Best Neighborhoods in San Diego
On July 16, 2019 by Nellie AlvarezSan Diego is a fabulous place to live and there are dozens of different neighborhoods that you can call home. There is a huge difference in price ranges but you can still find a home in a decent neighborhood at a price you can afford. Where you live has to be about more than price, for me the neighborhood needs to have some character, so here are some of my favorite places to live in San Diego.
Downtown
Downtown has gone through some gentrification lately as it is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. Gone are the rundown old building and there is a whole bunch of new housing being built. The neighborhood still has some great restaurants, bars, shopping and entertainment right at your doorstep. Downtown used to be pretty seedy but now the area has completely changed.
The old crumbling buildings are being turned into some hip new condos. The criminal element that once plagued downtown is gone and now it is a fantastic place to live. Young couples and singles are moving back into the neighborhood in droves and now it is one of the coolest places to live. There are a couple of different neighborhoods around downtown you should check out, Columbia, East Village, Gaslamp Quarter or near the Marina.
La Jolla
La Jolla is not like downtown in fact you are going to spend some cash to call this place home. With almost 10 miles of coastline on the north side of San Diego the area is filled with great beaches and it is considered one of the most prestigious in the city. While I don’t live here, I do take a drive around the area and admire the views and the mansions I can’t afford.
There is some amazing residential architecture here but you can expect price tags with 8 zeros at the end. There are some smaller beach houses that are a little more affordable but this is definitely not the cheapest neighborhood in town.
Point Loma
The Point Loma neighborhood is a pretty cool combination of the old and the new. You have a big selection of homes that were built back in the 20’s and 30’s along some newer upscale construction. The area is hilly and wraps around the entrance to the bay giving you some beautiful views. There is a mix of high end right alongside more affordable housing.
These are some of the more interesting places that you can check out in San Diego, come down and check them out for yourself. You may even find your dream home.
Fine Dining About San Diego
On July 16, 2019 by Nellie AlvarezI consider myself a bit of a foodie but not exactly a snob about it, I love a good fish taco as much as I love pretentious French food. Fortunately living in San Diego there are more than enough restaurants to tickle my fancy.
Fortunately so far this year there have been a bunch of new restaurants that have opened up giving me the chance to try some great new food. If you want to do some fine dining about town then here are some great new places to try.
Tuétano Taqueria in San Ysidro
I told you I loved a good taco and this quiet unassuming place is a great place to get one. The owner of Tuétano Taqueria, Priscilla Curiel hails from Tijuana and a long line of restaurateurs. While the tacos are amazing the birria is to die for!
Cesarina
There is nothing quite as satisfying as a good Italian meal, you can head on over to Little Italy and get some better than average Italian cuisine but quite frankly none compare to Cesarina in Point Loma. You can find some great entrees from different regions of Italy and the pasta is freshly made to order. You can pick your choice of pasta and top it off with a variety of different sauces. It makes me want to go back and try them all!
Blind Lady Ale House
Nicknamed by locals as BLAH, yes that is horrid but you will remember it. If you want great food in a casual environment, think upscale pub grub and you have got Blind Lady Ale House. You can sip a delectable craft beer while nibbling on some great thin crust pizza. This is a great place for getting together with friends for some great conversation with good food.
BIGA
If you live or work downtown then you have got to check this place out. It is an amazing pizza/Italian restaurant using only locally sourced ingredients. While the pizza is famous there is a ton of other delicious dishes to try too. They make their own bread onsite so try one of the sandwiches. Prices are stupidly cheap, you can get a Margherita pizza for just $7 so you can’t go wrong. The run different specials everyday…the place is amazing!
There are no shortages of great places to dine out in San Diego and you’re probably just a stone’s throw away from some fantastic food. If you are looking for something new then give these places a try.
