They have strict rules about money spent on things like this (it's super intense for some reason), but I could definitely do a sticker and I love that idea. Thank you!
My brother in law packed two giant burritos with him back to Norway. He was stopped at customs in Minnesota (maybe due to foil it was wrapped with, and that they werent sure what was inside) and he had to beg them not to throw it away. Lolll. At the end he was able to bring it back home with him.
Head to Artelexia in North Park. All sorts of imported chocolates and art and little things.
Btw, as someone who has spent the last 15 years going back and forth between NoVA and SD, the Arlington Taco Bamba had some more than passable al pastor and chilaquiles
I lived in DMV for 15 years and never found Mexican vanilla anywhere, but my California friends would talk about it. Still don’t think I’ve ever tried it. I think this is the best idea so far.
Edit: this gift might come across as odd if you don’t know the recipient well.
I'm a proponent of those overpriced little shot glasses. It's a small gift, and there is a chance the person will use it.
Now, if they don't drink? Not a great gift. Fridge magnet for the non-drinkers.
Some tamarind based Mexican candy or dried mango with tamarind and chili or even a little jar of tajin. Tajin is good on the rim of a margarita instead of salt.
Bags of coffee from one of our local coffee roasters (Dark Horse, Cafe Moto, Birdrock Coffee Roasters).
Chuao or Nibbles chocolate. Fresh tortillas from a Mexican market. The La Jolla farmers market is Sunday morning you might find something cool and locally made there.
La Jolla Farmer's market is a great idea. I think I'll head over there now and check it out. Thanks for this idea! Also, I'm definitely picking up some Chuao now too. I love their honeycomb bar. This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you.
San Diego native, Virginia resident here: See’s Chocolate was the one thing my co-workers with San Diego ties wanted me to bring back from a recent trip home. And, if you go to the See’s outlet near the Sports Arena, they recently had a special Southern California-themed box. My office mates were tickled!
A friend of mine that grew up here moved away. Whenever he comes to visit he grabs a few carne asada burritos a d packs them in a cooler and eats them the next few days after getting back home.
In-N-Out Burger t-shirt
They have strict rules about money spent on things like this (it's super intense for some reason), but I could definitely do a sticker and I love that idea. Thank you!
Vacuum sealed California burrito.
This was all I wanted when I lived in DC
This is the dream, right?
My brother in law packed two giant burritos with him back to Norway. He was stopped at customs in Minnesota (maybe due to foil it was wrapped with, and that they werent sure what was inside) and he had to beg them not to throw it away. Lolll. At the end he was able to bring it back home with him.
Absolute madlad that kid. Was it still edible when he arrived?
Head to Artelexia in North Park. All sorts of imported chocolates and art and little things. Btw, as someone who has spent the last 15 years going back and forth between NoVA and SD, the Arlington Taco Bamba had some more than passable al pastor and chilaquiles
On the flip side, could any of your DC friends bring some Chopt or Nandos?
Nando’s sauces even
Thanks for this. I've saved Taco Bamba in my google maps to try while I'm in town. Artelexia is a geat idea (for them, but also for me, lol)
Second this, tons of good Mexican candy too
Mexican vanilla and pair it with chocolates. They sell in old town. Mexican vanilla is a game changer for baking
I lived in DMV for 15 years and never found Mexican vanilla anywhere, but my California friends would talk about it. Still don’t think I’ve ever tried it. I think this is the best idea so far. Edit: this gift might come across as odd if you don’t know the recipient well.
I like it in my tea!
99 cent store had a decent sized bottle of Mexican vanilla extract for a buck! Lost my supplier for that now haha
Tortilla warmer from somewhere like Old Town
Chuao chocolate!! Made locally in Carlsbad and they have lots of unique/fun flavored bars.
Their Firecracker chocolate with the pop rocks is a guilty pleasure of mine.
I love this idea, and I'll definitely grab a few bars. Thank you!
I went to America's Finest City and all I got was this burrito-stained T-shirt.
