Time for Some Tropical R & R

Aloha!  If you want to explore the exotic beauty of Hawaii and other Polynesian islands, you don’t need a six-plus hour flight, you can stay in San Diego to experience it all.  This weekend you can get to know the culture, food and activates found on the Islands.  

The Pacific Islander Festival Association (PIFA) is bringing the magic of Hawaii to Mission Bay.  This Saturday and Sunday (September 26 and 27) Ski Beach will be transformed into an Islander cultural event you will not want to miss.  The theme this year is “Heroes of the Pacific”  and the cultures of the Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia people will be showcased at this free event.  The fun starts Saturday at 8:45 PM with a procession and a traditional conch shell call and winds down with the Devotion Band playing at 3:10 PM.  Sunday starts with a traditional worship service at 8:00 AM and ends with the Nonosina dance from Tahiti at 3:00 PM.  

There will be delicious food, heart-pounding music and stunning dance performances, as well as tons of vendors in case you want to get your shop on.  Look for the different specialty crafts unique to each culture for the kids.  Parking might be a little tight, so the event has organized shuttles ($1 each way) to take you from designated lots to Ski Beach.  Check out their Facebook Page for more info.

For an authentic and delectable taste of Hawaii, head to Leilani’s Cafe.  They specialize in breakfast and lunch (they close at 3:00 PM), and are known for their friendly atmosphere and creative takes on Hawaiian fare.  Everything here is truly ‘ono’ (Hawaiian for scrumptious), but we would recommend the Hilo Style Loco Loco (hamburger patty over spicy fried rice topped with gravy and two eggs) and the Spam Musubi Leilani Style (spam and scrambled eggs rolled in seaweed).  The family-owned restaurant feels like you’ve stepped onto the island and you have even more ‘ohana’ (family).   

Paddle boarding originated on the Pacific Islands and dates back over a hundred years.  What better way to enjoy our gorgeous weather and beautiful city than to spend some time at sea gliding on the water?  Bliss Paddle Yoga (in Mission Bay) is a paddle boarding company that offers rentals along with lessons for beginner paddle boarders and even yoga lessons on a paddle board (for the adventurous).  The company’s goals are to promote healthy and happy lifestyles both inside and out, and they will make sure you are comfortable, no matter at which level you are at.  Paddle boarding is a great way to work out, find your zen, and soak up the rays.

A tasty Hawaiian dessert that’s all the rage is 'shave ice' as they say in Hawaii (as opposed to ‘shaved ice’).  The ice is literally shaved and not crushed the way it is in a snow cone, so it melts in your mouth.  The Kona Ice Truck in Pacific Beach serves the perfect shave ice with  luscious flavors like kiwi, Pink Lemon Sour, and salted caramel, as well as classic like Blue Raspberry, watermelon, and pina colada.  This food truck also gives back to the community; they have currently donated over $27 million to humanitarian organizations all over the US.  Check out their Facebook page to find where the truck is parked.  Be warned: it’ll be nearly impossible to decide which flavors to choose. 

You don’t need to leave the 'Mainland' to enjoy Polynesian and Pacific Island culture.  So pack your favorite Hawaiian shirt and sandals for a mini holiday at one of our Luxurious Homes in Mission Bay.  You will be telling us ‘Mahalo.’  Aloha!

Delightful & Altruistic Dining

The modern San Diego restaurant scene is known for innovation and spinning comfort food into delicious delicacies; we are a town that knows how to eat.  Starting on Sunday, September 20th, over 180 restaurants will be participating in San Diego Restaurant Week (SDRW) for the next eight days.  Many exclusive and five-star restaurants will be offering a prix fixe lunch or dinner menu selected from fans’ and chefs’ favorites.

First thing’s first, with so many dining options, where to begin?  There is a detailed Search System where you can choose a restaurant by genre, location, price or by name.  With so many fabulous participants, we’ve decided to help narrow down your search time by suggesting some of our best-loved places, all conveniently located near Mission Bay, of course.  Great joints that we’ve already mentioned, like Cannonball and The Patio on Lamont Street, are included in the SDRW list, but here are four more choices that guarantee enticing food and will maybe become your new favorite eatery.