Having Fun without Spending a Penny in San Diego
On June 22, 2019 by Nellie AlvarezSan Diego is a great town with lots of things to do, beautiful weather and some incredible sights. But like many Southern California cities San Diego can be pricey. Don’t despair there are still plenty of things to do that will cost little or nothing. Having fun without spending a penny in San Diego is easier than you think, here are some things to do.
Hit the Beach
Southern California is all about the beaches and San Diego has miles and miles of beautiful coastline with some incredible beaches. Surfing is a culture of its own here but if catching some waves is not your thing then just sit back and enjoy the sun.
People Watching Downtown
You can’t come to San Diego and skip over a visit to downtown and the Gaslamp Quarter. It is a historic neighborhood downtown and you can find a ton of pubs, great restaurant, theaters, shopping and plenty of Victorian architecture to look at. Grab a cup of coffee and an outside table and just soak up the atmosphere.
Outdoor Concerts
In the summer months there are a ton of outdoor concerts happening almost every night. Spreckels Organ Pavillion has free concerts every night throughout the summer from 2-3pm as well as Monday nights. You can also find concerts at Chula Vista Music in the Park, Del Mar Summer Concert Series, Concerts by the Sea and at least a dozen more. There will be something to suit your tastes.
Check Out a Museum
There are a couple of different museums in Balboa Park and one of them is free to the public on one Tuesday of each month. Check out the schedule for your favorite museum. You can check out the Model Railroad Museum, Natural History Museum, The Museum of Man and a whole bunch more. Every Tuesday you can experience some different culture and it something fun to do with the kids. Here are some of the best museums in San Diego.
Tour Balboa Park
You can take a free tour of Balboa Park every day, the tours leave from the visitor’s center. The tours have different themes from park history to desert vegetation. The tours leave at various times so make sure that you check the schedule so you don’t miss it.
There are a ton of other things to do when you hit San Diego that won’t cost you a fortune, hit up Oldtown or the Seaport as well. If all else fails the beach is also the perfect getaway.
Things to do on a Lazy Sunday Afternoon in San Diego
On June 17, 2019 by Nellie AlvarezSundays tend to be lazy days for me, I don’t want to do any work nor do I want to think too hard. At the same time San Diego has spectacular weather that I want to get out and enjoy. I usually hit up one of the amazing parks that are in and around town. If you are looking for things to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon then here is a cool way to pass the afternoon.
Head to Balboa Park
Balboa Park is the most famous park in the city, it has open spaces, spectacular gardens, walking trails and areas that are ripe with natural vegetation. Here is where you will find the San Diego Zoo, a handful of museums and theaters. You can always find something to do here to occupy a Sunday afternoon. Sometimes I head over to one of the museums but more often than not I just wander around and enjoy the sights.
Cabrillo National Monument
If you want to see some amazing views of the city skyline with the mountains in the backdrop then you really need to check out the Cabrillo National Monument. It sits on the cliffs of the Pt Loma peninsula and you can visit the statue of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo the Portuguese explorer who discovered the area way back in 1542. You can take some great selfies here with the mountains and the city behind you.
Mission Bay Park
Mission Bay Park is a personal favorite of mine, Balboa Park can be crowded and there isn’t much walking to do at Cabrillo so I head over to Mission Bay Park and hit the walking trails. With more than 27 miles of shoreline I can either hit the beach and relax for the day or watch the yachts sailing around. Mission Bay is a great place to bring the family there are bike trails too as well as a giant playground for the kids. You can pack a lunch and spend a lazy Sunday here.
Hit Up A Psychic
San Diego has some of the top psychics in the world! Why not try one? If your looking for one check out this great psychic in San Diego Laurie who has been doing it for 25 year and is still rocking it.
Kate O Sessions Memorial Park
Lastly we come to this park and it too is one of my favorites. You have some amazing views and lots of nature. This park can get crowded with lots of families here enjoying a sunny day. I also love coming here at night it is a great place to lay back and see the stars. San Diego has plenty of ways to pass a Sunday afternoon, you just have to get out and enjoy some sunshine.
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