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Hot San Diego Surf Spots
 Thad gives us the inside info on the most popular San Diego surf
spots including
some of his insider tips on how not to rile the locals. From the baja peninsula up to the Orange County line, Thad has all the information any well traveled surfer to San Diego might
want including where to spot the hottest... surfers. [click to read more]
San Diego Restaurant Scene
 Eclectic
and innovative are accurate ways to describe some of San Diego’s best
restaurants. The past 10 years have seen an incredible growth period for local
restaurants and bistros as they adapt to ever-changing populations, cultures and
taste buds.
[click to read more]
Local San Diego
Surf Gear Merchants (and grinds)
 I've put together a comprehensive list of local
San Diego merchants that support what we're trying to accomplish with this website and deserve our patronage. Everything from surf clothing, shoes, gear, surfboards, skateboards and of course, good wholesome food. There's a couple of reasons why San Diego has a local flavor that's hard to find at any major tourist destination and a lot of that has to do with the local merchants.
[click to read more]
Tower 23 Hotel
 This uber tres la la hotel in the psuedo-funky part of Pacific Beach, exudes
style and sophistication on par with any of the hip downtown hotels. Enter an entire environment designed to make you feel, well, floating in the ocean. The fact that you're surrounded
by some of San Diego's super beautiful people makes those drinks go down more smoothly plus the fact you get to see the best eye candy this town has to offer. Now that ain't a bad thing deal
if you ask me, okay....
[click to read more]
LEI Restaurant-Lounge
 Walking up to this sophisticated restaurant/lounge tucked into a corner of
University Heights, you immediately feel as though you're going to have a splendid time. What exactly makes the LEI experience so incredibly delicious isn't
just the food, but the ambience, something sorely lacking in the San Diego gay community. So thank our lucky stars for LEI.
[click to read more]
San Diego
Restaurant Dining Scene
Stingaree
A Gaslamp favorite, Stingaree restaurant and nightclub, continues to
reinvent itself with worldly dishes, glamorous seating and a hip atmosphere. This three-story restaurant, nightclub and
elegant bar is known for its Oasis Rooftop Lounge, a gorgeous granite sunken-top bar and extensive candlelight to illuminate
the low cocktail tables. World-class Chef Antonio Friscia has created a chic, gourmet menu, featuring delicacies like jumbo
shrimp cocktail with Absolut Peppar cocktail sauce, pappardelle with spring lamb sugo, and the peach cream and strawberry
coulis napoleon. Weekday warriors will appreciate their happy hour, Stingaree’s Bliss at Six; the menu’s items, all regularly $18
each, are slashed to only $7. Choose from the popular Ménage a Trios (fried calamari, scallops and shrimp with a kick), vodka penne
or porcini ravioli. Top off your early evening with a glass of excellent wine and you are sure to enjoy your stay. For more information, visit
www.stingsandiego.com.
Grant Grill
Reopened after extensive renovations, the Grant Grill is located in the heart
of downtown’s business and cultural district. The rich leather and wood surroundings give the restaurant a jazzy Chicago-feel. This
historic dining venue has a controversial past. Women were not allowed to enter unless escorted by a man until 1969. While the menu
is impressive, the service is what sets the tone for excellence. Waitpersons are professional and graceful, always there to take an order,
fill a glass or remove a plate. Most have an extensive knowledge of wine and the epicurean menu. Reminiscent of big-city nightclubs is the
lounge, featuring live jazz on weekends. Old-world tradition certainly meets new-world charm at the Grant Grill. For more information, call
(619) 232-3121.
