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.

Balboa Park Japanese Gardens


The Japanese Gardens in Balboa park are located just north of the giant outdoor organ (the largest out door organ in the country, by the way). The gardens require a modest fee to enter, and it is worth, but probably only one time. I wish I could say that the gardens are a spectacular place to while away an entire day or afternoon, but the truth is they are only mediocre. They have coy ponds and interesting buildings, but they just lack that special “kabang” that makes you want to return over and over again.

However, in one of the pagoda buildings they have rotating exhibits. These can be anything from uninteresting to quite extraordinary. I saw a beautiful exhibit of Japanese calligraphy there once, fro ma calligraphy master who was there himself speaking about his work. That was a special experience.

Also, they have a nice teashop. It is, again, not the most mind-boggling tea shop. They don’t have the largest selection, not he most peaceful scenery, but it is a nice place for a cup of tea on lazy afternoon in Balboa Park. And if the exhibit in the garden sounds interesting, it’s worth going in again.

Balboa Park Sculpture Garden


The Balboa Park Sculpture Garden is a hidden treat in the cultural haven of Balboa Park. Everyone knows about Balboa Park – the museums, the gardens, the Prado, the zoo. But the Sculpture Garden is a well-kept secret.

If you look straight at the San Diego Museum of Art, which is by the large water fountain at the west end of the Prado (pedestrian walkway), the Sculpture Garden is to your left. There is also a Water’s Café to your left. This is a delightful café to get a bite to eat with delicious, fresh food. It is run by Water’s Catering Company, a favorite food place in San Diego. You simply go by the Water’s Café cart, through the little dining area and out to grassy opening. There you will find the sculpture garden. Don’t be fooled into thinking that Water’s is a restaurant; it’s not, you are free to enter the covered area, and in fact it is the only access way to the Sculpture Garden.

Once you are in the Sculpture Garden give yourself some time to play. Take some pictures. These modern sculptures are great to let your imagination play with. The Old Globe Theatre looms behind them, contrasting in style and creating a wonderful backdrop. You may even like to bring a picnic, or buy something at Water’s Café to enjoy in the sun among the sculptures.

Add this stop to your next day in Balboa Park. It won’t take up a full day, but it can add a special stop to the other, more well-known attractions of Balboa Park.

L Street Fine Art

The L Street Fine Art Gallery is located in the downtown gaslamp district. This gallery exhibits some of San Diego's finest artists, and pairs unlikely artists together creating breath taking interplay between works that may not have ever met otherwise, but seem like they were created to be together in this space.

Currently, the exhibit Domestic Deviation joins established San Diego artist Ernest Silva with up-and-coming artist May-Ling Martinez. This exhibit runs March 3rd through May 21st 2007. This is the third exhibition of the 2006-2007 San Diego Art Prize, which "is given annually to three established artists and three emerging artists who have exhibited outstanding achievement in the field of visual arts."

The space is surprising. In the shadow of the Omni hotel, this tiny space seems to expand as you go inside. The wall is entirely glass, and the art is exhibited along the interior wall, in visible view from the patio and L street.

I highly recommend this gallery at any time, but especially during this exhibit.

L Street Gallery
www.lstreetfineart.com
628 L Street 92101

SD Art Prize
www.sandiegoartist.com