Carole Terwilliger Meyers's Blog, page 52

Sights to See: Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla, California

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego   700 Prospect St., (858) 454-3541.  Thur-Tu 11-5, third Thur to 7pm.  $10, seniors & students 25+ $5, military & under age 26 free; free third Thur 5-7pm.  
In a spectacular setting overlooking its outdoor sculpture garden and the ocean beyond, this is the flagship location for this museum (it also has a branch in downtown San Diego).  The museum presents permanent and special exhibitions of contemporary art in all media dating from 1950 on.  A children’s program is scheduled on the first Sunday of each month.  The museum is built on the site of the former home of philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps.  

On my most recent visit, I encountered artist Tim Youd typing Raymond Chandler’s “The Long Goodbye.”   
More things to do in La Jolla.

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images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
 

Sights to See: La Jolla, California

La Jolla Visitor Information Center   1162 Prospect St., (858) 454-5718. You can get maps and other information from this small kiosk on Prospect Street.
    Though the San Diego area is famous for its superb wildlife parks, the upscale section of town known as La Jolla, located 11 miles from downtown San Diego and reachable by car by either a scenic coastal route or efficient Highway 5, is probably the area’s best place to view wild sea life—including seals, sea lions, brown pelicans, and cormorants.  Dolphins are often seen dancing on the waves just beyond the shore. 



The beauty of this scenically positioned town is unbeatable on a sunny day.  But even during the spring “June gloom” period, when fog hangs over the shore, it is spectacular in a muted way.  In fact, the animal life seems to prefer the cooler weather and comes out in greater numbers then.  It isn’t a big surprise to learn “la jolla” means “the jewel” in Spanish. 
    It is interesting to know that four Nobel Prize winners have lived in La Jolla, and Laureate Park, on Avenida de La Playa in La Jolla Shores, was constructed to honor them.  Also, Wacky Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) once lived in town, and you can still find his storybooks and his original art at shops here. 

More things to do in La Jolla.

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Travel articles to inspire and help you plan some spectacular local and foreign getaways.  

images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Sights to See: Ellen Browning Scripps Park, La Jolla, California

Ellen Browning Scripps Park  1133 Coast Blvd./Prospect St., 619-525-8212.  Open 24 hours.  Free.  No dogs.  Street parking only.


Surrounded by century-old queen palms punctuated by the occasional Torrey pine, this expansive park is a great spot to frolic and enjoy the ocean view.


Green-painted wood beach huts perch above the ocean and are a great place to relax and enjoy the view.  They have been the site of many marriage proposals, and the park itself is also a popular spot for weddings.  Free “Concerts by the Sea” are held here on summer Sundays.


At the east end at La Jolla Cove, snorkelers and scuba divers can enjoy viewing life under the sea.


Children's Pool (at top of image)●Children’s Pool   850 Coast Blvd., at the end of Jenner St. at south end of park across from the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.  Also known as Casa Beach, this idyllic small cove has a breakwater and attracts both Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions.  They gather on the sand, both delighting and distressing.  Locals decided to boot the seals off the beach so the kids could reclaim it, but the seals are still there.  Pupping season occurs mid-December through mid- May. 

Things to do in nearby San Diego.

Travel articles to inspire and help you plan some spectacular local and foreign getaways.  

images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Good Eats: Cannelle Patisserie, NYC--Queens--Jackson Heights

Cannelle Patisserie  75-59 31st Ave., in Waldbaum’s mall in East Elmhurst neighborhood, (718) 565-6200.  M-Sat 7am-8pm, Sun 7am-6pm.


This classic French bakery is an unexpected find in a small shopping center.  Among the best items are a chocolate macaron with coffee-flavored filling, an apple Danish, and an almond croissant (oddly, it is sliced in half, then apparently slathered with filling, and then the top is replaced).

baby in beret and tutuThe passion-guava Danish, hazelnut crisp, pineapple cake, and kiwi tart are also very good.  Do get a few of the refined creations to take home for dessert—perhaps a Black Forest cake or a traditional Gateau Breton.  I am pleased I had the foresight to secure a salami and provolone cheese on a baguette with brown mustard for my flight the next day.


I was surprised, though, that they didn’t have cafe au lait on the menu and needed to be coached through preparing one.





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image ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
 

Good Eats: Josselin’s Tapas Bar & Grill, in Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii

Josselin’s Tapas Bar & Grill   2829 Ala Kalanikaumaka St., in Kukuiula Village Shopping Center, Poipu, (808) 742-7117.  Reservations advised.  $$$.

Popular with locals--always a good sign--this spot features a tasteful contemporary decor with plenty of comfy booths.  Service is both polite and prompt.  A good way to start is with a fresh-fruit selection from the sangria cart, which is wheeled around to each table.  Lychee sangria is probably the most popular and always available, but usually there is also another flavor option.  And don’t overlook the made-from-scratch house drinks, which include Plantation Porch Tea and a Classic Mango Daiquiri.  Menu items are all tapas size and meant to be shared.  Two plates per person is plenty.  Everyone’s favorites seem to be the 36-hour braised pork belly and the beautiful raw tempura ahi roll, but I also really liked the  roasted cauliflower with tumeric and the rock shrimp tempura with avocado and kim chee ranch dressing.  Items for vegans are available.

