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SAN DIEGO
WELCOME TO SAN DIEGO
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S.D. ESSENCE 20 AFTER HOURS PHOTO ESSAY Aaron Chang explores the city’s iconic bays, beaches, parks and urban ‘hoods at nighttime.
36 MISSION STATEMENT
46 HIGH NOTES
250TH ANNIVERSARY History is still in the making at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, California’s oldest mission.
SAN DIEGO OPERA The county’s premier opera outfit is hitting its stride after a record-breaking season.
BY BRADLEY SCHWEIT
BY STEPHANIE THOMPSON
28 THE COLOR QUEEN CONCETTA ANTICO Go inside the colorful world of a San Diego artist with the rare genetic gift of tetrachromacy. BY DEREK SHAW
38 STAYING POWER
ICE CREAM DREAMS San Diego’s collective sweet tooth is screaming for gourmet, homemade ice cream and gelato.
BY ANN WYCOFF
BY WENDY LEMLIN
32 BETTER BY DESIGN JACOBS MEDICAL CENTER A world-class medical campus marries cutting-edge technology with jaw-dropping architecture. BY SARAH DAOUST
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50 INSIDE SCOOP
FINE DINING GEMS The world of white tablecloths keeps turning, thanks to these celebrated restaurateurs and chefs.
44 SCOOT OVER! FROM POINT A TO B Scooters have become the city’s hottest mode of transportation. BY DAVID MOYE
(COVER) TWILIGHT OVER THE PALMS BY PAINTER CONCETTA ANTICO; (OPENING SPREAD) LORENZO MENENDEZ/FLUX PHOTOGRAPHY; (THIS PAGE, L-R) KAREN MORRISON, JAKOB LAYMAN, BRADLEY SCHWEIT.
CONTENTS
THE AIR-KING A tribute to the golden age of aviation in the 1930s, featuring a prominent minute scale for navigational time-readings. It doesn’t just tell time. It tells history.
OYSTER PERPE TUAL AIR-KING
rolex
oyster perpetual and air-king are ÂŽ trademarks.
CONTENTS
S.D. ESSENTIALS MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS Top 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.
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57 SPENDING TIME SHOPPING The region’s major shopping destinations and a selection of local boutiques and galleries.
69 CHOW TIME DINING A guide to the best restaurants in San Diego County, no matter your taste—from comfort food to sushi.
85 PLAY TIME ARTS & ATTRACTIONS Museums, theaters, theme parks, nightclubs, golf and more make San Diego a playground for kids and adults alike.
92 PARTING SHOT Carlsbad Beach at sunset, a California dream come true.
(L-R) JOHN DOLE, CHRISTOPHER BARRETT, KAREN MORRISON
10 FIRST LOOK
5 FWY
01 HWY 1
FE TA AN S A LOM
B O U T I Q U E 301 NORTH HWY 101, SOLANA BEACH, CA 92075 J O I N F O R E V E N T S, S U R P R I S E S A L E S & N E W E S T D E L I V E R I E S
T. 8 5 8 . 4 8 1. 8 6 1 6 CAMELLIA SOLANA BEACH
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SAN DIEGO PUBLISHER Jeff Levy EDITOR Sarah Daoust ART DIRECTOR Carol Wakano PRODUCTION ARTIST Diana Gonzalez CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Heidi Schwindt CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Wendy Lemlin, David Moye, Bradley Schweit, Derek Shaw, Stephanie Thompson, Ann Wycoff CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Brown W. Cannon III, Aaron Chang, Lisa Corson, John Dole, Stacy Keck, Karen Morrison, Lorenzo Menendez, Edwin Santiago, Bradley Schweit, Sam Wells, Michele Zousmer COPY EDITOR
Claire Caraska
ACCOUNT MANAGERS
Kerry Brewer, Brooke Knetzger, Tim Egan, Joel Gilliam, Jessica Levin Poff, Christine Penning, Heather Price BUSINESS MANAGER Leanne Killian Riggar CIRCULATION MANAGER Eva Scattergood MARKETING/PRODUCTION MANAGER Dawn Kiko Cheng ADMINISTRATION
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EMAIL ADVERTISING/BUSINESS JLevy@SoCalMedia.com EDITORIAL Editor@SoCalMedia.com ART Art@SoCalMedia.com PRODUCTION Ads@SoCalMedia.com CIRCULATION Eva.Scattergood@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© 2018 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. Printed in the United States. Circulation audited by Alliance for Audited Media.
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ON THE WEB:
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CONTRIBUTORS s s
AARON CHANG
• After Hours, p. 20 Aaron Chang is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed artist whose fine art photography and multimedia art bring inspiration to collectors and fans. Voted “Best Artist/Gallery” for the past five years, Chang is also the San Diego Tourism Authority’s “Ambassador of the Arts.” Chang resides in North County and owns galleries in Solana Beach and downtown that showcase his brilliant photography. Check out AaronChang.com or follow him on Facebook: @aaronchanggallery.
s s
KAREN MORRISON
• The Color Queen, p. 28; Scoot Over!, p. 44 Since childhood Karen Morrison has been interested in experimenting with art, design, film and, of course, photography. She graduated from UC San Diego with a visual arts degree, and complements her photography with graphic design—focusing on telling a story from start to finish. Morrison is the director of AIGA San Diego LINK, a nonprofit that provides art workshops for underserved teens.
s s
s s
ss JOHN DOLE • Inside Scoop, p. 50 From shooting portraits to fashion to lifestyle to food, John Dole has spent more than 16 years in the professional photography business. His work has appeared in Modern Luxury, San Diego Magazine, Men’s Journal Magazine, Inked Magazine, Enroute Magazine, Interiors Magazine and more. For Inside Scoop, he captured some of the city’s best ice cream and gelato outposts. In addition to photography, he also specializes in graphic design and fine art. His free time is spent with his son and daughter, and he loves to surf. Check out his work at johndolephoto.com.
DEREK SHAW
• The Color Queen, p. 28 Derek Shaw is a writer, artist and musician with a taste for corn nuts and Bulleit Bourbon. A San Diego native, he currently resides in Oakland with his beloved dog, Spot. A Trojan on paper and an Aztec at heart, he loves underdogs and antiheroes. Wherever there’s a garage sale or a grand piano, you’ll find him poking around. Check out his band at soundcloud.com/stepchildren.
ANN WYCOFF
• Staying Power, p. 38 Ann Wycoff writes about wellness, wanderlust, wine and where to eat. Locally, she contributes to San Diego Magazine and Modern Luxury, and she loves being the editor of the San Diego Visitor Guide. Wycoff strongly believes that fine dining is not, in fact, dead; but rather, it’s getting more progressive and better. Her feature in this book speaks volumes in confirmation of this truth; she interviewed the city’s top restaurateurs on how they deliver the very best, night after night.
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EXPLORE THE CITY’S TOP MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS, IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER. FROM GLORIOUS BEACHES TO SHOPPING TO WILDLIFE, S.D. IS A DIVERSE PLAYGROUND RICH IN CULTURE.
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. Torrey Pines Golf Course (pictured) has been played by nearly every boldfaced name in golf; it’s been home to an annual PGA tour stop for decades. In Carlsbad, the Park Hyatt Aviara boasts San Diego’s only Arnold Palmer signature course, and Omni La Costa Resort has hosted numerous PGA tour events. In Poway, Maderas Golf Club 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
firstlo look o times, call Showtime Golf, 866.661.2334.
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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 who arrived in the 18th century. Billed as the “Birthplace of California,” Old Town features authentic historical structures within Old Town State Park, including the Cosmopolitan Hotel and a lively entertainment complex, plus more contemporary diversions along surrounding streets. Find tortillas grilling at the many restaurants lining San 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, the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception and the haunted Whaley House Museum. San Diego Avenue at Twiggs Street, oldtownsandiego.org
Spectator Sports
Since 1969, San Diegans have supported their hometown Padres, the MLB team that gave rise to beloved late Hall-of-Famer Tony Gwynn, who is immortalized in a bronze statue at downtown’s Petco Park. At Del Mar Racetrack, A-list celebs have been betting on the ponies for more than 80 years. Racing season runs from midJuly to early September, then starts again in November. Taking place all year-round are action sports, boating and surfing competitions—including the San Diego Crew Classic regatta at Crown Point on Mission Bay in March, and the World Bodysurfing Championships in Oceanside in August. Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., East Village, 619.795.5000, padres.com; Del Mar Racetrack, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.1141, dmtc.com; crewclassic.org; worldbodysurfing.org
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(OPENING SPREAD) BROWN W. CANNON III/INTERSECTION PHOTOS; (TOP) EDWIN SANTIAGO; (BOTTOM) COURTESY DEL MAR RACETRACK
Diego Avenue, while the nearby shops at Bazaar del
Balboa Park
The cultural heart of San Diego and some 100 years old, Balboa Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country—larger than even NYC’s Central Park. 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 historical Old Globe theater 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; the Botanical Building housing more than 2,000 plants; an IMAX theater; and the Spreckels Organ—the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ. Pack a picnic and settle in for free, family-friendly concerts, held weekly. The Balboa Park Visitors Center is located at the House of Hospitality, 1549 El Prado, 619.239.0512, balboapark.org
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Animal Attractions
San Diego radiates animal magnetism. Begin the wildlife tour at the San Diego Zoo, whose creative enclosures house many exotic species, from pandas to clever meerkats. Safari Park in Escondido lets visitors get up close and personal with beasts roaming spacious tracts of open land. SeaWorld, with its rides and shows, is part theme park, part aquatic zoo, and home to dolphins, penguins, orcas, sea turtles and the interactive Explorer’s Reef. Find more sea creatures at 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, (THIS PAGE, FROM TOP) COURTESY SAN DIEGO ZOO; LORENZO MENENDEZ/FLUX PHOTOGRAPHY; (OPPOSITE) EDWIN SANTIAGO
Escondido, 760.747.8702, sdzsafaripark.org; SeaWorld, 500 SeaWorld Drive, Mission Bay, 619.222.4732, seaworld.com; Birch Aquarium at Scripps, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, 858.534.3474, aquarium.ucsd.edu
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 and the brilliantly blooming Flower Fields (in springtime) 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 attractions, visit ncsandiegodirect.com and sandiego.org/discover/north-county-coastal.
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Gaslamp Quarter
Past and present collide in this 16-square-block area full of historical architecture and bustling nightlife in the heart of downtown. An erstwhile red-light district once known as the Stingaree, 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 130-plus restaurants, bars, nightclubs and cafés in the neighborhood—and the Convention Center just steps away—the Gaslamp is this beach town’s undisputed urban center. The area’s historical charm is accented by gaslampstyle streetlights and brick buildings. Fourth, Fifth and Sixth avenues between Broadway and Harbor Drive, 619.233.5227, gaslamp.org
Coronado
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-and-pop shops, sidewalk cafés and an array of remarkable early 20th-century residential architecture, ranging in style from English Tudor to Craftsman to Spanish Colonial. Coronado Visitor Center, 1100 Orange Ave., 619.437.8788, coronadovisitorcenter.com
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(TOP) EFRAIN PADRO/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; (BOTTOM) STACY KECK
Accessible by ferry or via the graceful Coronado Bridge, this charming village
Just east of the I-5 at Encinitas Blvd. 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, CA 760/ 436-3036
SDBGarden.org
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, Meanwhile, curiosity-seekers venture out to clothing-optional (albeit “not officially sanctioned”) Black’s Beach just north of La Jolla to get 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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SAM WELLS
both known for their challenging breaks and gorgeous craggy cliffs lining the frothy coast.
affter a f ter HOURS WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY AARON CHANG
I’ve been shooting around town a lot in the dark lately. I love that moment after the sun has dipped below the horizon. It is when most people clear off the beach, but it's the time I treasure for capturing the serene beauty of the sea and the city at night. I shot this new collection of city lights, titled San Diego Nights, for my art galleries in San Diego and Solana Beach. The growth of the city is dramatically noticeable when it’s lit up at night. My new Sony cameras have chips that capture low light better than any camera I’ve ever used before. To see a slideshow of my San Diego Nights collection, visit AaronChang.com/san-diego-nights.
Night at Balboa Park WARM LIGHTS SHINE FROM UNDER THE CABRILLO BRIDGE INTO THE INDIGO NIGHT SKY. IN CONTRAST, THE CALIFORNIA TOWER ON THE PRADO IN BALBOA PARK IS LIT IN MAJESTIC BLUE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
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Downtown Aerial JEWEL-TONED CITY LIGHTS SPARKLE AT DARK. REFLECTIONS ON THE WATER ILLUSTRATE THE INTIMATE CONNECTION THE CITY HAS WITH THE
PHOTO CREDIT GOTHAM BOOK 5.5/9PT
OCEAN, BAY AND WATERWAYS.
Liberty AMBER LIGHTS GLOW TO CONNECT THE GROWING CITY CENTER TO THE QUAINT "ISLAND" OF CORONADO. POINT LOMA GLITTERS AGAINST THE SETTING SUN.
Encinitas Blue THE STILL PALMS ARE SILHOUETTED AGAINST AN INKY SKY AFTER SUNSET IN THIS PHOTO, CAPTURING THE MOTION OF BEACH LIFE OFF HIGHWAY 101.
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Broadway Lights A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF BROADWAY, DOWNTOWN'S DEFINING MAIN DRAG, AS IT LIGHTS UP THE CITY SKIES.
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IB Pier at Dusk THE IMPERIAL BEACH PIER IS JUXTAPOSED AGAINST THE TERRA COTTA SKY DURING A WARM SUMMER NIGHT.
City Sunset OPPOSITE: THE SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN DISTRICT LIGHTS UP AT NIGHT; CATALINA ISLAND IN THE UPPER LEFT OF THE SHOT IS SILHOUETTED ON THE HORIZON, AGAINST THE SETTING SUN.
THE
COLOR QUEE
Renowned artist Concetta Antico sees the world through 100 million-colored glasses.
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BY DEREK SHAW PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAREN MORRISON
PICTURE THIS: YOU’RE AT THE BEACH, AND the tide is rolling along the bluish breakers and whitewash. Now imagine, for a moment, that the waves are hurling themselves ashore in splashes of yellow, orange and pink—with a halo of light emerging from each crest. A normal person’s eyes have three receptors and can see a million colors; Concetta Antico has four receptors and can see 100 million colors. She is the most developed case of tetrachromacy ever documented, making her the focus of an ongoing study led by Dr. Kimberly Jameson at UC Irvine. Scientific research over the last six years has substantiated Antico’s exceptional abilities by cross-referencing her masterful paintings with highly specialized eye tests. In late 2012, Dr. Jay Neitz, a professor of ophthalmology and color vision researcher at the University of Washington, discovered that Antico was, in fact, a tetrachromat. Suddenly, she could see her accomplishments in a new light. She’s been an oil painter since age 6 and swears by the medium for its malleability and radiance. For the sake of science and the arts, it’s good fortune that she was born to paint.
