San Diego Meetup

November 6, 2006 4:35 PM

Why don't San Diego mefites ever gather? Is there any interest in a meetup? I was looking at the nearby users and there are dozens - we could almost take over the world if we organized well.
posted by routergirl to MetaFilter Gatherings at 4:35 PM (44 comments total)

I might be talked into this. Margheritas in Old Town? Beer at the Whistle Stop in South Park?
posted by snsranch at 5:24 PM on November 6, 2006

routergirl, after looking at the profiles of S.D. MeFites, it seems that the only other active S.D. MeFite is the legendary Steven Den Beste.

So much for "world domination", but e-mail me if you want to BBQ or something.
posted by snsranch at 7:47 PM on November 6, 2006

I have family in Chula Vista and visit frequently, and I'm open to meeting up if there's something going on when I'm in town.
posted by the_bone at 8:19 PM on November 6, 2006

My sister lives there - I have no idea why her profile locates her somewhere in eastern China. I'm about three hours north and at the risk of embarrassing her I think we'd both be interested in a meetup if it were timed right.
posted by granted at 8:31 PM on November 6, 2006

Eastern China? WTF? How did that happen? I was wondering why my closest user was 28 miles away.
p.s. I heart San Diego. I live in the Gaslamp.
posted by changeling at 9:09 PM on November 6, 2006

oh, the negative sign. yeah.
posted by changeling at 9:13 PM on November 6, 2006

Left Coast peeps are just too goddamn chill to ever get together. Even in SF, home of MetaFilter, it takes a miracle to get even a few of us dope-smoking nesters off our keisters.
posted by scarabic at 9:30 PM on November 6, 2006

We're too busy enjoying bare-feet-at-night-in-the-park weather to get together...
posted by chemicalpilate at 9:46 PM on November 6, 2006

it seems that the only other active S.D. MeFite is the legendary Steven Den Beste.

Isn't y6y6y6 a San Diegan? I mean, he's not that active around here any more, but he did at least threaten to attend the LA meetup the other night...
posted by jonson at 10:03 PM on November 6, 2006

Some of us San Diegans just don't advertise all that often.

I'm good for a meetup -- but November's a really bad month for it.
posted by JekPorkins at 11:36 PM on November 6, 2006

I tried this a little while back. On retrospect I was probably right to post to "bugs".
posted by adamvasco at 12:19 AM on November 7, 2006

I was wondering this myself. I'm obviously not so much an active user and am unsure if I'd be attending them if they WERE to happen frequently, I had just noticed that it doesn't seem to happen.

Lurker or not I very well might still go if I was free when one were to come up. I live in Chula Vista and would probably have to drag a non-mefite friend along for transportation to wherever it is (of course the trolley gets to downtown perfectly fine), but count me on the list of "possibly" if one were to go down.
posted by Stunt at 3:36 AM on November 7, 2006

id be down. im sure woj and booknerd would as well. she will be out of the country, soon though. sooner, the better?
posted by fillsthepews at 8:33 AM on November 7, 2006

Stunt, I live in Chula Vista, too. Yeah, I'm normally Miss Introvert, but I was struck with some uncharacteristic bravery and figured I'd shoot up a flare and see what came of it.

Old town and margaritas sounds good. Any other suggestions for a place? Maybe somewhere in the gaslamp?
posted by routergirl at 9:41 AM on November 7, 2006

y6 still reads the site, but posts only on alts these days. It's my understanding he would be up for an SD meetup. But perhaps I'm being too assumptive. Talk on the street is that he would have made the LA meetup, but Ms y6 had returned from her adventures in our nation's capital the night before, and they were a bit adverse to trekking up the 5 at that point. Personally I find it insulting that they would have traded your fine company for an evening of video games and Hot Pockets, but that's just, like, my opinion.

Irregardless, last SD meetup here. It's my understanding that support for SD meetups where people might actually show up is approximately nil.
posted by WoWgmr72 at 10:39 AM on November 7, 2006

gaslamp quarter = yikes. perhaps somewhere like the aformentioned wstop would be a lot better/cheaper/more accessable/not evil.
posted by fillsthepews at 11:21 AM on November 7, 2006

we could almost take over the world if we organized well.

