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en Swift City is a map of the best things to do in various cities around the world. This feed contains new markers and cities we have added to the site recently. http://www.swiftcity.com Sat, 20 Jan 2007 15:00:00 EST Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:21:51 PST http://www.swiftcity.com/graphics/tiny-logo.gif http://www.swiftcity.com Hotel -- If location is your top accommodation priority, then the Grand Hyatt has a definite advantage on the New York hotel scene. The property is connected to the Grand Central Terminal and is within walking distance of Central Park, Fifth Avenue and Times Square. One of Manhattan's largest hotels, it features 1,311 rooms, 51 suites, and the Manhattan Sky restaurant, overlooking 42nd Street. The Grand Hyatt recently renovated its 24-hour fitness center and is offering fun packages like a "Girls Getaway" for its leisure guests. Room rates start at $200. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1203.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1203.html Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:40:36 PDT Attraction -- Operating jointly with the San Diego Zoo is the Wild Animal Park. Located 35 minutes north of San Diego in Escondido, the Wild Animal Park features 1800 acres of wildlife preserve with more than 3,000 animals in their more natural habitat. You can ride around in an open-air bus, or there are beautiful paths and hiking trails (don't forget your comfy walking shoes). Visitors can also help feed animals and learn through educational exhibits. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1054.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1054.html Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:28:19 PDT Restaurant -- At Mexicana Mama Centro, the space is small, the waits are long, and they only accept cash. But the food - oh, the food. Close your eyes and picture it: corn on the cob smothered in a creamy chipotle sauce. Chicken in a truffle sauce topped with goat cheese. You're getting hungry ... very hungry. The prices are on the steep side for what it is, but you're paying for what many consider "gourmet Mexican" fare. This festive restaurant is not ideal for large groups (the waiter had to move the table for us when it was time to leave), but it's great for two to three people. This location serves dinner only, but lunch is also available at the original Mexicana Mama, 525 Hudson Street. Reservations are not taken. Average mains: $14. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1193.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1193.html Wed, 25 Apr 2007 10:41:23 PDT Restaurant -- Monk's offers a terrific view of the Vancouver skyline, with brilliant sunsets to accent a menu that provides something for both the casual and formal diner. The ambiance is light and spacious with an upstairs room for more formal dining and the casual downstairs oyster bar. In reality, both are easy-going - wearing a tie would stand out as unusual here. Seafood is the top menu pick, with mussels and oysters starring, although there are plenty of choices for carnivores. Average mains: $15. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1164.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1164.html Sat, 21 Apr 2007 19:02:26 PDT Restaurant -- Steamworks is a two-storey restaurant that serves great burgers and everything-on-it pizzas, as well as continental and Pacific Northwestern cuisine that would be comfortable in trendy restaurants. Upstairs is the pub/lounge that has become an unofficial downtown, a kind of boy-meets-girl-on-their-respective-lunch-place. Downstairs are three more sedate, but active separate rooms for eating. Since the restaurant is next to and below The Landing mini-mall, it attracts a lot of youngish, upscale shoppers. Meals anywhere from $9.95 to $25. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1165.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1165.html Sat, 21 Apr 2007 18:58:07 PDT Restaurant -- If Vancouver has a consistently "in" place, where you go to be seen and to see others, this is it. Umberto Menghi is an institution in the city, having no less than three popular restaurants in town and two in Whistler. This is the corporate flagship. While the menu is heavily weighted to Tuscan fare, the menu has a variety of influences. Farm-raised pheasant is a specialty as is the veal with a melange of lightly drilled wild mushrooms. Try the salmon carpaccio mediorente or a thick chop of grilled veal in a rosemary-accented wine jus. Ask for the table set high above the floor, it's in a small cove that can't be equalled for its romantic intimacy anywhere in the city. Otherwise, try the garden patio on sunny days and warm evenings. Mains from $18.95 to $32. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1166.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1166.html Sat, 21 Apr 2007 18:53:27 PDT Shopping -- The Bay is more than just another department store. More than any other Canadian institution, this company is responsible for much of the exploration that led to Canada becoming a nation. Today, Vancouver's major outlet, the downtown Bay (nobody calls it the Hudson's Bay Company) stocks classic items like the Hudson's Bay woollen blanket, but there are also mini-designer stores like Hilfiger, Polo and others within the large complex. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1176.