The DD Van Service 760-383-1717
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New SoCal Tour Package: SUP + Brewery Tour

10/4/2017

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Our new tour combines all the best things about living in San Diego:
  1. the weather
  2. the salt water
  3. the view
  4. the beer
  5. the people

First, we will SUP in the San Diego Bay and stop for photos under the Coronado Bridge; and cheers with a local craft beer for our paddlers that are 21+ years old. The Bay is generally calm and a great place to learn how to SUP. You can easily paddle around on your knees and then if/when you feel comfortable you can graduate to a standing position. 

After SUP we'll dust off the sand and load up into a DD van; complimentary craft beer provided for the ride. Then we'll drive over the Coronado Bridge to visit a couple local Indie breweries to give you a taste of what our world-class San Diego brewers are brewing these days. 

Tours start and end at Tidelands Park in Coronado.  However, we can arrange round trip transportation to Tidelands Park for a small fee (less or equal to what you would pay to uber).

For groups of 1-5 we offer this 3 hour tour for $70 (+ cost of beer and food, optional), you can buy tickets here though on Airbnb Experiences or you can contact me directly.... CALL BREANNA AT 760-383-1717 or email her breanna@thevanservice.com IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE A RESERVATION.

For groups of 6 or more we can customize this experience specific to your tastes, time-frame, and budget. ​Tours inclusive of food and beer are available too.
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Your Tour Operators will be Vicki Carson of SUP Coronado and Breanna Frazier of The DD Van & Brewery Tours San Diego ***note: there may be certain days where Vicki or Bre will be replaced by a different SUP instructor***. They have each had 10 years experience in the San Diego tourism industry and aim to provide professional, educational, and fun experiences. They both operate licensed and compliant businesses.
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Yes San Diego is Amazing

6/6/2017

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Marketing Committee Chair of the San Diego Professional Tour Guide Association Julie Kremen contributed a list of some of the many credits that have been awarded to San Diego so far this year:    
  • In January 2017, numerous San Diegoinstitutions won Best of California awards from California Meeting & Events. Among the winners were Balboa Park for Best Historic or Cultural Venue; San Diego Zoo for Best Theme Park; San Diego Convention Center for Best Conference or Convention Center; Hilton San Diego Bayfront for Best Downtown Meeting Venue; and Stone Brewing for Best Craft Brewery with Meeting Space.
  • In March 2017, the Canadian Garden Council and the American Public Gardens Association named the San Diego Botanic Garden recipient of the 2017 Top 10 North American Gardens Worth Traveling For Garden Tourism Award..
  • In April 2017, Family Vacation Critic named Coronado as one of the Best Beaches for Families. 
  • In March 2017, the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego was named one of the Top 10 U.S. Hotel Properties for meetings and events by Cvent, the industry's largest event tech management company.  
  • In March 2017, Trip Advisor ranked San Diego #4 in their list of 10 Most Popular Spring Break Destinations for Americans to Get the Most Bang for their Buck.   
  • In May 2017, BakersfieldNow.com ranked Coronado Beach in their Top 10 list of US beaches.
  • Trip Advisor also recently ranked two San Diego beaches in their Travelers' Choice Top 25 Beaches in the United States: Carlsbad State Beach and La Jolla Shores Park

Information brought to you by ​Corky Lang, President - San Diego Professional Tour Guide Association
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New! Mani/Pedi Tour Package

5/30/2017

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Here is how this works...

You get your girls (or guys) together, your DD limobus pulls up and as you board your driver welcomes you with champagne (or other drink of choice). You connect your tunes to the bluetooth sound system, and enjoy the ride across the Coronado bridge sipping champers, arriving to a quaint nail salon booked out completely for you. Inside the salon you select your colors and settle into massage chairs, while you are served unlimited champers (or drink of choice) and light snacks.

Total Time: 3.5 hours
Total Price: $100 per person for 10 - 14 people
Upgrade Options: Gel manicure +$10/person, or Gel pedicure +$10/person

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San Diego is Most Likely the Best City in the World

1/29/2017

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Here's a fascinating video about our city. Whether you are just visiting or you've lived here for years, you'll learn a few things from watching this video...
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Walking Brewery Tours - get your tennies on!

12/28/2016

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Here are some fun walking tour ideas you can do with or without a tour guide! And the best part is that you get to burn a few calories in between drinking all that delicious liquid bread.

