A Tale of Two Block Parties | Recappin' the SoCal Music Festival and StreetBeat KPRI Block Party 2

Top: Vokab Kompany
Bottom: Jakob Dylan

September 11, 2012

Two weekends. Two concerts. Two different areas of downtown San Diego closed off to accommodate the scene. While Labor Day weekend's SoCal Music Festival was hyped to the max and bumping with varied vibes in the East Village, KPRi's StreetBeat Block Party was subdued, civilized and intimate in Little Italy. Both were awesome times, mainly because we love great music and the illusion of freedom that comes from being able to drink alcohol while roaming about the streets of America's Finest City.

5th Annual San Diego Music Thing to Feature Many Concerts and Conferences | This Weekend - September 14th and 15th

September 11, 2012

The San Diego Music Thing (SDMT) conference is now in its fifth year drawing music industry professionals, talented musicians and aspiring professionals to beautiful San Diego, California for two days of live music, conferences and lectures all over America's Finest City.

San Diego Restaurant Week 2012 | Sunday, September 16th to Friday, September 21st, 2012

September 11, 2012

San Diego Restaurant Week returns for its second installment in 2012, taking place Sunday, September 16th to Friday, September 21st, 2012.  SDRW brings the city’s vibrant food scene to life for one week of delicious dining, showcasing the freshest ingredients, most flavorful dishes and tastiest culinary gems that San Diego has to offer!

In-the-Know at In-N-Out | A Simple List of Secret Menu Options

September 10, 2012

There are many sites online where you can find the In-N-Out Burger secret menu, but the mysterious item choices are often contained in lengthy articles with too much explanation.  We want to make it simple here and put the whole secret menu in a list.  Check it out, and if you know of anything that we missed, please contact us and let it be known!

Paradise Point Resort & Spa Celebrates 50 Years on Mission Bay in San Diego | 12 Historic Reasons to Visit

September 10, 2012

Tucked away on gentle Mission Bay, Paradise Point is a luxurious 44-acre island resort located minutes from the heart of downtown San Diego and across the street from SeaWorld. This plush four-diamond resort is surrounded by a mile of sandy beach and features beach bungalow-style guest rooms amidst lush, tropical gardens and meandering lagoons. The historic 462-room property which recently underwent a $20 million renovation, has its own marina, island-themed spa, private water taxi service to SeaWorld and 14 beach bonfire rings in the sand.

Happy 100th to San Diego’s Godfather of Beer | Celebrating with Karl Strauss Amber

September 9, 2012

Karl M. Strauss would have celebrated his 100th birthday on October 5th, 2012 and Karl Strauss Brewing Company is honoring San Diego’s Godfather of Beer with the re-release of his namesake and favorite—Karl Strauss Amber.  Karl sparked the craft beer renaissance in San Diego back in 1989 when he helped two gutsy kids open the city’s first craft brewery in more than 50 years.

From the Restauranteur behind BASIC and URBN comes Gang Kitchen | Opening in Downtown San Diego November 2012

September 9, 2012

Leading Southern California Restaurateur, Jon Mangini announces the lease of a new 5,000 square foot concept in the heart of downtown San Diego.  Mangini—who is best known for launching multi-million dollar projects such as BASIC Urban + Kitchen & Bar (2006) in the East Village and URBN Coal Fired Pizza (2009) in North Park—has garnered national acclaim for his casual neighborhood eateries, which feature an industrial warehouse aesthetic and New Haven-style pizzas. However, Mangini’s newest endeavor will take on an entirely new direction by implementing an edgy approach towards Asian cuisine, while still maintaining the stylish urban appeal that has become his signature mark on the city’s hospitality scene. The venue, located at 345 6th Avenue, will open doors November 2012 and will be called “Gang Kitchen”, which translates to “steel” in Mandarin.

Treat Your Taste Buds to a Night They’ll Savor at The 20th Annual 2012 Taste of Downtown | October 11th

September 8, 2012

Take your taste buds out for a night on the town… Downtown that is! Taste of Downtown returns on Thursday, October 11, 2012 from 5:00PM to 9:00PM offering samples from over 50 restaurants throughout the Gaslamp Quarter, Financial District, East Village and Horton Plaza. This self-guided walking tour will feature your favorite eateries, classic bistros, tasty take-outs and showcase the newest dining hot spots.

Get a Sneak Peek of Restaurant Week at the #SDRWTaste2012 | Friday, September 14th, 2012 from 5:00-9:00 PM at the Broadway Pier

September 8, 2012

For the first time ever, San Diego Restaurant Week will be having it's very own kick off event! #SDRWTaste2012  will be an exclusive first look at what to expect for the coming San Diego Restaurant Week, which will run September 16th-21st! On Friday, September 14, 2012 from 5:00-9:00 PM at the Broadway Pier in the Port Pavilion, people from all over San Diego will gather to indulge in this premiere tasting event.

