The Best of San Diego

by Carole A. Lane on July 15th, 2008

San Diego Magazine puts out a “Best of” article each year, in which their experts comb the nooks and crannies of the county to find the best of everything from the best Dentist to the best Post-Divorce Jewelry Repurposing. Although I’ve written about a few of these before, there are definitely some new explorations for me ahead on this list, and I hope for you too.

This year’s categories include:

Nightlife

The Best:

Terrain for Taming a Mechanical Bull
Edgy Expanding Theater Company
Urban Restoration
Place to Watch a Band from a Balcony
Acoustics
Cuddle in a Cage with a Cooper
Singer/Songwriter with a Story
Spot to Rock in a Cabana
Theater for Extreme Sports Buffs
Private Getaway in Close Proximity
Cultural Outing

Heights & Sights

The Best:

Out-of-Towner Outing
Elegant Urban Rooftop Bar
High-Flying Good Time
Way to Try the Tarantella
Half-Price Happy Hour with a View
Public Space to Meet a Dot.com Date

Pets

The Best:

Place to Pamper a Pomeranian
Dog-Friendly Dining
Place for Pet-Friendly Ice Cream
Pet Products
Place to Purchase a Cat Condo
Dog Run

Food & Wine

The Best:

Culinary Festival
Fresh Fish Tacos
Greek with a Gallery
Surfer Breakfast
Peasant Soup and Pithy Russian Reads
Li’l Kobe Sliders
Pitch-Black Palate Pleaser
Savory Sausage
Get the Spirit Gospel Brunch
Gelato Date
Dark Chocolate Indulgence
Wine Bar
Sommelier Service
New York-Style Pizza
Busy Executive’s Boardroom Lunch
Gourmet Burger
Gourmet to Go
Sushi Dish
Organic Coffee
Neighborhood Market and Deli
Bread
Tarty Yogurt

Working Out/Getting Out

The Best:

Posh Pilates Place
Remedy for an Existential Crisis
Romantic Splash
Spot to Strike, Spare or Slice
Place to Pick a Pear and Pluck an Apple
Spelunking
Lonesome Whistle Excursion
Way to Unwind on a Sunday
Cultural Tour
Place to Discover Your Herbal Essence
Bike or Hike Along the Beach
Place to Ponder the Heavens
Family-Friendly Fitness
Way to Glimpse a Garibaldi

Way to Get Better Looking

The Best:

Local Jewelry Designer
Milan Makeover
Yoga Wear
Green Spa
Women’s Boutique
Dentist
Hair Salon
$10 Manicure

Beyond Compare

The Best:

Street Performer
Premium Cigar Patio
Place to Implode Indelible Ink
Post-Divorce Jewelry Repurposing
Finder of Valuables Lost Overboard
Shoplifter’s Guilt Trip
Dove Release

Culture

The Best:

Public Art
Foreign Film Selection
Cutting-Edge Art Space
Salsa Dance Class
Russian Ballet Teachers

Kids and Families

The Best:

Chirps for Li’l Twerps
Kid Exercise
Place to Disco with the Diaper Set
Gardening Classes for Kids
Place to Play a Theremin

Home & Hearth

The Best:

Retro Accents
Landscape Artist
Nursery Center Staff
Carpet Cleaner
Way to Make Lemonade from the Mortgage Meltdown

Throw in the Best (and Longest Reigning) Radio Duo, and you have San Diego Magazine’s Best of San Diego 2008!

More “Best of”

Of course, the magazine doesn’t want to provide such a list without giving you the chance to chime in. If you have a suggestion or a comment, let them know. You can submit a comment about the best of San Diego when you read any of their categories online, or just share your “best of” ideas with San Diego Traveler readers here. We’d love to hear from you too.

San Diego Magazine has also decided to throw a Best of San Diego 2008 Party on August 22 at Legacy Plaza at NTC Promenade, and you can purchase tickets to this event online.

If that’s not enough, you can see their “Best of…” section for previous “Best of” lists, and other stand-out people, places and things you’ll find in San Diego County.

My Best of? Living here!

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