Dolci Mango

Dolci Mango is a new frozen yogurt shop in Pacific Beach, on Garnet Avenue. I was walking by the other day, actually thinking I would get myself a soft serve ice cream, because it's summer. The cute girls working there convinced me to try a free sample, and the free sample convinced me to get a frozen yogurt instead of an ice cream.

The most amazing thing about Dolci Mango's frozen yogurt is that it really tastes like yogurt. Most frozen yogurt is either bland or super-sweet tasting. This yogurt has a nice creamy tang to it, just like a good yogurt.

They only have two options for flavors of yogurt: plain and green tea. But then they have a whole bar of toppings you can choose from. They have fresh fruit, candy, crunchy stuff like cereal (including Captain Crunch). You pay per topping, or you can get 3 or more for the price of three.

The girls convinced me to get some fresh mango on top, and it was also really good, although the yogurt was so good that I liked it better plain. So I just ate the mango off the top and then ate the plain yogurt.

I will definitely be going back.

UPDATE:
Dolci Mangoe now typically has 4 flavors: Plain, Green Tea, Acai or Pomegranate, and Peanut Butter or Mango. It is true that Dolci Mango has some of the best plain fro-yo in San Diego. However, as reported in other yogurt reviews, it is still not good enough to justify the difference in price. Also, the experience is a let down compared to the self serve locations.

Dolci Mango
1420 Garnet Ave
(between Gresham St & Haines St)
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 483-6265

School of Healing Arts - Massage in PB

The School of Healing Arts Massage School is located on Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach. However, it is not to be confused with IPSB, which is also located on Garnet Avenue. The School of Healing Arts is in an upstairs office building.

A massage with a student practitioner is $39. However, I have to say that massage with the students here, in my experience, have been disappointing. They usually seem to want to talk to you and ask you all kinds of questions about you and your life. That's nice and all, but not during a massage. They also seem less sure of themselves than the students at IPSB, and less skilled.

So, if you are looking for a cheap massage, this school can offer it, but be warned that it still might not be worth it. However, if you do want to give them a chance, I can offer the same advice that I offer for any massage.

The secret is good communication; express your concerns before the session starts. Even during massage be sure to speak up if you would like lighter or harder pressure.

Some things to think about if you aren't familiar with massage:
Do you tend to get cold easily? Ask for a blanket.
Do you think you would like stretching during the massage? Yes or no, express this.
Are you stressed out?
Do you have sore muscles or joints?
Do you want your head massaged at the end?
Should the masseus avoid any areas, such as the stomach?

And, in this case: Let them know if you want to have massage without small talk!

School of Healing Arts
1001 Garnet Ave
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 581-9429
(858) 490-2560
(858) 581-9460

IPSB Massage in PB

The International Professional School of Body Work in Pacific Beach offers massage seven days a week. You can choose either a student ($45) or a professional ($60). You get a full hour of massage (not 50 minutes like most places).

The setting is relaxing and professional. You enter at the front desk, where the receptionist greets you; they are typically friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful.

The students are fair to good in their massage skills. I can't remember a bad massage I've ever had at IPSB, but sometimes the students are just mediocre. However, the professionals offer consistently good massage, for just small difference in price.

There are no extra amenities, like shower or spa facilities, but they have necessities for a great massage. There is a lobby, which also sells some massage supplies and even some clothes and crystals and other items. There is also a lounge for discussion after the massage with your practitioner. They have water and tea and cookies.

The practitioners are trained in a variety of styles, and most can offer several different types of massage. The secret is good communication. If you tend to zone out during massage, as I do, then it is key to express your concerns before the session starts. Even during massage be sure to speak up if you would like lighter or harder pressure - even if it means pulling yourself out of a semi-conscious state. Improving the massage is worth waking up for a moment!

Some things to think about if you aren't familiar with massage:
Do you tend to get cold easily? Ask for a blanket.
Do you think you would like stretching during the massage? Yes or no, express this.
Are you stressed out?
Do you have sore muscles or joints?
Do you want your head massaged at the end?
Should the masseuse avoid any areas, such as the stomach?


