Carlsbad Real Estate News and Views: California: San Diego
Here's the REAL scoop on living in Carlsbad ~ beaches, things to do, places to eat, community events, and of course neighborhoods, homes and the Carlsbad real estate market in general, including surrounding communities.
I had the opportunity to spend some time at Balboa Park yesterday with some out-of-town family. This is part of a terrific sculpture outside one of the many museums in the park.
If I can provide more information about San Diego real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
Sometimes you get more out of the visuals than a lot of commentary.
For a place like Balboa Park in San Diego, California, with a reputation as one of the nation's largest cultural urban parks, this is so true. With 15 museums, a variety of gardens, wonderful theatres, stunning architecture, and lots of green space Balboa Park near the downtown area is a real treat, even if you only have time to walk around.
If I can provide more information about San Diego real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
This buiding has fascinated me from the first time I saw it when out showing property in San Diego. I had been by it 3 or 4 times but there was never a good time to stop and snap a pic since I had clients following me.
Today was the day...and I drove out of my way as I headed home to snare the photo.
This is the Tower Building - it houses the Tower Tattoo Parlor (which is actually a restaurant and a tattoo joint)
AND The Tower Bar.
Turns out The Tower Bar is pretty popular - check out the Yelp reviews. They have a website but I couldn't get it to load. In any case this building is certainly one of the more unusual in the area.
They are located at 4757 University Avenue in San Diego.
If I can provide more information about San Diego real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
The Andrews Gallery in Leucadia (Encinitas) recently moved to new digs downtown. It is sad to see the Gallery, and director/owner Drew Snyder, leave the area.
Andrews Gallery added so much to the artistic community in Encinitas and we will miss them. From their wonderful art exhibits, musician, and art openings, Andrews Gallery made a significant mark that will not be soon forgotten.
And it's sad to see the building standing empty once again.
But the move for Andrews Gallery is a very good one - they are now housed in the heart of Little Italy in San Diego, a burgeoning area of shopping, galleries and restaurants. And I have no doubt the stellar shows that Drew curates will continue to impress, and their reputation in the artist community will continue to grow.
I have gotten to know Drew pretty well during their 16 months in Leucadia, and I see even greater things ahead for Andrews Gallery and look forward to watching them prosper.
If I can provide more information about San Diego real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
Yes, it's true. Foodies in San Diego are getting excited.
Restaurant Week will hit San Diego January 17th(that's THIS Sunday) and lasts until Friday January 22nd.
San Diego Restaurant Week is a terrific way to dine at your old favorites, or explore some new eateries with special menus and reduced prices. No tickets are needed but because of the popularity of this event, reservations are pretty darn important (probably essential).
The San Diego Restaurant Week website gives you the opportunity to search for places to eat by cuisine, location, price and name. There are dozens of restaurants (over 180) participating with a wide range of food styles and prices ($20, $30 and $40 for 3 course meals). Many restaurants are downtown but they go as far north as BlueFire Grill in La Costa/Carlsbad (walking distance from MY house) and a number of places in Del Mar.
Orange County and Los Angeles (offers 2 weeks) also offer their own restaurant weeks:
So take your appetite for good food and try out one, or more, of the great places to dine in San Diego during Restaurant Week, January 17 through the 22nd.
If I can provide more information about San Diego real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
Being a foodie, I gravitate toward new restaurants, dining out, and just eating in general. San Diego surprisingly has quite a selection of restaurants, many of which are not celebrity chef eateries, nor on the list of the Best Places to Eat on Zagat. But if you are interested in culinary tours in San Diego, A Taste of San Diego tour is well worth your time and money, and lots of fun, to explore some of the non-mainstream places to eat.
A Taste of San Diego is a culinary tour in San Diego that will surprise, and delight you - here's why!
A Taste of San Diego is not a tour of the tourist spots, or the restaurants owned by celebrity chefs. In fact, chances are you won't have heard of these places and they likely aren't in the guide books, with few exceptions.
But the locals know. And these restaurants have been in business for a significant amount of time in most cases (one as long as 76 years!!)...without the benefit of websites (again, a few exceptions), glitzy interiors, and food that looks like it stepped off the pages of Gourmet with prices to match.
So, if you:
• Are looking for a fun way to discover some great food in some hidden spots in San Diego (plus see some interesting areas of the city)?
• Want to give a special friend or family member and great gift (Christmas is coming, you know).
• Are you visiting from out of town and want to have some good food that is NOT a chain eatery loaded with tourists?
• Want to try some foods you may never have had...
Then book a culinary tour with A Taste of San Diego.
I have the great pleasure of doing just that yesterday, courtesy of owner/founder Annette Legaspi. We met at Seau's: The Restaurant in Mission Valley, the first restaurant on the tour to talk and for the video interview I did (check it out below).
And of course I got to sample Mama's Combo (chicken and beef teriyaki with rice, a special recipe of the Mother of owner Junior Seau [NFL All-pro linebacker with the New England Patriots and formerly with the San Diego Chargers, and of the Junior Seau Foundation), their special offering for A Taste of San Diego tour attendees.
There are two tours offered: (1) TOUR 1 from 9:30 - 2:00 with breakfast and lunch, hitting 7 - 8 area restaurants; (2) TOUR 2 from 3 til 6 with 5 or 6 restaurants. You can make your reservation for A Taste of San Diego tour on their website.
Here is the tour I did (the restaurants MAY vary depending on the tour day and time given when the restaurants operate). And by the way the food was great, and more than I could eat by myself (it's best shared with another person):
Seau's (Mission Valley) - about 14 years in existence; Mama's Combo
Pt. Loma Seafood (Pt. Loma) - 32 years, with great views of the marina and downtown; ceviche
El Indio (San Diego) - 69 years; fruit burrito (dessert)
Some other restaurants you may find on the tour include Los Quatros Milpas, Penchita's,, the Old Town Mexican Café, and El Coyote Grill.
