California Miramar University

Do you hear that? Yep, it’s the wonderful sound of summer in San Diego! The food tastes better, the ocean is warmer, the city is more relaxed and it’s time for all of us to put on our exploration caps and try new things around the city. From San Diego’s 70 mile expanse of gorgeous beaches to its more secluded natural landmarks, there is so much to do and so much to see, making summer time in San Diego a top destination in the U.S.

So to get your creative juices flowing, here are some of the top activities to indulge in San Diego this summer.

San Diego County Fair

It opened last week and running until July 4, this year’s San Diego County Fair is truly an out of this world experience. With its interstellar theme this year, the fair will be hosting several international musical artists, including Switchfoot, Joan Sebastian, Hot Chelle Rae, Grand Funk Railroad, Credence Clearwater Revisited, KC and the Sunshine Band, Train, Matisyahu and Weird Al Yankovic.

Other exiting events include the International Beer Festival, Demolition Derby, Southern California’s Best Dance Crew, several prominent comedians, a Monster Truck rally and much more. So head to Del Mar for some great eats, fun rides and a night that is sure to be a blast.

Mission: Beach

No summer is complete without a day spent at the very lively Mission Beach. With some of San Diego’s tastiest gastric staples, miles of beautiful coastline and Sea World nearby, Mission Beach is one of the best summer hangouts in the city. And don’t forget to go to Belmont Park located on the beach boardwalk – the Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster is a must ride!

Knott’s Soak City Water Park

While the beaches are beautiful and the waves fun to board, sometimes you just need to feel the rush of adrenaline that amusement parks can provide. And during the summer, what better amusement park is there than a water park?! Cool off from the hot San Diego sun and enjoy a day rushing down water slides and relaxing in the lazy Sunset River.

No San Diego Summer is Complete Without La Jolla

La Jolla is undeniably one of San Diego’s most picturesque and relaxing locations, with a beach town rustic vibe that is seriously too good to be true. Whether it’s strolling the town for some shopping and eating, or hiking the gorgeous Razor Point and Yucca Point Trails at Torrey Pines State Reserve, La Jolla is the perfect little getaway that will definitely leave you in a state of complete relaxation.

And you know what makes our online MBA programs and Hybrid MBA programs so great? You can enjoy these activities all year because San Diego is your campus. Head down to the beach, nestle your toes in the warm sand and study for your classes; or head to a beachfront restaurant, enjoy the culinary genius that so many San Diego restaurants provide and make that your learning environment.

Whatever it may be, summers in San Diego are priceless, which is why people from all across the globe come here on vacation every year.

1. You own yourself.

Education, including an online business degree of course, is often pursued with the goal of getting a job and climbing through the ranks. With time though, you want to own yourself by running your own show. Don’t get me wrong; entrepreneurship is very difficult and is not for everyone. But with determination, vision and continuous hard work you can turn your dreams into reality. And at the end of the day, there’s nothing better than answering to nobody else but yourself.


2. You can make your mark.

Behind every successful enterprise is an entrepreneur who is willing to take a chance on their idea. Your too can make your mark and truly change the world in whatever way you want. How exciting is that?!


3. You can do things your way.

Even the top brass of a company are answerable to its owner and/or board directors. As a business owner, you make all the decisions and get to do things the way you think is best. Your ideas do not get turned down, stolen or distorted, and you can shape and mold your business and daily operations how you see fit.


4. You can wear different hats as you run your business.

As a business owner you have to deal with everything and everyone from procurement, supply and delivery,to marketing, the staff and countless other aspects of your business. This is where a Masters in Leadership degree is very valuable because you learn the skills and techniques that are needed to run a successful organization and keep all team members moving in a positive, forward direction.


5. You can make it big financially.

A majority of the largest companies and most successful business people started very small.And making it big doesn’t even mean turning your small business into a large enterprise. Small businesses are the backbone of the country, right?


6. You can change your routine and lifestyle.

You can get off the rat race and daily commutes and choose your own convenient working hours. You can also change the work hours of your office to deal with traffic, especially in Southern California, so you and your employees don’t have to waste time stuck on the road. And if you want, you can even enroll in online MBA programs while still running your business because you’ll have the ability to study for your degree whenever fits you best.


