If you find yourself wandering along the Embarcadero between the Cruise Ship Terminal and Broadway Street Pier, you may want to check out the Carnitas’ Snack Shack right on the waterfront for an informal lunch, happy hour, or dinner. I had never been there before, and I wondered if it catered to the tourist crowd,… Read More Carnitas’ Snack Shack
Don’t waste any time getting to the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park if you want to see the cherry trees in full bloom! It appears that they are at their peak as of 16 March, and the blossoms’ petals are beginning to drift to the ground in a mini blizzard of pink when a… Read More Cherry Blossoms at Japanese Friendship Garden
Not far from downtown San Diego is the culturally rich neighborhood of Barrio Logan. In fact, the neighborhood is one of fourteen California Cultural Districts and Chicano Park earned National Historic Landmark status in 2017. History In 1871, Congressman John Logan from Illinois drafted legislation for a transcontinental railroad that would end in San Diego.… Read More Barrio Logan and Chicano Park
If you have ever had the privilege of going to Europe, you know that the bread you find there is leaps and bounds above any commercial bread available here in the U.S. Clinton and Louie Prager, two brothers born and raised in Carlsbad, have brought European-style artisan bread to San Diego. They offer both a… Read More Prager Brothers Artisan Bread
Life often takes us away from our hometown, whether by choice, career, or other circumstances. When you are lucky enough to find an establishment that can bring you a little slice of home, you quickly add it to your frequently visited places. As a Chicago-area native, for me, the place where I can get a… Read More Lefty’s Chicago Pizzeria
Hillcrest Brewing Company (HBC) is the closest thing that you’ll have to a gay Cheers where “everyone knows your name.” Even though HBC is located at the epicenter of Hillcrest, adjacent to the Pride Plaza/Flag at Normal St. and University Ave., it welcomes everyone who stops in for one of their craft beers or excellent… Read More Hillcrest Brewing Company
Spring break will soon be upon us, and if you’re looking to engage the kiddos with some physical activity while they’re out of school, the playground at Pepper Grove in Balboa Park may be just what the doctor ordered. Of course, you don’t need it to be spring break to visit the playground—go any day.… Read More Pepper Grove Playground
With the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, San Diego believed that it could become a great shipping port on the west coast—the first in the United States that ships would have an opportunity to visit as they sailed north. To sell the idea to the world, San Diego hosted the Panama-California Exposition in… Read More Santa Fe Depot
I’ve probably driven past this little strip mall in Bonita dozens of times, but never really had any reason to stop. Now I do. Ono’s Cafe is a pleasant little restaurant serving up fresh dishes that they describe as “Pacific Rim and Cal-Asian fusion flavors.” The decor goes for an island vibe without being over… Read More Ono’s Cafe – Island Style Bistro
A century-old gem in the heart of Balboa Park is the Spreckles Organ Pavilion. The organ was played for the first time on New Year’s Eve 1914 to kick off the Panama-California Exposition that began on 1 January 1915, and it’s been entertaining park visitors ever since. Each Sunday afternoon, you can enjoy a free… Read More Spreckels Organ
Explore San Diego and Beyond ™ 