Here’s a quick, fun, cheap, family activity we did today. Even though San Diego has something like 300 days of sunshine, sometimes the grey sets in and you get a little stir crazy.

Here’s the challenge:

• Head down to the Little Italy Mercato. (Every Saturday)
• Give each family member $10.
• Let each member of the family buy their own lunch with their $10. (all change goes back to dad)
• Have a picnic at Balboa Park.

I can’t speak for all the vendors, but the ones we talked to who asked what we were doing– they loved it! Our kids certainly loved discovering what they could get for $10 at a Farmers Market.

And even though it wasn’t super sunny at the park our kids had a blast!

On top of that, us parents were pleased that the kids found something they each liked, everything they picked out was locally grown or produced, and they got to blow off some steam at a great San Diego gem.

With the Pacific Ocean as it’s backdrop, the Little Italy Mercato is a picture perfect representation of the 40 plus certified farmers markets operating in San Diego County. This is one of the many free gems which make San Diego such a wonderful place to live and visit.

On a recent Saturday morning our family of four piled into the car for a downtown culinary adventure. My husband and I were on a mission to buy farm fresh ingredients for dinner. The kids grudgingly accepted the task. You’d think we were taking them to the dentist.

The Little Italy Mercato is hard to miss because it runs across three blocks. We had no problem locating free street parking right around the corner. I also noticed paid parking for $7. The atmosphere was festive as we approached to market – live music and the mingled scent of food, flowers, and herbs filled the air.

Not just a food market, the Mercato offers something for everyone. I was initially side-tracked by a display of locally made jewelry. With a little help from my family I refocused and let my nose guide me to the heart of the market, the food. Never able to turn a blind eye to food, our kids loosened up when offered samples of juicy softball-sized peaches. It should be noted that the Little Italy Mercato is a great location for selecting locally caught seafood, as well. One unusual sample my husband could not resist was live sea urchin. He’s still alive after trying this spiny wonder! He said it was tasty with the texture of an overripe peach with a hint of brine flavor.

About an hour later our mission was accomplished. We walked away with dinner and several new experiences.

The Little Italy Mercato offers a feel-good feast for the senses. Next time I’ll brave the long line for crepes made on the spot from Le Creperie. My mouth is already watering.

Sometimes there are eateries where you have to weigh the trouble of getting there and getting a table with the quality of food. El Indio fits that category. After three separate attempts to eat there we finally made it inside on a Saturday afternoon. Dial up your patience before taking a trip to this one.

El Indio is a taco shop that has reached institutional status among San Diego locals. Legendary. It is close to downtown, (just off of Washington St.) close to the airport, and has long been popular with the nightlife crowd as a great place to grab a bite before heading out. Since El Indio has been around a long time and the food has always been good, this place is mecca to San Diego residents. It’s always on the list of places to visit for those who moved away from San Diego and come back to visit.

The food: The reason there is a line out the door all day every day is the food. Trust me when I say that the hassle of finding parking and waiting in line is worth it. For a first visit I’d suggest the carne asada buritto. Amazing flavors, built-in spices, and large enough to be a meal unto itself. I don’t think I’ve had a better carne asada burrito and I use them as a measuring device for taco shops. It provides the standard by which all others are judged against. If you need traditional sides of rice and beans you’ll be satisfied with these staples but they are not noteworthy. Instead, make sure to get freshly made guacamole and chips as they are fantastic.

Getting there: If you’re from out-of-town and staying at a downtown hotel, I’d recommend getting a cab. There are several popular places on this block and the parking situation is horrible. If you are going out to El Indio before going out to the clubs you’ll want a cab anyway… so save yourself the frustration and leave the rental car in the parking lot. Other than that, expect a fast-food styled line and limited seating. There is some additional outdoor seating across the street. If it is warm you may want to consider that as well.

Overall: This little joint lives up to the hype. If your trip to San Diego is going to explore taco shops, I’d recommend starting here to get a primer for what is to come. Great flavor, fun vibe, and rock bottom prices. (A rarity in San Diego) If you’re staying in a hotel I’d highly suggest getting a bag of chips, some salsa, and fresh guacamole to keep in your hotel room. You’ll be craving this stuff in no time!

After arriving at Cabrillo and paying your entry fee, you are faced with two main choices.

#1 Tide Pools: In our house, when we say “Cabrillo” the kids scream “TIDE POOLS!” If you have kids, this has got to be on your list of places to visit. Time your visit for for low tide [click here to check tide schedule] and make your way down the monster hill to the tide pools. Once you climb down to the beach you’ll find yourself on a rocky beach peppered with dozens of tide pools. We have found the safest way to go is get the kids down by the water and have them ditch their shoes. Even if the water is cold, you’ll fall a whole lot less with no shoes on than worrying about keeping your shoes or sandal dry. From there we just follow the kids as they explore. Sometimes there is a park volunteer to help you get started and at other times there isn’t. Either way you’ll be sure to see hermit crabs, starfish, sea anemone, little fish, and even the occasional octopus. As a parent, the tide pools just amaze me as my kids hop all over the place and show me what they have discovered. We’ve been a number of times and I always come back with a full camera.

