Best of San Diego 2005

(page 6 of 6)

Jazz Band

Carol Fuller and Jay Myerson, the husbandand- wife team who form the backbone of jazz funksters Hip Graffiti, weren’t born in San Diego, but they’ve made themselves at home here. With a new CD just out, they’re poised for great things. Check out This Is: Hip Graffiti for an earful of favorite standards and a noteworthy interpretation or two. hipgraffiti.com

Bike Path

From the Mission Beach boardwalk and Belmont Park to the slobbery sands of Dog Beach, the Mission Bay bike path takes cyclists, skaters and speed-walkers through a veritable cross-section of San Diego. The 14- mile path is perfect for beginners and families, on a 21-speed or a banana-seat cruiser. Biking around the bay offers some of the best views of the finest city.

Cooking School

Classes at the Balboa Park Food & Wine School are limited to 16 for the cooking crew and 25 for the imbibers. Located at the House of Hospitality, the school is owned by the Cohn Restaurants group (Indigo, The Prado, et al.), whose chefs are often instructors. The accent’s on simplicity, not involved techniques, and you watch and then eat. There’s no hands-on from students because, says manager Rita Gallant, alcohol is served at each class. 619-557-9441, extension 212; cohnrestaurants.com/cohn/balboawinefood

Bleu Cheese Dressing

Mix sour cream, mayo, bleu cheese, honey and a handful of other flavorings and you’ve got Saska’s bleu cheese dressingo. In March of 1951, Joe and Pauline Saska opened Saska’s Steak & Seafood in Mission Beach. Fifty-four years later, the family’s still in business, whipping up tasty salads, steaks and seafood. Unfortunately, they don’t plan on bottling their bleu any time soon. 3768 Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach, 858-488-7311; saskas.com

Greg Cox, Supervisor (District 1), County of San Diego

Place for a Jog after Work

Bonita Trail, Sweetwater Regional Park “The trail encircling the park is a quiet, scenic place for a jog, stroll or even to ride a horse. Enjoy golf course views and plenty of beautiful habitat in a dense urban community. Park your car at Chula Vista’s Rohr Park.” 4548 Sweetwater Road

Loren Nancarrow, weather anchor, Channel 10

Place To Get Compost and Mulch

The Miramar Landfill Greenwaste Recycling Center “The city has addressed a major problem of reducing the waste stream into landfills by grinding and processing greenwaste into a highly desirable compost that’s provided to anyone who stops by the landfill. The compost produced at Miramar is flat-out awesome.” 5180 Convoy Street, 858-573-1418

Kathleen Bade, anchor, Local 8 News

Manicure and Pedicure

Del Mar Nails “They give luxurious treatments at very reasonable rates and always take walk-ins. The location is amazing. If you choose, you can dry your nails sitting in an Adirondack chair atop Del Mar Plaza overlooking the Pacific. Not too shabby.” 1555 Camino del Mar, Suite 204, Del Mar, 858-792-2616

Cliff Albert, radio program director, KOGO, KLSD

Scenic View

Mount Soledad “It’s absolutely the best view in San Diego. Plus the war memorial and cross make it an incredible place to experience and reflect on the area we call home and be thankful for being able to live here.”

Alternative Medicine at a Reasonable Price

“Traditional medicine” is becoming widely accepted as an effective alternative/complementary medical treatment. The practitioners at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine will treat you with acupuncture, Chinese herbs and nutritional counseling for a myriad of conditions, ranging from simple stress to trigeminal neuralgia. It’s a teaching clinic, so if you want a discount, schedule with an intern (supervised, of course). If you prefer a fully accredited, experienced practitioner, ask for Marley Wexler. 7445 Mission Valley Road, Suite 105, 619-574-6932; pacificcollege.edu

Halo-Halo

If you haven’t tried it—or even heard of it —you’ve never been to the Philippines, where halo-halo is practically the national dessert. Conching’s Café serves up a refreshing version using traditional ingredients: red and white beans, yams, coconut meat, custard, bananas, mangos, avocados, Jell-O—all layered in a tall glass and topped with ice cream —for only $3. 3400 East Eighth Street, Suite 110, National City, 619-470-6993

Arts Venue Under Development

NTC Promenade could end up being “Balboa Park on the Bay.” With 26 buildings on 28 acres in the Naval Training Center Historic District, it’s a huge project, promising a flagship destination for arts, culture, science and technology—all within minutes of downtown. From Malashock to San Diego Ballet to Voz Alta, the arts are already moving in. 2801 Rosecrans, Officers’ Quarters A, 619-226-1491; ntcfoundation.org

Jamal Williams, Chargers defensive tackle

Place for Video Games

Game Crazy “They have the best selection of video games in San Diego, and they’re really accommodating.” gamecrazy.com; nine locations in San Diego

Andrew Pinnock, Chargers fullback

Place To Work Out

Frogs Gym in Solana Beach “If you want a good one-on-one personal trainer, this is the place to go. Will Hicks is the best [trainer]. Not to mention the ladies are beautiful, too.” 511 South Highway 101, 858-792-4008

Roman Oben, Chargers offensive tackle

Place To Go Fishing

Santee Lakes “It’s a great, relatively unknown place for fishing, relaxing and all-around family fun.”

Quentin Jammer, Chargers cornerback

Financial Planner

Bob Gilbert “The man is a genius with money and helps me with everything.” Merrill Lynch, 7825 Fay Avenue, La Jolla, 858-456-3669

Mike Scifres, Chargers punter

Golf Course

Maderas Golf Club “The fairways are tight and the greens are challenging, not to mention the scenery is breathtaking.” 17750 Old Coach Road, Poway, 858-451-8100

Kassim Osgood, Chargers wide receiver

Beach

Pacific Beach “PB is the best beach in Southern California, and the nightlife is incredible.”

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