Tag: entertainment

  • An’s Gate D5 Is Now Accepting Passengers for the Best Gelato!

    An’s Gate D5 Is Now Accepting Passengers for the Best Gelato!

    Recently, my husband and I checked out the newly opened An’s Gate D5 in downtown Oceanside – across the street from the pier.

    Previously, I had read glowing reviews about An’s Dry Cleaning in San Diego. So, I have been eagerly awaiting the opening of the Oceanside location . What a remarkable ice cream product – beats almost anything else I have tasted when it comes to ice cream or gelato.

    Each An’s location has a different fun theme. The Oceanside branch is housed in the famous Top Gun House and even has an exact replica of Tom Cruise’s motorcycle from the movie Top Gun. The entire interior has an aviation terminal theme with all of the gelato flavors having the names of destinations. We sat outside on the porch and enjoyed beautiful views of the ocean and pier as we ate our gelato.

    This place is not just a cheap gimmick. Upon reaching the front counter, the staff suggests that you cleanse your palette with an orange sorbet followed by a sample of each flavor. I was actually surprised how much I enjoyed the vegan grapefruit-strawberry sorbet. Each flavor is unique and incredibly rich. The gelato is made fresh daily. After our taste testing experience, my husband and I both opted for waffle cones. I am a big fan of the Del Mar and Ho Chi Minh flavors. Even the cones were freshly made and delicious.

    Currently, An’s Gelato has five locations within San Diego County:

    An’s Dry Cleaning – North Park

    An’s Hatmakers – Del Mar

    An’s Electronic Repair – Ocean Beach

    An’s Athletic Field Services – Petco Park

    An’s Gate D5 – Oceanside

    For the past two consecutive years, USA Today has named An’s Gelato the number one gelato in the country. The place is definitely worth a visit.

  • The Best Views In Town – The Birch Aquarium

    The Best Views In Town – The Birch Aquarium

    No trip to the San Diego area is complete without a visit to the Birch Aquarium. It is part of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at UCSD. While Birch is smaller than the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, it is still impressive.

    Birch Aquarium is more research-oriented with an incredible team of people to answer your questions. I wondered out loud what an unusual item was and a staff member immediately came over. She explained that I was looking at a bowl of shark eggs and gave me helpful background regarding the eggs and their particular shapes. Later, someone else saw my husband and me staring at a large display of colorful fish swimming around coral. The staff member approached us to tell us about UCSD’s extensive coral research. He explained the relationship between the polyps and algae that make up coral. The brilliant colors of coral come from algae. He even pointed out a turf war going on between different corals within the tank. Throughout our visit, multiple staff members continued to offer answers for any questions we might have.

    Naturally, the penguins stole our hearts. Warning – they do smell. We saw signage that they poop, on average, 145 times a day. After getting a few whiffs, I have no doubt regarding that factoid. John and I were surprised by how close we were able to get to some of the penguins who demonstrated pretty outgoing personalities.

    For those with families , the aquarium offers organized activities for young children as well as an entire wing with displays geared towards them.

    We did not eat at the aquarium but there is a very lovely outdoor cafe for those who choose to do so.

    Finally, I do recommend purchasing tickets in advance online. If you buy your tickets at the aquarium, you pay more.

  • Shanghai-Style Chinese Food In Southern California

    Shanghai-Style Chinese Food In Southern California

    For decades now, Convoy Street has been the destination for amazing restaurants and markets within San Diego.

    Originally, the area was known as Camp Kearny – named after Brigadier General Stephen Kearny of Mexican-American War fame. In 1946, post WWII, the area was decommissioned. By the 1970s, the first wave of Asian businesses started popping up. By the 1980s, a plethora of really good restaurants was established along a 1.5 mile area of Convoy Street.

    One of my very favorite spots is Tasty Noodle House which serves delicious Shanghai-style Chinese food at reasonable prices. The place opened its first location in Hacienda Heights California back in 2010. The owners slowly expanded and opened up a location on Convoy Street in 2015. I only recently discovered it and I am hooked. Convoy Street offers so many choices but I keep returning to Tasty Noodle House. The restaurant is famous for its spicy cucumber salad which looks spicier than it really is. As my husband said to me – “who knew cucumbers could taste this good?”The dumplings are so fresh and remind me of the ones I enjoyed years ago at a dumpling place in Xian China – really fantastic. When we placed our dumpling order, our waitress apologetically told us that it would take 15 minutes. The dumplings were so worth the wait. Every dish is so flavorful that I have yet to feel the urge to use any soy sauce. On our most recent visit we tried the beef with black pepper sauce and it did not disappoint. I have yet to find another Chinese restaurant closer to my home that delivers such flavor and variety. We shall return in the near future.