#2 The top of the hill. I’m sure there is a technical name for the rest of the park, but we just call it “the stuff up there.” (Since we always start at the tide pools.) If you are looking for a place to take the perfect vacation picture, the top of the hill is where it is at. At the very top you’ll find the lighthouse. At times you can climb to the top of the lighthouse and get the million dollar 360 degree view. On a clear day we tell the kids they can see China. As much as they squint, all they see is the horizon but we tell them that China is way, way out there. Next to the lighthouse is a museum where you can learn all about the lighthouse and how it has been used. Leaving the lighthouse, walk around the paths to the end of the point. There you will find some whale watching stations as well as a few stellar vista points for pictures. From there, head back to the parking lot and spend some time learning all about Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and the history of San Diego bay.

We’ve found that Cabrillo is a great place to start a day. Make sure you check the tide schedule before determining what time to come. If there is no marine layer, we’ve found that it’s best to come around 9 and plan on staying until lunch before the crowds build too much. It’s just enough outdoor activity to kick off a day. For a perfect (and cheap) day we like to go here before lunch, grab a bite in Point Loma, than head down to a beach to spend the afternoon.

If you don’t have kids or you’re just looking for a romantic place to watch the sunset than I’d highly suggest coming an hour or so before sunset.

Quintessential San Diego Burger Joint. That’s the phrase that comes to mind about for our families visit to Hodad’s in Ocean Beach. Our morning started off with a walk out to the end of Ocean Beach Pier and we got back just in time for lunch.

By 11:45 AM the place was packed! We waited a couple of minutes and soon found ourselves in a booth, menus in hand. As we placed our drink order we began to take in the decor. Man, this place is a place to explore! My kids counted 7 surf boards hanging from the ceiling or plastered to the wall. There are literally hundreds of license plates and beach signs plastered everywhere.The decoration even extends to the bathrooms!

A few minutes after we placed our order the food started to arrive. Seriously, lightning quick food and great servers! Three of us ordered burgers, which were great, and my son ordered a side of fries. All of us were completely full. We all felt like the fries were the highlight of what we ordered. On our next trip we will try the onion rings, we’re told they are fantastic as well. I also enjoyed a pint, which seemed to amplify the whole experience just a enough. (Great selection of beers on tap!) This is another one of those places where the experience is half the fun. We were there for an early lunch and there was an electric atmosphere.

Overall, I think Hodad’s lives up to the hype. It exceeded our high expectations! A lot of people call this one of the best burger joints in town and I have to agree. When you come make sure you leave yourself with plenty of time as there is often a line going down the street.

Are you in San Diego with your kids and looking for an unforgettable family dining experience? Chances are, if you’ve spent the day exploring Balboa Park or playing at the beach, you are in the mood for something where you don’t have to entertain the kids… that your dinner will be both entertainment and a meal.

That’s exactly the type of day our family had when we decided to go to Corvette Diner. Among the promenade of the Hillcrest neighborhood, Corvette Diner has established itself as a fun, family-friendly hang out in a neighborhood filled with eateries of every variety. Mom and dad were tired from a day of sun and surf at Coronado Beach but our kids were fired up. We wanted a quiet evening and they wanted to be entertained. Our trip to Corvette Diner was really an ode to parenthood. We did it for the kids.

The Decor

Boy were we wrong! Corvette Diner really was fun for the whole family. As we approached the building we could tell that this was going to be a blast. The swooping 1950’s curved sign let’s you know that your evening will be representing the bygone days of Dwight Eisenhower, the twist, Skinny Elvis, and all things pre-Sputnik in America. Once you finally get a table the fun continues with turquoise, black and white checkerboard patterns, rounded corners and the centerpiece… a smoking red and white Corvette. Not to devalue the staff who works here, but they are actually part of the decor as well. Waitstaff who plays the part definitely entertains the kids. The entire time we were seated my 5 year old kept his eyes on them and gave me updates. “They are crazy, they are dancing and asking other people to dance with them!” It was a much-needed distraction. As much as mom and dad were happy that the waitstaff threw straws at customers or told someone to hurry up with their order we were much more pleased that we had a chance to talk while the kids were entertained.

The Food

True to form the Corvette Diner delivers in the greasy spoon category. I should clarify, while they have tons of items covered in cheese and knee deep in calories, they also have responsible menu items for those inclined. I even spotted a few vegetarian dishes! For the sake of the children we cast our diet aside and ordered as much artery clogging goodness as we could. Monster cheeseburgers, a mountain of fries, vanilla malts, and washed it all down with a Cherry Coke that had as much cherry as Coke.

