In many ways, San Diego’s got tourism down pat.

Our beaches and weather make us a go-to vacation destination for folks all over the world, not to mention major attractions like SeaWorld and sports teams, depending on who you ask. But those of us who live here know there’s so much more that makes up who we are. It’s in the nooks and crannies of our neighborhoods, which don’t always make it into the guide books. That gives us kind of a leg up over cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, which are, shall we say, thoroughly discovered.

Candice Eley, director of PR for the Tourism Authority, is one of the top dogs in town tasked with explaining to outsiders that those nooks and crannies exist, and are well worth their own travel features in major publications.

Eley talked with us on this week’s podcast about San Diego’s evolving identity, its quest to embrace authenticity and its wide and varied music scene. Jump to about 23 minutes into the show to glean Eley’s insights.

Also on the show: some flimsy complaints bemoaning the Target Express planned for South Park, El Cajon Boulevard’s remodel, This Week in Drugs, what’s working in San Diego education and take-backsies on something we previously named a Hero that is now gaining Goat status.

Finally, a big thanks to those of you who already hammered out reviews for the podcast on iTunes – this is tremendously helpful as we try to land sponsors and build out the show. If you haven’t already written one and want to express yourself, here’s how:

On your iPhone, open the Podcasts app, search “Voice of San Diego,” click on the show’s page (the one with our logo), click on the Reviews tab and write a review. If you want to do it on your computer instead, you’ll have to open up the iTunes program, search “Voice of San Diego” in the iTunes store, look for the show page with our logo, click Ratings and Reviews and write one there. We really appreciate it.

Listen to the podcast here, on Stitcher or on iTunes.

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Catherine Green

Catherine Green was formerly the deputy editor at Voice of San Diego. She handled daily operations while helping to plan new long-term projects.

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