JSix Restaurant at the Hotel Solamar in the Gaslamp District of San Diego provides an outstanding dining experience. San Francisco trained Chef Christian Graves oversees everything on the menu from the baking of the bread to the in-house curing of the meats. He even makes his own vinegar and dabbles in cheesemaking. “We find a cool ingredient and find a way to make it approachable,” he said. The tomatoes in the Farmer’s Market Tomato Salad tasted like they could have been picked that afternoon, with flavor I remember tomatoes having when I was growing up in the midwest. It matched perfectly with the housemade salami and cured meats from the Charcuterie Plate. I have since enjoyed pleasant dreams about the olive tray, with a variety of olives drizzled with olive oil, salt, and lemon peel. The smoked Rouge River blue cheese paired perfectly with the Grilled Niman Ranch Flat Iron Steak. JSix is a terrific stop for anyone near the San Diego area, perfectly located near the Convention Center, the baseball stadium, and the entertainment of the Gaslamp District. The Solamar Hotel is an excellent location to stay as well.

http://www.jsixsandiego.com/

http://www.hotelsolamar.com/

I love a good piece of pie. Peach, blueberry, apple, ginger pear… I love them all. Sitting back with a good piece of pie and a cup of coffee is a treat to be savored. A great place to take part in this tasty tradition is at Mission Pie in the Mission District of San Francisco. Staying true to the San Francisco Food culture, the delights found at Mission Pie are all part of a grass roots collaborative effort between local farmers, educational programs, and community. The ingredients grow at the non-profit Pie Ranch, one hour south of San Francisco. The ranch is farmed by urban teenagers inspired to learn about the relationshsip between the land and developing healthy local food systems. They plant wheat for pie crusts, harvest berries, raise chickens for eggs, and raise bees for honey. The ranch inspired the Pie Shop, which opened in January, 2007. Their success was so great that they expanded in the summer of 2008. When you are in San Francisco, Mission Pie is worth the detour for a piece (or two) of pie made from local, fresh ingredients. Mission Pie is located at 2901 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110. Go ahead…go eat your pie!

http://missionpie.com/

http://www.pieranch.org/

If you are looking for charm, atmosphere, and outstanding food, head to La Dolce Vita Ristorante in the Heritage Square section of Oxnard, California. Oxnard is located 60 miles north of Los Angeles and provides crashing waves on the beach, plenty of fresh market produce and sunshine. The restaurant offers fantastic Mediterranean fusion cuisine including Grilled Vegetable Ravioli, Seafood Risotto, and Linguine a la Bolognese. Italian Pot Roast and Gorgonzola stuffed pork loin also make an appearance. All if these are partnered with excellent wines. The building is located in Oxnard’s Heritage Square, an area of town committed to preserving the historical and architectural uniqueness of turn-of-the-century Oxnard. The restaurant was originally built in 1901 and still has the original drawstring windows. The main floor serves as a restaurant. Upstairs provides a setting for larger groups with areas for dining, dancing, and a buffet. The lower level cocktail lounge has cozy leather couches surrounding a fireplace near a stage for entertainment and a large TV for sporting events. The outdoor patio provides a great place to enjoy the weather. Saturday night concerts in the Square keep the place hopping. Owner and Executive Chef Michelle Kenney recently released a cookbook called “La Dolce Vita – Recipes for Living the Sweet Life.” She also provides cooking classes. Go and enjoy a depth of flavors and experiences!

http://www.ladolcevitadimare.com/

http://www.oxnardtourism.com/

San Francisco presents the world with a multitude of activities from Fisherman’s Wharf to the Golden Gate Bridge. One of the most popular activities takes no money and very little effort. Watching the sea lions at Pier 39  captivates young and old. The sea lions, or sea-lebrities, have been hanging out at Pier 39 since 1990, shortly after the 1989 earthquake. They sleep on the docks, having taken over the pier from the boatowners. They nudge each other around on the docks and bark at one another, causing gales of laughter from the crowd. It is illegal to feed or taunt the sea lions. However, the seagulls will be happy to disarm you of your popcorn, cotton candy, or ice cream cone. During the winter, the sea lion populaton can increase to 900. During the summer the sea lions migrate to the Channel Islands. While Pier 39 has many shops and attractions, the sea lions are what you will remember.

http://www.pier39.com

http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/