Carmel Valley

Carmel Valley Loop

10 miles for the loop, Challenging

Dog friendly, free parking

Take this loop for the Carmel Valley views without the Torrey Pines throng. Start on Carmel Mountain Road by Interstate 5 and follow it east and north to Del Mar Mesa Road, from there to the path at Carmel Mountain Preserve. Stop there for views of the ocean and sagebrush. Plus, these wide dirt paths should bring you some space from big groups. When you’re done, grab filling sandwiches, salads, and avocado bowls to go from Urban Plates (12857 El Camino Real, Del Mar).

Hikes Off the Beaten Path / Stonebridge Park Hike

@lisa_trailsandtales / Instagram

Poway

Stonebridge Park Hike

3.5 miles out and back, Moderate

Dog friendly, free parking

Now that playgrounds are open, take the kids to play at Stonebridge Neighborhood Park in Poway and then bring them along for this short hike. Follow Stonebridge Parkway east, where you can join trails where the pavement ends if you want to extend the hike. There you can take in sweeping views of the mountains and valleys around you, with elaborate cacti to capture for your Instagram. When you’re done, try some delicious sandwiches with cheeky names at Eat Your Heart Out II (12600 Stowe Drive, Suite 2, Poway).

Mission Bay

Quivira Way Run

4.1 miles out and back, Easy

Dog friendly, stroller friendly, free parking

This lesser-known path takes you right along the water but without the crowds and parking hassles. Start at the parking lot near the intersection of Sea World Drive and South Shores Parkway and follow the bike path straight toward the ocean. Along the way, you can take in the river views and cool breezes. When you reach the jetty, take a close look for the famous jetty cats who live among the rocks. When you’re done, go for ahi nachos and beer flights at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens (2816 Historic Decatur Road, Liberty Station).

Hikes Off the Beaten Path / Map

Illustration by Virginia Brown

The post 3 San Diego Hikes Off the Beaten Path appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Addison 

If you’re looking for a little extra something to be thankful for, San Diego’s only Michelin-starred restaurant is offering an eight-course dining experience, featuring holiday classics reimagined through the lens of California gastronomy prepared by chef William Bradley. The menu experience is $295 per person, with optional wine pairings available for $275. Service is from 5 to 8 p.m., and reservations for the terrace can be made via OpenTable.

5200 Grand Del Mar Way, Del Mar | 858-314-1900

Bahia Resort Hotel

Enjoy a family-style three-course prix fixe menu at the Bahia Resort Hotel. Choose from three Thanksgiving dinner entrée options: traditional carved turkey dinner, slow-roasted prime rib, or winter vegetable hash. If you prefer to dine at home, take your Thanksgiving meal to go. The cost is $49 per adult, $28 per child. Preorder by Tuesday, November 24 at 11 a.m.

998 West Mission Bay Drive, Mission Bay | 858-539-7635 

Café Gratitude 

No turkeys will be harmed for this restaurant’s vegan-friendly à la carte Thanksgiving menu, which is available throughout November. Items include cranberry roasted butternut squash and garnet yams, maple miso brussels sprouts, and a persimmon and pomegranate salad. Holiday pies are also available for pickup through online preorders.

1980 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy | 619-736-5077

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Enjoy a three-course prix fixe menu at Oceana Coastal Kitchen. For $59 per person, each dinner includes a Champagne toast as well as entrée options like oak-smoked turkey breast or Harris Ranch rib eye. Leave room for a dessert of classic pumpkin pie, baked-to-order brownie, or Grand Marnier crème brûlée. They also offer a family-style takeout option for parties of four or eight for $45 per person. Preorder by Tuesday, November 24 at 11 a.m.

3999 Mission Boulevard, Mission Bay | 858-539-8635 

Coastline at L’Auberge Del Mar

Celebrate Thanksgiving the San Diegan way, with ocean views, alfresco dining, and a four-course feast. The special will be offered on Thursday, November 26 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at $95 per person. The menu includes spins on Thanksgiving classics like heritage-breed roasted turkey with whipped potatoes, green beans, and white pepper gravy, in addition to decadent offerings like an 1855 Beef prime rib and chocolate miso budino.

1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar | 858-793-6467

Gelson’s

Whether you are hosting for two or for 12, Gelson’s Simply Delicious Dinners are precooked and ready to heat, serve, and enjoy at home. This year’s offerings include small, medium, and large whole roasted turkeys, half and whole spiral glazed hams, whole slow-roasted brisket, prime rib, and plant-based roast options. Order by November 24 and pick up November 20–December 1 at any of Gelson’s San Diego locations. Gelson’s will close early Thanksgiving Day, and all pickups that day should be completed by 1 p.m.

