Work or summer school preventing a trip to island paradise Hawaii? It’d be nice to pack your hula skirt and hop on a plane, but, never fear, there are ways to create the Hawaii experience right here in PB.

1. Go Jazon Mraz and ukulele it.

   You can try and purchase ukuleles at Hale Ukulele in nearby Clairemont or Riffs Studios in La Jolla; both carry wide variety of ukuleles. As they are one of the more simple instruments to learn, it’s great for those who’ve never played an instrument before. Practice on the Pacific Beach sand and the island tunes will transport you straight to Oahu.

   

2. Knowing the fact that there’s a Pacific Beach Hotel on Waikiki Island.

3. Foster your aloha spirit with fellow Hawaii enthusiasts: Hui O Hawaii.

   The Hui O Hawaii of San Diego, founded back in the 80s, is a group devoted to bringing Hawaiian culture to SD. From Hawaiian potlucks to ukulele meetups and concerts, there are both weekly and monthly events in San Diego.

4. Eat at Leilani’s Cafe.

   At Pacific Beach’s Leilani’s Cafe, choose from dishes like the Hilo Style Loco Moco (spiced rice topped with beef, fried egg, gravy and…more gravy), Aloha Beef and Ahi Poke. If thirsty? We recommend the mango iced tea. You may as well be in Maui, Hawaii.

   

5. Attend a Catamaran Hawaiian luau.

   The Catamaran resort hosts summer luaus that are centered around vasts amount of Hawaii style food and cultural performances. Check out tickets at this link.

   

We hope these steps help Pacific Beach feel like Hawaii. To transport yourself to another beach paradise, like Cabo, Mexico  head to Cabo Cantina: the Experience Without Even Crossing the Border.