Posts by Denise Shively

Are you in the mood for a little pampering? Look no farther than Anastasia Beverly Hills, a La Jolla spa that’s sure to leave you feeling rejuvenated, relaxed and simply glowing.

Each spa treatment and service will allow you to experience a whole new level of “you,”; their extensive selection of face, body and salon treatments will amaze you.

While the spa caters to females, Anastasia also offers a variety of services specifically for the image-conscious male – everything from eyebrow shaping, to waxing and even facials.

Enjoy a relaxing day trip with the girls and invest in a world-class Glycolic facial, or indulge with a luxurious Swedish massage (available in 50 or 80 minute increments.)

With summer right around the corner, you may also want to choose from one of their several waxing services, including a full leg, bikini or underarm wax.

Alternatively, you may just want to pamper yourself for a day and have your makeup professionally done. If that’s the case, Anastasia will ensure you and your girlfriends leave looking like princesses with full makeup, a natural-looking airbrush tan and professional eyebrow shaping.

If I had to choose a favorite service, I’d definitely recommend the clarifying mask treatment or the Vitamin C Facial; both leave your skin positively glowing.

The spa also offers unique packages for bridal showers, baby showers, or graduation parties. Additionally, you can customize a package to suit nearly any event. What’s more, the spa offers on-location deals if you’re interested in hosting a private spa party for a bride-to-be, or simply a gathering of your closest girlfriends for a day of beauty and pampering.

Whatever you choose Anastasia Beverly Hills La Jolla Studio for, you’ll be assured of world-class treatment, a variety of services to choose from, and a dramatic revealing of the inner goddess you know you are!

According to their website, Barona Resort and Casino is, apparently, “where the real players play, and win.”

While I can’t speak for myself, having won nothing of significance the handful of times I’ve been there, I can tell you that it’s worth a shot.

The moment you enter Barona, it almost feels as if you’re in Las Vegas. Serious gamblers will fall in love with the VIP service, the assortment of blackjack tables, $500 slot machines and the award-winning player’s club, Club Barona.

Even if you aren’t a hardcore gambler, you can still enjoy the amazing atmosphere.

What’s more, you don’t even have to necessarily come to Barona for gambling… you can come for the food!

With several dining options to choose from, you’re sure to find food that pleases even the pickiest eater. My personal favorite would be the Ranch House Buffet, which offers a huge selection of all different types of entrees, beverages, desserts and more.

The casino also offers Gameside Dining, which means you won’t have to quit your hot streak if you’re raking in the big bucks on the machine – you can actually get your meal delivered directly to your seat. How neat is that?

After a long day (and night, as the case may be) gambling, you can head to a sumptuous room at the adjoining resort. Enjoy world-class service, or pamper yourself at the day spa. Whatever you choose to do, you will not be disappointed.

The resort also offers many amenities for anything you might need, including a full-service fitness center, a business center and free high-speed internet access.

Personally, I recommend Barona Resort and Casino for a day with the girls or a luxurious weekend with a bunch of friends. It’s the perfect San Diego casino to relax, have fun and enjoy yourself.

For casual San Diego dining, look no further than Islands Restaurant.

Offering up a great combination of delicious food and a relaxed atmosphere, Islands should be your prime choice for a casual weekend date or a get together with the girls.

Most famous for their burgers, the restaurant offers several to choose from. Vegetarians can even substitute a meatless patty on any of the burgers – yum!

You can start off the meal with one of 9 great appetizers, including the to-die-for onion rings or nachos loaded with sour cream, jalapenos, tomatoes, salsa and cheese. It’s almost a meal in itself!
If burgers aren’t your thing, choose from a selection of soups, salads, sandwiches or soft tacos, all made to order and especially scrumptious.

Kids 12 and under won’t feel left out at Islands, either – they have several meals to choose from, made specifically for them.
For drinks, I wouldn’t miss their delicious Passion Fruit Iced Tea. They also have a fair selection of other sodas and beverages, as well.

After you’ve enjoyed your meal, you definitely want to save room for dessert. Try the Chocolate Lava; a decadent chocolate brownie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, roasted almonds and a cherry. Chocolate lovers won’t be able to get enough of this rich dessert!

If you love the taste of Islands but can’t make it out to eat, order takeout via phone or directly online – your food will be hot and ready for you when you arrive.