Red Pearl Kitchenl
Tourists and locals alike rave about the Red Pearl Kitchen, off
J Street in the Gaslamp. The lounge-esque atmosphere is combined with exotic Asian décor and feel, stemming from
the birdcage lanterns and glossy red walls. Asian flavors from a range of traditions flood the menu, including dim
sum and flash-roasted edamame. What Red Pearl does that other Asian-themed restaurants seem to miss is spice up the
menu for a truly unique dining experience. Guests may sample thinly-sliced hamachi atop a delectable cucumber, shiso
and yuzu salad. Other samplings include spicy hoisin chicken with mushrooms, sprouts and banana chutney, Vietnamese shrimp
summer rolls and Chinese barbecue pork buns. Desserts include a jasmine, caramel-topped banana cake and andagi doughnut balls
served with a passion fruit glaze and coconut ice cream. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a look at their cocktail menu for a
couture treat. A sleek and sexy atmosphere combined with creative pan-Asian food makes Red Pearl Kitchen anything but ordinary.
For more information, visit
www.redpearlkitchen.com.
Vagabondl
Eclectic world cuisine meets the corner antique shop at Vagabond in
South Park. This neighborhood restaurant reaches out to locals and tourists alike, with an array of foods from all over
the world, well-priced wines (more than 34 varieties, with selections from Spain, California, Chile and beyond) and an
atmosphere reminiscent of a cultural melting pot. Be seated amidst Moroccan lamps, Grecian columns and Chinese streamers,
and read the numerous sayings in Spanish, Portuguese and French. The experience is like dining all around the world while
never leaving the table. The ambiance alone is satiating. Appetizers range from heirloom tomato caprece to Asian kung-pao
style calamari and a stunning Caribbean chicken salad. Entrées include an Australian rosemary-spiced rack of lamb, Coq a
Vin, red curry, and mussels with fennel on banana leaf. Waitpersons take on the European ideal of letting guests slowly
enjoy the food and atmosphere – you never feel rushed and must ask for the check when ready. For more information, call
(619) 255-1035.
1500 Oceanl
The Hotel Del Coronado is known for its gorgeous architecture,
historic past and, of course, its fabulous dining. 1500 Ocean at the Hotel Del Coronado combines amazing Southern
Californian cuisine with an elegant atmosphere and mesmerizing view of the Pacific. Chef de Cuisine Jason Schaeffer’s
menu showcases southland coastal cuisine with decadent selections from San Lucas to San Ynez. A la beachfront cabana,
1500 Ocean brings the ocean to the table with charred scallops, sunchokes and red pear onions, thinly-sliced yellowtail
cured in honey and lime, and pan-seared rockfish. Guests can enjoy the sunset while enjoying braised rainbow chard,
amazing seafood and an extensive wine list. For more information, call (619) 522-8490.
Sushi Fixl
Sushi Fix in Little Italy has brought an all new meaning to
the term “fast food.” Nestled amidst pizzerias and fancy Italian restaurants, Sushi Fix is fast and casual,
serving quality sushi and traditional Japanese food. Sushi Fix offers premium grade sushi for reasonable prices,
giving guests the option of take-out, delivery or dine-in. This concept is especially popular with downtown office
workers and tourists on the prowl for inexpensive yet delicious eats. One of the most popular creations is the Spider
Roll, stuffed with crispy tempura-fried crab, daikon sprouts, cucumber, gobo root and avocado. For fans of spicy tuna,
Sushi Fix is sure to satiate that craving. Try the Redhead Roll, a combination of spicy tuna, sauce and tempura shrimp.
For those who shy away from raw fish, there is a hefty range of other options, including teriyaki chicken, traditional
miso soup and crunchy tempura. For more information, visit
www.sushi-fix.com.
