Exploring the Pacific

Summer has officially begun and when you're in San Diego that means planning all activities around the Pacific Ocean.  Right now there are some exciting happenings going on centered around the ocean that will educate, entertain, and fill you with wonder.  Get up close and personal with some underwater behemoths or try to spy the miniature octopuses hidden in tiny shells or set sail on the open water searching for the earth's largest animal.



Situated on the San Diego Bay in the center of the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge is the Living Coast Discovery Center, a non-profit zoo and aquarium.  The Living Coast that allows visitors to learn about the environment while exploring the aquatic and dry mini-ecosystems they have built.  Running through September 5th is "Passport to the Pacific," which offers a small sampling of of the animals and habitats found in and around the Pacific Ocean.  "Passport to the Pacific's" goal is to bring awareness to the intricate and sometimes delicate world of the largest ocean on earth.  The exhibit includes a look at the newly expanded turtle lagoon and exotic animals such as the scarlet macaw and the blue tongue skink from Southeast Asia.  The Discovery Center is also home to an array of birds, rays, crustaceans, and cephalopod mollusks, also know as the octopus.  Adult admission is $14 and $9 for seniors, students and children (children under 3 are free).  Be sure and ask about the discounts for military and first responders (fire, police, EMT) and their families.  





Another exhibit that celebrate the oceans' creatures is "Whales: Giants of the Deep" at the San Diego Natural History Museum (or theNAT).  Also running until September 5th, this interactive exhibit will feature the latest in whale research and technology and mixes scientific discoveries with ancient storytelling and history.  This is literally a massive event, with two full-size sperm whale skeletons (including a 58-foot male) and a life size replica of a blue whale's heart that children can actually climb in and explore.   Works of art, both old and contemporary, will be on display from the people of the South Pacific, who have always had strong ties to these graceful giants.  There will be video portholes to look in and see recorded footage of the whales underwater.  Check out the area dedicated to the haunting songs of the whales, which also includes scientific data explaining how we can identify individual whales on their migration through the Pacific Ocean.  Entry into the museum is $19 for adults; $17 for seniors, students and military; $14 for youth ages 7 to 17; $11 for children ages 3 to 6 (children under 2 are free).





It's only natural that you will want to get out and explore the real thing after these museum visits, and now is actually the perfect time.  The largest group of blue whales (2,000 to 3,000) feed off the California coast during the summer months and Hornblower Cruises offers a special "Summer Whale Watching" tour until September 4th.  The blue whale is the earth's largest creature that has ever existed and having the chance to see one in person is thrilling and unforgettable.  The four-hour cruise will also take you past notable San Diego landmarks and explain some local environmental efforts that are currently underway to protect the Pacific and its creatures.  There is live narration on marine life from a volunteer naturalist from theNAT and if you don't see a whale, you will receive a return pass for another boat ride.  Tours run on Sunday, Monday, Friday, and Saturday and adult pricing starts at $65.  





It's time to dive right in to all the summer fun in San Diego.  Our town is filled with people who are passionate about not only preserving our natural wonders but educating everyone on simple ways we can contribute.  So start with booking a stay at Mission Bay Vacation Rentals and then set out to explore the fascinating world of the Pacific Ocean.    

Father Knows Best

The first Father's Day began on the West Coast (in Spokane, Washington) and this weekend our own West Coast city is going to host some fantastic happenings all over the city that the whole family will love.  The weather forecast is going to be perfect, sunny skies and the timing couldn't be more ideal.     




Baseball has been America's sport since the late 1800s and what better way to celebrate Dad than to take in a ballgame at Petco Park?  Over here at Mission Bay we are definitely fans of the San Diego Padres and all things baseball.  Our home team is playing the Washington Nationals today (June 16th) through Sunday (June 19th).  If you go for Saturday's game, be sure and stick around after the game for a spectacular fireworks show.  Sunday's game is full of multiple promotions  and activities such as KidsFest, Military Appreciation and Father's Day.  Click HERE for tickets and more information.  