  • Oceanside California  – A Not So Hidden Gem

    Oceanside California – A Not So Hidden Gem

    Whether you are looking for a place for a fun day trip, a weekend getaway or a new place to hang your hat, Oceanside offers so much.

    Mission San Luis Rey

    The state of California has 21 Spanish missions along a 600-mile path that the Spanish built, with forced labor from Native Americans, between 1769 and 1823. Oceanside is lucky to have the largest of the missions. Mission San Luis Rey dates back to 1798 and is known as the “King of the Missions.” The grounds are spectacular and the small museum is worth checking out. My favorite aspect is the church. The Spaniards painted the walls to mimic the beautiful tiles of Spain.

    Oceanside Pier

    The original pier dates back to 1888 and was located where Wisconsin meets the ocean. Heavy storms destroyed it and ever since all subsequent piers have been located where the current one is situated. Severe storms have resulted in the pier being rebuilt and repaired multiple times. Back in the late 1980s, there was a wonderful seafood restaurant at the end of the pier called Fisherman’s Restaurant and Lounge. In 1996, the seafood restaurant closed and a branch of Ruby’s Diner replaced it – staying open until 2021.

    In 2024, the end of the pier caught on fire. Two years later, we are still waiting for restoration of the scorched far end of the pier. While there is no longer a restaurant on the pier, Tin Fish has a branch of its casual outdoor restaurant below the pier. I am a big fan of the fish and chips as well as the fish tacos. The pier is a popular place for walking and fishing.

    Robert’s Cottages

    One of my favorite things to show friends from out-of-town are the historic Robert’s Cottages. The historic cottage conclave consists of twenty-four 300-square-foot bungalows. Built in 1928, they are located along the beach just south of the harbor. The cottages are individually owned and seldom go on the market for sale. When they do, they usually sell for between $750,000 and $1,000,000.

    Fortunately, it is possible to rent one. You can usually rent one of the cottages for between $2,500 and $3,300 per week…depending upon the time of year.

    The Oceanside Harbor

    Surprisingly, the harbor only dates back to 1963. The harbor has just shy of a 1,000 boat slips with approximately 150 people living on their boats full time. It is the only boat harbor between Newport Beach and downtown San Diego. The harbor includes a number of shops, restaurants, bars, whale-watching opportunities and some fun special events. One of my favorite events is the annual Christmas boat parade which takes place in early December. The local boat owners go all out with lights and decorations.

    My family is a big fan of Stratford’s at the harbor for both breakfast and lunch. The restaurant serves wonderful fish tacos. The nearby Harbor Fish and Chips has been serving fish at the harbor since 1969 and is another family favorite.

    Fine Dining

    Valle is Oceanside’s only Michelin-star restaurant. The gourmet Mexican restaurant is located across the street from the ocean near the pier and is well-known for its 8-course dinners. The restaurant is owned by Chef Roberto Alcocer who is heavily influenced by the Valle de Guadalupe – Mexico’s big wine-producing area. It has a very fun atmosphere with some really creative food. Warning – it is definitely on the pricey side.

    333 Pacific is a fun steak and seafood restaurant that has been around for almost 20 years. It is located across the street from the pier and offers great service, food and views.

    Top Gun House

    The Top Gun house is a cute beach bungalow that was used as Charlie’s home in the 1988 film Top Gun. It has been moved a few blocks from its original coastal location. Recently, it was the site of a pie shop and it is soon to be the latest branch of the popular An’s Gelato business.

    The Beach

    The beach in Oceanside is actually nicer than those of the adjacent towns with broader stretches of sand and better parking. I especially enjoy the stretch of beach adjacent to the harbor with its expansive areas of sand.

    Restaurant Scene

    The restaurant scene has dramatically improved over the past few years. One of my favorites is a casual restaurant called Tanner’s Prime that serves terrific smash burgers made with high-quality beef. The founding chef previously helped Benu in San Francisco earn 3 Michelin stars. Tanner’s does not have any Michelin stars but it is recognized in the Michelin Guide California.

    My favorite Mexican restaurant is Anita’s in Oceanside. There are two Anita’s in Oceanside but the one to visit is located in the original press room for the old Blade Tribune newspaper on Coast Highway 101. Its seafood options, in particular, are extraordinary. I love both the Mariscada (a seafood stew that includes crab and octopus and is topped with wine and cheese) and the Camarones à la Tequila.

    Finally, I am a big fan of Cafe 101 for their great breakfast options. The restaurant’s chili is a local favorite, too. Cafe 101 is located on the corner of Wisconsin – just a few blocks away from beach.

