Archive for the ‘San Diego’ Category
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013
One of the hallmarks of San Diego living is the small town feel of each neighborhood, despite being connected within a large city and enormous county. PC Housing has corporate apartments conveniently located throughout San Diego city and county, and knowing where you need to be is crucial to a successful corporate trip. Here, we’ll break down the most popular San Diego neighborhoods for corporate apartment living and hopefully help make the decision about where you need to live an easier one!
Carlsbad: Located just north of San Diego proper, Carlsbad is the epitome of North County San Diego: affluent, beautiful, and peaceful. Lagoons and wildlife preserves are abundant, and its proximity to the ocean reminds you that you’re in San Diego. There’s even a small airport and an upscale boutique mall! Carlsbad is a popular destination for corporate travelers because it’s home to several top technological, biological, and economical powerhouses, including labs, software companies, engineering companies and various manufacturers. And San Diego city is just a short 30 minute drive south. (There are also plenty of other transportation options if you’re carless in Carlsbad.)
La Jolla: La Jolla is home to some of the most iconic scenery in San Diego: clear blue ocean waters, sun above the soaring palm trees, and marine mammals which draw visitors and locals alike. Corporate travelers staying in La Jolla take advantage of their location, as many of our La Jolla corporate apartments are right next to the water. However, there is also a bustling economic center in the UTC neighborhood right next to La Jolla that prides itself on skyscrapers for luxurious corporate housing. La Jolla and UTC both offer corporate travelers with a healthy variety of fun and work – some of the best restaurants for corporate entertaining in San Diego are in this neighborhood!
Downtown San Diego: Almost nowhere in San Diego provides its residents with quite the city-like hustle and bustle that Downtown San Diego offers. Downtown – also known as the Gaslamp District – has enough restaurants to keep an extended stay corporate traveler happy, and endless supply of work-appropriate and after-hours entertainment, and is snuggled between the bay to the south and the harbor to the west. The micro-neighborhoods of Little Italy, East Village, Seaport Village, and the Marina are within walking distance of each other, and the San Diego International Airport is a cheap cab ride away (not to mention Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres!). Living in the Gaslamp means you’re in the absolute center of the city. The San Diego Convention Center is where corporate travelers from just about every industry flock, which makes Downtown San Diego the ideal location for corporate travelers. Add in the proximity to Coronado Island and abundant transportation to get you anywhere you need to go and you’ll see why you could need nothing else.
Mission Valley: Second only to Downtown in terms of business opportunities, Mission Valley is a popular destination for traveling professionals because of the abundance of business friendly hotels, commerce centers, transportation and corporate event centers. Two major shopping malls, dozens of restaurant varieties, and a golf course and driving range are sure to keep corporate travelers busy, while Qualcomm Stadium – home to the San Diego Chargers – hosts major events in the offseason. Business professionals love living in Mission Valley because it’s situated between five of the major freeways and has several trolley stops for easy access to any other neighborhood.
Poway/Rancho Bernardo: While most business centers remain close to the coast, Poway and Rancho Bernardo separate themselves from the rest with their East County locations. Home to the headquarters of a number of national corporations, Poway also has several wildlife preserves that pay homage to the endangered California scrub and offer residents and travelers the opportunity to interact with nature by hiking, biking and walking through parks and Lake Poway. This region is far more residential than the neighborhoods of Mission Valley and the Gaslamp, which can be ideal for longer corporate trips and professionals traveling with family. This affluent, upscale community is nestled in canyons and hills and boasts luxurious golf courses for laid back business rounds.
Remember, no matter where you choose to live in San Diego, you will be guaranteed a furnished corporate apartment with all of the furnishings, accessories, and conveniences of daily life when you stay with PC Housing.
Images courtesy of City of Carlsbad, La Jolla, Downtown San Diego, Black Chick on Tour, and Rancho Bernardo Community Council.
