Mother's Day Out

It’s time to celebrate Mom’s this Sunday!  In addition to the customary flowers and brunch (we still love Our Favorites from last year), we’ve got some other suggestions for a great weekend.  From flower festivals to chocolate celebrations and even some charitable activities, we know you and mom will have plenty to do.  

    

Everyone knows about the San Diego Zoo's extensive animal research and preservation program, as well as their unique collection from the animal kingdom, but did you know they have a world-renowned botanical garden throughout their grounds?  Thousands of rare plant species are integrated all over the park and this Saturday and Sunday (May 7th and 8th) the Zoo is celebrating their impressive flora with the Garden Festival.  The adults will love the Botanical Walking and Bus tours guided by an experienced horticulturist, and the kids will love the scavenger hunt and craft area.  And, everyone in the family will love the fascinating carnivorous plant exhibit in the Lost Forest area.  In case you want to go home with a botanical gift, they are having a plant sale with a horticulturist on hand to help chose the best plant for you.  Check out the schedule HERE, because the days will be jam-packed with must-see events.        

Mother’s Day wouldn’t be complete without some chocolate, and the San Diego Botanic Garden is hosting a Chocolate Festival on Saturday (May 7th) that will take care of any sweet craving you or mom might have.  From 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, you can try and buy dozens of divine chocolate confections, enjoy dipping treats in the chocolate fountain, and drool as you watch chocolate demonstrations.  Tasting tickets will be sold for $1 which will allow you to sample different delectable desserts.  There will be loads of children’s activities and music through out the day, and food from Isaac’s Catering, so feel free to come hungry.  Another plus: vendors will be selling not only chocolate, but other Mother’s Day  gifts like candles, beauty products and accessories.           

Start Mother’s Day off early and by doing some good with the San Diego Mother’s Day Run happening in Mission Bay on Sunday, May 8th.  This is the fourth annual Mother’s Day Run and check-in is bright and early at 7:00 AM.  Proceeds for the race will go to the San Diego Rescue Mission, which has been helping the homeless by providing not only food and shelter, but also medical needs, childcare, vocational training, and rehabilitation for over 60 years.  There will be three course options: 10K, 5K, and a Kids’ 100M dash, and all races will be held at DeAnza Cove Park.  Start the morning off with a lovely run (or jog or walk, all levels of runners are welcome), taking in the beautiful views of the cove, knowing you are helping people out.  Tickets for the race run between $35 and $45. 

For a more leisurely walk on Sunday, head over to the Coronado Visitor Center and Historical Association and Museum for their Coronado Historical Tour.  Every year different houses on the historic island will be opened to the public from the spectacular to the charming.   This year’s theme is “Coronado Home By the Sea,” and six different homes will be ready to view that represent this theme in either interior design, architectural style, or both.  The tour is from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM and tickets start at $40.  The Historical Association exists to preserve Coronado’s storied history and to encourage the public’s appreciation for the small landmarks that dot the island. 

This Mother’s Day there’s plenty to do to get out and enjoy the holiday, especially with the cooler temps.  With Mission Bay Vacation Rentals as your home base, you’ll be central to all the action, and at the end of the day, will have a relaxing place to retreat.  Something we know you and mom would enjoy. 

Dreaming in Chocolate

Maybe it was all the chocolate eggs and bunnies from Easter, but we’ve got chocolate on the brain and considering there’s a chocolate festival this Saturday, the timing could not be more perfect.  San Diego definitely knows how to make good chocolate.  We’ve highlighted two of our town’s most famous chocolatiers (Eclipse Chocolate and The Elegant Truffle), but this city’s got even more cocoa-themed eateries that are worth a visit and all the calories.

Did you know that chocolate dates back to the Americas in 1900 BC?! It’s only fitting that San Diego would have a festival that celebrates the history of this sweet food and how far it has come.  This is the 5^th year that the ChocolateFestival is taking place at the Maritime Museum on Saturday, April 3^rd.  The indulgent and educational fun starts at 11:00 AM and winds down at 4:00 PM, and promises to be fun for the whole family.  Where else can you have an experience that involves touch, taste, smell, and chocolate, no less!  The kids will love the scavenger hunt and games (complete with prizes for both) as well as the crafts, like making your own chocolate pizza (for $5).   The adults will love the wine and chocolate, and beer and chocolate pairings (who knew chocolate and beer would go together?).   There will also be demonstrations of different chocolate creations and kitchen tricks you can do with chocolate.  The Mars Chocolate History Ambassadors will be there to demonstrate the history of the cocoa bean using authentic 18^th century tools, cocoa pods, and cocoa beans. 

If you can’t make the festival, we’ve lined up some other must-see destinations to satisfy any chocolate craving, from ice cream to truffles to chocolate-dipped everything!

First stop is The Chocolate Haus in Pacific Beach.  This adorable shop is known not just for heavenly homemade truffles, but also for killer homemade ice cream and cookies.  The owners are Pacific Beach husband and wife who use local ingredients with no additives or preservatives.  The staff is always warm and welcoming and ready to answer questions about their tempting treats.  It’s hard to chose just one thing, so multiple visits might be in order, especially when it comes to their ice cream sandwiches and also their light and crispy homemade brittles that are dipped in dark chocolate. 

The Aztecs were known for always flavoring their cool chocolate drink (it wasn’t eaten as a food until the Spaniards got ahold of it) with chili powder, sage and even flowers.  Chi Chocolat in Liberty Station pays homage to the Aztecs (perhaps unintentionally) by creating unique truffles with exotic ingredients like curry, chili, lavender and rosewater.  For those feeling decadent, you can order the Jules truffle which is made of dark chocolate ganache and infused with butterscotch and edible gold!  They also serve mocha flavored coffee drinks where the lovely presentation is just as important as the taste.   This charming chocolatier has expanded into a café and also offers tasty sandwiches.

For those who can’t get enough chocolate in any form, then head over to Beach Sweets, a locally owned Ocean Beach retro-candy store.  This place is bright on color and has almost any candy imaginable.  The real star, however, is the homemade chocolate fudge and the hand-dipped chocolates.  In fact, the store’s motto is “Everything is better dipped in chocolate.”  Beach Sweets prides itself on new chocolate dipped concoctions like gummy worms and Rice Crispy Treats.  They own their own chocolate machines so everything is made fresh in-house, and if you stop by you must try the simple perfection of their chocolate covered marshmallow. 

The cacao seeds were once so highly valued that they were used as currency in Mesoamerica.  We might not be able to pay for things using chocolate nowadays, but I think we can all agree on its delicious importance in our society.  Why not center a vacation around chocolate?  Start by booking a stay with Mission BayVacation Rentals, and then spend your time deciding who has the best chocolate in town.  After all, a vacation is the one time you’re allowed to indulge.