A fabulous dining destination near Mission Valley is Kearny Mesa, which is San Diego's answer to Chinatown in other cities. Here you'll find fabulous cuisine from China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. Plus, you'll find some of San Diego's favorite American restaurants here, too.

A great restaurant on the dining scene is China Max (1) at 4698 Convoy St. (858-650-3333) in Kearny Mesa, serving outstanding Cantonese seafood cuisine. You'll be impressed with their healthful cooking style and delicious entrees like their award-winning pan-fried lamb chops topped with a spicy black pepper sauce. Adding to their acclaim are rave reviews from the San Diego Union-Tribune and San Diego Magazine. Visit China Max and see for yourself why they were voted "Best Chinese" three years in a row by Channel 10 News A-list.

For fantastic pancakes served daily, look no further than The Original Pancake House (5) at 3906 Convoy St. (858-565-1740). Their name says it all! Here you can enjoy house specialities like the oven baked apple pancake with a cinnamon glaze or the Dutch baby which is served with butter, lemon and powdered sugar. Also featured are wonderful crepes, waffles, and omelets made with farm fresh grade AA eggs.

A block further down Convoy Street at Aero Drive is Emerald Seafood Restaurant (3) at 370 Convoy St., Suite 101 in the Pacific Gateway Plaza (858-565-6888). Diners flock here for their superb dim sum delicacies, fresh seafood and an incredible array of main course selections prepared Hong Kong style.

A few blocks north is Phuong Trang Vietnamese Restaurant (4) at 4170 Convoy St. (858-565-6750), which is the most recommended Vietnamese restaurant in San Diego. They have received accolades from the Channel 10 News A-List and the San Diego Union-Tribune, as well as praise from the San Diego Magazine, The New York Times and Fodor's. Their speciality is delicious-tasting Vietnamese cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood and healthy vegetarian entrees.

A few blocks down at the north west corner of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and Ruffin Road is a local favorite and hidden gem, Khan's Cave Asian Tavern & Grill (22) . Casual and elegant with great prices and specializing in Asian fusion cuisine and features a full bar and lounge for casual gatherings, HDTV’s for sport events, nicely divided into several inviting dining rooms and an equally inviting patio with heaters. Yes, this restaurant has it all.

Another local landmark is Studio Diner (6) at 4701 Ruffin Rd. (858-715-6400). This retro-themed diner was featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives for its extensive menu of American favorites. Their selection includes eggs Benedict, prime rib and everything in between, including hearty burgers, savory soups and no less than 18 sandwiches to choose from. Plus, they are open 24-hours a day so you can have a great meal at any time.

With Barnstorming Adventures (9) at Montgomery Field, you can fly air combat in their special dogfight aircraft! Just like you've seen on TV and in the movies. Except you'll be doin' the yankin' and bankin'! This is a hands-on, heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping aerial combat mission.

The shopping treasure located on Aero Drive is Canyon Pottery Company (7) at 8575 Aero Dr. (858-279- 2600). They have the largest and most impressive collections of outstanding architectural accent pieces in Southern California at 40 percent discount prices on most planters and accessories! Gainey ceramics, Talavera planters, handcrafted Italian terra cotta and ceramics and Raku vases.

Why pay retail when you can pay wholesale? Print their coupon for $10 off your purchase of $50 or more at retail prices (excluding tax)! One per customer.

Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Central in Kearny Mesa at 8651 Spectrum Center Blvd (858) 573-0700 is a Great Place to Stay For Business & Pleaseure. This newly renovated hotel features a new, state-of-the-art lobby experience with contemporary modern decor, flexible spaces to work or relax, complimentary WiFi, and innovative technology with access to the latest news, weather and airport conditions via “Go Board.”

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, you will experience a refreshing stay at the San Diego Central Courtyard hotel with inspired dining and relaxing guest rooms with a warm and inviting atmosphere. Go for a swim in their large outdoor heated pool and spa, or enjoy a beverage in our tropical Courtyard with an outdoor fireplace.

Clairemont is one of San Diego's best-kept secrets. It's located between the 5, 52 and 805 freeways and is home to nearly 90,000 San Diegans, making it the largest community in San diego.

This suburb was developed by Louis C. Burgener and Carlos Tavares in 1950, and interestingly enough, they named it after Carlos' wife Claire. Their vision was to create a "city within a city," and indeed, this truly is a community that has almost everything.

The geographical center of Clairemont is at the corner of Balboa and Genesee avenues. These two thoroughfares bisect the community in east-west and south directions, making accessibility a key ingredient in its appeal. Yet, residents are hardly aware that 50,000 cars a day pass through this intersection.

On the southwest corner of Balboa and Genesee Avenues is the Balboa Mesa Center. It's anchored by a Longs Drug Store and Vons. On the other side of Balboa Avenue is the Genesee Plaza. It's home to a Home Depot, Marshals, a large Ralphs Supermarket, Starbucks Coffee and Target.

A local office of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (619-565-6691) is also on the north side of this complex, with Seaside Buick new and used car dealership just to the east. Numerous family restaurants can also be found around this Clairemont hub including a Coco's, International House of Pancakes, Stuffy's and Taste of China.

Also on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard is the newly renovated Clairemont Town Square, north Clairemont's premier shopping center. It's anchored by a Vons Supermarket, a large Sav-on Drug Store, TJ Maxx, Burlington Coat factory, and a 14-screen Pacific Theatres complex. It's also a dining destination featuring Acapulco Restaurant, Outback Steakhouse and a food court.

The real attraction though is Via Italia Pizzeria here in the mall at 4705 Clairemont Drive. Gourmet Italian cuisine from Milan in northern Italy is featured. An extra zest to this superb restaurant is that they also show Italian soccer games on TV while you dine. Don't miss a chance to dine here. It's every reviewer's top pick.

Another great dining spot is Panda Country at 4455 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. They feature delicious Chinese cuisine and great house specialties.

South of Balboa Avenue is one of the largest community parks in the city. The South Clairemont Park and Recreation Center has acres of green lawns and even a large swimming pool, making this a great community asset. Its annual "Clairemont Days" in August is a time of community celebration and pride.

The Clairemont Village Shopping Center's claim to fame is that it was the first shopping center in the United States. A delicious Home Town Buffet can also be found here.

If you take the road behind the Clairemont Village to Field Street and head down into the Tecolote Canyon, you will come upon another unique feature of the area. It's the Tecolote Canyon Golf Course, which was once owned by golfer Sam Snead.

Clairemont is a mixed residential community, with everything from very modest homes and rentals to spacious luxury homes that have a million-dollar view of mission Bay.

Clairemont, with its 3 public libraries, 14 elementary schools, 3 middle schools and 2 high schools is an ideal community. It even has its own Chamber of Commerce, Town Council and Planning Committee. This quiet, middle-class haven, which is just off the coast strip, also boasts a pleasant climate and a soft coastal breezes that make Clairemont's weather ideal year-round.