Eye on L.A. uncovers the best food, fun in San Diego
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Just a 2 1/2 hour drive down Interstate 5 was all we needed for a quick and easy Los Angeles getaway! With its pristine beaches, quaint districts, endless shopping, dining and nightlife, and of course lots of family fun, San Diego might just be the ultimate L.A. getaway!
LA JOLLA
The seaside town of La Jolla and its shore do justice to its designation as "the jewel" of San Diego. Kayaking is popular along La Jolla Shores, as guests can paddle during low tide to La Jolla Caves to the south and Scripps Pier to the north. Just south of La Jolla Village, Windansea Beach is best known for its beautiful scenery and hard-breaking surf that breaks right at the shoreline due to huge underwater reefs. Windansea is also home to a legendary Polynesian-style surf hut, built in 1947 by pioneer Windansea surfers.
http://www.sandiego.org/discover/la-jolla.aspx
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
Before you head to Windansea Beach, grab a cup of coffee at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, the first roaster in the San Diego region to win the 2012 Micro Roaster of the Year award by a panel of experts through the trade magazine, Roast.
5627 La Jolla Blvd
San Diego, CA 92037
(858) 551-1707
A.R. Valentien
Now that you've worked up an appetite, indulge at the award-winning A.R. Valentien, located in the Lodge at Torrey Pines, overlooking Torrey Pines Golf Course. Serving a menu of seasonal provisions from local farmers' markets, small growers, ranchers and fishermen, Chef Jeff Jackson will whip you up some dishes you'll never forget!
11480 N Torrey Pines Rd
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 777-6635
OLD TOWN
Visitors can witness the living legacy of California's birthplace in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, San Diego's first "downtown." Old Town marks the site of the first Spanish settlement on the U.S. West Coast and features 12 acres of Mexican lore and historical sites, colorful shops, early-California-style restaurants, and museums.
Caf Coyote
At Caf Coyote, you must have some of their homemade tortillas, massive margaritas ("the best in the west"), enjoy strolling mariachis and the open air atmosphere!
2461 San Diego Avenue
San Diego, CA 92110
619-291-HOWL (4695)
BARRIO LOGAN
Originally a refuge for Mexican residents fleeing the revolution in the early 20th century, Barrio Logan today is both the epicenter of San Diego's Latino community and an artistic neighborhood spurring on a creative renaissance.
Chicano Park
Located beneath San Diego's Coronado Bridge overpass, Chicano Park is considered the world's largest outdoor art gallery. Once the site of a contentious fight to save the neighborhood of one of the biggest Chicano communities in the country, today, Chicano Park features over 60 murals and sculptures, showcasing the beauty, culture and spirit of Mexican Americans.
Barrio Logan Winery
Located within a construction materials testing company, Barrio Logan Winery offers its wine and facilities at low or no cost to non-profit organizations for fundraising events.
3030 Main Street
San Diego CA 92113
SEA WORLD
Sea of Surprises
In honor of its 50th, SeaWorld is offering guests a "Sea of Surprises" around every corner. You'll feel the energy throughout the park with new pop-up entertainment, such as the Sea Street Band and Splash Dance shows, to even more up-close animal encounters to the SeaWorld Surprise Squad delivering prizes to guests and other surprises.
Explorer's Reef
Explorer's Reef is SeaWorld's new arrival experience, where guests enter the park and immediately experience the beauty and wonder of incredible marine animals up-close with shark pups, rays, crabs and cleaner fish in four new state-of-the-art touch pools.
SeaWorld Animal Rescue Program
Marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, sea otters, dolphins, whales, sea turtles and seabirds may strand for a variety of reasons: illness, injury, exhaustion or separation from their mother. SeaWorld's Rescue Program rescues, rehabilitates and returns animals to the wild, giving them a second chance at life. Members of the public, lifeguards and other individuals report strandings to SeaWorld's rescue hotline (800-541-SEAL) and SeaWorld team members respond.
Summer Nights
After the sun goes down, there's still plenty to do at SeaWorld during the Summer time. Experience the park in a whole new different way with a fireworks spectacular and special nighttime shows.
Dolphin Interaction
For animal lovers who long to enter the watery world of dolphins, SeaWorld San Diego's Dolphin Interaction Program (DIP) is a dream come true. Participants get the opportunity to see and feel the dolphins, as well as give training signals and reinforce dolphin behavior in a variety of ways. Swimming skills are not required during these shallow-area interactions.
Manta Rollercoaster
On Manta, you can soar, dive and twist like a ray on SeaWorld San Diego's first multi-media double-launch coaster. Or surround yourself with gliding rays in a one-of-a-kind grotto where you can touch and feed these incredible animals.
SeaWorld San Diego
500 Sea World Drive
San Diego, CA 92109
(800) 257-4268
http://seaworldparks.com/seaworld-sandiego
LITTLE ITALY
While visiting Little Italy, host Tina Malave stopped by longtime local favorite Filippi's Pizza Grotto to take in an old-fashioned Italian-American dining experience. Not only did she get to flip some pizzas, but she was blown away by the authentic Italian delicatessen and market. And what's pizza without a little craft beer? We got an insider tip that San Diego makes some of the greatest beer, not just in the U.S., but in the world! Ballast Point Brewing Company offers beer lovers 30-40 award winning Ballast Point Beers on tap on any given day. Our tip, stay at a nearby hotel and try the taster flights.
Filippi's Pizza Grotto
1747 India Street
San Diego, California 92101
(619) 232-5094
Ballast Point Brewing Company
10051 Old Grove Rd
San Diego, CA 92131
(858) 695-2739
SAN DIEGO BAY
No trip to San Diego is complete without a visit to San Diego Bay, the birthplace of naval aviation more than 100 years ago. Stop by the U.S.S. Midway Museum, which pays tribute to our military men and women, or pay a visit to the Maritime Museum. After taking in some fascinating history, you'll be more than ready for a stroll over to Seaport Village.
U.S.S. Midway Museum
910 N Harbor Dr
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 544-9600
Maritime Museum of San Diego
1492 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
Seaport Village
849 W Harbor Dr
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 235-4014
BALBOA PARK
San Diego's beautiful Balboa Park is considered the Smithsonian of the West. Step onto the plaza at Balboa Park and you're instantly transported to what feels like 19th century Europe. Its 1,200 acres are home to eight lush gardens, art galleries and renowned performing arts venues like the Tony Award-winning Old Globe Theatre, the world famous San Diego Zoo, and 15 spectacular museums. After a day of exploring the museums, you gotta try a bite at The Prado, named one of America's best restaurants by Gourmet Magazine.
Balboa Park
1549 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 239-0512
The Prado at Balboa Park
1549 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 557-9441
www.cohnrestaurants.com/theprado
Special San Diego Insider Tips: SanDiego.org/50InsiderTips
Plan your own San Diego adventure at www.sandiego.org
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Twitter: @ABC7Tina
[Original air date: June 21, 2014]
