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Nicole’s Visitors Guide to San Diego Pride

Published Thursday, 09-Jul-2009 in issue 1124

Nicole Murray-Ramirez has been a popular and colorful San Diego personality for more than 42 years. He has been the most read gay columnist in San Diego since the 1970s!

Must see in San Diego

• Adam Lambert with American Idols Live! – Saturday, July 18, at the San Diego Sports Arena

• San Diego Comic-Con International – the largest comic/pop culture event in the U.S. July 23-36 at the San Diego Convention Center

• Balboa Park – the most beautiful park on the West Coast

• Marine Corps Boot Camp Graduation – every other Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at MCRD on Pacific Coast Highway in Point Loma

• Nighttime Zoo – the world famous San Diego Zoo

• Muscle-boy weightlifters – 24 Hour Fitness, 3955 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest

• Female impersonators – Lips restaurant/bar, 3036 El Cajon Blvd., North Park ; seven nights a week

• Sea World at night

• GLBT-themed plays – Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd., in University Heights

• The San Diego LGBT Community Center – 3909 Centre St., in Hillcrest

• Kobey’s Swap Meet: Friday through Sunday at the San Diego Sports Arena, 3500 Sport Arena Blvd., in Point Loma

• Obelisk Bookstore: 1029 University Ave., in Hillcrest – San Diego’s only GLBT bookstore

• Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach – all great beaches, filled with surfers, military boys, hot girls in bikinis and body builders

Bars and Nightclubs

• Hot Latinos!: Bacchus House, 4673 University Ave., North Park

• Best Dance Club: Rich’s, 1051 University Ave., Hillcrest

• Popular Neighborhood Piano Bar: Caliph, 3100 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest

• Most Popular Patio Bar: Bourbon Street, 4612 Park Blvd., University Heights

• Tranny Bar: SRO Lounge ,1807 Fifth Ave., Downtown

• No. 1 Video Bar: Flick’s, 1017 University Ave., Hillcrest

• Best Mixed Nightclub: Universal, 1202 University Ave., Hillcrest

• Home of the most popular bartender in town: Big Mike at Jimmy Carter’s Mexican Café, 3172 5th Ave., Hillcrest

Lei Lounge always has the boys!

• Best outdoor view of Balboa Park and San Diego skyline: Top of the Park at 525 Spruce Ave., Hillcrest

• Friendliest North Park bar: Redwing at 4012 30th St., North Park

• Bear, Levis and smiles: Pecs at 2046 University Ave., North Park

• Always packed, always happening: Urban Mo’s at 308 University Ave., Hillcrest

• Youthful, college and wonderful: Numbers at 3811 Park Blvd., Hillcrest

• New exciting look!: The Loft at 3610 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest

• Popular Hillcrest hangout: #1 Fifth. Ave. at 3845 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest

Restaurants

FAST FACT: Americans spend 2.6 hours a day eating and drinking. Eleven percent of us earned the label of “constant grazers” for eating and drinking 4.5 hours a day! A third of our TV time includes eating and drinking!

• Best all American classic restaurant: Martinis Above Fourth, 3940 Fourth Ave., Hillcrest – fab steaks, cocktails and patio!

• Best Thai food: Bangkok Thai Bistro, 540 University Ave., Hillcrest – authentic, great prices, lunch and dinner

• Best Italian food: Arrivederci, 3845 Fourth Ave., Hillcrest – We’re No. 1 in the city, with many handsome waiters from Italy!

Hot Latino boys make San Diego their home… Check out Bacchus House

• Best Deli: City Deli, 535 University Ave., Hillcrest –a landmark, terrific food!

• Best cabanas/outdoor restaurant: Lei Lounge, 4622 Park Blvd., University Heights – Follow the crowds, to hot eye-candy, food to die for!

• Best hamburgers, sandwiches, salads: Urban Mo’s, 308 University Ave., Hillcrest – Full menu, friendly staff, one of the most popular hangouts in town!