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OPPOSITE PAGE, COURTESY CONCETTA ANTICO
All of Antico’s compositions are completed in one sitAfter moving to San Diego in the early ‘90s, she ting. She can finish an intricate 2-foot-long, 3-foot-wide opened a gallery/workshop called The Salon of Art, painting in less than two hours, commanding the brush attracting artists of all ages seeking instruction and with assertiveness and impeccable accuracy. Every inspiration. She’s taught and lectured more than 25,000 stroke is a single fluid movement void of any correction. students, sharing her unique fusion of fine art and color Her knack for capturing special moments with realistic science. Antico frequently hosts events, exhibits and clarity, albeit through an impressionistic lens, provides open houses—even at her multicolored home in Misa window into her kaleidoscopic whimsy. sion Hills, which doubles as a gallery. The native Aussie She refuses to paint subject matter that is overtly manages to bask eternally in spring and summer, spenddark or modern. Even her night paintings are lush with ing half the year in San Diego and the other half at her soft pastels and a mosaic of royal purple, magenta and farm in Byron Bay, Australia. gold. Whereas most humans have an average lumiHer work centers on nature, focusing primarily on nance factor of seven, Antico has a 14, allowing her America’s Finest City, as well as her hometown. She to see vividly in the evening—much like birds, fish and plays with light and shadows to create a three-dimenother animals. sional, almost holographic effect, Antico admits that her tetrachroseemingly dancing off the canvas. OPENING SPREAD: A PARTIAL VIEW macy affects her personality in good Her enhanced vision allows her to OF THE HEART OF HEAVEN (A FLYING PEACOCK) BY CONCETTA ANTICO; and bad ways. For the most part, see the subtlest of color variations, a THE ARTIST IN HER MISSION HILLS HOME. she’s happy and upbeat because brighter and richer palette than most she finds her surroundings to be so people can possibly imagine. THIS PAGE: THE HEART OF HEAVEN beautiful and stimulating. The flip She has sold thousands of paint(TOP); MY ROSEVILLE & ROSES side is that she sees also ugliness ings over the past few decades—all OPPOSITE: PEACOCKS ON PARADE IN in greater detail. For instance, she originals, no prints. And if her neonBLACK AND BLUE HUES (LEFT); AND can tell when people are getting streaked hair and glowing smile are IN TETRACHROMATIC FORM (RIGHT) sick as their skin turns gray, green any indication, she’s just getting and blue. Still, she wouldn’t trade started. Since the revelation of her places with anyone. tetrachromacy, Antico’s story has gone viral. What was “Color affects my purchases, my tastes, my passion already a successful career has blossomed into a fullto paint and my love of nature,” explains Antico. “My blown media frenzy, from the BBC to Vogue, attracting mission is to make people appreciate the beauty of the private collectors from around the world and more than world.” 100,000 followers on social media. Although her heart will always be Down Under, “What’s funny is that I never realized I was differshe’s been in love with San Diego from the moment she ent,” admits Antico. arrived. In addition to her pro-bono work and contriHer daughter came home from school one day and butions to local homeless charities, Antico is a longtime complained that she couldn’t see the whiteboard when donor of Rady Children’s Hospital, where her paintings the teacher used an orange marker. Ironically, tetrahang in the pediatric reception area. chromats are much more likely to have color-deficient Her mother died when she was 12, and she had to children. A little internet research allowed her to make raise herself, forced to the streets at 16. When she left the connection. Australia bound for Canada, she ended up in Los AngeApproximately 2-3 percent of women carry the genoles with $3 to her name. She owes everything to her art, type for tetrachromacy, including Antico’s own sister, which is appreciating by the day. but it’s extremely rare to have it functioning and fully To meet the muse and see her paintings, check out her activated. Despite the fact that her sister is also an artist, next open house in Mission Hills (she holds several per test results show that her range of color vision is more year; check her website for details). You can also see her limited, making Concetta’s superhuman talent all the work in Barrio Logan at the iN Gallery, which she comore extraordinary. founded with fellow artist Irina Negulescu. Her events “It’s a mutation—I’m like an X-Woman,” she proudare always free and open to the public. Paint outside the ly declares. “It affects how efficiently I paint because I lines at concettaantico.com. mix colors very quickly like a computer.”
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BETTER by DESIGN INSIDE THE ARCHITECTURAL TRIUMPH THAT IS UC SAN DIEGO’S NEW JACOBS MEDICAL CENTER. BY SARAH DAOUST
THE JACOBS MEDICAL CENTER’S INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR ARCHITECURE IS AN AWE-INSPIRING MARRIAGE OF CUTTINGEDGE TECHNOLOGY AND EYE-POPPING DESIGN.
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ABOVE, FROM LEFT: THE BOUQS CO.’S JUAN PABLO MONTUFAR AND JOHN TABIS BELOW: THE ACE BOUQUET FROM THE BOUQS CO.
OPENING SPREAD AND THIS PAGE, CHRISTOPHER BARRETT; OPPOSITE, IAN PATZKE
PROUDLY COMMANDING A PRIME PIECE OF REAL estate perched above Interstate 5 in La Jolla, UC San Diego’s majestic, 10-story, glass tower looks like a billion bucks … which just so happens to be the price tag to build this breathtaking design masterpiece. Welcome to the Jacobs Medical Center, a state-of-the-art campus unlike any other in the world. The project already has won numerous prominent design awards, among them: the American Institute of Architects’ prestigious Architecture for Health Award—one of just seven recipients nationwide to be honored. Inside, the advanced medical center (named in honor of a $75 million donation by Joan and Irwin Jacobs) is designed as three hospitals in one, with a focus on cancer care, highrisk obstetrics and neonatal care, cardiac rehabilitation and specialty surgery. The facts and figures are impressive—10 levels (plus two underground floors) spanning 509,500 square feet; 245 patient beds; multiple outdoor “sky gardens,” terraces and courtyards; a 150-piece “therapeutic art” collection; a rooftop helicopter pad; and a low-carbon footprint equivalent to silver LEED certification. It’s the product of more than eight years of design and development, and four-plus years of construction. The center also brings several medical firsts to San Diego—including the ability to perform MRIs during brain surgeries; and an entire floor that is pressurized to protect patients with weakened immune systems. And these are just a few fun facts. Health care design, at its finest, helps to heal. CannonDesign (cannondesign.com), the project’s architecture firm, was tasked with bringing its immense mission—“transform people, place and process”—to fruition. “The design is the intersection of patient care, technology and environment—aimed at truly
‘ITS ROLLING, FLUID, CURVILINEAR SHAPE CHANNELS THAT OF A GLASS SCULPTURE THAT SPARKLES IN THE SUN YET MINIMIZES SOLAR GLARE—RENDERING IT SOMEWHAT AMBIGUOUS, EVEN MYSTERIOUS.’
ABOVE, FROM LEFT: JACOBS MEDICAL CENTER’S TRANQUIL GARDEN COURTYARD; AIRY, ELEGANT MAIN LOBBY; AND ULTRA-MOD CONFERENCE ROOM. OPPOSITE: THE 10-STORY TOWER’S GLASS FACADE AND UNIQUE CURVILINEAR SHAPE IS TRULY STRIKING.
putting patients first,” explains Carlos Amato, the Los Angeles health practice leader for CannonDesign. This means an abundance of natural light and floor-to-ceiling windows, including patient rooms and even windows in surgery rooms. A garden-inspired design brings the outdoors in and vice versa with the center’s sky gardens—elevated, tranquil respites for patients, staff and families to take in fresh air and sweeping views of the rolling La Jolla landscape. Patient rooms look and feel more like that of a resort guest room than a hospital room—outfitted with bedside iPads that allow patients to control the environment of the room, and luxe amenities that lend to world-class clinical care. But it’s the exterior geometry of the building (which connects to Thornton Hospital and is located adjacent to a new research facility) in particular that stuns. Its rolling, fluid, curvilinear shape channels that of a glass sculpture that sparkles in the sun yet minimizes solar glare—rendering it somewhat ambiguous, even mysterious. If not for the massive “UC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center” signage emblazoned on it, one might not even know right away that it’s a hospital. And that’s the idea. “It’s not just a building; it’s a piece of architecture,” says Mehrdad Yazdani, director of Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign. “Because hospitals are essential buildings that deal with life and death, you can get caught up in the functionality of the building and lose the humanistic aspects. But the design truly can contribute to the healing process.” Adds Amato, “One of the coolest things I’ve heard: ‘The building helps people heal faster.’ Design really can impact patient outcomes and help in getting people back to better health and well-being.”
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Mission
STATEMENT CALIFORNIA’S OLDEST MISSION, THE MISSION BASILICA SAN DIEGO DE ALCALÁ, APPROACHES 250 YEARS OF MAKING HISTORY. WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRADLEY SCHWEIT
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and subsequent Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, the origin of San Diego, the state Diego, it is also considered by many to of California and be the birthplace of California. essentially the entire U.S., are adolesThe Presidio settlement was short cents when compared to the rest of the lived, however; as it wasn’t long developed world. That’s not to say this before the settlers realized that lugging country doesn’t boast rich and colorwater up a relatively steep hill for agriful strands of historical events woven cultural purposes was an unnecessary into a complex tapestry of brilliance toil when they needed merely to look and beauty—far from it. But from a northward to see the San Diego River temporal perspective, our history is meandering earnestly on the horizon. relatively very young, and most of that In order to be nearer to the water which we consider U.S. “history” is source, the colony made the 6-mile relegated to our opposite coast, and move to what is now the Mission for obvious reasons. Basilica San Diego de Alcalá in 1774. THE MISSION’S ICONIC WHITE EXTERIOR. Yet, while the U.S. as we currently At the time, however, the European OPPOSITE: INSIDE THE CHURCH, know it was being conceptualized on settlers weren’t the sole occupants of WHERE MASS IS STILL HELD DAILY. the eastern seaboard, California was the area. Historical evidence shows busily engaged in growth and in making its own history, and San the native Kumeyaay Indians may have inhabited San Diego for Diego, interestingly enough, just so happened to be at the foreupwards of thousands of years. front of that development. As a state, California was founded in The infiltration of the region by non-natives was viewed with 1850. But San Diego’s history as a city dates back even further— equal parts cooperation and contempt. Some Kumeyaay worked more than 75 years earlier—to 1769, close to 250 years ago. But with the Europeans to establish crops and engage in work and while it “officially” begins there, there’s more to San Diego’s histrade, while others would have preferred to see the Mission burn tory than meets the elementary school textbook. The birth of San to the ground. In 1775, some 600 to 800 Kumeyaay and other Diego is rather intriguing, as discovered during a recent tour of neighboring tribesmen did in fact set fire to the first church on the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá in Mission Gorge, just the property, killing Padre Luis Jayme and making him the first east of Mission Valley. Its inception also paved the way for the Christian martyr in California. His body is buried beneath the establishment of California. church floor, indicated by a large white cross laid into the adobe The area now known as San Diego was originally claimed for brick covering a large portion of the grounds. (Fun fact: It takes Spain by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542. (His name may sound approximately 90 days for adobe bricks to cure, so until the familiar because Point Loma’s Cabrillo National Monument bricks harden, they are relatively supple. If you look closely, you stands in commemoration of Cabrillo’s journey and discovery.) can see animal prints in the adobe; not unlike a dog walking on Cabrillo didn’t settle the region; however, some 50 to 60 years wet cement.) later (sources place the official year between 1592 and 1602), “They [Europeans] didn’t retreat, however,” explains Mission Sebastián Vizcaíno mapped the area for Spain in the hope of tour guide and coordinator Anthony Russo. “They rebuilt.” In establishing Spanish colonies there. He also gave the region its fact, between 1775 and present day, the church was moved and/ namesake, “San Diego,” after the patron saint, Saint Diego de or rebuilt four times. Alcalá. But colonization had yet to officially commence … and Today’s Mission Church (10818 San Diego Mission Road) wouldn’t begin for another 160-plus years. is a beautifully enduring testament to both craftsmanship and In 1769, Gaspar de Portolà picked up where Cabrillo had antiquity … and open to the public for daily mass, visits and essentially left off. Portolà founded the Presidio of San Diego (that guided tours. In that vein, the Mission will be celebrating its “cool old building” atop the hill overlooking Old Town). Then it 250th anniversary throughout 2019, and staff, priests and volwas a collective effort between Franciscan friars Junípero Serra, unteers encourage everyone to join in the festivities. Each month Juan Vizcaíno and Fernando Parron to raise a cross at the locale, will usher in a new and different event to mark the “Jubilee thus establishing the first mission in what was otherwise known Year,” and honor this timeless testament to San Diego—and as “Las Californias” at the time. Not only was the Presidio, California—history. missionsandiego.org HEN IT COMES to history, San
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STAYING
POWER San Diego’s legacy chefs and iconic restaurants have kept f ine dining on track. b y A N N W YCO FF
that left several establishments shuttered, and even the diners with deep pockets were reticent to spend significant sums on culinary experiences. Like many other cities, San Diego had its share of casualties with white tablecloths disappearing faster than in the old magician’s trick. With the buzzword “casual” at the tip of everyone’s tongue, many wondered … was fine dining dead?
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PHOTO CREDIT GOTHAM BOOK 5.5/9PT
IN 2008, THE LIGHTS ON THE MARQUEE OF FINE dining dimmed with the onset of a mighty recession
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OPENING SPREAD, ADDISON DISH: JAKOB LAYMAN; THIS PAGE, MARKET SOUP: VINCENT KNAKAL
In San Diego a collection of refined restaurants weathered the storm, and 10 years later, the city stands even taller as a compelling culinary destination. These stalwart restaurants, some with the same chef/owner for multiple decades, remain the anchors and beacons of the city’s respected dining scene. So, what’s kept them impervious to the whims, trends and tedium of time in the same place? After speaking to a handful of these chefs and restaurateurs, passion, a willingness to evolve and a commitment to their clientele seem to be recurring themes. Fine dining is alive and well in San Diego— enhanced by the bounty of small farms (some 5,500!) and abundance of seafood—and it’s anything but staid and stuffy. Meet the forces behind our dynamic culinary scene at the city’s legacy restaurants. Part of San Diego’s intrigue lies in its 70 miles of sun-kissed coastline, and George’s at the Cove (1250 Prospect St., La Jolla) embodies the soul of our city’s seaside dining. Making diners swoon since 1984, this La Jolla jewel has a trio of dining experiences masterminded by Executive Chef Trey Foshee, who’s partnered with its affable and approachable owner George Hauer, the unofficial mayor of La Jolla. A pioneer of authentic, farm-fresh cuisine in San Diego, Foshee has long championed the flavors and wonders of nearby Chino Farms. And while their upscale, award-winning California Modern offers some of the best ocean-view tables in San Diego with
OPENING SPREAD: ADDISON’S EXECUTIVE CHEF WILLIAM BRADLEY; SAKE-CURED KAMPACHI WITH CITRUS AND RED RADISH AT ADDISON.
the surf, sand and seals below, Chef will be the first to tell you, “We don’t rest on our laurels. We are constantly improving and changing but with the focus on what makes San Diego special from an ingredient approach.” Through his inventive cuisine, Foshee tells the story of his hometown, distilling down the essence of “California modern” to “San Diego on a plate,” whether he’s preparing San Diego spot prawns with foraged herb and flower butter, local opah with nasturtium harissa and Chino Farms carrots; or reinventing the fish taco in a composition of achiote-cured snapper, avocado, roasted jalapeño-pineapple salsa, and snapper chicharron on a scratch-masa tortilla. The ultimate reflection of Foshee’s edible storytelling can be found in his TBL3 experience, where the chef curates a 12- to 14-course meal for an intimate group with perfect wine pairings at the restaurant’s best table. So what gives them their staying power? “I feel from a culinary standpoint we are always relevant and looking forward,” explains Foshee. Another exceptional experience in La Jolla can be found at The Lodge at Torrey Pines (11480 N. Torrey Pines Road), an elegant arts-and-crafts-style property, overlooking the greenery of the famed golf course. Named for the talented early 20th-century California artist whose works adorn the signature restaurant, A.R. Valentien may feel like a walk into the past with its stained glass, Mission-style furniture and hushed white tablecloth service. Yet, Executive Chef Jeff Jackson, who opened it in 2002, orchestrates an ever-changing menu of San Diego regional cuisine that’s both progressive and original. Of note is the duck and pistachio pâté with cranberry
OPPOSITE: ELEGANT SEATING AND DREAMY VIEWS AT A.R. VALENTIEN. THIS PAGE: CHILLED AVOCADO SOUP WITH SPRING VEGETABLES AT MARKET; GEORGE’S AT THE COVE’S EXECUTIVE CHEF TREY FOSHEE.
