San Diego Zoo Ritz gala

San Diego Zoo has many expenses and needs, plus many mouths to feed. That’s why the fund-raising efforts are so important to this valuable institution that helps all of us learn and grow in our understanding of our responsibility as citizens of the planet. R*I*T*Z: Rendezvous In The Zoo, billed as A Night in Paradise, invites you to help the zoo’s mission and its causes by attending the annual gala held at the zoo. Sure, it costs quite a bit ($450 general seating, $900 for preferred circle seats.)  It clearly is not for everyone, and certainly not an event you should attend if you can’t afford it. But for those who can, there’s no better cause and no better place to be on June 19, 2010 from 7 p.m. to midnight, than at the zoo.

The Zoo’s black-tie event, now in its 27th year,  will take place under the stars at the San Diego Zoo. Highlights include lavish hors d’oeuvres, hosted cocktails, a silent auction, a gourmet dinner, conservation ambassador Joan Embery and animal friends, and dancing to the music of Wayne Foster Entertainment.

More than 90 volunteers are planning a magical party where guests can escape to a relaxing, elegant, and colorful tropical paradise for the evening. A Night In Paradise will create an affair that will be an unforgettable evening of dining and dancing. To purchase tickets, please call R*I*T*Z reservation chair Marilyn Neumann at (619) 287-5435. See more about the zoo.

California gray whale

Each year from late December through early April of the next year, San Diego whale watching cruises are offered. One way to see them is through the Go San Diego pass, which includes a one day pass offering additional attractions to see. You can buy the pass for one day or even a week. But a cheaper way to see strictly the whales is the San Diego Harbor Excursion, which provides you a ticket for strictly whale watching, usually around or under $30 per person.

Another new offering that we thought was strictly a dinner cruise company is Hornblower. For just $2 more than the other company, you can take their weekend whale watching cruise. Leaving at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., it is a good value for being out on the ocean 3.5 hours, which amounts to less than $10 per hour. That’s nearly a half day of entertainment.

Whale watch doesn’t normally provide stunning photos of California gray whales. Their rugged, bumpy skin surface looks crusted, and the whale’s color blends with the water quite well. But being on a boat up close and personal to a whale is an experience that include the moment. Looking for the whales, seeing their spouts of water coming to the surface like huge fountains, and then seeing them rise to the surface, all provide the excitement that also allows you to appreciate the massive size of these marvels of the sea. If you get a chance in San Diego to whale watch, by all means, do it!

San Diego Restaurant Week

San Diego Restaurant Week, an annual event that allows you to “dine around the town,” makes for one more reason to enjoy this bayside city with its view dining. 200 restaurants participated in the first restaurant week in 2010, which was held from Jan. 17-22.

If you crave gourmet foods at affordable prices, this is the perfect food event that allows you to dine well and pay less. An example of a meal that was offered at the first restaurant week of the year was hosted at 1500 Ocean at Hotel del Coronado. For $40, you get 3 courses. In the Choice of First/Appetizers Course you could select one of these: Burrata Cheese; Grilled escarole, persimmon, pistachio, saba; Hiramasa Crudo; Baby fennel, pomegranate, mint, citron, olio nuovo; Handmade Pappardelle; or Lamb sugo, castelvetrano olive, ricotta salata.

Choice of Second/Main Course options are: Proscuitto Wrapped Sturgeon; White bean puree, glazed squash, romesco sauce; Port & Balsamic Marinated CAB Hangar Steak; Celeriac puree, maitake, root vegetables, green peppercorn sauce Braised Veal Cheeks; or Tallegio polenta, black kale, fried sunchokes, natural jus. For dessert the Choice of Third/Dessert Course options were: Warm Chocolate Chipotle Cake; Caramel ice cream, banana, candied chilies; Butternut Squash Crème Brulee; Mexican wedding cookies, baby kiwi; Meyer Lemon Tart; or Black pepper meringue, pomegranate coulis, almonds.

Look for updates and upcoming events at (sandiegorestaurantweek.com).

Manchaster Grand Hyatt San Diego is a great place to stay on any visit to the city by the bay. And around New Year’s or Valentine’s Day it is a fabulous date for a cocktail on top of the world.  Top of the Hyatt bar which sits 40 stories up in the air reminds me of some far away place like San Francisco. With an address on Market Street, even the name reminds me of the northern city so far away. And, it was selected as the best view lounge in San Diego to catch a sunset. That makes it pretty special in this beach-lover’s book!

