Concerts, Theater, Racing, Shopping: Fun Things to Do in San Diego Found in CITYBEAT Magazine

While at Jitters Coffee Pub(a great indie coffee house with free wifi) and Kindred Journeys (a metaphysical bookstore with cool jewelry) in Oceanside CA today, just south of Surfrider on Coast Highway my teenager picked up the San Diego Citybeat free magazine and "Summer Guide." I stopped picking these up a while ago because I never seemed to find the time to leaf through the eclectic mix of cool things to do and the ads for things I'd rather my 13 year old didn't think were so funny (you'll have to stop by Jitters and look at it to see for yourself).

Here's Some Fun Links and Items I found - picked just because they appeal to me:

1. Did you know there are 5 American Apparel retail locations in the San Diego area including Gaslamp, Fashion Valley, and La Jolla? Why does this matter...well we first discovered American Apparel 3 years ago while shopping in LA. Everything there seems to be stretchy and we were up there to celebrate a 13 year old's birthday. The girls had the best time trying on metallic lamé bikinis. Not everything in the store is as tacky as those bikinis, but everything in the stores are made right in downtown Los Angeles, and more importantly are SWEAT SHOP FREE. We recently picked up some great basic long sleeve cotton tees and a light weight rain coat in Seattle for a mountain climbing trip. Learn more about this company here: American Apparel.

2. While I'm on birthday parties, one of the best ones my older daughter ever went to was at an indoor go kart facility. There's one in Carlsbad that I'd like to take the kids to: K1 Speed - the ad is buy one get one free and it's great for teen birthdays and they say for corporate events & bachelor parties too.

3. I love music. San Diego has a thriving music scene. I'm a child of the 70's for the most part raised with older siblings with their revolutionary 60's music, and parents with a passion for classical and opera. I'm raising two kids who are music crazy, and not just pop...so I've been to more concerts as a chaperone in the last 3 years than in the last 15 before that: Warped Tour, KROQ concerts, sat outside some scary place in Riverside and waited for Atmosphere to end, and I've been the chauffeur to Street Scene, and banned from Coachella because I'm just not cool to a 16 year old. Anyway I'd love to go to: Endless Reggae Summer Jams at The World Beat Center (looks like it might even be all ages - even middle age like me) with three dates in June, July, and August. Then there's a ticket that's already sold out and a band I like and a city I love...Metric and Oceanside: Independence Jam at the Pier June 7. Here's a secret: don't worry about not having a ticket. The Oceanside amphitheater is on the beach, and you can hear the sounds for free on the beach. Starts at 4 pm.

I also suggest any of the San Diego Symphony's Summer Pops events. I was lucky enough to go in 2007 and even the venue is worth the price: right at the Embarcadero Marine Park near the old Navy Yard and Petco Park (hint if you are at a Padres game, you can see the fireworks from the concert series from some of the seats). I want tickets to Music of the Beatles: Classical Mystery Tour on 8/14 & 8/15. I was never a huge Beatles fan, but thanks to the film "Across the Universe" my young teen has made me re-examine their music. Paul is my favorite Beatle.

4. A Wine Cheese and Chocolate Festival to benefit the Women's History Museum in Balboa Park on May 29. YUM! Need I say more? Yup: just $30/1 or $25 when you buy two or more tickets to the event.

5. Don't miss: the races at Del Mar (and free Friday concerts after the races Friday nights in the summer). July 22-September 9 just $6! Kids free. Saw local band Pinback here last year. The track facility is just stunning. If you want to stay a week and enjoy all of San Diego, I recommend our two newest vacation rentals in South Carlsbad just across from Carlsbad State Beach.

6. My younger daughter recommends The Old Globe Theatre's Summer Shakespeare Festival. She wants to see Cyrano de Bergerac. Balboa Park: June 13 - September 27.

Now, why on earth do I ever leave this paradise of surf, sun, sail, and sand? Feel free to add your own events!

Love is...On Your Bed!

Who needs the Four Seasons anyway?

We've had the great fortune to work with Sue Strandberg of The Final Touch in Oceanside CA. She came to us this fall just when we were in search of a sort of quality control and detail person for our vacation rentals at the beach in Oceanside. Sue's attention to detail was just the missing piece we were looking for to help make the promise of a "BETTER" Vacation Rental come to life. What do you think? Has she done it? Here are some photo of Sue'stowel origami (she taught herself from a YouTube Video) that she leaves for our guests.

Won't get that at the local hotel or an ordinary vacation rental!

Reserve a private condo for your next memory making holiday at 1-800-277-2734 or at BETTER Vacation Rentals where you can reserve online or talk to a real (cheerful) person. Let us know if you want some towel origami, and we'll make sure you are treated to Sue's Final Touch!