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and persimmon mostarda; and beef short rib terrine with pickled cauliflower. (Jackson’s kitchen is one of the very few that still makes such pâtés and terrines.) Creativity abounds in dishes such as his lovely braised halibut cheek with Meyer lemon puree and smashed peas, or his truffled celery root and mascarpone risotto. “The older I get, the more appreciative I’ve become in being able to practice my craft and spread my wings,” notes Jackson, who cites consistency as the key to his restaurant’s success and longevity. “Chefs are like scientists, artists and magicians. A white canvas is replaced with a sleek white plate. On our palette, we use the natural colors and textures of ingredients to awaken all of the senses. It is a journey through the magic of cooking.” So says Master Chef Bernard Guillas, who’s overseen the culinary experience at The Marine Room (2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla) for the past 20 years. Famous for its surf-splashed La Jolla Shores location, the 77-year-old restaurant sits literally on the beach. During special High Tide events, breakfasts and sunset dinners, the atmosphere is further enlivened by waves crashing against the glass windows. And while many million-dollar-view eateries rest heavily on the wow factor of their ambiance, Chef Guillas’ focus is on “harvesting the best ingredients from the oceans and land.” Built on the foundation of French cooking techniques, Guillas’ seasonal menu is a treasure trove of unusual, playful ingredients with dishes like organic mushroom cocotte with kabocha gnocchi, lily bulb, mimolette, truffle dust and red lillet; or Cervena Farm elk medallions accompanied by baobab wattleseed, maple boniato, rhubarb jam and blackberry wine. As a culinary
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FROM TOP: LOBSTER TAIL AND OCEAN VIEWS AT THE MARINE ROOM. EXECUTIVE CHEF STEPHANE VOITZWINKLER OF MISTER A’S. OPPOSITE: COCKTAILS, CUISINE AND STUNNING VIEWS 12 STORIES UP ON THE PATIO AT MISTER A’S.
ambassador of San Diego, Chef Guillas has traveled the world but still takes inspiration from his local vantage point. “When I look out the windows of the Marine Room, I see my favorite Monet and Manet paintings. Like any other artist, I try to translate that beauty into impressionistic masterpieces on the plates that come out of our kitchen.” Set across from the polo fields, Market Restaurant + Bar (3702 Via de la Valle, Del Mar) is a savory sanctuary in North County, guided by owner/proprietor Carl Schroeder. What commenced as a casual concept in 2006 has evolved over time into a sophisticated dining experience influenced by its clientele. Schroder’s creative, contemporary farm-to-table cuisine lacks pretension, and while it’s masterfully prepared and presented, unbridled joy appears on the plate. Known to spearfish after a surf session in the morning and later forage for edible flowers in local canyons, Schroeder is unafraid to experiment—whether he’s preparing shrimp-crusted halibut in a truffled dashi broth or a blue cheese soufflé with strawberry-rhubarb chutney. “If a chef is working with seasonal ingredients, it never really gets boring. It is always a challenge to find new ways to work with the produce and local fish that is constantly changing. I have always had a passion for cooking and being part of a team. Every day is different.” Jeffrey Strauss has cooked for presidents and dignitaries, celebrities and socialites—everyone from George H. W. Bush and the late Jacqueline Onassis to Steven Spielberg and Elton John. But now you’ll find the chef/owner at Pamplemousse Grille (514 Via de la Valle), his Solana Beach restaurant of 22 years. Strauss, who favors French-inspired New American cuisine, believes “we are only as good as our last meal.” But clearly, he and his team have triumphed as Pamplemousse has a devoted following. In particular, it’s an oasis for oenophiles, as wine-bullish Strauss offers more than 2,000 wines with 800 California cabs alone. Servers are impeccably trained (most are certified sommeliers) when it comes to pairing with Strauss’s fare—think miso black cod with an Aubert chardonnay from Sonoma or the mixed grill of game with 100 Acre Arc Cab or Screaming Eagle by the glass. Strauss also loves “pouring a Sauterne with foie gras or a vintage port with our warm chocolate caramel cake.” At the Fairmont Grand Del Mar (5200 Grand Del Mar Way), Addison represents the pinnacle of fine dining in San Diego. A four-time James Beard nominee and Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef (in good company with the likes of Thomas Keller and Daniel
Boulard), William Bradley has reigned supreme here since its opening 12 years ago, having mastered the art of French contemporary cuisine. If Bradley’s kitchen were a car, it’d be a Rolls Royce Phantom—imitable and impeccable with clean lines and the soft purr of perfection. Many of his contemporaries deem Bradley worthy of a Michelin star or two, and when you try his foie gras pot de crème with passionfruit gelée, or his calotte de beouf with escargot à la dijonaise, you’ll most likely agree. Staff glissade across the marble floors in a ballet of seamless service as sommeliers pour cult wines or classics from its 8,300-bottle cellar. “Our culinary approach at Addison is simple—we allow ingredients to speak for themselves and flavors to be their own. Simplicity over complexity,” says Bradley. “Every single person on our team here is dedicated to making an evening at Addison the best possible dining experience, from start to finish.” When Bertrand Hug traded France for California in 1973, San Diego was “a Navy meat-and-potato town.” Arguably now the Godfather of fine dining in San Diego, Hug opened Mille Fleurs (6009 Paseo Delicias) in tony Rancho Santa
“If Bradley’s kitchen were a car, it’d be a Rolls Royce Phantom— imitable and impeccable with clean lines and the soft purr of perfection. Many of his contemporaries deem Bradley worthy of a Michelin star or two ...”
Fe back in 1984. At this polished gem, gentlemen don jackets, and the European-style service is poetry in motion. Executive Chef Martin Woesle has 33 years under his Mille Fleurs’ toque, serving modern American seasonal cuisine with European accents and great panache. In 2000, Hug took over the iconic 53-year-old Mister A’s (2550 Fifth Ave., Bankers Hill), with its panoramic patio perch for sunset cocktails while eye to eye with the incoming airplanes, and formal dining inside the glass box with views of downtown and the yacht-sprinkled bay below. “I am like the leopard, unable and unwilling to change my spots. I have two venues that will indelibly represent fine dining.” And while Hug relays that the fine dining has declined in San Diego with the influx of more informal small-plate eateries with casual service and the millennial crowd gravitating toward trendy environments, he believes, “No matter what the trends of the moment are, I am confident that there will always be the need for a truly fine place where you can easily converse, while enjoying elegant food served on a tablecloth by professional servers.” Amen to that.
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SCOOT ➠ CHRIS CANTORE HAD AN EPIPHANY A FEW MONTHS AGO when his 11-year-old son wanted to go to the Krause Family Skate & Bike Park, a legendary skateboard park in Clairemont, to ride his scooter. “Last time I’d been there was maybe 10 years ago,” says Cantore, a local media personality and lifelong skateboarder. “As a parent, I was tripping. This is a famous skate park. I thought the skaters would eat him alive. I thought there was no way scooters and skateboards could coexist.” So Cantore was amazed when he and his son showed up at the skate park. “It was 80 percent scooters and only 20 percent skateboards,” Cantore muses, still amazed months later. “There are some old-school skaters whose kids prefer scooters and they’re like, ‘I’ve failed as a parent,’ but skateboarding is harder. There’s a learning curve.” Cantore may have missed that San Diego is in the middle of a scooter
One beach-area resident who asked not to be identified said he loves having the option of riding around his neighborhood on a scooter. “I love them! I use them mostly for getting from Pacific Beach to Mission Beach, or if I’m in a hurry to go somewhere in PB and don’t want to use my car,” he says. “I had a lot of fun downtown though, doing a taco tour with my brother.” However, it’s not 100 percent perfect. Scooters are easier to ride than skateboards, but accidents happen. One person interviewed for this article said his mom crashed a scooter on her birthday and suffered rib injuries as a result. Plus, there are reports that police are trying to generate revenue by ticketing scooter riders who ride on local sidewalks or don’t wear a helmet. “They’re also being vandalized like crazy,” our beach-area friend says. “My girlfriend almost ran into traffic because someone cut the brakes on one. And my neighbor left one outside my apartment, and I heard the alarm going off one night, and the guy is at my gate trying to get in to pick it up.”
OVER!
BY DAVID MOYE
IF IT SEEMS LIKE SCOOTERS ARE POPPING UP EVERYWHERE AROUND TOWN, YOU’RE RIGHT. SAN DIEGO IS AMID
revolution, but Doug Belden didn’t. He’s the co-owner of the Scooter Farm, a If you are going to rent a scooter, it’s recommended you do it early in the Clairemont-based shop dedicated to all things scooter. Since opening the busiday before they get scooped up by others. It’s akin to scoping out the best pool ness about four years ago with partner Beau Torres, he’s seen the sport roll chairs at the hotel. over skateboards, roller blades and bicycles. Considering San Diego has approximately 300 days of sunshine a year, “Scootering is actually the number one sport in Australia now,” Belden it’s interesting to note that many locals still insist on driving around in cars. says. “It blows my mind the tricks that can be done. And kids learn quicker Jason Falstrup is hoping to change that with Skooza, a new brand of scooter on a scooter than a skateboard.” with its headquarters in San Diego. The stylish vehicles are considered It isn’t cheap. A good scooter for kids sells for between $100 and $300, but electric bikes—so no license is needed—and can travel at speeds close to the parts wear down and need to be replaced—which can cost hundreds of 15 mph. Skoozas sell for around $1,500 apiece online, but can be rented at dollars annually, depending on how much a person rides. electricscootersandiego.com. But while kids are wheeling it all over San Diego’s skate parks, the adults “They’re perfect for people who love cars and hate traffic,” Falstrup says. “I are getting into the fun in busy, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods such as don’t even own a car anymore. I use these for getting around the East Village the Gaslamp, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and Hillcrest—thanks to dockless where I live and rely on public transit or Ubers when I need to go further.” scooters that can be inexpensively rented via a smartphone app. Falstrup says the dockless Bird and Lime scooters available for rent have Lime and Bird are two companies changing the city’s transportation sysbeen sort of “a gateway drug” for Skoozas. “Anyone can ride it,” he says. tem by renting electric scooters to visitors and locals alike using “People in their 70s who never use a bike. People with prossmartphone apps. Bird spokesperson Kenneth Baer says the comthetic limbs. However, we don’t recommend anyone younger SAN DIEGAN AMY pany offers both scooters and bikes as a transit option for short than 16, just to be safe.” ROLLINS CRUISES THE “last mile” trips that are too long to walk, but too short to drive. It remains to be seen what the future of San Diego scootering PACIFIC BEACH BOARDWALK “Bird’s mission is to replace the 40 percent of car trips that are entails, but Cantore says the only way to express the current RIDING A SCOOTER under 2 miles … to get people out of their cars, reduce traffic and wave is with a musical analogy. He says, “It’s like if skating is FROM LOCAL COMPANY congestion, and cut carbon emissions,” Baer says. punk rock, than scootering is the Imagine Dragons.” SCOOTER FARM.
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K AREN MORRISON
A SCOOTER REVOLUTION—MANUAL AND ELECTRIC SCOOTERS ARE THE “IT” WAY TO GET FROM POINT A TO B.
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HIGH HIG OTES O N After announcing its final curtain call not long ago, the San Diego Opera is singing with new energy.
FOUR YEARS AFTER BEING DEEMED NOT VIABLE BY its then-administrators on the cusp of its 50th anniversary, then resurrected by the heroic efforts of its determined staff, renegade board members, and impassioned opera lovers, San Diego Opera (SDO) appears to have now settled into a new normal—one that’s exciting and delighting local opera lovers with powerful and unexpected productions. The company’s recent staging of Turandot completely sold out—the first time an SDO opera has sold out since 2006. ¶ The company has found a new rhythm, alternating its season between grand opera productions on the main stage and more innovative programming in smaller spaces, and it’s working. Its Detour Series, aimed at showcasing the beauty and power of opera through nontraditional outlets and boutique productions, is attracting a younger generation of opera lovers. And the mood at the season-closing “One Amazing Night” concert, featuring SDO favorites Lise Lindstrom and Greer Grimsley, was nothing short of celebratory. ¶ “Opera is a beautiful performance-based live art form that uses storytelling to share life lessons that can be drawn from age-old tales or crafted from current events,” says board president Robert Kaplan. There was a lot to love this past season. Critics called out SDO’s “daring and artistically satisfying fresh new productions” and sold-out houses, from the “sumptuous, musically resplendent production of Puccini’s Turandot” to a
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PHOTO CREDIT GOTHAM BOOK 5.5/9PT
BY STEPHANIE THOMPSON
SAN DIEGO OPERA PRESENTS MOZART’S COMIC OPERA, THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO.
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ABOVE: SAN DIEGO OPERA PRESENTS ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK’S VERSION OF HANSEL AND GRETEL, PART OF ITS DETOUR SERIES. BELOW: ONE OF SEVERAL PUPPETS USED IN HANSEL AND GRETEL OPPOSITE: SAN DIEGO OPERA HOSTS BIZET’S MASTERPIECE, CARMEN.
OPENING SPREAD: DAN NORMAN, MINNESOTA OPERA. THIS PAGE, FROM TOP: TIMOTHY MATHESON, VANCOUVER OPERA; EMILY COOPER, VANCOUVER OPERA. OPPOSITE: JEFF ROFFMAN, THE ATLANTA OPERA.
“rousing, vibrant production of Daniel Catán’s Florencia en el Amazonas” (Ken Herman), which spurred The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Pam Kragen to gush, “It’s one of those rare times when you wish an opera was longer.” Anticipation and momentum surround SDO’s coming season, a full-speed-ahead return to some great classics local audiences haven’t seen in years, with a mix of favorite artists and lots of exciting debuts. Mozart’s comedy The Marriage of Figaro, last performed in San Diego in 2007, returns in a new production co-owned with Kansas City Opera and Opera Philadelphia. All four principals are making their company debuts: Bassbaritone Nicholas Brownlee, who won both the 2016 Belvedere Singing Competition and Operalia’s zarzuela contest, stars as the wily barber Figaro. Sarah Shafer debuts as his love Susanna, and John Moore as Count Almaviva, with Metropolitan Opera veteran Caitlin Lynch as the Countess. Last performed here in 2009, Verdi’s 1851 tragedy Rigoletto will star Stephen Powell, returning in triumph from last season’s La Traviata, in the title role of the cursed court jester. Coloratura soprano Alisa Jordheim makes her company debut as Rigoletto’s sheltered daughter, Gilda, and Scott Quinn debuts as the dastardly Duke, who gets one of the most famous tenor arias in all opera, “La donne è mobile.” Also making debuts are conductor Steven White and Canadian director Michael Cavanaugh. A standout of last season’s Detour Series was an intense, pared-down version of The Tragedy of Carmen. Fans of Bizet’s classic will be delighted to hear the full grand opera version returns in 2019. Mezzo-soprano
Ginger Costa-Jackson makes her company debut in the smoldering title role, with tenor Robert Watson debuting as her violently jealous lover, Don José, baritone Scott Connor as the bullfighter Escamillo, and soprano Sarah Tucker as Don José’s jilted fiancée, Micaëla. As always, things end badly—and bloodily—for the fiery gypsy. SDO’s Detour Series, in the meantime, continues to produce daring premieres and innovative productions of existing works. The company continues its relationship with contemporary composer Jake Heggie with the San Diego premiere of Three Decembers, a chamber opera exploring the inner workings, hidden conflicts, and hopes and dreams of a family over the decades. Superstar mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade created the role of Madeline Mitchell for the opera’s world premiere in Houston in 2008, and reprises it here. Before his name was borrowed by a British pop singer in the 1960s, German composer Engelbert Humberdinck made his fame writing a version of the children’s fairy tale Hansel and Gretel that has become a standby of the operatic repertoire, calling out for imaginative and sometimes even twisted takes to keep it fresh. SDO hasn’t produced the opera since 1999, and this new production from Vancouver Opera will be worth the wait. It’s a feast for the eyes, with flying puppets, shadow art, papier-maché masks, bunraku (Japanese puppets) and more. To maximize its appeal to families, this adaptation will be sung in English. With soprano Sara Gartland returning as Gretel and mezzo-soprano Blythe Gaissert as Hansel, company debuts come from conductor Ari Pelto, the music director for Opera Colorado, and director Brenna Corner, who originated this production in Vancouver. Finally, SDO’s new tradition “One Amazing Night” returns featuring Stephen Powell joined by the gorgeous soprano Ailyn Pérez, who was last seen here in recital in 2014 as well as performances in 2010’s Romeo and Juliet and 2011’s Faust. The concert will focus on music in the Puccini and Verdi repertoire. “I’m so excited about our new season, knowing that it will appeal to longtime opera lovers as well as newer audience members,” says David Bennett, SDO general director. “The 2018-19 season builds upon the successes of our past two seasons with the continuation of our Detour Series in venues around San Diego, while maintaining the company’s commitment to the best of grand opera at the Civic Theatre. There are plenty of familiar titles, and each production in the season will be completely new to our audiences. There’s something for everyone in this season. You will not be disappointed.” sdopera.org
I’m so excited about our new season, knowing that it will appeal to longtime opera lovers as well as newer audience members.
