Stuff To Do in San Diego: Sarah's Smash Shack

The mention of San Diego usually conjures images of oceanfront beauty, historical missions, and of course, the nation's most popular zoo. But when I think of San Diego, I think of smashing. Yup, that's right: smashing, as in breaking, destroying, shattering. I have my friend, Emma, to thank for that. You see, she enlightened me to the absolute delight that is Sarah's Smash Shack.

Sarah's Smash Shack introduces an imaginative and innovative opportunity for people to express themselves in a safe and exciting new way. Customers are able to throw, smash, and destroy an array of breakable objects in two private rooms. It's a great way to release energies and emotions without fear of reprisal.

Founders, Sarah Lavely and Ed King, opened Sarah's Smash Shack with the hope of bringing a little levity to life's trials and tribulations. Their goal is to allow people to let go, let loose and go home with a smile on their face. The inspiration for the Smash Shack came to Sarah at an especially low point in her life. She literally woke up one day and thought "I wish I could just go somewhere and break some things. Hmmm...other people must feel this way, too. I should open a shop where people can come and break stuff!" And, so the Smash Shack was born.

Smashing sessions start around $25, which includes safety gear, use of a private "break room", and breakables. You can bring your own goods or order off the "Smash Shack Menu", which includes a surprisingly stylish selection of glasses, vases, plates, frames, and even glass flowers.

Get your "smash" on next time you're in San Diego! Visit SmashShack.com for more info.

Dining in San Diego.

One of the first things I want to know when traveling to a new city is, "what's the food like?" I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and quantity of restaurants in San Diego. If you're planning a trip, I recommend checking out SanDiegoRestaurants.com before you go. With so many selections and a restaurant for every pallette, it's worth reviewing your options and seeing what others diners have to say before deciding upon your dining destination.  

Living in LA causes serious pizza-deprivation for a native-New Yorker like myself. Desperate for a good nosh, Dan and I headed over to what we heard was "the best pizza in San Diego", Sammy's Woodfire Grill. Let me just say this: it's not NY-style pizza, but it's darn good! I'm still jonesing for seconds of the artisan pizza I had: kashkaval cheese, caramelized onions, and fresh basil with a delicate french bread crust - to die for! Other than pizza, Sammy's also has an extensive and eclectic tapas menu, a number of tasty looking salads, and a decent pasta selection. We enjoyed delicious food, great service, and a lovely setting at a very reasonable price. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Sammy's in LA.

Road Trip to San Diego for a Jimmy Buffet Concert.

While the Mystic one has been galavanting across the country, I've been getting familiar with parts of California that were once foreign to me. Behold the great city of San Diego!

I never had a reason to stop by San Diego until Jimmy Buffett paid a visit to the southwestern city for one of the last concerts on his "Year of Still Here" Tour. Determined to catch Jimmy and his Coral Reefer band, I made quick plans for an impromptu road trip.

Road trips may not be most people's idea of luxury, but for me, cruising down an open road in my ultra-comfortable Scion with the Laguna Mountains to my left and the Pacific Ocean to my right is the ultimate luxury! I shared the ride with my brother and fellow parrothead, Dan. 

We drove in early enough to explore the city before heading down to Chula Vista for the show. What we found in our explorations was some beautiful architecture, stunning scenery, and a slew of great restaurants. Details to come...

Lake Champlain Islands, Burlington Vermont

What a change of pace, from the heat and humidity of a smoldering summer day in Houston to a crisp cool cloudy late fall stroll around the lake. Ah twenty four hours can make all the difference. I left Houston behind and arrived in Burlington Vermont. A sunny 50 degrees when I arrived its now 38 and raining. Sitting in the living room at the cottage on the lake, the fog rolling over the water and the last of the fall color glimmering on the trees, and it is perfect.

Burlington is a little city by my L.A. standards and serious big time for Vermont. The largest city in Vermont, with a population at around 40,000, Burlington is home of The University of Vermont which contributes significantly to the population. Sitting on the edge of Lake Champlain, Burlington is between the Adirondack and Green Mountains.

Yesterday I took a drive up thru the islands. The Lake Champlain Islands are a string of islands in the middle of Lake Champlain on Route 2 that stretch from Burlington up to the Canadian Border. Quaint towns and rolling hillsides with great views of both mountain ranges make this a picturesque drive. There is also Grand Isle State Park, which unfortunately I missed as it was closed for the season.