On Your Mark-RAAM and RAW Start in Oceanside, CA June 17, 2009

On you mark, get set, go! Race Across America and Race Across the West are set to start in Oceanside CA between the Oceanside Harbor and Pier on June 17, 2009. Come to Oceanside as a spectator, cyclist, or support team and see what all the buzz is about.

Need a place to stay? Why cram into a hotel, when you can stay within walking distance of the race start at resort-like North Coast Village, in your own private one or two bedroom condo on the beach for the same or less? Inquire or reserve now with BETTER Vacation Rentals. Bike storage is available on site!

For the complete press release see:The Ultimate American Bicycle Racing Event - The Race Across America (RAAM) Here is an excerpt: "Unlike the Tour de France, RAAM cyclists are not allowed to draft or ride in a peloton. Also, RAAM is not broken down into stages. The official race clock starts on the shores of the Pacific Ocean and runs until the racers reach Chesapeake Bay, MD. These are some of the reasons why the Race Across America is considered the World's Toughest Bicycle Race and one of the toughest challenges on Earth. In the 2006 Mt. Everest spring climbing season, 470 people summited the fabled peak, but in 27 years of RAAM less than 200 soloists have finished the race. Austrian adventurer, Wolfgang Fasching, who summited Mt. Everest and won solo RAAM three times is often quoted as saying that he found RAAM much harder."

Hang Ten Holiday - CoastalLiving.com

Dreaming of a White Chritmas? Not me, and not the Mattisons of Oceanside CA apparently. If I want a bit of the white stuff a trip to the mountains is in order, but if the "white stuff" is surf foam...it would be a trip to the beach, here in Southern California. We make new traditions...

"Visions of sugarplums have been replaced with dreams of the perfect wave at the Mattison home in Oceanside, California. On Christmas morning, the presents under the tree can wait. Stockings stuffed with goodies can hang out a little longer. Breakfast? Maybe later. This clan makes a fast break to the beach as soon as the sun comes up."

Did someone say beach?

See:Hang Ten Holiday - CoastalLiving.com for the full article.

Oceanside: A Strategy for Saving Money When Visiting San Diego?

Everyone is looking to stretch the dollar (US or Canadian), Euro, and GBP these days, so it's time to think outside the box. We all know about Priceline, and kayak, bookingbuddy and other internet sites that help us save money, but how about just staying somewhere "else?"

According to: Strategies for booking hotels on a budget - USATODAY.com: "Visitors to urban centers may save by booking outside main tourist areas. For San Diego, for example, 'you could stay in Carlsbad or even up as far as Oceanside,' said Joe McInerney, CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association."

So take a look at the next "big city" trip and consider if there may be a smaller city nearby without the name recognition that will save you significant amounts of money. Who knows, you may just discover the some hidden treasures in the new locale.

Oceanside Museum of Art: Babette's Feast Culinary Series 12/6/08

OMA Culinary Cinema Series
"Babette's Feast"
Saturday, December 6
5:30 PM
.
Babette's Feast

Third in our Culinary Cinema Series that pairs food themed films with mouth-watering cuisine, "Babette's Feast" is presented in the beautiful setting of the museum. Academy Award winning director Gabriel Axel tells the story of two elderly Danish sisters whose pious life is humorously altered with the unexpected arrival of Babette Hersant, a 19th century Parisian political refugee who cooks them a French feast they will never forget. Join us at the museum for this delightful film and delectable French cuisine prepared by master chef Carol Blomstrom.

Hors d'oeuvres
tiny toast with crème fraiche and caviar
artichoke mousse on sesame crackers
Salad
haricot vert and red-onion
Entrée
coq au vin over noodles
Dessert
white and dark chocolate mousse

Reservations required in advance, limited to 100 guests. Cost is $60 for OMA members, $75 for non-members. Vegetarian entrees available upon request. Call the museum at 760-435-3721 for reservations.

5:30 PM Pre-film reception, wine & hors d'oeuvres
6:00 PM "Babette's Feast" screening
Dinner following the film


Oceanside Museum of Art
704 Pier View Way
Oceanside, CA 92054
www.oma-online.org
760.435.3720

OCEANSIDE: Art museum nabs an Orchid : North County Times - Californian

OCEANSIDE: Art museum nabs an Orchid : North County Times - Californian: "OCEANSIDE ---- The Oceanside Museum of Art was honored by the San Diego Architecture Foundation last week during its annual Orchids & Onions Awards.

The museum's $5.8 million central pavilion, designed by Frederick Fisher, opened in March. It is attached to the museum's former home, which is now its gift store. That building ---- Oceanside's former city hall ---- was built in 1934 by San Diego architect Irving Gill.

Of the Fisher expansion, the jury said: 'This slick, cool addition to a museum dedicated to regional artists is very straightforward with a minimalist approach that speaks of a refinement ... one of the most sophisticated buildings in North County.'

'Orchid' awards represent the best designs for architectural projects in San Diego County."