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1176.html Sat, 21 Apr 2007 18:42:47 PDT Hotel -- In the heart of where the action is, midway along Robson Street, you'll find the Listel. This boutique hotel focuses on the arts and makes a point of showcasing interesting artworks throughout their rooms and hallways. The hotel is even "curated" by the nearby Buschlen Mowatt Galleries, one of the city's finest galleries. The average-sized rooms are modern and comfortable, and there are "Artist Series Suites" for those who want to get into the artistic spirit. Hungry? With a sidewalk view, O'Doul's restaurant is one of the better places along Robson Street to people watch, and the food's not bad either. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1161.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1161.html Sat, 21 Apr 2007 18:36:34 PDT Hotel -- It may look plain, but this West End suite hotel is one of the city's best-kept secrets and is just a short walk from Stanley Park and two blocks from the Robson Street action. Katherine Hepburn, who was a frequent visitor to Vancouver, called this her favourite hotel. And in fact, walk into the manager's office and you'll see a series of autographed photos of luminaries who've stayed there. The beige and peach designer furniture give you an upbeat feel even when it's raining. Suites have a fully-equipped kitchen, one or two bedrooms, separate living and dining areas, stereo, and TV complete with specialty channels. Some suites have a cosy fireplace and all have voice mail. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1158.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1158.html Sat, 21 Apr 2007 18:26:34 PDT Attraction -- Past the Canadian Pacific Railway Terminal building where the first CPR train steamed in 1887, lies Gastown, Vancouver's birthplace. Renovated 19th century brick buildings, mews, courtyards and passages host shops filled with the good, the bad, and the tacky. Gastown was levelled by fire in 1886 but rose again as a commercial area. Now, the warehouses and shops have been converted to boutiques and restaurants and the turn-of-the-century atmosphere attracts thousands of visitors by day and cabaret patrons by night. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1174.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1174.html Sat, 21 Apr 2007 18:24:07 PDT Attraction -- In Chinatown the narrow sidewalks are vibrant with humanity, elbow to elbow in a crowded swirl of chatter and haggling over prices no matter what the time of day or evening. Smells of outdoor vegetable stalls, meat shops with their hanging ducks, restaurants, and pastry shops float in the air without restriction. Stop here, quickly turn there. Specialty shops sell everything from mysterious oriental herbal remedies to finely lacquered pots, jade, carved wood and embroidered dresses. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1173.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1173.html Sat, 21 Apr 2007 18:19:13 PDT Attraction -- Granville Island Public Market is the heart and soul of Granville Island and one of Vancouver's must-experience places. Everything that's available in Vancouver's ethnic and mainstream communities is here with Italian, Japanese, East Asian, Chinese, and European products sold at stalls in this 4645 sq. m (50,000 sq. ft.) waterfront building. As with Seattle's Pike Place Market, you don't even have to buy anything. More than a few Vancouverites arrive early in the morning and walk among the hundreds of stalls just people watching and experiencing the moment. Outside on the north-side docks are benches and tables for leisurely snacking. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1172.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1172.html Sat, 21 Apr 2007 18:12:49 PDT Attraction -- Ying and yang, up and down, black and white ... in the heart of Chinatown, this classic Ming Dynasty garden was created with the help of 52 artisans from Suzhou, China's foremost garden city. It's not just a place to witness pretty flowers, but a garden in which you have to work your mind. Sit and watch, think Asian and try to explore what's in your heart. The Toaist balance between yin and yang - light and shadow, smooth and rough, large and small - creates perfect harmony in pebbled patios, moon-gates, lattice windows, see-through shrubbery, placid jade pools and craggy grey limestone. Rocks, wood, plants and water are used with remarkable, deceptive simplicity. Everything is in perfect symmetry. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1168.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1168.html Sat, 21 Apr 2007 18:04:16 PDT Shopping -- If you want to shop at Louis Vuitton, go to Fifth Avenue. If you want a knock-off Louis Vuitton handbag for $25, go to Canal Street. This major Lower Manhattan street is named for an actual canal dug in the early 1800s. Today, however, it is flooded with counterfeit purses, pirated CDs and street vendors. Canal Street is bargain shopping at its best. The street also separates Chinatown from Little Italy, two neighbourhoods definitely worth exploring - or at least eating in. Start at the Subway stop at Canal Street and Broadway (serviced by several different lines, including the 6 train)and walk east. If nothing else, you'll find a cheap souvenir. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1204.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1204.