If you’re like me, you’re always on the lookout to find a place to take your dog to allow them to have a good time. San Diego has many good dog parks, and these two places are great places to let them run around off leash.

The first is located in the North County in Del Mar. It is called “Dog Beach”. All one has to do is exit at Via Del La Valle off of the Interstate Five, and proceed West to the Coast Highway. Once at the intersection, turn South, and the beach is immediately a block to the South. Parking is available, although it is limited along the road next to the beach. Parking immediately adjacent to the beach, although a fee is required by the City of Del Mar. Free parking is available on the surrounding streets. The beach is a great place to go and relax with your dog; dogs are allowed to be off leash, and can do whatever they please.

The second location is the dog park at Balboa Park. Balboa Park is already a great place to go to walk your dog. Just off of Laurel Street, and immediately before the main bridge, there is a Dog Play Area. This grassy area allows dogs to intermingle, play, fetch, and all other activities, again off leash.

Both locales provide trash cans and waste bags for the dogs, and always have a good weekend crowd of owners to discuss dog care, and to laugh at any dog related antics.

Whether one is a competitor, a weekend warrior, or fitness buff, a good weekend jog starts at the entrance of Torrey Pines State Reserve. The Reserve, which is a part of the California State Parks system, is located just south of Del Mar on the Highway 101, and just north of the Torrey Pines Golf Course. Parking can be found in the Reserve for six dollars; however, the lots can become quite full early during the summer or a particularly warm weekend. Parking can also be found on the Coast Highway for free, although one might have to circle for several minutes.

From the entrance sign, the route begins heading straight along the road, past the entrance station. On the left, one can enjoy invigorating views of the Pacific. The road then arcs up in a moderate but steady ascent. The Park Service has laid out running/walking trails on the shoulders of the road; but one can also run in the road as long as they keep a wary eye for traffic. The road curves up into the bluffs and under the boughs of the Torrey Pine, the rarest pine tree in North America.

Once half-way up the hill, the runner will notice graded steps; take the steps, and pass the trail-head of the “Guy Fleming Trail”. It is likely that at this point both your legs and your lungs will be working overtime if you are moving at a good pace! Once past the “Guy Fleming”, one will be treated to views of the Reserve itself, the ocean, and La Jolla. The hill ends at the Reserve visitor center, three quarters of a mile from the entrance station. Should you need it, water and restrooms are available at the top.

If you are athletically inclined, or enjoying the weather, one can continue on the road to the Reserve’s southern boundary and beyond. The distance from the Visitor Center to the boundary is approximately one mile. Beyond the southern boundary lies a path that runs past the golf course. It is worth noting that the park road from entrance to Southern boundary is the route of the original California Highway 101. Past the visitor center on the road, one enjoys splendid views of the Reserve, as noted earlier, and the expanses of the East. On especially clear days, one can view the peaks of San Jacinto and San Gorgonio, occasionally snow capped. Happy Trails!

There’s been a lot of news in the past year about the cross on Mt. Soledad in La Jolla. But no matter what you feel about keeping the cross there or having it removed, it’s still worth a visit to that beautiful spot to see the Veterans Memorial Walls.

Six walls have been erected below the cross, which hold plaques honoring men and women in the military who served during wartime or peace keeping times, and whose service has been verified. These black granite plaques are family tributes, and usually have an etched photograph of the honoree as well as information about his or her service.

You’ll see many people taking a drive up to the top of the mountain for the magnificent view of the coastline and also looking east to the Cuyamaca mountains. Then they discover the walls with the plaques. It’s quite moving to walk along and read about the veterans and think about their service. Sometimes a visitor even finds a plaque honoring someone they knew, or encounters a veteran who perhaps served on the same ship. It’s a great experience!

10. Everyone you meet at work does not aspire to work in a totally unrelated field
9. If you tell someone you’re in the “biz” they’ll either think you’re a dork or that you work for Qualcomm
8. Traffic sucks only most of the time, not all of the time
7. Parking is still less than the event you are attending, or sometimes even free
6. When you see a man with a woman who’s young enough to be his daughter in San Diego, it probably is his daughter
5. If the big one hits and we slide off into the ocean, LA will remain afloat because of all the silicone. San Diego, however, is doomed (excluding parts of P.B.)
4. Going to nightclubs is a fun, somewhat decadent phase. It is not a lifestyle, professional sport or permanently mind-altering experience (excluding parts of P.B.)
3. Being famous isn’t required to get a good table, reservations are.
2. Downtown is already revitalized, clean and extremely safe.
1. San Diegans walk, Angelinos run. But where are they going and why are they in such a hurry? Why in San Diego, it doesn’t matter. It’s just nice to get out and walk around.