7. You can try your hand at something new and different from what you usually do.

As an entrepreneur, you get to go in a direction you most likely never would have while employed. You can go into something totally different from the status quo and concentrate on your true passions in life. When you follow your dreams and concentrate on what you’re good at, you’re more likely to be successful as well.


8. You can be more than an employee.

Successful business people take the risk and make their mark. If you have an idea, research the market available for it, assess the risks, come up with strategies to minimize them and take the plunge.You also have the ability to use your resources and business operations and put them towards a bigger cause, like giving back to charity and working with other business owners to give back to your community. Remember, business shouldn’t always be about just business.


9. It can be done.

When you follow your dreams and are truly invested in what you’re doing, work isn’t “work”… it’s fun. We all go through the ‘Monday Blues’ at some point in our lives, but our goal should be to think of every day as the weekend. When you love what you’re doing everyday, you’re happier, more relaxed and will ultimately be more successful, both in your work life and social life.


10. You can bequeath your loved ones.

You can leave a lasting legacy to your children and their children that they can carry on. You will also teach them the life lesson of how hard work will pay off and leave them a living example of how you made that happen.

Alright folks, there’s a simple truth we all know that has been ceaselessly drilled into our heads, repeated time and time again in an apparent effort to make us as dazed as we are annoyed. Guesses anyone? Anyone? Yep, you got it! Social media is… very… very important for businesses in the world we live in today. Hold on; let me take a step back while you digest that.

Okay I’m done, but there is something to take out of this. Yeah social media is great. Yeah social media never seems to distract us and take away from what we should be doing. But that’s just it. We all participate in social media networking in one form or another and all love that we can bring the far corners of the galaxy into the comfort of our own homes. But for businesses, social networking has become the most quintessential marketing trend in the past few years; and for MBA students – yes that means all of you in traditional, hybrid or online MBA programs – there is a lot more that you should be doing every time you log on.

1. Be social, join the Group. We all Like different Groups on Facebook all the time, but when was the last time you looked at the Group through the Administrator’s eyes? Who are they? What’s their primary objective? What are they doing to accomplish that? These are all questions you should be asking yourself when pressing that good ol’ ‘Like’ button. One of the biggest ways businesses engage and get noticed on Facebook is by participating in Groups, specifically Groups relevant to Influencers and their industry/niche, not necessarily their own. It’s an easy exercise and can really get you clarifying your social business vision every time you log on.

2. Look for the positives in Google+. And the biggest one? Social and search engine optimization. It is, after all Google’s brainchild, and it does, unsurprisingly, appear pretty high in search engine results. Although not many people are using Google+, register for an account, get used to the layout and how it works, and think about different ways you can optimize it for search engines. Pay specific attention to the ‘About’ section (hint: hyperlinks!) and photos (hint: geotag!). Although it will probably never match the Facebook empire, it has its purpose and that, as far as marketers are concerned at least, is to make Google happy.

3. Get Pinterested. It may still be new, but it is booming in popularity because of its easy usability and highly visual format. And while it’s really fun to endlessly scroll down and be bombarded with photos and images from Pinboards that Pinterest us (+10 me), it can serve myriad advantages for businesses when utilized correctly. (And in this case, ‘correctly’ means creatively, which really makes it a fun social network.) So hop on – you still need an invite to register so request one from a friend or request one from the site and wait a little longer – and look at what businesses are doing and how YOU could improve that. What are they missing? What do you and don’t you like about their Pinboard(s)? Simple questions, but very important to get a true business grasp on the emerging platform.

4. Hop on the Blog Bandwagon. I know I wrote a post on this a few weeks back, but now I will focus on blog networking and blog commenting. Find blogs on topics that peak your interest, notice the tone and style of the blogger, and go through what they’re writing a back. Since this is a topic that you’re interested in, are they writing about what you want to read? Or are they boring you with content on social media that you’ve read 10 times before? (Hmmm…) Regardless, start interacting in that blog and communicating with the community. (There’s a joke in there somewhere.) At the end of the day the most successful people in life are passionate about what they do. If you start looking at social media through a business lens about things you’re really interested, heck, maybe you’ve found yourself a career after you graduate.

I’ve only touched on 4 strategies and will get to more later, but for all you on-campus, Hybrid and online MBA students out there, these are simple everyday strategies that can really improve your online business sense. Whether you realize it or not.