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:30 PDT Attraction -- Ok, we'll admit it: as locals, we go to great lengths to avoid Times Square. Still, you need to see it at least once. Start at 47th Street and Broadway, where you can purchase discounted theatre tickets at the TKTS booth (up to 50 percent off for that day's performances only). Don't let the winding line scare you - it moves fast. For nightlife, the bar at Blue Fin restaurant in the W Hotel has a trendy clientele and cocktails to match. Of course, if you're still feeling the need for some over-the-top fun, you have your pick of themed restaurants and entertainment venues. And yes, the Naked Cowboy does exist. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1205.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1205.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:30 PDT Cafe -- This delectable shop opened when one of the former owners of Greenwich Village's famous Magnolia bakery decided to venture out on her own. That was good news for those partaking in New York City's recent cupcake craze. The window says "Life is Uncertain - Eat Dessert First." You don't have to tell us twice. Now, should we go for the lemon cupcake with lemon frosting or the vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting? At $1.85 each, Buttercup's cupcakes are an urban steal. But if you have a special occasion or just want to splurge, cakes start at $22. Who says money can't buy happiness? http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1206.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1206.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:30 PDT Hotel -- You might think you're entering a club as you walk through the Hudson and step onto an escalator bathed in neon yellow. Instead, you're transported to a lobby with 40-feet ceilings covered in ivy, an enormous crystal chandelier and a long wooden reception desk. From one room to another, things don't seem to blend - but each is so visually stimulating that you don't seem to mind (the Hudson is, after all, designed by Philippe Starck). As is often the case with New York hotel rooms, room size is not a selling point and the so-called "private park" is more like a small courtyard. But the boutique property's atmosphere, location near Central Park, and lively (although pricey) restaurant and bar almost make the room rates a steal. We said almost. Room rates start at $95. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1208.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1208.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:30 PDT Hotel -- Look, over on 45th Street: it's a youth hostel ... no, it's a chic inn ... no, it's Hotel QT! Owner Andre Balazs has done the seemingly impossible: created a stylish-yet-subdued hotel in the otherwise flashy Times Square. Add attractive room rates to that equation and it's easy to see why this property has had a hard time remaining true to its namesake, "on the quiet (QT)." Hotel QT has become known for in-room amenities like wi-fi, flat-screen televisions and DVD players, and for its four-person accommodations complete with twin bunk beds. Did we mention the pool with the swim-up bar and DJs that spin nightly in the lobby? The rooms are not spacious (they top out at 275 square feet), but hey, you're in the city that never sleeps, so how much time will you really spend in there? Room rates start at $125 (guests under 25 get a discount). http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1210.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1210.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:30 PDT Attraction -- Recently redesigned by Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi, the Museum of Modern Art stands six stories tall and houses more than 150,000 pieces of art. Its impressive collections include works by Henry Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol, to name a few. The new building is a work of art in itself. An interior promenade offers views of our favorite addition, The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, dotted with modern sculptures, plantings and reflecting pools. Other highlights include the skylit galleries on the museum's top floor, a popular café and the Film and Media program, located in two theatres below the lobby level. Unlike some other local museums, the $20 admission fee for adults is mandatory (rather than suggested). Children under sixteen are admitted free, and everyone visits for free on Friday nights. Hours are 10.30am to 5.30pm Monday through Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and 10.30am to 8pm on Friday. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1192.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1192.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:29 PDT Restaurant -- Olive oil connoisseurs, welcome to your new favorite restaurant. The Fig & Olive's food philosophy is unique: each dish is prepared with one of the finest olive oils of the Mediterranean region. Fittingly, the light, airy ambience and décor create a European feel. Before dinner, guests are served a complimentary tasting of three virgin olive oils. For an appetiser, start with an assortment of crostini - small, thin slices of bread topped with ingredients like artichokes and fig spread. The wait staff recommends the Tilapia as an entrée, and it doesn't disappoint. The best part? If you like one of the olive oils, you can buy it right there in the restaurant's store. Fig & Olive also serves lunch and offers a tasting menu at the bar. It's Downtown counterpart is at West 13th Street between Ninth Avenue and Washington Street. Average mains: $20 http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1194.