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INSIDE SCOOP
San Diego’s sweet tooth is in the spotlight, brimming with gourmet ice cream and gelato shops enticing you to save room for dessert. BY WENDY LEMLIN WHERE GUESTBOOK
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OPENING SPREAD: ALMOND BRITTLE ICE
CREAM WITH SALTED GANACHE (LEFT);
SEA SALT ICE CREAM WITH CARAMEL
RIBBONS; BOTH AT SALT & STRAW.
THIS PAGE: ICE CREAM CONES WITH
SPRINKLES AT TREET DESSERTS. OPPOSITE: ICE CREAM FLAVORS AT MOOTIME CREAMERY (TOP); GELATO AT PAPPALECCO (BOTTOM).
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OLD-SCHOOL COOL Kitschy statues of Elvis and a black-and-white cow flank the entrance to MooTime Creamery (1025 Orange Ave., Coronado), gracing the community’s main drag since 1998. MooTime serves up an impressive variety of “super creamium” handcrafted-from-scratch ice cream, sorbet and frozen yogurt—with flavors ranging from
the classics to trendy tastes such as Irish cream and chai tea. Flavor ingredients are sourced directly—never from extracts—so flavors are spot-on, and even the cones are hand-rolled daily. There’s an entire board of sundae options; plus a full array of fresh-made novelty items, such as ice cream-filled bon bons, “tacos,” sandwiches and cakes. For 18 years, Mariposa Ice Cream (3450 Adams Ave.) has been an integral part of the Normal Heights/ Kensington neighborhood, scooping 20 flavors of homemade goodness and generously participating in community events. Founder Dick Van Ransom grew up on a dairy farm, and, according to his widow Anna, Mariposa’s ice cream is made “the old-fashioned way, with no gimmicks” and about one-third less sugar than many others. Flavors are old-school favorites, with the most popular being Mexican chocolate. Have a cone, take home a hand-packed pint or quart, or indulge with a sundae or banana split. EXOTIC FLAVORS If you can’t decide on one of the 300-plus rotating flavors at cult-followed Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream
OPENING SPREAD, LEELA CYD ROSS; THIS PAGE AND OPPOSITE, JOHN DOLE
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an Diego is simply swooning over ice cream. The good stuff, gourmet ice cream, is currently a thing here—cold, creamy, small-batch, handcrafted gastronomic deliciousness. Ice cream has become the craft cocktail of the dessert world, marrying seemingly disparate gustatory ingredients into complex flavor profiles. At the same time, however, time-honored favorites such as chocolate, strawberry and vanilla continue to hold sway, and salted caramel seems to be an all-around winner. From old-school, ice-cream-parlor-style, to unusual, yet enticing flavor combinations, to Asian-inspired creations, to authentic Italian gelato, there is no shortage of fixes for your ice cream habit. (And if you don’t currently have a “Chunky Monkey” on your back, this list just might help you find your “gateway drug.”)
(hammondsgourmet.com), no problem. You can order a flight of two, three, four, five, six or 32 (!) mini cones of the super-premium ice cream. Boasting around 18 percent butterfat, the texture is super creamy and dense. The flavors are all Hawaiian-influenced because the ice cream is actually made in Hawaii exclusively for Hammond’s locations in North Park, Pacific Beach and Point Loma. Favorites include Kona coffee, Thai tea, chocolate coconut macadamia nut, and pineapple cream. Portland-based Salt & Straw (1670 India St., Little Italy) has been pulling in the crowds with its imaginative flavors. Customers ordering the sustainably sourced, handmade ice cream can choose from 12 classic flavors such as almond brittle with salted ganache (founder Tyler Malek’s grandma’s brittle recipe); avocado and Oaxacan fudge; and the San Diego-exclusive James Coffee & bourbon, which uses coffee from a neighborhood coffee roaster. Each month, find up to five additional limited-edition flavors, and always a plethora of goodies to be hand-mixed into the ice cream. As is fitting for an ice cream parlor located among the authentic Asian restaurants and businesses in the Convoy District, Somi Somi (4620 Convoy St.) features Japanese (taiyaki)- and Korean (ah-boong)-inspired soft serve in traditional goldfish-shaped cones. The cones start with a filling of red bean, custard or Nutella, then true milk, ube (purple yam), black sesame, or matcha ice cream is swirled on, and lastly, a topping of your choice. Try the matcha ice cream with custard and graham cracker sprinkles. GELATO GEMS Gelato, i.e. Italian ice cream, has less fat and sugar than its American counterpart, but because it also has less air beaten in during churning, the texture is denser and silkier, and the flavor richer. Pappalecco’s owners Lorenzo and Francesco Bucci were taught the craft from the most celebrated gelato maker in their native Pisa, and the brothers have followed the Tuscan tradition of making everything from scratch for their Hillcrest, Del Mar, Little Italy and Kensington locations (pappalecco.com). The intensely flavored fruit sorbets (no dairy, just fruit, water and sugar), are bright and refreshing, vegan-friendly and mostly gluten-free. Favorites range from summer-fresh strawberry, to the luxurious Marrocchino—a meld of coffee and chocolate. Would you buy your gelato at a dry cleaner? You would if it were An’s Dry Cleaning (3017 Adams Ave.), the made-on-site gelato parlor housed in a former North
Park alterations and dry cleaning shop. The sweet and savory flavors include both permanent and rotating selections, made from locally sourced ingredients. Black sea salt caramel; goat cheese and honey; ginger lime sorbet; gorgonzola-pear; and espresso with orange marmalade are just a few possibilities. Or indulge in their tasting menu and try seven varieties. SANDWICH STOP Sure, you could stop at Treet Desserts (3960 W. Point Loma Blvd.) in Point Loma, and just get a single scoop of Niederfrank all-natural, hand-churned ice cream— made by the company that has been a celebrated National City institution since 1948. But if you pass up one of their custom ice cream sandwiches made with cookies, brownies, doughnuts and churros baked inhouse, you’ll be missing out on a real treat. Sandwich any of a dozen ice cream flavors with your choice of baked good, or indulge in one of the six “Treet Creations” such as the Some Like It Hot—a warm brownie topped with peanut butter, triple chocolate ice cream, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and chocolate drizzle. Consider that sweet tooth satisfied.
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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 (currently closed for renovations), which presents world-class exhibitions overlooking the Pacific.
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LITTLE ITALY New York’s got one, Chicago’s got one, and so does San Diego. Downtown’s 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 bistros, pasta markets and sidewalk cafés lining the main drag, India Street. The village-like ‘hood is populated by many actual Italians, whose heritage is celebrated during several annual festas. Little Italy has also become one of the trendiest nesting sites for San Diego’s young urbanites, thanks to its contemporary architecture, stylish boutiques, a burgeoning design district along Kettner Boulevard, and, surprisingly, a growing array of non-Italian dining hotspots.
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 historical, 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 the famed 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 decor 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.
LA JOLLA AND DOWNTOWN, EDWIN SANTIAGO; LITTLE ITALY, LYUDMILA ZOTOVA
SAN DIEGO COMPRISES MANY VERY DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES. HERE ARE THE MOST VISITED.
EDWIN SANTIAGO
UPTOWN/SOUTH PARK San Diego’s edgiest cultural districts can be found just north and east of Balboa Park. As the center of the city’s LGBT community and host of the annual Pride Parade & Festival, Hillcrest brims with stellar shopping, ethnic cuisine, casual dance clubs and a Sunday farmers market. Neighboring Mission Hills is home to grand estates whose residents frequent its quaint boutiques and bistros. Due east, North Park— with its alternative galleries, bars and the historical Observatory North Park theater—is the city’s 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 historical 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 is abuzz with joggers, bicyclists, skateboarders and sightseers on Segways. It’s also home to Belmont Park’s Giant Dipper roller coaster, built in 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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OLD TOWN By day, pedestrian-only Old Town State Park attracts visitors with historical 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 serving up margaritas.
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OCEAN BEACH/ POINT LOMA These are the quieter, more scenic coastal cousins to the raucous neighborhoods of Pacific Beach and Mission Beach. Ocean Beach, or “O.B.” to locals, is a holdout of bohemian counterculture, full of organic grocers, antique malls and 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 cultureseekers. 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 such as Misión 19 serving haute Baja-Med 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; a view of its tranquil scenery is pictured.) Baja even has its own wine country, a 14-mile route through the Valle de Guadalupe. FOR WHAT’S HAPPENING IN S.D., SEE WHERE SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE, SOCALPULSE.COM OR THE WHERE TRAVELER 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 historical 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 more than 100 (yes, 100!) producers including the 129-yearold Bernardo Winery; another 40 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.
OLD TOWN AND OCEAN BEACH, EDWIN SANTIAGO; BAJA, COURTESY IMAGE; GREATER S.D. COUNTY, BRADLEY SCHWEIT
NEIGHBORHOODS
spending time
7 STITCHES JEWELRY AT LIBERTY STATION, COURTESY IMAGE
SHOPPING SAN DIEGO STYLE IS ALL ABOUT ELEGANCE TEMPERED BY COMFORT. THIS IS THE COMMON THREAD UNITING THE TONY DESIGNER SHOPS OF LA JOLLA AND DEL MAR, THE INDEPENDENT BOUTIQUES SPRINGING UP DOWNTOWN, AND THE MANY FASHION AND OUTLET MALLS. DECISIONS, DECISIONS ...
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SHOPPING
TRENDY TRINKETS Find versatile pieces with fine finishes at the Westfield UTC’s new jewelry store, Gorjana—one of several California locations (in addition to Laguna Beach and Venice) for the rising jewelry line. The inviting modern decor of the shop is reason enough to pop in— outfitted in white, light woods and gleaming glass. Launched in 2004 by husband-and-wife team, Jason and Gorjana Reidel, the brand is beloved by celebrities—Bella Hadid, Kourtney Kardashian, Catt Sadler, Vanessa Hudgens—and their fans. Gorjana’s collections encompass mid-range-priced ($30-$200) necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets. Peruse delicate designs with gemstone beading—including their popular “power gem” pieces, layered rings, bar necklaces and much more. Most items make for great gifts and can be layered together for an effortless yet elegant look. 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, 858.626.0117, gorjana.com
BAZAAR DEL MUNDOCL002705 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 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 range from Calvin Klein, Dooney & Bourke and Lacoste to Barneys New York and Brooks Brothers. The outlets also boast 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 DEL MAR HIGHLANDS TOWN CENTER This exclusive open-air pocket of dining, shopping and entertainment comprises more than 75 shops and restaurants, as well as luxury movie theater complex Cinépolis. Pick up gourmet pantry items at Baker & Olive, fashionable swimsuits at Diane’s Beachwear, and trendy threads at Studio 12-20. Fuel up at several dining options, including Searsucker, Casa Sol y Mar and Snooze. 12925 El Camino Real, Del Mar, delmarhighlandstowncenter.com
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, which offers coastal views. 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, 858.847.2284, delmarplaza.com DUTY FREE CITY Located along the U.S.-Mexico border, this 14,000-square-foot space offers sophisticated, duty-free shopping: luxury accessories, beauty products, leather goods, confectionary, wine, spirits and tobacco. 601 E. San Ysidro Blvd., San Ysidro, 619.621.2600, dutyfreecityonline.com FASHION VALLEY MALLCL9000006472 There are shopping malls and there are shopping empires. Fashion Valley Mall holds sway as San Diego’s premier shopping destination, with department stores such as Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s—and around 200 shops and restaurants. Luxury retailers include Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry and Hermes. Restaurants include Stacked and True Food Kitchen. 7007 Friars Road, Mission Valley, 619.688.9113, simon.com FLOWER HILL PROMENADE4 A favorite destination for North County shoppers, this upscale, open-air retail center is known for its refined culinary outposts, casual coffee shops and diverse array of luxury boutiques and specialty stores—stocking clothing, home accessories and more. 2720 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, 858.481.2904, flowerhill.com
THE FORUM 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 such as Talbots, Victoria’s Secret and Anthropologie, plus family-oriented eateries such as Buca di Beppo and Panera Bread. 1923 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, 760.479.0166, theforumcarlsbad.com THE HEADQUARTERS AT SEAPORTCL0000027067 Formerly the city’s police headquarters (built in 1939), the historical, seaside property is now an open-air lifestyle center. Explore sophisticated shops— including CoCo Rose, Madison, Geppetto’s Toys and Urban Beach House, featuring unique clothing items, gifts and accessories—galleries and eateries. In between shopping, refuel at Puesto, Seasons 52 and The Cheesecake Factory. 789 W. Harbor Drive, downtown, 619.235.4013, theheadquarters.com WESTFIELD HORTON PLAZACL0000027067 Located on the site of San Diego’s historical town plaza, this multi-level, open-air mall is often credited as having sparked downtown’s revitalization. Horton opened in 1985 and features dozens of shops and restaurants, a movie theater, and Horton Plaza Park—an artsy urban plaza with an amphitheater. 324 Horton Plaza, Gaslamp Quarter, 619.239.8180, westfield.com/hortonplaza LAS AMERICAS PREMIUM OUTLETS Bargain hunters regularly trek to the border to find discounted treasures at this outdoor fashion outlet center, San
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DESTINATION SHOPPING
The Breitling Jet Squad Jacques Bothelin Christophe Deketelaere Paco Wallaert
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GALLERIES ADELMAN FINE ART CL00259 Shop original paintings, limitededition prints, sculpture, artisanal jewelry and more—all created by local and national artists and designers—at this contemporary boutique and art gallery in the heart of Little Italy's design district. 1980 Kettner Blvd., #40, Little Italy, 619.354.5969, adelmanfineart.com
THIEVES OF MAY BY TIM CANTOR, ON VIEW AT THE ART OF TIM CANTOR GALLERY
Diego’s largest. With more than 125 stores and restaurants, 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 LIBERTY STATION The former naval base is home to Liberty Public Market, with more than 30 specialty retailers selling gourmet food items and home wares; as well as Comickaze Comic Books, Kid Ventures, Moniker General, The LOT luxury cinema, The Loma Club golf course, NTC Park, an arts district and a dozen restaurants. 2640 Historic Decatur Road, Point Loma, libertystation.com OTAY RANCH TOWN CENTER0 Shops at this airy South County mall include Apple, Sephora and myriad
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fashion boutiques. Enjoy outdoor fire pits, a dog park, restaurants and a movie theater. 2015 Birch Road, Chula Vista, 619.656.1393, otayranchtowncenter.com SEAPORT VILLAGECL0000027063 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 40-plus shops, a carousel and a handful of eateries. Miles of bayside cobblestone paths make it an ideal place for strolling on a sundappled afternoon. 849 W. Harbor Drive, Embarcadero, 619.235.4014, seaportvillage.com WESTFIELD UTCCL0000027067 This sprawling open-air mall features several major department stores and more than 150 upmarket shops and eateries. Commissioned artwork includes a dolphin-themed play fountain for children. The mall’s food court overlooks an ice skating rink offering