San Diego
Surf Merchants and Grinds
Windansea Surf Shop
3780 Mission Blvd
San Diego CA (858) 488-9374
www.windanseasurfboards.com
Bareback Grill
4640 Mission Blvd
Pacific Beach CA
(858) 274-7117
Rusty Board House La Jolla
2170 Avenida De Ln La Jolla CA
(858) 551-0262
 Clairemont Surf Shop
6393 Balboa Ave San Diego CA
(858) 292-1153
www.clairemontsurf.com
 Encinitas Surfboards
107 N Highway 101
(760) 753-0506
www.encinitassurfboards.com
San Diego Surf Spots
K38 Baja Mexico
K-38 used to be one of the dusty crown jewels of Northern Baja, attracting a steady stream of California surfers, gay and straight, through the '50s and '60s longboard era due to its consistency, ease-of-access and well-shaped walls and lax enforcement of
laws. As development moved south of Rosarito, a condo highrise and health retreat took care of the ease of access part -- now, rather than parking on the low cliffs overlooking the break like it used to be, everyone is forced to find parking elsewhere. It's no longer an epicenter, really -- though the quality and consistency hasn't gone anywhere.
On lined-up south swells, K-38 is a bowly and tapered right point/reefbreak, allowing for numerous schwacks and the occasional tube through the inside; as the swell gets more north, the wave tends too spill wide and mushy -- though still plenty fun. Due to an underwater canyon and its south-facing direction, short-period northwest windswells don't make it into K-38 like they do at some of the other beachbreaks in the area.
Places to Eat
The best thing about K-38 isn't the glassy right walls -- it's getting out of the water totally famished and heading 100 yards north to the infamous Taco Surf and powering down like 10 of the best little carne asada tacos you'll ever eat in your life and washing 'em down with a cold Pacifico. Or you can go next door to Ana Mar for a more formal meal (breakfast is insane). Other than that, head back to Rosarito:
All on the main drag: Rock n Roll Taco is an old favorite, as are El Paisano, El Nido Steakhouse and Macho Taco (which is a loud as its name suggests). The numerous taco stands dotting the laneways are probably the best deal -- as always, head to the busiest one, to insure freshness and quality. If you want to get blind drunk and beat up whilst listening to superloud bad pop music, head over to Rosarito's
landmark, Papas n Beer Mexico is always a thrill, you're bound to find some drunk surfer willing to explore or a local
gay boy looking to make some extra peso's.
Places to Stay
There is a little place with rooms for rent right where you park under Puente Morro, which is pretty cheap, but the nearby polio pond breeds serious mosquitoes -- you get what you pay for. Just north of Ana Mar is a $5-$10/night campground called Olas Altas. The nicest closest place is Las Rocas (see below).
Hotel Calafia (877-700-2093; $45-$150/night) is a beautifully funky, rambling old place, overlooking the reefbreak, complete with a little museum/art gallery and dozens of nooks and crannies and terraces to escape to. Las Rocas Resort and Spa (888-LAS-ROCAS; $75-$200/night) is another super beautiful place over looking the ocean, just a couple miles north of K-38. The Sanoviv Medical Retreat (800-SANOVIV; super expensive and only necessary for those wanting to "reverse the aging process") actually overlooks K-38. The gated community of Las Gaviotas offers a bunch of different houses for rent; Baja Pro -- $150-$300/night for houses sleeping up to 12 -- is a good place to start researching.
Tourmaline Surfing Park, Pacific Beach
PB Point is a rolling right that meanders through various slow sections. In fact, it's the slowest wave
around and requires a low tide and swell with push to make it decent. There was a time, though, when these qualities made the Point ideal.
The very first San Diego shack, a copy of the Polynesian throwback at San Onofre, was erected at PB Point during the early '40s. This was the first
headquarters of Pacific Beach and La Jolla surfers before they migrated to Windansea. The shack was rebuilt there in 1946. It seems they were moving on to better hunting grounds.
Which makes one wonder: where would the shack be now if the tradition had continued?
As a social gathering place, and center of a community, the parking lot and beach at the end of Tourmaline Street is something to be cherished -- old friends,
old stories, old boards, and a brand-new sunset every night. The atmosphere here is the antithesis of the aggro jostling going on just a quarter of a mile away at the Crystal Pier.
The people who surf Tourmaline love it. And you'd have to be bleary-eyed with love to stick with waves that mushy. Longboards are the rule.
