Then There Was New Year's!

Need a few ideas of how to send your New Year's Eve?

Well luckily I have got you covered! Below is a list of all the parties happening around San Diego.

• VAVI Beach Party at the Catamaran Hotel - Mission Beach

This is going to be pretty fun and an all inclusive party. Food and Open Bar all night, not to mention shuttle bus service and 5 rooms of dancing. 8 pm - 2 am, January 31, 2010. Tickets for $149 online.

• New Year's Eve San Diego Downtown Countdown 2011 in the Gaslamp District at Horton Plaza - Downtown

All-inclusive, All VIP, Open Bar. Everything is included with your ticket purchase. Bring your dancing shoes as we party to San Diego’s hottest Dance Band and cutting edge DJ’s at this newly renovated event space located at 4th and E St in downtown San Diego. A custom Video Countdown and cosmic images will be broad-casted on plasmas throughout the venue. Doors open at 8 pm and the music stops at 2 am. $10 overnight parking and Tickets for $109 online.

• Epic NYE at the Del Mar Fairgrounds - Del Mar 

Party Down to music on 3 separate stages with featured artists Ferry Corsten, Moby, and Afrojack. Tickets rage in price by general admission, VIP, and a Hotel room/ ticket package. Doors open at 8 and music plays until 2 pm. Tickets are $60 - $300 online.

• Stone New Year's Eve Celebration at Stone Brewery - Escondido

What is more relaxing than listening to live music with your favorite beer in hand? Well Stone Brewery has the perfect party. This party is going to have everything from Sushi Bar, Photo Booth and Chestnut Roasting Station. Party starts at 7:30 and ends at 1 am. The Sprinter Shuttle can take you to the Coaster station. Tickets for $150 online.

• Hard Rock Cafe: NYE2011 at Hard Rock Hotel - Downtown

 Organizers say they are expecting thousands of revellers. The killer line-up features: Robbie Rivera, Chris Garcia and Tony Arzadon, Eric D-Lux and Craig Smoove, and Starry Eyed Music Showcase Tickets are $60.

• New Year's Eve at Searsucker - Downtown

This December 31, Searsucker is offering a fabulous New Year’s Even dinner special exclusive to those who make reservations in time. Guests will enjoy a fabulous five-course meal designed by the maestro himself, Celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey. Pay either $75 dollars for reservations before 7pm or $100 for reservations after. More details to come on the delectable dishes that New Year’s at Searsucker will bring, but for now save the date and your table!

•  NYE at George's at the Cove - La Jolla

Celebrate with friends or a special someone at George's California Modern. On New Year's Eve they're offering a 3-course, 4-course or 6-course menu. There's even an option for vegetarians!

For more New Year's Eve Events visit NBC San Diego.  

And what ever you do, do not forget to start the New Year off right with a great breakfast on the 1st!

Holiday Oh! Holiday!

Happy Holidays!

It may be a little belated but none the less! We hope that everyone staying with us here in San Diego had a great time and enjoyed the mostly sunny weather!

Here are a few pictures of the Beach Tree in Ocean Beach!

And if you missed getting to spend the Holiday Season at the beach don't fret! We have already started taking reservations for next year! Just visit Southern California Vacation Rentals online for availability. www.socalvacationrentals.com.



La Jolla in The News 12/28/10

• Hugh Hefner gets engaged to this former La Jolla resident
• La Jolla get a bit more colorful... Check it out!
• Don't forget to get the last of the holiday spirit with this Awesome La Jolla Light Display
• NO!!!!! Not the T. Rex!

December 5k of the month - The Girls on the Run 5k!

December's 5 k of the month was the New Balance Girls on the Run 5k!

Girls on the Run is a really cool organization, that I was really excited to get involved with. Girls from all around San Diego between 3rd and 8th grade meet twice a week to learn about physical activity, nutrition, self respect and empowerment, and at the very end of each session they hold a 5k for everyone to run!

I had a really great time at this 5k. It was held at beautiful De Anza Cove in Mission Beach. Nothing like starting your morning with a nice jog around the water. I was really excited because my neighbor Abby from Solana Beach ran the 5k with her mom. She was so cute and did a really good job. There was definitely a lot of Justin Bieber and celebrating at the finish line.

De Anza Cove

De Anza Cove is the prefect place to go for a run or ride a bike, with great scenery and flat paths.

All of the tents with plenty of goodies for the girls when they finished

My mom and I getting ready to run. My mom is so cute with her bib number pinned so high on her shirt!