Even at the tail end of the foliage season, Vermont is remarkable. Stop by the Vermont Tourism Office for more great trip ideas for any season.

Houston - The City of Water Fountains

I lived in Houston for a year in 2005. It was a great adventure getting to know the city. After LA it was a study in differences. Flat, water everywhere, politeness and different varieties of food. I never thought I'd live in the south. I loved Houston. And I still do.

It does feel a bit different. A bit more disheveled. Honestly, it feels like New Orleans used to...a mix of decrepit and posh just with a Texan flavor. I'm sure part of the reason is I'm staying downtown. And part of the reason is New Orleans moved to Houston, or at least a good chunk of it did. Then there's the remanents from Hurricane Ike. A visit with a local and I found out the are still people without power here. There was this huge building downtown with hundreds of its windows boarded up on the higher floors where Ike had blown them out.

I'm here for all of 36 hours for a trade show. Staying about a mile from the convention center, I walked over and back this morning. There's nothing like walking it to get the feel for a place. Houston has a modern rail system that runs thru downtown. On my meanderings I rediscovered one of my great loves in Houston - the water. Coming from Los Angeles, our glorious empire in the desert, water is an honored scarce resource. So the abundance of water and its grand use in the fountains of Houston just feels downright lavish to me. I adore lavish!



On one downtown street a whole block is taken over by water. The road itself (Main Street between Walker and McKinney) is closed to traffic. While the metro rail still runs thru this block it glides over open pools of water surrounded by geometric marble slabs that provide both planters and seating for passersby. Great geysers burst up towards the heavens. Just another splash of water in Downtown Houston.

Main St Fountains
Originally uploaded by Shay Haas

Once, before I lived in Houston, I was discussing my impending move with a shop owner in New Orleans. I'll never forget she said "Well, its definitely a well appointed state". That is absolutely true. On the walk to the convention center I passed thru Discovery Green which is an amazing park. Where again there was the ever present water in Houston. A small pond with carp and water lillies is set against the backdrop of the George Brown Convention center. I saw a beautiful Chinese dance ensemble at the Anheuser-Busch Stage.

Discovery Green, Houston, Texas
Originally uploaded by JWSherman

Then there's the interactive fountain where you can get a quick drench to stave off the Houston heat. Its almost November and it was definitely hot enough to join the fun today. There were about 10 people in this fountain when I walked by. And there's something different about the sunlight in Texas. It just made everything in the park glow. It was the perfect warm summer day right before Halloween.

It was a joy to be in Houston as always. Up next, for a nice change of pace: Vermont

Here's some more great water fountain shots in Houston:

Fountain at Discovery Green, Houston, TX
Originally uploaded by JWSherman

Children at fountain
Originally uploaded by GP(MPK)

Dandelion Sculpture - Houston, Texas
Originally uploaded by virgil4u

For more info please stop by:
Discovery Green
Visit Houston Texas

Mecom Fountain - Houston Texas

Thankfully this year the lights of glory came back to Mecom Fountain. In 2006, 246 lights that were used to light the fountain at night were stolen. On Feb 29, 2008 the lights were relit to great fanfare as the citizens of Houston got one of their iconic landmarks back.

Mecom Fountain is located outside Hermann Park in Houston at Main and Montrose.

Mecom Fountain Through the Trees
Originally uploaded by mtnguyd

Mecom Fountain Houston
Originally uploaded by Christoph Mendt

Houston's Theater District

Houston's Theater District
Originally uploaded by Notsuoh Photography

Ranked second in the nation for theater seat concentrations in a downtown area, Houston's Theater District is among the best. Get more info at The Houston Theater District Website and of course, there are more fountains. 

A few more great Fountains in Houston

Here's some more Water Fountains of Houston, including the Bob and Vivian Smith Fountain at Polk and Smith as well as some great night shots.

Bob and Vivian Smith Fountain at Polk and Smith
Originally uploaded by imelda

 

Fountain Houston Texas
Originally uploaded by PhotoByRonnie

Fountain of Houston
Originally uploaded by Michael (mx5tx)