    I hope my words give you inspiration for a future visit to Oceanside.

  • Fondue Is Fun All the Time!

    Fondue Is Fun All the Time!

    I’m a cheese monger and I recently decided to host a cheese fondue event at my store in honor of Mother’s Day weekend. The event proved to be popular with both customers and employees. Fondue offers so many creative options and sets the tone for a fun day. A surprising number of people were new to trying cheese fondue.

    I have seen many variations in the basic recipe but this is how I like to make my fondue:

    Ingredients

    1 Crushed Garlic Clove

    1 Cup White Wine

    1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

    16 Ounces Grated Cheese – 50/50 Mix of Gruyere and Emmental (other cheese options include Appenzeller, Raclette and Fontina)

    3 Tablespoons Cornstarch

    1/2 Teaspoon of Salt

    1 Tablespoon Nutmeg

    Directions

    First, rub the crushed garlic around your pot. Next, add in the wine and lemon juice. The acid in the lemon helps the cheese and liquid bind together – preventing a clumping mess of cheese. In a separate bowl, mix together all the grated cheese and cornstarch. As the liquid heats up, slowly add in the cheese mixture. Finally, add in a pinch of salt and the nutmeg.

    I use an electric fondue pot that dates back to the 1970s. It was my mother-in-law’s and brings back lots of great memories for my husband.

    Regardless of what type of pot you use for your fondue, my recommendation is to not cook the fondue at too high of a temperature or your fondue may separate.

    I served my fondue with sliced baguettes and cornichons piquants. I like the balance of the cheese with slightly spicy dill pickles. Bell peppers, carrots and slightly blanched broccoli or asparagus also work really well.

    Enjoy!

  • The San Diego Zoo Safari Park & Valley Of The Elephants

    The San Diego Zoo Safari Park & Valley Of The Elephants

    The Safari Park in Escondido is not just part of the San Diego Zoo, it is the crown jewel of zoos.

    The entire park has so much space for the animals that I can almost hear “Born Free” playing in the background. The combination of vast spaces for the animals, gardens with vegetation from exotic locations in Africa and Australia and spectacular views creates an exhilarating experience. We especially enjoyed the section of the park that is adjacent to the condor exhibit.

    My husband and I recently visited the park after a 16-year hiatus and were thrilled with the latest changes and additions.

    The Valley of the Elephants is the newest addition and it is impressive. The elephants have a lot of room to roam as well as interactive toys. Plus, the way the space is designed – visitors can see the elephants up close without disturbing them.

    The park even has a Roar & Snore option where visitors can stay overnight in elegant tents, located near Elephant Valley, and enjoy a night vision safari among other fun activities.

    One of the biggest surprises to me is the addition of the Mkutano House – a large fine-dining restaurant that opened in March of 2026. It is a stunning restaurant with a unique international menu and great views of the adjacent Elephant Valley.

    I suggest getting an early start as there is a lot of space to cover and Escondido gets hot in the afternoons. The day we went, we walked almost 15,000 steps.

  • An Awesome Murder Series That You Didn’t Know That You Need To Read!

    An Awesome Murder Series That You Didn’t Know That You Need To Read!

    Thanks to a friend’s posting on Facebook, I have recently read the best set of murder mysteries that I have enjoyed in a very long time.

    The author, Kathleen Helms lives in the North County area of San Diego and uses lots of local locations, from Carlsbad to Olivenhain, in her novels. Even the much-beloved Carlee’s bar and restaurant in Borrego Springs makes an appearance.

    I started the series because it features so many local locations but I continued to read her books because they are so well-written and have such creative plots.

    I especially enjoy the author’s take on artificial intelligence. Helms has an ability to come up with really original plots. She doesn’t overdo it with plot twists – just enough to keep the story interesting.

    I don’t want to ruin the surprise so I will refrain from providing a recap. However, the characters are so believable – some truly sinister and others very likable. I especially love the main protagonist, Loyal Truesdale.

    The six-book series is available via Amazon as well as from the website Kathleenhelms.com.

    My friend Julie, my mother and I all read the entire series quickly. So, now we are really hoping for a seventh book. The first book in the series came out in 2019 and the last one in 2024. Since the main characters are in all the books, I recommend starting with the first one and reading the rest in chronological order.