Abby's team waiting to see her cross the finish line!

Abby and her Mom crossing the finish line

My mom very excited after finishing the race.

If you are in San Diego and are interested in participating in a 5k feel free to contact Southern California Vacation Rentals at 858-454-2451 and we would be happy to find a race that would take place the time of your stay.

The next 5k of the month will be the Resolution Run on January 9, 2011!

Rapping McDonalds and 405 Pound Tuna!

I love this blog because I can shamelessly brag about how awesome San Diego is! 2 major pieces of news have surfaced out of San Diego this week that I thought I would talk a little about.

I love this blog because I can shamelessly brag about how awesome San Diego is! 2 major pieces of news have surfaced out of San Diego this week that I thought I would talk a little about.

Firstly, a 405 Pound yellowfin tuna was caught just off the coast of the cost in San Diego!

This fish is the heaviest fish on record to be caught. Mike Livingston of Sunland California reeled in the 405.2 lb tuna, which measured nearly 86 inches and had a girth of 61 inches. The fish tool 3 painstaking hours to reel in! I wish that I could have been on the San Diego waterfront when the Vagabond fishing boat docked, a crowd of nearly 200 on lookers erupted in cheers when the fish was weighed. One witness described it as if the Chargers had just won the Super Bowl!

A HUGE draw to San Diego are the sport fishing excursions. Southern California Vacation Rentals is happy to make reservations of any of our guests on some of the best fishing vessels the San Diego harbor has to offer. Seaforth, our recommended Sport Fishing and boat rental Company offers a lot of cool packages for our guests interested in reeling in a huge catch of their own. For example, 26’ Glacier Bay or 24’ Everglades private boat – which includes the captain, fuel, rod / reel rental, bait, beer, soda and water and dry snacks, 5 hours of fishing time all for the $650.00 total! Please contact Southern California Vacation Rentals for more information!

In other news... The McDonalds on Noble Drive in La Jolla is home to the Rapping Drive Thru!

San Diego State student and McDonalds employee Adrian Mique is the genius behind the Sauce Rap at the La Jolla fast food restaurant. McDonalds is claiming that Mique is the most requested service person in McDonalds history to date!

Click HERE to get a taste of the experience you will have when you go through this drive through!

Beer Lover's Package

Are you a diehard beer connoisseur? Or maybe you just love trying new things with your friends? Whether you are celebrating a birthday or just looking for an excuse to getaway, make sure that you check out the Beer Lover Package when you stay with Southern California Vacation Rentals.  Southern California Vacation Rentals has created a package to ensure that you experience the best that the San Diego Beer community has to offer. The Beer Lover Package has everything you will need for the perfect beer vacation! Everything from a Brewery Tour with pick-up and drop-off at your Rental Home to all the ingredients needed for either a German Style Beer BBQ or a South of the Border Grilled Fiesta. All you have to do is come thirsty!

Package includes:

-          San Diego Brewery Tour and Sampling with Brewery Tours of San Diego, price varies on number of guests and Breweries selected to visit.

INCLUDES - round-trip transportation
     - knowledgeable and engaging BREWERY TOURS of SAN DIEGO host services
     - guided tours at most breweries (upon request and availability)
     - beer tasting's at each brewery
     - bottled water
     - souvenir glass
     - taxes and gratuities (driver gratuities are discretionary)

-          a Local San Diego Brewery Beer Stein

-          A copy of BeerAdvocate Magazine

-          Bratwurst from San Diego’s famous Tip Top Meats & European Delicatessen + Pizza Port Brewing Company Mustard or Carne Asada from La Jolla’s Homegrown Meats + Stone Brewing Company Hot Sauce.

-          Pint Glass set from a Local San Diego Brewery

-          Reservations made for the Last Wednesday of every month has the additional option of attending the Monthly Beer Dinners at the prestigious Grill Restaurant and Bar located The Lodge at Torrey Pines. $55 per person, inclusive of food, beer pairings, valet parking tax & gratuity.

List of San Diego Breweries available for Tour package:

Alesmith Brewing Co, Alpine Beer Co, Ballast Point Brewing Co, Backstreet Brewery, Breakwater Brewing Co, The Brew House at Eastlake, Green Flash Brewing Co, Karl Strauss Brewery, La Jolla Brewhouse, Lighting Brewery, The Lost Abbey, Mother Earth Brew Co, Oceanside Aleworks, Oggi’s Brewing Co, Pizza Port Brewing Co, Port Brewing Co, San Diego Brewing Co, San Marcos Brewery, Stone Brewing Co, Home Brew Mart Ballast Point.