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1194.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:29 PDT Shopping -- This place has three of our favorite things - great food, a little culture, and a whole lot of shopping. The multi-use complex, which broke ground in Columbus Circle in 2000, features a seven-level retail component (The Shops at Columbus Center), fine dining restaurants, office space, apartments, a Mandarin Oriental hotel, CNN studios and a "Jazz at Lincoln Center" concert hall. Among the Center's luxury shops are Stuart Weitzman, Armani Exchange and Hugo Boss. Equally appealing is the organic Whole Foods Market on the lower concourse level, complete with a café and Jamba Juice counter. As for entertainment, we think the Allen Room, part of the "Jazz at Lincoln Center" concert hall, is the most stunning venue in all of Manhattan. The backdrop to the stage is a wall of windows overlooking Columbus Circle and Central Park. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1195.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1195.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:29 PDT Restaurant -- This "genuine Honky Tonk rib joint" originated upstate in Syracuse, NY, where a trio of bikers started it as a take-out barbeque joint almost 20 years ago. It soon evolved into a restaurant and blues club, and a second location opened in Rochester, NY. In 2004, Dinosaur Bar-B-Q came to Harlem on 131st Street, just off the West Side Highway. Entering the restaurant, you get the feeling you're not in the big city anymore - there are usually several motorcycles parked out front, and it's a bit of a walk from the closest subway station. Still, this place draws huge crowds with its special hot sauces (try the Wango Tango), ribs and fried green tomatoes. And if you've enjoyed one too many of the 23 beers Dinosaur has on tap, don't worry - staff calculates a 15%, 18% and 20% tip for you on the bottom of your check. Fridays and Saturdays feature live music. Average mains: $15 http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1196.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1196.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:29 PDT Bar/Club -- Trinity Place was created out of an old Wall Street bank vault, and it's certainly storing something of value. This Financial District bar and restaurant caters to a professional crowd, with the look of a swanky lounge and the atmosphere of an Irish pub. Splurge for the $20 Kobe beef burger - there are nightly drink specials to balance out your tab (although the $7 Jaegar bombs on Thursdays seem a bit too frat-party for Trinity). The mahoghany bar, brown leather booths and silk red lamp shades combine for a downtown find we'd almost like to keep sealed. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1197.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1197.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:29 PDT Attraction -- A historic tour of New York City might start at South Street Seaport, which offers unparalleled views of the East River and Brooklyn Bridge and features some of Manhattan's oldest architecture. At the museum pier, ships like the Peking (1911) are open to visitors and maritime artifacts are on display. A more modern addition is the selection of restaurants and more than 100 shops at Pier 17, most of which are open from 10am to 7pm on Monday through Saturday and 11am to 6pm on Sunday. And here's a hidden fact: there is a second TKTS booth at South Street Seaport that opens earlier than the Times Square booth (11am) and rarely has a line. Here, you can purchase discount theater tickers for matinees a day in advance. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1198.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1198.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:29 PDT Shopping -- It's every man for himself (and every woman for herself) at this three-floor bargain wonderland. The store calls itself "New York's Best Kept Secret", but judging by the weekend crowds, the cat is out of the bag. New Yorkers flock here for designer clothes, shoes and housewares at no frills prices. The deals are so good, you feel guilty leaving empty-handed. But if you don't find what you're looking for, the mall at South Street Seaport is a short walk down nearby Fulton Street. Century 21 is open Monday through Wednesday, 7.45am to 8pm; Thursday, 7.45 a.m. to 8.30pm; Saturday 10am to 8pm; and Sunday, 11am to 7pm. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1201.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1201.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:29 PDT Restaurant -- This West Village gastropub doesn't take reservations, and is consistently written up as one of the toughest places in New York City to get a table. What's everyone waiting for? Probably signature dishes like the Chargrilled Burger with Roquefort Cheese & Shoestring Fries and Devils on Horseback (prunes stuffed with pear and wrapped in bacon). Each of the restaurant's two floors contains a bar and seating. Quarters are cramped, the music is loud, and the waiters are skilled at balancing plates of British/Italian "pubgrub". But the Spotted Pig remains a hit due to its lively atmosphere, fun décor and tasty dishes that won't break the (piggy) bank. Food is served nightly until 2am. Average mains: $24 http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1187.