Continuing the So Cal Transition

This semester has proved to be quite a dramatic change from my fall semester at ASU. I have had a great deal of fun trying to find a balance between my academic life and motivation to learn more about my new home city. This course and this blog in particular helped me to do a little bit of both and share it with all of you in Arizona.

What I have learned this semester is that home is what you make of it. While I loved my time living in the desert, I feel that I adjusted to my new surroundings by making an effort see the sights through the eyes of a local, or in my case, a new resident.

My efforts, in my opinion, have been successful more often than not. I have found some gems in the city that will no doubt be mainstays on my radar. Other times, there were a few strike outs, so to speak, that I can at least say I tried once even if I won’t be a returning customer.

I’ve tasted the flavors of local eateries, decided where the best beaches are and most recently, try my hand at water sports via skim boarding. I found my favorite barbershop and immersed myself in events around the town like the USNS William McLean boat launch. I’ve already hit up my new favorite Indian fast food place- Royal India- at least a handful of times since I discovered it.

If anything, I think this blog has taught me that searching for post topics shouldn’t be my only motivation for exploring the beautiful offerings of San Diego. This city has so much to offer to people of all kinds of interests. While the close proximity to the Pacific is a great amenity, San Diego has revealed to me a personality that is independent of the endless horizons that lie westward.

I hope that readers of this blog have had as much fun hearing about my experiences as I have had experiencing them. As the summer approaches, I strongly suggest a summer excursion to San Diego for adventurous spirits looking to escape the Arizona heat. It’s only a few hours drive away. Use this blog as a jump start for places to see during your stay, the amazing city of San Diego will guide you from there.

Mitch's Surf Shop

Since arriving in San Diego, I’ve wanted to get into water sports. While I eventually hope to try my hand at surfing, for now I thought I’d get into the water via skim boarding. Skim boarding is a beach activity where the boarder gains momentum by running toward waves and skimming atop the water of incoming waves.

I’d tried skim boarding a few years back on a woody (a skim board made of wood) while vacationing in Laguna Nigel, CA. I was much younger then but did get some experience with skim boarding.

This time, I did my research and took to the internet to learn more about the sport and how to go about getting into it. I found out that foamies (foam boards) are friendlier to beginner skim boarders and I also watched numerous youtube tutorials on how to properly skim board.

After looking up the kind of board I wanted, I set out to find a local retailer with the goods I wanted. Mitch’s Surf Shop in downtown La Jolla had the best reviews.

Mitch’s was fantastic. Though a small mom and pop operation, the customer service and selection were stellar. The shop itself is located just up the street from Marine Street beach (a stretch of shore said to be good for skim boarding). What I liked most about Mitch’s aside from the friendly and helpful staff, was the fact that Mitch himself is at the store each day. You get the sense, just by looking at Mitch, that he has been in the industry a long time and knows his products.

I ended up choosing a Victoria skim board in a lime green color as my inaugural board. One of the staff helped me get set up by advising me on which traction pads were best and even helped me out by adhering it to the board for me. While I did spend a pretty penny, Mitch threw in a couple packs of wax. The same guy who helped me with the traction pad taught me how to properly wax the skim board as well.

RATING

USNS William McLean Launches

Drive through San Diego and you will surely feel the city’s military presence. With a naval base, air force, coast guard and camp Pendleton all within driving distance of one another, one is never too far from one (or too far from hearing one). I live fairly close to the Miramar Air Force base and hear those jets all the time.

I got a rare opportunity to feel the patriotism that radiates around the naval base this week with the launch of a new replenishment ship. All of San Diego was invited to the event, but my family was treated to an up close and personal look at the ship moments before it entered the ocean for the very first time.

We stood just feet from the base of the ship as workers removed the last remnants of support before the ship was to slide into the bay. Sparks flew as the bases were removed and sounds of metal shavings echoed beneath the massive structure.

The ship itself was christened the William McLean as champagne was smashed against its side and a golden lever was pulled (which initiated the ship’s descent down a ramp that leaded to the Pacific.

What I didn’t expect was how quickly the ship actually slid down the ramp and into the sea. The entire trip probably took less than a minute. Myself and thousands of spectators watched as the McLean speedily receded from the location where it has spent the last two years being built.

