Fun
Things To Do in Kensington San Diego
Kensington Photo |
Kensington,
the Spirit of San Diego
Article written by Kristel Boe
Traffic. Bustle. Crime. Pollution. These are just some of
the things that can plague a city, and San Diego unfortunately
isn’t immune to this destruction either. So, where can
one go to get away from it all? Sure, you can sail to an exotic
island, or hike to the top of a mountain, but would you believe
there's a retreat practically within our backyards? Believe
it, it's a small neighborhood in the heart of San Diego that
has a lot of spirit.
The quaint neighborhood known as “Kensington”
adds a dash of class along the mostly artsy fartsy Adams Avenue.
Only stretching approximately 6 blocks, there is still much
to this hidden community. Fine old Spanish style homes line
the twisty-curvey streets that make up the residential area,
and mom and pop means of business thrive. Kensington boasts
having a traditional family friendly community; yet the people
also encourage artistic development from artists that call
this neighborhood home. By balancing a family friendly feel
and by supporting artistic events and businesses, Kensington
keeps the spirit of San Diego in full bloom.
Kensington
Restaurants & The Best Places to Eat
Kensington Coffee Co. |
So
your in Kensington, and your hungry…what now? Well, like
many, you can drive a few extra blocks to North
Park and find something there, but then you’d be missing
out on the unique flavor of this neighborhood that runs deeper
than the food.
Kensington Coffee Co. (4141 Adams Avenue) is
THE original coffee shop in Kensington. Within the past few
years a Starbucks moved in across the street giving the Coffee
Co. a bit of competition. Locals remain true to their community
and opt. for the Coffee Co. anyway. Besides the great coffee
and tea, this local coffee house offers free WiFi and that's
something Starbucks doesn't have. The Kensington Coffee Co.
offers some 100 different kinds of coffee beans, 45 different
teas, and other trinkets such as mugs, baskets, cards, stationery,
stickers, tea kettles, tea pots, coffee makers, flasks, chocolates,
picture frames... Not to mention delicious eats! Along with
coffee and tea, the Coffee Co. makes some delicious croissants,
sandwiches, wraps, and pastries.
The Kensington Bistro (4116 Adams Avenue) is
an excellent choice for an inexpensive, yet filling, lunch or
dinner. Their menu consists of sandwiches, salads, appetizers,
soups and pasta. Most Italian entrée’s are under
$10, making the meal so much more satisfying! Catering for special
events is available upon request.
Just
Fabulous Kensington |
Just
Fabulous Kensington (4116 Adams Avenue) is all about
dessert, and it is just fabulous (no joke)! Actually, Just
Fabulous offers more than just sweets; in fact it has a full
menu, though a full course meal can be a little pricey, averaging
$25 a person. The décor is bright, with orange walls
and ceilings and hints of lemon and lime along the windows.
These colors are known to really ignite one’s appetite!
Just Fabulous creates delectable cakes, cookies, tarts, etc.
Some favorites include ginger-orange cookies, fresh pear and
apple-almond tarts, and rich cheesecakes.
The Kensington Grill (4055 Adams Avenue)
has delicious entrees that reflect the chef’s vision
of “Californian Fusion” vision. Entrée’s
average $23 a plate, but it is well worth the money. Being
just about the classiest restaurant in Kensington, it's worth
checking out if you are in the mood for a little wine or would
just like to enjoy casual upscale dining. The Kensington Grill
shares the same ownership as Chive and Laurel (downtown),
two thriving restaurants in the Gaslamp district and has created
quite an impressive reputation in the city. Early bird specials
run from 5-6pm on select days.
Kensington
Nightlife, Live Music & Entertainment
Kenington Club |
Kensington
is a martini shake away from North Park and Normal Heights,
which both offer an eclectic array of nightlife options. But,
if you want to remain right within the border of Kensington,
your options are limited. You will not be disappointed though
because what Kensington lacks in variety, it more than compensate
with personality.
The Kensington Club is the only available
bar/club/music venue in Kensington. This happening joint is
a full-on hipster's swingin' hangout, which also doubles for
a club (with DJ’s on select nights) and a punk rock/ska/indie
playground when bands are featured in the boom room. The Kensington
Club is complete with a full bar and a separate room for musical
talent, as well as a pool table, and a juke box with some
awesome punk rock selections. The Kensington Club received
recognition last year by making the top ten list for best
dive bars in San Diego. The Kensington Club came in #6, beating
out the Ould Sod
in North Park and Joe and Andy’s in La Mesa.
Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant might be
a “restaurant” but it makes the best margaritas
in Kensington and is a nice alternative to the Kensington
Club. Ponce’s offers basic Mexican cuisine and killer
margaritas. A tequila bar recently replaced the lunch counter
and the best Mexican tequila is always on site. If you’d
like a bite to eat between your shots, locals recommend the
three tostada plate.
Kensington
Art Galleries, Cinema & Library
Ken
Cinema in Kensington |
Ladybug
and Medium Art Gallery (both on Adams Avenue)
are worth stopping and strolling through. Artists thrive in
Kensington’s tucked away neighborhood and local art is
on display within both of these galleries. A great afternoon
outing might be to visit the gallery after grabbing a beverage
from the Kensington Coffee Co.
The Ken Cinema shows an eclectic variety of
movies and is best known for featuring The Animation Show
every year. The Ken, a one theatre cinema (which just updated
its seats) is pretty much in the same condition it was 30 years
ago when it was constructed. It isn’t a mainstream theatre,
nor are the films it shows, which is what makes it so special.
Films are still run on reel-to-reel projectors and a classic
looking popcorn maker still sits in the lobby. The Ken steers
clear of box office big shots and stays true to its indie roots.
The Ken was the very first theatre to introduce foreign films
to San Diego and was the second theatre in the city to be labeled
a “Landmark Theatre”. If you truly want to experience
the Kensington community, you must watch a foreign or independent
film in this theatre, it is truly unlike any other.
The public library may not seem very exciting, but it does offer
an escape from urban living. It is a local hotspot for families,
containing a playground and picnic tables outside, but inside
it is a quiet retreat.
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