Places to Eat
Kono's Cafe, at 704 Garnet Ave., has a solid breakfast menu (858-483-1669). The finest Hawaiian plate lunch in town is served at Da Kine's (858-274-8494), 4120 Mission Blvd.,
on the top floor of the Promenade. From the outdoor patio at Da Kine's, you can watch the surf at the end of Pacific Beach Drive, just a block away. Be adventurous: Mission Boulevard and
Garnet Avenue offer a plethora of face-feeding possibilities. There actually used to be two gay bars in San Diego but with the invasion from the young college crowd and overall acceptance of gays in general, both these bars went straight.
Places to Stay
From 10 of the rooms at the Crystal Pier Hotel, you could wake in the morning, grab your board, hop the pier railing,
and land in the lineup. Of course, you could get a ticket for jumping off of a pier, but it's physically possible. Check your tide
book -- you wouldn't want to break your legs by landing on hard-packed sand. Rooms at the Crystal Pier Hotel run from $95 to $305,
and reservations as long as six months in advance may be necessary (858-483-6983). The Banana Bungalow Hostel, at 707 Reed St.,
offers dorm-style rooms from $15 a night, but it's necessary to show a foreign passport or proof of international travel (800-546-7837).
Rooms at the stylish Catamaran Resort Hotel, at 3999 Mission Blvd., run from $130 to $315 (858-488-1081). There are smaller, less expensive hotels all along Mission Boulevard.
[See also Tower 23]
Windansea, La Jolla
Cobalt water speckled on the horizon where the kelp bed has stopped short of its urge to reach for the sky; the shape-shifting peaks emerging and reacting with elemental choreography; the inside shorepound, arid sandstone ledges, rocky shoreline and the iconic shack at Windansea -- combine these with the gaggles of European men prancing about in banana hammocks, and you'll think it's the Mediterranean with waves.
The stretch of San Diego's coast from PB Point to La Jolla Cove is peppered with reefs. In the early days, these reefs contributed more to California surfing than most any other length of the coast in the state. The peak at Windansea has been the main stage of the area since the 1930s. Previous histories of the spot have divided conglomerations of surfers who have passed here into movements and revolutions: the Plant Boys, the Meal Hall gang, the Red Fin era, etc.
Once the favorite spot of beer-swillin', beast-riding watermen, Windansea has become, in recent years, the center of the community. The wave that spawned Hawaii's first generation of big-wave surfers and developed a round of hotshot Californians in the '70s has since been relegated to fun-wave status. Surfers looking for more critical waves have moved on, even if only a quarter-mile south to Big Rock.
But the community has filled in where the mavericks have left off, and the surf culture at Windansea continues to thrive.
Places to Eat
El Pescador, at 627 Pearl St., fixes the finest grilled-fish sandwich anywhere (858-456-2526), and it's located next to one of San Diego's best surf shops, Mitch's. If you just want a burrito, Bahia Don Bravo (858-454-8940), at 5504 La Jolla Blvd., is a notch or two above your corner taco stand. La Jolla, especially Prospect Street, is home to many fine, but pricey, dinning establishments. One of the more reasonable joints is Girard Gourmet (858-454-3321), a deli with the best turkey, avocado and cheese sandwich in the business.
Places to Stay
Just knock on any one of the mansions fronting the ocean here and ask to use their facilities -- they are unusually accommodating. Ha. La Jolla is, hands down, the most chi-chi neighborhood in San Diego, and the exuberance of its elite resorts borders on bizarre. The Chopra Center for Well Being, for example, offers the Pizichilli treatment ($210), a stream of heated oil poured over the body while two therapists rub you down. Assuming most surfers would rather get lubed up in the ocean, a good bet is to stay in Mission, or Pacific Beach, where there are more hotels and no-tells than you can shake your stick at. Or, with rooms between $40 and $120, check out the La Jolla TraveLodge at 1141 Silverado St. (858-454-0791).