Kids entertained, stomachs full of delicious fod, we didn’t think it could get much better. Shortly after the bill arrived it did. As I was paying the tab our table was showered with bubble gum. Nothing like taking happy, jacked up on sugar kids, and making them blow bubbles with glee to warm a parents heart for the ride home. Corvette Diner may be a little too touristy for mom and dad. But it’s a great unique place in San Diego well worth checking out.

Bringing the fun of Mexico to San Diego Lucha Libre is a great little taco shop located just north of downtown San Diego in the Mission Hills neighborhood. The first thing that will smack you in the head about this place is the wrestling theme. Lucha libre, Spanish for free fighting, is a form of professional wrestling practiced in Mexico and Latin America. If you liked Jack Black’s Nacho Libre than you’ll love the decor of this place.

The Good: As far as the food goes I was completely satisfied. Gourmet tacos, great salsas, Jarritos, and the infamous TJ hotog. What is a TJ hotdog? This is an all-beef dog, wrapped in bacon and swamped in grilled onions, ketchup, mustard, and mayo. This is one of those things you just have to try when you visit. At just $1.50 it’s worth it even if you just take one bite. The thing that makes Lucha Libre truly unique is the wrestling decor. Hot pink seats, wrestling posters and movies, masks, belts, and of course an area reserved for the champion. You’ll want to bring a camera and snap some photos of your group eating the TJ hotdog here. Price wise this may be the best deal in San Diego. Specialty tacos are less than $4 each. Even the hungriest of families is going to come up at less than $10 per person.

The Bad: If success in the restaurant business is based on location, location, location, than these guys are in trouble. The shop is small, seating about 30, and parking can be an issue.  The flip side of their location is that it’s really close to the airport. When we pick up friends from out-of-town we make Lucha Libre our first stop and indoctrination into San Diego.

Lucha Libre Taco Shop

Looking for a fun activity which won’t cost a dime? How about a leisurely stroll down the longest concrete pier on the West Coast.  Ocean Beach Pier is located at the south end of Ocean Beach.  Primarily for fishing, the 43 year old pier – which extends 1,971 feet from end to end, is an excellent people watching spot as well.  As with all public piers in California, fishing is free and attracts all kinds of sportsmen, young and old.  No fishing gear?  No problem.  You can rent fishing supplies at the bait shop right on the pier (adjacent to the Ocean Beach Pier Cafe).

There is always something happening along the pier – that is, if you aren’t too busy taking in the gorgeous panoramic view of the ocean and coastline.  In one single visit I witnessed a wedding, watched on as a fisherman caught (and released) a ray, made eye contact with a hungry pelican and marveled at the skill of the surfers in the waters below.

If you venture to only one restaurant off the beaten path in San Diego, it should be Crazee Burger in North Park. Tucked into a nondescript brick building on 30th Street between El Cajon Boulevard and University Avenue is the up-and-coming wine bar recently featured on the Food Network’s Diner, Drive-ins and Dives.

I’m not sure which category Crazee Burger fits into, but we’ll call it a dive bar. Technically, chef Lothar Manz and his co-creator Wolfgang Peter Schlicht label this place a wine bar. While they seem to have a great selection of both, in my four visits I’ve never had a glass of wine or one of of the many beers on tap. Let’s face a fact… with a name like “Crazee Burger” and the media attention to the burgers I’d prefer to talk about the food than the beverage.

Now, let’s talk about the burgers. With 33 burgers to chose from chef Lothar has something for everyone. There are two basic categories. First, you have your beef hamburgers with themed toppings. My favorite is the Aloha burger. It’s a great burger topped with a pineapple ring, Teriaki sauce, and swiss cheese. Second, you’ve got the adventurous burgers. This is where the fun begins. A few of my favorites. The Santorini burger is half beef, half lamb, and topped with homemade Tsatsiki sauce. The Gator burger is grilled alligator meat topped with a sweet curry fruit topping. The thing that strikes me about this exotic burger is how sweet it is! And the Kangaroo burger. If you didn’t know it was Kangaroo you’d think it was just lean beef. What really makes this burger stand out is the great creamy horseradish sauce. All of the burgers come with a side of fries which are memorable because they are topped with Parmesan cheese.

Crazee Burger is one of those places where the enitre experience is the meal. From waiting in line and ordering from their fantastic staff at the bar, to finding a table in the tight seating area, to the uniquely local and quirky art on the walls, to one of the owners pitching in to deliver orders to tables… Crazee Burger is a 360 degree San Diego experience.

Great burgers, fun atmosphere, and nightly happy hour should escalate Crazee Burger to the top of anyone’s list of places to visit in San Diego. My only fear is that it’ll get too popular and I’ll have to wait longer for a table. Let me make one last suggestion for Crazee burger. Go with a group of friends and each order something different. When the food comes, share!