The navy band played as streamers were released from the bow of the ship. And a great fireworks display marked the occasion as one to be remembered.

I really didn’t know what to expect from the ship launch. Leading up to the event, I did search Youtube for videos of other ship launches. When you see it online, you think, “once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.” In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by how much we were able to see into the process leading up to the launch. The experience far exceeded my expectations and I’d recommend that everyone attended at least one boat launch in their lifetime.

RATING 

V's Barbershop Del Mar

Who knew how hard it could be to find a decent place to get one’s haircut? Honestly, I never thought it would be as much of a challenge as it has been since I moved to San Diego.

When I lived in Arizona, I had it good, in terms of a regular place to get my haircut and achieve great results. A place called V’s barbershop got the job done every time I needed a trim. What is so great about V’s is the atmosphere coupled with experienced barbers.

Walk into V’s and you are transported to the early 1920s with black and white tile floors and mahogany paneling greeting you upon entry. A shoe shine station and old fashioned memorabilia cloud the walls creating a historic nostalgia that makes visitors feel like they are in for a unique treat.

Aside from the décor, V’s at Kierland in Scottsdale, the company’s flagship store, the people who run the place are a cast of characters with the cutting chops to match. Usualy when I went into V’s, Russian accents abound. The authentic barbershop experience was definitely completed by the Russian voices that breathed life into the place. I din’t think I’d ever been unsatisfied with a haircut from V’s in Arizona.

Fast forward to my relocation to California. Although supercuts and sports clips lurk at every shopping center, there really isn’t an experience that compares to what I used to have in Arizona. I tried one of the chain places a month or so back and ended up with a mini faux hawk that wasn’t what I asked for nor was it even.

I had pretty much lost all hope of finding a decent place after searching the internet. Luckily, I experienced a moment of genius. I went to the V’s barbershop corporate site to see where they had additional locations. To my surprise, a V’s barbershop opened in Del mar just one week ago. The recent opening was the reason I couldn’t find the location during previous internet searches.

I made the 15 minute trek out to Del Mar and upon entering the V’s barbershop, I was home again. My stylists did a great job evening out the crazy do I received from the previous place I visited. The style of the paneling, pictures and old-fashioned barber chairs was exactly like that of the V’s back in AZ. Needless to say, my search is over.

RATING 

Vallarta Express

Yelpers beware. Food may not appear as tasty as reviews promise. 

I know food reviews are primarily personal opinions about how a particular dish or restaurant appeals to a person's individual tastes. Apparently, my taste differs significantly from those of reviewers online.  

I frequent the web site Yelp.com quite often. It is one of the easiest places to get info quickly about a restaurant or place in town- phone numbers, web site, hours, and reviews all in one place. 

Sometimes the reviews are spot on and other times flat out wrong. Unfortunately for me, this week is was more the latter than the former. 

I sat behind my keyboard with all the intentions of finding the best mexican take-out according to the world wide web. What I found was Vallarta Express, an authentic mexican eatery with a 24 hour operation schedule and a bunch of menu items that I wanted to try. The consensus on Yelp was that the carne asada fries were a must try. Granted, it is not a typical dish, but perhaps Vallarta Express knew something that I didn't. 

Vallarta Express is located in Clairemont, a suburb of San Diego. It is in a shopping centers that is anchored by a Target, Home Depot and Ralph's grocery store. Literally, within two block of Vallarta Express, are many other mexican eateries dotted along the street. Vallarta stood out because of its long line of cars backing up in to the main road. 

The food came out quick. I ordered two shredded beef enchiladas, a chile relleno and  taking a cue from yelpers, the carne asada fries. 

The enchiladas had good flavor and were seasoned well, but the texture of the corn tortilla wasn't exactly like anything I've ever had before. And that is not a good thing. 

The chile relleno was a strike out from the beginning. Super soggy exterior batter, not-so-fresh pepper and practically no cheese in the stuffing set the stage for a let down from the get go. 

The only moderately appealing dish, low and behold, was the yelper's suggestion of carne asada fries. Possibly the most american dish on the menu, the dish's foundation of super delicious fries were cooked to a crisp with mexican toppings loaded on top. Guacamole, sour cream, carne asada, tomatos and cheese made the dish difficult to eat, but I powered through the mess to get the flavor. 