Multiple locations | 818-377-6494

Giardino

The Lemon Grove eatery will be open for its first Thanksgiving, offering an all-day menu from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Giardino’s family-style menu features à la carte items meant for sharing. Choose from entrées like prime rib or butternut squash ravioli, and holiday sides and salads. And don’t forget wine to pair with your meal! Want to keep things traditional? The eatery is also offering a classic turkey dinner which you can enjoy there or take to go.

8131 Broadway, Lemon Grove | 619-825-7112

The Gluten Free Baking Co.

If someone with food allergies is joining you this Thanksgiving, don’t fret! This North Park bakery is all gluten free, offering everything from traditional pumpkin pie and pecan pie to other gluten-free items like pasta, multigrain dinner rolls, quiche, mini banana-bread loaves, and more. If you want to bake your own pie at home, the bakery is also selling an allergen-free vegan pie crust dry mix and vegan frozen pie crust (bottom crust only). Order online at least three days in advance.

4594 30th Street, North Park | 858-270-9863

The Lodge at Torrey Pines

Available for curbside pickup, this decadent family-style Thanksgiving feast includes chimney-roasted turkey with duck-fat-braised thighs, cornbread pecan stuffing, cranberry relish, pumpkin mousse, and more. The cost is $85 per person with a two-person minimum. Preorder by 12 p.m. on Thursday, November 19.

11480 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla |858-453-4420

Menya Ultra

Ramen lovers can still get in on the celebrations with one of Menya Ultra’s Thanksgiving home kit specials. Preorder a home kit, complete with broth, noodles, turkey, and classic ramen toppings, through their Google form by November 22.

8199 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Clairemont | 858-571-2010

8141 Mira Mesa Boulevard, Mira Mesa | 858-397-2247

Pacifica Del Mar

Make a reservation at this ocean-view eatery to enjoy their popular Thanksgiving menu. For $65, the multicourse menu will include a choice of a starter and an entrée, such as oven-roasted free-range turkey with the fixings, slow-cooked Angus prime rib, zinfandel-braised beef short ribs, or Pacifica’s seafood classics. End on a sweet note with your choice of dessert. Kids 12 and under can select from the kids’ menu for $20.

1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar | 858-792-0476

Parc Bistro

This Bankers Hill bistro will be offering Thanksgiving packages for takeout, which will include roasted butternut squash soup, roasted organic turkey, beef bourguignon, an assortment of sides, and two desserts. Prices range from $80 to $320 and can feed up to eight people.

Pickup times are from 12 to 3 p.m.

760 Fifth Avenue, Bankers Hill | 619-795-1501

Puffer Malarkey Collective 

Herb & Wood, Herb & Sea, and Animae are joining forces to offer a to-go meal combining all of chef Brian Malarkey’s Thanksgiving favorites, including herb- and citrus-marinated turkey, crème fraîche mashed potatoes and whipped butter, house country wheat stuffing, apple and pear pie, and more. The cost is $59 per person and is available for preorder at herbandwood.com. Pickup is at Herb & Wood.

2210 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy | 610-955-8495

Ranch 45 

Ranch 45’s à la carte Thanksgiving pickup menu is perfect for those picky eaters in the family. Customize your Thanksgiving feast with choices from herb-crusted prime rib and smoked turkey leg to smoked Cornish game hens, olive oil smashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and more. The butcher shop and eatery will be accepting orders up to 48 hours in advance.

512 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach | 858-461-0092

Salt & Straw 

Enjoy a four-course ice cream feast with flavors inspired by classic American Thanksgiving dishes, with a twist. The offerings include cranberry juniper sorbet, sweet potato casserole with maple pecans, roasted peach and sage cornbread stuffing, and salted caramel Thanksgiving turkey. Flavors are available by the scoop or pint at Salt & Straw shops, as well as online. Guests visiting Salt & Straw locations can also preorder in advance for either pickup or local delivery.

1670 India Street, Little Italy | 619-542-9394

3705 Caminito Court, Del Mar | 858-345-1792

STK Steakhouse 

For outdoor dining, delivery, or pickup, STK Steakhouse will be offering a menu with classic Thanksgiving dishes from November 26 through November 29, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Enjoy a roasted turkey special with all the fixings for $49 per adult or $29 per child 12 and under. For $100, they are also offering “Takeout Dinner for Two”: two prepared meals that come with pumpkin pie.