Black's Beach, La Jolla
Black's has long been a celebrated nudist beach, existing in spite of a 1976 city-wide vote
banning nudity here and at other city beaches. In fact, the nudies may be able to claim a more entrenched, if not longer, residence at Black's than
surfers, but this fact has been disputed with Surfer magazine articles on
Black's beach dating back to mid 1960s. Shit, if squatters' rights existed in this country, they'd own the beach. But the obscene and surfing have come, over the years, to meld into
the essential Black's experience which is very gay-centric. Most of the straight crowd tends to stay in the southern part of the beach with the middle and northern areas much more liberal and gay friendly, especially the very north which is essentially the unofficial gay beach for San Diego. Here you'll most likely find anything you could possibly be looking for including some of the
best
gay surfers on the west coast.
That said, this is the best beach break in the county, and everyone knows it. The saving grace here is the long hike due to the sheer cliffs. It requires a
time commitment that rules out most before-the-job or lunch-break sessions. There are three main peaks, shifting phantom peaks and sneaky insiders that
work according to conditions. A deepwater canyon attracts most any swell with west in it and holds waves from 2 feet to as big as it gets. During head-high
and smaller swells, low to medium tides are best, but, during large swells, it's less tide sensitive. It should be obvious, by the glider port on the north end, that
the dominant wind is onshore. Which is, as Black's northern residents will tell you, the perfect direction to tickle a heavily tanned, stark-naked bum. Visit Travelocity.ca for Gay & Lesbian Travel specials and Event/Festival List
Places to Eat
El Pescador, at 627 Pearl St., fixes the finest grilled-fish sandwich anywhere (858-456-2526), and it's located next to one of San Diego's best surf shops,
Mitch's. If you just want a burrito, Bahia Don Bravo (858-454-8940), at 5504 La Jolla Blvd., is a notch or two above your corner taco stand. La Jolla, especially
Prospect Street, is home to many fine, but pricey, dinning establishments. One of the more reasonable joints is Girard Gourmet (858-454-3321), a deli with the best turkey,
avocado and cheese sandwich in the business.
Places to Stay
Just knock on any one of the mansions fronting the ocean here and ask to use their facilities -- they are unusually accommodating. Ha. La Jolla is, hands down,
the most chi-chi neighborhood in San Diego, and the exuberance of its elite resorts borders on bizarre. The Chopra Center for Well Being, for example, offers the
Pizichilli treatment ($210), a stream of heated oil poured over the body while two therapists rub you down. Assuming most surfers would rather get lubed up in the ocean,
a good bet is to stay in Mission, or Pacific Beach, where there are more hotels and no-tells than you can shake your stick at. Or, with rooms between $40 and $120, check
out the La Jolla TraveLodge at 1141 Silverado St. (858-454-0791).
Torrey Pines, Del Mar
Del Mar is home to a beautiful semi secluded (the north and south ends) beach called Torrey Pines. The southern part is owned by the state and is a state park and you have to pay to enter but it's free to use the beach. This is also the northern gateway to Black's Beach which is a good 30 minute walk south along the beach.
Getting to Del Mar is a cinch. Exit the I5 freeway at Carmel Valley Road. Make
your way to the coast, and the road ends right on the cliffs of Torrey Pines Bluffs. You'll know you're getting close when three out of the four cars at an intersection
are either Mercedes or BMWs. There is some serious money in this little community; a recent article in the San Diego Union-Tribune tagged it as the
"next Malibu." You can also travel north along the main road, which is essentially CA HWY 1 and head right into the quaint town of Del Mar. There's obviously good genetics at work here in this tinsel town and eye candy can be had any time of day or night.