36-hour braised pork belly
raw tempura ahi roll
roasted cauliflower with tumeric


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images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
 

Things to Do: borrow a dog from the Kauai Humane Society, Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai Humane Society   3-825 Kaumualii Hwy, Lihue, (808) 632.0610.  This animal shelter has a fabulous “Field Trip” program for dog-loving tourists.  You can check out a shelter dog for a day trip!  There is no charge for this, and you will be given a goodie bag for the pooch that includes an "adopt me" vest, towels for the car, and treats.  It’s win-win for you and the dog—you get an enthusiastic companion for the day and the dog gets out of the kennel for exercise and fresh air.  And should you fall in love with your new buddy, the shelter will help you adopt and bring it back to the mainland.


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Entertaining dog items.

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image courtesy of venue

Good Eats: New World Food Court, NYC--Queens--Flushing

New World Food Court   136-20 Roosevelt Ave., basement level, in New World Mall, (718) 353-0551.  Cash only in some places.


This amazing and inexpensive food court has everything Asian.  I recommend that you walk around the perimeter and check out the various stalls before you decide.  It is a huge, noisy open space and is both exciting and overwhelming.  I saw someone hand-pulling noodles and the biggest bowl of noodles ever.


Unfortunately, I had just eaten before my visit so I had room only for a coconut milk boba tea at T Baar .



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image ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Good Eats: Happy Buddha, NYC--Queens--Flushing

Happy Buddha  135-37 37th Ave., Flushing, (718) 358-0079.  L-D daily; $.  With a simple, clean interior, and an all-vegetarian and kosher menu, this pleasant place pleases with an amazing dim sum menu and extensive general menu.  We tried almost half the dim sum offerings, and there wasn’t a dud in the bunch.  Our list included:


hot & sour soup

Indian bread with curry potato sauce

steamed sticky rice Shiu Mai

sweet tapioca dumplings

fried taro custard

sesame rice roll

vege roast pork bun

spinach rice roll

I can’t wait to return.

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image ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Sights to See: Balboa Park part 4--San Diego Zoo, San Diego, California

BALBOA PARK--PART 4

SAN DIEGO ZOO   2920 Zoo Dr., (619) 231-1515.  Opens at 9; closing hours vary, in summer 9-8.  $46, 3-11 $36; price includes guided bus tour, express bus, and Skyfari aerial tram.  Free parking.  The city's most popular attraction, this famous zoo is known for its large, diverse, and rare collection of animals--most of which are housed in attractive habitat enclosures.


It is home to almost 4,000 rare and exotic animals, including giant pandas from China, koalas from Australia, pygmy chimpanzees from Central Africa, and Komodo dragons from Indonesia.  Natural habitats include Gorilla Tropics, Sun Bear Forest, and Tiger River--a 3-acre simulated ecosystem in which you’ll walk along pathways past plants and animals living much as they would in their natural habitat.  Your kids will go ape at Polar Bear Plunge and at the swimming hippo exhibit in Ituri Forest, where those animals can be viewed swimming under water.  The Owens Rain Forest Aviary simulates the sights and sounds of a Southeast Asian jungle and gives you a close-up look at more than 200 birds.  This zoo is also a botanical garden with more than 6,500 species represented, including many unusual tropical and subtropical plants and flowers.  Since it covers 100 acres, it is wise, especially with young children in tow, to begin a visit with the 40-minute bus tour and then return to areas of particular interest.  Note that the line for the sun-exposed upper deck of the bus is much longer than for the more comfortable covered lower deck, which also puts you at eye-level with the animals.  The Skyfari Aerial Tramway will also give your family’s tootsies a rest.  Be sure to allow time for the kid-pleasing trained seal show and the Children's Zoo, which has ducks running loose for kids to meet and features a popular animal petting area.  For a fabulous souvenir, let your kids pick out a favorite animal in stuffed format.  A zoo coloring book is a good choice, too.  Buy desired items when you see them at the small gift stands spread throughout the zoo, as the gift shop by the main gate does not stock everything.  If you’re traveling with a baby, note that changing tables are not only provided but are available even in the men’s bathrooms!, so Daddy--you can help out.  Rental strollers are also available.  In summer, the zoo stays open  late, letting you see the nocturnal animals in an active state.  Kids in kindergarten through grade 12 can enroll in special summer day camps.

Watch the giant pandas live via webcam.

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image ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Good Eats: Balboa Park part 3--The Prado at Balboa Park, San Diego, California

The Prado at Balboa Park   1549 El Prado, in House of Hospitality, (619) 557-9441.  L daily; D Tu-Sun; $-$$$.  Reservations advised.  It’s hard to believe, but the 1915 buildings holding this colorful restaurant were leveled in 1995, then reconstructed exactly but more solidly.  The well-priced menu is a delicious fusion of Latin and Italian cuisines.  Drinks include sangria, a pisco sour made with a grape liqueur from Chile, a refreshing virgin mojito, and fresh fruit sodas (think white peach or passion fruit).


  Lunch items include colorful and mildly spicy tortilla soup, a crunchy Asian chopped chicken
salad with mango and cabbage, grilled skirt steak, fish tacos, and an assortment of pastas and panini sandwiches.  More substantial entrees are added in the evening.  The children’s puzzle menu includes a grilled cheese sandwich, spaghetti, and macaroni and cheese.


I like to sit out on the fabulous and inviting open-air patio that surrounds a central fountain and is colorful with umbrellas and flowers.  It is especially inviting when dining en famille and for afternoon refreshment.


More things to do in San Diego.

More information about San Diego.

Travel articles to inspire and help you plan some spectacular local and foreign getaways.  

images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers