Off topic forum: Spur of the moment activities

[anxvariety]

What sort of spur of the moment activities do you and/or your significant other take part in too add some spice to an otherwise routine day/week/month? Besides read piggington 😉

2 of my favorites are(and these just happen to be inexpensive):
1. (Sumnmer)Going with gf for a dip in the ocean late at night
2. (Winter) Heading out to the desert(Ocotillo Wells) for star-gazing; we pick a random spot in the sand(open camping mostly out there) and setup the tent.. If you haven’t ever been or camped in the desert at night maybe you should try it! Just make sure you check the weather first.. wind and heat can get a little out of control out there.. One time I was feeling a little crazy and went out early summer – it was 95 degrees f at midnight.

Anyways, I’m mostly looking to hear your ideas since my girlfriend is sounding the ‘entertain me’ alarm.. (Uh oh!) 🙂

San Diego sure isn’t short on exciting landscape in close proximity with everything from the beach(sun), mountains(snow) and desert(sand)… So, how do the rest of you premium paying residents get your moneys worth?? 😉

[anxvariety]

Damn!!!! I meant to put this in off topic.

[carlislematthew]

Damn!!!! I meant to put this in off topic.

But then it would have been ON topic! 🙂

[anxvariety]

Well at least I put ‘off topic’ in the title.. hopefully someone responds I need some ideas before my girlfriend wakes up! 🙂

[carlislematthew]

So you’re looking to plan a spontaneous moment. Riiight. 🙂

My ideas:

-Call in sick at work and drive to Vegas!
-Go to Big Bear, rent mountain bikes, take the ski lift up to the top and ride down really fast! (planning on doing that this weekend!)

[anxvariety]

So you’re looking to plan a spontaneous moment. Riiight. 🙂

Good point.. but I don’t think I’ll be able to please my girlfriend with just one activity.. so I’d like to hear a bunch of ideas so I can keep some in my arsenal ready to go at any time!!

[Chrispy]

1) Hike up Torrey Pines and walk back along the beach.
2) Ride the roller coaster at Belmont Park – Mission Beach. Check out the overpriced beach/bay for sale properties afterwards.
3) Take the trolley to a Padre game.
4) Explore the many canyons in SD by foot or by bike: Penasquitos, Rose Canyon, San Clemente Canyon, canyons bordering Mission Trails Park in Tierrasanta.
5) Head over to Julian for apple pie (perfect for fall). Check out Lake Cuyamaca along the way.

[sdduuuude]

We ditched the kids on my parents for a weekend and went to Knotts Berry Farm. It was really fun. KBF had a few serious rides, some fun & cheezy shopping, and wasn’t gang-ridden like Magic Mountain. We had half-price tix, so it was only $20/person. Go in right at opening time. Head to the rear of the park. Highly recommended. Xcellerator is quite awesome – 0 to 85 in 2.5 seconds.

In SD, there is the Knotts Soak City. I always wanted to go there.

Buy an annual “couple” Zoo pass and go to the zoo or Animal Park. She’ll think it’s like a long-term commitment.

OK – this is kind of nerdy. There is a model train museum in Balboa Park. It costs $5 to get in and is pretty amazing. Basically a bunch of old guys have been building train-scapes since 1986. It is huge. I’ll admit, many find it boring, but my 4-year old and I love it.

The Natural History Museum has great IMAX movies.

Lunch in TJ. I love going to TJ. Most don’t. I eat off the beaten track. Try Taurino on 6th, a few blocks west of Revolicion.

Take the train from Campo to Tecate and back.

Go camping – Dos Picos near Ramona, and Potrero up near campo are nice.

[PerryChase]

sdduuuude, what about TJ? Where can you go to TJ aside from Revolucion? I’d like to discover Mexico more.

[ybc]

Talking about the spur of the moment activities — anyone like to get together again? I missed the last one.

[sdduuuude]

I like going down to TJ just for lunch on a weekday.

In the 90s, I did telecom work in the city on and off and drove all over with local engineers. They showed me the city and I ate where they ate. It is a different experience from revolution, which isn’t really normal.

TJ is a bustling city and there are lots of great restaurants. I love driving in big crowded cities where the only rule is “don’t run into anyone” and the lane lines don’t really mean all that much.

Every few months, I go down to get body work or upholstery done, have lunch, and buy a cheap bottle of rum. Just going into the supermarket is interesting. I discovered “Herdez” salsa years ago, before the sold it here.

I went to a bullfight once. I didn’t realize they actually killed the bull. Then I realized “matador” does mean “killer” in spanish and I’m like “duh.” I’m glad I saw it, but I’ll never do it again. I’d recommend it to anyone who really wants to experience Mexico, but it is a bit unsettling.

Restaurants I know of include El Taurino, Los Arcos, Las Carnes. There is a Guadalajara – something. Find an online dining guide to TJ and pick a place. Just take a cab in.

Things aren’t as much of a deal in Mexico as they used to be. It is usually a hassle and you don’t save all that much, but I love it. I suspect when retail has trouble here, the deals in Mex. will be better. Speaking Spanish means lower prices.

If you are looking for something in the US, just for fun try to find it in TJ – but don’t go to Revolucion. Go to a normal store where Mexicans would shop. That’s where you find deals. Need tile? Go to a tile store in TJ. Need furniture – go to a furniture store, not a Revolucion shop. Costco in TJ is pretty cool, too.

For the best fish tacos (and I really, really mean the absolute best), head 600 miles south and find Donny’s Tacos in Mulege. Then snorkel for clams in Bahia Concepcion.

[barnaby33]

Get her a tandem paragliding ride at Torrey Pines.

Weekend trip to Hearst castle.

But for the TRULY spontaneous and romantic idea. Take her trap shooting at the miramar trap and skeet range. That never fails. Even if she has never shot a gun before. I know, I know it doesn’t sound romantic, but it really is.

You can follow that up with drinks at the top of Top of the Hyatt, it has the best view in downtown.

Josh

[sdduuuude]

b33 said “I know, I know it doesn’t sound romantic, but it really is.”

Uh, huh. And so are the NHRA Drag races at Pomona.

[smfj]

anxvariety, you mentioned the variety of landscapes in the county, and that makes for some awesome drives. I like to take a spontaneous drive to somewhere I haven’t been or haven’t been in a while. One time I grabbed a friend, drove out to Sonic in El Centro (crazy, yes, but I love it), then went up to the Salton Sea and meandered back on the 78. A nice way to spend a Sunday.

The Salton Sea is just a crazy place. Particularly interesting for real estate and/or history buffs.

[novice1027]

Try the Riveria Motel in San Clemente. Total debauchery. Mirrors on the ceiling, 1970’s decor, round beds, jacuzzi in room, sunk in water beds, swings, 24 hour porn. She’ll LOVE it. There is even a guy in a black satin robe behind the desk. It’s kind of tacky, but clean, so I have been told, lol!

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