The date is Wednesday, December 07, 2005, and the sun has just set on a day that will forever remain fresh in our minds. Today we skated this local skatepark; Memorial skatepark on 30th street in San Diego, place is off the walls fun. My roomate Ross and I went there for like our 2nd or 3rd time and it only gets more and more fun everytime. It’s by far one of the better skateparks I’ve seen in California, They got a few bowls and a street course with like 3 or 4 step ups, a huge big 3 stair in addition to about a thousand bank ramps to roll into and a wide pyramid. We skate this park for about 3 or 4 hours until we land our last tricks. Satisfied, we leave the park. As we exit the park and skate towards the car both my roomate and I equally feel the ora flowing from the concrete of the park thru our wheels basically into our soul and filling us full of a euphoira that cannot be achived in any other way then riding hard all day with your friends. These are the chills and feelings I die for. These are the chills and feelings I live for. I couldnt wish to be anywhere but here in this moment right now. I tell him this and he agrees that he feels the same. The emotion enstilled is almost unbeleiviable.
Its moments like these that I truly see the apprication of skateboarding and the effect it can have on people. My roomate Ross just started gettign into skating heavy and I’ve never see a more siked expression on his face than when he drops or busts out moves that only weeks ago he thought would be impossible. That is the essence of skateboarding and I wonder if when the first skateboard was created, did its creator know the vastness of the movement he had started. An older movie that I only beleive the true skater OGs will know of that portrays skateboarding as it truly should be is Powell Peralta’s Animal Chin Skate video. If you havent seen it then you need to and if you have seen it you know what I’m talking about. Basically not to ruin it if you’re going to see it, a group of skaters go on a search to find legendary skater animal chin who has gone missing and thru there adventure they discover the true essence of skateboarding. That skateboarding isnt about the money and the fame and all this bullshit, it is about going out and riding with your friends and keeping the fire that makes skateboarding so unique forever lit. The search for Animal Chin in all actuality is us basically finding ourselves thru forever searching for the ultimate ride, grind or air with our friends beside us portraying the love of riding and fulfillment from that, enjoying skating from another level. Some of my best days and memories were that of skating with my friends. Getting utter delight thru a childhood hobby turned life long dream, doesnt get any better than that. Might of been one of my favorite skate parks ive skated out here so far. An unreal park, so if you’re in or around San Diego defintly give it a check out if youve got the time. Smooth as glass riding and the setups are sick too. 30 bucks get you a 3 month membership to here, OB park and penquitos or somewhere. pretty good if you ask me. Live to ride, skate on.

It’s enough to make you fall in love with San Diego and decide to move here. Where else in the world can you find a beautiful trendy hotel, that has a sand bar on it’s roof? Literally, the top level consists of an outdoor bar, complete with sand and a fire pit. A must-do in San Diego. Romantic, cozy, perfect. What better way to start and end the night, but with a drink sitting around a fire pit. The scene isn’t too bad either, you’ll find some of the most hottest bodies in San Diego at this trendy W hotel.

W Hotel
421 West B Street
San Diego CA, 92101

As a tourist destination, Solana Beach generally gets passed over for its tonier neighbor to the south, Del Mar. Which is why discovering the Cedros Design District feels kind of like unearthing treasure 100 paces away from the X. A mere half-block from the Solana Beach train station, it’s one of my favorite places to while away an afternoon.

Cedros Design District has it all: unique shopping for everything from hand lotion to hardwood floors, restaurants, a day spa and doggy-friendly Muttropolis featuring gifts for your four-legged friends. For night owls 21+, the Belly Up Tavern books local and internationally known performers of all types of music from Jazz to Rock to Country. Seating is general admission but if you have dinner in the attached Wild Note Cafe, you’ll not only have an incredible meal, you’ll also be able to use the special restaurant access to the club. No queuing with the masses for you.

No trip to the Cedros Design District would be complete without a visit to my favorite store, Leaping Lotus. A two-story piece of shopping heaven, Leaping Lotus features the products of many merchants and artists under one roof. From hand-made jewelry, to imported Italian Olive Oil, to pop-culture kitsch, you can find something for everyone here. It’s so easy to get lost in a time warp while discovering one cool corner after another, that I challenge anyone to come in and get through the store in under an hour. But oh what an hour (or two or three) it is…

If you’ve never been sportfishing on the Pacific, San Diego is a great place to do so. You can catch fish year-round but the spring and summer is normally the best.

There are several places that will take you out and they all charge about the same (about $50 for a half-day trip which includes a rod and bait). The Seaforth is a great option for first-timers.

Hike Bike Kayak Inc. offers a night kayking trip part of the year. The event is on Mission Bay and you’ll also get to see the SeaWorld Fireworks up and close.

http://www.hikebikekayak.com/Kayaking_Mission_Fireworks.html