SPECIAL REPORT: SAN DIEGO/ Doing the "second city" three ways:

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), May 18, 2003 | by GARY A. WARNER

GOOD EATS: Sushi Itto, 441 Washington St. (619) 291-6060. Also at 409 F St., (619) 237-1037. www.sushi-itto.com.

COOL SHOPS: Babette Schwartz, The Store, 421 University Ave. (619) 220-7048 or

www.babette.com.

Boomerang For Modern, 2040 India St., (619) 239-2040 or

www.boomerangformodern.com.

CALIFORNIAN

What's Californian? Kind of funky, kind of mellow. It's wrap- around sunglasses, in-line skating on a beach path, cheap Mexican eats and being very, very near the beach.

Most of all, it's Pacific Beach, the most laid-back of the neighborhood strands of San Diego. It's all quite easily strolled - even in flip-flops. Explore the shops lining Garnet Avenue or take a wander up to lovely Kate Sessions Park on Park Drive. Sessions was the pioneering Pacific Beach resident who became the city's foremost public garden designer around the turn of the 20 th century.

If you want to stay on the beach, you can't do better than the Crystal Pier Hotel. It's not only on Pacific Beach, but over and beyond it. The collection of cottages sits atop a pier jutting into the sea. On nights when the ocean is angry, the pier sways a bit. If you get seasick, stick to a unit close to land. The units each have bright blue shutters with the center carved out into nautical designs - ocean liners, whales, pelicans and the like. Rooms are spacious.

Across the street from the pier is Kono's Surf Club Cafe, a laid- back hangout that serves Mexican-accented breakfasts. If there isn't a seat at one of the nine tables beside the oversized surf photos under the bamboo-thatched ceiling, head for the open-air patio where the people watching is better.

Any lingering stress can be kneaded away at the School of Healing Arts, where $30 will buy you an hour-long massage with an advanced student therapist. Pacific Beach Surf Shop has body boards, wet suits and all other kinds of beach gear, along with beach chairs for that nightly extravaganza - the sunset.

If San Diego still isn't feeling beachy enough for you, take a mental trip to the islands by heading to Motu Hawaii. The store is filled with all the Hawaiian knickknacks and treats you'll ever want - fresh flower leis, tiki mugs and macadamia nuts. Just the right accessories for that San Diego classic, chic, very Californian event - the beach party.

CALIFORNIAN PARTICULARS

HANG YOUR HAT: Crystal Pier Hotel & Cottages, 4500 Ocean Blvd., (800) 748-5894. www.crystalpierhotel.com. Units from $185.

OUT IN THE OPEN: Kate Sessions Park, Park Drive.

GOOD EATS: Kono's Surf Club Cafe, 704 Garnet Ave., (858) 483- 1669. Breakfast for two from $10.

NEED TO BE KNEADED? School for Healing Arts, 1001 Garnet Ave., (858) 581-9429.

COOL SHOPS: Pacific Beach Surf Shop, 4150 Mission Blvd., (858) 373- 1138. Motu Hawaii, 4150 Mission Blvd., Suite 115, (858) 272-6688.