While I don't see myself going back to Vallarta Express in the near future, the experience did teach me take online reviews with a grain of salt. 

RATING

Indian Food Fast

I love to eat. Like any college student my age, a good meal on the go and for a good price is the ultimate find. More specifically, I love Indian food. I don’t know what it is exactly about Indian food that gets my mouth watering, but, for me, a good chicken tikka masala is where it’s at.

I love Indian food so much that I have been known to buy Indian fare from a box at the grocery store. While red lentils from an aluminum, vacuum-sealed bag will cure an Indian food craving, it is certainly not gourmet.

Recently, I started researching the San Diego area for good Indian food. While a few places do have pretty good reviews out on the web they are a bit of a drive for me. So, you can imagine, how excited I was to find an Indian fast food joint within a stone’s throw of my place in UTC. Royal India Express is actually located in the food court of the Westfield UTC mall. I know what you are thinking…food court? But wait, this isn’t some no name new-to-the-market experiment. Royal India is actually one of several restaurants owned by the Royal India Group, which is headed by the Kambo Brothers. A little web surfing revealed that they are actually well-established in the So Cal dining circle.

Royal India Restaurant is the Kambo’s fine dining spot located in downtown San Diego, they have a catering business called Royal Catering Concepts, a Royal India cocktail lounge and a couple Royal India Express locations sprinkled around San Diego.

Upon reaching the Royal India Express counter, we were greeted with a sample of chicken tikka masala over white basmati rice. The sample was delicious and so we continued to order. I had a two-side combo with white rice. My sides were chicken tikka masala and beef samosas. The samosas didn’t disappoint, but the real star was the chicken tikka, which was richly seasoned without being too overly spiced. I would certainly recommend Royal India Express to any Indian food appreciator. And if the food court ambiance isn’t your style, you can get your Indian fix to go.

RATING 

5 out of 5

Tsunami Comes Ashore

As Japan struggles to put its broken country back together, the world (including myself) is watching with wide eyes and heavy hearts.

After learning of the tragedy that struck Japan late in the evening on Thursday, the enormity of the situation had barely sunk in before news about a possible tsunami on the west coast of the U.S. was making headlines.

Living about 3.5 miles from the La Jolla coast, I wasn’t too worried about my home and family because the likelihood of a tsunami reaching that far inland is bleak. However, the constant interviews with tsunami and earthquake experts on CNN, FOX, and every other channel, did begin to jolt my inner belief that I was safe. The news that the Hawaiian Islands would be the first hit by a tsunami forced me to stay awake into the early morning hours for curiosity of what impact the tsunami would have to a coast within closer proximity to the quake.

I breathed a sigh of relief when around 5 am PST, the tsunami struck the Hawaiian islands with little to no damage. My logic was that over the distance the tsunami would have to travel from Hawaii to the California Coast, it would surely loose steam by the time it reached my state (naïve thinking, I know). All in all, the California coast did experience some damage from the Tsunami and one casualty (a photographer who got caught in the tsunami near the coast of northern California. Here in southern California, though, the impact was nothing more than elevated water levels and interested individuals highlighted on the news for being at the beach when the tsunami was supposed to occur.

All in all, California got off easy this time. Japan on the other hand, sadly not so much. Like people all over the world, I keep turning on the news only to find that the number of casualties from Japan’s tsunami is continuously rising. The tsunami (as with any natural disaster) has made me realize how fragile life is. Really, it shouldn’t take a natural disaster for people to re-evaluate their appreciation for life. This tragedy has reminded me that I have no control over what will happen tomorrow and that I’d better live each moment to the fullest.

LA Galaxy vs Club Tijuana

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!
I love spontaneity, so much so, in fact, that my sisters and I often surprise one other (for better or worse) with concert tickets, sporting event opportunities and new dining places on a whim. Literally, it’s like “Surprise!... We are leaving in 5 minutes.”