Tags: corporate travel, San Diego, san diego corporate apartment
Posted in Corporate Housing, San Diego, furnished apartments San Diego | No Comments »
Monday, April 22nd, 2013
If there’s one thing business executives are known for it’s having a great golf game. And if there’s one thing San Diego is known for, well, it’s the awesome weather, but another thing is world renowned golf courses. There’s nothing quite like spending a day on the greens with a client or colleague, and many executives know the benefits of conducting a meeting over a friendly game of golf.
San Diego has several golf courses throughout the county to choose from. We’ve selected the best golf courses for a friendly business round in San Diego:
Torrey Pines Golf Course, named after a very rare tree found on the San Diego coastline, overlooks the Pacific Ocean just south of the Torrey Pines State Reserve. Established in 1957, Torrey Pines hosts the PGA Tour and held the 2008 U.S. Open in which Tiger Woods won the playoffs against Rocco Mediate. Golfers everywhere are familiar with the name Torrey Pines and often utilize their online store which is one of the largest online golf stores available. Owned and operated by the city of San Diego, Torrey Pines has two 18-hole golf courses for a total of 36 holes. Rental information is available on their website.
Maderas Golf Club is great if you are looking for a challenging course to impress your opponent. The course is filled with rocks, creeks, and cliffs and is one of the top-rated American golf courses. The club is perfect for a corporate bonding day as it provides a variety of group events and offers a free round of golf to those celebrating their birthday. Maderas has 5 waterfalls, 3 lakes, and over 40 acres of wildflowers and is a welcome addition to the affluent Poway neighborhood.
Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad is recognized by Golf Magazine and Golf Digest as “one of the best golf resorts in America.” Park Hyatt Aviara Resort opened in 1997 and covers 205 acres of land. With a poolside café and four restaurants, each room in the resort includes a marble bathroom. There are a total of 329 rooms and 44 suites available. Located at the resort, is the Aviara Golf Academy, listed as one of the Top 25 Golf Schools in Golf Digest. It has been said that playing at the Aviara Golf Club is like “playing in a botanical garden.” This is the perfect golf course for a typical San Diego day.
Steele Canyon Golf Club is home to a 27-hole course designed by known golfer Gary Player. Located 20 minutes from downtown San Diego in Jamul, this course offers terrain that will take your game to new heights. With changes in elevation, players are sure to get a run for their money. If you’re up for the challenge, take a look at Steele Canyon for adventurous play time. In addition to teeing off, the course accommodates events including weddings, banquets and tournaments.
Salt Creek Golf Club in Chula Vista neighbors the National Wildlife Refuge and offers a stunning 18-hole course that measures 6,829 yards from the back tees and 4,942 from the front tees. Salt Creek offers lessons for the uninitiated and a grill to fill up after a day in the sun on the green. Experience a more tranquil golf experience – and invite your less experienced colleagues and clients for an inclusive atmosphere.
If you are an avid player spending a few weeks or months in San Diego you’ll have plenty of time to give them all a try. And if golf is just not your thing (or maybe you are looking for something new and interesting), try disc golf at Morley Field.
Photo courtesy of Maderas Golf Club
Tags: best san diego golf courses, golf courses for business, san diego golf course
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Thursday, April 11th, 2013
One of the perks of being a corporate traveler is the opportunity to wine and dine clients and colleagues in swanky restaurants in a great new city (or if you’re really lucky, being on the receiving end!). Fortunate corporate travelers in San Diego will no doubt find themselves with entertaining options galore. In fact, the options can seem so endless that it’s hard to choose the perfect setting to get the point of your meeting across. We’ve decided to do the dirty work and compile a list of the best corporate restaurants in San Diego gatherings from the casual to upscale.
Karl Strauss Brewing Company is a great place to head to for a business casual get together in Carlsbad, just north of San Diego. Since 1999, this microbrewery has been serving guests their custom made brews with a total of ten on tap. The restaurant offers a full service bar, pub style food, and tours of the brewery. Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 3:00-6:00 P.M. with wines, beers, flights, and wells on special for $4. Select appetizers are available for just $5. An online menu is available, featuring April’s beer and entree pairing, along with their daily featured brew list. Head here when you feel like rolling up your shirt sleeves and loosening the tie to get down to business, or kick back for a round of craft beers with your new colleagues.
