Fans of Coastal San Diego is Relocating

No doubt you have noticed I have not been including much information here recently. I am STILL a huge fan of San Diego but with my business and keeping up my other blogs it has gotten to be too difficult to continue to post here regularly, and I have been trying to consolidate some on-line activity.

I have been writing a lot on my ActiveRain blog and include lots of information there about Carlsbad and San Diego in general. So going forward I will be posting my Fans of Coastal San Diego stuff there. Please feel free to stop by and visit Carlsbad Homes And Real Estate Tidbits.

You may also be interested in my Carlsbad Video and Photobloggery. This is ONLY photos and videos about North Coast San Diego - no articles at all. If you have photos you would like to share, please fee free to send them along to me at JDowler@remax.net. I am happy to post them, anonymously if you wish.

More Good Stuff from the San Diego Rep Theatre

I enjoy going to the theatre and, in particular, like the productions by the San Diego Rep.

I recently had the opportunity to see two more of their shows as part of our season tickets.

Ain't Misbehavin' was a wonderful musical production featuring music by the famed Fats Waller. Lots of singing talent in the 4 stars of this show that has been around for years.

More recently I enjoyed the comedy The Bible: The Complete Word of God. The show was lots of fun, with some great comedy, terrific lines (not all, but most), humorous songs, and lots of poking fun at the Bible. We saw the show on the second night and the actors were still getting their feet wet. There were a few goofs, but all in all it was well worth the time and filled with lots of laughs. Worth going to see...and you still have time to get tickets before their next production Sweet Sixteen.

If you haven't been to the Rep, you are missing some great talent and well done theatre. And ticket prices are very reasonable.

San Diego Area Fairs and Festivals

I'm partial to Carlsbad because I live here, but San Diego has multiple fairs and festivals in the next couple of months to attend, probably more than one can reasonably expect to visit, and many of them are FREE. These outdoor fairs and festivals cover music, film, theatre, arts and crafts, food and much more. Here's a PARTIAL list of the things I discovered - I won't tell you that this is complete but it provides a pretty good range of things to do in different towns.

CARLSBAD
August, 31, September 7 and 14 - movies begin at sunset
Friday Night Film Festival at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park. Visit Carlsbad Connect for more information and schedule.

September 22 and 23 - 10 am - 6 pm (SAT), 10 am - 5 pm (SUN)
5th Annual ART SPLASH. Includes Taste of Carlsbad on Saturday, Fern Circus on Sunday. Amazing chalk art, sand sculpture, hands-on stone stacking, among other activities and learning opportunities. Fine arts and crafts, plenty of food, great ocean views. FREE.

September 22
11th Annual Taste of Carlsbad, at Armada Drive in Carlsbad just north of Palomar Airport Road held in conjunction with Art Splash

ENCINITAS
September 15 - 8 am to 3 pm
28th Annual Wavecrest Woodie Meet,Moonlight Beach - the biggest woodie meet in the world, 250-300 woodies, food, entertainment

September 23 - 10 am - 5 PM
13th Annual Encinitas Heritage Oktoberfest, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, at Mountain Vista and El Camino Real (6 blocks), 200 craft booths, food (German picnic BBQ), Bavarian bands, dancers, and a sweepstakes drawing for a trip to Germany.

ESCONDIDO
October 21 - 9 am - 5 pm
California's second largest street fair, at Grand Avenue between Centre City and Ivy. 700 vendor booths, international food, farmer's market.

October 27 and 28, and November 3 and 7th - 10 am to 6 pm
7th Annual Fall Renaissance Faire and Shakespeare in the Park Festival, at Felicita Park. 1000 costumed folks participate in a range of activities. Fee is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (62+), $7 for children 11 and under (4 and under FREE). West of I-15, exit Via Rancho, west to Felicita Road then follow signs.

JULIAN
September 15 and 16 - 9 am - 6 pm SAT, 9 am - 4 pm SUN
37th Annual Bluegrass Festival, in Frank Lane Park (2645 Farmer's Road) in the Cuyamaca Mountains. Tickets are $15 (purchase from Chamber of Commerce, at the festival or on-line). Music, workshops, instrument petting zoo, art vendors and live jam session.