IPSB Massage Training Center
1414 Garnet Avenue
San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: 858-490-1154
Open Seven days a week.
9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
A full hour massage
$45 to $ 60

Toby Wells YMCA in Kearny Mesa

The Toby Wells branch of the YMCA is part of the San Diego YMCA, which includes the Mission Valley location and the Hazard Center Annex, as well as the Downtown YMCA. Yes, that's right, these are all under one membership!

The Toby Wells YMCA is located in Kearny Mesa, and for many people it is quite out of the way. But if you work in the area it can be a very convenient location for getting in a workout or class. (I would have said "if you live or work in the area," but who lives in Kearny Mesa?)

It is clear that this location caters to the working world of Kearny Mesa. For example, they offer 45 lunch time workout classes Monday through Friday! They have 45 minutes pilates classes Monday through Thursday, and they have 45 minute yoga Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. They also have some one-hour yoga classes, though if you only have an hour for lunch the 45 minute classes are already a tight squeeze.

They are also located next to "San Diego Spectrum," a generally generic strip mall, but worth noting because they have some (sort of) healthy lunch options like "Robeks" cafe and juice bar.

Toby Wells YMCA also has a pool, a hot tub, regular exercise equipment (you know cardio machines and weight machines, if you're into those things), and of course fully equipped locker rooms. They also offer childcare for up to two hours while working out, and full daycare facilities. Worth checking out if it suites your location!

Toby Wells YMCA
5105 Overland Ave.
Tel: (858) 496-9622

Hours of Operation
Mon. - Fri. 5:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sat. & Sun. 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m

Kid's Place Sitting Service:
Mon. - Fri.
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Mount Soledad


Mount Soledad is the highest peak of coastal San Diego. Mount Cowles is a little higher, but it's halfway to El Cajon.

Of course you have probably heard of the Mount Soledad cross, it seems to get more attention these days than the park itself.

Still, even in the shadow of the cross and this tedious on-going battle, the park is s beautiful palce to watch the sunrise or sunset, or even to catch some fourth of July fireworks (if you get there early enough). http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

It is a popular desitation for bike riders, riding up the steep hill is a great work out, and riding down is terrible fun.

Mount Soledad is on the highest point in between Pacific Beach and La Jolla.

Kate Sessions Park

On the northern edge of Pacific Beach, as you climb the hill towards Mount Soledad, hides Kate Sessions Park. This park is not that big, but is pleasant and beautiful, with sweeping views of San Diego's downtown, bay, and ocean.

There is a big grassy hill, a path around the edge that measures about half a mile. On the north side there is a children's play area with swings, slides, and monkey bars, as well as fort-like structures and picnic tables. There is a nice flat grassy area there as well, hwere you can almost always find people playing ultimate frisbee.

Behind the park is a maze of trails that are close to home, if you live in PB. The trails are nice, truly off-road trails, hidden away from the neighborhoods that surround them.

Of course, it is always living in the shadow of Mount Soledad, where you can see downtown, the bay, the ocean, and La Jolla.

Kate Sessions Park is on Soledad Road, the entrance about three blocks north of Beryl Street.

Wine Steals

Wine Steals is located on the eastern edge of Hillcrest, as the area begins to morph into North Park. On University Avenue, a few blocks west of Park Avenue, Wine Steals is a wine bar that also offers wine tastings and an array of tapas style food items. Glasses range from about $5-7.

Wine Steals is typically pretty crowded. They are going for a very European approach to drinking and dining. Many tables are large enough for multiple parties (depending on size, of course), and the wine bottles, which are also for sale, are the primary decor.

You order your drinks and food at the bar, take a number, and they bring it out you. The bartenders are typically quite knowledgeable, and they have a good selection of wines to choose from. The bartenders are friendly and will offer suggestions, even take your wine back if you aren't satisfied.

