2023 Meeting Magazine - 31

An
endangered
bonobo
at the San
Diego Zoo
" It's a nice location to just walk around and people
watch, " Dr. Bitencourt said of the park, which is also home
to the most visited zoo in the U.S.
" The San Diego Zoo is the hands-down no. 1 attraction
for anyone who comes to San Diego, even those who feel
they've seen it all, " said Linda Firestein, whose husband,
Gary S. Firestein, MD, previously served on the ACR Board
of Directors.
Known for its naturalistic habitats and conservation
efforts, the San Diego Zoo covers 100 acres in the
northwest corner of Balboa Park and is home to more
than 3,700 rare and endangered animals. Set aside several
hours if you plan to visit the zoo, which is open daily.
No matter what attraction draws you to the park, don't
forget your appetite.
" Panama 66 at the San Diego Museum of Art and
The Prado at Balboa Park are both excellent places
for lunch or dinner with fresh California cuisine, " said
Christina Downey, MD, CCD, RhMSUS, DipABLM, FACR.
" If you want to secure a table at The Prado, reservations
are recommended. Both are in beautiful settings with
outdoor dining options. "
A favorite day-trip destination, Coronado boasts a
white, sandy beach-rated by TripAdvisor among the
top 10 beaches in the continental U.S.-and the island
is accessible by a ferry ride from the dock behind the
convention center. While on the island,
visit the historic Hotel Del Coronado and
enjoy shopping and dining along Orange
Avenue.
P→AGE
34
TACO SHOPS
By one local estimate, there are 25 percent more taco shops in San Diego today than there were in 2019 before the COVID pandemic.
With so many opening, the exact number is anyone's guess, but many locals believe the count to be in the thousands. One thing is
certain, if you're craving a good taco in San Diego, you don't have to look far. Here are a five local favorites.
Beach & Taco Shack
1500 Orange Ave.,
Coronado
hoteldel.com/dine/beach-taco-shack
Beach & Taco Shack
is located at Hotel Del
Coronado, just outside
the hotel facing the ocean.
The shack features classic
tacos with unique toppings
like mango habanero salsa
over the chicken tinga taco
and smoky chipotle on the
vegan mushroom poblano
taco. The shack also
features live music three
days a week.
Blue Water Seafood
3667 India St.
bluewaterseafoodsandiego.com
Blue Water Seafood takes
fish tacos to a whole
new level. The selection
ranges from local to exotic
catches, all unbelievably
fresh. The menu also
features sandwiches,
salads, oysters, and
sashimi, among many
other options.
City Tacos
323 Seventh Ave.
citytacossd.com
There are eight City Tacos
locations in San Diego and
the closest is a 10-minute
walk from the convention
center near Petco Park. City
Tacos is unique because
of its huge menu and bold
ingredients like mashed
potatoes, golden raisins,
and strawberries. They also
do conventional tacos for
the less adventurous.
Las Cuatro Milpas
1857 Logan Ave.
las-cuatro-milpas.com
Las Cuatro Milpas is a San
Diego classic that opened
in 1933. It's a short walk
from the convention
center and a popular spot,
so the line is likely to be
out the door. Credit cards
are not accepted, but
their homemade tortillas
are phenomenal and the
crunchy rolled tacos are a
local favorite.
Puesto
1026 Wall St., La Jolla
eatpuesto.com
Steps away from La Jolla
Cove and featuring an
scenic outdoor patio, many
locals believe Puesto is the
best taco shop in town.
Menu favorites include a
filet mignon taco and the
chicken al pastor taco.
The menu also includes
vegetarian options and
noteworthy sides like
Nogada Guacamole with
mango pico de gallo,
pomegranates, and
walnuts. And you can't
beat the complimentary
chips and salsa.
MORE DINING
RECOMMENDATIONS
ON PAGE 32

http://www.bluewaterseafoodsandiego.com http://citytacossd.com http://www.las-cuatro-milpas.com http://www.eatpuesto.com http://www.hoteldel.com/dine/beach-taco-shack

2023 Meeting Magazine

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