Let's Celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over the French at the battle of Puebla.  It’s not Mexico’s Independence Day (September 16^th), as some might think, but it was an important victory that led to their ultimate freedom.  No matter its origins, it’s gained a reputation as the ultimate party day with nonstop fun here in the States.  Like any celebration, San Diego likes to do it right, and we’ve listed some of our favorite Mexican-themed activities for the next week.

If ever there’s a time to visit historic Old Town San Diego, it’s this weekend for the Fiesta Cinco de Mayo.  The 32^nd annual free festival, a San Diego tradition since 1983, will be three days (May 1^st to the 3^rd) of music, food and guaranteed fun.  There will be three live music stages, a low rider car show and equestrian performances.  This is a family-friendly event and there will be stagecoach rides and interactive games for kids to play.  Authentic Mexican food as well as ice-cold cervezas  and high end tequilas will be available for purchase.

For those wanting to celebrate Cinco de Mayo bright and early and in a healthy way, then the Cinco de Mayo Trail Run in Poway is for you.  This is a completely off road 5K, 10K and kids race and the course will take you along Lake Poway Trail and through the foothills.  There will be live entertainment and Cinco de Mayo-themed fun, as well as food and drinks at the finish line.  Tickets start at $10 for children and $45 for adults and proceeds go towards helping the Valley Elementary Education Foundation.  Registration opens at 6:30am and the first race starts at 7:30am. 

We had to highlight a favorite Mexican restaurant and El Indio was the obvious choice for us.  The world’s first tortilla machine was made in the basement in the mid-1940s, which increased production from 30 dozen tortillas per day to 30 dozen tortillas per hour!  That isn’t the only invention in this restaurant’s claim to fame.  Story goes, the taquito was invented here as well.  It’s no wonder El Indio has been recognized both locally (San Diego Magazine, SanDiego.com) and nationally (USA Today, Coastal Living Magazine).  They are also famous for sending care packages to the armed forces and have even sent food to the White House.  Oh, and we recommend everything on the menu.

To honor Cinco de Mayo with cultural flare, stop by Centro Cultural de la Raza, a cultural arts center focusing on Chicano, Mexican, Indigenous and Latino arts.  Located in beautiful Balboa Park, the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 4:00pm (closed on Mondays).  Ballet Folklorico dancing classes and educational tours are available for children.  The staff is made of volunteers and a suggested donation is requested, although technically entry is free.  Check their calendar on the website, as they offer diverse classes and special events after hours.

Tickets are still available for the crowd-pleasing band, Mariachi El Bronx, at the Belly Up in Solano Beach.  Mariachi El Bronx is a mix of punk rock (emphasis on rock) and classic mariachi music from Mexico.  Their shows get people moving with their vocal harmonies and classic mariachi style horns.  The Los Angeles-based band dresses in the traditional “charro” (or Mariachi) suit for added flare.  Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with an entertaining mash up of American and Mexican culture.  Tickets start at $25. 

San Diego is the perfect city to really soak up Cinco de Mayo.  Mission Bay Vacation Rentals is the perfect home base for you to celebrate the different Cinco de May events around San Diego.  From charity races, to eating, to rocking out to live music, this Cinco de Mayo will be your best one yet. 

Partying with Planet Earth

Today is Earth Day, and San Diego is the perfect place to celebrate this weekend!  Our town is surrounded by, both rolling mountains and the vast Pacific Ocean, which makes it easy to appreciate this gorgeous planet.  We've compiled a list of diverse ways to honor Earth Day, from learning about gardening to sailing the open waters to roaming the hills and valleys.

For three days this weekend (April 24th to 26th), The San Diego Museum of Art, will hold its 34th annual fundraiser, Art Alive.  The museum's permanent collection is uniquely brought to life by creating over 100 floral interpretations of the art.  There will also be activities, such as an art lecture on Saturday and a floral arranging class on Sunday.  Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 4:00pm, will also have a museum-wide flower hunt, a children's reading area and floral-inspired art projects.

Bring the whole family this Saturday (9:00am to 3:00pm) to Cuyamaca College, as it hosts the 22nd annual Spring Garden Festival.  The free festival will turn the college, which is home to the renowned Ornamental Horticulture program, into a green-haven, where you can learn about sustainability and how to take care of this earth for future generations.  There will be a composting demonstration, a lecture on urban farming, and tips on water conservation in the gardening.  There will also be over 50 artisans and vendors selling their crafts and food.

The Maritime Museum of San Diego will host its first annual Earth Day on the Bay this Sunday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.  The museums wants to ensure everyone is available to participate in an Earth Day celebration, so entry will be free.  The Wyland Foundation will provide a mobile learning experience with a 4D interactive theater called the Wyland Clean Water Learning Experience, which teaches visitors about ways we can keep our oceans clean.  On top of all the fun, the museum will also offer $5 historic, 45-minute bay cruises.