As a HUGE soccer fan (and one that used to play on leagues back in AZ), I’m always watching soccer games on TV or looking up funny soccer videos on YouTube. Being so well-versed and updated on which teams will be playing when, it came as a big surprise to me when last Wednesday, my sisters surprised me with tickets to an exhibition match featuring LA Galaxy vs. Club Tijuana playing at the University of San Diego. I didn’t even know the teams were going to be in town. Apparently, they’d heard about the match from local news and purchased tickets a couple days before.

This preseason “friendly” was attended by David Beckham and Landon Donovan (both Galaxy’s star players) and Club Tijuana fans (who are known to be quite a rowdy bunch with endless team pride). What I love most about the sport is the fan experience that surrounds live soccer matches. So it should come as no surprise that I swallowed my American pride and actually rooted for Club Tijuana throughout the game. My sisters sided against me and rooted for LA Galaxy.

The venue at University of San Diego was called Torero Stadium and it provided an intimate environment that really harnessed a fun atmosphere for fans. One section of Club Tijuana fans didn’t let up on their cheering the entire game. Though not too large, Torero Stadium held about 5,000 seats, most of which were occupied on Wednesday night.

In the end, the game finished a tie and went into a sudden death shootout where Club Tijuana dominated.

My only grievance with the event was the parking situation, we had to park in a student parking structure clear across the USD campus and were shuttled to the main gates. Leaving the parking lot after the game took about 25 minutes, waiting at a stand still.

All in all, I had the true fan experience and my team won. Next, I have to top that with a surprise for my sisters. . . ideas are welcome.

RATING

5 out of 5

Where to Shop in SD

I’m not a big shopper, but when I do need to grab an item out of necessity, its nice to have a convenient shopping place nearby like Westfield UTC (University Towne Canter).

Literally walking distance from my home in the UTC district of the San Diego/La Jolla border, Westfield UTC has many of the typically anchor stores like Nordstroms, and Macys, in addition to the typical selection of stores one might expect. The open-air, outdoor mall has a nice gathering area around a center fountain that is ideal for people watching. Not typical of a mall, Westfield UTC has a special amenity that I think is a great idea… an ice rink (pictured below). Not your typical ice rink, the Ice Town rink at Westfield is open to the mall’s food court and all who dine there. While I like the idea of visibility from the rink, I think of it as sort of a double edged sword. Diners may enjoy the entertainment of watching skaters down below on the rink, however it may be hard to hold a conversations with such a distraction in close proximity. Likewise, as an avid recreational skater myself, I’m not so keen on the idea of extra spectators around it I were to encounter a spill on the ice myself.

Also within close proximity to my home is another outdoor shopping center called Fashion Valley located in Mission Valley. Fashion Valley is the more upscale and well-off older brother of the UTC shopping center. Fashion Valley is home to all the upscale stores that I remember from Arizona’s premiere shopping center, Scottsdale Fashion Square. From Tiffany’s to Gucci to Burberry, pretty much anything anyone could ever want can be found here. I really liked the open air ambiance of both malls, but on the day I visited Fashion Valley, the weather was wet and cold, which wasn’t optimal for my shopping experience. We ran from shop to shop trying to get what we needed and make it to the next store with out freezing. I’ll definitely re-visit Fashion Valley when we get back our Southern California sunshine.

RATING 

Westfield UTC
 4 out of 5 

Fashion Valley
5 out of 5

Torrey Pines State Preserve

The So Cal sun went into hibernation this weekend. And although it reemerged this Sunday morning, the weekend was pretty much a bust. Luckily, earlier this week I ventured out to enjoy the pre-rain weather by hiking through the Torrey Pines State Preserve.

What impressed me most about the state park were its convenient and easy to navigate trails. The whole goal of the trail heads is to reach the cliffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean. I really enjoyed the winding nature of the trail that we chose because it kept us in anticipation and motivated to reach the edge of the cliff. Needless to say, the views from the edge of the ocean were breathtaking. But we were pleasantly surprised that a whole other view stole the show. The preserve is guarded by beautiful cliffs that look slightly like the grand canyon’s type of curvature and rock formation.

Word of advice to potential future hikers, I didn’t know prior to hitting the trails that rattle snakes inhabit the area. Their presence is noted over and over by safety signs that line the trails. With each change of the trails direction, hikers are also reminded of the wildlife in the park as well.