ART & FRAMES BY WOOD GALLERY CL0000022595 Owner Jill Hardman stocks her quaint Coronado gallery with a vast variety of both traditional and contemporary artwork by local, national and international artists—including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, glass works and much more—plus hand-signed lithographs by 20th-century master artists such as Chagall, Picasso and Matisse. 936 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.435.5212, artcoronado.com THE ART OF TIM CANTOR CL0000022595 At age 15, Tim Cantor saw one of his paintings placed in the White House. He has been featured in the world’s most prestigious art venues, and recently went on tour with rock band Imagine Dragons, who featured his work on their Smoke + Mirrors album cover and in music videos. His gallery shows his darkly ethereal oil paintings and limited-edition prints. 527 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.235.6990, timcantor.com CHUCK JONES STUDIO GALLERY The work of world-renowned animator Chuck Jones has been viewed and valued by many generations enjoying Saturday morning cartoons, and is now on view in the Gaslamp. The gallery features work by Jones, the Oscar-winning creator of such memo-
rable characters as Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, Marvin the Martian and Pepe le Pew, as well as images from San Diego’s very own beloved Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel. 232 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.294.9880, chuckjones.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 exhibition spaces as well as 14 artist studios. 317 E. Grand Ave., Escondido, 760.707.2770, distinctionart.com MADISON GALLERYCL9000007945 Gallery owner Lorna York presides over this contemporary warehouseturned-art space, which features works by emerging, mid-career and established international artists working in a range of media. The gallery (recently relocated from La Jolla) is named for York's daughter, Madison. 320 S. Cedros Ave., #200, Solana Beach, 858.523.9155, madisongalleries.com PETER LIK GALLERYCL9000006511 This upscale gallery in the heart of La Jolla emanates a certain peaceful vibe, lined with world-renowned photographer Peter Lik’s luxury, landscape and fine art photography. The La Jolla locale is one of 15 Lik galleries throughout the U.S. and abroad, but the pieces here are rare, exquisite and one of a kind. 1205 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.200.0990, lik.com QUINT GALLERYCL9000007943 Since 1981, 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,
COURTESY TIM CANTOR
daily public skating sessions—one of the few remaining in San Diego. 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.546.8858, westfield.com/utc
Nikki & Co. Fine Jewelers Since 1948
Located in the Heart of the Gaslamp
Antique Engagement Rings
Fine Swiss Watches: Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philippe, Panerai and more. 562 5th Avenue, San Diego (619) 236-0870
NikkiFineJewelers.com
We Buy, Sell, Trade and Consign Estate and Antique Jewelry and Fine Swiss Watches
INDIRI CUFF BRACELET AT BAZAAR DEL MUNDO
Robert Irwin, Kim MacConnel and Roy McMakin are among the many big names the acclaimed gallery represents. 5171 Santa Fe St., San Diego, 858.454.3409, quintgallery.com RAVEAN AARON GALLERYCL9006487 This new flagship gallery in the heart of La Jolla Village showcases riveting surf, oceanic landscape, nature and travel photography by renowned photographer and adventurer (and La Jolla native), Ravean Kretowicz. Peruse his ethereal imagery inside a gorgeous, modern space, complete with exposed industrial ceilings and whitewashed walls. 1020 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.349.4929, raveanaaron.com
denim skinny jeans, trendy woodframe sunglasses from Shwood and other essentials; plus accessories for her and travel-inspired home goods. 3036-3039 University Ave., North Park, 619.269.3028, alohabeachclub.com
SHOPS & BOUTIQUES
AZZURRA CAPRICL9000007948 This luxury brand of Italian-crafted leather sandals offers an array of elegant footwear adorned in Swarovski crystals. The glamorous collection oozes femininity, with each set of sandals named after a woman (for example, the Cleopatra)—a perfect accompaniment to a flowing maxi dress. The boutique also carries sophisticated women’s clothing and accessories. 1840 Columbia St., Little Italy, 619.230.5116, azzurracapri.com
ALOHA BEACH CLUB52 This modern boutique in North Park captures the aloha spirit with its collection of clothing and accessories that are “surf-inspired” but not your typical Hawaiian-shirt cheesy. Find printed tees, organic
BETWEEN THE SHEETSCL9000007948 Looking for a home makeover? Between the Sheets has you covered, specializing in luxury bed linens and European decor. You’ll discover a diverse range of fine linens and home
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BEN BRIDGECL9000007948 Your personal jeweler since 1912, Ben Bridge is a family-run business known for its fine jewelry and knowledgeable service. From engagement rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets to watches, accessories and gifts, choose from designer brands including A.JAFFE, Mikimoto, Rolex and TAG Heuer. Ben Bridge also offers appraisals, engraving, repairs and complimentary cleaning. Fashion Valley Mall, 7007 Friars Road, #543, Mission Valley, 619.291.7572; Westfield UTC, 4505 La Jolla Village Drive, #C-19, La Jolla, 858.453.9996; 200 E. Via Rancho Pkwy., B-233, Escondido, 760.745.3900; benbridge.com BLENDS9 To make an edgy fashion statement, don’t forget your feet. Blends in East Village is known for its rare and exclusive urban footwear, including sneakers, trainers and high-tops. The Nike Roshe line of brightly colored, polka-dot-covered sneakers can stop traffic; while the Vans Vault Collection blackand-white checkerboard high-tops help to create a smooth street style. 719 Eighth Ave., East Village, 619.233.6126, blendsus.com BRILLIANT EARTH The retailer specializes in sustainable, ethically sourced fine jewelry, including engagement rings, diamond necklaces, earrings and vintage jewelry; plus, its airy showroom at La Plaza La Jolla also boasts an ocean-view terrace. Whether, it’s a black-tie, beach, garden or big city wedding, Brilliant Earth caters to every special occasion. Their popular
Unity collection features a truly stunning ring-shaped diamond pendant necklace. 7863 Girard Ave., #303, La Jolla, 619.202.4704, brilliantearth.com CAMELLIA BOUTIQUE L9000007948 Contemporary women’s clothing and accessories fit for the beach or a night out abound here. From relaxed cotton tops, rompers and denim to chic dresses, colorful swimwear and statement-making shoes, Camellia stocks comfortable, fun and edgy fashions that channel that freespirited California lifestyle. Featured favorite brands include Faithfull the Brand, Stillwater and Bella Dahl. Plus, leather totes, jewelry and locally made soy candles. 301 N. Highway 101, Solana Beach, 858.481.8616 CARAVAN WEST LIFESTYLE L9000007948 This unique lifestyle store in Encinitas stocks handmade, fair-trade, ethically sourced treasures from around the world—including homeware, furnishings, bags, accessories, jewelry, art and much more. 587 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, 760.487.5930, shopcaravanwest.com CORONADO TASTE OF OILS This family-owned shop is stocked with oils and fine-aged vinegars from around California and imported from the likes of Italy, Chile and Australia. The best part: Guests can sample any item in stock. Try the organic, Tuscan-herb olive oil infusion, the blood-orange-infused olive oil or the cranberry and pear white balsamic vinegar. 954 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.522.0098, tasteofoils.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;
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furnishings in a variety of styles to suit every taste. From sheet sets, towels, bath rugs and throw pillows to dinnerware, accent decor, furniture and lighting, you’ll find everything you need to design the home of your dreams. 2650 Via de la Valle, #C210, Del Mar, 858.847.3300, betweenthesheetsinc.com
he also makes spot-on reading suggestions. The shop long has hosted readings by esteemed authors such as Allen Ginsberg, Edward Albee, Gore Vidal and Maureen Dowd. 7461 Girard Ave., La Jolla, 858.456.1800, dgwillsbooks.com DEEPFLINGCL003849 Located in The Lumberyard shopping center, deepFLING is a treasure trove for Scandinavian fashion, jewelry and accessories for women. Shop coveted brands from Scandinavia and northern Europe, including Odd Molly, KumKum, Pilgrim, Chamilia, Liebeskind Berlin and Lotta Jewelry. 937 S. Coast Hwy. 101, #C-100, Encinitas, 760.942.4254, deepfling.com
937 S. COAST HWY 101 #C100 Situated in the Lumberyard Center
DOWNTOWN ENCINITAS 760.942.4254 DEEPFLING.COM
THE FABULOUS RAG 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 oneof-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. 845 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.270.1993, myfabrag.com GONE BANANAS BEACHWEAR Since 1975, Gone Bananas’ collection of women’s mix-and-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, Vitamin A, L*Space and Billabong. 3785 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach, 858.488.4900, gonebananasbeachwear.com GOORIN BROS.CL0000333859 Design is a priority from head to toe at this well-appointed hat shop in a historical 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
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GORJANACL0000333859 Find versatile jewelry pieces with fine finishes at this modern shop. Launched in 2004 by husbandand-wife team, Jason and Gorjana Reidel, the celebrity-lauded brand encompasses mid-range-priced ($30$200) necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets. Peruse delicate designs with gemstone beading—including their popular “power gem” pieces, layered rings and bar necklaces. Westfield UTC, 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, 858.626.0117, gorjana.com GRACIE JAMES L9000007948 A champion of artful living, this charming shop stocks elegant home accessories, drinkware, candles, soaps, hand creams, plants, custom floral arrangements and more. 7938 Herschel Ave., La Jolla, 858.291.8041, graciejames.com GRAFFITI BEACHCL0000333866 Owner Melanie Michaud keeps her inventory stocked with one-of-a-kind “beach-to-street” fashions for women and men from up-and-coming designers. Eco-friendly accessories— bamboo sunglasses, wood watches and jewelry made from drum cymbals and skateboard decks—and hip gifts for babies are also popular here, as well as nostalgic and edgy art by emerging artists. 2220 Fern St., South Park, 858.433.0950, shopgraffitibeach.com GROUNDED CL0000027080 Find a fresh, mod approach to gardening and design at this spot in Encinitas’ Lumberyard. Among its housewares are indoor and outdoor furnishings by Herman Miller, Blu Dot and Gus Modern, along with placemats from Chilewich. Stock up on books on home and garden design. 897 S. Coast Highway 101, #105, Encinitas, 760.230.1563, shopgrounded.com HISCL9000006851 Whether shopping for the guy who lives in plain tees, or who prefers
more flair, this boutique offers men's and kids' clothing and accessories for diverse tastes. HIS carries lines that embody effortless SoCal style. 143 S. Cedros Ave., #K, Solana Beach, 858.350.6410, hismensstore.com
and magnificent pieces from Italian designer Roberto Coin and Forevermark by De Beers. 1555 Camino Del Mar, #324, Del Mar; 12925 El Camino Real, Suite J-28, Del Mar; 858.523.0000; loghman.com
HI SWEETHEART There’s a lot to love inside this little gift boutique. Here you’ll find a fun blend of hand-picked goods, from distinctive jewelry and playful accessories, to unique kitchenware, letterpressed stationery, books and candles. Plus, one-of-a-kind art and home decor; toys and books for little ones; whimsical party supplies; and a slew of items to show your love for the Golden State, including a Californiashaped cutting board; and mugs, beach totes and coasters featuring the state's beloved grizzly bear. 7920 Ivanhoe Ave., La Jolla, 858.729.1985, hi-sweets.com
LONE FLAGC Add some pop to simple basics with accessories that say something. Lone Flag is more of a concept space than shop—focusing on American-made clothing and accessories for men and women. Think well-crafted, premiumquality pieces that stand the test of time. Try the eye-catching Westward Leaning Voyager 16 sunglasses—featuring circular matte-sand tortoise frames with blackened California Redwood inlays for $185; or an electric blue, unisex utility bracelet for $28. 1057-A S. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 760.271.1303, loneflag.co
HUNT & GATHERCL9000006851 This boutique lives up to its name with its array of vintage clothing, accessories and home decor gathered from up and down the West Coast by owner Zoe Crenshaw, who customizes her finds with embroidery and other touches. 2871 University Ave., North Park, 619.297.3040, huntandgathershop.com LEAPING LOTUSL9000006478 Located in the heart of Cedros Design District, this airy, 21,000-squarefoot marketplace is a great spot for personalized gifts. Shop among pieces from more than 120 merchants and local artists—including art, photography, bath/spa products, candles, clothing, exotic imports, accessories, jewelry, home decor and furnishings, and kitchen wares. 240 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, 858.720.8283, leapinglotus.com LOGHMAN JEWELERSCL9000006478 A diamond lover’s dream, this sophisticated shop carries an elegant selection of engagement and wedding rings, plus fine jewelry, watches
LOCAL & INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS | CUSTOM FRAMING | GLOBAL SHIPPING
M-THEORY MUSICL9000006667 San Diego’s version of the record store in High Fidelity, this shop carries a nice selection of new and used vinyl, as well as CDs. Pick up the latest albums by indie acts like Arcade GBSD18_Art&Frame.indd Fire and The Black Keys, or search the used bins for classic rock, jazz and soul records. The store has also hosted legendary live performances by Chuck D, Spiritualized and TV on the Radio, among many others. 827 W. Washington St., Mission Hills, 619.220.0485, mtheorymusic.com
936 Orange Ave., Coronado, CA 92118 www.ArtCoronado.com | 619-435-5212
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MCKENZIE RAE DRESSESCL0000027093 Shop among gorgeous, one-of-a-kind daytime, cocktail and special-occasion dresses, accessories and shoes inside this elegant, stylish boutique. Sip a signature cocktail in your own private dressing room, consult with a seasoned personal dress stylist and enjoy attentive customer service. 643 G St., East Village, 619.756.7321, mckenzieraedresses.com THE MCNALLY COMPANY ANTIQUES CL0000027093 Peruse an exceptional inventory of 17th, 18th and 19th-century antiques
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WATCH • LEARN • SHOP
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inside this elegant Rancho Santa Fe shop. Find a treasure trove of furnishings, paintings and other artworks spanning French, English, Italian and Spanish Colonial eras; plus one of the region’s finest collections of antique silver. 6033-L Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe, 858.756.1922, mcnallycompanyantiques.com MIMI & REDL9000007927 Both locations of this trendsetting women’s clothing boutique are regularly frequented by fashionistas in search of the latest piece no one else has. Shop among trendy looks of the moment, from dresses, tops and rompers to jewelry and accessories. 3041 University Ave., North Park, 619.298.7933; 5680 La Jolla Blvd., Bird Rock, 858.456.7933; mimiandred.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
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MISS MATCH1 Located on Ocean Beach’s main drag, this boutique caters to women of all sizes, ages and budgets. With wall-to-wall clothing, handbags, shoes and accessories, Miss Match not only keeps its stock high—with new inventory arriving daily—but also very au courant, carrying only the latest fashion trends and one-ofa-kind items. So if you see something you like, better buy it before another fashionista does. Their sister store is located in Coronado. 4932 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach, 619.223.5500; 1201 First St., #217, Coronado, 619.435.5550, missmatchsd.com NA HOKU0000027095 As Hawaii’s finest jewelers since 1924, Na Hoku captures the essence of Hawaiian lifestyle and tradition in its collection of fine jewelry. Hawaiian for “stars,” Na Hoku carries unique fine jewelry designed and made in Hawaii. You’ll find original pieces set with Tahitian pearls, diamonds and colored gemstones, as well as collections by renowned designers such as Kabana, LeVian and Effy. Fashion Valley Mall, 7007 Friars Road, Mission Valley, 619.294.7811, nahoku.com
NICOLE MILLERCL0000027097_ The designer'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. The Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona, #141, Carlsbad, 760.632.7000, nicolemiller.com 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 in the heart of Ocean Beach showcases the work of craftswomen Maie Webb and Nora Alexander. Graphic designer Webb hand-draws and presses Noon’s adorable greeting cards while Alexander, trained in industrial design, handcrafts its nature-inspired jewelry line. You’ll also find candles, soaps, hand towels, home goods and many other handcrafted pieces. 4993 Niagara Ave., #105, Ocean Beach, 619.523.1744, noondesignshop.com OMEGACL0000333837 As the official timekeeper for 24 Olympic Games, Omega has been a leading name in impeccable watchmaking since 1848. Designs range from the elegant, red gold ladies’ Constellation watch, with its whimsical diamond swirl face; to the sturdy, navy blue Planet Ocean watch for men, made from scratchresistant Liquidmetal, a super-strong zirconium-based alloy.