The San Diego Wooden Boat Festival has been a Father's Day tradition since 1990 and began as a tribute to one father who had a passion for the art of crafting boats made of wood.  Koehler Kraft Boat Yard has been building mahogany sports fishing boats since 1938 and was run by Clarence Koehler Sr., a wooden boat enthusiast.  Koehler passed in 1986 and his family organized the Wooden Boat Festival four years later as a way to share his love with others.  The Festival will run all day Saturday (from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) and Sunday (from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM).  Come and take in the beautiful, well-maintained wooden crafts up close, some meticulously restored and others are newly built using the hand-crafted skill.  There will be live music, activities just for kids and a raffle with items donated from local businesses.  Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for kids ages 6 to 12, and children under 6 are free.  Proceeds from the festival will go to benefit local charity, The Harbaugh Charitable Foundation.    







Whether you're in the market to buy a boat or not, you won't want to miss the San Diego International Boat Show.  The show starts today and runs through Father's Day, June 19th, and is going to be a great activity for the whole family.  The Boat Show hours vary depending on the day, click HERE for specifics.  Entry is $15 for adults (kids 12 and under are free), and with entry there are going to be a bevy complimentary activities for visitors of all ages.  The "Try It Cove" will offer guests a chance to test out stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, and sailing lessons.   For those who don't want to get wet, visit the "Sailing Simulator," where you can test out your sea legs on dry land.  A SCUBA diving station will be available for those who want to really take the plunge.  Kids will love the art area and even adults will have DIY clinics on boat maintenance and repair.   Come hungry as there will be gourmet food trucks, a barbecue hosted by the Rotary Club, and craft beers from Anchors & Ales Garden.  





With the sun shining down on us this weekend, San Diego is going to be packed full of entertaining dad-approved activities.  Spend time outdoors enjoying quality family time whether its on the water or dry land.  Set up camp in Mission Bay with Mission Bay Vacation Rentals and then start planning the fun.  

Finding Zen in San Diego

Around the 1880's San Diego became home to an influx in Japanese immigrants.  This new wave of citizens brought with them a new culture, exotic food, and a more effective way to fish, which transformed the existing fishing industry.  Today San Diego is home to a large Japanese community, and their influence can be found in our food, the arts, even landscape design.   

Sushi chefs in Japan train for years before they are allowed to prepare and serve this famous Japanese dish.  The Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park is currently running "Tokyo Fish Story," an insightful portrayal of the unique world of Japanese cuisine, where the chef is the artist.  It's the story of one of the most successful, traditional sushi chef's in Tokyo, and how he is slowly losing customers to flashier restaurants.  This modern-day fable about one's legacy and the art of perfection runs until June 26th, and tickets start at $29.  

"Mingei" is a Japanese folk art movement that started in the 1920s, and is what inspired the creation of the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park.  For the last year and a half the museum has concentrated on folk art from around the Americas, but their latest exhibit, "Mingei of Japan," circles back to the museum's roots.  On display are treasures, both old and new, from the museum's collection, some which have never been seen before.  The exhibit celebrates the art of everyday life in Japan, from exquisitely hand-painted kimonos to one-of-a-kind baskets and pottery.  To follow along the folk art theme, there are also folk paintings depicting the animals, vegetation and people of Japan.  The exhibit closes on October 2nd, and tickets start at $7.  

Balboa Park is also home to a more permanent display of Japanese art, in the Japanese Friendship Garden.  These gardens date back to the 7th century and were found in palaces (meant for aesthetic pleasure) and Buddhist temples (used for mediation).  In Japanese rock gardens, often called "Zen" gardens, the white sand represents water and paths are carefully constructed for visitors to follow composed landscapes.  The Japanese Friendship Garden has been designed to promote serenity, contemplation and meditation.  All plants and trees have been carefully selected to thrive in the San Diego climate, and free tours are available once you enter.  Tickets are $8 for adults, $7 for military, students, and seniors, and children under 6 are free.  There are extended hours for the summer months, but check their website HERE, as the Garden will close early on certain days for events.  

