Park Place Screen & Glass
Park Place Screen and Glass is one of those places that you can call when a strong storm destroys your screen door, or your dog jumps out the screen tearing it leaving a mess behind, or someone throws a baseball, rock, or other object through your window. Their estimates are reasonable, and the estimates are pretty fair, accurate, and affordable most of the time. The service is fast, friendly, and reliable. They care about you the customer, and if they don't get it right on the first try, they will try again, until you, the customer are completely satisfied. They have a convenient location, ample parking, and convenient hours. This is the place to call if you have a window or screen that needs to be replaced. They are much more affordable then some of the other screen and window places and, you know that they will do the job right, or make it right the next time around.
PROS: Fast, reliable, affordable service. Quality installers.
CONS: None that I can think of.
North Park Thursday Night Market
North Park Thursday Night Market is a little farmer's market type atmosphere where you will find fresh bread, fruits and vegetables, flowers, and lots of "south of the border" treats like empanadas, tamales, and other fresh tasty items that are sure to satisfy your appetite. The vendors are polite, but don't always speak the best English. This is the one place where paying by cash, is the easiest, about the only form of money accepted. They sell lots of beautiful jewelry, and other small items that you might expect to find at a swap meet type place. There is ample parking, and the place isn't usually too crowded. The prices are reasonable, and some are just downright bargains. The prices vary from vendor to vendor, and so does the quality of the items, so buyer beware! If you miss a farmer's market feeling, then you will like this store. If you are into the big discount stores, than North Park Thursday Night Market might not be your cup of tea.
PROS: Fresh produce, tasty treats from "south of the border", ample parking.
CONS: Not all of the vendors speak good English. Have to have cash on hand!
Petco Park
Petco Park become the official home of the San Diego Padres, when they stopped playing at Qualcomm stadium. I was bummed, as I am a few minutes from Qualcomm stadium, and loved the convenience of the old ballpark. The new ballpark, Petco Park is in the middle of the busiest part of San Diego?downtown. Whoever had the not so brilliant idea to put a ballpark in a place where there is already a traffic nightmare, only add a little bit of parking, and add no new roads is beyond me. Despite that, Petco Park is a brilliantly designed ballpark that is a gem to the downtown area, boosts revenue among local businesses, and really has become an asset to San Diego. Parking is a nightmare, and if you can, take the bus, or take the trolley. There is a trolley stop so close to the ballpark, that there is no sense in paying the ridiculous parking cost at the ballpark anyway. The ballpark has everything you would expect to find at a ballpark including high priced food and drinks, delicious ice cream, hot dogs, and all that other good stuff you have enjoyed for ballgames for years. The concession lines are not too bad, if you hit them at the right point before, or during a game, definitely don't try to hit them immediately after the game, instead rush for the parking lot, as early as possible and try to get out of it. The ticket prices are affordable enough that you can take the entire family. The souvenirs are over priced, and if you really want something, check on E Bay before you buy because it's a whole lot cheaper. There are great places for corporate events, a lovely picnic area, and the overall scene is just breathtaking. If it's your first time going to Petco Park, get there a little bit early, because you will definitely want to explore, find your seat, and go to the bathroom before the huge crowd arrives. Overall, it's a great ballpark, and the Padres seem to be comfortable in their new home.
PROS: Breathtaking ballpark. Wonderful place to take the family.
CONS: Parking is way too expensive, not enough parking, take the trolley!
Balboa Park Golf Course
Balboa Park Golf Course is a golf course in the "middle of everything". Its location makes you wonder who would have thought to put a golf course there, but once you step on the greens, you know that this is exactly the sort of thing that this busy area of San Diego needed. During the week, this golf course hosts a fair number of business games, so if your boss is a stickler for golfing, taking him to this wonderful course, might be just what you need to get that promotion that you have always dreamed of. Large conventions and out of town tourists find this golf course a good break in their hectic travel or work schedules. With reasonable prices, luxurious greens, and breathtaking scenery, this is one golf course that you will be proud to play on. Most days, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and there is not a cloud in the sky over San Diego, can you think of any setting more perfect for a round of golf? I sure can't. Whether it's your first time off of a miniature golf course, or you a semi professional golfer, you will enjoy everything that this golf course has to offer the city of San Diego. The staff makes you feel appreciated, values your business, and really cares about helping you improve your swing. It's a great place to spend a day with your entire company, your entire family, or a few of your closest buddies. The shop has reasonable prices, and a very knowledgeable staff who can help you find just what you are looking for, and exactly what you need. You will wonder why you haven't golfed at Balboa Park Golf Course before, and once you visit, you will surely want to come back again and again! There is adequate parking, but the best place to get to this area is by public transportation.
