Lunchtime Bicycle Expedition: Embarcadero San Diego

It occurred to me today that Norah Jones is playing at Viejas Concerts at Bayside at the Embarcadero. While I don't love her enough to drop cash on a ticket, like most people who will admit it, there are some songs that bring back some good memories and it might be kinda nice to hear the concert. If not for "Snorah", then maybe for the comedy show with Sarah Silverman on June 23, or maybe fans of Hillary Duff will check her out on August 18, or maybe the White Stripes and Cold War Kids on September 18. Or maybe Smashing Pumpkins will add a date there?

A couple years ago, my friend and I sat on the steps of the Convention Center, drinking beer in paper cups and tequila shots while listening to a concert but there has to be something better.

With this line of thinking, I decided to go scout the Embarcadero today, you know, since my yacht isn't an option, wondering if there a better place than those steps to hang out during a show and still be able to hear the music?


View of Convention Center stairs taken from venue

The answer, it appears, is yes. I decided to map out my little journey for you with some pictures.

First, don't get stuck in that cluster of traffic that goes behind the convention center. Instead, walk, ride a bike, or try parking somewhere else and hopping on the trolley to the Convention Center stop and cross the street to the Marriott. You'll see this sign leading you to "Bay Access".



Follow the arrows to this metal art dude. Walking between his legs leads to a path between the Convention Center and The Marriott, so you don't have to hike all the way around either building.





When you come out of the path, you'll see that the pervy metal art dude is checking out the metal art mermaid on the other side...



From here, you end up along the boardwalk and presumably can figure out where the venue is. By the way, this tiny box office handles all sales and will call. If you do go to a show there, I'd recommend already having your tickets in hand because it gets really congested since it's right at the venue entrance.



Detour to the left of the venue entrance and box office and go through the parking lot as if you're going to Joe's Crab Shack (even though you wouldn't because the food is *blech*). Continue around the little peninsula and you'll see that there is a park area. You will have a completely obstructed view of the stage, but if you can handle that, there are options of places you can hang out: the tables, open grass space, or the fishing pier.







From my little expedition, this is the best I could do. Obviously I don't know on show nights if there's security kicking people out of the park, but there didn't appear to be any roadblock to the restaurant and the park. All the fences around the venue are up throughout the concert season, though open when there is no event, so you could tell which fences enclose the venue.

All that said, I might test out my theory on Tuesday, so if anyone wants to join me, I'm thinking I'll pick up the $5.99 10 piece chicken deal from Church's, a flask, and a blanket, and I'll be set.

The rest of my expedition took me past the slip where I lived on my brother's tiny sailboat for a summer after college. The marina is owned by the Marriott and we had access to the Marriott's amenities, but if you're ever feeling a little ambitious, the pool is pretty open and nobody really checks for a room key if you look like you belong there. To get to the pool, look for this sign:

take the little path behind it to the gate and push (don't pull. Really, it's not locked.)

And voila, access to a beautiful pool. (I didn't capture the waterfall or jacuzzi, but they're there)

And last, my little lunchtime bike tour wouldn't be complete without a stop at what I like to call "Ye Ould Village Hat Shoppe" and a little hat modeling by Andrea and yours truly.

Not a bad way to spend a lunch hour if I do say so myself.