Whatever your pleasure, Islands will please even the most picky eaters. Whether you want to enjoy a night on the town with your gal pals or a family dinner in a casual environment, consider Islands Restaurant your first choice for fun, delicious and affordable dining.

For the ultimate girl’s night out, you absolutely must visit Jack's La Jolla. With three restaurants and five different lounges, there’s no shortage of food, drink and entertainment.

Truly an establishment for the upscale single girl, Jack’s La Jolla offers three spectacular restaurants, including The Dining Room, the Grille and The Ocean Room.

The Dining Room seems to offer the most bang for the buck, so to speak, including delicious food, cozy atmosphere and live entertainment.

If you’re more interested in relaxing and socializing, invite some of your gal pals out to a night on the town and have a drink at The Wall Street Bar, one of five different lounges within Jack’s. The Wall Street Bar seems to offer busy, young professionals the perfect after-work atmosphere to talk to similar-minded people and socialize.

If, on the other hand, you and the girls want to party over the weekend, choose The Beach Bar, open Thursday through Saturday until 2 AM. It’s the perfect lounge to kick it with friends, or hook up with eligible single men.

You can party until the wee hours of the morning on one of their spacious dance floors, or enjoy the killer ocean views, open air courtyard and large, extensive bar.

Honestly, Jack’s La Jolla offers the quintessential environment for a girl’s night out with an upscale and hip flair. You can expect to pay upwards of $10-50 per entrée and/or beverage depending which lounge or restaurant you choose to spend your time.

It makes for a bit of an expensive outing with your girlfriends, but it’s totally worth the price. Take it from me – there’s no better place in San Diego to find attractive, young men, a cozy atmosphere and a great place to drink, dine and have fun.

If you want to see and be seen, check out Jack’s La Jolla. You may want to consider visiting during happy hour (typically from 3:30 to 6:30), as that seems to be the best place to mingle with the other party-goers.

For a fun, relaxing day with the girls, there’s no other spa in San Diego like Essence.

The "spa on Mission Bay," located in the Hilton San Diego Resort offer a wealth of custom-designed spa treatments and services.
Enjoy 9 treatment rooms, a full-service hair and nail salon, plus an indoor/outdoor meditation lounge, if that’s your thing. The spa also offers a large boutique where you can purchase unique products and gifts to take home.

If you’d like to relax even more with your pals after your treatments, take advantage of Essence’s sun deck where you can enjoy over-sized lounge chairs, and sample some delicious cuisine.

If you’d like, you and your gal pals can ask about special day packages, where you’ll be treated like royalty for a special price.
Indulge in a wide variety of spa treatments, from facials to manicures, hair cuts to massages.

I’m especially fond of the Green Tea Peel, which leaves the skin looking absolutely radiant with no downtime whatsoever. If you desire silky, smooth skin with none of the undesirable side effects of other facials, this treatment is the way to go.

Of course, I’m also a fan of the Sacred Stone massage, which utilizes the ancient massage technique of hot stones on the body to deliver the ultimate in relaxation to tired, sore muscles.

Essence also offers an extensive selection of add-ons to make your day with the girls extra special. For example, you can add the option of a lavish bath soak, complete with your choice of rose petals, oils, or scrubs, before a facial or massage.

You could also ask for a customized blend of aromatherapy oils to help you relax further while you’re getting a massage. Honestly, your options are endless at Essence.

To make things super simple for you and your pals, you can all create your own customized packages, where you will receive three services of your choice while receiving a discount on all of them. It’s the simplest way to enjoy Essence!

Whether you want to unwind and relax with an intensive massage, or simply pal it up with the girls and get manicures and a haircut, Essence at the Hilton San Diego Resort will ensure all of you leave satisfied, relaxed, and gorgeous.

Centrally located in Little Italy, San Diego’s Chi Chocolat is a chocolate-lover’s dream.

Seriously, if you’ve never been, I suggest you stop in ASAP. Most of their chocolates are handmade with some of the best ingredients in the world, AND there are absolutely no nasty additives found in commercial chocolates.

Open Tuesday through Sunday, this upscale chocolate boutique is sure to have something delectable for every taste and budget.