PROS: Reasonable prices. Luxurious greens. Knowledgeable staff.
CONS: Parking is limited, use public transportation whenever possible.
Prado Banquets
In the hustle and bustle of everyday lives, we often forget that places still exist where we can go and enjoy natural, the great outdoors, and the world in all its beauty. These places are parks, and this one is hard to miss, because it's right in the middle of all the hustle and bustle. Nestled between some of the best schools in San Diego, there is always something new to see and do in Balboa Park. The San Diego Zoo is right on the outskirts, and there are museums, beautiful buildings, and stunning views everywhere you look. You will find yourself surrounded by so much to see and do, that you will wonder what to see and do first. The museums are not free to visit, but there are free days, where you can visit most of them free of charge during specific hours. There are also lots of discount tickets to many of the museums, and there is pretty much a museum for everyone, whether you are into cars, railroad trains, art, or you are a small child. Playgrounds, a train ride (also a nominal fee), and so much more await you when you enter into the world of Balboa Park. I say enter into the world of Balboa Park, because you truly are in the hustle and bustle of everything that downtown San Diego has to offer, yet when you step onto the Balboa Park property, it's like you are in another world, all it's own. Where adventure, exploration, nature, and new discoveries await you around every corner, and there is always something to see, something to do, and some place to go. Once you visit Balboa Park, you will have a hard time visiting other museum filled parks, as this one is one of the best that there is, it's hard to believe a place like this exists in the middle of downtown! Parking can be difficult to find, and if you can take the trolley or bus, I highly recommend it!
PROS: Something for everyone.
CONS: Parking can be a challenge
CeramiCafe
There used to be a store similar to this in my area, called Color Me Mine. It was located in a busy shopping mall, and it was the quiet place to go, after a busy day of shopping, on a cold rainy day, or when you just wanted to leave reality behind. Ceramicafe provides the same calm, warm, cozy environment. They have many different kinds of ceramic pieces to choose from. Whether you want to let the grandkids make a plate for grandma celebrate grandparents day; paint a favorite animal for a children's room; paint a piggy bank for a baby present; or paint any other personalized ceramic item, you will find it in this store. The best part about this store is the way that the process works. You don't purchase paints and brushes, instead, you sit in this semi-caf feeling environment and paint the pieces that you choose, and then they fire them, and you pick them up a few days down the road. All you pay for is the ceramic piece you want to paint. They have birthday parties, where all the kids get to paint things, and the kids feel such a sense of accomplishment when they can "make something" themselves. I cannot think of a better way for your child to say "I love you" on Mother's Day then to paint a personalized ceramic piece. Whether it's Mother's Day, or no special occasion in particular, it's a great place to spend the afternoon. The most "stressful" part of the whole process is the waiting game, which starts the minute you finish painting. You leave the store, so proud, so ready to show your beautiful piece to the world, and you have to return a few days later to pick it up, so sad to leave the piece you painted behind, but it's a happy reunion when you get the piece back, and it looks so professionally done, that you will wonder whether or not you really painted it. Whether your child wants to paint something quick and sloppy, or you want to spend hours creating the picture perfect masterpiece, then Ceramicafe is the place to go.
PROS: Wonderful little shop to spend the day painting ceramics.
CONS: It will drive you crazy waiting for your finished piece to come back!
Lost Cities
Lost Cities is what I would consider a beginner's bead store. You will find all of the tools, beads, and accessories that you need for just about any basic beading project that you can imagine. They have inexpensive beads, that can fit any budget, and expensive beads, that beginner's might not be able to afford right away, but they definitely have a large selection of beads for your basic beading needs. Unlike similar beading stores, this one doesn't carry a lot of unique, hard to find beads, and that can be frustrating if you have something specific in mind. If you are looking for a specific, rare type of bead, I would call ahead before making a trip to this store, as if they don't have it, and you are only looking for one type of bead, you might leave feeling disappointed. Their prices are cheaper than some of the expensive specialty stores. Their staff is friendly, warm, and welcoming. The staff has a limited knowledge of beads and beading projects, so if you have a "tough" question, they may not be the people to ask. The staff is wonderful about helping you find exactly what you are looking for, if you carry it, and they are rarely out of stock on the items that you need. There is ample parking, and it's a cozy little store, if they have what you are looking for!
