1. Run on the Pacific Beach Boardwalk
End of Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, CA
I decided early on in planning this trip that the first thing I wanted to do was run in Pacific Beach. This one was more of a nostalgic choice. Pacific Beach (or PB, as the locals call it ;-)) is basically a huge party beach, and guess what I used to do there when I was in college... My reason for wanting to go back, however, had nothing to do with getting drunk or laying out for a tan. I thought, "Hey, wouldn't it be cool to go to the same neighborhood where I used to get trashed and go for a run instead?" So, we did.
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| PB Boardwalk. No Meatheads in sight in this pic... |
2. Dinner/Sake Bombs At Sushi Deli
Hillcrest Neighborhood
After our run, Israel and I arrived to Eva and Chris's house in the Hillcrest neighborhood (just north of downtown) STARVING. After catching up and a quick shower (one of my favorite things about San Diego: low maintenance vibe when it comes to appearance. Especially compared to LA.), we made our way over to Chris and Eva's favorite local sushi place, Sushi Deli. Chris got sneaky (and must have forgotten what a light weight I am!) and ordered a few rounds of sake bombs. His little surprise got me tipsy enough to forget to take pictures of the food, so you're gonna have to take my word for it when I say that it was beautiful and delicious. And at 60 bucks for a very filling sushi dinner for four, it was a great deal.
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| Here today, gone 30 seconds later. So it is for the sake bomb. |
3. Drinks/Karaoke at The Lamplighter
Hillcrest
Still feeling the effects of the sake bombs after dinner, none of us wanted the night to end. So we crossed the street (Hillcrest is definitely a walking community- LOVE it!) to the Lamplighter, which is a relatively cheap, cash-only karaoke bar. Eva and I decided to cut ourselves off by that point, so I can't say much about the drinks (I've had drinks there before, but it's been a while); however, I can comment on the music selection with one word: random. Since the playlist consists of what customers choose to sing, you end up with everything from staples like "Don't Stop Believing" to songs that you'd like to forget exist, like "Don't Stop Believing" (I keed- who doesn't love that song?). Eva and I brought the house down with a rousing rendition of one of our old dance favorites, "Señorita" by our guy, JT. Hooked on the feeling, I went back up with Israel at midnight (thanks to Chris for setting that up!) to sing "Panic" by the Smiths- not as much of a hit, but, as I warned Israel, we weren't in LA. All-in-all, a great time, made better by the donuts we stopped to eat as a nightcap on the walk home ;-).
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| "I don't know what I'm thinking 'bout Really leaving with you." JT would be proud :'-) |
4. Breakfast at Hash-House A-Go-Go
Hillcrest
After a day of running and a night of drinking, Israel and I were ready for one of the highlights of any trip to San Diego: breakfast at Hash-House. Ho-ly mo-ly. This place is amazing. It is THE number one place I recommend to people who are planning a trip down there. The food is not only delicious; it is a visual experience. Well worth the hour and a half wait that you will inevitably have on a Sunday late-morning. The pictures speak for themselves. Quick tip: if you're there with somebody, one of you should order something sweet and the other something savory, because you don't want to miss out on either and both will be way too big for you to eat by yourself anyway. Israel and I always get the griddled French toast and some kind of hash. YUMMINESS OVERLOAD!
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| This is what you will look at for over an hour if you choose to go to Hash-House on a Sunday. And it will be worth it. |
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| Top: Griddled French Toast. Bottom: Spinach, Artichoke, and Red Pepper Hash (with mozzarella cheese and avocado added). Perfect combo! |
5. Hike at Cowles Mountain
Mission Trails Regional Park
I had this strong desire to do something active on my actual birthday. And what is a better social fitness activity than hiking with friends? Nothing (as Tara and I have discovered more than once ;-))! It also helped prevent any guilt resulting from Hash-House overindulgence.
Cowles Mountain is about eight miles northeast of downtown San Diego. We chose it because, honestly, I think we were all too lazy to commit to driving far away for a five hour hike; so, instead, we drove 10 minutes for a two- hour hike :-). Plus, Chris and Eva said it offered a nice view of downtown, and I am a sucker for city skylines. We made our way up the 1.5 mile, moderately challenging trail, with a little huffing and puffing, and a lot of conversation. And, when we made our way to the top, we enjoyed the fruits of our labor: a view that included not only the downtown skyline, but also a panorama that included much of San Diego County and MEXICO. I am fascinated by the U.S./Mexico border, and every time I am reminded how closely to each other two such different countries lie, I get the chills. Border politics, exercise, AND conversation with friends- definitely my idea of a rocking good time :-). The only bad thing about this excursion was that we had to say bye to Eva and Chris at the end of it (sniff, sniff).