Stop in after work for a delicious chocolate treat, or order a custom gift package for a lucky friend, family member or that special someone. Nothing says “I love you” more than a basket of gourmet chocolate (or maybe that’s just the foodie in me speaking!)

On a side note, their varieties of chocolate truffles are to die for.

Chi Chocolat also offers an extensive selection of beverages and Paninis, so you can stop in for lunch and take home a chocolate confection to enjoy afterwards. That’s what I did; only I had my desert first… I know, I know – bad!

If you aren’t sure what to sample, you can always go for an on or off-site chocolate tasting. Rates start from $27 per person, and it’s a great idea for parties, hanging out with the girls, or corporate events.

During the tasting, you’ll get to sample a variety of fine chocolates, take home some chocolate samples and enjoy various beverages throughout the tasting. It’s a great way to enjoy a lazy afternoon with pals, or get together with co-workers to relieve the stress from work.

You can even purchase a selection of their gourmet chocolates online, including custom chocolate gift baskets, chocolate slabs, chocolate bars and even chocolate covered strawberries.

Save some room for delectable chocolate the next time you’re out and about downtown San Diego. From delicious fine chocolates to impeccable service, Chi Chocolat has it all.

San Diego offers a wealth of great places to eat, fun things to see and do and a load of activities and attractions that could keep anyone entertained. Finding a great spot for a breakfast date, however, can get tricky if you aren’t sure what to look for! Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Through my experiences, I’ve discovered several great morning spots for a breakfast date in San Diego.

Originally hailing from Chicago, Richard Walker’s Pancake House offers an incredible selection of breakfast favorites, from the traditional to more “upscale” tastes. When I went here after a late-night partying session, I was pretty impressed. Their prices are very reasonable, and I absolutely loved their baked cinnabon pancake. Seriously, if you like cinnamon you don’t want to miss this. Their house brand coffee is pretty delicious, too, I might add.

As a vegetarian, I am especially impressed by Lean and Green in La Jolla. While not strictly a breakfast spot, it’s a great place to take a health-conscious date in the morning. Start the day off right with a glass of fresh squeezed organic orange juice or a delicious peach smoothie. For something more filling, I recommend their Irish Steel-Cut Oatmeal. You can mix and match with strawberries, nuts, agave, banana, honey and a host of other combinations.

For something a little classier, check out the breakfast menu at The Shores, a place I never would have figured served breakfast until a date brought me here. Order a Mimosa or hot coffee to start the morning off to a great start, and then choose from a surprisingly wide selection of great food like the tropical fruit waffle or Grand Marnier French toast. I guarantee you won’t leave the place without feeling satisfied, even if your date leaves something to be desired like mine did. He insisted on complaining about everything from the noise to the prices, and when breakfast was over I hit the road.

While there are always the traditional diners open around San Diego, for something a little more exciting, these breakfast spots are great alternatives. For a morning date in San Diego, I highly recommend the previous establishments. Who knows? You might discover a new favorite restaurant… even if the date doesn’t work out as planned!

If you’re looking to scope out singles, the San Diego bar scene can be a great way to meet people and find potential dates.

I met a guy at a combination bar and grill that eventually turned into a two year relationship. While we aren’t together anymore, I don’t regret ever making the commitment. We still remain friendly to this day!

Before you go, I’m going to show you some of the best bars in San Diego. Forget those dives and hole-in-the-wall establishments – these are the cream of the crop, and may even score you a first date (or two or three…!)

Pacific Beach Bar and Grill is the place to go for potential dates, dining and entertainment. Scope out prospects in their large outdoor dining area, or catch the action indoors while watching the latest sporting event on their 72” televisions.

Enchant the child within you at Dave and Busters, a grown-up arcade, restaurant and bar. It’s a great spot for a first date, or to find a date for next time! Even though I struck out when I went, I did manage to play Skee-Ball with a guy – and he gave me a stuffed panda to take home afterwards.

For an Irish-flavored evening, check out Maloney’s Tavern, located in the heart of San Diego. Great for the singles scene, you can enjoy a selection of Irish brews or mixed drinks. Their menu isn’t too shabby, either!