600 F Street, East Village | 619-354-5988

Trust Restaurant Group

Chef Brad Wise’s Thanksgiving to-go features some of his family’s favorites, along with holiday classics. Feast on oven-roasted turkey, Italian sausage stuffing, and truffled macaroni and cheese. The meal also includes a 12-ounce bag of Cardellino’s house blend coffee beans and a recipe for a cranberry-infused cocktail. The meal is $295 and feeds two to eight people. Orders must be placed by November 19 and picked up on November 26 at Cardellino from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

4033 Goldfinch Street, Mission Hills | 619-600-5311

STK Steakhouse

The post Let These 17 Local Restaurants Do the Cooking This Thanksgiving appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Bates Nut Farm

Now–October 31

Bates’ beloved pumpkin patch is back with all of their annual activities, including hayrides, a straw maze, a petting corral, and a massive selection of pumpkins and gourds to explore. Take your pick from the pumpkin patch and refuel in the picnic area with plenty of food and beverage options for everyone in your group.

15954 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center

Drive-Thru Scream Zone: Roadkill

October 1–31

The Scream Zone’s reimagined annual event brings the haunts and horrors right to your car. In a completely drive-thru experience, guests will weave their cars through a mile-long path filled with zombies, killer clowns, and figures from some of Hollywood’s most iconic horror films—Freddy and Jason included.

2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar

Fright Fest Weekend at The Moonlight

October 8–10

Moonlight Amphitheatre is making a return just in time for the witching hour with a three-day fright fest. Catch outdoor movie screenings of Halloween favorites like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Hocus Pocus, and Poltergeist. Screenings are capped at 100 people with social distancing rules in place, so plan to purchase your seats early!

1250 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista

Ghosts & Gravestones

Hop onto the Trolley of the Doomed and take a tour of San Diego’s most haunted sites. From the Whaley House to Pioneer Park, the tour shares the stories of the city’s eerier history and the haunted spirits who still live there. The tours are operating at 50 percent capacity to provide plenty of space for social distancing.

4008 Twiggs Street, Old Town

A Grand Halloween

October 31

The Manchester Grand Hyatt is offering its guests three spooky encounters to explore during their Halloween staycation. First, the trick or treat trail will line the hallways of the hotel’s event space with cobwebs, pumpkins, and booths to pick up sweet treats like candy and toys. Then, head to the fourth floor pool deck for an outdoor movie experience featuring a Halloween favorite. Lastly, families can make their way to the hotel rooftop for Halloween-inspired arts and craft activities and a sweeping view of the city skyline.

1 Market Place, Downtown

Halloween at the Grand

October 30-31

Visit the Fairmont Grand Del Mar this Halloween for a spooky staycation fit for families. On Friday, The Grand will host an outdoor screening of Hotel Transylvania alongside gooey s’mores for some fun treats. On the big day itself, bring the little ones along the hotel’s candy trail with live pumpkin carving, glow golf, and, of course, plenty of candy to grab! For the adult crowd, your ‘treat’ comes in the form of specialty cocktails inspired by the fall season. Costumes recommended! For hotel guests only.

5300 Grand Del Mar Court, Del Mar

Halloween Movie Nights

October 30-31

Join the Hilton Garden Inn Del Mar for a perfectly spooktacular Halloween movie weekend. The family-friendly event will feature four showings of Halloween classics and animations like Beetlejuice and Hotel Transylvania. To enjoy alongside your movie, treat yourself to buttery popcorn, nachos, hot cider, and adult beverages for those 21 and up. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time!

3939 Ocean Bluff Avenue, Del Mar

Halloween Trail at Petco Park

Halloween Trail at Petco Park

October 23-November 1

Join the Padres at Petco Park for safe and spooky Halloween festivities all week long. Bring the little ones in costume on a socially distanced, one-way pumpkin patch. As you wind through the trail, you’ll stop at themed booths for candy, toys, and surprise character visits. The 21+ crowd looking for something spookier can stick around for the Halloween Trail After Dark, with an outdoor movie experience showing Halloween favorites like Hocus Pocus, Scream, and Beetlejuice. The event will also offer a themed market with festive treats, merch, and snacks.