All Guests who choose to participate in this package must be a minimum of 21 years of age. Packages must be purchased by 5pm prior to the day of your desired Tour date.

Contact Southern California Vacation Rentals for pricing and scheduling, 858-454-2451.

5 Course Holiday Beer Paired Dinner at The Grill!

Hands down my favorite thing about the holiday season is enjoying great food and drink with friends! And I have found the perfect place to do just that, all while sampling some of the best holiday ale on the market.

The Grill at Torrey Pines is hosting a 5 Course Holiday Beer Dinner!

December 8th 2010

Reception starts at 6:30 pm

Seating starts at 7 pm

Tickets are $55

(includes 5 course meal and beer plus valet parking)

For Reservations call (858) 777 - 6645

Try not to drool too much when you feast your eyes on the menu

The best part for me there is vegetarian options available! Tickets are only $55 for all 5 courses and beer pairings plus valet parking! For more information please visit  lodgetorreypines.com/beer/. Reservations are being taken until noon on December 8th, 2010. I love visiting The Lodge at Torrey Pines in the winter. It is decorated beautifully and besides all of the wonderful events, The Spa is OUTSTANDING!

For Reservations call (858) 777 - 6645

or

Southern California Vacation Rentals Guests can call (858)454-2451

Balboa Park!

Don't tell anyone but Balboa Park is my favorite place in San Diego! I really think that you would have to be crazy not to stop at Balboa Park if you are visiting San Diego. Balboa Park combines the best elements in life: Art, Culture, Theatre, Music, Architecture, Nature, and Knowledge!

Balboa Park is home to San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego Museum of Art, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, The Old Globe Theatre, The Starlight Musical Theatre, The Japanese Friendship Garden, and The Mingei International Museum, just to name a few!

Balboa Park features a tram that will take you all around the Park. Plus there are hiking trails, audio guided walking tours, and of course the World Famous San Diego Zoo. Do not miss the historical Carousel and Train for kids of all ages. Check out the map with everything that is located in Balboa Park!

The San Diego Bell Tower and The Museum of Man are two of the most beautiful buildings in Balboa Park 

The Botanical Garden is the perfect place to inspire your green thumb

The Spreckels Organ Pavilion

The Pavilion is ready for a Holiday Concert

The Panama - California Exposition Architecture

Aztec Woman Fountain in the Prado Courtyard

The entry to the Sculpture Garden

Every kids' favorite interactive attraction is the Mosaic Lizard. Perfect for climbing!

More mosaics 

The San Diego Old Globe ready for The Grinch!

The Sculpture Garden is the perfect place for weddings

The Mingei International Museum

The long archways are great for a sunny stroll

The Casa Del Prado

El Cid welcomes you to the Plaza De Panama in Balboa Park

Balboa Park was established as a park even before the land belonged to America. The Panama-California Exposition designed and built the Spanish style buildings and with the help of local hero Kate Sessions the park was covered in rare and exotic plant life. Balboa Park is home to dozens of museums, theatres, gardens, concert spaces, outdoor recreation centers, restaurants, and of course The World Famous San Diego Zoo. Balboa Park is a favorite place of locals and visitors alike!

My favorite things to do at Balboa Park is to an ice cream and walk around the Spanish Village Art Center.

If you are interested in visiting Balboa Park while in San Diego don't forget to pick up discounted tickets at The Southern California Vacation Rentals office! We offer $38 Adult Museum Passports and $20 Child Museum Passports, perfect for hitting up 13 major museums and attractions for one low price!

Participating Passport Attractions:

Choose from the following attractions for your Passport to Balboa Park or Stay-for-the-Day experience:

• Japanese Friendship Garden
• Mingei International Museum
• Museum of Photographic Arts
• San Diego Air & Space Museum
• San Diego Art Institute - Museum of the Living Artist
• San Diego Automotive Museum
• San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum
• San Diego History Center
• San Diego Model Railroad Museum
• San Diego Museum of Man
• San Diego Natural History Museum
• The San Diego Museum of Art
• Veterans Museum & Memorial Center

Note: Some museums are closed Mondays, and operating hours vary.

  



The La Jolla Christmas Parade Dec. 5th!

Tis the season! And La Jolla knows how to start it off right!