Below the cliffs along the beach is a well-kept grassy park, which serves as a great place to hang out between surf and again, people watch, if only these surfers were gay... Also, alongside the road is a
loading zone with a perfect view of the lineup. Parking is available in a pay lot directly across the street, but, another 100 yards to the north, you can park for free in the surrounding neighborhood.
The reef at 15th Street sticks out just far enough to pull in some of the south swells that generally pass by the rest of San Diego, but the
wave is much more consistent during the winter. The spot can work on just about any tide, but gets steeper and more powerful as the tide drops.
The left can line up and race along the edge of the reef, allowing for three or four turns down the line. The right is a little mushier and shorter,
but does have an occasional section to bash. On its best day, the left can be somewhat comparable to the left at Lower Trestles. The wave breaks a
fair distance from shore, and can have a reform on the inside during higher tides. It doesn't blow out as easily as its neighboring beaches because it's a reef and has some traces of kelp growing below the surface.
If there is a crowd at 15th, you can always find a peak to yourself to the north or south, so long as the wind isn't already on it. These sandbars can
be pretty fun, but can't handle any real size or a low tide. You can, however, be assured to surf either alone or with just a couple of other guys. Beware
of summertime restrictions on surfing and swimming zones on all beaches north of 15th Street, and be very cautious of the pollution problem at the rivermouth.
Avoid all water contact here after any substantial rain, and obey the signs posted by the Health Department.
That said, this is the best beachbreak in the county, and everyone knows it. The saving grace here is the long hike due to the sheer cliffs. It requires a
time commitment that rules out most before-the-job or lunch-break sessions. There are three main peaks, shifting phantom peaks and sneaky insiders that
work according to conditions. A deepwater canyon attracts most any swell with west in it and holds waves from 2 feet to as big as it gets. During head-high
and smaller swells, low to medium tides are best, but, during large swells, it's less tide sensitive. It should be obvious, by the glider port on the north end, that
the dominant wind is onshore. Which is, as Black's northern residents will tell you, the perfect direction to tickle a heavily tanned, stark-naked bum.
Places to Eat
The Roberto's (858-755-1629) on Carmel Valley Road, overlooking Los Penasquitos Lagoon, has got to be the finest view offered by any taco stand in the
state. Still, it's got the same prices and menu as the other 27 Roberto's in SD. If you're rolling in a bit more dough, the Brigantine, at 3263 Camino Del Mar, provides
a view of the Del Mar rivermouth (858- 481-1166). And, if you're really rollin', Jake's Del Mar, at 1660 Coast Blvd., will put you right on top of the beach (858-755-2002)..
Places to Stay
The San Diego Union-Tribune has called Del Mar the "next Malibu," and, if the prices of local hotels are any indication, they might be right. Look north or south for good camping or hotel options.
Trestles, North San Diego County
At the northern edge of San Diego County and right before Orange County's suburbia nightmare lies the Trestles experience --
one-and-a-half miles of God's country. No metered parking. No Ruby's Diner at the end of the pier. No blackballs, closeouts, volleyball nets or "Baywatch" sets --
simply put, Trestles is one of those destinations that just about any devoted surfer finds hard to resist.
What makes it so irresistible? Obviously, the 100-yard lefts and rights -- which make even the most mundane surfer feel like Kelly Slater -- has something to do with it. But the
complete Trestles experience offers so much more than a few tail-drifting off-the-lips. If you time it right, you can catch a bobcat or deer darting through the spindly brush and oak trees,
looking for dinner or a drink in the nearby San Mateo Creek. There's the chance of getting caught with your pants down on the trestle -- clutching your surfboard to your thumping chest
as the Amtrak train bears down on you. There's the guest book, a string of wax graffiti on the quarter-mile asphalt path that help break up the walk with entries such as "Team Buttream"
and "Eat My Stick". Finally, there are the long, hot summer days watching the world's best pull maneuvers at Lowers that -- up until then -- were only confined to the highlight reels of the newest surf video.
