The atmosphere at the racetrack was cyclical.  Everyone would be very calm and talkative before the race began, but as soon as the race started, the quiet set in, all the way up until the horses made their turn around the final stretch.  Once the horses were in this final stretch the excitement within the crowd became palpable, voices raised, and everyone ( I mean everyone) in the crowd began voicing their choice for the horse they wanted to win.  Watching the horses complete their circuit around the track was impressive, but I have to say that I was most interested in watching the ambulance chase the racers around the track – seeing the ambulance haul around corners at 40-50 mph was absolutely priceless.

I really wish I had been with someone at the track that knew about betting on horses, because I think it would have really enhanced my experience.  My husband and I would each pick a horse we wanted to win prior to the race beginning, but of course they never won, and we never worked up the courage to go and place any money on the horses; we just could not justify waiting in line to place a bet on a horse based on their name alone.

The microbrew festival was mediocre at best.  The ‘festival’ consisted of two sections offering different, local beers, each housed under a series of about 5 small tents.  Under the tents, the beer servers pumped beers from small kegs housed in coolers on ice, which were not labeled or described other than the small sticker on the beer pump.  None of the associates I spoke to seemed to know much about the beers that were being offered, and if you wanted to have a taste of the beer to make sure you would like it, you were required to purchase a $3 sampler cup.  I opted to go with a Wind-n-Sea wheat from Karl Strauss, which was tasty, but for $8 I would have chosen a colder, domestic beer any day.

I watched a few more races, spun the wheel of prizes offered by the radio station 91X, and wandered around the infield area aimlessly for awhile – which was when I found the other, abandoned, microbrew festival tent, along with some die-hard Devo fans camped out in front of the stage.  I did try to make it until the Devo concert, but without a seat to watch the races from, and food/drink prices being in the moderate to high-priced range for the offerings, the novelty of the races wore off rather quickly and I was on the road home at about 5:30 pm.

I would recommend the races as a day trip for visitors to San Diego, but do not plan on spending a whole day here unless you are with someone who knows about horse betting. If you want to have a few beers and a meal while you are at the races, expect to spend $30-40 per person in addition to admission.  Also make sure to bring a hat and wear lots of suncreen, it gets really hot next to the track!

Carnitas often attracts quite a crowd, and I would suggest going between lunch and dinner to avoid the wait and tight seating. The staff here is always friendly, offering drinks to patrons waiting to be seated, and always making sure you have everything you need. You can really tell that this family cares about service, and it shows in the quality of their culinary offerings.

It is almost obligatory to order the carnitas during your visit to this restaurant, and they can be ordered catered to how many people are in your party. If you are with a large group I would suggest going one or two people less than you actually have, unless you plan on going home with pounds of leftovers. We have always gotten an order of carnitas for two and split them in addition to getting our own plate meals – as you can see, we are fans of leftovers. You really can not go wrong with any of the plate lunches or dinners, but my personal favorite is the carne asada. The thin, marinated steak is perfectly cooked and comes with rice, beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, and guacamole to make your own tortillas.

Address:
8035 Broadway
Lemon Grove, CA 91945
(619) 462-0704
Look for the big pig!

If you want to get the full experience, I recommend calling at least 24 hours in advance and reserving the gold booth for your Lucha Libre taco adventure. The booth is outfitted with gold silverware, gold plated glasses, golden plates and over-the-top decor is sure to please even the most selective guest. You can not help but to enjoy yourself when surrounded by such amusing and luxurious settings; this place is both a visual and gastric delight.

Now for the food, I am pretty sure you can not go wrong with anything on the Lucha Libre menu. In accordance with the Lucha Libre theme, each menu item is related to some type of wrestling terminology. During my first visit we had the DDT Loaded Baked Potato, which is one very large baked potato topped with marinated steak, shrimp, bacon, mushrooms, cheese and chipotle sauce. This monster potato was large enough to feed both my husband and I, and very reasonably priced at $6.25. The DDT was absolutely outstanding, a fine steakhouse could charge $20 for this dish easily.

Other dishes to try are the TJ Dogs, which are Tijuana-style hot dogs wrapped in bacon and topped with ketchup, mustard, mayo and grilled onion – a real TJ original. The Veggie Quesadillas are a great vegetarian choice, and also a great way to sample all of the wonderful salsas they make on site at the restaurant. You also have the option to make any meal a “Pro Meal”, and for $2.50 more you get a regular drink (free refills), rice and beans, although I would really only recommend this option to champion eaters and those who enjoy leftovers; a burrito itself is large enough to feed two people.

If you want to pay a visit to Tijuana without having to deal with the hassle of crossing the border than the Spring Valley Swap meet is the place for you! Held every Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 am and winding down around 3:00 pm, you can find the best and worst of items found across the border. Admission is $1, and I believe that is for everyone of all ages, but I am not positive The swap meet is located at 6377 Quarry Rd Spring Valley, CA 91977, right off of the 125 freeway, near where the 125 and 54 converge in Spring Valley.