Yet for all their good efforts to be European, I think they have fallen short of what they strive for. The music is a bit too loud, the crowds a little too rambunctious. While the wines are quite delicious, the bread is a little stale, the cheeses nothing to write home about. Of course there are plenty of bars in Europe that have only mediocre food, but there is something more subtle than that. I suppose the best way to state it is to say it is slightly less civilized.

That's not to say it is a bad place. I would certainly return; it's just a matter of adjusting your expectations. It's an American Wine Bar, not European, and not Wine Tasting.


Wine Steals
1243 University Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 295-1188

Hours
Mon 4-10 pm;
Tue-Wed 2-10:30 pm;
Thu 2-11 pm;
Fri 2 pm-midnight;
Sat 11 am-midnight;
Sun 2 pm-9:30 pm

Hillcrest Cinemas

Located in the heart of Hillcrest, in the shopping center between University Avenue, Washington Street, 5th Street, and 6th Street, Hillcrest Cinemas is a great urban movie theatre showing independent films. It is part of the Landmark Theatres, the nation's largest theatre chain dedicated primarily to exhibiting and marketing independent film.

There are five screens. The seats are just your normal theatre seats (not the big cushy ones), but they are in good condition and have drink holders. They typically show all the well-known indie films, as well as others that aren't getting as much publicity; they typically have a good offering.

Along with a great array of indepedent and foreign films, the Hillcrest Cinema snack bar is a step up from your normal theatre. They serve hot teas and espresso drinks, chocolate bonbons, Italian sodas, vege dogs, and various other alternative snacks. Generally their food products a higher quality than your normal theatre.

To see a list of currently showing films click here.

Hillcrest Cinemas
3965 5th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 819-0236

Lopez Park near Penasquitos Canyon


Lopez Park is located on Calle Cristobal in Mira Mesa. This park overlooks Lopez Canyon, which is a tributary to Penasquitos Canyon in Mira Mesa. As you drive by, it at first seems like a generic suburban park, and in many ways it is. There is a baseball field, a small playground, friendly families, park benches and tables, a small recreation center facility, and lots of SUVs in the parking lot. But if you take a moment to stop at Lopez Park, you will find it offers more than meets the eye.

In addition to the facilities you notice immediately, there is a paved walkway around the perimeter of the park, which has a trail par course with four stops around the park. You can add pull ups, push ups, bar hops, walking with your hands, gymnastics rings, sit ups, and many other exercises to your lap or laps around the park.

Also, the park expands to the edge of a small plateau, and from there you have a great view down into Lopez Canyon, a beautiful preserve that is part of the Penasquitos Park system. Though there are housing developments around the plateau (and across the plateau on the other side as well), it is lovely to see everything in between still growing wild.

The very perimeter of the park is maintained flower beds, but with an emphasis on native plants. This creates a beautiful transition to the wild lands just on the other side of the fence that spill into the canyon. Instead of looking contrasted against artificially green landscaping, the landscaping highlights the natural beauty of the region, even if this means it gets dry in the summer. The wildflowers and native vegetation are beautiful, and the park service gives them just a little more water than nature to keep the edge of the park look fresh, even though beyond the edge it might be extremely dry. This is the perfect combination of tended and wild.

Overall, the park is a delightful surprise in the depths of suburbia, but not worth going out of your way for. Located on the south side of Sorrento Valley Blvd / Calle Cristobal, about halfway between Caminos Ruiz and Santa Fe.

Pokez

Pokez Mexican and Vegetarian food is located in downtown San Diego. They are on the corner of 10th and E, and if you take 163 south it will turn into 10th and shoot you out past Pokez.

Pokez offers all the traditional Mexican dishes, but without the lard. They also offer a wide array of vegetarian style Mexican dishes, like their tortilla soup (sans chicken) - not to miss! The menu headlines are pretty standard: tortas, tostadas, soups, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, salads, sides, combos. But every heading offers seemingly endless possible combinations: Shrimp, Mahi Mahi, Jack or Cheddar Cheese, Bean, Potato, Tofu, Mushroom, Beef, Chicken, Corn, Carne or Pollo Asada, Mixed Veggie, tofu, vegan chorizo... You get the idea.