A Taste of San Diego is a fun way to explore some out-of-the-way places with really good food. Fancy , it's not. And if you want trendy, forget it. But if you want to sample "a meal of tastes" from some long-standing places that aren't in every guide book, and experience some of the local color, a culinary tour of San Diego with A Taste of San Diego will bring a smile to your face and a very full stomach. Don't eat before you go - trust me.
For a discount of 20% use code JD2010 for purchases of $150 or more, good until June 30, 2010.
If I can provide more information about San Diego real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
I've been working with a young couple trying to buy a home in downtown San Dieog near the university. Not a short sale, and they are open to condos and detached homes. THere are some wonderful neighborhoods, and some that are not.
We found a terrific condo in the Kensington area of San Diego, next to Normals Heights. This is a wonderful neighborhood, with all sorts of amenities just a short walk away, and some wonderful, and historic housing.
In driving around the area within a block or so I happened upon this one home that was really decorated to the hilt. This is just PART of the fron yard. The holidays are alive in Kensington (San Diego) California!
The country's largest air show, the MCAS Miramar Airshow, will be here in just a few days.
Featuring the famed Blue Angels commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the U.S. Air Force, and, this year, the 9-plane Canadian Snowbirds, this air show has been a tradition for more than 50 years. There are both ground and air demonstrations, along with the opportunity to talk with military personnel, check out military equipment, memorabilia and, of course, the usual refreshments.
If you have never seen the Blue Angels, well, they are something to see AND hear (I last saw them at Hanscom AFB in the Boston area). Visit the official Blue Angels website for more information and tickets. [photos courtesy of the Blue Angels official website]
If I can provide more information about San Diego real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
I paid a visit to the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego's Gaslamp District yesterday. It wasn't just for fun, although it was that. I was impressed enough, without staying there, that I wanted to share it. If you haven't stayed at one of their hotels, I recommend you consider it.
And if you are heading to San Diego in November for the N.A.R. Conference and Expo this might be THE place to stay.
The Hard Rock Hotel San Diego is located at 207 5thAvenue at L Street at the beginning of the Gaslamp District. It is, literally, across the street from the San Diego Convention Center, and 5th Avenue is the main street through this famed area of San Diego. Lots to do, see, eat and experience, trust me - the Gaslamp District has a long historystemming from the 1850s and it just keeps getting better.
The Hard Rock Hotel is very contemporary, as you'd expect. Cool lighting (ceilings, walls, floors), artful use of glass, stone and modern furnishings, cutting edge technology, and of course music (NOT overdone) create a lively, appealing, upscale venue for lunch, dinner, and of course an overnight stay or two. The Hard Rock Café is cool, but the Hard Rock Hotel is WAY cool.
The highlight is the hard rock memorabilia. It's everywhere. Vintage photos (Janice Joplin), guitars, a motorcycle, drums, handwritten notes from folks like Stevie Nicks, images of all sorts of rock stars painted on the walls (Jimi Hendrix)...the list goes on. The photos help a little but seeing the real thing is the way to go.
The other reason for the visit is the Southern California Chapter of CRS networking event on November 13th form 7 - 10 pm at the start of the N.A.R. event.
As hosts of this event, I have been working with their catering department (Catering Manager Johnny Dynh has been a gem to work with) to finalize our hors d'oeuvres menu and the venue (we are going to celebrate with Madonna in the Celebrate Room).
A visit to the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego is really worth it. I might just decide to stay overnight sometime, or perhaps in one of their other Hard Rock Hotel locations - Bali sounds good.
If I can provide more information about Oceanside real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
Memorial Day is fast approaching, which means it is time for the annual San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival in the famous Gaslamp Quarter of downtown San Diego. (LOGO links to website)
Saturday May 23 is the date, and the setting is two stages of non-stop smooth jazz headliners (e.g., Boney James, Gerald Albright, Kurt Whalum, Norman Brown), national and local, hosted by KIFM Smooth Jazz 98.1. In addition to the 2 main stages, there are over 20 other venues for live music throughout the festival area between 4th and 6th streets. Music starts at 12:30 PM with performances until 10 PM.
This is the largest all-day jazz festival in San Diego and there is sure to be music to please you. Be aware that the area is roped off with tough security, and you will not be able to get past the gates without your tickets(which are $29 in advance). Restaurants are open during the festival. It gets crowded, parking is a challenge, and it's noisy, but what a great time of year for outdoor smooth jazz music. (Note: If you are planning to dine within the district, check with the restaurant on how to get in - we had a major problem 2 years ago because we were not attending the festival but had reservations at a local eatery.)
Visit the Gaslamp website for more information on this famous area of San Diego and events and happenings throughout the year.
If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
Yes, it's true. Foodies in San Diego are getting excited. 
A Taste of San Diego is not a tour of the tourist spots, or the restaurants owned by celebrity chefs. In fact, chances are you won't have heard of these places and they likely aren't in the guide books, with few exceptions.
I have the great pleasure of doing just that yesterday, courtesy of owner/founder Annette Legaspi. We met at 
The 
The highlight is the hard rock memorabilia. It's everywhere. Vintage photos (Janice Joplin), guitars, a motorcycle, drums, handwritten notes from folks like Stevie Nicks, images of all sorts of rock stars painted on the walls (Jimi Hendrix)...the list goes on. The photos help a little but seeing the real thing is the way to go. 