September 1 - 11 am - 7 pm
Julian Grape Stomp Fest (fund raiser for the Julian Chamber of Commerce) at the Menghini Winery, 1150 Orchards Drive. Italian music, bocci ball, dancing, wine tasting, foods and crafts.
Tickets at $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 - 12.
SAN MARCOS
October 7 - 10 am - 4 pm
10th Annual ALIVE Street Fair at the San Marcos Civic Center, corner of Mission and San Marcos Boulevard. 20 art projects to participate in, meet artists, art show, food court, dancers, live bands, magicians, baton twirlers, carnival with games, clowns, face painting and more. Call 760-744-9000 for information

OCEANSIDE
September 15 and 16 - 9 am - 6 pm
Annual Oceanside Harbor Days with fishing derby, lots of food, music, arts and crafts, sailing competition (Mayor's Cup Regatta with sailing enthusiasts from all over the county)

October 28 - 10 am to 4 pm
Dia de los Muertos Festival, downtown Oceanside is transformed into a Mexican festival - music,dancing, food, retail Mercado, Chalk Cemetery, craft area, street entertainers and more.

VISTA
September 20 - 10 am to 4 pm
Vista Family Fun Fest, downtown Vista 1 block from Krikorian Theatre near corner of Vista Village Drive and Santa Fe Avenue. Food court, live music, entertainment, children's area and 120 vendors (arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing and local business services).

LA JOLLA
September 27 - 5 pm - 9 pm
La Jolla Gallery and Wine Walk, self-guided tour of 25+ galleries with wine tasting (register by 5pm, 21+ only) and specialities from more than 12 of La Jolla's finest restaurants. Tickets are $30 and benefit Promote La Jolla (tickets are limited).

SAN DIEGO
September 22 and 23
STREET SCENE 2007 (originally in the Gas Lamp District starting in 1984), now at COORS Auditorium, in cooperation with Live Nation music company. One of the top urban music festivals in the country with more than 40 groups, vaudeville acts, interactive processions, comedy stage and more. Tickets start at $120 for both days.

MIRAMAR (San Diego)
October 12 - 14 from 9:30 am to 4 pm; 5:30 - 9 pm on Oct. 13
Miramar Military Air Show - the world's largest air show, for more than 50 years, at MCAS Miramar off the 805(Miramar Road and La Jolla Village Drive exit)

Want to know more about what's happening in North County San Diego? Check out Hot in North County.

Indigo Grill in San Diego's Little Italy

The Indigo Grill in the Little Italy section of San Diego is a real find, in my opinion. I have eaten there a number of times and just had dinner again this past Friday. I decided it was time to write a bit more about this terrific restaurant.

Indigo Grill features the creative cuisine of one of San Diego's better known chefs, Deborah Scott (the restaurant is part of the Cohn group of restaurants that also includes favorites like Island Prime and Kemo Sabe). With a vibrant, eclectic, upscale atmosphere and indoor and outdoor dining, this is a terrific place to gather after work or on the weekend after touring around Little Italy.

This place is NOT for the faint of appetite, as the servings are VERY GENEROUS. I mean it. Unless you have a huge appetite I expect you will find that having both an appetizer and an entree will do you in (or you will have a snack to take home for the next day). And if you like fairly straightforward, uncreative dishes this may be an overload for you.

Don't let that keep you away, as the creative, flavorful, exotic food with tastes "from the artic region to the South of Mexico" (quote from their website) is a winner. I would say Deborah Scott is a master of combining foods, seasonings and presentation on beautiful dishes to provide you with an all-around delicious and visually-appealing dining experience.

We (a party of 4) enjoyed the Pipian Crusted Brie with jalopeno jelly, scallion flatbread, mole negro, honey-roasted garlic and grilled nopales. The trout dish a friend had was outstanding, as was the salmon. I had the wild mushroom ravioli for my entree and it was excellent.

Sitting outdoors, especially when the weather is warm, is nice. But keep in mind you are on a city street corner so there is some noise. But quite frankly I can't say it bothers me much.

So check it out - I'd be curious to hear what you think.