Come join us at the La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival this Sunday December 5th 2010!

With traditions such as caroling and Santa Claus - even special guests the cast of The Grinch!

The parade starts at 2 pm at Girard Avenue (at Prospect Street) in the heart of La Jolla and ends at La Jolla Recreation Center with a holiday fastival featuring music and fun for the whole family!

November 5 K of the Month!

Here in San Diego we are uber proud of 2 things: the outstanding weather and our active lifestyles! So every month we wanted to make sure that we highlighted a 5k that Southern California Vacation Rentals guests may want to take part in!

November is all about the Turkey Trot! As a Thanksgiving tradition most San Diegans find a fun run where they can burn a few calories, support charity and get a little sun!

This year, and every year for the past 5 years, I did the Father Joe's Village 5k to support our local homeless shelter and soup kitchen Saint Vincent De Paul's.

Catch that Turkey!

This is a really great 5k around beautiful Balboa Park in Downtown San Diego. Dogs, babies and runners of all ages race through the park dressed in their race shirts (and race scarves if they are a dog) or in Thanksgiving themed costumes. Live music and food follow at the historical Organ Pavilion when the racers cross the finish line. Pumpkin and other holiday pies are sold to benefit charity along with humorous Father Joe bobble head dolls.

This year 10,000 plus walkers and runners took part! I had a great time with my family as we sped walked our way through the park... although I did forget to put on extra sunscreen and got a little burnt. Its November and I still have to remember to put on sunscreen!

The home stretch over the bridge!

If you are interested in participating in this 5k or any upcoming San Diego races please visit http://www.active.com/ for a list of races and activities. Otherwise you can contact Southern California Vacation Rentals at 858- 454- 2451 and we will find you an upcoming event!

Q'ero

Q'ero Restaurant es muy bueno!

My mom took me to Q'ero in Encinitas for some pre-birthday dinner last week. I really have to say that it is the little details that make a dining experience spectacular. Peruvian food is something that I am not that new to, but I love being surprised by the playful combinations that Q'ero has to offer.

When I arrived for my reservation they had put the cutest place holder on the beautifully set table.

The service was wonderful and the food was even better. I won't waste too much of your precious reading time on the specific details of everything I consumed, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. I just have 4 suggestions:

1. MAKE A RESERVATION!
2. Be adventurous when you order
3. Order wine
4. Save room for dessert... seriously.

Q'ero House Salad

Spinach, Pomegranate seeds, pepitos, Goat cheese!

Pan Seared Ahi with a Creamy white sauce, Chard and roasted fingerling potatoes

Braised beef with sauteed chard and caramelized onions

Leonid Meteor Shower November 18 2010

November Leonid Meteor Shower!

Ok all of you star-gazers, tonight is your night! The November Leonid Meteor Shower is expected to peak this evening between November 17 and November 18. Now I am no meteorologist but traditionally the Leonid Meteor shower has produced dazzling shows with thousands of meteors per hour. Experts have told me that it is best viewed after the moon has set or approximately 4 a.m.. Luck for us San Diego County offers several great viewing sights for this annual event. And Guest what? Mt. Soledad in La Jolla is one of the best places to watch the shower!

Mt. Soledad

Located at 6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive South, in beautiful La Jolla, Mt. Soledad is a premiere location to view the night sky 365 days a year. This provides optimal viewing of the annual Leonid Meteor shower for those who do not wish to drive a great distance from the city of San Diego. There is a really nice grassy area at the top of the mountain perfect for laying out a blanket. Mt. Soledad's website offers great driving directions from every direction in San Diego County.

Tips for best viewing experience

• Position yourself to where the horizon is in your field of view. This will provide the stars and showers to grab your attention.
•  Look for the Little Dipper; this will insure it is dark enough for your viewing.
• Lay back and enjoy the annual show.
• A telescope or binoculars are not necessary. Just the human eye.
• Make sure you bundle up! It is cold at 4 am - even in sunny San Diego!

Here is a picture showing how you should position yourself in order to see the shower

Make sure that you check out the Top 10 Cool Facts about the Leonid Meteor Shower


source article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20101115/tr_ac/7193410_locations_in_san_diego_to_watch_the_2010_leonid_meteor_shower

Happy Veterans Day! Happy Birthday San Diego Marines!

Okay, Okay, I know that it is a day late but HAPPY BIRTHDAY United States Marine Corps!

I am very proud to know so many marines who are not only valuable members of the San Diego community, but also unbelievably wonderful human beings!