7007 Friars Road, Fashion Valley, 619.260.1120, omegawatches.com PASSION FINE JEWELRY This full-service jeweler owned by Tim and Janna Jackson carries Hearts on Fire diamonds, Alex Sepkus handcrafted jewelry and its own Passion Collection jewels, and is the source for Independent Watchmaking. 415 S. Cedros Ave., #100, Solana Beach, 858.794.8000, passionfinejewelry.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 miniterrariums and limited-edition art prints by co-owner Amy Paul. 3801 30th St., North Park, 619.501.6318, shoppigment.com SOLOCL0000027107 This warehouse-like retailer in the heart of the Cedros Design District carries all manner of home decor items, stationery and unique gifts for men, women and children. Find one-of-a-kind furniture, kitchen items, plus a fabulous array of inspiring architecture and design books, jewelry and accessories from local artisans, eye-popping lighting, children’s toys and more. 309 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, 858.794.9016, solocedros.com STUART BENJAMIN & CO. JEWELRY DESIGNSCL0000027109 Focusing on designs from Europe and the U.S., Stuart Benjamin & Co. offers a dazzling and diverse array of fine-quality jewelry—including classic styles, unique and contemporary jewelry, timepieces and custom designs. Known as the area's top jeweler for quality and service, the store also offers on-site jewelry repair and appraisal services. 7510 Hazard Center Drive, #405, Mission Valley, 619.297.7666, stuartbenjamin.com
SUNSPLASH SWIMWEARCL0000027109 With a vast international selection of swimwear and resort wear, including dozens of name brands, SunSplash carries everything from itsy-bitsy Brazilian bikinis to modern designer one-pieces. Sizes run the full range, and SunSplash specialists are trained to find the perfect figure-flattering fit. 2673 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, 858.472.0667, sunsplashresortwear.com
laid-back coastal lifestyle. Owner Andrea Van De Vort keeps her racks stocked with contemporary and bohemian-chic fashions for women by international and local labels, with a discerning eye for unique statement pieces. Whether it's a day at the beach, an afternoon at the races or a night on the town, you'll find your outfit here. 2710 Via de la Valle, #B110, Del Mar, 858.720.1059, shopvandevort.com
SWEET PAPERCL9000007930 This quaint, sunny stationery boutique run by a pair of sisters celebrates the lost art of the handwritten message. Check out their selection of clever, smartly illustrated cards by boutique brands; there’s also a wellcurated array of gift items, including candles, notebooks, recipe cards and more. Brides-to-be will love the shop’s bridal lounge. 7660-A Fay Ave., La Jolla, 858.456.1446, sweet-paper.com
VOCABULARYCL0000027108 Make this a definite stop on any shopping itinerary. The Little Italy boutique is one of the loveliest around. Tiffany-blue walls, white molding and a plush seating area complement the youthful collection of clothing for women and men, as well as jewelry, accessories, home decor, paper goods, gifts and more. 414 W. Cedar St., Little Italy, 619.203.4066, vocabularyboutique.com
TAYLOR GUITARSCL9000006850 Taylor Guitars rest in the hands of famous musicians such as Taylor Swift, Jason Mraz and more. At the company’s 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-Th at 1 p.m. 1980 Gillespie Way, El Cajon, 619.258.1207, taylorguitars.com TOURNEAU CL9000006510 If a new timepiece sounds tempting, turn to Tourneau, recognized by Guinness World Records for its mindboggling selection—more than 100 brands and dozens of styles, including rarities, vintage and limited editions. A bonus: Tourneau offers lifetime battery replacement. Fashion Valley Mall, 7007 Friars Road, Mission Valley, 619.296.8463, tourneau.com VAN DE VORT5 This independent boutique at Flower Hill Promenade caters to the
VOM FASS The European-style shop features wines, liqueurs, spirits, oils, vinegars, spices, gifts and gourmet foods from around the world. Choose from more than 25 handcrafted liqueurs, imported brandy and whiskey; and more than 70 oils and vinegars, with flavors such as roasted peanut and avocado. A handpicked wine collection focuses on boutique labels from family-owned vineyards. 1050 University Ave., #E103, Hillcrest, 619.534.5034, hillcrest.vomfassusa.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
WE OLIVE & WINE BARCL900796 Enjoy complimentary samples of California-grown extra virgin olive oils in a variety of inventive flavors at this specialty shop. You’ll also find bread mixes, body balms, lotions and soaps made with olive oil, plus vinegars, party dips and other gourmet items. Don’t miss the ocean-view wine bar in back, where you can enjoy a glass of boutique California wine. The bar also serves local craft beers and seasonal small plates. 1158 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.551.8250, weolive.com/la-jolla WESTIMECL9000007956 Westime has been one of the top watch boutiques in all of Southern California since 1987. This upscale, chic 2,500-square-foot boutique in the heart of La Jolla Village is the first Westime outpost to open outside of Los Angeles. Find all manner of timepieces, from popular fashion watches to limited-edition selections from the finest Swiss watchmakers (with pieces from more than 50 top designers). Brands include Hublot, Girard-Perregaux, Ulysse Nardin and Bell & Ross. 1227 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.459.2222, westime.com WILD DOVE BOUTIQUECL9007956 Inside owner Rachel Hunt's expertly curated boutique, you’ll find effortless, feminine designs to strengthen your wardrobe—soft, eco-friendly tops, flirty dresses and stylish denim—that can easily transition from day to night. The shop’s rotating racks feature collections by established and emerging designers— including Amour Vert, Lavender Brown and Show Me Your Mumu— as well as local labels. Plus contemporary shoes and accessories to complete your ensemble. 740 Market St., East Village, 619.501.5849, shopwilddove.com FOR MORE LISTINGS, SEE WHERE SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE, SOCALPULSE.COM OR THE WHERE TRAVELER CITY GUIDE APP
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chow time
COASTERRA, FOUND CREATIVE STUDIO
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
STEAK & SCOTCH It’s a glamorous, $6.5 million steakhouse in the heart of Little Italy. Welcome to Born & Raised, a nod to the original NYC chophouses of the late 1860s. The two-story restaurant spans 10,000 square feet of a 1930s-era building, featuring Italian marbletopped tables, walnut paneling, terrazzo floors, brass accents, rooftop dining, an in-house butchery and tuxedo-clad servers. Feast on filet mignon, porterhouses, ribeyes, dry-aged cuts, American and Japanese wagyu, slow-roasted prime rib and more. There’s even specialties such as British-style rib of beef served with Yorkshire pudding; Tournedos Rossini, a decadent French steak dish with truffles and foie gras; and Steak Dyyyanne (actual spelling), a vegan steak. Libations include the city’s largest collection of scotch by the glass and an inventory of 300-plus bottles. D (nightly). 1909 India St., Little Italy, 619.202.4577, bornandraisedsteak.com
A.R. VALENTIEN 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. Under Executive Chef Jeff Jackson, the restaurant uses seasonal, local produce to create its own masterpieces. B, L, D (daily). 11480 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, 858.777.6635, arvalentien.com ADDISON French. This fine-dining restaurant overlooking the golf course at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar features contemporary French cuisine intricately fused with Mediterranean flavors. Dinner entrees change seasonally, as Executive Chef William Bradley—a James Beard “Rising Star Chef” nominee and Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef—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 3,500-plus labels. D (Tu-Sa). 5200 Grand Del Mar Way, Del Mar, 858.314.1900, addisondelmar.com
BANKERS HILL American. Named for the neighborhood that houses it, this restaurant from popular Executive Chef Carl Schroeder (Market) features farmfresh shareable small plates and entrees like barbecue braised pork tacos, house-made pastas and 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), Br (Su). 2202 Fourth Ave., Bankers Hill, 619.231.0222, bankershillsd.com BENCOTTO ITALIAN KITCHEN Italian. The Italian word for “perfectly cooked,” Bencotto’s menu spotlights heaping portions of house-made pastas, an array of savory sauces, cured meats, artisanal cheeses and rich desserts—all served in a modern, airy setting inside the glass-concrete-and-steel walls of Little Italy’s Q Building. D (nightly), L (Tu-Su). 750 W. Fir St., Little Italy, 619.450.4786, lovebencotto.com BLUE OCEAN ROBATA & SUSHI BAR Japanese. High-style design meets modern Japanese cuisine inside this airy “aquarium” of sorts. The menu features yakitori-skewered meats, seafood and veggies that are charcoal-fired on a custom Japanese robata grill; plus sushi rolls and small plates that include savory vegetable potstickers and salt and pepper calamari. Wash it all down with a wellcurated selection of Japanese whiskey and sake. L, D (daily). 2958 Madison St., Carlsbad, 760.434.4959, blueoceanrobatasushi.com
BLUEWATER GRILL Seafood. Fresh, sustainable seafood reigns supreme at this waterfront spot—housed in the historical former Hotel del Coronado Boathouse. Choose from an array of shellfish and small plates such as ahi tuna poke and seared scallops with roasted jalapeño aioli. Entrees include miso-glazed black cod, pasta with shrimp and scallops, cioppino, beer-battered fish ’n’ chips, and daily fresh catches. Its sister restaurant in Carlsbad offers a wide variety of seafood dishes in a relaxed, nautically themed space. L, D (daily). 1701 Strand Way, Coronado, 619.435.0155; 417 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, 760.730.3474; bluewatergrill.com BROCKTON VILLA American. This 1894 cottage with a spectacular view overlooking La Jolla Cove is great for breakfast; try the famous Coast Toast, a French toast soufflé. For lunch and dinner, choose from an array of salads, seafood, steak and chicken. B, L, D (daily). 1235 Coast Blvd., La Jolla, 858.454.7393, brocktonvilla.com BROOKLYN GIRL EATERY American. This trendy neighborhood joint is known for its complimentary popcorn (evenings only); its airy, Brooklyn pantry vibe; and seasonal menu. Grab a Cobb salad for lunch, or feast on wood-fired pizzas—with toppings from littleneck clams and Brussels sprouts to figs and prosciutto—as well as meat and seafood entrées for dinner. Great cocktails and wine list, too. L (Tu-F), D (Tu-Su), Br (Sa-Su). 4033 Goldfinch St., Mission Hills, 619.296.4600, brooklyngirleatery.com
STARRED LISTINGS ARE FEATURED GUESTBOOK ADVERTISERS.
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ROBERT BENSON
1500 OCEAN California Cuisine. 1500 Ocean at the Hotel del Coronado showcases fresh California coastal cuisine with a delicious ocean view. The menu features seasonal culinary offerings sourced locally, coupled with wines from across the region. Start with a craft cocktail at the Sunset Bar, then dine on the oceanfront terrace, in the contemporary dining room or private dining cabanas. D (Tu-Su). 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.522.8490, hoteldel.com/1500-ocean
gaslamp fish house san diego
Voted Best Restaurant Taste of Gaslamp
2018
WINNER
BUONA FORCHETTA Italian. The wood-fired oven named "Sofia" takes center stage at this cozy corner eatery known for its authentic Neapolitan pizza, house-made pastas and salads. Save room for classic Italian desserts like tiramisu, panna cotta and cannoli. D (nightly), L (Tu-Su). 3001 Beech St., South Park, 619.381.4844, buonaforchettasd.com CAFE CHLOE French. This intimate and charming corner spot is known for its creative and exciting French bistro fare—from the traditional steak frites and mussels to its decadent macaroni and pancetta gratin. Weekend brunch is a favorite among locals; get there early to snag a table outside on the sidewalk patio. B, L (F-Su); D (Tu-Su). 721 Ninth Ave., East Village, 619.232.3242, cafechloe.com
SWIM AGAINST THE TIDE. 2958 MADISON ST CARLSBAD, CA 92008
#blueoceanrobata blueoceanrobatasushi.com
SWIM OVER TO OUR SISTER RESTAURANTS
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CAFE SEVILLA International. If you’re just mad about saffron—and the cuisine and culture of España, for that matter—head to 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 a wide array of tapas, paella and seafood. Sangria and live flamenco dinner shows will have you shouting out, "Olé!" L, D (daily). 353 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.5979, cafesevilla.com CANNONBALL Japanese/Pacific Rim. San Diego's largest rooftop restaurant showcases Pacific Rim-inspired cuisine overlooking the ocean in Belmont Park. Enjoy shareable plates such as beef tongue, salmon tataki and lemongrass chicken; plus inventive sushi rolls. L, D (daily). 3105 Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach, 858.228.9304, cannonballsd.com CASA DE BANDINI Mexican/Southwestern. Located at The Forum 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; to the strolling mariachis who serenade diners. Famous for its giant margaritas, the vast menu includes fajitas, enchiladas, salads and seafood specialties. L, D (daily). 1901 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, 760.634.3443, casadebandini.com CASA GUADALAJARA Mexican/Southwestern. Find traditional Mexican cuisine in a hacienda-style setting at this Old Town favorite. The menu features regional specialties, enchiladas, burritos and seafood. Dine indoors or on the shaded patio in the lush courtyard garden. Pitchers of frosty margaritas, charming mariachis and festive decor complete the experience. B (Sa-Su); L, D (daily). 4105 Taylor St., Old Town, 619.295.5111, casaguadalajara.com CASA SOL Y MAR Mexican/Southwestern. The warmth and beauty of Mexico comes alive here, via colorful folk art, authentic decor and roaming mariachis ready to serenade your table. Whether dining indoors or alfresco, feast upon traditional dishes, enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos and giant, frosty margaritas. L, D (daily). 12865 El Camino Real, Del Mar, 858.792.4100, casasolymar.com CHART HOUSE American. Enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean—sliding glass doors open to bring crashing waves and spectacular sunsets that much closer. The menu includes Chart House standards such as the delectable macadamia-crusted mahi or 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
COASTERRA Mexican. The Cohn Restaurant Group’s Mexican restaurant/lounge features a massive waterfront dining deck offering unrivaled panoramas of San Diego Bay and the downtown skyline. The menu of regional Mexican cuisine highlights local, seasonal ingredients, from ahi tuna tostadas and grilled lobster and jumbo prawns, to guacamole prepared tableside and enchiladas. An agave-focused cocktail menu includes more than 100 tequilas and a dozen mezcal infusions. L, D (daily). 880 Harbor Island Drive, Harbor Island, 619.814.1300, cohnrestaurants.com/coasterra COWBOY STAR 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 ensures that the meats, like the USDA prime 35-day dry-aged beef, are top quality. Plus, wild game offerings, seafood and salads. L (Tu-F), D (nightly). 640 10th Ave., East Village, 619.450.5880, cowboystarsd.com CUCINA ENOTECA Italian. Located in the Flower Hill Promenade, this sister location of Cucina Urbana in Bankers Hill features a Cali-Italian menu packed with organic, sustainable antipasti, salads, pastas (even gluten-free pasta) and artisanal pizzas. Try the popular mushroom pizza with goat cheese, truffle oil, mozzarella and fried onion; while dining alfresco on the rooftop patio. Retail wine shop features an extensive wine list. L (Tu-Sa), Br (Su), D (nightly). 2730 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, 858.704.4500, urbankitchengroup.com CUCINA URBANA Italian. This reigning hotspot features antipasti, pizza, salads, pasta, craft cocktails and a retail wine shop heavy on Italian varietals. The cozy-chic decor 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, urbankitchengroup.com DAVANTI ENOTECA Italian. Opened by James Beard Restaurateur of the Year semifinalist Scott Harris, this wine bar and restaurant serves up rustic Italian cuisine with creative twists in a fun, casual setting. Enjoy shareable plates, bruschetta, artisanal 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, davantienoteca.com DECOY DOCKSIDE American. Lakehouse Hotel & Resort’s chic, bi-level eatery offers wood-fired New American cuisine and idyllic views overlooking Lake San Marcos. Inspired by the great outdoors, the space features a floating lakefront bar, generous patio and floor-to-ceiling windows. Dinner mains include a selection of wood-fire-grilled steaks, rainbow trout and wild boar Bolognese. Br (M-Sa), B (Su), L (M-F), D (nightly). 1035 La Bonita Drive, San Marcos, 760.653.3230, decoydockside.com DONOVAN’S STEAK & CHOP HOUSE Steak. Donovan’s is a truly authentic steakhouse, from the mahogany and delicate lighting to the mouthwatering 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). 1250 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.450.6666; 570 K St., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.237.9700, donovanssteakhouse.com
voteD best seafood built in 1887 next to the hotel del coronado
Classic and Contemporary Seafood · Sustainable · Lunch · Dinner · Brunch Happy Hour · Kids Menu · Full Bar · Patio · Pet Friendly · Ample Free Parking come in, get hookeD bluewatergrill.com
1701 strand way tel 619 435 0155
PUEBLO
visit our other locations carlsbad and temecula
Voted best Mexican Restaurant & Outdoor Dining in Pacific Beach
877 Hornblend St., Pacific Beach 858.412.3312 • pueblopb.com
Free Parking