100 Park Boulevard, Petco Park

Hallo-Wine Fall Festival

October 24

Home Start’s 13th annual fall festival is taking the virtual stage this year with an evening of interactive tastings, trivia games, a silent auction, and inspiring speeches all from the comfort of your own home. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to child abuse prevention and provides family strengthening services to those in need. Order a Feature Tasting Box, which comes with selections from food ad drink vendors like Bekker’s, Bivouac, Trevi Hills Winery, and more. Or go VIP to get the tasting box delivered to your home with a few extra bonus gifts.

Haunted Aquarium Remix

October 1–31

Birch Aquarium is taking its haunted house outdoors with new animal encounters and spooky activities in the aquarium’s Tide Pool Plaza, Smargon Courtyard, and Education Courtyard. Little ones can explore kelp mazes and use a discovery booklet to learn about the creepy critters that live underwater.

2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla

Hornblower’s Floating Cinema

October 29

A tour and a movie? Yes, please! The Hornblower’s floating outdoor cinema has been given the Halloween treatment with a showing of Beetlejuice. Enjoy an evening out on the water with stellar views, delicious food (including popcorn—a movie must), and, of course, a fun movie. This three-hour experience runs twice each week and reservations are required.

1800 North Harbor Drive, Hornblower Landing

Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin Patch

October 3–31

This La Jolla pumpkin patch has adapted its format to offer new options for pumpkin picking. This year, in addition to visiting the patch in person, you can also select your pumpkins through contactless curbside pickup, online ordering, or delivery. Need help styling your selection? You can also pick up decorating and carving kits to have all the tools you need to perfect your pumpkin.

6710 La Jolla Boulevard, La Jolla

Pumpkin Station

October 1–31

Pumpkin Station’s Bonita, Mission Valley, and Rancho Bernardo locations are open this Halloween season. Take part in the time-honored tradition of picking your pumpkin straight from the farm and enjoy extra activities for the family like corn mazes, hayrides, petting zoos, and more.

5354 Sweetwater Road, Bonita

1640 Camino del Rio North, Mission Valley

13421 Highland Valley Road, Escondido

SeaWorld Spooktacular

SeaWorld Spooktacular

Friday–Sunday, October 2–November 1

Candy trails, scavenger hunts, tasty treats—SeaWorld Spooktacular is packed with fun family-friendly events all month long. Take the little ones in their costumes to trick or treat, or go on a hunt for pumpkins hidden throughout the park. Kids can enjoy new tasty treats like caramel-dipped apples and pumpkin cheesecake, while the over-21 crowd can check out pumpkin ales and specialty fall cocktails.

500 Sea World Drive, Mission Bay

Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin Patch

The post Updated! A Guide to Halloween 2020 in San Diego appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Arguably it’s even better now given that you can dock a boat steps from dozens of restaurants around San Diego Bay—and 60 if you include Mission Bay.

The point is this: Sunning yourself on the deck of a boat beats sweating in traffic. Throwing a line over a cleat beats scrapping for a parking spot. If you don’t have a boat, make a friend who does. Or take some of our other advice below, where you’ll also find everything you need to know about showing up dockside for a meal and sailing off into the sunset.

How it Works:

This page and this page have comprehensive listings of every eatery that boasts a dock for a parking lot, listed by area where you’ll be sailing, whether it’s the Bay, Coronado Island, Shelter Island, Mission Bay, South Bay, and so on. Many but not all restaurant docks are first-come, first-served, and prices vary; call the restaurant or marina ahead of time to find out.

Where to Go:

Dock-and-dine options include notable spots like Bali Hai, Bluewater Boathouse Seafood Grill, Joe’s Crab Shack, Quarterdeck, Humphreys, Pizza Nova, and Island Prime. Too many to name them all. Pick your pleasure and cast off.

Get Creative:

If you don’t have a boat, these are your best options:

1. Throw down for fractional ownership of a boat, or a membership to Freedom Boat Club, which gives you access to a big fleet of pleasure craft.   
2. Download Airbnb-style apps for boats like GetMyBoat.
3. It would be nice if water taxis crisscrossed the San Diego Bay on demand. Alas, they do not. The boat-less should consider a stand up paddleboard. Or a pair of swim fins. Or one of those inflatable donuts that are all the rage on Instagram.