Trestles is a fresh breath of air within the folds of the suffocating Orange Curtain. With so many breaks in the area serving fast-food-type waves, it's nice to know that there's a spot that still requires a
little effort. Surprisingly enough, the effort to get there doesn't keep enough people away. Trestles is always crowded during summer, particularly at Lowers. And the rest of the breaks -- Uppers, Cotton's,
Church and everywhere in between -- have their share of hungry waveriders. Still, it's possible to get your share of quality waves; the kind where you hit the lip a half dozen times and start to think you're
much better than you really are. All of the breaks at Trestles have that magic -- the ability to keep you coming back making the 20-minute walks, dodging the train and the surfers, to score that one ego-boosting wave.
Places to Eat
For quick eats, go to Pedro's Tacos (2313 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente). It's the locals' favorite pit stop. Bean and cheese burritos are thick and gooey and cheap. Fish tacos are from another planet. Don't have
to wait too long to get it, either. Carls Jr. is right next to the Trestles parking lot. It may not be healthy and it may not be authentic, but it puts those hunger pangs to sleep.
If you have time to spare, try Sonny's Pizza (429 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949-498-2540). It's top-rate Italian food that would make Don Corleone cry in his linguini for the Motherland.
Or Thai Pavilion (211 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949-492-1750) for authentic and delicious Thai food. Try the pad Thai dish with tofu. Super-long waits on Friday and Saturday nights, but worth it.
Fisherman's Restaurant (611 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente, 949-498-6390) is good, too. Great place to bring a date, watch the waves, sunset and eat clam chowder under the cozy heat lamps on San
Clemente Pier. And for the best Mexican food in town, stop by El Patio (34226 Doheny Park Rd, Capistrano Beach, 949-496-9074). One problem, though: they close shop early and on weird holidays. Call ahead!
Places to Stay
San Mateo campground. Exit Cristianitos, go left and follow your nose till you see the campground on the right. Kind of an older folks campground, with Winnebagos and grandma and grandpa playing bridge
from sunrise till dusk. If you want the younger crew, camp out at San Onofre campground, just past good old San O'. Summer nights provide plenty of booze, teenagers and fun. For both campsite reservations call 800-444-7275.
Eighteen bucks a night camping on Friday and Saturday.
The Beachcomber Motel, which overlooks the south side of San Clemente Pier. Great location for strolling on the beaches and walking up the main San Clemente strip, which features markets every Sunday (949-492-5457).
Quality Suites Hotel ($80-$120/night; 949-366-1000)
Tower 23 Hotel-Lounge
Wanna get away from the gay ghetto for a bit?
While Pacific Beach (PB) is the hetero swingers paradise, it does have some G-Friendly spots that are fun to people watch. This sophisticated hotel and restaurant oozes luxury and hipness. It's just fun to be here and it shows
in the clientele. Not many places along the beach veer away from the high-five beach crowd, Tower 23 does, and does well.
From the buildings very presence along the boulevard you can tell this is a well designed minimalist building. And from the boardwalk you'll see the design incorporates the beach scene and life extremely well. Many had doubts this
idea would talk off, from the design and the constant crowds, it seems like a sure fire hit, and thank God for that.
If you're lucky enough to reserve a room at this hotel, you'll figure out the schedules of the different crowds that tend to gravitate to the lounge. During the day and evening it's a more day time beachy crowd. At night it becomes
hipster heaven filled with eye candy from wall to wall. And speaking of walls, whoever designed the undulating lighting to reflect the semblance of a rippling ocean should be handed an award. What a remarkable design. Something
I'm sure will be copied in many inland seafood restaurants soon.
The mood in the restaurant-lounge is chill but with some squeaky girl giggles in between. This is a primarily straight environment so I guess it's expected. The fact you get to take in all the beautiful male counterparts all but makes
up for it though.
The staff here seems harried and isn't as friendly as they could be. Must come with something that is such a big success. Management could take up the friendliness a level make this place an icon for years to come.