The Aloha Sushi Lounge in La Jolla is your go-to place for quietly entertaining those not used to exquisitely fresh sushi. Aloha Sushi offers a private dining experience complete with separated booths lined with white seating and curtains designed to create an intimate setting. The lounge decor is complete with bamboo, Hawaiian leis, and dark wood finish. If you are a lover of the tropics and a fan of sushi, or your guest must be impressed by a typical San Diego vibe, Aloha Sushi is your place. The restaurant offers an extensive sushi menu in addition to some dinner entree options, and catering.
Cucina Urbana is the perfect setting for a lunch meeting or happy hour just steps from Balboa Park in San Diego. With lunch specials offered Tuesdays through Fridays, the restaurant has a California-inspired Italian menu and has won several awards and numerous recognitions in a wide variety of magazines. Additionally, Cucina Urbana hosts a monthly “winemaker series” event in which guests receive hors d’oeuvres in addition to wine tastings while in a casual environment, which creates the perfect setting for a no-pressure type sales meeting or get-to-know-you event. If you are eager to have a bit of privacy, Cucina Urbana has a semi-private wine room which accommodates up to 16 people. Not only is Cucina Urbana a restaurant, they have a retail wine shop for those on the go. If all of this wasn’t enough to persuade you to drop by Cucina’s, you should know that they actively practice “green” habits including saving food scraps for composting, recycling, and usage of low flow spray nozzles.
Humphreys By the Bay in San Diego is the place to go if you are entertaining out of town business associates or the higher ups. The restaurant offers a fantastic view of sailboats as far as the eye can see, backlit by the setting sun, all right from your table. Even though Humphrey’s has an impressive menu of hand crafted surf and turf selections, it’s more than just a dining establishment; Humphreys hosts concerts by the bay, has hotel accommodations and can cater to large parties and private events for a truly versatile venue. Concerts packages are available and include hotel, concert tickets, and dinner for two (perfect for a little business encouragement!).
The University Club Atop Symphony Towers is last on this list because it provides the most exclusive upscale dining experience in Downtown San Diego. If you are looking for a place to impress the client and seal the deal, The University Club on the 34th floor is where you need to be. The club hosts guest speakers, professional seminars, and business networking events. With a spectacular view atop one of San Diego’s largest buildings, the club is perfect for private events and the menu certainly means business. Memberships provide access to private clubs, tickets, and events.
Tags: corporate restaurants in san diego, san diego entertaining, san diego restaurants
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Monday, April 1st, 2013
From buses to trains, light rails and trolleys, the San Diego transit system has got you covered. Whether you are visiting due to vacation or need to get from your office in North County to your corporate apartment in San Diego proper, the options are endless and will provide you with the coastal ride of your life.
Amtrack’s central station is located downtown at 1050 Kettner Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101. The Pacific Surfliner, a 350 mile route spanning across Southern California, services cities including Santa Barbara, Anaheim, and Los Angeles with twenty-two trains passing through downtown San Diego on a daily basis.
The coastal ride offers magnificent views of the ocean that could easily be missed by car travel. Business class passengers enjoy upgraded accommodations such as complimentary snacks and beverages, outlets for onboard electronic utilization, free newspapers, and large comfy reclining seats with the benefit of extra legroom.
If you are traveling with your favorite sporting accessories, have no fear. Amtrack provides guests with luggage, ski, and bike storage. For the most recent updates, follow Pacific Surfliner on Twitter.
The Red Trolley, which is really a light rail system, began on July 26, 1981 and has three major lines: the Green, Blue, and Orange line. All lines span the city and cross through essential downtown San Diego locations, including the San Diego Convention Center. With 51 miles of track to cover, the trolley runs an average of every 7 minutes during peak hours, 15 on a regular basis, and 30 for off peak hours. With a total of fifty-three stations, fares are $2.50 one way and $5 for a day pass.
The newest addition to public transportation in North County San Diego is the Sprinter; a light rail system spanning twenty-two miles across Highway 78. Children under the age of 5 are free with an adult one-way fare of $2. Trains run every 30 minutes and offer express service from the ocean to East County.