The Best Places to Dock and Dine in San Diego (and How to Get There)

Bluewater Boathouse Seafood Grill

The post The Best Places to Dock and Dine in San Diego (and How to Get There) appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Named Oceana Coastal Kitchen, the 8,200 square-foot restaurant is the iconic property’s first new dining concept in 30 years, and continues the rise of good food in Pacific and Mission Beaches. They’ve expanded the al fresco seats looking out over Mission Bay, plus a 12-seat private dining room and a 16-seat semi-private room. The chef is Steven Riemer, who put in a decade-plus at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel before spending seven years as executive sous at The Lodge at Torrey Pines. His menu is being called “a playful take on California cuisine.” If food at The Lodge (owned by the same parent company, Evans Hotels) is any indication of quality, expect top-notch, local, seasonal ingredients. Riemer’s debut menu includes dishes like duck risotto with Japanese squash, Niman Ranch pork chop with goat cheese grits and a California seabass with ancho chile, orange, beets, faro and baby kale. There’ll also be a raw bar and a sushi bar. Pay close attention Riemer’s desserts, since pastry was his specialty at The Ritz. At Oceana he’s got banana pudding, apple empanadas with buttermilk ice cream, espresso brulee and Meyer lemon Rice Krispie treats.

And now for the unveiling. Please enjoy the first known photos of Catamaran’s multimillion-dollar overhaul:

FIRST LOOK: Oceana Coastal Kitchen

The post FIRST LOOK: Oceana Coastal Kitchen appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The talented chef made a good name for herself at former Point Loma restaurant Roseville. Her next move to The Glass Door didn’t really work out. La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club quickly snapped her up, where she mostly played a supporting role to Marine Room’s Master French Chef Bernard Guillas and chef de cuisine, Ron Oliver.

Meanwhile, Destination Hotels had spent $20 Million rebirthing Paradise Point. The signature restaurant (formerly Baleen) needed help. Hollywood producer Jack Skirball developed the island in 1962 as his own lagoon-ridden South Seas fantasyland. The 3,000 square-foot restaurant was originally his private residence. It has one of the best water views in San Diego—a 180-degree sweeper of the non-malodorous part of Mission Bay. But come 2013, the room felt painfully tourist-chic, with heavily lacquered woods, white tablecloths, palm fronds and assorted waterside clichés.

So they hired DiBiase as the attraction, then built her a room to match. Tidal looks pretty damn fantastic, with riveted aviator chairs, live-edge wooden tables, disco-looking shell globes, indoor and outdoor fire pits, communal dining tables, some modernism here, some soft resort sofas there.

Opening April 10, DiBiase will put a Mediterranean spin on local seafood with dishes like olive oil-poached halibut. Another promising young chef, Kyle Bergman (ex-Lodge at Torrey Pines, Ritual Tavern) will oversee the oysters, cheese and craft beer, while Snake Oil Cocktail Company will do the creative work on the bar program.

So, enough jabbering. Here are the first photos of Tidal, and a new era at Paradise Point:

FIRST LOOK: Tidal

The post FIRST LOOK: Tidal appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The talented chef made a good name for herself at former Point Loma restaurant Roseville. Her next move to The Glass Door didn’t really work out. La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club quickly snapped her up, where she mostly played a supporting role to Marine Room’s Master French Chef Bernard Guillas and chef de cuisine, Ron Oliver.

Meanwhile, Destination Hotels had spent $20 Million rebirthing Paradise Point. The signature restaurant (formerly Baleen) needed help. Hollywood producer Jack Skirball developed the island in 1962 as his own lagoon-ridden South Seas fantasyland. The 3,000 square-foot restaurant was originally his private residence. It has one of the best water views in San Diego—a 180-degree sweeper of the non-malodorous part of Mission Bay. But come 2013, the room felt painfully tourist-chic, with heavily lacquered woods, white tablecloths, palm fronds and assorted waterside clichés.

So they hired DiBiase as the attraction, then built her a room to match. Tidal looks pretty damn fantastic, with riveted aviator chairs, live-edge wooden tables, disco-looking shell globes, indoor and outdoor fire pits, communal dining tables, some modernism here, some soft resort sofas there.

Opening April 10, DiBiase will put a Mediterranean spin on local seafood with dishes like olive oil-poached halibut. Another promising young chef, Kyle Bergman (ex-Lodge at Torrey Pines, Ritual Tavern) will oversee the oysters, cheese and craft beer, while Snake Oil Cocktail Company will do the creative work on the bar program.

So, enough jabbering. Here are the first photos of Tidal, and a new era at Paradise Point:

FIRST LOOK: Tidal

The post FIRST LOOK: Tidal appeared first on San Diego Magazine.