There’s nothing better than being surrounded by water and gently swaying palm trees. For years, this was our weekend ritual as we sipped our coffee on the second floor Starbucks at the downtown Marriott near the San Diego Convention Center. Or, if it was later in the day, it was an adult beverage at the hotel’s outdoor Tiki Bar. Although the Tiki Bar is long gone and the hotel has a new name, the charm is still there. In fact, it’s better. After undergoing six months of major renovations, the San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina’s pool area has re-opened. It features two new waterfalls, Jacuzzi, a swanky pool bar, architecturally unique private cabanas, cozy fire pits and a separate kids area. It’s a surprisingly hidden oasis for locals — at least that’s how we felt as we grooved to calypso music and our waitress Lindzi served up Sangria-Rita and Cali Sunset tropical drinks. They’ve also added more greenery so everywhere you look there are luscious palm trees and giant bird of paradise plants. “We wanted to create an environment that was user friendly and had more space so our guests could sit down and relax,” said Marriott’s director of food and beverages, Mark Johnson. “The former Tiki bar had 18 seats while our new outdoor bar seats 160. We’re very excited about the upgrades.” There’s no question the new Tequila Bar and Grille will be the summer’s new hot spot for locals. The drink menu features more than a dozen tequila cocktails such as Apple Pie Margarita, La Bomba and Mango Tequila Mojito. As for food, they have everything from Crispy Empanadas and Shredded Chicken Tacos to Carne Asada Torta. For dessert lovers, there’s Warm Home Made Churros (our favorite!), Mango Sorbet and Vanilla Ice Cream Taco. On Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 9 p.m., guitarist Phil Lean performs live. Not a bad way to end the workweek! One of San Diego’s most popular cultural events is back. The Fourth Annual Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Festival kicks off in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village on June 17th. If you’ve never been to the Spanish Art Center, this is a secret gem that many locals don’t even know exists. It features 37 working artists’ studios and it’s nestled between the San Diego Natural History Museum and the San Diego Zoo. It’s a great way to support and connect with local artists and the multi-colored mosaic stone floor is absolutely dazzling, especially on a sunny day. The event will take place from 6:30 to 10 p.m., and dozens of well-known chocolatiers, wine and cheese vendors will offer tasting samples throughout the evening. The festival is hosted by the Women’s Museum of California as part of their community outreach and fundraising efforts. “We’re one of only five Women’s History Museums in the country so we think that is a pretty big deal,” said Ashley Gardner, executive director of the Women’s Museum. “The museum was established to educate and inspire current and future generations about the experiences and accomplishments of women who have been left out of the history books.” For ticket information, call (619) 233-7963 or visit www.womens museumca.org We want to hear from you! Café Sevilla re-opens on Fifth Avenue in June. Put on your finest salsa outfit and get a photo of yourself and a friend in a freeze frame dance pose and post it on our Facebook Page. The most creative picture will win 2 tickets to an Amazing Race/Scavenger Hunt Adventure with Where You Want To Be Tours! — Marc & Darlynne Menkin are the co-owners of Where You Want To Be Tours. www.wheretours.com