Okay so I know the title might be misleading because, well, Spring is always in the air in beautiful San Diego. But there are some activities that either only pop up this time of year or are just more fun to do when the “Winter” goes into hibernation. Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing and ensure you can never say, “But there’s nothing to do!” on the weekend. And for those in one of our online MBA programs, you can beat weekend traffic by doing some of these on a weekday.

Free Botanical Tours at Balboa Park

There are free 1-hour tours at Balboa Park starting bright and early at 10 AM (San Diego time). Visit the Park’s vibrant botanical gardens, including its award-winning Alcazar Garden, a floral garden that is a replica of the famed gardens in the Spanish Alcazar Castle, and rose garden with nearly 2500 roses in hundreds of different varieties.

The Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival

Located right by Balboa Park, hop on down to the lively St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival and celebrate Irish culture how it should be celebrated: with good people, live music, overwhelming beer gardens and delicious fare. How can anyone turn down a St. Patty’s Day FEASTival?

The 29th Annual Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo

One of the best Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the country (trust me, it’s amazing), enjoy traditional Mexican dancers swaying to the grooves laid down by very talented musical artists. And when you need to take a break from showing off your dance skills, check out some very well-done historical reenactments and stuff down some of the best Mexican food San Diego has to offer. Fiesta Cinco de Mayo is held in the Old Town State Historic Park from May 4th through May 6th (Fiesta Seis y Siete de Mayo actually…).

Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay

For all of the music lovers out there, you all know how special Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay can be. (One of the first concerts I ever went to was a Beach Boys show here; I still remember jammin’ out to ‘Surfin’ USA’ to this day.) There are myriad different artists that are set to take the stage this year on Shelter Island, so you know that there will be at least a few shows you will want to check out. And even if you don’t know the artists, who cares? What can top an evening of great music and good company under the calming, setting San Diego sun?

These are just a few San Diego springtime activities, but they are definitely highlights that will not disappoint. They are ideal for all ages, and especially as a study break for our wonderful students in our Associate Bachelors, Doctorate and on-campus, hybrid and online MBA courses. Happy Spring everyone, let’s make some memories!

Hey Winter… Summer called, it wants its heat back! I know I know… California = endless summer which = joy, love aaaaand a higher cost of living (just saying). But people flock to Southern California for vacation every year because of how gorgeous and laid-back it is, and San Diego fully encompasses this.

While there are so many fun things to do, people to meet and places to visit, here are 5 that can really make your weekend a memorable one (and let you show it off to all your friends on Facebook!!).

And please if you have any additions please let us know. There are SO many great things to do in San Diego – it’s hard to fit it in just one list!

It’s time for a Harbor Cruise!

Get a tour of San Diego Bay while enjoying both a beautiful sunset and the company of some close friends and family. It might seem simple, but getting a view of the coastline from the ocean really inspires a different type of appreciation for the beautiful city of San Diego. Plus now through mid-April you can opt for a whale watching experience and chase down some of the sea’s largest mammals. It also doesn’t hurt that all cruises start and finish in downtown, setting up a perfect segue into a beautiful stroll through the city and dinner out at a new restaurant.

Mission: Beach

I mean this in two ways. First and most obviously, San Diego has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Heading to the beach is a great way to relax, unwind and enjoy the natural phenomenon that is San Diego’s coast.

Second, Mission Beach is a great place to go. Not only is it full of life and very eclectic (to say the least); you also have countless delicious restaurants and Belmont Park. Hop on the wooden roller coaster, grab some cotton candy and hit the arcades; but no matter what happens, Mission Beach always brings a fun time.

Cabrillo National Monument

Okay this is where our Facebook savvy friends are really going to want to go. Sitting at the top of the Point Loma cliffs and overlooking the entire San Diego downtown skyline, it is the perfect place to go snap some photos, have a picnic or just hang out with some friends. There is also a great museum and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse that really complete the visit to the monument.

Stroll Through Balboa Park
Balboa Park contains many different museums and attractions, but the sheer majestic architecture of the buildings speaks for itself. It is a very large urban park that offers a glimpse into San Diego’s past and will leave you awe-struck at how fascinating history really is. Overall this is a really nice way to spend a day outside while really exercising yourmental muscles and learning something new.

Study for your on-campus, hybrid or online MBA programs

Okay I’m partially kidding… studying is great and rewarding, but let’s get back to San Diego.