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1187.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:28 PDT Restaurant -- Stumble upon a Manhattan restaurant with great food and great prices and it is considered a find. Discover one that serves gluttonous portions for under $10 and you've unearthed a hidden treasure. Basilica is one such jewel. Located in the ever-trendy-and ever-expensive Hell's Kitchen, this Italian restaurant features a wide selection of homemade pastas and savoury dishes, with an extensive wine list to match. Like many local eateries, Basilica is "cosy," which gives it a romantic ambiance. And what it lacks in space, it makes up for in service. Expect pasta dishes to be served, with a smile, in literally minutes. entrees run the gamut from basic spaghetti marinara to shell steak. For dessert, indulge in the tartufo. Basilica also offers a pre-theater dinner special from 3.30pm to 6.30pm for $20.95, including a complimentary bottle of wine per two people. Buon appetito! Average mains: $11 http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1186.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1186.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:28 PDT Restaurant -- A restaurant downtown serving kangaroo? That certainly sparked our curiosity. Opening the menu at Public, we were equally enticed by dishes such as cured wild boar with marinated olives and Thai pumpkin curry with pickled cucumber relish. The eclectic menu is categorised as "free-spirited fusion," combining items like scallops and plantains and edamame and risotto. It's something that could be so wrong, yet here the chefs get it right with flavour combinations that will surprise and delight. Public's elegant interior features dim candlelight, exposed brick walls and simple shades of white and brown. Bring your own wine for a $25 corkage fee. Or, have a cocktail at the often-crowded bar while waiting for a table. Reservations are taken, but not for brunch. You can also reserve space in Public's adjacent wine bar, Monday Room. Average mains: $25. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1188.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1188.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:28 PDT Attraction -- At 51 blocks long and three avenues wide, Central Park comprises more than five percent of Manhattan. Within its 834 acres, you'll find performing arts venues, restaurants, a zoo, a carousel, ice-skating rinks, a six-mile running loop, baseball fields and miles of prime picnic real estate. During summer, the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic hold free concerts on the spacious Great Lawn, attracting thousands who come to savor one of the city's most relaxing events. Take a map, and skip the horse-and-carriage ride. Enjoying this site on foot is, well, a walk in the park. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1189.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1189.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:28 PDT Cafe -- It was the movie You've Got Mail that put this cafe on the tourist map, but it's the decadent sundaes that lure us back. If it weren't for the decorative lights outside, Cafe Lalo would be almost hidden on this quiet Upper West Side street. Although it can get loud inside, it remains a comfortable spot for enjoying a cappuccino, dessert, sandwich or cocktail. Wait for a table in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking 83rd street. The cafe serves brunch daily from 8am-4pm (weekdays) and 9am-4pm (weekends). It features a newly expanded bar and stays open until 2am on Monday through Thursday and Sunday, and until 4am on Friday and Saturday. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1190.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1190.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:28 PDT Cafe -- We've found a way to reach euphoria, legally. Just head to Union Square, where Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man has opened up shop. The atmosphere is almost as warm and inviting as the hot chocolate. You'll walk past tempting sweets in the chocolate shop, and even a chocolate bar on your way to a table. Don't let the extensive menu overwhelm you; stick what this place does best - dessert. We had to sample the suckao, which comes in what the waiter referred to as an "egg" for melting bits of chocolate into milk over a flame. The hot chocolate is then sipped through a metal straw (ouch). Next, we order the Sharing Tasting for two, which includes chocolate fondue, a banana split waffle, hazelnut fudge, popping candies and other assorted confections. The couple next to us ordered salads, with a side of envy. Our only real disappointment: discovering that Max Brenner is a fictional character. Look out for their other cafe at 2nd Avenue at 9th Street. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1184.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/8/1184.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:28 PDT Cafe -- For a great cup of coffee in a quaint atmosphere and a good meal during your break from sight-seeing or shopping in La Jolla, try this coffee house by the sea. A good portion of the inside seats offer ocean views and there's an enormous selection of coffees and teas to choose from, plus a few freshly made and seriously tempting desserts. Time for lunch? There are sandwiches, quiches, salads and soups, among other selections. Here you will find a mix of locals and tourists and inviting, comfortable seating. Average mains: $9, average cup of fancy joe: $3.50. