It has its share of detractors—most of whom can’t find a parking space for lunch or dinner—but Old Town San Diego is a seriously popular destination around these parts.

I’d heard so much about the food at the Mariscos German taco truck in North Park that I thought I’d better give it a go, if only to solve the mystery behind the name.

Hawaii turned 50 in August of last year, but the public celebrations turned a blind eye to some of the history that got it there. The U.S. (who else?) overthrew Queen Liliuokalani’s kingdom in 1893—we annexed the islands five years later, and they remained an American territory until statehood in 1959. Bill Clinton officially apologized for the military’s role in deposing Lil, but by then, it was way too late. Our incursion spelled the beginning of the end to Hawaii’s centuries of experiments in self-governance; once again, and typically, we’d shot ourselves in our G.I.-clad feet.

Ocean Beach’s Fourth of July post-fireworks marshmallow fight started even before the pyrotechnics had ended, the little white pastries zipping by like giant snowflakes against the cavalcade of color that marks summer’s hold on the region. One burly cop couldn’t resist the infectiousness, inviting a visitor into the realm of the unthinkable. “If you wanna throw a couple at him,” he said, motioning to his partner, “I’ll look the other way.” In an instant, the neighborhood was in rare form, with a police officer’s toothy, sugar-coated grin to show for it.

Unearthly treasure isn’t that far away

Downtown's Heavenly Cupcake is truth in advertising

A review of vegan joint The Loving Hut

La Mesa's La Torta Café doesn't deal in your average 'sandwich'

The Lamont Street Grill offers a different angle on a raucous neighborhood

Ocean Beach's Little Chef is one friendly Chinese eatery