If you want to celebrate Earth Day in its purest form, than look no further than Tecolote Canyon Natural Park, located just five miles from Mission Bay.  Tecolote Park is a narrow coastal valley that offers picnic areas, tall trees to climb and hikes for kids and adults.  There is plenty of open space and it's easy to appreciate this untouched patch of San Diego.  Considering its proximity to downtown, it's a quiet and peaceful retreat.  Stop by the visitor center to get more facts about the flora and fauna and see if a park guide is available to point out edible plants and recent animal tracks.  

Mission Bay is the ideal place to start celebrating.  We've got sandy beaches, grassy fields, tumbling ocean waves and the glassy waters of the bay.  Whether you want to honor Earth Day in a museum or appreciate the planet in the great outdoors, you're bound to find some activity that suits you, all close to Mission Bay Vacation Rentals.

As Seen on TV: Eats & Treats in San Diego

Ever watch the Food Network when they review restaurants and think, "I want to go there?"  Well, turns out, Mission Bay is a stone’s throw from quite a few of these famed eateries.  Our neck of the woods has been featured for some of the country’s best barbeque, cupcakes, burgers, and pho.  Read on for where to go for San Diego’s most famous (and diverse) restaurants.  

Hodad’s restaurant was actually featured on two Food Network’s television programs: Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Best Thing I Ever Ate.  So, why all the attention?  Two words: Bacon Burger.  There isn’t just a burger with a few strips of skinny bacon, but rather a patty made of the breakfast meat.  Hodad’s is always packed, especially on the weekend (insider tip: call your order in and get it to go), thanks to the giant and delicious portions of everything.  Be warned, even the mini cheeseburger is enormous by everyday standards and one basket of Frings (onion rings and French fries) could probably feed four people, so come hungry.

Pho (pronounced “fuh”), is a popular Vietnamese soup made from broth, noodles and meat, and Ocean Beach’s OB Noodle House & Sake Bar’s pho received national acclaim.  Guy Fieri, host of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, recommended the pho and tofu lettuce wraps, raving about the “expert blend of spices” and “unbelievable flavor.”  But, you don’t have to just trust him, locals line up for the affordable and amazing food.  OB Noodle House is actually known in San Diego for their garlic chicken wings, and if you’re a fan of spicy food, then this dish is not to be missed.  OB also has tasty vegetarian selections. 

Who would have thought that one of the best Southern BBQ sandwiches would hail from San Diego?  Phil’s BBQ’s El Toro tri-tip sandwich was featured on Adam Richman’s Best Sandwich in America and for good reason.  Loaded with perfectly cooked, tender beef and marinated in a tangy barbeque sauce, this sandwich is both messy and delectable.  Phil’s BBQ was also featured on another show, Man Vs Food, because of their dinosaur-sized ribs seasoned in their signature top-secret rub and sauce.  If you’re going just for the ribs, you might want to call ahead and make sure they haven’t run out, thanks to their reputation, this item is in high demand.

For those with a sweet tooth, look no further than the winners of 2013’s Cupcake Wars, Pure Cupcakes.  Known for both inventive flavors and rave reviews, these cupcakes are made only with the purest of gourmet ingredients.  Their menu offers staples such as salted caramel and passion fruit and toasted coconut, and some flavors that change daily.  Monday and Tuesday feature the Spiced Carrot, which was one of the stars of Cupcake Wars.  Their website offers their monthly menu, along with detailed descriptions of their unique creations.  For example, the Rol-E-Ol-Ee-O has a photo of this rich cupcake and lets you know it’s a not-to-be-missed rich dark chocolate cake with caramel butter cream, caramel center and hand dipped in dark chocolate (trust us, it’s amazing).  

As you can see, these restaurants have a little something for everyone.  We love that you can plan a stay in Mission Beach and take a culinary tour of nearby food joints featured on different TV shows.  Now’s your chance to check out the real deal and see for yourself why each one had time in the spotlight. 

Perfect Comic Timing

Fancy a good laugh after a day on the beach?  Well, San Diego has you covered with side-splitting entertainment for people of all ages.  For this post, we've covered where to go for some knee-slapping entertainment, whether you're a toddler or a grown-up.  

For youngsters there isn't anywhere more quaint than the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater and the puppetry shows they perform ($5 a person and children under 2 are free).  Located on the south side of Balboa, the Puppet Theater was founded in 1940 and has been a long time tradition in San Diego. For a light-hearted laugh you can see different puppet troupes perform year round in a quaint, old theater.  Children, from toddler age to around 10, and the adults who tag along with them, will be charmed by the historic theater and giant, antique puppets.  