Of course you’d expect that your beverage will not be cheap. We’ve all nurtured our overpriced drinks in the Sears Tower cocktail bar at sunset, or other such places that have the best views and drinks that on most days would pay for a full meal. Top of the Hyatt still is worth checking out for a date, romantic escape, or “be kind to myself” event such as a birthday cocktail with the girls.  If the hotel is fully booked, not to worry. Within short range is a beautiful Hilton San Diego Bayfront. My recommendation is to stay elsewhere if you want to save a little money that you can spend on the cocktail, and visit for the sunset views. If you don’t fly into San Diego, this is your best opportunity to see how beautiful the bay and city are.

boat parade

It is time to start making your plans for the winter holiday. Everyone knows that San Diego provides the warmest temperatures and finest beaches for a winter escape. Some of the highlights to this exciting vacation include special events held annually on the bay and at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

In addition to Horton Plaza and the shopping malls all aglow with festival lights and specials tree decorations, the annual San Diego Christmas Boat Parade, called San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, enters the water with lit yachts decorated in themes provided each year. In 2009 the theme was announced as “Christmas at the Zoo.” Expect some wonderful decorations and fanciful ideas as lights, music and colors splash through the harbor. sdparadeoflights.org

Over in Del Mar, Holiday of Lights, a drive through event, begins after Thanksgiving through New Year’s. This event charges a fee for you to drive your car through a massive lights display of themes relating to the holidays. It is fun for the entire family…even grandma who can’t walk well will enjoy this event. sdfair.com provides updates annually. For hotels near this marvelous bay boat parade, consider staying at several seaport ocean hotels such as the new

Hilton San Diego Bayfront.

Marine Room

La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club’s fine dining restaurant, Marine Room, is the talk of the town. For decades guests have driven the distance to enjoy the views and ambiance of the special restaurant. While staying at the La Jolla beach hotel, you might not take the time to experience the fine cuisine served at the Marine Room. There are many dining options in the nearby downtown that tempt you to get out and explore. Shores Restaurant & Bar at the hotel serves breakfast, lunch dinner and Sunday brunch.  Award-winning Chef Bernard Guillas, and Chef de Cuisine, Augie Saucedo, have created the menu, which includes Certified Angus Beef entrees, coastal cuisine and the beautiful La Jolla Shores Beach oceanfront setting with nightly sunsets.

The Marine Room, on the other hand, is a dinner restaurant with a cocktail lounge, which opens every evening and serves dinner for several hours. While the Beach House in up the road may compare with its closeness to the water, Marine Room focuses on elegance. The ocean tide just inches from the window and soothing music compliment Executive Chef Bernard Guillas’ stunning presentations. Special holiday dining is offered and some other special breakfast events such as Winter Breakfast High Tide days with an approx. $35 buffet.  Here is a description of some of the menu items from that buffet to give you a flavor of what you might savor should you plan a visit:
Citron Poppy Seed Muf f ins , Almond Croissants, Apricot Danish, Pain Chocolat, Cranberry Nut Bread Raisin Cinnamon Roll,  and Temecula Honey Butter. Those are some breads and buns.

Next, try something from the sea at the Ocean’s Harvest station:  Aromatic Scented Shrimp, Stone Crab Claws, Bay Scallops Ceviche and Tangerine Star Anise Hickory Smoked Paci f ic Salmon. For other meats, guests can sample Pistachio Duck Terrine, Pork Rillettes,  and Prosciutto di Parma.  Shaved Fennel Salad, Figs, Tapenade, Artisanal  Cheese Board,  Maple Walnuts,  Organic Mediterranean Yogurt , Rosebud Jam, Sage Roasted Jidori Chicken Salad and
Lemoncello Saffron Tabouleh and Julian Apple and Tart, Meyers Rum Sugar cane Sauce, Iowa Apple Smoked Bacon,
Aged Gruyère, Pancetta and  Organic Virginia Ham Quiche should be making you pretty hungry by now. We actually omitted over half the food options for a single day buffet! Cost is under $40 for this event, which is quite reasonable for all you get, along with the ocean view.  You’ll find some current offers on MarineRoom.com. There are many chain restaurants in the San Diego area, as well.

Shown in the photo above is a sampling of affordable meals at Applebees in Mission Valley San Diego.