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1140.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1140.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:27 PDT Shopping -- Designed to resemble a European market place, Horton Plaza features more than 180 stores, including some high-end shops, a food court and several fine restaurants. There's street parking and a parking garage that is free for three hours with a validation from any store in the Plaza. Be sure and stop by Jessop's Clock, the centrepiece of the plaza, built in 1907. After a day of shopping, you are ideally located in the downtown area near the Gaslamp Quarter to walk to over 100 restaurants and cafés or a choice of over 40 bars and nightclubs. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1143.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1143.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:27 PDT Bar/Club -- Where can you ride the waves without stepping foot in the ocean? At the Wave House bar, located next to Belmont Park in Mission Beach. They offer "simulated surfing platforms" so you can practice your surfing, skate boarding or snowboarding techniques ... all you have to do is show up. They provide wetsuits, boards and the waves. Just watching as others ride the wave or wipe out is a blast. Meanwhile, you can sip a cocktail at the ocean-side bar or enjoy casual food. The Bruticus Maximus is a spa area where you can relax and chat with friends while watching others surf the wave platform. A great way to spend a sunny afternoon. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1147.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1147.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:27 PDT Shopping -- With 150 stores, a 20-screen movie theatre, food court and restaurants, plus a terrific location, the outdoor Mission Valley Shopping Centre is one of our favourite places for reatil therapy. Located near the "hotel circle", it's handy for many visitors and has free parking to boot (and you can always find a spot!). A word of warning: if you go at night, you may want to bring a light jacket or sweater, even in the summer. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1148.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1148.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:27 PDT Restaurant -- Island Prime is known for its high quality steaks and seafood, but the view is what really steals the show. With an extensive wine list, it's easy to match the tender, delicious USDA prime steak or lobster tails with a perfect glass of red or white. And with dishes like porcini-dusted rack of lamb, lobster and aged cheddar baked potato, or the C-level seafood tower, you can see that their menu is anything but ordinary. With seating inside and out, diners are afforded views of sailboats passing within feet of the over water restaurant and best of all, after sunset, the twinkling lights of the skyline shimmer off the water and make for a very romantic dining experience. C-Level lounge is open for lunch and dinner, offering the same great views and happy hour specials, while the more upscale restaurant, Island Prime, serves dinner only. Island Prime average mains: $33, C- Level Lounge average mains: $18. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1105.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1105.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:26 PDT Bar/Club -- South Beach Bar & Grill claims to have the world's best fish tacos and plenty of locals agree. We have yet to find better - our favourites include the fried oyster tacos and the grilled lobster tacos, but South Beach is best known for the mahi mahi. Located in the fun and culturally diverse area known as Ocean Beach, this casual bar (just a couple of steps above being a dive) has a large window overlooking the ocean and pier and a mixed crowd of all ages including locals and travellers from the nearby hotel. Despite the crowds on weekends and the absence of table service, this place is worth a special stop for the cheap and delicious food. Thirsty? They have 40 varieties of beer, including local brews, and 22 types of tequila. Average mains: $6. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1112.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1112.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:26 PDT Restaurant -- For the true taste of San Diego, you absolutely must try a Baja fish taco. Credit for bringing the original fish taco to San Diego is given to Ralph Rubio who vacationed in Baja Mexico and fell in love with the cheap fish tacos he found there. He opened his first fish taco stand in San Diego in 1983 with his father where it remains today. The original fish taco is a beer-battered pollock, but Rubio's offers other great choices like mahi mahi, chicken and mesquite grilled shrimp tacos and burritos. They top them off with their own fresh sauces and crema blanca. A self-serve salsa bar is always stocked with fresh favourites. It's fast, cheap and delicious and you can find one in every neighbourhood (check their website for details of other locations). Average mains: $6. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1114.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1114.