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EDDIE V’S PRIME SEAFOOD Seafood. This upscale seafood haven located in La Jolla and downtown San Diego offers nightly live jazz, indoor/outdoor dining and 200-degree views of the Pacific (at the La Jolla location). But the food is as much a reason to visit as the view. Find seafood classics like shrimp cocktail, ahi tartare, and lobster and crab bisque, plus premium hand-cut steaks. Menu favorites include the jumbo lump crab cake, the Maine lobster tacos and the famous crab fried rice. L (F-Sa), Br (Su) in La Jolla only; D (nightly) at both. 1270 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.459.5500; 789 W. Harbor Drive, downtown, 619.615.0281, eddiev.com GASLAMP FISH HOUSE Seafood. This spacious, contemporary fish house (formerly Spike Africa's) features a raw bar, Mediterranean-American dishes and fresh, locally sourced seafood and daily catches. Offerings include Carlsbad black mussels, wild Pacific swordfish, mustard-glazed salmon, surf ‘n’ turf, pastas, salads and house-baked bread. L (M-Sa), D (nightly). 411 Broadway, downtown, 619.795.3800, gaslampfishhouse.com GEORGE’S AT THE COVE 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 Level2 bar for craft cocktails 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 GRILL California Cuisine. Grant Grill’s been a downtown power spot for business and political leaders since it opened in 1951. The legendary
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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 Executive 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. Splurge on a selection from the Billionnaires cocktail menu. B, L, D (daily). 326 Broadway, downtown, 619.744.2077, grantgrill.com GREAT MAPLE American. Echoing a stylish European dinette with rustic touches and seasonal plates, this "upscale diner" serves up well-crafted comfort food and serious drinks. The menu is broken down by small plates, salads, hearty burgers, sandwiches, seafood, pasta and flatbread pizzas. Save room for the house-made apple pie or maple-bacon doughnuts. B, L, D (daily). 1451 Washington St., Hillcrest, 619.255.2282; 8675 Genesee Ave., UTC, 858.886.7403; thegreatmaple.com HARUMAMA Asian. This adorable, terrarium-filled urban space serves Asian cuisine with a mod twist—including ramen and other noodle dishes, specialty sushi rolls and steamed bao buns. Beer, sake and wine to drink. L, D (daily). 1901 Columbia St., Little Italy, 619.269.7122, harumamasd.com HASH HOUSE A GO GO 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
HERB & WOOD American. Dine on savory woodfired dishes and sip old-school cocktails inside Brian Malarkey’s sprawling warehouse-turned-chic hotspot. Delights include roasted branzino, avocado toast and braised beef belly, washed down with the Bubbles & Berries cocktail. D (daily), Br (Su). 2210 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy, 619.955.8495, herbandwood.com HERRINGBONE Seafood. This La Jolla hotspot offers “ocean bazaar” cuisine in an indoor/outdoor setting that evokes the feel of an Old World market, complete with 100-year-old olive trees. Start with a cold fare appetizer like oysters or whole fish ceviche, followed by main dishes sourced from the sea (wood-oven-roasted whole fish) and field (Mary's half roasted chicken), all prepared fresh daily. L (M-F), Br (SaSu), D (nightly). 7837 Herschel Ave., La Jolla, 858.459.0221, herringboneeats.com HUMPHREYS RESTAURANT Seafood. This San Diego landmark, which offers waterfront dining 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. D (nightly), L (M-Sa), Br (Su). 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island, 619.224.3577, humphreysrestaurant.com IRONSIDE FISH & OYSTER Seafood. It's all about the oysters at this raw bar, bakery and restaurant— featuring a jaw-dropping design that is urban, nostalgic and nautical. Pull up a stool at the 15-foot marble countertop—near the open kitchen—and dine on lobster rolls and daily fresh catches, and sip on custom cocktails. The raw bar stays open till midnight (till 2 a.m. F-Sa). L, D (daily). 1654 India St., Little Italy, 619.269.3033, ironsidefishandoyster.com
ISLAND PRIME / C LEVEL Seafood. Enjoy seafood, a variety of steak cuts, salads, cocktails and one of the city’s best views looking back at the skyline. Adjacent C Level on the spacious deck is popular with the after-work crowd and serves a separate menu. C Level doesn't take reservations, but the bar inside Island Prime is a fun spot to hang out and people-watch while you wait. D (nightly) at both; L (daily) at C Level only. 880 Harbor Island Drive, Harbor Island, 619.298.6802, islandprime.com JACK & GIULIO’S Italian. Formerly known as Giulio’s of Pacific Beach, this family-operated Italian restaurant in historical 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
@HARUMAMASD harumamasd.com
R U O Y T A ! E S E L D O NO
1901 Columbia St SD, CA 92101
JRDN California Cuisine. The beachfront Tower23 Hotel 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 ultra-mod decor. Dine indoors or out on the patio—gorgeous ocean views abound. JRDN’s menu features mod California cuisine (steaks and seafood); plus sushi, poke bowls and a raw bar. B, L (M-F); Br (Sa-Su); D (nightly). 723 Felspar St., Pacific Beach, 858.270.5736, jrdn.com JUNIPER & IVY California Cuisine. Top Chef star Richard Blais oversees the modern Cali-American menu loaded with artisanal dishes at this popular “it” spot. Start with the buttermilk biscuit with smoked butter. Then choose from raw seafood, pastas and small plates; as
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“The Pinnacle of Pancakes” -San Diego Magazine
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 6:30 AM – 2:30 PM 520 Front Street (just south of Market) Downtown San Diego 619-231-7777
909 Prospect Street (between Girard and Fay) La Jolla 858-459-8800
richardwalkers.com
well as seasonal, rotating mains such as prime rib and local chicken with English pea gnocchi. A fun and ambitious cocktail menu features rare concoctions. D (nightly). 2228 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy, 619.269.9036, juniperandivy.com LEROY'S KITCHEN + LOUNGE California Cuisine. Fresh, local and sustainable define the eclectic cuisine at this favorite locals’ hangout. Here you’ll find inventive farm-to-table fare on a seasonally changing menu; sample items include crab and sweet corn spaghetti with basil-whipped goat cheese; and Brussels sprouts with Asian barbecue sauce and scallions. To drink: craft beer flights and signature cocktails. D (nightly), L (M-F), Br (Sa-Su). 1015 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.437.6087, leroyskitchenandlounge.com LIBERTY PUBLIC MARKET California Cuisine. The city’s premier indoor public market—a 22,000-square-foot space in historical Liberty Station—houses 30-plus local artisanal vendors selling handcrafted food, goods and other specialty items. Grab food to go or dine on-site at a quick-service counter; and enjoy cocktails and wine at Mess Hall Bar. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. 2820 Historic Decatur Road, Point Loma, 619.487.9346, libertypublicmarket.com LOBSTER WEST Seafood. Serving fresh Maine lobster rolls, crab rolls, shrimp rolls, lobster bisque, New England clam chowder, locally grown organic salads and more, this quaint fast-casual eatery is seafood heaven. Beer and wine to drink. L, D (daily). 1033 B Ave., #102, Coronado, 619.675.0002; 765 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 760.634.1684; Windmill Food Hall, 890 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad; lobsterwest.com MADISON California Cuisine. This sleek restaurant and lounge is outfitted with
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cedar-paneled vaulted ceilings, mid-century-mod decor, Italian design accents and cozy booths. Chef Mario Cassineri designed the SoCal-infused Mediterranean menu. Highlights include the tuna tartare topped with shrimp tempura; and the kale and romaine chopped salad with truffle cheese and a poached egg. Cocktails range from the Clover Club—gin, lemon, raspberry and egg white—to inventive originals, such as the California Common— mezcal, watermelon, lime and IPA. D (Tu-Su), Br (Sa-Su). 4622 Park Blvd., University Heights, 619.269.6566, madisononpark.com THE MARINE ROOM California Cuisine. With arguably the best 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’ French-infused cuisine is innovative, the service is top-notch, and the ambiance is second to none. D (nightly). 2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla, 858.459.7222, marineroom.com MARKET RESTAURANT + BAR California Cuisine. Innovative food from well-known owner/chef Carl Schroeder has made Market a winner for local gourmands and visitors to the nearby racetrack. Schroeder gets his vegetables fresh daily from nearby Chino Farms and the dinner menu, featuring local seafood and meat, changes nightly. D (nightly). 3702 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, 858.523.0007, marketdelmar.com MILLE FLEURS 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. Jovial owner Bertrand Hug has been in the business forever and has risen to the top of
STEAKS THIS GOOD ARE
RARE
SAN DIEGO 285 J Street I 619.696.3369 Mortons.com
Fresh Seafood. Flown in Daily. The Ultra-fresh Seafood Experience.™
Gaslamp District • 400 J Street • 619.858.2277 Open for for dinner daily at 5pm JOIN US ON SUNDAYS FOR $1 OYSTERS!
theoceanaire.com
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his game. The menu of spectacular French California fare changes daily depending on what’s freshly available at nearby Chino Farms. L (Th-F), D (nightly). 6009 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe, 858.756.3085, millefleurs.com
Waterfront dining on Shelter Island SAN DIEGO’S FAVORITE SUNDAY BRUNCH | LIVE MUSIC NIGHTLY
2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA | 619.224.3577 humphreysrestaurant.com
MAINE LOBSTER and SEAFOOD ROLLS FRESH SALADS, CHOWDERS, BEER, WINE and MORE! ENCINITAS (Highway 101)
CORONADO
(B Avenue & Orange)
CARLSBAD
(Windmill Food Hall)
www.lobsterwest.com Eat in • Take out • Catering 78
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MISTER A’S American. One of the most exciting places to eat in San Diego, Mister A’s sits 12 stories up, with sweeping views that stretch from Tijuana to Orange County. Watch jetliners bob their way down to the runway at Lindbergh Field and enjoy some of the best food served anywhere. Add excellent service and even the most jaded diner will be impressed. Br (Su), L (M-F), D (nightly). 2550 Fifth Ave., 12th floor, Bankers Hill, 619.239.1377, asrestaurant.com MONELLO 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, pastas and house-made gelato. Happy hour features a daily aperitivo from 4 to 7 p.m. with complimentary nibbles from the chef, and its signature vermouth. L, D (Tu-Su); Br (Sa-Su). 750 W. Fir St., Little Italy, 619.501.0030, lovemonello.com MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE Steak. Part of the popular steakhouse chain, the San Diego location offers everything you’d expect from this national favorite. Succulent prime steaks and chops—we love the Cajun rib-eye—and seafood specialties are among the many menu selections. 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-TEN California Cuisine. The outdoor tables at this über-classy spot in the Grande Colonial hotel make
people-watching 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 braised prime beef short rib with local vegetables. B, L (M-Sa); D (nightly); Br (Su). 910 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.964.5400, nine-ten.com NOBUCL9000006721 Japanese. After conquering New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London and Las Vegas, celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa brought 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 miso black cod and abalone in garlic sauce, when it’s in season. D (nightly). 207 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.814.4124, noburestaurants.com/san-diego OCEANAIRE SEAFOOD ROOM Seafood. 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 PACIFICA DEL MAR Seafood. One of North County’s best-kept secrets, this coastal seafood spot delivers award-winning cuisine in front of a brilliant ocean backdrop. White linens and polished service add to the elegant dining experience. For an entree, choose a
fresh local catch—favorites include the sugar-spiced salmon and panroasted sea bass—as well as steak and pasta dishes. Or opt for smaller plates such as roasted beet salad, tuna tartare and clam chowder. Indulge at the Ocean Bar during happy hour for discounted beer, wine, cocktails and small bites. D (nightly), L (M-F), Br (Sa-Su). 1555 Camino Del Mar, #321, Del Mar, 858.792.0476, pacificadelmar.com THE PATIO GROUP California Cuisine. The Patio Group is known for its popular, casual neighborhood spots that feature great design, seasonal fare and indoor/outdoor dining. At each location—The Patio on Lamont in Pacific Beach, The Patio on Goldfinch in Mission Hills, Harvest by The Patio in East Village, The Patio on 101 in Encinitas, and Fireside by The Patio at Liberty Station—you’ll find organic salads, flatbreads, seafood and meat dishes, as well as an array of cocktails, global wines and local craft beers. Canine friends are welcome on the patio. See website for addresses and hours. thepatiogroup.com POSEIDON RESTAURANT American. Poseidon’s beachfront deck offers a relaxed dining experience day or night. Dinner entrées such as Kona coffee-rubbed rib-eye; seafood linguini; and lemon peppercrusted diver scallops make up the contemporary, eclectic menu. D (nightly), L (M-F), Br (Sa-Su). 1670 Coast Blvd., Del Mar, 858.755.9345, poseidonrestaurant.com THE PRADO International. Nestled in Balboa Park, The Prado takes the trophy for prime location. With its vibrant decor 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
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Mediterranean influences; plus a diverse wine list. L, D (daily). 1549 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.557.9441, pradobalboa.com PUEBLO Mexican. Just two blocks from the ocean, this upscale restaurant and bar features outdoor dining, modern Mexican fare focusing on Baja-style dishes and seafood, margaritas, agave-inspired cocktails, beer and wine. Menu changes often to include the freshest catches and seasonal, local produce. L, D (daily). 877 Hornblend St., Pacific Beach, 858.412.3312, pueblopb.com PUESTO Mexican. Creative street tacos made with organic ingredients are the menu stars at this hip, colorful spot. Favorites include the potato soy chorizo taco, the filet mignon taco and the lobster taco with black beans and crispy onions. Plus specialty cocktails, beer, wine and an array of high-end tequila and mezcal. L, D (daily). 789 W. Harbor Drive, downtown, 619.233.8880; 1026 Wall St., La Jolla, 858.454.1260, eatpuesto.com 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 Brittany-style apple-puffed pancake. The weekend wait looks long, but is orderly and moves quickly. Additional location in La Jolla. B, L (daily). 520 Front St., downtown, 619.231.7777; 909 Prospect St., La Jolla, 858.459.8800, richardwalkers.com SALLY'S FISH HOUSE & BAR Seafood. This marina-facing venue at the Manchester Grand Hyatt,
Poseidon on the beach
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 the seafood tower (great for sharing) and jumbo crab cake with lemon basil aioli and mango avocado relish. Makes for a great power lunch spot along the waterfront. L, D (daily). 1 Market Place, Embarcadero, 619.358.6740, sallyssandiego.com SOLACE & THE MOONLIGHT LOUNGE California Cuisine. This fun North County spot from Executive Chef Matt Gordon offers quality dining without scaring away the taco-stand types. Get situated in the ground-floor dining room or head to the upstairs raw bar for oysters and seared albacore in the more casual Moonlight Lounge. Try the artisanal meat and cheese boards. L (M-F), D (nightly), Br (Sa-Su). 25 East E St., Encinitas, 760.753.2433, eatatsolace.com
1670 Coast Blvd. • Del Mar (858) 755-9345 poseidonrestaurant.com
STAKE CHOPHOUSE & BARCL9000006700 American. The gleaming indoor/ outdoor rooftop retreat is a sexy, modern steakhouse. The menu boasts rib-eye, filet mignon, American wagyu beef and a 35-day, dry-aged, bone-in New York strip. Stake is the only restaurant in San Diego serving A5 Japanese wagyu beef, a delicacy. The wine list features 2,000 bottles and 200 selections—all housed in two elegant glass wine cellars. D (nightly). 1309 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.522.0077, stakechophouse.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. 2391 San Diego Ave., Old Town • (619) 294-2074 • www.jackandgiulios.com
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STARLITECL9000006700 California Cuisine. Behind its hexagonal entryway, this hip haunt spotlights farm-to-table cuisine—including one of the town’s top burgers, served on a buttery brioche bun—and signature cocktails such as the Starlite Mule, served in a rustic copper mug. Don’t miss the stunning chandelier suspended over the sunken bar, and the charming back patio. 21+ only. D (nightly). 3175 India St., Midtown, 619.358.9766, starlitesandiego.com
TAPAS & BEERSCL9006470 International. It’s a casual-cool gastropub that lives up to its name— offering savory tapas, sandwiches, salads, flatbreads and entrees alongside local wines and craft beers (with 20 San Diego brews on tap). Step inside an inviting bi-level space boasting an urban-industrial design—complete with soaring ceilings, reclaimed wood paneling, high-top tables, flat-screen televisions and a sleek bar. D (M-Sa); L (daily); Br (Sa-Su). 926 Broadway Circle, downtown, 619.564.7255, tapasbeers.com URBAN SOLACECL9000006470 American. Enjoy owner/chef Matt Gordon's 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 brown butter mash. L, D (daily); B (Sa); Br (Su). 3823 30th St., North Park, 619.295.6464, urbansolace.net WHISKNLADLE California Cuisine. Nosh on inventive, artisanal fare, sourced locally by chef Ryan Johnston, and sip craft cocktails—either in the lounge or on the covered outdoor patio. Menu items include charred bone marrow and lobster tortellini. B, L, D (daily); Br (Sa-Su). 1044 Wall St., La Jolla, 858.551.7575, whisknladle.com ZENBU SUSHICL0000026984 Japanese. This sexy, low-lit hotspot in North County serves up sashimi, specialty rolls, plates such as Sapporo mussels and Kalua pork, cocktails, and seafood from the restaurant's own fish tank. D (nightly). 2003 San Elijo Ave., Cardiff, 760.633.2223, zenburestaurants.com
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ARTS, NIGHTLIFE & ATTRACTIONS FUN TIMES AWAIT FOR KIDS AND ADULTS ALIKE. FROM BARS AND DANCE CLUBS TO RENOWNED MUSEUMS, THEATERS, THEME PARKS, MONUMENTS, MAGNIFICENT GOLF COURSES AND A WORLD-FAMOUS ZOO, IT’S ALL RIGHT HERE.