Bo-beau kitchen + bar is a cozy, romantic Ocean Beach eatery that is known for its perfect mix of French and Mediterranean menu.  This hoppin' bistro allows you to eat al fresco or in one of the intimate dining rooms inside.  You cannot go wrong with any of the options on their three-course Restaurant Week menu ($30).  

One of the best deals of SDRW can be found at the tasty Greek joint, Cafe Athena.  A $20 three-course meal offers delectable choices like homemade ‘hummos,’ lightly baked Tilapia and light and flakey baklava.  It’s easy to see why this unassuming Pacific Beach cafe is a beloved spot for locals.

 The popular Pacific Beach Backyard Kitchen & Tap will require multiple visits during Restaurant Week, as they are one of the few places offering a two-course lunch ($15) and a three-course dinner ($30).  And, while all the food is amazing, and there are no wrong decisions, one of the dessert choices during dinner is the not-to-be-missed S’More’s Pie.  

Another restaurant that is offering both lunch and dinner prix fixe options is the charming Mission Beach bakery, The French Gourmet.  For $15 you can select a two-course lunch with choices like house pate, steak pommes frites, or creme brulee.  The three-course dinner (at a bargain price of $20, we might add) lets you chose from classic French fare like escargot, Cabernet braised short ribs, and Ratatouille.  

 By frequenting these restaurants, you will not only be getting great prices on delicious food, but you will also have the opportunity to help in a great cause.  Sysco will donate $1 to the San Diego Food Bank for every photo you post on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.  The San Diego Food Bank’s Food 4 Kids Backpack Program provides weekend food packages to  elementary school students from low-income households who are at risk of hunger.  First, chose your restaurant from the SDRW list, order from the Restaurant Week prix fixe menu, take a photo of you in the restaurant or of your meal (you can be creative as you like), tag the restaurant and then use the hashtag #Food4Kids.  

Restaurant Week allows you to sample some of San Diego’s finest eateries for a fraction of the price.  Check out the SDRW Website for more info; they also have a page where award-winning chefs share some of their most Requested Recipes.  Let Mission Bay Vacation Rentals be your starting off point for an appetizing foodie vacation, you will not be disappointed.  

Par for the Course

With perfect weather and gorgeous scenery, it’s no wonder San Diego boasts over 90 beautiful gold courses and Gold Digest minted our town one of “the top 50 golf destinations in the world!”  San Diego has even hosted a U.S. Open, at legendary golf course Torrey Pines, and the United States Golf Association announced that the US Open will return to Torrey Pines in 2021.  The best part about golfing in San Diego, is that you can enjoy the sport no matter what level you play.    

We’ve already mentioned Tiki Town Adventure Golf at Belmont Park, however, if you’re looking for miniature golf in the area, this really is The place to go.  Golfers of all ages can navigate an indoor and outdoor course that takes them on an island adventure complete with tiki idols, lost temples, and an erupting volcano.  A round of 18 holes will set you back $8, and they are open until 8:00 p.m. during the week and 10:00 p.m. on the weekend.  Check out their Website for specifics and coupons.

Boomers! San Diego is where to go if you are looking for a classic miniature golf course along with a few more family-friendly attractions thrown in for a whole day’s worth of fun.  Test your skill against windmill hazards and water obstacles for $10 a game (kids ages 5 and under are free).  This place is chalk full of fun, complete with kid-friendly carnival rides and a game room.  You can also take a spin on the high-speed Go Karts or for warmer weather test out the Bumper Boats, which come with their own water cannon.

It’s no wonder that Mission Bay Golf Course is a favorite spot for locals and visitors; you can’t beat their location (46 acres right on the bay) or their prices (prices range from $10 to $29).   This course has many claims to fame (this is where Tiger Woods won a Junior World title), but their most note-worthy is this is the only golf course in San Diego with night lighting and LED Glow balls.  Test your hand at night golf for $10 during the week and $12 on the weekend.  If you don’t have time for an entire 18-hole game, then rent a large bucket of golf balls for $10 and set up at the practice range.   With a friendly staff and a par 58 executive course, the Mission Bay Golf Course is always a win.