The Coaster is a commuter train which travels between Oceanside and San Diego with eight stations including Carlsbad, Solana Beach, and Encinitas. The Coaster connects with other public transit systems including the San Diego Trolley, The Sprinter, Metrolink, Breeze and Riverside Transit buses. There are a total of twenty trains running on weekdays to make sure North County professionals get to their destinations on time.
Corporate travelers, San Diego vacation visitors, and locals alike find the benefits of the San Diego train system unparalleled. Trains get you from your corporate apartment in San Diego to North County, East County and almost everywhere in between.
Tags: San Diego Coaster, San Diego transportation, San Diego Trolley, Trains San Diego
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Monday, March 11th, 2013
A recipe for professional burnout
While on temporary assignment for corporate travel away from home, you may feel like you are constantly on the grind with no time for fun (or worse, that you’re obligated to work 24/7). Utilize the opportunity you have been given, and become better acquainted with the unfamiliar surroundings that are your temporary home. And if you’re fortunate enough to find yourself in San Diego on such an assignment, there are oodles of ways to get away from the office and refresh your body and mind.
Find local activities
One of the fastest ways to check out events and local businesses is through a coupon site. Companies like Living Social draw customers to attractions and activities based on location. Sign onto their sites and enter your current city for a listing of what’s close by. Utilizing these sites will allow you to choose from a plethora of ideas ranging from ice skating to museums and restaurants. The icing on the cake? It’s all discounted!
A museum is a museum, right? No way! There are so many different types of exhibits and art forms to see in the world, get out there and check them out. Major cities will have a variety of museums and most smaller cities will at least have an art museum – the quiet, different experience can be truly refreshing. Plus, it’s always fun to learn something new, especially when it’s at your own leisure. Galleries offer up the opportunity to view the work of local artists that you may have otherwise never known about. Buy a day pass to the museums in San Diego’s Balboa Park for a discount and spend a whole Saturday meandering from building to building, viewing art, natural history, space, trains and much more.
You might also consider treating yourself to a day at the spa; sitting at a desk all day causes tension in your back and shoulders, and physically demanding jobs can wreak havoc on your whole body. Ask locals to recommend a good masseuse. Being on a temporary job can be stressful; away from home, family, and familiarity can cause emotional and physical strain on the body. Getting a massage and facial and relaxing while being pampered is a sure fire way to relieve the everyday stresses. You’ll feel rejuvenated and ready to get back to work after a day of loosening up.
Try something new!
You’ve always wanted to sky dive, but never had the chance? What better way to try out something different than in an unfamiliar location. Skydiving in San Diego gives you ocean and desert views. Take a glass blowing or ceramics class; go to a wine tasting or sample foods created locally; every San Diego neighborhood has a farmer’s market full of local flavor to taste.
Take it all in: go for a run through your new city’s downtown to get a tour of the town. Find a trail and go for a walk or hike and take in the local beauty that nature has to offer. Pack up a picnic and take a stroll through the park and seize the opportunity to meet new people. Get outside, breathe, and take it all in.
Remember, no matter what you decide do, enjoy your leisure activities – work will be there waiting for you. As long as you get your business tasks taken care of in time, you will feel accomplished and relaxed with the world open to new and exciting moments.
Images of Grand Central Station and Northern Central Railroad Trail.
Tags: corporate travel
Posted in San Diego, Travel Advice | No Comments »
Friday, December 7th, 2012
Every experienced traveler has been in this situation before: about to pay for a meal in the airport and suddenly at a loss. Where could your credit card be? Whether it’s sitting safely at home or it’s in the hands of an industrious pickpocket, it’s certainly not of any help to you. Industry insiders hope they have an answer to this dilemma: the mobile wallet. Rather than carrying around your credit cards, you’ll upload and verify your credit card information to an application on your smart phone and simply scan your phone at checkout. This is great for travelers because you’ll always have access to the credit card with the best miles for your needs.
