California Official Visitor's Guide 2009 - (Page 208) san diego county my california WHO: Tony Hawk WHAT: Professional skateboarder/father BACKSTORY: Tony Hawk is skateboarding. The gangly San Diego native pushed skating into new realms, seemingly beyond the realm of gravity; at the 1999 X Games, he became the first skater to complete a heretofore-believed-impossible “900,” launching from a ramp, spinning two-and-a-half times in the air, and landing again. Retired from competitive skating, he focuses his energy on his four children, his Tony Hawk Series video games, and the Tony Hawk Boom Boom Huckjam, a national skateboarding tour featuring the world’s best skaters. WHY I LOVE THE SAN DIEGO REGION: “I grew up in San Diego, and I don’t ever want to leave. The weather’s great, the surf is consistent, and there are skate parks everywhere. It’s great for families too. When I was a kid, we went to all the San Diego icons—Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, SeaWorld—and now I take my own kids there. We’re also huge Legoland fanatics. As far as skating, the best skate park around is the Encinitas YMCA; they’ve got ramps, bowls, and rails for every skill level. Blacks Beach [a renowned clothingoptional beach] is definitely the best surf spot in San Diego. It has the biggest waves, and consistently produces howling barrels. If we just want to hang out at a family beach, we head for South Carlsbad State Beach; it’s a really nice beach and you can always find parking. If we want a nice dinner, our favorite restaurant is Market Del Mar in Del Mar. Chef Carl is a culinary genius; plus they’ve got a great wine list. Nobody makes a taco like Roberto’s Taco Shop on the Pacific Coast Highway in Solana Beach. When we’re looking for live music and a friendly crowd, we go to Hensley’s Flying Elephant in Carlsbad (www.hensleyspub.com).” INFO: San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau: 619/236-1212. TONY: www.tonyhawk.com. 208 visitcalifornia.com THIS PAGE: JODY MORRIS; PAGE 206: SCOTT MANSFIELD http://www.hensleyspub.com http://www.tonyhawk.com http://www.visitcalifornia.com
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