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:26 PDT Hotel -- There's no missing the grand structure and red roof of the resort known to locals as "Hotel Del". The hotel del Coronado, a National Historic Landmark, has been legendary in Coronado since 1888. Backdrop for many Hollywood movies, including one featuring Marilyn Monroe, it has been frequented by presidents and other historic and political figures. It even has a resident ghost who reportedly checked in in 1892 but never checked out. The pool area at the hotel is spectacular as is the scenery from the white sandy beaches. Naturally, the accommodation, location and superb service at this historic hotel do not come without a price. But if you're looking for a place to spend a special occasion, this hotel would definitely fit the description. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1134.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1134.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:26 PDT Restaurant -- Hodad's is a true California beachside burger joint, which is difficult to find these days. Decorated with surf boards and vanity license plates from all over the country, you'll never find it empty. Nor will you find the prime window seats open for more than a few seconds. Facing Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach, these seats make for some great (interesting) people watching. The huge burgers are truly a challenge to hold on to, especially the giant doubles, but all the burgers here are delicious and the milkshakes are thick. A sign over the counter reads, "No shoes, no shirt, no problem!" so casual is definitely the scene at this busy, loud, fast-paced hamburger joint. Average burger with fries: $10. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1139.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1139.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:26 PDT Hotel -- Location, location, location: the Sheraton at Harbor Island has got it. Literally a three-minute drive from the airport and right by the bay, this hotel offers spectacular views of the marina and the skyline. A number of excellent seafood and steak restaurants are within walking distance and the rooms are clean, comfortable and above average in amenities. The rates are also reasonable, considering the views afforded to just about all of the rooms. The hotel is actually separated into two towers called the East and West Towers with each having different vantage points. One is a couple of blocks from the other, but a shuttle operates that will take guests between the two as well as to and from the airport. Both are known for excellent service and are a short distance to the Embarcadero and bay cruise departures. A lovely park across the street is good for walking, jogging, sight-seeing or photography. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1131.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1131.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:26 PDT Attraction -- A short but breathtaking drive out to the Point Loma area will take you to a place with dramatic views that can stretch for miles. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse was first used in 1855, but only kept in service for 36 years due to low lying clouds and fog which obscured the light. A new lighthouse was built at sea level in 1891 and is still being used today. Expect to see great views of the city's skyline, Coronado Bridge and navy ships. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of migrating whales during December through March. The nearby Cabrillo Monument, the south-western most point in the contiguous United States, is a celebration of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo's voyage of discovery in 1542 and was completed in 1913. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1104.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1104.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:25 PDT Attraction -- When San Diego is mentioned, most people think of its highly acclaimed zoo. And with good reason - this is no ordinary zoo. Home to over 4000 animals including 800 species, as well as 6500 species of plants, it's little wonder the San Diego Zoo attracts visitors from all over the world. Special features include the rare species of wildlife such as koalas and giant pandas from China. There are hundreds of interesting exhibits (some interactive), bus tours and even an aerial tram. This place is huge so give yourself plenty of time to cover all of the exhibits: at least a day, maybe two. As you might imagine, with children the zoo is even more entertaining, but big kids will also have a great time. Basic admission is $22.75 for adults and $15.50 for children. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1053.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/usa/82/1053.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:25 PDT Hotel -- Right across the street from the Pan Pacific, this Fairmont chain jewel has a collection of amenities not usually found in a city hotel, like the third floor where rooms have small terraces. And there's a club floor, called Entre Gold, that caters to every whim including a resident private concierge, continental breakfast, nightly hors d'oeuvres, plus a private conference room. Like the Pan Pacific, it's on the edge of Gastown and is one block from the downtown core. As you'd expect from a five-star hotel, it has everything a business traveller needs including communications and computer technology in its rooms. The ground floor Herons Restaurant is one of the city's finest. