Outdoor Fun
Dinner and a Movie on the Bay
Jan. 17. Hornblower Cruises and Events takes movie night to the next level with its outdoor floating cinema series. Enjoy a viewing of Black Panther (starring beloved late actor Chadwick Boseman) from your own private, socially distanced table; while dining alfresco aboard the Sapphire Sky Deck. (Bring a jacket.) Each ticket includes a dinner entree and movie popcorn; with libations and dessert available for purchase. See website for Hornblower’s strictly enforced “SafeCruise” procedures. 6-8:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. boarding). Tickets start at $48. 1800 N. Harbor Drive, downtown, 855.253.7943. hornblower.com
Paragliding Over La Jolla
Ongoing. Glide like a bird above the majestic bluffs overlooking Torrey Pines State Beach aboard a hang glider or parasail glider. The Torrey Pines Gliderport offers tandem rides by experienced instructors daily (weather permitting). The 20-25-minute flights show off the coastal cliffs, Torrey Pines Golf Course and some of the region’s priciest real estate. (Should paragliding become a passion for you, the glider port offers a flight school where you can earn your own pilot wings to fly solo.) Tandem flights are $175. 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, 858.452.9858. flytorrey.com
Whale-Watching Kayak Tours
Ongoing. Imagine the awe of spotting a 45-ton gray whale while aboard a kayak in the calm waters of La Jolla Shores. Everyday California is offering guided, two-hour kayak tours in which chances are good such a dream will come true. (The whales migrate every winter from Alaska to the warm lagoon waters of Mexico, passing by California along the way.) The ocean-adventure company is following strict safety protocols, limiting tours to small groups and requiring face masks. See website for reservations and pricing. 2261 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla Shores, 858.454.6195. everydaycalifornia.com
Food + Drink
“Camp at Home: Back to the Fire”
Jan. 14-16. Campfire restaurant returns to its roots with this new dinner to-go experience, centered on cooking with fire. Offerings include chowder with smoked mussels, clams and bacon; coal-roasted cabbage with Taleggio cheese, shallots and persimmon; bison tenderloin with eggplant, huckleberry, chickpeas and greens; and a brown-butter blondie with green-apple Chantilly cream, pralines and salted caramel for dessert. Add-ons include cold-smoked crab timbale with fennel, citrus and avocado. The set menu changes every two weeks. Th-Sa for pickup and delivery. $42 per person. 2725 State St., Carlsbad, 760.637.5121. Order Online
New Flavors at Stella Jean’s Ice Cream
Now Available. We’re loving the new flavors at this small-batch ice cream shop: banana-and-graham-cracker-toffee, black-and-white-sesame and toasted-hazelnut-crunch. New vegan and gluten-free flavors include black-forest-cake and blood-orange-and-lemon-cookie bar. Classic flavors are also available in pints to-go, such as salty-caramel-corn and mango-sticky-rice; plus house-made waffle cones. And try the most popular flavor: ube (purple sweet yam) mixed with pandesal bread toffee. Open daily noon-9 p.m. for pickup and delivery. 4404 Park Blvd., University Heights, 619.501.8252. stellajeans.com
Winter Dishes at Cori Trattoria & Pastificio
Now Available. Congrats to this quaint trattoria, awarded “New Opening of the Year” for 2020 by Gambero Rosso—Italy’s premier rating group (similar to France’s Michelin star awards). Known for its small-batch pastas and authentic Sicilian cuisine by owner/chef Accursio Lota, Cori is the spot for winter comfort dishes. Our picks: the fritelle cacio e pepe—savory doughnuts filled with pecorino foam and black pepper; bucatini pasta with slow-braised beef and veal meatballs; and fettuccine with fennel-pork sausage, tomatoes and pecorino. Tu-Su for pickup and delivery. 2977 Upas St., North Park, 619.573.6159. coripasta.com
Winter Favorites at Pop Pie Co.
Now Available. It’s pie season year-round here. And post-holidays, Pop Pie Co. is focusing on its original creations. Our favorites include the sausage roll and savory quiches for breakfast; and the Steak & Ale pie with slow-braised beef, veggies and dark-ale gravy for dinner. The fast-casual cafe and bakery is also known for its classic chicken pot pie and the Green Hog & Cheese pie with braised pork shoulder; plus sweet pies, hand pies, craft coffee and beers on tap. Open daily 8 a.m.-8 p.m. for takeout and delivery. 4404 Park Blvd., University Heights, 619.501.4440. poppieco.com
Retail Therapy
Bad Madge & Company
Open. On the hunt for all things vintage and fabulous? This is the place. A staple of South Park since 2011, Tanya McAnear’s boutique specializes in retro and vintage fashion pieces, jewelry, furniture, home decor, art, collectibles, local San Diego designers, resale items and more. Our current crush: the solid walnut “Z chair” and ottoman—custom-made in Mexico by craftsman Jose Eguez. Be on the lookout for weekly live sales and deals. Oh, and the shop’s striking window displays, which change regularly, never disappoint. Open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 2205 Fern St., South Park, 619.285.1668. badmadge.com
Mimi & Red
Open. Ladies, this shop is just the coolest, and the clothes are the cutest. (A warning: It’s not uncommon to stop in to pick up a cute top, and then walk out an hour later with two bags loaded with fashion finds.) Offering trendy, casual-chic women’s clothing (mostly tops and dresses), accessories, books and more, Mimi & Red maintains reasonable price points (dresses average in the $40-60 range); plus regular sales, an online shop and new arrivals each week. Open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for in-store shopping and curbside pickup. 5005 Cass St., North Pacific Beach, 858.456.7933. mimiandred.com
Moniker General
Open. Craft coffee, craft beer and craft furniture? Find all three and much more at this urban-industrial cafe/lounge and retail haven with a hipster vibe. It’s the place where the cool cats (both male and female) shop. With a focus on Southern California labels, the store stocks hand-poured candles from Craft + Foster, apothecary from YIELD Design Co., and conscientious fashion pieces by Outerknown and RicherPoorer; plus custom furniture, home goods, locally handmade bags, leather accessories and more. Open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 2860 Sims Road, Liberty Station, 619.255.8772. monikergeneral.com
Photo credits: Paragliding by Susanne Neal. “Camp at Home” by Devin Castañeda. Moniker General by Natalie Warr. All other images are courtesy of the businesses and venues featured.