The restaurants near hotels such as La Quinta in Mission Valley include many popular chain restaurants that visitors like for their prices and menus. Asian theme Benihana, and the popular P.F. Chang’s are both located in this popular neighbhorhood of shopping centers and hotels. Family style affordable meals such as breakfast are ideal at Denny’s. For Mexican faire, San Diego excels since many of the cooks come from Mexico itself.  El Torito and Old Town Mexican Cafe are two great options.

The kids love simple food. You can put a fine steak from local steakhouses–Outback, Ruth Chris’ Steakhouse, or Mortons of Chicage in front of child, and have the little angel stick their little nose up or take the bits of meat and throw them in disgust. But give them some fries and Wendy’s burgers or nuggets and they turn back into the quietest little sweethearts once again.

One Mission Valley chain our family never tires of is Applebee’s, where someone always gets the riblets and a salad. For beverage, try Gordon Biersch, or Hooters for a stiffer drink.  Prego, Seau’s, The Fish Market, and McGregor’s, are some other options you may enjoy for a sit down meal in a fine dining atmosphere, though you still don’t have to dress up, thanks to San Diego comfort.

The annual Ocean Beach Oktoberfest is lively fun each year. Held at Ocean Beach where Newport Avenue meets the beach, the event includes activities for all ages, but you’ll also find the traditional beer garden.

Among the unique events is a Sausage Toss (world famous, they claim), with large cash prizes when sponsorship is strong. In addition there’s OB Brat Trot run, Sausage Eating Contest, Stein Holding Contest, and two stages with bands performing all day. The event usually begins at 10 a.m. on a Saturday in Oktober and ends that evening around 8:30 p.m. Shuttles run between the venue (which has limited parking) and other parking areas.

For current updates and dates, see: oboktoberfest.com. In 2009, the event was held on Saturday, October 10.

Where to stay: There are only a few hotels in Ocean Beach proper, but many great beach hotels are located along nearby beaches.

Harbor excursion

San Diego Harbor Excursion Prices

San Diego Harbor Excursions feature tours of the bay–some with meals and some without. Either way, you are assured a great time exploring San Diego and learning about its nautical heritage by being out on the bay seeing the amazing activities and vistas that can only be appreciated first-hand. San Diego Harbor Excursion runs daily and is quite affordable.

Options include  1 Hour Harbor Cruise professionally narrated with views of the U.S. Navy Fleet, Coronado Bay Bridge,  and  Star of India.  Indoor and outdoor seating, inviting sun decks and food and beverage sold at a snack bar, plus restrooms on board all make for a delightful tour.

2 Hour Harbor Cruise saves you money with more time to enjoy the bay. The deluxe tour covers Shelter Islands, Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument, North Island Naval Air Station, the Submarine Base,  Coronado Bridge and more.

Sunday Champagne Brunch Cruise is  a two hour brunch cruise with gourmet menus offers something for everyone, including complimentary champagne and mimosas, Belgian waffles, smoked salmon and a custom omelet station with the best views in the city. If you are looking for a Sunday brunch that offers a great location, gourmet food and fantastic views, then join us for one of our brunch cruises on San Diego bay.

Dinner Cruise is an evening 2 ½ hour cruise, a boarding glass of champagne, Disc Jockey entertainment and seated dinner service with your choice entrees such as Steak, Breast of Chicken, Dungeness Crab Stuffed Pacific Snapper or Vegetarian Strudel. Enjoy the beautiful lights of San Diego Bay at night.

One Hour Harbor Tour and USS Midway Tour is a fully narrated hour long tour. After cruising the bay with San Diego Harbor Excursion, continue the tour on one of San Diego’s newest museums. The USS Midway features more than 30 exhibits that bring the magic of naval aviation to life. Each admission includes an audio guide guests use to “navigate” their way throughout public areas on the second deck, hangar deck, flight deck and up in the island.

Two Hour Harbor Tour and USS Midway Tour features beautiful San Diego Bay,  the U.S. Navy Fleet, the majestic Coronado Bay Bridge, and the Star of India. Then, after cruising the bay with San Diego Harbor Excursion, continue the tour on one of San Diego’s newest museums. The USS Midway features more than 30 exhibits that bring the magic of naval aviation to life. Each admission includes an audio guide guests use to “navigate” their way throughout public areas on the second deck, hangar deck, flight deck and up in the island.