April 24th, 2015 at 1:00 pm
Author: Margaret Irving
I marvel at the transformation of downtown San Diego over the last few decades. Once a stagnant, blighted urban area where few wanted to live, downtown San Diego has become a vibrant and diverse place where people live, work, shop, dine, and play. As the economy flourished in the early 2000s, the revitalization of downtown accelerated. Where vacant lots and decaying buildings once stood, residential high-rises were built that beautified our skyline and contributed to the live/work community we know today. In fact, the building boom that began in 2001 included a combination of low-, mid-, and high-rise buildings that now account for 80 percent of downtown’s residential units.
Downtown’s residential resurgence began with two pioneering low-rise condominium projects, Park Row (1983) and Marina Park (1984). Adjacent to Pantoja Park, these two communities are lushly landscaped with beautiful gardens and outdoor walkways. Next came two high-rises, the Meridian (1986), encompassing 172 elegant residential units, and Harbor Club (1992) with twin towers 41 stories high, built on downtown’s “front row”. These developments were followed by two mid-rises, Watermark (1992), and City Front Terrace (1994). An elegant beauty, Watermark is constructed of concrete and steel, unique for a mid-rise. A portion of City Front Terrace is built as part of the historic Soap Factory warehouse, 10 stories high, and all brick! All six of these communities are found in the Marina District, and within walking distance of the Horton Plaza shopping mall (1985).
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April 24th, 2015 at 9:30 am
Sand castles have gone big time. There’s “Sand Masters” on the Travel Channel, building competitions such as the Sun & Sea Festival in Imperial Beach south of San Diego, and now, thanks to a former math teacher, you can attend “sandcastle school.”
San Diegan JT Estrela came up with the idea after getting laid off from his charter school job. He looked for work at night and spent his days sculpting in the sand at a local beach. He decided to combine his love of teaching and art by showing others how to work with the grainy medium. So he cashed in his 401k, signed up his first students, and founded San Diego Sand Castles. In a very short time, his classes in Del Mar rose to No. 1 on TripAdvisor.com’s “Top 10 Things to Do in San Diego” list. He hopes to expand operations to other area beaches soon.
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April 22nd, 2015 at 5:00 pm
Image courtesy of SandiMako / Shutterstock.com
Head to Old Town San Diego for your Cinco de Mayo celebration. It’s the largest fiesta of its kind in Southern California. This annual event features three days of music, food, and fun. See a low-rider car show, equestrian performances, historical demonstrations, enjoy live music, and much more. If the weather gets too hot, head over to the Cantina Garden to enjoy a nice cold beer. If there’s a tequila connoisseur in you, don’t miss the high-end tequila-sampling area. Take a ride in a stagecoach and explore the variety of sights and sounds found in Old Town.
Where:
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
4002 Wallace St.
San Diego, CA 92110
When:
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April 21st, 2015 at 5:00 pm
Come for the sun, stay for the fun at the two-day Encinitas April Street Fair. The fair stretches for blocks, with more than 450 food, arts and crafts vendors, four entertainment stages, children’s rides, dog zone, kids zone, bike valets, and a beer garden. It’s all free for the family in Encinitas, a national award-winning Main Street and traditional Southern California beach town. NOTE: No parking on Highway 101 from D to J streets both days from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cars will be towed by law enforcement if parked in the specified area. Signage leading up to the Street Fair we be a reminder.
Where:
South Coast Highway 101 between D and J streets
Encinitas, CA 92024
When:
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April 20th, 2015 at 5:00 pm
Musical aficionados, foodies, and anyone looking for a fun and one-of-a-kind experience should check out Adams Avenue Unplugged. This event combines musical performances with the unique dining and drinking establishments that are located along a two-mile stretch on Adams Avenue in San Diego. Each establishment has its own special ambiance that will be paired with a free musical performance, and four community stages are spread evenly throughout the district. More than 150 live performances will take place during this two-day celebration of food, local culture and music, with many artists performing multiple sets to ensure you get to see all of your favorites. The KIND free trolley service will be operating during the festival, as parking is limited and the event is expansive.
Where:
Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
When:
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