For a taste of Japan, there are plenty of delectable options to chose from.  Here are some of our picks for three very different styles of Japanese food:

Sushi Ota, in Mission Bay, is famous for its authentic and locally sourced sushi and sashimi.  Regular customers can't get enough of the salmon belly and different variations of toro.  Situated in an unassuming strip mall, this small gem of a restaurant is very popular and reservations are highly recommended.  

Those who love the feel of a playful Japanese steakhouse, with entertaining chefs grilling teppanyaki cuisine, will love Fuji Japanese Steahouse & Sushi (911 Camino Del Rio S, San Diego).   Guests will feast on delicious food, enjoy the talented chefs flipping and spinning their cutlery, and rarely have to wait to be seated.  We suggest you visit soon before this local restaurant becomes more well known. 

Ramen is a staple in Japan and almost every region in the country has their own variation of the dish.  In Pacific Beach JINYA Ramen Bar will serve traditional ramen noodles topped with sliced meats, seasoned eggs and a variety of veggies.  The welcoming staff will help you with any questions you might have if you're new to this tasty noodle dish.   

Book a stay with Mission Bay Vacation Rentals and then begin exploring all the Japanese culture in San Diego.  There is plenty to do, see, and of course, eat.         

San Diego's Biggest Fan

Spend Memorial Day Weekend with one of San Diego's founding fathers, John Diedrich Spreckels (known to his friends as J.D.).  Since he was born in 1853, you won't exactly be able to spend time with J.D. himself, but thanks to many of his generous contributions to the city, you can still enjoy his legacy.  There are some terrific activities going on right now in his namesake park, the theater he helped build, and the colossal organ in Balboa Park.

J.D. was responsible for turning San Diego from a sleepy village into the beautiful city it is today.  He brought the Arizona Railway to the coast, making San Diego the hub, and helped transform Coronado Island into a resort town complete with Hollywood movie stars.  After buying the horse powered San Diego street railway system he changed it to electricity, helping the city move into the future.  Needless to say, he was the wealthiest man in San Diego, and one of the city's biggest fans. 

In 1912, he built a beautiful theater (christened Spreckels Theater, of course), to bring vaudeville to San Diego, which later became a movie palace and then transformed into the performing space it is now.  The theater was the first modern commercial playhouse west of the Mississippi and is now home to the San Diego Ballet, lavish musicals and even the occasional rock concert.  Spreckels underwent a massive renovation in honor of its centennial birthday which uncovered marble sculptures and the original box office.  Currently playing is the classic Broadway musical "42nd Street," a tap-dancing extravaganza, that will be running through mid-June. 

Spreckels Park, home to the Coronado Flower Show, hosts weekly summer concerts in the gazebo every Sunday at 6:00 PM.  The series begins this Sundy, the 29th, with a performance by the Coronado Community Band, a multi-generational band made up of all volunteers.  Parking can be a little tough right before the music starts, so we suggest going a few hours early in order to snag a close spot and to enjoy the picturesque park.  There are picnic tables throughout, mature trees that offer the perfect amount of shade, and a massive playground that even grown-ups will want to explore.  The park was donated by J.D. in 1927, as he owned the entire island of Coronado, for locals to enjoy the quaint island.  Judging by how well-maintained the park is, it's safe to say Mr. Spreckels would be proud of his Coronado community today.

One of the most spectacular contributions from J.D. is the Spreckels Organ in Balboa Park.  The outdoor organ is made up of 4,725 pipes, ranging in size from 32 feet to the size of a pencil.  This is one of the largest outdoor pipe organs in the world.  The Spreckels Organ was donated in 1914, and since 1917 has hosted free weekly Sunday concerts.  This Sunday, May 29th, from 2:00 to 3:15 PM is a very special tribute to David Bowie.  Sitting outside, watching the organist play on an organ that is housed in a vaulted, embellished gables, listening to magnificent music, is an unforgettable experience, one we know J.D. would love.

J.D. was a visionary who saw the potential that little San Diego had.  This weekend, there will be plenty to do, thanks to John D. Spreckels.  Move into one of Mission Bay Vacation Rentals for a long weekend and start exploring the sites and sounds that San Diego has thanks to Spreckels. 

Taco Time!

