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Community Corner

Making Father's Day Special: Gift and Activity Ideas for Dad

Besides the handmade cards and shell encrusted picture frames, plan some memorable activities with Dad.

While moms generally like to be pampered, dads are a different breed. Dads like to spend Father’s Day relaxing in front of the TV, playing some sports or eating manly meals. Usually taking a back seat to all the Mother’s Day activities, Father’s Day is gaining ground and the Patch has found some activities that take typical Father’s Day guy stuff up a notch.

Unlimited Golf Just Fore Dad: Enjoy the links with Dad at The Grand Golf Club, as overnight guests at the Grand Del Mar on June 18 or 19 will get unlimited golf with the purchase of 18 holes. Green fees are $230 per player, and Dad’s will get a complimentary Custom Club Fitting and logo golf hat. During the day, take time to dine at Amaya, where the resort’s signature restaurant offers a special Father’s Day Sunday Brunch, choices include Steak and Eggs, Smoked Salmon Plate and the Guinness Stout Milkshake; and/or for dinner with tempting dishes such as Lobster and Crab Pappardelle, Veal Strip Steak and Blue Crab “Oscar”, Crispy Skin Duck Breast, and Duo of Beef. The Grand Del Mar is located at 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, San Diego, CA 92130, 858-314-2000.

Gift Idea: Get Dad a Sky Golf Sky Caddie, which calculates distances for up to 40 targets per hole, and has a 20-course storage capacity, available at Sports Chalet.

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Bottom’s Up:  Come to in La Jolla for Father’s Day lunch and enjoy the tasty menu choices, along with your favorite brew. Try some Creole Jambalaya, a Kobe Cheeseburger, or a Filet Mignon with some White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes. There’s a nice kid’s menu for the little ones too. And to deal with those little ones, select from a number of fresh beers, including the award winning flavors of the Longboard Brown, Rudolph’s Red and the Ragtop Red. If you can’t decide, just ask for a beer sampler. Rock Bottom is located at 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, La Jolla, 858-450-9277.

Gift Idea: Bring Rock Bottom beers home and get Dad a 64 oz. beer growler for only $12.95, refills for $9.95.

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Ride the Waves: Hit the waves with Dad on Father’s Day and go to the beach near Scripps Pier in La Jolla for the . This free event brings participants together to show support for cancer research and to honor individuals in their fight against cancer. Bring your surfboard and help form a symbol of support by creating the longest line of surfboards nose-to-tail lying in the sand from Scripps Pier to La Jolla Shores. Last year there were about 200 boards, and they hope to beat it this year. Participants should start arriving at 8 a.m. and will receive a free Surfing for a Cure souvenir and can watch the Heali’i’s Polynesian Revue perform traditional dances.

Gift Idea: Dad needs a new surfboard, and find one at , a community favorite since 1967, with locations in La Jolla and Solana Beach.

Cruisin’ Along: Guys like cars and Dad’s can "ohh" and "ahh" at the cars featured at this year’s San Diego County Fair (Del Mar Fair to most of us). This year’s fair theme is “Race to the Fair” with a “Cruisin’ California” exhibit with rotating car shows, a NASCAR driving simulator and more. On Father’s Day the San Diego 4-Wheelers and Triumph will be showing. On Father’s Day the fair will have a special Pancake Breakfast from 9 to 11:15 a.m. for $13, which includes fair admission. Entertainment for the day includes Larry Hernandez, Reckless Highway and the San Diego A Cappella Sing Off. The fair runs through July 4. 

Gift Idea: Drive your Dad in style and rent an exotic or luxury car for a day. Rent a Ferrari, Maserati or Bentley Convertible from San Diego Prestige.

Playing Catch: Dad’s love to play ball with their kids. Padres are out of town on Father’s Day, and yes you can watch the game at home or at a local sports bar, but get off the couch and throw a ball around. Our family will be playing ball and watching Little League ball games at the Mission Bay Little League fields in Pacific Beach. Come watch the local District’s Tournament of Champions Juniors division final game at 11 a.m., or the Little Star tournament games schedules all day. The little players, ages 8 and younger, show how youngsters love the simple game of baseball and can have fun playing it too. As Bob Lemon once said, “Baseball was made for kids, and grown-ups only screw it up.”

Gift Idea: Get some Padres baseball tickets and spend some one-on-one time enjoying America’s favorite pastime (and Dad). For $29, get the all-you-can-eat seats and stuff yourselves silly with hot dogs, peanuts and popcorn.

Happy Father’s Day!

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