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1159.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1159.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:20 PDT Restaurant -- In a city that's almost overwhelmed by its Chinese restaurants, eating here is as much a cultural experience as a culinary one. In the heart of Chinatown, this is Canada's largest restaurant, seating more than 1,000 people. But it's a surprisingly intimate place with floor-to-ceiling partitions that turn the space into a series of smaller rooms. The menu has more than just the usual Chinese fare, with options for Cambodian and Vietnamese dishes. The choices include Peking duck that's barbecued on premises, lobster and crab in a ginger and garlic sauce. Be sure to try the lobster in cream sauce or the braised mushrooms with mustard greens. Dishes from $8.75. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1163.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1163.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:20 PDT Restaurant -- Food, what food? Oh, the menu. Go here on a sunny day and you'll never want to leave the casual wharf-side patio next to the Granville Island yachts. Across the dock from the Granville Island Market, it's the quintessential West Coast eatery with its great views. The enclosed restaurant on the second floor is the fine dining area featuring seafood, lamb and beef. In the summer, you can dine al fresco on the second floor terrace. Downstairs, in winter, The Bistro offers everything from grilled salmon to pizza, steamed mussels to steak plus the warmth of a fireplace. But in summer, the Dock restaurant is where you want to be, as 300 chairs on the waterfront attract visitors and residents of the nearby condos. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1167.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1167.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:20 PDT Attraction -- It almost make you waqnt to take out your 7-iron when you first see it. For when it's lit up at night, the silver geodesic globe of Science World looks like a giant dimpled golf ball. Located on the eastern edge of False Creek, near Chinatown, inside are some of the most wonderful hands-on exhibits that have ever turned an adult into a child. There are hands-on science exhibits where you can play the piano with your toes, create a cyclone, or take a picture of your shadow. The Music Machines Gallery allows you to play in booths filled with keyboards, drum pads, and an assortment of electronics. The centrepiece and biggest draw, of course, is the 400 seat OMNIMAX Theater where the audience is surrounded with huge images on the five-storied, domed screen and engulfed in wrap-around sound. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1169.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1169.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:20 PDT Attraction -- One of the Pacific Northwest and Canada's finest examples of aboriginal history, the UBC Musuem's large cement and glass structure is built on a bluff overlooking Howe Sound. And when you walk in you're faced with monumental totem poles that stare down at you. The poles have been collected from native communities in the Interior of B.C. and from along the coast, some dating back to the 1800s. Outside, in back of the museum, are other poles and an authentic Haida longhouse. Artist Bill Reid's massive sculpture, The Raven and the First Men, depicts how the Raven fooled the first people into emerging from their clamshell. It's just one - and the most spectacular - of what amounts to the best collection of northwest native art anywhere in the world. This is a magical place whether you're an adult or a child. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1170.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1170.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:20 PDT Shopping -- Rain? What rain? Downtown, as you'd expect, is the city's primary shopping area, but what's not so apparent is that the downtown core is laced with underground shopping, much as you'll find in Montreal. In the Pacific Centre complex, you can wander for hours among the underground corridors that link department stores and office buildings. In the rainy season (October-March) it's needed. The busiest part is at Georgia and Granville where three department stores - The Bay, Eaton's and Holt Renfrew - are connected by an underground shopping mall that has about 200 shops. It's easily reached through the department stores or through the office towers situated on the street corners. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1175.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1175.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:20 PDT Bar/Club -- Adjacent to Monk McQueen's Restaurant, Stamp's is a favourite for the boating crowd who moor their boats in False Creek. It's a small, friendly place that's busy almost all the time. So expect a jovial crowd, especially on weekends as boaters, chained to the desks during the week, escape to the pleasures of the sea and the bar. The style is British Pub-like with about a dozen brews on tap and a pub menu that includes shepherd's pie, bangers & mash, and other artery-cloggers. http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1180.html http://www.swiftcity.com/guides/canada/60/1180.html Mon, 2 Apr 2007 08:43:20 PDT