I think we considered it and figured that it was too much work for what we got.

it seems that the only other active S.D. MeFite is the legendary Steven Den Beste.

Hmm. Guess askMe doesn't count.


Old Town is my vote. I normally don't read MeTa too often, glad I did.
posted by RikiTikiTavi at 11:55 AM on November 7, 2006

Oops, sorry didn't mean to dis anyone!
posted by snsranch at 4:27 PM on November 7, 2006

Ok then. Old town? Saturday? Pick a time and a location in old town, and I'm there. I haven't been there since Casa Bandini was open - I hear it closed? I can also do Sunday - my plans for the weekend are pretty non existent.
posted by routergirl at 9:19 PM on November 7, 2006

Wait, don't meet this Saturday. . . granted and I will be out of town this and next, and she's been longing for a meetup.

But three cheers for Old Town and margaritas, though it's just not the same without Casa de Pico. As for Gaslamp, I live on the periphery, near House of Blues, Horton Plaza, and a crackhouse. Used to work in the evil clubs. But it's not all evil down here. Just most of it.
posted by changeling at 12:49 AM on November 8, 2006

I'm in. Old Town is extra-special great for me to meet at, since it's within walking distance for me. However, it might also be nice to meet someplace with an outdoor patio that overlooks the beach, you know, just to make other cities jealous. Shades in OB (on Santa Monica underneath Qwiigs) would be good for this.

"Casa de Pico" is closed, but there's still a restaurant there; same with Casa de Bandini. Both have great outdoor areas but I don't think either location is really great for a large party unless we can get them to pull some tables together. Other bars in the general area: Shakespeares' (English pub with outdoor deck), Aero Club (divey but really cool), La Pinata (Mexican restaurant with outdoor area, supposedly oldest Mexican restaurant in SD(?))

Which Saturday are we talking about? The 11th?

it seems that the only other active S.D. MeFite is the legendary Steven Den Beste.

Hmm. Guess askMe doesn't count.

And I'm not prolific by any means, but come on.
posted by LionIndex at 9:41 AM on November 8, 2006

changeling - Saturday after that then? Nov 18th, that would be.
posted by routergirl at 3:17 PM on November 8, 2006

The old town idea sounds great, but it seems I wont be able to attend any meetup that comes up soon. Stupid schedule.

Anyway...organize! Rise up! I figure that if enough of you all manage to make a good meetup happen then we're more likely to see another. Hopfully another when I will actually be free.
posted by Stunt at 3:46 PM on November 8, 2006

18th? What time? I'll be the guy wearing a Hurley t-shirt with shorts and flip-flops.

LionIndex, I was just referring to how many profiles showed no posts or comments. But anyway, I apologized already. So there:)
posted by snsranch at 4:41 PM on November 8, 2006

I'd be up for it. Next weekend works beautifully.
posted by moira at 8:17 PM on November 8, 2006

As do weekends after that, with enough notice.
posted by moira at 8:23 PM on November 8, 2006

Dang. No, we'll be back the 19th, late. And the next weekend is thanksgiving, though my sister (granted) will be in town. . . is the holiday weekend taboo?
posted by changeling at 9:48 PM on November 8, 2006

With so many Chula Vistans here, I should probably say that my dream meetup location would be La Bella's. Regardless, Old Town would be awesome.

I have a gig on Sundays in LA and usually leave SD early Saturday evening when I visit. I'm down to hang out if it's an earlier thing, but won't be bummed if I can't make a later meetup.
posted by the_bone at 9:58 PM on November 8, 2006

Maybe a friday night instead?
posted by routergirl at 10:39 PM on November 8, 2006

17th would be fine for me (as would the 18th). Any further suggestions for an actual location? As far as decent (IMHO) Mexican restaurants in Old Town we've got the previously mentioned La Pinata, the Old Town Mexican Cafe, and the Guadalajara Grill. Fred's, Cafe Coyote, and Rockin' Baja Lobster are down there too, but tend towards the touristy side of things and I haven't been too impressed with the food.