• Best tapas-style restaurant: Bite, 1417 University Ave., Hillcrest – Home of award-winning chef “Top Chef,” wonderful food

• Best French food: St. Tropez, 3805 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest – breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Very best Mexican food: Baja Betty’s, 1421 University Ave., Hillcrest – The taste of the town… olé!

• Best Japanese food: Ichiban with two Hillcrest locations: 1288 University Ave. and 1449 University Ave., Hillcrest – Tora! Tora! Tora! Best Japanese food outside of Tokyo!

• Best 24/7 restaurant: Brian’s 24, 826 Sixth Ave., Downtown’s Gaslamp District (gay owned)

• Best classy restaurant: Inn at the Park, 525 Spruce St., Hillcrest – Simply fabulous prime rib, shrimp, steaks, etc.

• Best North Park restaurant: Hawthorn’s, 2895 University Ave., Hillcrest – tasty menu, good drinks, hot people!

• No. 1 sandwiches: Which Wich?, 3825 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest with more than 50 wonderful sandwiches to choose from!

Everything else

• Popular dog park: Balboa Park at Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street just west of the Laurel Street bridge

• Best coffee shops: Babycakes, 3766 Fifth Ave. and Café 11, David’s Coffee, 1440 University Ave., Hillcrest

• Medical Marijuana: 1295 University Ave., Suite 10, Hillcrest

• Pawn Shop: Hillcrest Pawn Shop, 3940 Fourth Ave., Hillcrest

• Laundry: New Life Cleaning, 3829 Granada Ave., North Park

• Best Men’s Fashion: House Boi, 1435 University Ave., Hillcrest – the latest look seven days a week, special gifts

• Super gay-friendly drug store: Rite-Aid, 535 Robinson Ave., Hillcrest – open 24/7

• Your friendly florist: Storm International, 902 University Ave., Hillcrest, 619-543-9599

• Welcoming church services: Metropolitan Community Church, 3909 Centre St., Hillcrest

• Bail bonds: Aladdin Bail Bonds, 1400 Front St., Downtown San Diego, 760-353-2633

• Best attorney: Richard J. Kerman, Esq. 619-595-1379

• Pet hospital: Morena Pet Hospital, 1540 Morena Blvd., 619-275-0888

• Popular salons: Diconnected, 3980 30th St., North Park, and Richard Joseph, 1717 University Ave., Hillcrest

• Vintage clothing: Buffalo Exchange, 3862 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest

• Popular 24-hour grocery store: Ralphs, 1050 University Ave., in Uptown District

• Friendly chiropractor: Dr. Chuck Ferrante 619-665-2482

• Best movie theaters: Landmark Hillcrest, 3965 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest and Pacific Gaslamp, 701 Fifth Ave, Downtown

• Best farmers market: 3960 Normal St., Hillcrest – every Sunday

• Best waxing: Skin Deep, 2906 Adams Ave. – home of the infamous “baseball wax!”

• Friendliest banks: US Bank and California Bank & Trust in Hillcrest

• Super dentist: Dr. Jeff Keeny, 1807 Robinson Ave., Hillcrest

• Auto repairs: Mission Hills Automotive, 308 W. Washington St – full service domestic and foreign autos!

Adults only

• Cruisiest bookstores: F St. Bookstores – six locations total, No. 1 2004 University Ave., Hillcrest – toys, videos, etc.

Check hot, studly bartender Tug at Rich’s

• Two-story bathhouse: Club San Diego, 3955 Fourth Ave., Hillcrest – military, students, action

• Kinkiest adult toys: The Crypt, 3847 Park Blvd., Hillcrest

• Hot Hillcrest bookstore: ManKind Video, 3425 Fifth Ave., great modern design, popular!

• Best nude sunbathing: Vulcan Steam & Sauna, 805 Cedar St., Downtown – 24/7 discrete and friendly

• Crusiest adult theater: Adult Depot 3489 Kurtz St. Point Loma – two theaters and tons of marines!

• Best nude beach: Blacks Beach, Torrey Pines State Park – it’s legendary! www.blacksbeach.org

Send e-mails to Nicole Murray-Ramirez at nicolemrsd@aol.com.

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