PROS: Competitive, reasonable prices. Warm, welcoming staff. Ample parking.
CONS: Don't carry everything you would expect to find in a store of this type!
The Black Bead
The Black Bead is a bead lover's paradise. They have something for every bead lover's taste in this store. You will find normal plastic beads, fancy glass beads, shaped beads, and just about everything in between. Whether you need a large, fancy bead for a special chandelier project, a bag of beads for a very large project, or you want to get our son or daughter interested in beading, then this is the place to shop! Their prices are very competitive, and while they cost more than Wal Mart, their wonderful selection, and their outstanding, knowledgeable staff really makes up for their slightly higher prices. Their staff has a lot of knowledge about beads, and they are able to recommend everything from the proper tools, to the proper closures, to the right kind of wiring, and how to manuals to meet your needs. They sell lots of instruction products that can help any wannabe bead crafter get started, and they really have a unique selection that you won't find anywhere else. If you are into making beaded jewelry, then The Black Bead is the place to go for all of your jewelry making needs. They sell everything from tools to get you started, to beads that will make your projects look like they just came off the runway. If you have a beading business, and need a great place to find unique beads, then this is the place to come. If you are a regular beading enthusiast, then give this place a try instead of heading to your local discount store the next time you make a bead run. There is ample parking and the store is warm and welcoming. You will wonder why all bead stores are not like this one. Don't see what you are looking for in stock? They can tell you where to get it, or help you special order it.
PROS: Everything you need for all of your beading and jewelry making projects.
CONS: None that I can think of.
Shepherdess
The Shepherdess is a store with so much more! Whether you are looking for expensive beads, fancy glass beads, or just regular beads, you will find it at this store. The prices are generally competitive with most specialty shops, and the selection is outstanding! You will definitely find whatever you are looking for at this store. They have some wonderful items at everyday prices that are sure to fit even the tightest crafters budget. I would consider this an arts and crafts store, on a smaller scale than a chain store, but with just as many wonderful products, at competitive prices. The knowledgeable, enthusiastic staff really enjoys their jobs, and they are happy to help you locate anything that you might be looking for, and tell you where to get it, if they don't have it. Their products are high quality, and whether you buy one item, or one hundred items, you can rest assured that you are getting exactly what you saw in the store and that it is of the best quality out there. This store stocks many unique glass beads that you wouldn't find at arts and craft stores. If you have a special project in mind, which requires a special bead, then try this store, before trying anywhere else. For those of you who want to get started, but don't know where to start, they offer classes catering to all skill levels. Make some new friends, learn some new skills, and dive fully into the wonderful world of crafting at this store. Once you visit, you will wonder why you hadn't stopped by for a visit sooner!
PROS: Unique items, not sold in other places. Classes for all skill levels.
CONS: Prices are a bit higher than your discount craft store, but well worth it!
Blick Art Materials
The Art Store is an art supply store that stocks all of the high quality, brand name products, that you don't usually find at your local discount art supply or craft store. They stock many unique and rare items, and it's the place to go when your art teacher tells you that you need a certain item, and after an extensive search, you can't find it anywhere else. Their staff is very knowledgeable, warm, and welcoming, and they can give you tips on the best products to buy, the right kind of paint for a specific project, or give you any other tidbits or information that you might need. They make you feel like they appreciate your business, and while the prices are not inexpensive, they are not exactly as outrageous as some arts and crafts stores that I have been too. Parking is available, but there's not a lot of it, due to the location of this store, the best way to get to this area if you plan to do a lot of shopping is using public transportation. You can expect that what you need will be in stock, with the price clearly marked, and if they don't have it, they can likely tell you where to get it. It might not be the best art supplies store to visit if you are on a strict budget, but if you are a serious artist, or you have a specific list of products that you have been unable to find anywhere else, then I would suggest visiting the Art Store, you won't be sorry that you did. More than likely, after a trip to this store, you will be inspired to try a new medium that you have never tried before, and they have plenty of products to help get you started.
PROS: Knowledgeable staff. Lots of product choices. Good service.
CONS: Pricey.