To pay with a true “mobile wallet,” both the register and phone will need to be equipped with an NFC chip. Only about 3% of the smart phones used in America are currently NFC-equipped. Many stores already have payment options that allow you to scan a barcode to trigger an online payment, or use your phone to make an online payment to the register. As more and more people begin to pay with some version of a mobile wallet, the technology will become more common. Because most of the population of the US has access to stable banking, they have little incentive to choose new payment methods, but the sheer convenience factor makes mobile wallets a great pick.
The truth is that there is an incentive to move towards mobile payment: it could be a fantastic security measure for those traveling with several cards. While some have safety concerns about the cyber-security aspect of handling all transactions online, experts say that it should be easy enough to secure the process against hackers.
The Google Wallet application is the most popular of these types of applications so far, precisely because it’s so secure. Should you lose your phone, you can remotely disable the application to ensure that pickpockets won’t be rewarded with your credit card information, and unlike travelling with physical credit cards, you won’t have to cancel everything amid a stressful attempt to prevent identity theft. Surveys have found that around 48% of people are excited about moving to a wireless form of payment, and travelers should be eager to get behind this technology as well. Start looking for stores that will let you pay with your phone, and you’ll be in for a smooth ride.
Feeling like your business trips are lacking a certain something? PC Housing provides weary road warriors with all the comforts of home in our furnished apartments and Corporate Housing in San Diego and elsewhere that will have you questioning whether home is truly where the heart is!
Image: The Verge
Posted in Air Travel, Air Travel Tips, San Diego, Travel Advice, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 11th, 2012
With summer just barely sighing away, we turn our sights to Fall and the wonder of the changing seasons. Here in San Diego we don’t get too much of a dramatic change from sunny to…well, a little bit less sunny, so we love to set our sights abroad and take in the beauty of Fall colors in places our friends and clients call home. Lets Fly Cheaper has offered up a stellar list of the Best Places to See Autumn Colors and we highly recommend checking it out if you’re inclined to beautiful red and orange hues!
Also, not to be outdone, we offer up this beautiful time lapse of our hometown! We may not get too much in the way of changing seasons, but we remain convinced that when you’ve got it this good, who needs change!? (Click the link below to take a gander!)
America’s Finest Timelapse from XOXO Wedding Studio on Vimeo.
Images: Let’s Fly Cheaper
Posted in Friends of PC Housing, San Diego, Take a Vacation, Travel, Travel Advice, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Thursday, July 5th, 2012
PC Housing is on the lookout for a new sales professional to join our team! We currently have a position available for an Outside Sales Account Executive, so head on over to LinkedIn and take a look at the details of the position to see if it’s the right fit for you. Here’s a quick snapshot of the basic expectations and responsibilities:
- Identify, research, and prospect for new business.
- Develop business opportunities within existing and targeted accounts.
- Communicate new offers and/or promotions to existing customers and prospects.
“The ideal candidate will possess excellent interpersonal skills, be results oriented, accountable, self-motivated, and have an exceptional work ethic. In addition, they will be highly committed to our customers, while constantly challenging themselves with new ways of prospecting and providing more and better service.
We are looking for someone who thinks differently, unconventionally, and from a new perspective. We are looking for a sales professional that is more concerned with target incentive than base salary, because they are confident in their sales ability and have a history of proven results.”
If this sounds like you or if you know someone who might be a perfect fit for our team, we look forward to hearing from you!
Posted in Corporate Housing, San Diego | No Comments »
Thursday, June 14th, 2012
Friends and fellow travelers, we all know the pain and misery that can come from traveling by air. The airlines know it too, and generally do their best to create an environment and experience that transcends it. But we’re fickle, demanding consumers. We want it all, but we don’t want to pay for it. Balancing our demands and running a successful airline constitute the juggling act these massive companies must perform in order to stay afloat. And lets face it, some do it better than others.
 Your Secret's Safe With Me JD Power and Associates has recently released their 2012 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, and the results are…satisfactory. Airlines are rated on 1000 point scale and it seems overall satisfaction rates were down slightly from last year.
