Two Benefits of Hosting Comic-Con in San Diego

Over a hundred and thirty thousand people attended this year’s Comic-Con convention in their enthusiasm to submerge themselves in the spirit of “geekhood”. Comic enthusiast contributed $203 million and booked over 378,000 rooms in the area over the past three years (1). This means big windfalls for hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the area. 

There are two benefits from Comic-Con that helped to steer a course for San Diego. The first is the immediate benefits to local businesses and the second is the long-tail of marketing of San Diego to the world. Businesses may see a short burst of revenue but also may find their environment improving over the long-run. 

Sometimes people need an excuse to see the beauty of San Diego. Conventions such as Comic-Con give young people a reason to visit San Diego who might have otherwise have optioned for another place. Some of those people will be impressed by the area and may come back for a vacation or another time when a large event is being held. 

Just in the same way as Comic-Con grew from a small event in the 70’s, to the powerhouse draw of celebrities today, areas also grow in appeal. Because we are creatures of habit, visiting once often perks our interest into visiting again. The same mental processes occur in consumer choices in events or any other buying behavior. 

Some businesses will receive enough revenue during this period that it makes a difference between hiring another employee and laying off another employee during the year. Small businesses need this revenue to increase their profit margins and make small changes in their expansion. Hotels, restaurants, bars, retail, and other associated establishments should have seen a spike in revenue. 

Comic-Con offers value for the area and should be encouraged. Whether we are concerned about marketing the area to the rest of the world or getting a little extra cash into the hands of local businesses owners the value of similar events cannot be underestimated. With San Diego’s vacation weather it should be a popular option for future events.

Beautiful Beaches Raise San Diego’s Digital Profile as a Vacation Destination

San Diego Beaches are some of the most beautiful in the country. According to Trip Advisor the beaches of La Jolla, Coronado and Carlsbad made their way into the nation’s top 25 (McVicker, 2014). As a local attraction beaches are a clear draw for people and a way people envision San Diego. The right kind of images can raise the status of an area.

If you doubt the brand of San Diego as associated with sunny beaches go ahead and ask someone from any place in the country what the first thing they think of when the city is mentioned. Most likely they will say something about the weather, ocean, beaches, restaurants and military. San Diego is seen as a destination place for vacation and fun.

Having positive reviews of San Diego in the news, vacation sites, and in general on cybersphere helps to raise the status of the area. The more times it is mentioned in various information channels and media the higher the association of the image in people’s minds. This can help the area become a greater destination place that reaps the financial rewards.

Consider how people find information today for trips and vacations. They search online using key terms such as “best U.S. vacation places”, “vacation places with beaches”, etc… The frequency of terms used to describe the city, or any city, will impact the which localities will be recalled for people to consider in their choices.

Trip Adviser is one popular site that impacts the amount of people who will eventually visit the area and spend their money. Like the marketing of any company the more people who see positive information about the city the more likely they will choose to vacation here.  The money people spend is converted to profits, wages, taxes, and investments.

Beaches may not seem like much but they are a major draw for vacationers. Other factors that attract people are the types of jobs in the area, the recreational activities, the social life, and the type of city governance. When people are deciding where to visit and spend they will naturally gravitate where their interests lay. Where and how they find that information is becoming increasingly digitized.

McVicker, L. (Feb 18, 2014). 3 San Diego Beaches Ranked in Top 25 in US. http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/3-San-Diego-Beaches-Ranked-in-Top-25-in-US-292477631.html#ixzz3UrohZTHj

Taking a Beach Break at Newbreak Coffee and Cafe

After spending an afternoon on the sand smelling like coconut tanning oil beach enjoyers walk over to Newbreak Coffee and Café for their favorite beverage and snack. Offering homemade food and a street side location across from the beach it has earned its spot as a local icon. Foot traffic in the Ocean Beach area is robust with people browsing surfboard shops, beach clothing outlets and mom & pop restaurants.  It is a beach community that attracts a special kind of resident who rents a local apartment and spends their day on the water or an out-of- state tourist that fly in for a week to experience authentic beach life.

Food and beverages are the main attraction for Newbreak as customers walk across the street to grab something quick to eat before making their way back to the beach for some time in the sun.  Patrons can order eggs, omelets, soups, muffins and gourmet sandwiches.  Each of the items takes considerable care and effort to prepare adding to its quality.  Your watering mouth won’t forget their coffees, teas, lattes, mochas, and cappuccinos, and blended fruits. 

Providing a positive café experience is important for developing a return customer base. Established on the results of focus groups, a couple of themes make their way through the patron’s experience (Kauppinen-Rajsanen, 2013). Childhood memories, tourist experiences, social engagement and homemade food help customers find deeper meaning with the restaurant based on the self, place, food, context and time of the experience. 

Newbreak Coffee and Cafe provides a social atmosphere, homemade menu, and convenient location that encourage positive experiences. Restaurants are in the business of selling memories and feelings. A beachside dining experience that fits within the free flowing tourist lifestyle of Ocean Beach creates positive customer experiences through their senses that develop memories. 

The next time you are in the area and combing the beach or walking the pier you may want to stop by Newbreak Coffee and Café. Place your surfboard outside and walk in with your sandals. It is a casual atmosphere where customers are more likely to wear waist wraps and flower patterned swimming trunks than formal clothing. Sit outside in the sun by the street or inside next to their wood stove. Grab a sandwich and a smoothie and head back to the next big wave. Don’t forget to relive the experience for diner.