After resting near the edge, we climbed down and headed down a long paved road that lead down to the beach that is part of the state park. After a long hike, we were happy to be walking downhill, but it was bittersweet since we knew that we’d eventually have to go back up to get to our car.

The views from the beach of the cliffs were also spectacular that it made the extra trek worth it. Because the beach is located very close to the Miramar Marine Air Station, we were treated to formation flying as they practiced over the Pacific.

One thing about the beach at Torrey Pines is that dogs are not allowed since it is part of the preserve. Being a dog owner, I wish I could take my dog to this gorgeous beach to enjoy it with me, however there are other dog beaches nearby. Another plus for this beach is that there wasn’t much seaweed and virtually no litter congesting the beach. It’s definitely a beach I will be frequenting and judging by the crowds, many other San Diegans feel the same.

RATING 

5 out of 5

Sushi Strike Out

When I lived in the desert, I had only recently found the holy grail of sushi. Although close friends raved about Pure Sushi, I just never made the time to get there and try it until my last weeks in the state. Nevertheless, my friends were right and the California rolls at Pure Sushi were of the purest variety. Point blank, their crab mix was one of the best.

So upon arriving in San Diego, I immediately began searching for my new sushi place. Although Roy’s Hawaiian Barbecue’s do exist in Arizona, I’d never actually dined there until moving out to CA. After checking out their web site and studying the menu, I decided that Roy’s Lobster California Rolls were a must to try. The real lobster sealed the deal as I called up and ordered two rolls to go.

The Roy’s in UTC that I went to is located off of a large intersection in a super busy shopping center… as with most routine daily errands, parking was a problem. After circling a few times, a spot opened…not too bad for Cali standards.

The hostess greeted me with an “Aloha” that seemed a bit forced, but nonetheless I thought it was a nice touch that fit with the theme of the restaurant. I made my way to the bar, paid for my grub and headed out with my sushi in hand.

The Roy’s packaging and takeout bag seemed nicer than the norm, which set me up to think the food inside would be above par as well. Sadly, this was not the case. Although the sushi was visually appealing, it carried the distinct odor of lobster that wasn’t, let’s say, fresh from the sea. Seeing as how sunny San Diego is situated on the Pacific Ocean, I guess I mistakenly assumed that the seafood around town should be better than its inland counterparts. The lobster mix was where it began and ended for me. There was really no saving a roll that had no business being served to me in the first place. Needless to say I won’t be saying “Aloha” to Roy’s anytime in the near future.

RATING 

1 out of 5

Boy Meets Burger

Although not a food critic, I am a food fanatic. I’m usually the first to suggest that a hunger pang be fixed by a visit to the closest restaurant or fast food joint. So, while walking around downtown La Jolla with a grumble in my stomach, I was relieved to spot the happening, no fuss foodie paradise known to locals as the Burger Lounge.

I love meat. And while I have been persuaded to join the anti-meat eating crowd (mostly due to images/documentaries about how the meat we eat is harvested), a juicy burger dripping onto a freshly baked bun gets me every time and a solely vegetable diet can’t compete.

Let me start with the Burger Lounge’s visual appeal. Located on the corner of a street of mostly apparel stores and shops, the Burger Lounge is the easy choice for shoppers wanting a small bite to eat when getting from one store to the next. It certainly worked for me. Burger Lounge draws in customers by its clean lines and bright, modern colors that serve as a clean palette for their main showpiece – the almighty burger.

The Lounge itself is small with limited outdoor seating and only a few barstools inside. In fact my only grievance about the lounge was the uneasy feeling of waiting in line while scouting for a table to open. I am a multi-tasker, however trying to decide what I wanted to order while nervously scoping out the place for a spot to sit was not the best way to start-off. Especially when the place was packed.

I ordered the Grilled Lounge Burger, which the large menu board said was made from grass-fed beef. I guess that fact made it a little easier to cope with the burger’s nearly $8 price tag (side dishes not included). No burger would be complete without fries, so I opted for the Lounge’s Fresh-Cut French Fries, which were certainly worth the $3.95 I paid in addition to the burger. 