The Wine Lover. You’ll love the different crowd that tends to hang out at these places (I thought some of them were a bit snobby, but a lot of them are down to earth), and you won’t have to constantly worry about some cheese-ball hitting on you. Even if you aren’t much of a wine connoisseur, you definitely want to check The Wine Lover out. It’s a classy wine bar that can be a lot of fun.>

While these are only a small selection of bars in San Diego, you will undoubtedly meet someone that strikes your fancy. Forget about the dive bars you’re used to and give one of these establishments a chance. Dating in San Diego is already difficult enough, but if you’re persistent you can make the most of the singles scene.

I know San Diego, and I guarantee you’ll love these bars.

Have fun!

So, you’ve managed to snag that first date. Where to now?

FYI, McDonalds is NOT an option. The guy who took me here on our first date did not get a second date… or even to second base. Word to the wise, fellas!

Luckily, my extensive dating experiences can serve to inform and instruct those of you who are a little… lacking in the date planning department.

These are the best first date spots in San Diego I’ve come across. You won’t find any fast food spots here!

For those who are on a bit of a budget, the Corvette Diner serves up great food and an amazing atmosphere that’s sure to please even the most discriminating date. I was taken to the Corvette Diner on a third date, but hey, he got a fourth out of it! They’ve got a wide selection of food and beverages to suit any taste, and offer weekly entertainment and a nightly DJ. Plus, they’re entirely 50’s-themed, which is pretty rad.

If 50’s-inspired dining isn’t to your liking, hop on over to Jimmy Loves. Open 7 days a week, the restaurant/night club offers an amazing menu selection and nightly entertainment. Check out their website for a calendar of upcoming entertainment acts so you can plan your first date perfectly. Seriously, it’s worth it to plan… I should know. I went out with a guy who had no clue what we were doing, and basically drove around for two hours waiting for me to decide. Puh-lease!

If dining isn’t an option or you’re taking a date out during the morning or mid-afternoon, why not take a stroll through scenic Balboa Park? It’s the perfect place to people watch, talk and get to know one another in a gorgeous environment. Plus, if you get bored of sitting around there are tons of museums and other attractions to keep you busy. Plus, the water fountains and forested areas make it very romantic… hint, hint!

If you’re lucky enough to score a date with a girl who can be a kid when the moment calls for it, check out Belmont Park for rides, arcades, midway games, shopping and dining. You’ll certainly enjoy yourself, but feel her out (no, not THAT way!) before you take your first date to a glorified amusement park.

San Diego offers a wealth of restaurants, clubs, bars and attractions – yet surprisingly enough, I’ve dated plenty of people who never had a clue where to take me. Hopefully, this short list will give you an idea of some of the greatest first date spots in San Diego.

If you’re lucky, you might just score a second date.

Even if you don’t have a date this season, you can still troll for potential matches at these top activities for singles in San Diego.

When I was hitting the singles scene, I checked out tons of hot spots. While I wasn’t able to score a date every time, the following activities were where I seemed to have the best luck.

Dakota Grill and Spirits offers a relaxed atmosphere to eat, drink - and potentially score a date.

I checked out this spot during lunch time, when there seemed to be more singles present. Within about 20 minutes, I was talking to a busy professional who was there on his lunch break. We only lasted about four dates, but even so…!

If you’re looking for something with a Spanish flavor, check out Cafe Coyote for authentic Mexican cuisine and a fun atmosphere so you can scope out the scenery.

Again, I’d suggest hitting up this place during lunch time. The dinner crowd seemed mostly married couples with children - definitely not a prime time to pick up a date!

For a night of partying, grab a couple gal pals and head to Club Montage where you are sure to find plenty of eligible dates to choose from.

A few of my best friends and I decided to hit up Montage and within minutes I had an invitation to dance and a phone number. It’s definitely worth a look.

For a rockin’ atmosphere and great times, check out Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach.

Seriously, this is one of the hottest clubs around, and I’ve always scored a date every time I’ve been here. If you’re into live music and dancing, you will love this place.

Of course, my all-time favorite spot for singles in San Diego is Balboa Park. Between the many museums and other attractions this San Diego favorite has, you can also choose to sit and people watch.

The next time you head here, try striking up a conversation with a photographer like I did. Balboa Park is full of amateur photographers taking pictures of the beautiful scenery and buildings, and I managed to form a long-term relationship this way.

If you’re tired of the boring singles scene in San Diego, the previous establishments are some of the great spots I’ve found to attract local singles.

Try out a few, and test your luck.