Kick Your Feet Up and Relax in La Jolla

With its charming town, amazing restaurants and jaw-dropping views, La Jolla really lives up to its name (La Jolla means “the jewel” in Spanish). Rent a kayak and hit the ocean, bring your beach cruiser and ride around the town or simply put on a comfortable pair of walking shoes and hit one of San Diego’s best shopping areas. Heading to La Jolla is one of my favorite ways to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon.

Again these are only 5 activities but they can really shape your weekend into a memorable one. What are your thoughts? What do you think should be added to this list? Please comment and share your information – we’re always looking to try new things! 

1. Scarves. The perfect way to dress up those lazy sweatpants and tee. Adding a scarf to your ensemble makes it look like you’ve made an effort to look decent, even if you haven’t. Plus they’re soft, warm and cozy; what’s not to love about them?

2. Cuff it. Cuffed up pants are definitely making their mark on the fashion scene. They give off a sophisticated vibe, only take ten seconds to complete and are free, which is their added bonus. Cuff it up to group meetings, library study sessions and even your weekend hangouts; people will be impressed. Plus, when it rains, you don’t have to worry about wet pant bottoms (which, as we all know, become very irritating).

Side Note: Cuffing is also the perfect way to show off those fun holiday socks!

3. The Sports Coat. This classic staple never gets old. Perfect for heading to class or for a Friday night out with friends, with sports coats you maintain a sophisticated edge, because we all know you don’t want to look like you are trying too hard. A nice sports coat adds the perfect balance between casual and dressy, lending itself an ideal fit for all occasions. If you’re heading to class in the morning, an interview in the afternoon and dinner with friends in the evening, simply adding a sports coat to your wardrobe means you don’t have to change all day.

4. University/College Hoodie. Slipping on that cozy hooded sweatshirt on a chilly Fall afternoon is something college students take for granted (because once you are in the professional work force, hoodies…. not so much). So bust out those hoodies while you can because Fall is the perfect time to rock that school spirit! They are ideal for all occasions and are great conversation starters, both with strangers and peers alike.

5. Find your bag. Bags, like shoes, are important because you take them everywhere. Finding the right bag that both complements and encompasses you is essential. It needs to reflect who you are and what you do, while also being simple and stylish to show people you mean business. J Crew makes some great bags perfectly equipped for smart devices like iPads, smartphones, other tablets, etc. You want people to look at how you compose yourself and say, “Wow! That guy knows where he’s going.” That, my friends, is what leaves lasting impressions that will only come back in your favor sometime down the road.

Consider a businessperson who needs to impress a client in order to close a big deal; one who needs to promote someone within the company; or one who simply wants to increase team morale and strengthen relationships. What sort of restaurant would they go to? These seven San Diego restaurants are excellent choices for business dining because their ambiance, reputation and culinary artistry all give off great first impressions and range in class from smart casual to the higher end, catering to whatever it is you are trying to accomplish (or whoever it is you’re trying to impress).

They have full bars and fantastic food, often served in esthetically pleasing and inventive ways. Attractive, relaxing San Diego venues offering delicious food is the ideal combination for building lasting business relationships. Check out these 7 delicious restaurants ideal for doing business in San Diego.

Pamplemousse Grille

Located in Solana Beach, its elegant interior and soothing ambiance will go miles to both impress and foster communication with potential business partners. Created by Chef/Owner Jeffrey Strauss, known as “Chef to the Stars” for his unquestionable talent for taste, it is renowned for its exquisite culinary fare that has won it several “Best Restaurant” awards in San Diego.

Nine-Ten

This La Jolla restaurant has impressively long hours, which, along with its excellent food and full bar, might help clients and partners work out the particulars of that book-length contract and still stay in a good mood.

In La Jolla for a business conference? Nine-Ten is located adjacent to The Four Diamond Grande Colonial hotel, the perfect place to stay after wining and dining business colleagues at Nine-Ten.

George’s at the Cove

Also in La Jolla, George’s at the Cove is a three-story culinary playground. On the lower level is California Modern, their upscale contemporary restaurant and bar celebrated by Head Chef Trey Foshee’s creative menu with a stress on going local. This is where you take business contacts to impress them and show them what you’re all about. One floor up is George’s Bar, featuring a casual atmosphere and relaxed setting that is an ideal place for meeting with coworkers and discussing company strategy. On the top floor is Ocean Terrace, a rooftop restaurant and bar that offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and coastline. Taken as a whole, George’s at the Cove is a great place for business meals as each restaurant offers a different ambiance and style that can suit all of your needs.