After finding a table, the server brought my table their selections. We are all happy with the speedy service and the flavors on our plates. My Grilled Lounge Burger more than satisfied my hunger and made the Burger Lounge a place I would visit again. Next time, I may even try their vegetarian burger. But then again, maybe not. Learn more at www.burgerlounge.com.





RATING 

4 out of 5 

La Jolla Cove

As a newbie to the SoCal region, I’ve been trying to conquer the local hotspots much like a tourist would. After browsing Google a bit for the must-see locales, I set out with camera in hand to gain deeper perspective on why so many visitors frequent La Jolla Cove.

La Jolla Cove is a stretch of coastline with grass parks and paths that provide easy access to beach coves and the upscale downtown district of La Jolla. From the primary walkway, which sits directly above cliffs overlooking the ocean, visitors can see many different sea wildlife as they progress down the coast. We started on the Northern most section, which is the beginning of Prospect Street, and worked our way down the coast. Upon walking up to a railing and looking over, there was a swim club of what looked to be experienced swimmers entering the ocean. What most surprised me was that the swimmers were sharing this section of beach with numerous seals and were swimming right up next to them. Personally, I’d be a bit freaked if an umpteen pound sea creature came up swimming beside me, but maybe that’s just me.

Further down the cove was an actual beach cove that numerous kids had already claimed as their personal playgrounds. Frightened that I may be perceived as the big kid without a clue, I steered clear from exploring the cave (which was crawling with 7 year olds) and observed from a far.  One day when it’s a little less crowded, I’ll probably go back to take a more thorough look.

Further still, is a section of La Jolla Cove known as the children’s pool, a manmade section of the coast designed for kids to swim while sheltered from the pull of the ocean waves. The children’s pool is a source of contention for locals who are aware of what is was supposed to be and what it has become. What was supposed to be a safe children’s swimming area has become inhabited by seal colonies that have turned it into their own private sun bathing paradise. Nature conservationists set up tables at the cove each weekend to promote the conservation of the area for the seals. Locals who are still upset about the children’s pools demise also set up table with pamphlets asking for donations and raising awareness that they hope will one day bring back the children’s pool. I’m still on the fence about the issue, though I’m sure that once I live here a little longer and learn more about it, my opinion will form. One thing is for sure, the seals do add a specific odor to parts of the cove that isn’t all that pleasant.

I’d like to leave you this week with a video of the sea wall that protects the area that used to be the children’s pool. This weekend, I was standing in the middle of the wall and luckily their weren’t waves like those in the video here.

 

RATING

Four out of Five

Testing the Waters

While California is a stone's throw from the Grand Canyon State, it truly feels a world away. My first thoughts upon driving back to the Golden State (I was born a few miles from San Fran): Where do all these people come from?! California, particularly Southern California, is notorious for the daily calamity known as rush hour traffic. Perhaps the clean, smooth and often empty highways of Arizona have contributed to my naivete of other state's driving habits. 

California is the most populous state and is home to eight of the nation's 50 most populated cities. All in all, the CA (as I like to call it), is home to more than 37 million people (a whopping 12 percent of the total US population) and for good reason. With 840 miles of picturesque coastline California has the third largest coastline of all the states, coming after Alaska and Florida, neither of which have California's gorgeous mediterranean climate.               

Although impressive, these statistics don't give someone who has never been to California insight into why so many people choose to make this state their home. Over the next few months I hope to go beyond these statistics and rediscover what makes California so great in the eyes of so many. 

Throughout my journey, my aim is to be able to help people understand how California became the most populous state by exploring and uncovering all it has to offer (well, within the confines of San Diego County- gas ain't cheap).  

From the best beaches to exceptional eateries and maybe even a museum mall or two, you'll see Cali through my eyes as I learn the region. There's sure to be hits and most definitely misses, but I promise to try to make it interesting, semi-educational and always a blast. Think of me as your travel guide... more Anthony Bourdain than PBS travel special.

RATING 

Look for this rating section in each of my posts... I will do my best to show you guys which places you can go for a good time, stops that should be avoided and hotspots that cannot be missed. I'll try to examine each place from an objective point of view. Look out next week for an original rating system that has yet to be devised. Once I come up with one, you'll be the first to know.