The atmosphere is nothing remarkable. It's an old diner converted into hipster style Mexican decor. But yet it suits the vibe of the place just perfectly: kind of grass-roots punk rock with a twist of granola healthy.

Perhaps best of all, you can enjoy a healthy, hearty, delicious, fresh, and high quality meal for an affordable price. You can stuff yourself silly for under $10.

Pokez
Mexican Restaurant and Vegetarian Cuisine
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-9pm • Sat: 9am-7pm • Sun: 9am-7pm
947 ‘E’ Street, Downtown, San Diego, California
619-702-7160

San Diego Bay

San Francisco isn't the only "Bay Area" in California. San Diego boasts a Big Bay of its own, from the northern most Point Loma and Cabrillo National Monument to the southern most Imperial Beach, the Coronado "Island" and Silver Strand make a bay that extends from the heart of San Diego's downtown in both directions.

At the north end, visit the Cabrillo National Monument to explore tide pools and learn about the early explorers and European settlers of San Diego. Point Loma offers fantastic views along the coast and the bay, and driving through these neighborhoods is a great way to see some of San Diego's best old architecture.

From Shelter Island you can take a deep sea fishing trip along the California coast or in Mexican waters. And of course there is the America's Cup Harbor, as well as parks, marinas, restaurants and hotels, like the famous Humphrey's By the Bay, which is always showing great musicians.

Spanish Landing Park offers open space right on the marinas of Harbor Island, as well as beautiful pavilions and art. Harbor Island boasts its own hotels, marinas, restaurants, and park space, as well as great views of the Bay.

On Harbor Drive you head towards downtown and can find the Maritime Museum and the Star of India, a San Diego "land" mark from the 1860s, which still sails once a year. Along this stretch you find the "Urban Trees" public art exhibition.

Keep going to reach Seaport Village, with shopping and street performers. Right next door is the San Diego Convention Center, which is always hosting some event or another. Check it out to see if it is something you might be interested in! From here you are just steps away from downtown's historic gaslamp quarter and all the restaurants, shopping, and nightlife it hosts.

At the southern end you reach National City, Chula Vista, and Imperial Beach, all three offer their own take on dining and shopping, each with their own downtown. These three cities also boast historic buildings and unique histories, with many museums and home tours.

Lei Lounge

The Lei Lounge in University Heights is a trendy new spot for drinks and tapas-style dinners. The setting is beautiful, with semi-private booths throughout an open air patio style establishment. In other words, basically the whole lounge is outdoors.

Their specialty is mixed drinks, with interesting, though trendy, drink specials like pomegranate martinis, blueberry martinis, and other sweet and fruity and tropical drinks. Their drinks are good, but they cost $7 and do NOT use top shelf liquor. Still, worth going in for a drink or two to enjoy the atmosphere.

The food menu is quite good, with an emphasis on seafood and traditional American dishes wit ha trendy flair. They serve seasoned sweet potato fries with balsamic vinegar, miniature kobe beef hamburgers, wasabi mashed potatoes, and crab anything-you-can-imagine. Like the drinks, the food is good, but not as great as the price implies. Also, you will receive much better service if you are a gay male, than if you are straight and/or female.

Overall, I'd say it is fun to check out, but not a place where I'd become a regular.

Lei Lounge is open 5-10pm daily. Plus they are open for brunch on Sundays. I was going to look up the times for that, but the website took so long I closed it out.

I don't recommend visiting their website; it is incredibly slow and frustrating. They have a bunch of lame pictures in the background that move, and their interface is difficult to use (like little "feathers" you have to click to scroll the menu up and down inside the browser window, instead of just scrolling the actual browser widow).

Lei Lounge
4622 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA
619-813-2272
www.leilounge.com