One entire side of this huge flea market is dedicated to private sellers bringing in their yard sale items by the truckload. This is usually where you can find the best deals, as these vendors, for the most part, just want to get rid of items they no longer use. In addition to a wide, varied selection of used items, this out door bazaar also has a few hundred regular merchants selling new items ranging from kitchen appliances, mattresses, Converse shoes, tools, clothing and much, much more. Be prepared to haggle when you visit the swap meet, it will help you get a better price on any item you may have your eye on, and the sellers do not mind negotiating prices.

I know people who swear by this place so much that, not only will they arrive at 6 am to be sure they can go around to spot the best deals, they will purchase all of their Christmas gifts at the swap meet. I really can not express enough the vast, and eclectic amounts of merchandise available for sale at this converted parking lot flea market in Spring Valley. Some of my favorite vendors include the stand with a wide array of lawn ornaments (the giant hamburger one is a real classic), $1 stand, cheap sunglasses man, and the “Made for TV” demo station – I have had the pleasure of catching a few outstanding karaoke performances at this one.

Then there is the food, like most local weekend markets, the Spring Valley flea market has no shortage of food stands. This is where you can really get a taste of authentic Tijuana cuisine without actually crossing the border and seeking out a street vendor. There is a great Chinese food truck located central to the market, as well as a wonderful ice cream stand toward the south side of the market. Try to stay away from the typical hot dogs and french fries and try some of the unique offerings at the sale.

If you have never been to the market there are two items I strongly recommend you try – Tostilocos and Horchata. Horchata is rice-based beverage that contains flavors of vanilla, cinnamon and sugar. You will find it kept in large jugs on ice and when ordered it will be ladled into your cup with a large serving scoop; this beverage is typical of Mexican aguas frescas. Tostilocos are also traditional Mexican fare, usually eaten as a snack, and considered to be a street food. Tostilocos are really unlike anything I have tried before, and while the ingredients may sound appallingly strange, they mix together quite nicely; I have included the ingredients below for anyone that may be interested

Tostilocos:

• 1 cut open bag Salsa Verde Tostitos
• Jicama
• Lime juice squeezed over top
• Salt and Cayenne Pepper
• Tamarind (very, very sour fruit)
• Fried Peanuts, Japanese Peanuts
• Cucumber
• Chamoy (hot sauce, kind of sugary)
• Salsa Picante

Here is what they look like:

Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for seniors ages 62 and older, as well as children ages 6 to 12; kids under 6 are free. Tickets may be purchased at the fair gates as well as a number of local merchants like Ralph’s supermarket. Tickets for the nightly concert series are sold both at the gate and via ticketmaster, it is wise to use ticketmaster for tickets if you expect a show will sell out prior to the concert date. The fair holds a “dollar day” each year, usually on a Tuesday, and fair admission is $1 for everyone when you pre-purchase a dollar day ticket at Ralph’s market. Parking is an additional fee of $9 per car and $15 for a motorhome/RV. Remember that if you want to leave the park and come back later in the day that you will need to pay for parking again upon return. Free parking is available at a number of off-site lots which require transportation to the fairgrounds via a shuttle bus.

The San Diego County Fair has something to offer everyone. For the thrill seekers there is a number of rides and carnival games with which you can test your luck. Each of the fairground exhibit halls is filled with competition entries relevant to the particular year’s theme as well at hundreds of merchants selling their wares. The halls are filled with vendors selling everything from pottery to exercise equipment, and it can be a great place to try out a new product or get a tasty sample of a food you have been meaning to try.

There are also a number of contests and competitive events going on within the halls which are on display for fair visitors. While these change slightly from year to year depending on the theme, you can expect to see contests dealing with art, beer, wine, digital arts, wood design, flower and garden show, gems, minerals, jewelry, hobby, kids’ best, photography, livestock and a number of student exhibits. There are also live competitions daily featuring singing, dancing and oratorical abilities. Check the schedule for your particular day’s visit to see what is going on.

The San Diego Fair is a foodie’s heaven, and there are way too many food stands to just stop at one. My advice, go with a group and each share a bunch of different items, that way you can really get a taste of the fair without completing stuffing yourself and preventing yourself from enjoying the rides and other attractions. My fair favorites are the funnel cake, italian sausage with peppers and australian potatoes with ranch and cheese (these are a french fry lover’s dream). For beer drinkers there is also a beer garden centrally located within the fair that offers a number of local microbrews; there are a few special days when a wristband is available for purchase and enables you to unlimited taste testing.

Happy hour is Monday-Friday from 5:30 to 7 and they offer .99 cent sake, a large Sapporo and sake for $5.95 and half price hand rolls. In addition to happy hour specials, Sushi Deli also has a monthly special which is a pairing of a few different rolls for $10-$12; this is a great way to try out some new rolls you may not have had/heard of before.