    The order of the books:

    A.I. Smith

    Loyalty

    Mistrust

    Deception

    Identify

    Destiny

  • It’s Wildflower Season In Borrego Springs

    It’s Wildflower Season In Borrego Springs

    Borrego Springs is special for so many reasons – my favorite is the wildflower season. Every year we make the drive to the desert to catch the wildflowers. In recent years, we have arrived too late for the big display. This year, the rain has been intense and we opted to make the drive a few weeks earlier than our usual schedule. It paid off. The flowers were out in full bloom along Henderson Canyon Road with a beautiful array of purple and white flowers. In addition, we found some beautiful purple blooms on Borrego Springs Road near the famous dragon sculpture that stretches over both sides of the road. The Anza-Borrego State Park Visitor Center had lots of yellow blooms along with a few traces of red and blue flowers.

    Upon entering town, we first went to the Visitor Center. Not only is it a great place to stretch your legs but the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. We bought a book that identifies all the wildflowers in the area and received a map showing all current areas of wildflowers.

    Next, we made the short drive through the one-street town of Borrego Springs to Henderson Canyon Road. The wildflowers were outstanding. Because rain was forecast for the afternoon, there were no crowds. It was us and three other couples taking in the glorious sight of vibrant flowers. From there we drove another 15 minutes to the nearby canyon. There are nine canyons in the Borrego Springs area. As an added bonus, we saw the Salton Sea in the distance.

    On our way back into town, we stopped by the enormous dragon sculpture (it’s 350 feet long) that goes across both sides of the road. The sculpture is one of numerous sculptures by Ricardo Brecedo that you will see throughout Borrego Springs. More purple wildflowers flowers surrounded the sculpture.

    Normally, we stop at the amazing Pablito’s for delicious Mexican food. This time, we decided to try the famous Carlee’s that so many people have told me about. The food is wonderful but I warn you that the portions are enormous. We were there by 11:30 AM and the place was already busy. We were the only out-of-towners. Carlee’s is clearly popular with the locals. The steak quesadilla known as “The Andy” did not disappoint. My husband loved his shrimp basket that came with delicious homemade warm chips.

  • The Wizard of Oz Visits the Hotel Del Coronado

    The Wizard of Oz Visits the Hotel Del Coronado

    Every year, the Hotel Del Coronado puts up an impressive Christmas tree in the hotel’s main lobby. This year’s theme is the Wizard of Oz. In addition, to the tree in the lobby, the hotel set up multiple trees in the courtyard. Each of the smaller tree represents a character from the Wizard of Oz.

    I have always loved visiting the Hotel Del Coronado. First, the hotel is an elegant Victorian hotel built in 1888. The hotel is painted white with a red roof and is known for its iconic large circular ballroom. Second, the surrounding town is beautiful. Coronado is a charming and elegant beach town with a small-town feel. The beach is the most beautiful beach in all of San Diego. Third, one of my favorite movies, Some Like It Hot, with Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemon was filmed at the hotel in 1958. Billy Wilder directed the film and the Del Coronado filled in for a Floridian resort.

    Finally, as a history buff, I love that the Prince of Wales, subsequently known as King Edward for a brief period of time, visited San Diego in 1920 and stayed at the Hotel Del Coronado. The hotel hosted an elaborate gala for the occasion. The Del Coronado still has the menu and some of the special China used for the dinner on display.

    Normally, the hotel is extremely busy during the holiday season. However, due to heavy rain on New Year’s Day, the town of Coronado and the hotel were quiet. We were able to enjoy the Christmas decorations without anyone else around.

  • The Ronald Reagan Library Is An Absolute Must!

    The Ronald Reagan Library Is An Absolute Must!

    I have visited approximately half of the presidential libraries and the Ronald Reagan Library located in Simi Valley California is my favorite one – so far. Both the permanent and traveling exhibits are impressive. Plus, it is located in a beautiful area of Simi Valley with spectacular mountain views from every direction. In addition, the library has the most friendly and helpful staff.

    First, the library has the Air Force One plane that Reagan flew on as president. The plane was in service from 1973 to 2001 and Reagan flew on it the most out of the seven presidents who used this particular plane. It is impressively displayed in a glass structure and visitors can walk around and through the plane. One year, we even enjoyed a fun lunch during the Christmas season where the tables were set under Air Force One. The food was delicious and the table settings and decorations were perfect.

    Speaking of Christmas, every year the library showcases an impressive number of beautifully decorated Christmas trees. This year, we enjoyed looking at 26 trees representing each decade in American history. Last year, the museum displayed trees for each Country that Reagan visited during his eight years in the White House.

    The rotating exhibits are wonderful as well. Currently, the library is curating a fun cowboy themed exhibit. Past exhibits include: the FBI, Pompeii and Auschwitz.

    Finally, no visit is complete without a visit to the gift shop. I never walk out empty-handed. I usually pick up a few fun Christmas tree ornaments. One year, I picked up a great book regarding the White House gingerbread houses.