Café Japengo

At Cafe Japengo, potential business partners may be wowed by a sumptuous and enormous sushi and sashimi platter, which perfectly encapsulates the cuisine of Southern California. Only 13 miles from the San Diego airport, this La Jolla restaurant lends itself to business discussions that need to happen fast (without compromising quality, of course).

WineSellar & Brasserie

This is a very chic and intimate restaurant that is known for its award-winning French cuisine, with a menu that changes seasonally to accent the best ingredients available at the time. It features an award-winning wine menu, which is great to impress and schmooze a client or possible business partner and let them know why they need to do business with you.

Donovan’s Steak & Chop House

Now this is where we go classic… Imagine sitting with a client in a quiet yet pronounced setting, sipping on a glass of red wine and talking about what the future holds in store for your business relationship. The food is first class and, if you need added privacy, you can inquire about their Private Dining options. There is one located downtown at the Gaslamp and one in La Jolla, so you can choose which one you want to go to based on which direction you want your night to go.

Tapenade

Off the beaten path, this may not be the most obvious dining choice in La Jolla, but it’s well worth a visit. A classic bistro atmosphere and a French menu consisting of savory cuisine, it’s a quiet place that really lends itself to conversation. It is a great option for lunch and accepts reservations until 10 p.m. on the weekends, making Tapenade perfect for doing business at any time!

I just finished deciding the list of the most useful apps for MBA students and graduates. Even while researching I found some that I had never heard of before, so I went ahead and tried them out and WOW – they are powerful!Do you agree or disagree with the list? If you think an app doesn’t belong on the top 10 list, let us know. Go ahead and post your comments and offer up your favorites. We certainly wouldn’t want to be in an MBA course without these 10 apps on our phone…

Thumb Jot.This handy app for the iPhone allows MBA students to take notes directly on their mobile device, potentially eliminating the need for a backpack full of notebooks.

Ledger. Keeping track of MBA-related finances can be a headache, especially as more numbers are added to the mix. This iPhone app makes the detailed accounting of education easier by recording purchases, loans, bank activity and other financial activity.

TripIt. Frequent travelers can make potent use of this trip tracker, keeping an eye on which friends or colleagues are in their target cities. Available for the Android, BlackBerry and iPhone, this app is a great networking tool and can really enhance the social experience of conventions and other business adventures.

The Wall Street Journal Mobile Reader. MBA students who use certain models of the BlackBerry can take advantage of this real-time newswire app from one of America’s leading financial news publications.

do.Oh. This to-do list manager connects your iPhone to a web-based application that helps organize your responsibilities in a simple, comprehensible manner. If you want everything centralized on your smartphone, this app is definitely a must-have.

Documents to Go. Users of BlackBerry, iPhone, and Android devices can make use of this useful document processing tool. It supports the viewing and editing of several different file types, including Microsoft Office documents, PDF files and PowerPoint presentations. This is very useful for really making your business mobile.

Evernote. Students can put the rich features of their iPhone, Android or Blackberry to use with this practical multimedia info-capture application. It allows photos, web screenshots, typed text and spoken information to be recorded and organized, offering features such as searchable text in photographs.

Pocket MBA: Learning Studio by ComboApp (a reputable company active in the business of Mobile Learning Applications). It is an absolute masterpiece that gives everyone access to a professional-level MBA course. After completing it you will have the knowledge and understanding of everything that affects businesses, from market influences and financial conditions to real-world crisis scenarios and general business practices. Highly recommended as a supplement to your MBA coursework.

Dropbox. This is a fantastic free service that acts like a ‘Cloud’, enabling you to bring all your documents together and save them to all of your computers/laptops, phones and the Dropbox website. Not only does this app make sure you have access to everything at all times (regardless of whether your laptop crashes), but you can also easily share your items with friends, family and business colleagues. A very convenient and safe way to handle all of your business responsibilities to say the least!

Dragon Dictation. Now this is where exciting technology meets the application world. With this app, you can say whatever you want into your device and watch as it is instantly types before your very eyes. You can dictate a text message, e-mail, social media post, tweet and status update, or even send notes and reminders to yourself… and it’s 5 times faster than typing on a keyboard. This is perfect for people, businesses and ideas on the run!