HAPPY 235 BIRTHDAY!

As today happens to be Veterans Day, I decided to drive up to Mt. Soledad and pay my respects at the Memorial Cross and park. Here is what I found when I got to the top:

Memorial Cross

a view of the park and monument

View of La Jolla Shores Beach from Mt. Soledad

240 local school kids walked to the cross and left flowers, flags and paper chains that they had made.

Abe H. Fennik, local vet. who let me take his picture by his plack at the monument.

Thank You American Veterans for everything you do for us!

Berkley and Keane Families Stay

We love to hear about past guests who loved their stay at our house!

We just got a glowing review from Stacy Berkley about her stay at the Heritage Place in La Jolla. She stayed with her friend Megan and their friends from Cal State Chico the Keane family. They loved the Windansea Beach, especially baby Tyler who played all day in the sand with the beach toys provided at the house. When they got back from the beach they all enjoyed a BBQ dinner followed by some board games that are provided at the home. Later the adults all jumped into the hot tub Jacuzzi!

The Keane and Berkley Families sitting in the Dining Room playing Janga!

Stacy and Tyler playing with the wagon on the Patio.

The view of the back patio at the Heritage Place, jacuzzi ready for a quick dip!

Have you stayed at one of our homes and want to have your guest stay on our blog?! Send us your pictures and story. E-mail them to jackie@socalvacationrentals.com, with Guest Stay in the subject.

For more information on the Heritage Place, please call 858-454-2451 or visit www.socalvacationrentals.com.

Fall? In Southern California?

Dispite the 90 degree heat wave we have been having this November, my small friends Alia and Lilah still know how to celebrate like the rest of the country. They found maybe the only fall leaves in all of San Diego County. Check it out!

Cruise Ship Stranded at Sea

I think that this is every vacationers' nightmare... Setting sail on a luxury cruise line only to be stranded in the middle of the ocean after a fire started in the engine room. These poor people will be "rescued" today. I use the quotation marks because after they are towed to shore by tug boat. They will be driven from Ensenada Mexico back to San Diego on buses. This sounds like THE WORST experience ever! Everyone here at Southern California Vacation Rentals felt so bad for these people, we decided anyone who was on this ship can finish their vacation here in sunny San Diego in any of our available homes for a 25% discount off the total rent.

I had no idea?! Kashi Addition

Ok maybe I am fulfilling the stereo type that people in California are all bare footed, long haired, granola eating hippies... but I was just sitting bare footed and cross legged on my couch about to consume a bowl of my favorite Kashi granola when I happened to brush the long hair out of my eyes and read that Kashi is founded and still based out of La Jolla, California! Could this be? I have been eating a bowl of Kashi GO Lean Crunch and plain greek yogurt every single day for the majority of my adult life - HOW COULD I HAVE MISSED THIS?!

I began to do a little research and it seems that the Kashi Company has a history just as full of fiber and substance as their kick ass cereal. Kashi was founded in 1983 by Phil and Gayle Tauber, on the simple passion for whole grains and healthy living. Kashi even had a brief exposure at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. After a few years and some additions in flavor and texture, plus a push from the Kellogg Company, Kashi is the National cereal phenomena it is today.

I am really proud that there is a local company that could achieve such great success and also stay true to its personal mission of healthy living and sustainability. If I wasn't already a Kashi devotee, I just found another reason. New goal in life: visit the Kashi head quarters, which are still in La Jolla!

Next time you visit La Jolla be sure to pick up a box of Kashi!

In fact every guest who mentions "KASHI" this week when they book their vacation rental home with Southern California Vacation Rentals will get a free box of Kashi Cereal and milk in their home upon their arrival! This offer is good 11/8/10 - 11/15/10!

Ghosts of Birthdays Past!

I am getting really excited for my birthday next Saturday. I started looking at a few pictures of past birthdays, and I was so excited when I saw a few from when I turned 21 in 2007 and went to Mister A's. Normally this would not be the kind of place that I would pick to go, as Mister A's is more popular for the swanky restaurant Bertrand which is connected to the bar. But back in the day, my mom had been living and working in San Diego after she had gotten her B.A. and M.A. from San Diego State (Go Aztecs!) and she had gone to Mr. A's for her very first drink as a 21 year old. So when I turned 21 there was only one place she would take me.

When you visit Mister A's, make sure that you get there before sunset! The rooftop patio is perfect for watching the sun set over the San Diego Bay.