San Diego is home to the best tacos in the country and we're ready to stand by that statement.  Tacos date back to the 1700s and are so popular they have books written about them and even have a day of the week associated with them.  A simple corn tortilla filled with different grilled or fried meats and veggies sounds simple enough, but not all tacos are created equal.    



With hundreds of restaurants to chose from, it can be hard to know where to start, that's why San Diego TacoFest is such a brilliant idea.  TacoFest is happening this Saturday (May 21st) downtown and for any taco lover this is a dream festival.  Twenty of San Diego's best taquerias will be serving their signature tacos.  Pace yourself and wonder Waterfront Park experimenting and deciding who has your favorite.  Doors open at 11:00 AM, and live music begins at 11:15 AM.  This isn't your average food festival, as it will also include five Luche Libre wrestling matches (first one starts at 12:40 PM) from Tijuana's Baja Stars.  There will be various music groups performing, culminating with a performance by legendary rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot (who hits the stage at 8:45 PM).  This is a 21 and over event and advance tickets start at $20 and day-of tickets are $25 (note: ticket prices do not include food or drinks).  Click HERE for a list of participating vendors.      



TacoFest had us thinking about our Favorite Taqueria's and even though choosing your favorite taco joint in this city is like choosing your favorite child (impossible!), we compiled a list of five favorites according to neighborhood.    



La Jolla
The Taco Stand is a small, casual taqueria in a strip center that serves generous-sized and incredibly tasty tacos.  If you're only going to order one taco make it the al pastor, but it you have room for two, then order the grilled spicy shrimp.  The al pastor is perfectly cooked with pineapple for a unique flavor that has fans returning just for that taco.  They offer salsas but chances are you won't need them, so take a bite first before you add any.  Parking can be a little tough in the neighborhood, but after such a filling meal, you won't mind walking a ways to get to your car.    




Pacific Beach
Taco Surf Taco Shop is exactly that: a taco shop for surfers who love tacos.  Covered (literally from wall to ceiling) in surf boards, you'll find locals waiting in line next to tourists who want simple, delicious food.  Their carne asada taco is what puts them on the map, but they are also known for their grilled fresh fish taco and  tortillas.  Local tip: if you're staying in the area in one of Mission Bay Vacation Rental's homes, then we suggest a return visit for their breakfast burrito.  

North Park
For those who crave an unconventional gourmet taco, then head over to City Tacos.  While some of the best taquerias look like hole-in-the-walls, this one stands out for being new and tidy.  However, don't be fooled by their trendy exterior, taco-snobs alike love their modern take on the simple taco.  They've found creative uses for strawberries and caramelized pineapples that do not disappoint.  Tacos run on the small side, but are just as delectable.  City Tacos also prides itself on using fresh local produce and the finest ingredients (and it shows!). 





Downtown
To call Las Cuatro Milpas unassuming would be a huge understatement, but this taqueria has locals driving from all over the city and waiting in line for authentic street tacos.  Sure the neighborhood isn't fancy, but even the pickiest foodies will make the trip for their homemade tortillas and famous chicken taco.  There isn't a website, the menu is small, it's cash only, but this restaurant has been serving happy customers since 1933.  Their staff is lightning fast at making and serving their famous tacos.    








Chula Vista
For a taste of Tiajuana's tacos without venturing south of the border, then head over to Tacos El Gordo.  The long lines in this no-frills taco joint are well worth the wait.  You'll fall in love with the reasonably priced tacos that melt in your mouth.  Tacos El Gordo has an unusual system where food lines are divided by what meat you want in your taco.  You'll notice the carne asada and spicy pork will be the longest and we suggest you start with these.  Normally if you're alone and want to try more than one taco, the server will also make you a taco with a different meat (so you don't have to wait in another line).  Or, if you go with a group you can divide into different lines and conquer.    




A Taco Tour of San Diego would be a no-brainer, but one that will take a few days.  Book a stay with Mission Bay Vacation Rentals and start exploring all the taquerias.  There's nothing wrong with celebrating Taco Tuesday every day of the week.    

