VW Bus Night in Encinitas (and damn good tacos later!)

There are a lot of locals who don't know about the special charms of Encinitas, a beach town north of San Diego.  It's like an old photo from the '60's, a flashback that somehow has been updated just a bit to straddle the lines between nostalgia and current.  Woodies driving along old Highway 101, bands playing surf music at the beach, nothing too unusual about that in this town.  During the summer the hot rods come out on the monthly classic car nights and there are the usual suspects - 50's Chevy's, classic muscle cars, deuce coup roadsters, it's a shot right out of American Graffiti.  But last week featured VW buses, some refurbished beyond their original glory.  Let's take a look.

Pretty dang simple inside.  How did we move from this to the dashboards of today which look like they came from the space shuttle? 

Wow, not sure any VW bus had an engine this clean back in the 60's! 

Perfect!  Love the pop out front windows.  Lexus, you need to do this!

It's hard to tell if this is a hobby or a lifestyle.

All we need now is some Grateful Dead music. 

And when it's time to go camping, how about doing it in style with this teardrop trailer?  Yes, that's a TV in the back.  There's one inside, too!

But now I'm hungry and while there are plenty of cool places to eat in downtown Encinitas I decided to go to my favorite hole in the wall Mexican restaurant called Don Chuys in Solana Beach.

Let me first warn you.  This is not Casa de Bandini, the blandest of the gringo-ized Mex restaurants favored by those who miss El Torito.  No watered down margaritas, either.  In fact, when they say this is a perfect margarita it really is perfect.  No sweety flavor, this sucker punches back with the tequila and Grand Marnier.

As for the food, they have plenty of Mexican dishes you won't find in a corporate Mex restaurant but I love the basic beef taco plate.  It's a lot harder than it seems to make the perfect beef taco but Don Chuys kills it.  The shell is crunchy but not Corn Nut hard, and the beef is simmered to a spicy tenderness and packed so full that it's hard to bite into without losing half the filling.  And the rice and beans are totally unlike a lot of Mexican restaurants where they're more filler or decoration than edible (Casa de Bandini, I'm talking to you!)  These sides are so delicious that I guarantee you will eat every last bite, even if it means instant regret as you roll yourself to your car.

So if you find yourself landlocked in San Diego, do yourself a favor and take a trip to Encinitas to check out the coolest North County beach town.  And then stop in at Don Chuys for some tacos.  And let me know what you think!

Adios Amigos,

Local Wally
www.localwally.com
www.DrinkUpSanDiego.com
www.SanDiegoHomegrown.com

FOODIE FRIDAYS: Hot Rods and Duck Confit

During the Summer hot rods and woodies invade Encinitas every 3rd Thursday.  There's surf music playing, tons of cool classic cars, and when you're done there's plenty of great places to eat.  Sounds better than staying home and watching Wheel of Fortune, doesn't it?  Time to hit up Third Corner, a wine bar/retail wines store/bistro restaurant.

When I go out I like to get stuff that I can't do better at home.  Duck confit is one of them.  Man oh man, the crispy duck skin, the tender succulent meat, the so-hot-I-burned-the-top-of-my-mouth beans with sausage, the only thing that made this not as good as Paris was the lack of frites on the side.  Wait, what are you going to order?  Yes, yes, good choice!

My wonderful wife ordered the mussels and frites, another Paris memory and done up great at Third Corner.  May I please have a fry?  Oh wow, nice and crispy, I would come here just for the fries.  I love fries, in case you didn't catch that.

Both entrees were fantastic and fairly priced - around $16 for each one.  Plus you can check out the wine store and for $5 they open any bottle for you.  A bottle of La Crema Chardonnay is $17.50, plus $5 for corkage, making it way cheaper than getting wine by the glass.  What does The Brigantine charge for a tiny glass of La Crema?  $9?  Get real!

After dinner there's nothing better than a walk on the beach, and that's just what we did.


NEXT UP:  SUNNY SUNDAYS, PICS FROM AROUND SAN DIEGO

Things to Do in San Diego this Sunny Saturday

Get off the computer.  Turn off the TV.  Unplug the Wii.  It's Saturday, it's sunny, and it's Memorial Day weekend and you need to get outside!  Here are some of my favorite weekend activities!

 SAN DIEGO ZOO:  I know, it sounds so obvious but when was the last time you went to the zoo?  The new elephant exhibit is incredible, there's a baby panda, and you can now feed the giraffes for a small fee.  And look, that guy is about to lose his Rolex!  That's actually the ultra cool and ultra expensive Backstage Pass.  If you see people hanging around inside the rhino exhibit, hang around and you'll see them take turns feeding the rhino.  Pretty cool.

 

SWAMI'S BEACH, ENCINITAS, SELF REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP GARDENS:  I love Encinitas.  I guess that's why I live here.  Check out the goofy boat houses on 3rd Street, then head over to the gardens behind the temple.  You'll find it on the south edge of downtown.  The koi ponds are some of the best this side of Maui and the view, ahhh, what a view.  Look for dolphins - you'll see then in the surf.  If you have the time then check out my complete guide to the North County Experience.  Local or tourist, this is a great way to spend the day.

HIKE DEL MAR:  Torrey Pines State Park has some great short hikes, but my favorite new hike is one that takes you along the bluffs and next to the railroad tracks.  Get off the freeway at Carmel Valley Rd and to west, then turn north on Highway 101 and make a U turn at the top of the hill and park.  You can even bring your dog.  Hey Andy, want to go for a walk?

LA JOLLA:  So much to do, so much to see, don't let the thought of crowds stop you from jumping in a kayak to check out the 7 caves, or snorkel with the seals at the Cove.  Or just bring a camera and snap some pics, it's all good in La Jolla.  Afterwards head over to Alfonso's for some of the best carne asada tacos in town and a house margarita that's better than anyone else's premium.

DISC GOLF IN BALBOA PARK:  Want a cheap way to spend the day with some friends?  $4 gets you on the course with a rental Frisbee.  It plays like golf - same rules, same concept - but you toss a Frisbee into a basket, sometimes located over and around and beyond.  Loads of fun, wear tennis shoes and bring some beer in a backpack cooler.  OK, alcohol isn't legal but everyone seems to have a beer in their hand!

OK, so on the count of 3 let's turn off our computers.  1 - 2 - 3.................