Brewery Tour in Mexico
-Start at the San Ysidro border (you can park your car down there, take an uber, or have The DD Van Service drive you there and back)
-Walk about 1.5 miles to Mamut Brewery
-Then walk a block to Azteca Brewery
-Then walk about 1.5 miles to Border Psycho Brewery
-Then you can call an uber back to the border or just walk the 3 miles (about a 40 minute walk)
Note: There can be a line to cross back over to San Diego that could take between 1 - 3 hours, so dont make any firm plans for after the Beer Tour


North Park Brewery Tour
There are loads of breweries within walking distance in North Park.
Here are a few: Thorn Street, Mike Hess, North Park Brewery, Belching Beaver, Eppig, Rip Current, Modern Times...
You can't go wrong, just start walking with your google maps app out!

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Ocean Beach Brewery Tour
Many fine breweries here too!
Culture, Helms, Mike Hess, Belching Beaver, Pizza Port


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Draft

12/26/2016

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Sleek but casual American bar & grill features small plates plus beer on tap & beach views.
​

Click here to see the menu.
Click here to see what's on draft.
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Click here to see their cocktail menu.
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​Hours
 
Mon-Thurs 8am - 10pm
Fri 8am - 11pm
Sat 9am - 11pm
Sun 9am - 10pm
*Kitchen closes at 9pm Sun-Thurs & 10pm Fri + Sat

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Mission Beach or Pacific Beach?

12/23/2016

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Mission Beach and Pacific Beach are two different places. A lot of times tourists ask us to take them to Mission Beach but what they really want is Pacific Beach (or vice versa); and then they end up calling another taxi or walking 40 minutes to get to where they want to go.
Yes, Mission Beach is a great beach and there are a few great spots to grab a drink or burger, but Pacific Beach and North Pacific Beach offer a larger restaurant and bar scene.
Then, to confuse things even more, there's also Mission Bay.

Here are the highlights for Mission Beach, Mission Bay, Pacific Beach (PB), and North Pacific Beach (North PB):
Pacific Beach:
Warning: Watch your step, i.e. the stop signs are just suggestions for PB residents. 
A lot of people aged 21 to 35 live here and drive here. It's definitiely a fun and lively place to hang out (if you like people).
Lots of Bars - Check out our blog about Pacific Beach Bars
North Pacific Beach:
North Pacific Beach, as I see it, is everything North of Beryl Street and South of Birdrock. North PB is quieter and a little classier than straight Pacifc Beach. In fact, I've noticed that as you go North up the coast of San DIego away from Ocean Beach, the atmosphere becomes more sophisticated, more on that in this blog.
Restaurants - You will find many good restaurants, wine bars, and cafes in this area; no chains or franchises here. ​
Scenic Drive - The La Jolla Scenic drive is a must do. Start in La Jolla Mount Soledad and follow the scenic route down to North Pacific Beach. On a clear day or at sunset the views will bring tears to your eyes. See map below.
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Mission Beach:
If you've got kiddos bring them to Mission Beach.
Belmont Park (3146 Mission Blvd, 92109)- little roller coaster and carnival-like rides.
Draft (3105 Ocean Front Walk, 92109) - extensive craft beer menu and good food with views of the boardwalk for ocean and people watching.
The WaveHouse (3125 Ocean Front Walk, 92109)  You can ride a wave inside the restaurant! It's super fun (and often funny) to watch your friends or family try to surf while you eat lunch.
Boardwalks - The boardwalks are a great place to ride bikes, rollerblade, jog, etc. There are two boardwalks to explore: one is bay-side and the other is the obvious one on the ocean-side. To get to the bayside boardwalk simply walk away from the ocean, across the street and through the alleys and houses.
Hotels and Vacation Rentals - Mission Beach has million-dollar-houses for rent right on the boardwalk and awesome hotels, including the Bahia, Catamaran, and Hyatt.
Mission Bay:
Water Sports: Jet skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing, hydroflying, you name it! Just do not expect to do any snorkeling because you can't even see your own feet under the surface of this water.
Fiesta Island - All island (peninsula technically); a big beach park. Great for a bonfire, your kids, your dog, or even your horse. It's one big playground. Be sure to bring your own water and food though because you will not find any convenience stores or restaurants here. Note, there is no camping allowed. The park is open from 6am to 10pm, so don't get to comfortable. 
Campland on the Bay - (2211 Pacific Beach Dr, 92109) First Class Trailor Park! Bring your RV but be sure to make a reservation before you come, it's always full.
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Where should you watch the sunset?