The theater offers two or three morning shows depending on the time of the year from Wednesday to Sunday. Check their calendar for details.  

San Diego's longest running show, The National Comedy Theatre's 'MainStage Show,' a world famous improv team.  Each show is made up of impromptu scenarios created by the performers based on suggestions of the audience, so every 100-minute show is completely unique.   The MainStage Cast's first performance was in 1999, and they have since clocked in over 4,300 shows in San Diego, as well as Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.  Known not just for keeping their audience in stitches, this group also performs a clean comedy show so feel free to bring the tweens and teenagers.  Thursday's 7:30 pm show is $12 and Friday's two show's (7:30 and 9:45pm) are $17 for adults and $12 for students, seniors, and military.

For a truly unique experience in improv, check out the wildly popular Twistered: The Wickedly Ridiculous Wizard of Oz.  The Saturday evening show was in such high demand they added more performances and it will now run through May 2nd.  Twistered is a fast-paced retelling of the classic story of The Wizard of Oz using seven actors and audience participation.  Each performance begins with a 25 minute 'warm up' from a different Californian improv teams.  Shows are ages 18 and up, and for less than the price of a movie ticket ($10) you will be treated to a hilarious night of acted-out comedy.  

The famed Comedy Store from Hollywood has an outpost in gorgeous La Jolla and will provide plenty of belly laughs.  The Comedy Store prides itself on finding the most talented comedians, both locally and internationally.  All shows require a two-drink minimum, but with reasonable prices and inventive drinks, it's never hard to fill the order.  Wednesday and Thursday feature a 'Best of San Diego' program ($8), where the city's best comedians perform.  Friday and Saturday are reserved for the world's finest headliner acts ($20).  All shows are 21 and up and be sure to give your self extra time to park, as it's street parking only.

 

There are so many options that will tickle your funny bone.  Start your holiday off right with a stay in Mission Bay, basking in the sun during the day, and spend your evenings roaring with laughter.  With such a diverse and talented city, a hilarious time is guaranteed. Comedy in San Diego? It's a laughing matter.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Did you know that the San Diego Padres are only one of two Major League Baseball teams that originated in California?  No imports here.  The Padres season is about to kick-off and to celebrate we’re blogging about the classic American pastime: baseball. 

In our opinion, Petco Park, located in downtown San Diego, is the most beautiful baseball stadium in the world.  A relatively new acquisition to our lovely city (it opened in 2004), the open-air ballpark offers stunning views of the city while you cheer on the Padres.  At game time over 40,000 people make their way to watch their favorite team, do the wave, and wait for the umpire to yell, ‘play ball!’  The food at Petco Park will not disappoint.  Besides the hot dogs, popcorn, and beer, you can enjoy savory steak sandwiches, healthy salads, tacos, and seafood.  Getting there could not be more convenient thanks to the San Diego Coaster and Trolley (the perks of living in an organized city). 

 

Baseball games and snacks go hand in hand, and no game would be complete without a soft, giant pretzel.  Turns out pretzels can be tasty and good for you, if you get them from the San Diego Pretzel Company.  Their all-natural, artisan, hand rolled soft pretzels have been around since 1995, and are low in fat and made with vegan ingredients.  For those who are connoisseurs of the East Coast pretzel (both New York and Philly style), these pretzels are as authentic as it gets, and they’re a high source of protein to boot.  Their factory is located a little bit south of downtown, and is open to the public.

For the quintessential baseball stadium food, the hot dog is king.  If you can’t make it to a Padres game in Petco Park, you can still enjoy some of the best hot dogs in the country at Daddy’s Hot Dogs.  Known not only for fresh, delicious food, Daddy’s is famous for making everyone feeling like family.  

Be sure and say “hello” to Daddy and also, know, you shouldn’t ask for changes to the menu, you just need to trust the chef.  Not a meat-eater?  No problem, they have the tastiest veggie dogs you’ll ever try.  One thing you won’t find anywhere else is the “I don’t see what I want” Dog.  Daddy will cook up a custom dog that he creates on the spot.  

Just because you don’t play for the Padres, doesn’t mean you can’t perfect your swing.  At Brickyard Cages, one of San Diego’s most state-of-the-art in-door training facility,  players of all ages can practice hitting both baseballs and softballs.  Their staff is made up of experienced instructors and the Brickyard offers individual and group lessons and clinics.  Open seven days a week, this is the ideal place for competitive training or just good old-fashioned fun.  And, don’t be intimidated by the most technologically advanced pitching machines around, Brickyard is tailored for people of all abilities. 

The Padres have been part of California since 1969 and their amazing stadium is at the heart of San Diego.  Mission Bay is a hop, skip, and a jump from all the baseball action.  Even if watching a game isn’t your thing, there are plenty of alternatives to having fun and still taking part in America’s favorite past time.