The food isn't spectacular but it's not mediocre either, it just is. The drinks are typical with lots of martini and beer action going around (yawn). My advice is to pick your own drink and stick with it, don't try to fit in but don't stand out either. People will like you for being here .
www.tower23.com
Want to list your swingin' club or lounge on our site? email us
LEI Restaurant-Lounge
 Here's an fun idea, instead of doing the same
ol' tired 'i'm-high-on-cat-tranquilizer and my-shirt-is-off' sorta nightlife, why not evolve into the new millennium and go out lounging instead? You know maybe actually have intelligent conversations with hip people while enjoying supreme food and libations and listening to chill lounge tracks from an in-house DJ (ok that
last part was just something that I'm suggesting would totally enhance the LEI experience - hint, hint).
That being said, I'm happy to report that San Diego gay nightlife is actually being brought up a notch. First and foremost is LEI Restaurant and Lounge, very LA chic, very SkyBar. And I know you G's
from other real urban areas around the world wondered when San Diego was get their act together and offer some sophisticated nightlife. Well LEI is definitely a good start and
the key component at LEI is 'lounge' as in less BPM then all the other gay establishments around town. This isn't a place to rush in and out of but instead it's a destination for the night, a place to spend some leisurely time at, a place to look beautiful but not just in
arriving but the entire time you're there.
Even the entrance oozes drama, from the moody red glow radiance emitting from the restaurants facade (red lightening makes everyone look beautiful btw) enveloping everyone in a warm glow as they are about to enter. Another nice touch is the friendly security staff that makes you feel welcome and secure. As you
make you entrance through the double glass doors you fall right into the bar/lounge area with its awesome ambient copper waterfall backdropping the entire bar area. Most of the bar staff
seemed friendly enough, some more than others, and that's a plus given that a lot of trendy places the bartenders could give a rat's *ss about their clientle. Once inside you can grab some bar real estate and order
some exotic drinks (come on, for one night give up the beer won't ya?), and just chill with friends while waiting for a table.
The mood in the front lounge is chill but with one major element missing: a great sound system. On the plus side they're spinning downtempo beats so you can
actually have intelligent conversations versus being jarred by 182+ BPM circuit boi thunder. So I'm happy to report LEI does a great job of mixin' it up music wise, but needs to invest in some bumpin'
subwoofers and lower the sound level, this would allow people to 'feel' the music rather then have it projected at them at high sound levels. The
sound system in my car has sounds better then the quality of speakers LEI is trying to pass off as their sound system. No lie.
Once you're down having fun sipping your exotic tropic drink, you can meander through the lounge area and immediately you drop right into the outdoor dining tiki lounge.
Out here you're senses are tantelized by many different (and new) concepts for a restaurant. For one, it's all outdoors. There's cabanas and torches and fire pits. It's Fantasy Island for everybody!
In the outside lounge everyone looks happy, everyone's smiling and everyone looks beautiful. Maybe it was the lighting or the 2 tropical cocktails I had but I felt like I had really 'arrived'.
With the same ambient vibe going on out here and the art visuals projected on the walls, you get a sense of drama, of walking through a really fun rooftop party that only a few special friends were invited to. The
cabana's and bonfires add to the spectacle and amazingly everything comes together in a very sophisticated manner, so foreign to the San Diego gay nightlife scene.
Add to all this magical splendor the fact that the food is top quality and perfectly sized for lounging (i.e. if you want to stuff yourself, you might opt for Hometown Buffet instead). And the
icing on all this proverbial cake is the staff, friendly but not in a creepy sort of way. More like they actually enjoy working here and like having you as a guest. Hmmm, I wonder if that could permeate to other
establishments in gay community?
So in summation I would have to say that LEI Lounge makes my A-list but and considering my social value is somewhere down in the D-List I'm guessing that most of you will enjoy everything that is: LEI.
www.leilounge.com
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