North Coast Current — 7 lucky sights in an unlucky economy

By Lauren Ciallella

SRF gardens (Encinitas) — About 20 pounds of stress lift off the shoulders and a sense of calm is inhaled, along with a mild, floral bouquet and smell of fresh rain. The soothing aura was probably part of the draw back when the Self Realization Fellowship (SRF) built their temple here in the 1930’s, an obvious choice for a spiritual haven with cliff-side views overlooking the Pacific and immaculate landscaping of plant-life ripped straight from the pages of Alice in Wonderland (including sprawling iridescent flora and rubbery, spider-shaped grass.) Coy ponds and a babbling brook complete the Zen appeal for moments of inward reflection and countless nooks (there must be about 80 benches) offer a silent retreat when slipping away into the mind or just reveling in nature’s ability to keep you guessing. FREE

Beach House (Encinitas) — All that self-searching can make you hungry and about three minutes from the SRF gardens is a restaurant where your neighboring tables are the jetty rocks. Keep it cheap and go for happy hour where the Bloody Mary (topped off with a jumbo shrimp and peppercini) is $3.75 and a sunset special has Maine lobster tail with mashed potatoes for $19.99, but brunch takes the cake. Test the waters with maple sausage benedict, topped with crispy onions and hollandaise over a buttermilk biscuit ($11.95) or some filet mignon hash with bacon, eggs, avocado and cheddar ($15.95.) Both arrive with champagne, fruit and pastries. There is a $3-4 valet charge, but dining with King Neptune is worth a few extra bucks.

Flower Fields (Carlsbad) — Picture the scene from the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy falls knee-deep into the poppy fields of poisoned petals, but there is no sleeping potion in these evenly laid blossoms of living art. Multiple shades reach the horizon and engulf its patrons in something beautiful and rare- a 3-D visual of the color wheel. Wagon rides tote tour groups throughout the farm and a maze made of flowering vines wraps itself around a small patch of property. It’s a short lived phenomenon (late April- early June) that deserves a quick peek. $10 adults/ $5 children entry ($5 adult/$3 child wagon rides.)

Torrey Pines State Reserve (Del Mar) — It’s so much more than just your average state park. Surround-sound of the ocean’s gentle lapping and a seemingly never-ending coastline make you realize that this is what Southern California is all about. Knotted trees and underbrush stand out against the reflective sea and worn, sandy hills bear wounds from years of wind. Trails lace around the mountain and wind out to the cliff’s edge for an overlook of waves, while others face inland for an almost aerial view off nature’s high-rise. $8 per car.

Fiesta del Sol (Solana Beach) – This festival turns 30 this year (June 6 and 7th at Fletcher Cove) and is known as a family affair that offers something for all age groups, from arts and crafts to beer gardens and live music. Along with rejoicing in the summer season and having yet another reason to have fun in the sun, it celebrates community and appreciation for the city. FREE

Belly Up Tavern (Solana Beach) — This barn shaped bar is known as one of San Diego’s premiere venues for booking some of the best bands around. Whether it’s old school crooners or 20-somethings on the rise, they always seem to choose talent that can get the crowd rocking. The petite nature of this establishment only adds to the sense that this is some oversized house party. Tickets can get a little pricy with bigger acts, but their Friday happy hour gets you in to hear tunes for only $5. There isn’t much leeway on the drink prices, but listening to “the next big thing” while chatting up groovey, jammer kids in the crowd will keep you coming back. $5 happy hour.