Cruise 4 Kids Sports & Exotic Car Rally Stops Traffic & Starts Growth | September 8th

September 7, 2012

 “Cruise 4 Kids” (C4K) Sports & Exotic Car Rally, a one- of-a-kind San Diego event benefitting the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito (BGCSDTO), will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2012.  C4K has become one of the most anticipated signature events for luxury car owners and enthusiasts in Southern California and will for the first time be open to the public!

Five Course Orfila Wine Dinner At The Steakhouse at Azul La Jolla | September 23rd

September 7, 2012

On Sunday, September 23rd, The Steakhouse at Azul La Jolla is pairing up with award winning San Diego winery, Orfila, to serve up an extraordinary 5 course dinner that will be sure to top off your summer. Executive Corporate Chef, Steve Floyd, has created a menu that is too good to be true and paired along signature Orfila wines this is a meal fit for pure indulgence.

Hillcrest's Newest Nightlife Venue Hosts Name Unveiling Celebration at the Space Previously Occupied by Eden | September 7th

September 7, 2012

The new Hillcrest nightlife concept that took over the space previously occupied by Eden is hosting a name unveiling celebration tonight - Friday, September 7th. After holding a competition to choose the new name within the Hillcrest community, new owners DVR Intellectual Property Group are hosting a VIP cocktail hour for those who participated in the name voting contest, and are extending the celebration to the public with no cover charge.

Spirits of Mexico Festival to Present More Than Two Hundred Varietals of Tequila at Tasting Event Sept. 15th

September 4, 2012

Tequila aficionados and budding enthusiasts will have the opportunity to discover just how complex and fascinating tequilas, mezcals, sotols and other Mexican spirits can be at the Spirits of Mexico Festival happening Sept. 9th through 15th in Old Town San Diego. The festival’s main tasting event on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 7 to 9 p.m., will feature more than 70 brands of more than 200 varietals from well-known to smaller, independent producers, who will provide generous samplings of their best spirits.

Food Network Star Tyler Florence and Herrinbone's Chef Amy Baumgarten to Host Four Course Dinner and Wine Pairing | September 13th

September 6 2012

On Thursday, September 13th, see what happens when you pair wine, food, and two beautiful celebrity chefs at one of the most awe-inspiring restaurants in San Diego. We’re betting it will be an unforgettable evening as the Food Network’s Tyler Florence is heading to Herringbone in La Jolla with his very own TF Limited-production wines to be paired with a four-course dinner by Top Chef Season 7 star - Herringbone's Executive Chef Amanda Baumgarten.

Surf Meets Sips as the San Diego Wine Show rolls into Del Mar Fairgrounds the weekend of September 29-30th

September 6, 2012

Venture to the world-renowned Del Mar Fairgrounds on September 29th and 30th to sample hundreds of selections from some of the Pacific Coast’s finest wineries, including Freemark Abbey, Orfila Vineyards, South Coast and many more at the San Diego Wine Show. Savor wonderful whites and refreshing reds while schmoozing with sommeliers about all things wining and dining.

Record Purses, Big Fields, Handle Increases Highlight 2012 Del Mar Meeting

September 6, 2012

Del Mar finished up a sparkling summer run Wednesday, closing out a 37-day season with a rush not quite like any it has had before.  With strong numbers rung up for purses, field size and handle, the seaside oval was happy to take a bow as it concluded its 75th anniversary year with pluses in virtually every category, some of them of the husky double-digit variety.

Herringbone a Hit in La Jolla | Take the Experience

Enter here for Herringbone

September 5, 2012

We rooted for Chef Amanda Baumgarten as she competed for the Top Chef title on the 7th Season of Bravo's popular culinary competition, so when the news broke that she would be running the kitchen at fellow Top Chef Brian Malarkey's 5th installment of his famed fabric-named franchise of eateries, we were extremely exuberant and expectatious.  No longer in its 'newby' phase, Herringbone is now a La Jolla hotspot, and rightfully so as the restaurant is exceptionally designed to appeal to those seeking upscale, casual, or anywhere in between, and with the young and energetic Chef Amanda in charge of the output, Herringbone delivers in bringing the 'hip' to La Jolla.

5th Annual Brazilian Day San Diego | Sunday, September 9th

September 5, 2012

The Capoeira Institute, a non-profit organization that supports Brazilian Culture, is proud to announce that the Fifth Annual Brazilian Day San Diego will take place on Sunday September 9th from 11 am – 7 pm on Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach between Everts St. and Mission Blvd.  Advertised as "the Largest Brazilian Festival on the West Coast," the Brazilian Day Festival brings the spirit of Brazil to the heart of San Diego and offers participants the best of Brazilian food, dance, music, and culture.  In addition to a food court and over 150 vendors, this year’s event features dance and musical performances from local artists, as well as popular entertainers directly from Brazil and from various cities around the U.S.

"America's Finest Timelapse" - A Beautiful Accelerated Video Tour of San Diego

September 4, 2012

Today we came across one of the most amazing and beautiful video tours of San Diego that we've ever seen.  Titled "America's Finest Timelapse," the video was filmed and produced by Kevin Andrew Falk of XOXO Wedding Studio, a photography and cinematography company based in San Diego.  The video is set to the song "Make a Noise" by Katie Herzig.