If Mexican is not totally necessary there's always O'Hungrys and their yards o' beer.
posted by LionIndex at 8:43 AM on November 9, 2006

I could make Friday.
posted by moira at 12:34 PM on November 9, 2006

the_bone: My Bro-in-Law works at La Bella's. That's also where I watched O.J.s white bronco getaway. Ah, so many memories there. La Bella's next time?
posted by snsranch at 3:43 PM on November 9, 2006

Friday the 17th then. Someone who's been out there pick the place?

snsranch - I hear great things about La Bellas. Next time indeed. I'll come too.
posted by routergirl at 8:41 PM on November 9, 2006

Friday the 17th then. Someone who's been out there pick the place?

I've been to most of the places I listed numerous times. What kind of amenities are we looking for? It looks like we won't have more than 6 (?) people, so just about anything will probably do.
posted by LionIndex at 9:10 AM on November 13, 2006

Someplace camera friendly with food and drink.
posted by routergirl at 11:37 AM on November 14, 2006

Ooooookay then.

Old Town Mexican Cafe is generally good, but I've had margaritas of varying quality there (undrinkable in one case, one of the best I've ever had in another). Also, it's just about the most famous restaurant in Old Town, so it's often packed to the rafters with a sizeable wait, although probably not too bad this time of year. They make their own tortillas by hand. Last time I was there, their food quality seemed to have dropped off quite a bit--possible change in ownership or something. Atmosphere kind of depends on where they end up seating you; their patio's pretty meh, but inside the older part of the place it's pretty nice. It's on the main drag through Old Town, across the street from the Whaley House.

La Pinata is over by the intersection of Juan and Taylor Streets. The food's pretty good, but I've never had a margarita there. Atmosphere is good inside or outside, and I've never seen it really crowded or have an excessive wait.

Guadalajara is right next to La Pinata, and is always packed. Of the three Mexican restaurants I'm describing, they're the only one that I'm pretty sure has the big swimming-pool size margaritas that Casa de Pico used to have. They've got a nice outdoor patio and indoor seating area, and also have a small cantina to hang out in while you wait for a table, which is nice because waits can exceed an hour.

If it were totally up to me, which is kind of what it's looking like, I'd say La Pinata, with Guadalajara as a backup. I've never tried to take photos in any of these places so I don't know how things'll turn out, but they won't kick you out for having a camera.
posted by LionIndex at 1:53 PM on November 14, 2006

I'm not being a huge help, but I really don't know the area. Many thanks for the suggestions, LionIndex. Pinata does sound good. What time are we thinking?
posted by moira at 6:38 PM on November 14, 2006

Pinata sounds excellent. Sorry I'm not being much of a help either, esp since I started this whole thing.
posted by routergirl at 11:17 PM on November 14, 2006

Okay--Pinata it is. I'm I figured we'd probably end up doing something around 7 or 8. So, say, 7:30?

I guess once we nail things down with the three of us still participating in the thread, we can repost to the front page of MeTa with a reminder, unless people are still out there lurking and not saying anything.
posted by LionIndex at 11:19 AM on November 15, 2006

Wait, I just reviewed the thread and saw that changeling and granted wouldn't be able to make this Friday. Considering their enthusiasm for a meetup, and the small number of people we're likely to get, should we maybe push it out a bit? I think the holiday weekend might be a little tricky. First week of December, maybe? I don't know how far ahead these things are usually planned, but two or three weeks doesn't seem too bad.

Regardless, if it's this Friday at 7:30, I can be there.
posted by moira at 5:08 PM on November 15, 2006

My thought was that there's a good number of people who initially expressed interest that might have just stopped paying attention once this thread rolled of the front page of MeTa, so making another reminder post might draw some of them out of the woodwork. If not, maybe we can reschedule, but 12/1 and 12/2 are out for me.

Besides, even if we only have three people, that's as many San Diegans as we had last time.
posted by LionIndex at 8:04 AM on November 16, 2006

We can also just have another meetup - this doesn't have to be the last and only one EVAR.

LionIndex - you want to post it on the front meta page?
posted by routergirl at 9:58 AM on November 16, 2006

Can do.
posted by LionIndex at 1:19 PM on November 16, 2006

I'll likely be in LA this weekend, alas (something came up last-minute... might try to come down tomorrow, but it's an outside shot at this point). But, dude... even knowing that a La Bella's MeFi meetup is even a remote possibility at some future time makes me happy to be alive.
posted by the_bone at 11:59 PM on November 16, 2006