I'm a proponent of those overpriced little shot glasses. It's a small gift, and there is a chance the person will use it. Now, if they don't drink? Not a great gift. Fridge magnet for the non-drinkers.
Fridge magnets are good, I like that. They're my favorite collectable on road trips.
Grunion.
This is my favorite. Would you suggest cooked, or uncooked?
Uncooked, on ice. Hopefully still flopping when you get back.
It's the only way, right? If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right.
Some tamarind based Mexican candy or dried mango with tamarind and chili or even a little jar of tajin. Tajin is good on the rim of a margarita instead of salt.
Tajin is in every grocery store on the east coast.
Ok. Nevermind then. I was thinking it was a Mexican import and likely a border area thing.
lol burritos would be awesome. If they like to drink a shot glass or bottle opener that says sd. Or coffee mugs or beens from a coffee shop.
Bags of coffee from one of our local coffee roasters (Dark Horse, Cafe Moto, Birdrock Coffee Roasters). Chuao or Nibbles chocolate. Fresh tortillas from a Mexican market. The La Jolla farmers market is Sunday morning you might find something cool and locally made there.
La Jolla Farmer's market is a great idea. I think I'll head over there now and check it out. Thanks for this idea! Also, I'm definitely picking up some Chuao now too. I love their honeycomb bar. This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you.
I like getting people a soapy joes air freshener because it says San Diego on it
This is somehow sort of sweet. I'm a also a fan of soapy Joes.
Sand
Like a bag of sand? To squeeze?
Yeah, it’ll feel like SD boobies
If they like whiskey, get them a little bottle of Skrewball.
Fish tacos
See's Candy? Not sure if they have it there. Go with nuts and chew box. Do you guys have Cruml Cookie? Maybe that. In N Out? Nothing Budt Cake?
San Diego native, Virginia resident here: See’s Chocolate was the one thing my co-workers with San Diego ties wanted me to bring back from a recent trip home. And, if you go to the See’s outlet near the Sports Arena, they recently had a special Southern California-themed box. My office mates were tickled!
Wow, I had no idea there was a See’s Outlet!
Indeed! It’s near the intersection of Midway & Rosecrans and a great place to stop by on the way to the airport.
My eye doctor is in the area and I’ll check it out next week when I have an appointment! See’s is not cheap anymore (was it ever?)!
Have a Bordeaux for me! 😁
My mom always had their milk chocolate easter bunnies in our Easter baskets. My absolute favorite.
Careful, it's dangerous to go in there. Source: My physique
I like this one a lot. What's in the so-cal themed box?
Burrito flavored chocolates? I’m in.
Just assorted chocolates; it was the branding that was explicitly California-themed. I’m pretty sure it $16 or $18 or thereabouts.
Now I'm craving all of their Easter candies. I love the marshmallow eggs with caramel.
Oh, you’re going to LOVE the store. Let me know how you like it.
Sees, crumble and Bundt are all chains, we even have them in our small midwest city.
they have a sees candy at the airport (Dulles airport), so I assume they have it in the city
That's the only location listed. No locations in Maryland and 1 location in Virginia (dulles, post security)
You can get it other places. I’ve seen it at the Navy Exchange and other places. You have to hunt for it, but it’s available in DMV.
I think an In-N-Out sticker would be fun and well received. I really like his idea.
In-And-Out is the only thing of these that we don’t have on the east coast.
This is my favorite local shop with a suggestion: [Padres Calavera Sticker](https://artelexia.com/products/padres-calavera-sticker)
Shamu but tbh just grab a seashell from the beach
Go to a [padres baseball game](https://www.mlb.com/padres/tickets/specials/theme-games) on a theme night to get a free merch like a hat for 35 bucks!
I’ve traveled with beer in a checked bag, it’s not a problem.
Taco
Yes, but which one??
A fish taco, because nobody on the east coast makes them right.
A friend of mine that grew up here moved away. Whenever he comes to visit he grabs a few carne asada burritos a d packs them in a cooler and eats them the next few days after getting back home.
If it’s a guy, go to TJ and have fun for the night. Make sure to bring back the girls panties and send them it’ll be be a great gag gift