Halloween in San Diego

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Are you excited for Halloween? Whether you are dressing up as a devil, a witch or a celebrity, San Diego has some amazing events for you to celebrate the night of the living dead. Ariva is in a great location to be able to get to all of these local events. Check them out and have a great Halloween in San Diego. 

Monster Mash

The 15th Annual Dox XX Monster Mash Block Party is scheduled for October 31st in San Diego. The event starts at 6pm in Gaslamp Quarter and the East Village neighborhoods. Monster Mash transforms eight blocks into the largest event in California. There are five stages that you will get to enjoy throughout this mega party.  Each location has a different Halloween theme. You can dance in the Doll House or take a trip in the Devil's Playground. Do not forget to channel your inner curiosities at the Freak Show location. This event features 20 DJS from all across San Diego to keep you entertained throughout the event. You can get tickets ahead of time for $50, but they are $60 dollars at the door. 

Scream Zone

Scream Zone is open Friday and Saturday nights from 7pm to midnight. Sunday through Thursday they are open from 7pm-11pm. There are a few different activities to enjoy at the Scream Zone. You can take a trip in the Zombie Paintball Safari or try to calm you nerves in the House of Horror. This house features 12 dens including 13 ghosts, Zombie House, Monster Attack, Texas Graveyard and the Underworld. You can also enjoy a terrifying trip on the haunted hayride. The Scream Zone is for teens and older. 

Haunted Trail at Balboa Park

This is not your normal stroll through Balboa Park. The Haunted Trail is one mile through the twisted grove of pines and gnarled oaks. You never know where something may appear so make sure to be on alert. This trail is not designed for children under ten or the easily scared. The year there is a new section featuring a haunted plantation and Bourbon Street where you can survive live scenes from American Horror Story. 

San Diego Road Trips

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Are you looking to get away for a weekend? We have all been there. The need to escape reality for a few days and enjoy time with friends or family. San Diego is in such a great location that there are plenty of places that you can escape to for a day or weekend. Ariva is an amazing place to live, but we would not blame you for wanting to go see the sights for a day or two.

Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree is only 2.5 hours by car from your home in San Diego. There are gorgeous trails throughout this hidden location. You can also learn to rock climb at the Joshua Tree Rock Climbing School. We recommend the summit hike and the Hidden valley Route, both of these trails let you finish the hike with a gorgeous panoramic view.

Idyllwild

This small town in the San Jacinto Mountains is perfect for a day of relaxation. You can unplug with over 50 trails throughout the National Park. These gorgeous locations are only two hours away from San Diego.

Ojai

Ojai is a little further from San Diego. You can get there by car in 3.5 hours. This old town with Spanish Revival architecture is packed with history and stores. We recommend making this a weekend trip so you can take it all in.  There is a famous outdoor bookstore, boutiques and the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. 

Los Angeles

Maybe the rugged outdoor towns are not what you are looking for on your getaway.  Los Angeles is only two hours away by car which makes it the perfect weekend or day trip. Head to the arts district for some amazing restaurants, unique shops and great shows all throughout the weekend. You will never get bored in the busy city of Los Angeles.

Pasadena

You can hop in the car for two hours and visit the Rose Bowl, Old Pasadena and the Pacific Area Museum. You can spend the entire day exploring the gorgeous city of Pasadena and still get back to San Diego at night. Pasadena is a gorgeous and perfect day trip city.

We hope you get to enjoy this weekend and all the adventures that you have planned.

Best Happy Hours in San Diego

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The best happy hour has a combination of great food, great drinks, all with low prices. Everyone wants to find the best happy hour spot, but sometimes it seems like an impossible task. Give these San Diego bars a chance for happy hour and stop the seemingly endless search for the best happy hour.

Johnny V

Johnny V knows how to do happy hour. There are daily deals like half-off drinks and cheap appetizers. If you go on Fridays, you can enjoy a free appetizer when you buy a drink. On Saturdays you can grab a $1 fish taco and $4 you-call-its.

Taste and Thirst

Stop by Taste and Thirst for half-off drinks from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m for their happy hour. During that time you can also choose from a selection of half-off appetizers like chili cheese tater tots. Being less than 10 miles away from Ariva Apartments is another great reason to make this your new happy hour spot.

Dirty Birds

If you’re a wing lover this might be your sanctuary. A lot of people consider the wings at Dirty Birds to be some of the best. Get them for half-off during happy hour along with half-off domestic pitchers, and you’ll be a satisfied happy hour hunter.

Jose’s Courtroom

Jose’s Courtroom is the place to be on Tuesdays if you love mexican food. Chow down on $1.50 carne and pollo tacos or $2.50 lobster and shrimp tacos. Sip on a margarita and have them whip up some guacamole and you’ll be looking forward to Tuesdays.

Spike Africa’s Fresh Fish Grill & Bar

If you like your happy hours to include seafood, Spike Africa’s has deals for you. You can get fresh oysters for $1.25 and blackened mahi tacos for $4.50. On top of that, you can wash it down with a $3 shot of Fireball or a 16 ounce PBR for $4. Another big plus is that it’s less than 10 miles away from Ariva Apartments.

All’s well that ends well! Make sure your favorite happy hour spots are doing their jobs and sending you home happy after a long day at work.

Who Wants Cookies?

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Do you always crave desserts like us? You put anything sweet in front of us and we will be sure to eat it all. However, one of the simplest and best desserts to have at any time of the day is a cookie. It just so happens that it is also October which is National Cookie Month.  Here are some of the best places in San Diego to celebrate National Cookie Month.

Sugar Cravings

We love anything sugar, and Sugar Cravings might be the perfect place to indulge this craving. Christine Shen makes gorgeous customized sugar cookies that are perfect for any occasion. This started out as a small home business, but it turned into a full blown success with her hard work and delicious cookie treats. Make sure to put in your orders 3-4 weeks ahead of time for your specially designed cookie.

Sugar and Scribe

This Irish Bakery in La Jolla has won many awards for more than just their cookies. Their perfect double thick chocolate chip cookies are perfect for the chocolate fans of San Diego. They also have ginger cremes and more that are all baked from scratch. As an added bonus, you can also find some Irish goodies like bread puddings and coffee cakes throughout the day.  

The Cravory

The Cravory is serious about their cookies. They first cookies roll out at 4am every morning so they are fresh and ready for customers. They have eleven signature flavors with six new creative flavors every month. You can try a new cookie every week and always have a different flavor. Are you reluctant to try something you don’t know? At The Cravory, you can sample anything in the store before you buy it. This will let you decide on your favorites before you spend your money.

These are just a few of the delicious bakeries in San Diego. We are so excited to try all of these delicious desserts to help celebrate National Cookie Month. Do you have a favorite cookie recipe? Share it with your neighbors at Ariva and on Ariva’s Facebook Page! We do not think they will mind!