The Coronado Golf Course mixes old school charm and killer views of San Diego bay.  This waterfront course has a flat topography and winds around the quaint neighborhood and past Hotel del Coronado.  Considering how famous this course is, the $35 fee for weekday play and $40 fee for weekends, are very reasonable.  Tee times can be hard to come by unless you book your tee time in advance HERE or you can show up early for the daily lottery at the starter booth.  For those who want to perfect their stroke, you can book an individual golf lesson with one of the six golf pros at the Course, individual lessons start at $60 for a half hour.  

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a hundred times, San Diego has it all.  Where else in the world can you golf by the sea, close to an urban downtown setting, in the desert or in the mountains?  Our courses are spread through out the entire county, but of course we’re partial to the courses close to Mission Bay.  Whether you’re an old pro or a complete beginner, we think a golf retreat is the perfect way to wind down the summer.  

Sand Sculptures + Historic Ships = One Epic Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend is the last holiday hurrah of the summer, and although it was originally meant to honor the social and economic achievements of American workers, it’s usually known for relaxing and lots of fun.  This year, there’s tons to do in San Diego, especially in our bustling downtown area.  

 Building sand castles and carving out moats at the beach is a right of passage for anyone who visited the ocean in their youth.  This childhood activity is taken to new heights this weekend as the U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge makes its way to Downtown San Diego.  Instead of scooping up sand with a plastic bucket, the city is importing over 300 tons of sand to ‘B’ Street cruise ship terminal pier, to get ready for this massive, four-day event.  From Friday the 4th to Monday the 7th, you can buy a ticket to see World Masters descend from all over the globe to chisel, mold and shape the sand into stunning works of art.  

Admiring the larger than life sand sculpture won’t be the only activity on the pier.  Live bands and singers will be performing all weekend and grommet food trucks will be serving some tasty bites.  The kids will also enjoy their own sand box to play in, rides, and even classes to teach them how they can create their own works of art at the beach.  Tickets range from $6 to $19, and the event is from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (except on Saturday, it ends at 9:00 p.m.).  This will truly be an unforgettable extravaganza, and the perfect way to end the summer.  And, did we mention that a portion of the proceeds goes toward art education programs for kids?

A short walk from the Sand Sculpting Challenge is the Maritime Museum, a favorite of ours because their activities are great for kids and adults of all ages.  On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, they will be hosting the Festival of Sail, the largest ‘Tall Ship’ festival on the west coast.  You’ll be able to see San Diego harbor fill up with majestic ships, some meticulously recreated to look like historic replicas.  

The fun starts at 9:00 a.m. and goes until 5:00 p.m., with general admission tickets going for $5 to $7.  But, this isn’t just watching ‘Tall Ships,’ there will be a ‘Kid Zone’ from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a petting zoo, jump house, and crazy activities.  There will also be a ‘Beer Garden’ for the adults.  A free-to-the-public vendor area will have crafts, goodies, and art for sale.  Cannon demonstration and ‘battles’ will make you feel like you’ve gone back in time, while the ‘Flyboard’ and ‘Hoverboard’ demonstrations will make you feel like you’ve stepped into the future.  

With all that’s going on this weekend, if there was ever a time to take the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Trolley, this would be the time.  Efficient, fun, and more importantly, you can eliminate the stress of where to park in the city.  If you opt for the trolley, the County Center/ Little Italy trolley station is the closet one to the Sand Sculpting and Maritime Museum.  Check out this Info Page which lets you know where you can park your car for free while you explore the Downtown area.   

Of course, you will also want to reserve some time to just kick back and relax at the beach before you go back to school or work.  That’s where Mission Bay Vacation Rental comes in.  Our properties are scattered all over the shoreline and bay, and all are perfect places to unwind and repose.  So after you’ve explored Downtown San Diego this weekend, you can end your holiday weekend with some R&R with us.