A Perfect Combination: The LatinFood Fest and Five Star Tours by Howard Hian

As if there’s not enough to do in August in San Diego, here are two to add to your “must do” list.

The ¡Latin Food Fest! is one of my favorite events in San Diego. This fourth annual spectacular culinary celebration will be at the Embarcadero Marina Park North in San Diego, August 12 – 15, 2016.  The Grande Tasting will feature 150 restaurants, artisanal foods makers and renowned wine and spirit purveyors. Attendees will graze through scores of food stations with samplings by Agave Del Mar, HUMO, Cafe Sevilla, Cafe Secret, Fogo de Chao, Tacos Kokopeli, Aqui es Texcoco, Sirena Seafood, Cien Anos, Uptown Tavern, Indigo Grill, Don Chido, The Hopping Pig and Peohe’s.   Additionally, local and internationally known chefs show off their talents offering tastings, preparing dinners and signing cookbooks. Go. You won’t be sorry.  For details concerning this all-inclusive priced extravaganza, logon to http://www.latinfoodfest.com.

My day-long Baja adventure with Five Star Tours (TripAdvisor’s #1 tour company in San Diego) began at their office in downtown’s historic Santa Fe Railroad Depot. Crossing the border to Mexico brought back fond memories of when my kids were young and we visited often.

Mexico border

Driving through Tijuana, we saw the Cultural Center and several commemorative statues on our way to the heart of the city, Avenida Revolution. We visited a liquor store for tequila tasting.

Tequila tasting

After bravely working my way through our first stop, I wandered around taking in the sights, sounds and colors.

pottery

Heading south in the van, we visited a picturesque fishing village for a photo op, then we enjoyed a wonderful lobster lunch in Puerto Nuevo. Although included in the price of the tour, it’s interesting to note that $20 US gets you 1.5 lobsters, a margarita, rice and beans, plus chips and fresh salsa.

lobster lunch

On the road once more, we pulled off the scenic highway at El Mirador. There, I noticed giant “circles” floating on the ocean surface.  They are net cages where fishermen hold valuable yellowtail and bluefin tuna before processing.  In Ensenada, I headed for Mercado Negro to see the locals’ catch of the day and then walked along the picturesque Malecon and side streets.

mercado

At day’s end, we made it back across the US border in 20 minutes via Otay Mesa. For information go to http://www.fivestartours.com. Don’t forget your passport!