliar with the location. They even offer a concierge service to guests who want to walk into a fully stocked kitchen or want recommendations for activities and restaurants in the city during their stay. Whether you’re planning a family vacation or quick getaway with your friends, you’ll discover why Mission Sands definitely sets the bar high with its services, property location, and especially its level of hospitality during your stay. Great job Mission Sands! Thank you for the escape to paradise - we hope to come back and stay with you again soon! Duck Dive ∙ www.theduckdive.com ∙ 858-273-3825 The Duck Dive in Pacific Beach is widely recognized as one of the best hotspots in San Diego. Beachfront and treasured by locals and tourists alike, if you are looking for a lively, fun atmosphere with an abundance of great people and brunch options, we highly recommend that you visit Duck Dive! This restaurant offers brunch, lunch and dinner menus, catering to all types of beachgoers. We quickly realized that bottomless mimosas or Bloody Mary’s, served daily, are all the rage in San Diego. We couldn’t imagine a better way to start our afternoon than by ordering a selection of Duck Dives’ savory appetizers. We ordered the Baja Oysters Rockefeller, the Steamed Baja Bowl and the Baja Calamari for appetizers. The Take Me to Mexico cocktail, made with Los Altos Plata tequila (house infused with fresh watermelon), basil and jalapeño, shaken with agave, lemon and watermelon is a must. So refreshing! PB Shore Club ∙ pbshoreclub.com ∙ 858-272-7873 Just steps from the beach, this electric establishment serves grub classics, ideal for those fun-filled days at the beach. This place came highly recommended as a must stop while in Pacific Beach. PB Shore Club is known for combining the delicious tastes of the sea, prepared with classic Mexican flair, while providing guests with the perfect setting for the ultimate beach dining and drinking experience. The bar is extremely spacious and we loved the panoramic views of the ocean available no matter where we were standing or sitting. For appetizers, we ordered the Nachos Gigante, Shore Tater Tot Basket, Shore Club Bacon Wrapped Shrimp and Ahi Poke Stack. So delicious! Make sure you order their signature secret recipe Red Bull Vodka Slushie served in a goblet. It’s pretty much a Pacific Beach rite of passage to get the frozen combo and is a MUST!
SeaWorld ∙ Dine With Shamu ∙ seaworldsandiego.com ∙ 619-222-4732 Our day at SeaWorld® San Diego was a memorable one with shows, animal interaction, rides and lunch! Dolphin Days, Pets Rule! and the Killer Whale Presentation were the shows we attended and enjoyed seeing the animals perform behaviors and interact with their trainers. We also enjoyed a few rides; one of our favorites was the fun and thrilling Journey to Atlantis® ride, a splashing fun water ride. The most unforgettable part of the day was feeding and petting all the incredible animals, especially the rays. We look forward to returning to SeaWorld® San Diego to explore the rest of the park and attractions! Our lunch was one to rememeber! Dine With Shamu® was an hour long experience that included an exclusive, up-close seat for the Killer Whale Presentation while we enjoyed a gourmet poolside buffet. The food was outstanding and the impressive staff made sure our Dine With Shamu® experience was a great one! Hornblower Cruises & Events ∙ www.hornblower.com ∙ 1-888-467-6256 What a truly memorable way to spend one of our last evenings in San Diego by hopping aboard a storied yacht also known as the Hornblower Cruises - one of San Diego’s most beloved attractions. From the minute we stepped foot on the dock, the customer service was above and beyond. The crew did an incredible job of making us feel overwhelmingly special. Once we entered the ship we were greeted by very pleasant staff members and ushered to our table. The cruise was 3 hours in length and featured a 3-course dinner, dancing and spectacular sunset views. We ordered the Chicken, Salmon and Beef. The food exceeded our expectations! Every dish tasted great and fresh. Following dinner, the dance floor filled up with people having a great time. The decks were well designed with adequate seating for guests to take in the views. The views were perhaps the best part of the cruise if we had to pick one, which is tough indeed. The romantic setting and beautiful scenery would be ideal for all types of people and groups - couples, celebrations, weddings, and company outings like us! Pueblo ∙ www.pueblopb.com ∙ 858-412-3312 Pueblo brings the best of Baja flavor to San Diego! Located just 2 blocks from the ocean, Pueblo offers a taste of the Baja coast without having to cross the border! Our group was longing for local Mexican fare on our last night of the trip so we were undoubtedly excited to dine at this upscale eatery! The restaurant itself is airy and feels somewhat eclectic, yet with modern decor and contemporary details while still incorporating the more prominent architectural features you’d commonly find in the southwest and Central America that inspired the Pueblo name. The restaurant is decorated beautifully and boasts 2 bars, a rooftop deck, and an outdoor courtyard. For the main course, we ordered the Carne Asada, three Taco Plates: Fish, Spicy Shrimp & Carnitas and lastly the Lobster. The taco plates were unquestionably the table favorites, but the Lobster was a show-stopper, with extraordinary presentation and cooked to perfection. We must admit that overall, our meals were some of the best we’ve had in awhile!
As you can see, there’s a reason why San Diego is voted one of the best cities in the US and also very high up on our list of favorite vacation spots. With its gorgeous beaches, delicious Baja Mexican food, an endless variety of stunning views, and a buzzing nightlife, we’ve detailed many of the reasons why you need to put San Diego on your travel radar. JUNE 2017 Strictly Business
35