Newbreak Coffee and Café

1830 Sunset Cliffs Boulevard

Suite D, San Diego, CA 92107

http://www.newbreakcafe.com/

Kauppinen-Rajsanen, et. al. (2013). Remember eating experiences described by the self, place, food, context and time. British Food Journal, 115 (5).

Finding Great San Diego Restaurants with Coupon Sites

Frugality with money is part art-form and part research. San Diego hosts a substantial amount of outdoor activities, dining, boating events, concerts and more. The problem is that all of this costs money. If you don’t have a fat wallet and have more time than money you may want to check out some discount sites before making a dining reservation. Stretching your dollars can help you in the other areas of your life and a few moments of time are a wise choice. 

Companies offer coupons and discounts to attract new customers. They hope that once the customers make their way into the restaurant for the first time they can be retained for future visits in addition to future revenue. A discount offer raises the incentives of purchasing a product and can be attractive to those who are considering a wide range of alternatives. 

One advantage is that dining discounts directly appeal to those who like to go out and eat on a regular basis. It is a core demographic group that sees discounts as most appealing. The mentality is, “Well I’m going to go eat anyway so why not try this restaurant for 30% off?”  The discount becomes factored into their overall decision-making framework and this result in an affirmative choice. 

The disadvantage of discount sites is that they often appeal to either the savvy deal shopper or the hard core food connoisseur.  Discount shoppers will seek only specials and deals before purchasing while food connoisseurs are unlikely to frequent the same restaurant many times unless it is a convenient choice when other options fail. Discounts in online sites are just one option in building a comprehensive marketing campaign.

Deal Catcher: The site offers discounts on various products, restaurants, events and activities. It hosts lots of great fitness classes that include boxing, biking, yoga, etc… for serious discounts.  http://www.dealcatcher.com/local/san-diego

San Diego Restaurants: The site offers discounts and coupons for various restaurants within the area. Most of the coupons can be printed and brought into the establishment. You may receive discounts on food, drinks, appetizers and more. http://www.sandiegorestaurants.com/coupons.cfm. 

The Goods: The goods offer discounts on dining and a few other items. There isn’t a lot of different stuff on the site but it is worth looking at a few of the coupons. You can text or print the coupon. http://www.thegoods.com/  

San Diego Org: One of the best sites for finding activities and events in the San Diego area. The offers and coupons apply to food, lodging, whale watching and many other events. This is a good site to save for the weekends. http://www.sandiego.org/coupons.aspx

Restaurant: The site is by far one of the best selections in finding food and drink offerings in the area. You can purchase discount coupons that save you more than the cost. For example, $10 might get you $25 off with a purchase of $37 or more. http://www.restaurant.com/city-cuisine/sandiego-restaurants

Slick Deals: You can find almost anything on this site of which restaurants are one. This is a strong website to search out anytime you need a product or service. It will require you to purchase the item from the website. http://slickdeals.net

The Old Fashion Style of Twiggs Coffeehouse and Bakery

Twiggs Coffeehouse and Bakery offers a homey atmosphere with traditional coffee shop décor and plenty of tables. Located in the University Heights business district it has created a name for itself through its bakery items and custom cakes. At any particular time you can find all types of people ranging from business professionals to students engaging in lively conversation and munching on a chocolate chip cookie. 

This is not your “cookie cutter” establishment with franchise style décor. It is a real, down to earth, traditional 1950’s style coffee shop. Living room furniture with lamps rests in the corners while a variety of well worn tables are spread about the floor. It has a “throwback” charm of a time before the advent of computers. 

Twiggs also supports the arts. Located in a makeshift theater connected to the main coffee shop are amateur improvisation and skits. Cost was $5 and offered an opportunity for locals to engage in the community. A few dozen people looked on at a theatrical that used no props and only carried interest through its narrative. A great way for people to spend their time.

4590 Park Blvd,

San Diego, CA 92116

http://www.twiggs.org/

Spanish "Old World" Coronado Village

In Coronado’s Downtown District and a block from the beach is a little known Spanish style alleyway that hosts hidden treasures of small shops and architectural wonders. Located within the Village of Coronado and El Cordova Hotel are dining establishments like Miguel’s Cocina and carpet shops like the Galleria that match anything you might find in Old World Spain. 

El Cordova Hotel is a traditional hacienda style local attraction. It was built for the wealthy industrialist Elisha Babcock in 1902 and was converted so a Spanish Village hotel in 1939. Since that time it has been updated many times and a number of shops are interconnected. While you wait for your dining number to be called you may walk around and see the fountains and historic architecture.

 

Miguel’s Cocina is located in the hotel’s courtyard. It offers a beautifully covered patio or indoor dining experience. The prices are reasonable ranging from $12-$20 per plate. Their offerings are Mexican by genre and have successfully allowed the establishment to expand into other communities. Try the carne asada or the vegetable enchiladas. Happy Hour times are available. 

You will notice the courtyard full of people, busy niche shops, and hotel residents. As you walk around the courtyard you may be surprised by the fountains, tile work, and the architectural design. It provides a charm unmatched by many other locations on the island. It is worth the walk, dining, and shopping experience. Take a few hours on your weekend and enjoy your time.