A party of two can eat very well for $20 at Sushi Deli 1 and 2. For $20 you will be able to get 4-5 rolls, or 2-3 rolls and some drinks, and do not forget the complimentary edamame appetizer served with every meal. You can find their menu here – Sushi Deli Too Menu Their fish is consistently fresh, and they also offer a number of non-sushi dishes including udon noodles, dumplings, mussels, calamari, a number of tempura choices and bento boxes. The food here is always delicious, and has great value for the price; I eat here a few times per month and have never been disappointed with the quality of food.

Now for the downside, Sushi Deli One and Two are very popular restaurants and seating is at a premium at both of these extremely tiny establishments. Be prepared to wait awhile if you do not get there exactly at 5 pm. There is usually a long waiting list, but you will have better luck getting seated if you do not select a preference of sushi bar or table. The service at Sushi Deli is also often a lot less than could be desired. I am not sure if this is due to the amount of volume coming in and out of the restaurant or if they have a policy of only hiring unhappy people, but it is a rare night indeed when I find myself with a friendly server. So if you are willing to make due with mediocre service and a possible wait in trade for excellent sushi at an affordable price, Sushi Deli is a good choice for you, otherwise you may just want to stop at the sushi counter at your local Henry’s for from fast, fresh and cheap sushi takeout.

My picks for Sushi Deli I and Sushi Deli II -

• Appetizer – Fried Gyoza

• Hand Roll – Mexican

• Roll – Hot Hot Spider Roll

• Combo – Samurai

• Bento – Vegetarian Bento

There are a number of non-food vendors that frequent the market each week including merchants selling tapestries, clothing made with organic cottons, art, flowers, children’s items, books, fine gems, rugs – pretty much anything you can think of. The other half of the market is comprised of merchants selling food items, they have everything from local, organically grown produce to beef jerky. Here is a list of my favorite OB Market food stands:

• Carne Asada Street Tacos – a MUST for anyone looking to sample authentic Tijuana-style tacos
• Baba Foods – offers a number pre-made of greek dishes, including any hummus flavor under the sun, my personal pick is the Spicy Black Bean
• Argentian Cuisine – homemade empanadas cooked right there on the spot, try the corn empanada if it is available (flavors change weekly)
• Sambussas – has a number of African specialty dishes, the sambussas are a must (similar to a filled, fried dumpling) and my picks are the chicken curry and spinach (this stand often sells out quickly so make sure to seek them out early)
• Kebabsitan – fresh kebobs made to order on a large, outdoor grill

The best day of the week to visit Balboa Park is Tuesdays. Every Tuesday of the month, a different set of 4 to 6 museum offers free admission; donations are accepted. This is a great way to experience Balboa Park because your day’s itinerary is already planned out for you. The featured museums are often located in all areas of the park, allowing you the time to admire all of the Spanish architecture and beautiful landscapes. Plan to spend an entire day in the park, and get there early, as some of the museums close as early as 3 pm.

UPDATE – Sometime in the past few years they have changed Free Tuesdays to only be available to people with proper ID that can show proof of residency here in San Diego County

Even if you are unable to visit the park on a Tuesday, there are still many exhibits and gardens that are free every day of the week. The Botanical Garden, located at the end of the large Koi pond near the Visitor Information Center is always open at no cost and showcases a variety of indigenous plants and flowers. The Koi pond also located adjacent to the Timken Museum of Art, which is always free. You can also purchase a passport that will grant you access to all of the museums for $39 for adults and $21 for children, and is valid for 7 consecutive days. The Balboa Park Passport will grant you access to all of the park museums, with the exception of any special exhibitions for which an additional fee may be required. If a trip to the San Diego Zoo is also in your travel plans, a Passport including zoo admission can be purchased for $65 for adults and $36 for children.

A walk through the inter-tidal zone is a must for anyone who visits this recreation area. During the winter months is the best time to go and see all types of marine life – in the mornings during low tide; the park also has staff on duty throughout the day during the months from November-February. A walk through the lighthouse and keepers’ quarters is also a memorable experience, you can really get a feel for what this area was like during the 1880s when it was starting to become a busy port city. The Cabrillo Monument also offer various exhibits and educational movies within the visitors center, but we did our own self-guided walking tour and did not go to these other areas – mostly because they were so crowded by school children taking field trips.

My advice – go to the tide pools in the early morning, maybe do a tour of the lighthouse and surrounding area if it is not too crowded, and return close to sunset to spend time at the scenic overlook snapping photos – this is going to be your best time to get a clear shot. I would go in the visitors center to pick up pamphlets to do your own reading, but do not waste your time with the films or exhibits, unless you have small children, as this area is geared toward school age visitors. If you want to possibly do some whale watching (Gray Whales) you will have to go between January and February, and make sure to take a pair of binoculars as they can be pretty far off the coast while migrating from Mexico.