San Diego Pride

 Call us partial, but San Diego (especially Mission Bay) is one of the most beautiful and diverse places in the world.  Any chance we get to cheer on our town, and its locals, we dive right in.  This week we’ve compiled a list of incredibly fun ways to show our support to our picturesque community while having fun at the same time.  Trust us, this weekend will be brimming with excitement.   

Start the weekend off by showing your support for Ocean Beach and their 68^th Annual Ocean Beach Kite Festival on Saturday, May 14th.  The Festival is free and sponsored by the Ocean Beach Kiwanis Club.  It will be held at the Dusty Rhodes Park (as it is Every Year), from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  This is the oldest children’s kite festival in the United States and the day will be packed with family-fun activities, such as the kite building and decorating station (where all the materials will be provided).  There will be prizes for the best decorated handmade kite, and this can be one that you make ahead of time.  Like every year, there will be professional kite fliers and demonstrations that will give a new appreciation to the world of kite flying.  To round off the fun there will be food, live music and a beer garden.  

 

Celebrating a 100-year anniversary is a big mile stone and the San 

Diego Zoo is planning quite the party to commemorate their

centennial this Saturday.  That evening the Zoo will close early and 

the party will move to Spreckels Organ Pavilion so the whole town

can help ring in the occasion.  This free event is the Zoo’s way to 

thank San Diego for a great 100 years and we can show our support

by attending and enjoying all the festivities.  It kicks off at 6:00PM

 and ends at 10:00 PM, and will be filled with live music, dancing,

and unforgettable fun.  As a treat for fans, many of the museums in

 Balboa Park will offer free entry, such as the San Diego Museum 

of Art, as a way to show their comradery to the Zoo.  This will be a

 fun evening for the whole family, with crafts, face painting, animal

 ambassadors introducing exotic and adorable animals to everyone. 

There will be many of San Diego’s most famous and delicious food

 trucks parked and ready to serve the masses.  The Centennial

also has some surprises up their sleeve, and you will not want to 

miss the live orchestra performing at 8:00 PM.  As we mentioned 

this party is free but they do ask that attendees RSVP (click 

HERE) so they have an idea of how many people will show up to 

support and celebrate this impressive birthday.   

If you want to root for some talented athletes, then visit Fiesta 

Island is in Mission Bay for the two-day ‘Beach Soccer Jam’ 

(May 14 and 15).  This isn’t your average soccer game, it’s a faster-

paced version of the world’s most popular sport.  The soccer ball

 flies back and forth at such a quick pace that there are usually 

around 60 shots at the goal in a game and scores hover around 10 

and 11, as opposed to 1 or 2.  This Jam has been dubbed the ‘soccer

highlight show,’ and players will usually perform acrobatic kicks

 and jumps, since sand has softer landing than grass.  Spectators 

won’t get bored at this sport!  The Jam will also include a

 ‘Brazilian Jam Festival’ complete with Brazilian Samba dancers 

(including their extravagant, feathered costumes) and Capoeira

dancers.  There will be a DJ providing some jams and a beer

 garden. The games go from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, plenty of time

to drop in over the weekend to show your support for the different 

teams. 

Amgen, the biotech company, has dedicated itself to finding a cure

 for cancer, and one way is through the 8-day bike race, Amgen 

Tour of California.  For the  first time in the race’s history San

 Diego is hosting day 1 of the Tour, which will cover about 800 

miles and end near Sacramento.  This is American’s biggest staged

 race and riders are made up of national and international 

champions, as well as Olympians.  The event will be broadcast to

 millions all over the world, but if you are in Mission Bay this 

Sunday (May 15th), you’ll have a chance to cheer the racers on in

person.  For ‘Stage 1’ of the race, Mission Bay will actually be the 

starting point as the riders traverse all over the city before heading

 east to the desert and then finish back where they started.  If you

 want to show your support for this great race and these

tremendous athletes, we suggest arriving around 11:00 AM

 so you’ll have time to see them start their ride.  For more 

information, check out their WEBSITE. 

From your favorite zoo to amazing athletes this weekend it’s all 

about showing your love for our city.  At Mission Bay Vacation

Rentals we love supporting our gorgeous community and

 residents. Book a stay with us and see how great it feels to live 

like a local.      

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.