JEREMY THE BLOGGER

This has to be my favorite Thai restaurant of all time.  Located in the heart of University Heights in San Diego, CA, Plumeria Vegetarian Thai Food offers a wide array of authentic Thai cuisine while maintaining those delicious flavors in unique vegetarian and vegan dishes.  The service and space are welcoming, making the overall experience memorable.  Each dish is unique and flavorful, while offering unique vegan meat options such as beef, chicken, duck and much more!  This is a must stop place to enjoy delicious Thai food for vegetarians and meat eaters alike!

Located on the northern border of Downtown San Diego, Balboa Park is a 1,200 acre park with museums, botanical gardens, walking and hiking trails, venues and home to the world famous San Diego Zoo.  Established in 1835, the park is one of the oldest in the United States dedicated to public recreational use. In 1915-1916 and again in 1935-1936, the park hosted the World’s Fair (Panama–California Exposition and California Pacific International Exposition) leaving us with most of the historic ornamented Spanish Baroque and Spanish Colonial architecture we see today.  As of right now, there is plenty of free parking found throughout the park but keep in mind that this is a main tourist attraction visited by 20 million people every year, so it can get busy at times. I recommend visiting in the early hours before anything opens, that way you can really appreciate the grounds and architecture.  

Covering more than 24 acres, this sprawling park located in Chula Vista, CA (Eastlake), has something for everyone. There is a recreational facility with a gymnasium, soccer field, tennis courts and more plus many trails that lead through the natural landscape leading to an expansive pond.  Overlooking the Eastlake III Pond, is a community clubhouse featuring two swimming pools. There is plenty of parking on either end of the park and additional street parking in the surrounding neighborhoods as well. 

It had been several years since I had eaten at Ranchos Cocinas in North Park, San Diego and was pleasantly surprised that they have elevated their food and the experience. Since 1994, they have been serving authentic Mexican food in a cozy and welcoming space, using fresh and local ingredients.  Everything I had from the chips and salsa with additional bottles of habanero and mango salsas, to the nachos and then my main dish, a quesadilla, every flavor was unique and delicious and the presentation was beautiful. There are a lot of Mexican restaurant options in San Diego, but this is a must if you are craving the cuisine. They also have a vast selection of Vegetarian and Vegan Mexican dishes as well.

Liberty Station (formerly the Naval Training Center, San Diego, established in 1923 ), closed as a military institution in 1997 and in 2000 began transitioning into what is there today; a beautifully repurposed shopping complex that utilizes almost all the original buildings and layout.   "It’s home to stylish bars, restaurants, and boutiques, as well as Liberty Public Market, filled with gourmet eateries and shops. There are also art galleries and several small museums housed in Spanish Colonial Revival buildings. Along the waterfront, NTC Park has grassy lawns and bike paths." according to Google. There are also several coffee roasters to choose from and a Trader Joe's.  So many historical features and artifacts are still present that a walk around the grounds is a must.

According to wikipedia, "The Japanese Friendship Garden is a Japanese garden in Balboa Park in San Diego, California. It is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city Yokohama." There is quite an elaborate history starting with the first Japanese Tea Pavilion in Balboa Park that was built for the Panama–California Exposition in 1915 and operated on a site that is now located inside the San Diego Zoo until 1945.  Eventually, the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum that we see today on a different site, first opened in 1990 and was last expanded in 2015.  The grounds offer a beautiful experience immediately transporting you to Japan the second you walk through the gates. The garden is built mostly on a hillside so keep that in mind as you make your way down the meandering paths which also act as a smooth and easy transition on the way back up.   Their website boasts that the garden “...includes meticulous stone designs, calming koi ponds, delig...

Even though Yummy Sushi (also known as Yummy Coronado) has been around for the last 20 years, it wasn’t until a few months ago that I discovered this delicious all you can eat sushi option in Coronado, CA. Idyllically located across the street from the historic Hotel Del Coronado, Yummy Sushi not only offers a flavorful and fresh menu, but you can enjoy it while gazing out the window at Coronado Beach and the Pacific Ocean which is just steps away.  What I like most about this all you can eat sushi is the freshness.  They get produce from local vendors and source fresh fish daily from around the world . 

This award-winning local San Diego, CA roaster with Filipino roots, has some delicious drinks you won’t find anywhere else, such as the bibingka crème brûlée latte (inspired by a Filipino rice cake, featuring milk infused with Philippine coconut and vanilla bean). According to a May 26, 2022 article in the San Diego Union-Tribune, “Mostra was founded in 2013 by a team of four Filipino American friends…” and “Mostra, the Italian word for “performance,” sources its beans from all over the world, including the Philippines.” The baristas are friendly and take great care in creating these one-of-a-kind drinks and the space for their Hillcrest location is modern and trendy. They have four locations in San Diego county and more on the way!

In San Diego, CA there is a neighborhood called University Heights, which is located about four miles north of the downtown core.  Within this neighborhood lies four distinct historical districts, featuring homes and commercial buildings dating back as early as 1907 with various architectural styles such as Craftsman, American Colonial Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, Minimal Traditional and Ranch. The first of these districts that I have visited is the Spalding Place Historic District which consists of a few commercial buildings and about ten humble Craftsman bungalows, built between 1909 and 1912.  This narrow and unassuming street hosts a delightful collection of quality homes from the past, many of which have been nicely kept up and restored.  Spalding Place is located one block south of Adams Avenue, between Park Boulevard and Georgia Street.