The Best of San Diego 2007

We scoured the county, with a little help from readers and some notable San Diegans, to uncover the best spots, services and stuff in town.

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FROM LOCAL NOTABLES

Mike Aguirre, San Diego city attorney
La Jolla Cove is the best place in San Diego to see a beautiful sunset. It’s serene, and it makes you feel like you’re in a very special place in the world.

Marc Bailey, TV anchor, Fox in the Morning
The best place to drive in, load up with plants for the yard, see a barn full of classic cars and get a free, ice-cold apple is Simpson’s Garden Town Nursery (13925 Campo Road, 619-669-1977) in “downtown” Jamul. It’s a San Diego County treasure, as are owners Lee and Cathy Smith. Bring the whole family and plan on stayin’ awhile . . .

Julia Garlington, lead singer, Married By Elvis
When I’m searching for something fun and unique to wear for one of my shows, I go to Le Bel Age Boutique (1607 West Lewis Street, Mission Hills, 619-297-7080). They’ve never let me down in 15 years. The shop has a very vintage feel, with select fashion-forward items. Prices range from a “steal” to a “splurge.” The limited amount of items makes it seem as if they’re custom-made for you.

Larry Himmel, TV reporter, KFMB
The best burgers around can be found almost out of town, in Fallbrook. Located just off I-15 on Highway 76, Nessy Burgers (no phone) has been serving up enormous, fresh half-pounders ($4.95) for 17 years. They’re cooked in a tiny trailer next to a Mobil gas station and served on picnic tables to regulars and truckers from all over the country. One bite of a Nessy burger would turn a vegetarian into a carnivore.

Troy Hirsch, TV reporter, NBC 7/39
The Web site KBCsports.com broadcasts San Diego–region high school sports——from football and basketball to wrestling and water polo. They showed more than 300 games in 2006. The site’s been up since 2004 and is now getting about 50,000 monthly visitors.

Terryl Gavre, restaurateur, Café 222 and Market Restaurant + Bar
The best place to buy “bling” for your home and garden is Urban Seed & Flower (2856 Adams Avenue, 619-584-7768). They’re open Wednesday to Saturday, noon to 5. They’ve got benches, urns, mantels and sculptures (yes, they do sell seeds, too)——all brought back from the owners’ frequent trips to Europe.

Monique Marvez, morning radio anchor, Jack 100.7
North Park’s Heaven Sent Desserts (3001 University Avenue, 619-793- 4758) is an experience, not a mere bakery. Chef Luz understands her desserts are not “treats,” they are a little luxury of life. Where else can you watch old black-and-white movies and have someone passionately describe putting together a cake with its ganache topping? It’s open late (11 p.m.) Monday through Thursday; until 11:30 on weekends.

Kimberly King, TV anchor, NBC’s Streetside San Diego
On weekends, you can find the King family at Old Poway Park (14134 Midland Road, 858-668-4576) riding the Poway Midland Railroad. Nestled among restored historical buildings and plush green acres of grass (for barbecues and picnics), there’s a weekend farmers’ market and a summer outdoor concert series. We eat brunch at The Hamburger Factory and ride those trains around and around ($1.50 for adults; 50 cents for kids).

Scott Kaplan, morning radio cohost, Mighty XX
I’ve just taken up cycling. Friends roped me into riding the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge——biking from San Francisco to San Diego, raising money for the Challenged Athletes Foundation. My favorite ride is Solana Beach to Oceanside on the 101 as the sun rises Sunday morning. People are out exercising, eating breakfast and enjoying the early morning.

Billy Ray Smith, morning radio cohost, Mighty XX
Ed Machado’s Encinitas Wave Volleyball Club (760-944-1300, encinitaswave.com) is what all youth sports organizations should strive to become. The kids have a blast learning from some of the finest players and coaches. The athletes work very hard, and it has paid dividends in national medals and college scholarships. Over the past two years, the Wave has been one of the top five clubs in all of Southern California.

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FROM OUR READERS

PANCAKES WITH A VIEW
Dini’s by the Sea (3290 Carlsbad Boulevard, 760-434-6000) is on Highway 101, with an unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean. Oceanside’s Evette Striblen is a big fan of the Sunday brunch. “Their pancakes are to die for,” she says. “They’re slightly crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside. And the view is a perfect complement to the food.”

BREAD PUDDING
It’s homemade-style——with raisins and cinnamon——at Rudford’s Restaurant (2900 El Cajon Boulevard, 619-282-8423). “I’ve searched the world over for bread pudding as good as my grandmother’s,” says Alexandra Edmondson of Southeastern San Diego. Her research has netted a Top 4 list, rounded out by the Torrey Pines Hilton, Bud’s Louisiana Food Shoppe and Costa Brava.

SEMI-SECRET OUTLET SHOPPING
The shops at Las Americas (4211 Camino de la Plaza, San Ysidro, 619-934-8400) are “a great place to put an outfit together at the last minute,” says Leah Yam, who just moved to Mission Valley. She favors Anne Taylor, Bebe and the Cosmetics Company, where you can buy brand names like Bobby Brown and MAC at discount prices. “You can look like a fortune without spending one,” says Yam.

GIRLFRIENDS’ SHOPPING DATE
“The best ‘out with the girls’ date is an afternoon of shoe shopping at Designer Shoe Warehouse” (836 Camino del Rio North, Mission Valley, 619-296-4079),” says South Park’s Donna Marganella. “It’s Mecca for shoe-shopping women.” After going up and down the aisles at DSW, Marganella suggests heading across the Mission Valley Mall parking lot to Gordon Biersch, to compare purchases over cocktails.

LOBSTER DISH
It’s served seasonally——October-December——at La Jolla Rancherita (7404 La Jolla Boulevard858-459-5877). “It’s a bit of a dive, but the lobster is the best,” says Coronado’s Carol Warren. “It’s caught that day by a cousin of the owner.” The lobster is boiled, then grilled; the meat is removed from the shell, chopped, seasoned and served back inside the shell.

COMFORT FOOD
The San Diego Chicken Pie Shop (2633 El Cajon Boulevard, 619-295- 0156) sells its core product for $2.25. The full dinner——with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, a vegetable and a roll——is just $6.50. San Diegan Sharon Strom thinks the place is amazing. “They have excellent food, cheap prices and always fill you up and make you feel warm and happy. The wait staff is friendly, and the pies are delicious.”

DOGGIE SCENE
It’s not really a park. But the Encinitas neighborhood greenbelts of Village Creek and Summerhill (Willow Spring and Garden View streets) often are the congregating spots for up to 20 people and their pets at a time. “It’s turned into a ‘Yappy Hour,’ ” says neighborhood resident Vickie Stone. “Our dogs enjoy a good romp, and neighbors catch up on news, network and meet new friends.”

ELOPEMENT ENABLERS
Long Beach resident Linnea Lenkus raves about husband-and-wife team Steve and Christy Haslet of elopesandiego.com (858-945-8341). About 80 percent of their business is helping couples from across the country who want to get married on the beach in San Diego. The majority of the rest of the ceremonies they help arrange are last-minute weddings for deploying military personnel.

PLACE TO SHAKE AND SHIMMY
The Pacific Arts Dance Studio (6904 Miramar Road, 858-566-3800) is a newly remodeled space. “Its open atmosphere and bright colors invite even the most timid to want to dance,” says Reb Risty of Mission Valley. If you’re not sure how you want to shake your groove thing, the studio offers a wide choice of styles—from hip-hop and hula to salsa and belly dancing.

 

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