“The airline industry is caught between trying to satisfy customers who demand low prices, high-quality service and comfort, and contending with the economic challenges of profitably operating an airline,” said Stuart Greif, vice president and general manager of the global travel and hospitality practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “Carriers often must make decisions for financial reasons that they know will negatively impact passenger satisfaction, and therein lies the conundrum.”
One major sore spot for most passengers has to do with checked baggage fee’s. On average, customers who have to pay additional fee’s for checked luggage rate their satisfaction levels well below those who do not. Both JetBlue and Southwest airlines do not charge passengers for checking their first bag and each received the highest overall customer satisfaction scores. However, airlines who retain the fee’s manage to score overall satisfaction points by focusing on easing passenger hassles and creating a positive in-flight experience.
“Carriers that find innovative ways to provide passengers with greater control, save them time, reduce hassles and make the airline experience more enjoyable and comfortable will reap satisfaction benefits.”
One major change sweeping the industry is the inclusion of mobile boarding passes for check-ins. We’ve discussed utilizing mobile travel apps before, and to back up our claims, the survey found that mobile check-in’s rated higher on the satisfaction scale than any other method.
As we steamroll into the future, it will be interesting to see how these airlines manage to adapt to consumer demands while simultaneously remaining afloat. With no sign of soundproofing a children-only section in the back of the plane in the near future, we remain skeptical that they’re focusing on the right things. Then again, that might just be wishful thinking.
Images: PRBlog
Posted in San Diego, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 27th, 2012
Going green isn’t just a passing phase, trend, or lifestyle that happens to be momentarily en vouge. Traveling and maintaining a sustainable lifestyle is easier than you might think and it’s here to stay. Business travelers especially need to be conscious of the lasting impact they may be having on the environment. Between the hundreds of single-use products and rental cars, it’s easy to forget that a little forethought can go a long way when on the road.
We generally use every excuse we can to brag about our hometown of San Diego. We truly love it here and the natural beauty of the coastline we reside on plays a huge part in that. In order to continue to enjoy the natural world around us and preserve it for all the future business travelers (at least until they develop teleportation technology and we go out of business) we’ve got some simple tips that can help you do your part while maintaining your busy schedule!
Well, we all know that sometimes the last thing you want to do after a long flight is hop on a public bus. But, not all municipal transit systems are the the same. If possible, consider utilizing public transit once you’ve settled into your destination as a subway or trolley can oftentimes beat the hassle of sitting in traffic in a taxi!
- Renting a Car? Go Electric!
More and more, car rental services are catching on to the benefits of offering fuel-efficient/electric rentals. Take advantage! Not only can it save money on skyrocketing gas prices, you’ll avoid some serious air pollution. We’ve already covered a great eco-friendly travel company, Car2Go, and stand by the belief that if you haven’t started seeing them pop up in your hometown, you will soon.
- Fly Non-Stop Whenever Possible
Take-off and landing account for almost 50% of a flights emissions according to GoGreenTravelGreen. Do the earth a favor and suck it up by taking a less convenient flight time that skips that layover whenever possible, your healthy children will thank you later!
- Leave the Plastic Bottle Behind
Probably the easiest yet most effective tip on this list is to invest a few bucks in a re-usable water bottle. Preferably one that can also keep your coffee warm! Think about how many meetings, lunches, and Starbucks runs add up to hundreds of used bottles and cups each year. Actually, why not just keep a tally for a month and decide which would be easier for yourself.
This is sort of a catch-all tip. It’s easy to forget that when you aren’t paying the bills, leaving the light on or running water adds up for someone. And by someone, we mean everyone. Do you duty and make sure you’re taking care wherever you stay the same as you would for your own home when it comes to electricity and water use. We know it sounds crazy, but, maybe even use the SAME TOWEL rather than a new one!? No, maybe we’re not quite there yet. One day. Of course, one could always avoid the wastefulness of staying in a hotel by utilizing a furnished apartment or corporate housing suite as well!
Thanks to IgniteMag and GoGreenTravelGreen for some helpful info!
Images: AndyvanDyke, RezHub
Posted in San Diego, Travel Tips | No Comments »
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