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San Diego Magazine /  August 2008 /  The Best of San Diego 2008 /  Heights & Sights

Heights & Sights

Out-of-Towner Outing
The 15-minute ferry ride (1050 North Harbor Drive, 619-234- 4111) to Coronado offers breathtaking views of the San Diego skyline. Once across the bay, rent a bicycle and pedal along the Silver Strand. At the Ferry Landing, enjoy shaved ice from a pushcart, amuse your guests by posing for goofy caricatures, or take in an early dinner at Peohe’s.

Elegant Urban Rooftop Bar
Attentive service and luxury surroundings make Eden atop the Ivy Hotel a standout (600 F Street, 619-814-2055; ivyhotel.com). Take the elevator to the seventh floor at sunset, sink into one of the plush couches near the rock fire pit, and order a fresh-fruity blackberry mojito.

High-Flying Good Time
Challenge your significant other to a mock dogfight or glide above the coast in an open-cockpit biplane at Barnstorming Adventures (pictured above, 3750 John J. Montgomery Drive, Suite D, 800-SKY-LOOP; barnstorming.com). Planes leave from Montgomery Field, and a variety of packages are available, including a one-hour sunset flight and dinner.

Way to Try the Tarantella
The band Roman Holiday inspires Moonstruck moments and a stompin’ good time during the annual grape stomp at Menghini Winery (1150 Julian Orchards Drive, Julian, 760-765- 2072; menghiniwinery.com or romanholidaymusic.com). This year’s crush on September 6 includes bocci ball competitions, winetasting and a day of dancing and music from accordion-toting musicians.

Half-Price Happy Hour with a View
On the 11th floor of the Hotel La Jolla (7955 La Jolla Shores Drive, 858-459-0541; clayslajolla.com), the Sky Lounge at Clay’s La Jolla offers a daily Happy Hour, 4-7 p.m. Enjoy million-dollar Pacific Ocean sunsets and half-price appetizers, including succulent panseared scallops for an unheard-of $8.50. Sushi Happy Hour is Thursday and Friday, with $3 hand rolls and $5 jumbo Kirin beers.

Public Space to Meet a Dot.com
Date Upstart Crow Trading Company in Seaport Village (835 West Harbor Drive, Suite C, 619-232-4855; upstartcrowtrading.com) is a homey bookstore and coffee shop with upstairs and downstairs seating, plus a front and back patio. Plenty of tables allow for assessing your chemistry and compatibility level over lattes. If sparks fly, visit the duck pond beyond the rear patio for a surreptitious smooch.