12/22/2016

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The Catamaran Hotel - 3999 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109
For a spot to catch a Sunset or watch the fireworks the best family Beach Bar is the Catamaran. It does have a flair for the islands and there are colorful fish and birds everywhere.

The Hotel del Coronado - 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118
The Hotel Del is a historic beachfront hotel in the city of Coronado, just across the San Diego Bay from San Diego, California. It is one of the few surviving examples of an American architectural genre: the wooden Victorian beach resort. It is the second largest wooden structure in the United States (after the Tillamook Air Museum in Tillamook, Oregon) and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977 and a California Historical Landmark in 1970. 
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During the winter holiday season you can actually ice skate while the sun sets!

Sunset Cliffs - Ocean Beach
A drive along sunset cliffs at any time of day is breathtaking but add a sunset and your heart will jump around. There are spots to pull over and get out of the car (or DD Limo, wink wink) along the route. Warning: Be careful walking on the cliffs as there are no guard rails and tourists have fallen to their deaths taking pictures. Go up the hill to Catalina Blvd (Point Loma) and you will have a beautiful view of the sunset reflecting off the glass-windowed-buildings that are the Downtown San Diego Skyline.




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What's the Best Breakfast Spot in San Diego?

12/22/2016

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For breakfast it is rise and shine at Kono’s on the Pacific Beach Boardwalk. It is a local favorite and the breakfast with a view is sure to please everyone.

Do you like to sleep in?  ......that's okay because this place serves breakfast all day! 

The line can get long though so make sure you're in vacation mode before you go.


Kono’s Address is 704 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
 
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Pacific Beach Bar Crtitique

12/22/2016

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Silver Fox - 1833 Garnet Ave, 92109
Least expensive drink prices you'll find in PB aside from bringing your own flask in your boot.
This is a dive bar that makes you feel like you stepped back in time to the 1980's. Well, no you didn't, but you did step down a flight of stairs onto leopard print carpet. 


Open Bar - 4302 Mission Blvd, 92109
Least expensive drink prices you'll find in Pacific Beach aside from the Silver Fox.  Basically this is a dive bar with dancing near other bars so you can make this a stop on your bar hopping tour.


The Local - 809 Thomas Ave, 92109
Two-story bar that will have you paying double-digits for a shot of tequila and you may have to wait in line to get in and then wait in line to get upstairs. Double-digits, double-lines.

Shoreclub - 4343 Ocean Blvd, 92109
My personal favorite. Whoever is in charge of the music here, is a genius. Beautiful views of the ocean and great music if you like a variety of songs dating back to the 80's. No dance floor but you can dance where you're standing. 

Duck Dive -  4650 Mission Blvd, 92109
Two words: Bottomless Mimosas.
On Saturday and Sunday from 9am - 3pm (and during the wk 10am-1pm) they serve bottomless mimosas for $17.50 which of course means this place is packed with 21-25 year old's during that time. They do also have other great specials and good food, as well as tv's for watching football on Sundays.


Moonshine Beach - 1165 Garnet Ave, 92109
Awesome if you like country music, line dancing, America, and/or girls in daisy dukes. Huge dance floor and live music most nights!
Warning: There is a $10 cover charge (or more if there is a concert) after 8pm, unless you go online, get on the list, and then arrive before 10pm.  
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The DD Van Service -  1720 Avenida del Mundo, Coronado CA 92118  - 760-383-1717 - TCP 27966 A 
Sponsor of: 
UCP of San Diego, Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, American Heart Association
Member of:

 San Diego Professional Tour Guide Association, Temecula Wine Growers Association

We'd like to thank the organizations below for using our service:

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  • About Us
    • See Our Rates
    • See Our Van Pics
    • Read Our Policies
  • Transportation
    • Frequent Rider Program
    • Special Events
    • Weddings
    • Airport Transfers
    • "The Drunk Driver" LLC
  • Tours
    • Brewery Tours
    • Winery Tours
    • Distillery Tours
    • Sightseeing Tours
    • Horseback Riding Tours
    • Mexico
  • Contact Us
  • Your Photos
  • Blog
  • Mission Sands