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FLY HIGH For a thrilling once-in-a-lifetime experience exploring the region, soar quietly and effortlessly like a bird over rural San Diego with Sky Sailing. The Warner Springsbased, family-owned flight school and sightseeing operation, in business since 1959, offers scenic and exhilarating sailplane and glider rides and tours for one or two passengers; plus, rentals and instruction. Fly with knowledgeable, safe pilots (who also showcase their skills every year at the popular Miramar Air Show), as you take in unmatched views of
BALBOA PARK 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 17 museums, theaters and other cultural institutions, as well as the Spreckels Organ, the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ. You’ll also find spectacular gardens showcasing anything from succulents and palm trees to roses and perennials; The Old Globe theater; facilities for sports and recreation; trails for hiking and mountain biking; and Irving Gill’s historical Marston House. 1549 El Prado, San Diego, 619.239.0512, balboapark.org BELMONT PARK Located right on Mission Beach, Belmont Park offers nostalgic summertime fun and modern entertainment for the whole family. Ride the historical 1925-built Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster, or thrill-seek on the Octotron and Tilt-a-Whirl. Catch waves at the WaveHouse via the Flowrider simulated wave ride for surfing and body-boarding. Plus, bumper cars, a carousel, arcade games and dining. 3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach, 858.488.1549, belmontpark.com
for kids and adults. 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, 858.534.3474, aquarium.ucsd.edu BOARDWALK ELECTRIC RIDES Whether you choose to explore on your own or during a guided two-hour tour, you’ll enjoy a fun and relaxing, scenic adventure with picture-perfect views of the coastline, Mission Bay and downtown. Choose your ride: from fat tire electric beach cruisers to city style electric bikes— and even electric skateboards. Bike tours and rentals include a helmet, water bottle and map. Tours are by reservation only. 4150 Mission Blvd., #143, Pacific Beach, 858.345.0203, boardwalkelectricrides.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 historical 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
Lake Henshaw, Palomar Mountain and Palomar Observatory. The scenery is stunning year-round, but springtime in particular is an ideal time to fly—when the desert flowers are in full bloom near the edge of Borrego Springs. Many of their flights also have a wingmounted camera to capture your experience. 31930 Highway 79, Warner Springs, 760.782.0404, skysailing.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 grown-ups will leave feeling more informed about the planet’s vastest habitat: the ocean. Check the calendar for events and activities
HIKE BIKE KAYAK Rent your own kayak or take one of their guided ecological tours along La Jolla Shores; plus, La Jolla Cove snorkel tours; coastal biking tours; surfboard, snorkel gear and bike rentals; and more. 2222 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla, 858.551.9510, hikebikekayak.com THE HOPPER Travel in comfort and style on a luxury double-decker bus as you hop
on and off at your leisure all day, exploring top San Diego destinations and attractions. Stops include Old Town, Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park and Little Italy. 833.RIDE.HOP, ridethehopperbus.com 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 LA JOLLA KAYAK Enjoy guided ocean snorkeling and kayak tours of La Jolla’s spectacular cliffs and caves, as well as La Jolla Cove, with certified and experienced instructors. Or rent single/double kayaks and snorkeling gear to explore on your own. Best part: La Jolla Kayak will transport your kayaks to and from the beach so you don’t have to worry about lugging gear. Plus, whale watching, standup paddle-boarding and bike tours. 2199 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla, 858.459.1114, lajollakayak.com LEGOLAND Carlsbad is home to one of two U.S. parks, featuring more than 60 rides along with model attractions (called Minilands) designed and constructed by master Lego builders using only
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COURTESY SKY SAILING
ATTRACTIONS
Lego blocks. The Sea Life Aquarium is adjacent to the park and features educational and interactive entertainment. Don't miss the water park, which includes a 45-foot water slide tower, a lazy river and more wet rides. 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, 888.690.5346, legoland.com ROTOR ZEN HELICOPTER TOURS Take in the city’s sites from a bird’seye view: Scenic, custom helicopter tours let you soar high above local landmarks, including SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, the USS Midway, La Jolla Shores, the Pacific coastline, Coronado and more. All flights depart from and return to San Diego International Airport. Commercial flights and photo flights are also available. Signature Flight Support, 3300 Admiral Boland Way, downtown, 619.215.9023, rotorzen.com 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. 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, 760.436.3036, sdbgarden.org SAN DIEGO ZOO It's world-famous for a reason. Visitors can get up close and personal with around 4,000 rare and endangered creatures from nearly every corner of the world. Animals live in habitats rich with features and activities (such as the Elephant Odyssey and Australian Outback 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 SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK The Serengeti is thousands of miles away, but the 1,800-acre Safari Park
lets visitors experience a safari here. More than 300 species roam the extensive exhibits, designed to resemble natural habitats like savannas, forests and lakes. Guided tours bring animal adventurers close to elephants, giraffes, gorillas, lions, antelopes, zebras, rhinos and more. 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, 760.747.8702, sdzsafaripark.org SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO From inspiring orca encounters to Shipwreck Rapids, the 53-year old park balances informative, fun aquatic shows with unique experiences and thrilling rides—including the brandnew Electric Eel, San Diego's tallest, fastest roller coaster. Get wet on the splashy Journey to Atlantis, or explore polar life in Wild Arctic. The Turtle Reef attraction offers an up-close look at dozens of threatened sea turtles. 500 Sea World Drive, Mission Bay, 619.222.4732, seaworld.com SPANISH VILLAGE ART CENTER This artists’ haven includes 37 working studios and an outdoor patio 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 works, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, photography, fiber arts, enamel, woodwork and more. 1770 Village Place, Balboa Park, 619.233.9050, spanishvillageart.com
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sdzsafaripark.org/walkabout
USS MIDWAY As one of the world’s largest floating naval-aviation museums, the USS Midway showcases restored airplanes and interactive exhibits. It's one of the nation’s longest-serving aircraft carriers, and many of the docents are veterans who served onboard the carrier during its 48-year history. 910 N. Harbor Drive, Embarcadero, 619.544.9600, midway.org VISIT ESCONDIDO It’s your resource for all things Escondido, which translates to
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“hidden” in Spanish. However, this northeast San Diego town offers it all—from attractions such as Safari Park, to wineries, craft breweries, arts and culture, culinary experiences and a charming historical downtown. visitescondido.com
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, 858.452.3226, torreypinesgolfcourse.com
GOLF
MUSEUMS
THE CROSSINGS AT CARLSBAD This 6,835-yard, 18-hole, championship municipal golf course features generous fairways, large greens and state-of-the-art amenities—all nestled amid 400 acres of coastal terrain with views of the foothills to the east and the sparkling Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. 5800 The Crossings Drive, Carlsbad, 760.444.1800, thecrossingsatcarlsbad.com
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
OMNI LA COSTA RESORT Measure your game against golfing’s elite at La Costa, the site of numerous PGA Tour events and Southern California's only Gold Medal Golf Resort. Amid 400 acres in the coastal foothills of Carlsbad, La Costa features two 18-hole championship courses, a driving range, equipment rental and a golf performance clinic offering on-site programs. 2100 Costa Del Mar Road, Carlsbad, 760.438.9111, omnihotels.com
sun. sand. serenity. TAP INTO OCEAN TRANQUILITY
PARK HYATT AVIARA San Diego's only Arnold Palmer signature golf course, Aviara winds through rolling valleys with ocean views. Named by Golf Digest as one of the nation's best resort courses, and by Condé Nast Traveler as No. 1 in San Diego, the resort also welcomes non-guests to play. 7447 Batiquitos Drive, Carlsbad, 760.603.6900, golfaviara.com
Begin your path to inner peace on the edge of the Pacific.
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TORREY PINES GOLF COURSE Home of the PGA Tour’s annual Farmers Insurance 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 public courses have stunning ocean views
FLEET SCIENCE CENTER This hands-on science center makes learning a blast. Explore more than 100 interactive exhibits and Kid City, where scientists ages 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 large-format IMAX films and planetarium shows at the Giant Dome Theater. 1875 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.238.1233, rhfleet.org MINGEI INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM Mingei (which means "art of the people") features a rich collection of handmade folk art, crafts and design from all eras and cultures of the world. (Note: The museum is slated to close fall 2018 for a year-long renovation.) 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.239.0003, mingei.org MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO Its two distinctive locations keep 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 is closed for major renovations; but the downtown campus (whose galleries occupy the historical Santa Fe Depot) is open and features commissions from artists including Richard Serra, Jenny Holzer, Roman de Salvo and Richard Wright. 1001 and 1100 Kettner Blvd., downtown, 858.454.3541, mcasd.org MUSEUM OF MAKING MUSIC This unique 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 musical instruments, from the harp to the saxophone. 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; while its new exhibits are among the best in the world. 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 MUSEUM Designed just for kids, this awesome interactive art/play space downtown is a revolutionary learning environment. The museum encourages its wee visitors to interact with the exhibits, which are always innovative, educational and engaging. Plus, 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 MUSEUM This dynamic 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 3D/4D theater provides an immersive thrill for all ages. 2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, 619.234.8291, sandiegoairandspace.org
M AKE M O M E NT S THAT RE SONATE .
SAN DIEGO MARITIME MUSEUM San Diego’s Maritime Museum is world-famous for its beautifully preserved historical 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. 1492 N. Harbor Drive, Embarcadero, 619.234.9153, sdmaritime.org SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF ART 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 sought-after foreign collections. 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.7931, sdmart.org SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF MAN Located in the historical 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; for an extra fee, visitors can climb up to the top to take in breathtaking views of the city. Past exhibitions have spotlighted everything from ancient Egypt
Open Tues-Sun, 10a-5p 5790 Armada Dr, Carlsbad museumofmakingmusic.org (760) 438-5996
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to medieval torture devices. 1350 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.239.2001, museumofman.org SAN DIEGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM 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) and Coast to Cactus in Southern California, as well as temporary/traveling ones. One of the more popular stops in Balboa Park, 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
NIGHTLIFE
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BELLY UP TAVERN Built in a converted Quonset hut, this intimate club and concert venue has hosted 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. 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, 858.481.8140, bellyup.com OMNIA SAN DIEGO The multimillion-dollar, multilevel venue by the Hakkasan Group boasts both indoor and outdoor spaces— including a large terrace with views of the Gaslamp Quarter—interactive features and state-of-the-art technology guaranteed to deliver an unforgettable night out. The innovative club has hosted a superstar lineup of DJs and electronic artists; plus bottle service and dancing. 454 Sixth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.544.9500, omniaclubs.com/san-diego OXFORD SOCIAL CLUB Located below the Pendry San Diego hotel, the Oxford Social Club is an intimate yet glam nightclub featuring
an extensive craft cocktail program, bottle service, dancing and a rotating lineup of national and local DJs. 435 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.738.7040, theoxfordsd.com TOP OF THE HYATT Boasting some of the most spectacular and dramatic ocean and city views in all of San Diego, this iconic bar and lounge has undergone a multimilliondollar renovation. Perched 40 stories above the Pacific, the space features floor-to-ceiling windows and sleek yet warm decor. Try one of 12 signature libations from the cocktail menu, a glass of wine or beer; and snack on light bar fare such as the crab stack salad and the fig and pig flatbread with smoked mozzarella and blue cheese. 1 Market Place, downtown, 619.358.6731, topofthehyatt.com
PERFORMING ARTS BALBOA THEATRE 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 El 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 THEATRE Critics applaud the award-winning outfit, whose productions range from stage classics and world premieres to clever comedies and edgy browraisers laced with innuendo. Shows take place at an intimate space in the heart of Old Town. Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town, 619.337.1525, cygnettheatre.com
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. The Playhouse has earned additional acclaim for its Without Walls program and festival, where unique plays are performed in unusual locations. 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010, lajollaplayhouse.org LAMB’S PLAYERS THEATRE This ensemble theater company presents a year-round schedule of productions in two different venues—its resident stage, a beautiful 350-seat space in Coronado’s historical 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 NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE From classic plays and musicals to world-premiere stagings, the North Coast Rep has been delivering highquality productions for more than 30 years. Comedy and drama are no stranger to the stage at the intimate 194-seat theater in Solana Beach. The Rep is also committed to fostering a love of theater in local youth via its Theatre School education and outreach programs. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, #D, Solana Beach, 858.481.1055, northcoastrep.org THE OLD GLOBE Mixing 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 holds three stages: the main Shiley Stage (capacity: 580), the more intimate White Theatre and the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. Annual program highlights include the summer Shakespeare festival and popular holiday offering, Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623, theoldglobe.org SAN DIEGO OPERA With an interactive website and informative podcasts, San Diego Opera presents several traditional operas each year at San Diego Civic Theatre downtown; plus boutique productions with modern, boundary-pushing themes at Balboa Theatre and nontradtional venues. sdopera.com SAN DIEGO REP Small but prestigious, The Rep (as locals call it) stages contemporary plays, reimagined classics and world premieres 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. Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, Gaslamp Quarter, 619.544.1000, sdrep.org
intimate theatre
Professional theatre at its best! North Coast Repertory Theatre Solana Beach NorthCoastRep.org | (858) 481-1055
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Season 16 2018-20
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY San Diego Symphony has been enriching local culture for more than a century now. The orchestra performs both classical and symphonic pops concerts throughout the year. Its winter home is downtown’s Jacobs Music Center inside Copley Symphony Hall. For its annual Bayside Summer Nights concert series featuring headlining musicians, the orchestra moves outdoors to the waterfront Embarcadero Marina Park South. 750 B St., downtown, 619.235.0804, sandiegosymphony.org FOR MORE LISTINGS, SEE WHERE SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE, SOCALPULSE.COM OR THE WHERE TRAVELER CITY GUIDE APP
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PARTING SHOT
SUNSET AT WARM WATER JETTY BEACH IN CARLSBAD • PHOTO BY LORENZO MENENDEZ
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FLUX PHOTOGRAPHY
California dreamin’ . . .
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