Neighborhood Spotlight Archives - Page 2 of 2 - American Language Institute Blog

June 14, 2013August 9, 2018

Neighborhood Spotlight – Pacific Beach

Pacific Beach, or P.B., is an iconic beach town/neighborhood whose residents are mostly young professionals, college students, surfers, and families. It is known for its nightlife – with blocks of eateries, coffee houses, taco stands, and boutique and unique stores. The area boasts a boardwalk, Ocean Boulevard, which is around three miles long and runs beside the beach. The boardwalk is where locals and tourists cycle, stroll, rollerblade, and shop.

Which Beach to Visit

Pacific Beach
Spend time on the beach, to enjoy the sun and ocean, where swimming and surfing are separated.

Tourmaline Surfing Park
Popular with beginner surfers, this beach is for surfing only.

North Pacific Beach
More of a family beach since it tends to be less busy and quieter with lifeguard-supervised swimming areas.

What to Do

Eat and Shop
Whether it’s large portions of breakfast food, famous fish tacos for lunch, or real American burgers at dinner, eating in P.B. is easy, plentiful, and delicious.

Fish
Drop your fishing line on Crystal Pier, but bring tackle, bait, and a fishing license.

Enjoy
Watch the sun set into the Pacific Ocean.

Restaurants

Costa Brava – a tapas restaurant that brings the cuisine and culture of Spain to Pacific Beach.
Pacific Beach Fish Shop – choose your fish, marinade, and style (taco or sandwich).
PB Mika Sushi – five-dollar lunch bowls, combination bento boxes and fresh sushi
Isabel’s Cantina – fusion food with popular dishes like lettuce wraps, Buddha bowls and dragon potatoes.
Vanoos Grillette – serving both Mediterranean fair and East Coast-style sandwiches and heros.
Enoteca Adriano – a unique and casual place modeled after the Enoteca’s of Italy that are at the center of Italian culture.
Narraya – traditional Thai restaurant that has an amazing pumpkin curry.

May 15, 2012August 28, 2018

Neighborhood Spotlight – Coronado

The affluent community of Coronado has some of the best beaches and scenery in San Diego. It’s around 14 miles from San Diego State University and can be reached by car or public transportation.

Coronado is known for its picturesque setting. Pristine beaches line the whole island where beachgoers go for body boarding, surfing, tanning, and romantic walks on the beach. This year, Coronado beach was even named as the #1 beach in America by Dr. Beach due to its silvery sand and gorgeous setting. In addition to this, yacht clubs are all around the bay along with huge mansions right on the beach. And there is plenty of fine dining for every taste appeal. One can also walk down the main street for unique boutique shopping.

The famous Hotel Del Coronado where celebrities and world leaders have come and visited is right on the beach. And, there are world-class resorts and golf courses where one can have a relaxed and pampered day.

Highlights

Hotel Del Coronado is a beautiful hotel that also serves as a national historic landmark. Eleven presidents have visited the hotel as well as celebrities including Babe Ruth, Brad Pitt, and Madonna. There are even reports about the sighting of a ghost named Kate Morgan who never checked out of the hotel.

Coronado beaches have been named by the Travel Channel to have some of the best beaches in America. Three beaches worth visiting are North Beach, Central Beach, and the Shores.

Coronado Bay Bridge opened in 1967, and was awarded the “Most Beautiful Bridge” from the American Institute of Steel Construction in 1970. It cost 50-million dollars to build.

One can keep boredom away by walking along the Main Street in Coronado – there are unique boutiques to shop in as well as eateries and beautiful scenery.

Known for its beauty and wealth, Coronado means “the crowned one.” It is nicknamed The Crown City and it even has its own flag.

Popular Restaurants

Mootime Creamery is located on Orange Avenue. This famed ice cream shop has even served famous customers like Magic Johnson, Mandy Moore, and Cuba Gooding Jr.

Danny’s Palm Bar and Grill is a dive bar known for their “slamburgers,” and is known as a hotspot for Navy Seals for years.

The Hotel Del Coronado or The Del, as it is called by locals, offers several restaurants and eateries at its hotel, but the one that stands out the most is the Crown Room. Voted the best in San Diego for its Sunday brunch, make sure to bring an appetite because you will leave full.

Clayton’s Coffee Shop has a 1950s diner vibe where people love to divulge in all American delicious food.

If you’re thinking of a romantic place, the Coronado Boathouse is perfect for you. It sits right over the water where you can see beautiful views of the bay and the city.

Coronado Brewing Company is a laid-back restaurant and it knows how to please with a huge menu to accommodate everyone. If you’re over 21, try one of their handcrafted beers.

September 15, 2011August 28, 2018

Neighborhood Spotlight – University Heights

The small community called University Heights is located eight miles west of San Diego State University and can be easily reached by car or public transportation.

University Heights is known for having an excellent selection of places to eat that offer diverse menus, many types of decorations and intimate settings. It also has many coffee shops, gift and clothing stores, custom furniture makers, woodworkers, and hair stylists. The main street through town is Park Boulevard, which includes the University Heights sign as well as many of the restaurants, bars and shops in the area

More features in the area include a number of churches, grammar schools, a school of the arts and a library. Although this is very much a business area, it is also casual as you will see lots of people walking the streets and even starting conversations with each other. Among the things to see and do are: Trolley Barn Park, the destination of San Diego’s first trolley line; the University Arts Open and Taste of University Heights; the Concert in the Park Series; and the “Ostrich on the Roof” that shows which way the wind is blowing. Find out more at the University Heights Community Association or University Heights Community Development Corporation.

Highlights

The Trolley Car Gate – Located at the corner of Park and Meade, you’ll see the replica of the trolley car in the artwork of the gate if you stand back.

The Neighborhood Castle – Famous San Diego sportswriter Jack Murphy lived in this home that looks like a castle.

The Dog That’s Always on Watch – On Park Boulevard, near Meade, there’s a dog who is always watching who’s going by.

The Highest Flag in the Neighborhood – This flag flies all of the time on top of an antenna on Golden Gate Drive.

University Heights Elephants – Two ceramic elephants watch over the entrance to a home on Meade and Florida.

Popular Restaurants

Parkhouse Eatery – Known for its big portions of food, this establishment features three casually romantic seating areas.

Soltan Banoo – This restaurant features eclectic Persian cuisine.

Muzita Abyssinian Bistro – This is food and African hospitality at its best in a unique environment.

Loving Hut – This is a vegan (vegetarian) restaurant with many menu items.

Circa Restaurant – Serves rustic, slow-cooked California comfort food paired with craft beers and great wines.

Grains – San Diego’s new fully vegan vegetarian restaurant in the space formerly occupied by Adams Avenue Grill.

El Zarape Taco Shop – This very popular place includes a great selection of Mexican food and is known for its lobster burritos and fish tacos.

Lestats on Park – This coffee shop is a great place to study, is open 24 hours a day and has free WiFi as well as a nice selection of coffee, pastries, and sandwiches.