Jazz in the Park (Carlsbad) — Friday nights have a smoother side under the stars at Stagecoach Park. Here music lovers snap away to the instrumental charge that hangs heavy in the air, where wavering vocals drone in and out like a bee’s buzz and bring the lazy, heady haze that only summer can evoke. FREE

Lauren Ciallella is a San Diego freelance writer

Send us your cheap summer-fun suggestions to post throughout the season:


		>> HOME



	SUMMER 2009 (0 comments)

	7 lucky sights in an unlucky economy

	Music, nature, cuisine among North Coast things to enjoy

	By Lauren Ciallella SRF gardens (Encinitas) — About 20 pounds of stress lift off the shoulders and a sense of calm is inhaled, along with a mild, floral bouquet and smell of fresh rain. The soothing aura was probably part of the draw back when the Self Realization Fellowship (SRF) built their temple here in the 1930’s, an obvious choice for a spiritual haven with cliff-side views overlooking the Pacific and immaculate landscaping of plant-life ripped straight from the pages of Alice in Wonderland (including sprawling iridescent flora and rubbery, spider-shaped grass.) Coy ponds and a babbling brook complete the Zen appeal for moments of inward reflection and countless nooks (there must be about 80 benches) offer a silent retreat when slipping away into the mind or just reveling in nature’s ability to keep you guessing. FREE Beach House (Encinitas) — All that self-searching can make you hungry and about three minutes from the SRF gardens is a restaurant where your neighboring tables are the jetty rocks. Keep it cheap and go for happy hour where the Bloody Mary (topped off with a jumbo shrimp and peppercini) is $3.75 and a sunset special has Maine lobster tail with mashed potatoes for $19.99, but brunch takes the cake. Test the waters with maple sausage benedict, topped with crispy onions and hollandaise over a buttermilk biscuit ($11.95) or some filet mignon hash with bacon, eggs, avocado and cheddar ($15.95.) Both arrive with champagne, fruit and pastries. There is a $3-4 valet charge, but dining with King Neptune is worth a few extra bucks. Flower Fields (Carlsbad) — Picture the scene from the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy falls knee-deep into the poppy fields of poisoned petals, but there is no sleeping potion in these evenly laid blossoms of living art. Multiple shades reach the horizon and engulf its patrons in something beautiful and rare- a 3-D visual of the color wheel. Wagon rides tote tour groups throughout the farm and a maze made of flowering vines wraps itself around a small patch of property. It’s a short lived phenomenon (late April- early June) that deserves a quick peek. $10 adults/ $5 children entry ($5 adult/$3 child wagon rides.) Torrey Pines State Reserve (Del Mar) — It’s so much more than just your average state park. Surround-sound of the ocean’s gentle lapping and a seemingly never-ending coastline make you realize that this is what Southern California is all about. Knotted trees and underbrush stand out against the reflective sea and worn, sandy hills bear wounds from years of wind. Trails lace around the mountain and wind out to the cliff’s edge for an overlook of waves, while others face inland for an almost aerial view off nature’s high-rise. $8 per car. Fiesta del Sol (Solana Beach) – This festival turns 30 this year (June 6 and 7th at Fletcher Cove) and is known as a family affair that offers something for all age groups, from arts and crafts to beer gardens and live music. Along with rejoicing in the summer season and having yet another reason to have fun in the sun, it celebrates community and appreciation for the city. FREE Belly Up Tavern (Solana Beach) — This barn shaped bar is known as one of San Diego’s premiere venues for booking some of the best bands around. Whether it’s old school crooners or 20-somethings on the rise, they always seem to choose talent that can get the crowd rocking. The petite nature of this establishment only adds to the sense that this is some oversized house party. Tickets can get a little pricy with bigger acts, but their Friday happy hour gets you in to hear tunes for only $5. There isn’t much leeway on the drink prices, but listening to “the next big thing” while chatting up groovey, jammer kids in the crowd will keep you coming back. $5 happy hour. Jazz in the Park (Carlsbad) — Friday nights have a smoother side under the stars at Stagecoach Park. Here music lovers snap away to the instrumental charge that hangs heavy in the air, where wavering vocals drone in and out like a bee’s buzz and bring the lazy, heady haze that only summer can evoke. FREE Lauren Ciallella is a San Diego freelance writer Send us your cheap summer-fun suggestions to post throughout the season: >> COMMENT (include topic in subject line)



	North Coast Current: Entire contents Copyright 2009 Reproduction without permission is prohibited