Lunch with the best beach view

Visitors to San Diego frequently ask about “dining with a view,” and my answer flops around depending on if they want lunch or dinner, casual or special occasion, with kids or without.

However, after experiencing lunch at The Shores Restaurant in the La Jolla Shores Hotel last week, I think it really is the best choice for the majority of circumstances.

Because it’s smack on the beach, we were able to watch kayakers, boogie boarders, and sand-castle-builders through large picture windows – while also enjoying A/C, great food, and reasonable service. (The über-charming Bulgarian busboy made up for our distracted waiter.) I also really appreciated the complimentary parking.

I walk past the La Jolla Shores Hotel (formerly the Sea Lodge) several times a week, so the view wasn’t a surprise. Frankly, it was the food that really got my attention.

The Shores’ accurately describes their offerings as “Neighborhood American Cuisine.” I enjoyed every bite of my slow roasted turkey club with bacon, tomato and Provolone on multigrain bread, and my husband devoured his pan roasted diver sea scallops. My sister liked the Brandt Farms beef burger with bacon and Vermont cheddar on a Kaiser roll. Our other guest – often a picky eater – had good things to say about the hot pastrami on rye with whole grain mustard, cabbage, and Swiss cheese.

None of us had room for dessert, but I enjoyed a cup of tea that was actually hot and served in a large ceramic mug. Quite possibly the best cuppa on offer in a San Diego restaurant.

The credit for the good food goes to Chef Bernard Guillas, who also overseas the Marine Room Restaurant and all the catering at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.

The Shores is best on a sunny day, so take a look at the webcam, then make a reservation online or by calling 866-644-2630 or 858-456-0600. Restaurant hours are daily 7am - 10pm. Bar, 10am - 10pm. Happy hour, Monday - Friday 4 - 6pm.

La Jolla Rough Water Swim - Sept. 12, 2010

I wasn't planning to post on this blog today, but you know what John Lennon said: "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

Today's agenda changed when some Facebook friends commented on a photo of the Rough Water Swim on my FB profile page this morning. When I looked at the picture I noticed the caption: "The La Jolla Rough Water Swim is held on the first Sunday in September."

Ooops. Not so. For reasons unbeknown to me, this year's event will take place on September 12, the second Sunday in the month.

In any case, if you're in town, don't miss it. More than 2,000 swimmers compete in various age groups. They swim from the La Jolla Cove to a buoy in the bay and back. It's a tremendous sight to behold.

BTW, here's the link to the photo on Facebook. I also have a La Jolla Travel Information FB page

If you're a Facebook person, I'd be really pleased if you'd go to this page and "like" it.

Happy hour bargains

Who doesn't love a deal on drinks? For the best happy hour bargains, go to http://outnsd.com/home/la-jolla

The site is up-dated frequently and includes popular spots around La Jolla, such as Marine Room Restaurant, Nine-Ten Bar, Zenbu, and Whisknladle.


The half-price tapas at Restaurant Roppongi are still my all-time favorite, but take a look at OutNsd and see what else is on offer while you are in town.

Cheers!

La Jolla - Best Fish Tacos

"Where can we get the best fish tacos?" I've been answering travelers' questions about San Diego for a long time, and - trust me - this is one of the most frequent.

I thought I knew the answer, but just to check, my husband and I bought fish tacos from three places in La Jolla last night: Mr. Taco on Ivanhoe Avenue, Wahoo's on Pearl Street, and Rubio's in the shopping center on Villa La Jolla Drive (between the movie theater and Whole Foods). We also went to El Charro on Avenida de la Playa in La Jolla Shores, but it was a busy day at the beach yesterday and they were completely out of fish and closing early.

The result of our official taco tasting test confirmed what I've been telling readers for years: when it comes to fish tacos, you just can't beat Rubio's. Of the three contenders, they were the only ones who offered a choice of corn or flour tortillas and the only ones that included white sauce and a fresh lime wedge - plus they were the least expensive. But most of all, their crispy beer-battered Alaska Pollock just tasted better than everyone else's fish.

My husband says that I should add that, while Wahoo's fish tacos aren't as good as Rubio's, he likes their surfing motif, specifically the great photo murals and a friendly staff of surfer dudes and dudettes.

Rubio's has two locations in La Jolla - the one we went to and one on the UCSD campus - and a third location will open on Fay Avenue in the village in November.

Photo courtesy of Rubio's

Click here if you need help planning your trip to La Jolla.

San Diego Sky Tours

In an earlier post I told you about Air2Air and their great scenic flights over La Jolla and other parts of San Diego.

Now San Diego Sky Tours, a new sightseeing tour company, is also offering visitors a chance to see San Diego from the air with a first-class flying experience.

Departing from Montgomery Airport in the Kearny Mesa neighborhood, the company provides 30-minute or 1-hour aerial sightseeing tours that highlight the city's popular attractions and neighborhoods on a 6-passenger Cessna airplane. Guests can choose from four different tour options, The SoCal Classic, The San Diego Flyer, Sunset Escape and The North County Medley.

Pictured above: Mount Soledad Veterans' Memorial in La Jolla, courtesy San Diego Sky Tours.