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| Made it to the top! That girl really was "Doing It." Haha, lame-o's! |
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| Not sure which section of the panoramic view this is, but I think the downtown silhouette is on the right edge of this picture. |
6. Dad's House
Escondido
I can't recommend that you go to this place, because my dad probably won't make you the dinner that he made for Israel and me :-P. But you wish he did. Because it was good. Think Pollo Loco chicken without the rumors of rat infestations associated with it. I guess all that was really just to show off how good of a cook my dad is. My favorite part was when I raved about how delicious it was and begged, "HOW did you season this?!" to which he shrugged and replied "garlic salt" in Spanish while taking a bite. My dad is not overly emotive.
7. Encinitas
Pleasantly stuffed with a home-cooked meal (a rarity on weekend trips!), Israel and I got a good night's sleep in preparation for the trek home the following day. The trip home is an event in itself, because we always stop at those North County spots that are too out of the way for our true San Diegan friends to visit. Many of these places are in and around Encinitas.
The first place we stopped at was Pipes Cafe for breakfast. I heard about this place from a classmate who interrupted my proclamation that Hash House was the best breakfast place in San Diego with her own rebuttal that, Hell no, Pipes was. Obviously I had to see what all the fuss was about. Pipes and Hash-House are apples and oranges, so I can't say which is better. I can say that I ate a truly delicious, hearty, unassuming meal of eggs and potatoes there for a VERY reasonable price, so I walked out a happy camper. Breakfast was followed by San Diego's much quieter answer to Hollywood's Amoeba Records: Lou's Records. This place was much bigger and more impressive in my college days, but, like most local record stores, it has fallen by the wayside of digital downloads. Nonetheless, it has been a consistent stop on all of our recent SD trips. Another new stop is Nobu Nau, a natural and organic skincare store on Southbound Highway 101 in Encinitas. They always provide attentive and informative customer service; unfortunately, they are closing their store and will be selling exclusively online as of July 1st :-(. But, as with any dour situation, there was a silver lining (for me at least): everything in the store was 20-50% off! So I was finally able to purchase an all-natural facial moisturizer with SPF, which I have coveted for oh-so-long! (I'll be writing some kind of review on that once I have had a few weeks of experience with it...)
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| Pipes Cafe: quaint, low-key, Jack Johnson-fan haven. |
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| You can't get this at Denny's. Sooooo satisfying! |
Honorable Mention
North to South
I also want to mention some places that did not make the cut during this visit (mainly because time did not allow), but that are still worth checking out:
1. The La Jolla Cove: Gorgeous view, cute downtown area. Grab a cup of coffee at the Living Room Coffee Shop (crossing my fingers that it's still there- haven't made it back in a while) and walk to the bluffs overlooking the cove. Check out the seals if you can. Cute :-)
2. Hodad's in Ocean Beach: Hodad's is a culinary experience and OB is a hippy-experience. Delicious burgers, and you'll feel like the set of "The Wonder Years"took a trip to the beach when you walk outside.
3. Balboa Park: We walked to the outskirts while waiting for our table at the Hash-House (we had plenty of time to explore during our 90 minute wait!), but didn't get the full experience this time. Cross the Cabrillo Bridge to El Prado to get your culture fix with one or several of the museums along the walkway.
4. Coronado Island: I can't say enough about this place. Beautiful ocean views, amazing Mexican food (at Miguel's, my FAVORITE. Eat the white sauce!), and one the most beautiful hotels in the country, the Hotel Del Coronado. No other place in California makes me feel as much like I am on vacation. Take the ferry and walk the island to make it an extra special event.
5. Bronx Pizza: The best pizza on the West Coast. PERIOD. I don't care what your Momma told you! This is it. Comes with a free side of New York rudeness (my favorite kind :-)).
I know that I have rambled on, but I really feel that San Diego is a treasure whose offerings are under-tapped by worn-out Angelenos. I have to admit that I am fortunate to have free places to stay and so can make the trip often; but, if you ARE looking for a weekend getaway, I hope you will consider some of my humble suggestions. And if you have suggestions of your own, please let me know! Thanks for reading :-)
-Melissa
ALBUM OF THE DAY: Dookie by Green Day. It was going to be the song "Torture" by The Cure (in reference to the four hours that I spent trapped in the worst traffic jam of my life today), but then I got home and Israel surprised me with Dookie on (green!) vinyl as a belated birthday present. Positivity trumps negativity! BAM! Like many other 90s kids, this is one of my favorite albums of all time. Fast. Immature. Amazing.
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| "Scream at me Until my ears bleed I'm taking heed Just for you." -Green Day, "She" |
You made me miss SD SOOOOO much!! Glad you had fun :)
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