Stores to Visit in San Diego?

Twangmeister · August 2nd, 2005, 07:52 PM

I shall be accompanying Mrs. Twangmeister on a business trip next Friday and Saturday and will have plenty of time to get around to interesting shops, etc. Any recommendations or places to avoid as far as guitar shops, music emporia, and the like?

Also, if you know of any killer Mexican restaurants of seafood places, that would be great, too.

What am I gonna do for two days without LA heat and smog? ;-)

Thanks in advance!

jwells393 · August 2nd, 2005, 08:20 PM

If I were going to the San Diego area, I would try to get to Buffalo Brothers Guitars in Carlsbad.

4901 El Camino Real, Carlsbad.CA
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: 760-434-4567

http://www.buffalobrosguitars.com/index.html

I'm not sure how far it is from San Diego.

BrianF · August 2nd, 2005, 08:28 PM

Carlsbad is about 30 miles north of San Diego. Take I-5 North ....check maps.google.com for driving directions. I-5 can be horrendous with traffic depending upon the time of day. It's getting as bad as the LA area for traffic.

There's also several Guitar Centers in the area, but they are mostly cookie-cutter francises (not unique)...Guitar Trader is in Kearny Mesa area of San Diego. Nothing special about this store anymore...mostly internet traffic/business. Freedom Guitar is on El Cajon Blvd. Nice selection of over-priced (higher than ebay) vintage gear. Can't think of another good store to go to...there's probably way more in the LA area.

Quote:

Also, if you know of any killer Mexican restaurants of seafood places, that would be great, too.

There's tons of small hole-in-the-wall Mexican fast food places with good food (as I'm sure LA has too)....

Go to Old Town if you want top-notch tourist-grade food / atmosphere for Mexican. Casa de Bandini, Casa de Pico (near or in the BAzaar del Mundo), then the Old Town Mexican Cafe...on San Diego Ave in Old Town is good too. Have a margarita for me :D

Quote:

What am I gonna do for two days without LA heat and smog?

San Diego heat and smog...not quite as bad as LA but we have it too.

aln413 · August 2nd, 2005, 08:41 PM

guitartrader.com

RAC · August 2nd, 2005, 08:44 PM

http://entertainment.signonsandiego....<br /> <br />

Twangmeister · August 2nd, 2005, 10:56 PM

I had forgotten about the Buffalo Bros! I bought a very cool Heritage 535 from them at a guitar show in Pasadena about 5 years ago and they were extremely fair and flexible. Then again, they might have been hallucinating on the ozone in the atmosphere! I'll check them out, as well as Guitar Traders.

If it's the same Freedom Guitar as on Sunset in Hollyweird then for sure there won't be any bargains du jour...

Thanks for all. :D

iluvblackfrancis · August 3rd, 2005, 12:09 AM

Might as well just go to Mexico for your grub.

Echo · August 3rd, 2005, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Go to Old Town if you want top-notch tourist-grade food / atmosphere for Mexican. Casa de Bandini, Casa de Pico (near or in the BAzaar del Mundo), then the Old Town Mexican Cafe...on San Diego Ave in Old Town is good too. Have a margarita for me

The bazaar del mundo closed up month or so ago, Casa de Pico and all the surrounding shops moved away to a new location. The Old Town Mexican Cafe is alive and well though. As for SEAFOOD places, try cruising Prospect Ave in La Jolla or the PCH in the Del Mar/Cardiff area. Azul and The Charthouse are a couple of my faves. Pricy, but great service, great food and awesome views.

BrianF · August 3rd, 2005, 01:25 AM

Quote:

The bazaar del mundo closed up month or so ago, Casa de Pico and all the surrounding shops moved away to a new location.

I am so bummed about that. I haven't been there in awhile but have been going there since 1978....I can't believe it...It was a San Diego institution.... :(

Where did they move and what is in it's place now?

BrianF · August 3rd, 2005, 01:28 AM

http://www.bazaardelmundo.com/dining/pico.html

moving to Grossmont Center. It will become just another Mexican Food place...nothing special. I'll probably never go out there...

Dillon · August 3rd, 2005, 01:49 AM

No need to drive all over the county...

For guitars, Buffalo Brothers (Carlsbad) and Scott Lentz's shop (San Marcos). You might also consider the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad. It's interactive and historical.

For eats, Fidel's (Carlsbad), Fish House Vera Cruz (San Marcos) or take the coastal drive to the oceanfront restaurants in Cardiff (Chart House, Beach House, or Charlie's).

Sounds like a perfect Saturday to me. Heck, start early and you could even make the thoroughbred races at Del Mar!

August 2nd, 2005, 07:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Twangmeister Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lost Angeles, CA Posts: 1,251	Stores to Visit in San Diego? I shall be accompanying Mrs. Twangmeister on a business trip next Friday and Saturday and will have plenty of time to get around to interesting shops, etc. Any recommendations or places to avoid as far as guitar shops, music emporia, and the like? Also, if you know of any killer Mexican restaurants of seafood places, that would be great, too. What am I gonna do for two days without LA heat and smog? ;-) Thanks in advance! __________________ "The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils." http://www.myspace.com/jeremendelsohn

August 2nd, 2005, 08:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,252 101 Photos	If I were going to the San Diego area, I would try to get to Buffalo Brothers Guitars in Carlsbad. 4901 El Camino Real, Carlsbad.CA Carlsbad, CA 92008 Phone: 760-434-4567 http://www.buffalobrosguitars.com/index.html I'm not sure how far it is from San Diego. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

August 2nd, 2005, 08:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
RAC TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: san diego Posts: 29	Ranchos!!!! http://entertainment.signonsandiego....<br /> <br />

August 2nd, 2005, 10:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
Twangmeister Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lost Angeles, CA Posts: 1,251	Gracias, amigos.... I had forgotten about the Buffalo Bros! I bought a very cool Heritage 535 from them at a guitar show in Pasadena about 5 years ago and they were extremely fair and flexible. Then again, they might have been hallucinating on the ozone in the atmosphere! I'll check them out, as well as Guitar Traders. If it's the same Freedom Guitar as on Sunset in Hollyweird then for sure there won't be any bargains du jour... Thanks for all. :D __________________ "The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils." http://www.myspace.com/jeremendelsohn

August 3rd, 2005, 12:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
iluvblackfrancis Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: california Posts: 208	Might as well just go to Mexico for your grub. __________________ Take my hand, I'm shaking like milk.

August 2nd, 2005, 08:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
aln413 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: fontana,ca. Posts: 444	guitartrader.com

August 3rd, 2005, 01:28 AM	#10 (permalink)
BrianF Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Carlsbad, Ca Posts: 2,155 7 Photos	answering my own question... http://www.bazaardelmundo.com/dining/pico.html moving to Grossmont Center. It will become just another Mexican Food place...nothing special. I'll probably never go out there...

August 3rd, 2005, 01:49 AM	#11 (permalink)
Dillon Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego County Posts: 306 90 Photos	North County No need to drive all over the county... For guitars, Buffalo Brothers (Carlsbad) and Scott Lentz's shop (San Marcos). You might also consider the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad. It's interactive and historical. For eats, Fidel's (Carlsbad), Fish House Vera Cruz (San Marcos) or take the coastal drive to the oceanfront restaurants in Cardiff (Chart House, Beach House, or Charlie's). Sounds like a perfect Saturday to me. Heck, start early and you could even make the thoroughbred races at Del Mar!