Captain Dave is a trusted expert in the field of aquatic wildlife. So trusted, in fact, that Ellen Degeneres asked him to explain to her audiences about the dangers of commercial fishing in a special segment on her talk show. He earned the honor after heroically rescuing a whale trapped in a fishing net—along with many other critters who'd gotten tangled up in its web. Captain Dave's love of the sea shines through in everything he does, including his Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari.

The safaris set sale from the Dana Point harbor in one of four watercrafts, but the one that comes particularly highly recommended is the Manute'a. Although each boat offers a safe, stable ride on the waves, the Manute'a boasts one unique feature that gets you up close and personal with any dolphins or whales you encounter on the journey: the Eye-to-Eye Underwater Viewing Pod. It's exactly what it sounds like, a glass case that juts out from the bottom of the boat into the water. Let your kids climb down inside and get up close and personal with dolphins, or take a turn yourself.

Captain Dave's Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari
24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 488-2828
www.dolphinsafari.com
www.yelp.com/biz/captain-daves-dolphin-and-whale-watching-safari-dana-point

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr funktionhouse

Step inside Bronx Sandwich Company in Tustin, and you'll be instantly transported to a classic New York deli thousands of miles away. The eatery strives to "bring the East Coast to the West Coast," and if its many glowing reviews are any indication, it succeeds. A large part of that success is due to its high quality Dietz & Watson deli meats (the only kind you'll ever find in a sandwich here) and the bread, sourced from a nearby bakery.

When it comes to bread choices, one option far outshines the others: the French baguette. Crunchy on the outside and fluffy and chewy on the inside, the baguette is the most popular way to bookend a sandwich at Bronx Sandwich Company. Ask for a baguette stuffed with hot pastrami and mustard, known as the East Coast Pastrami. You can also try the popular Philly Cheese with ribbons of beef and gooey provolone cheese tucked inside a sub bun along with onions, peppers, mushrooms, and mayo.

Bronx Sandwich Company
13041 Newport Avenue
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 505-9100
www.bronxsandwich.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bronx-sandwich-co-tustin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr at8eqeq3

Creative and flavorful dishes from India’s main culinary regions are highlighted at Rasoi Curry Point. This Tustin restaurant serves authentic Indian food, according to regular patrons. Start off your meal with piping hot and savory vegetable samosas, then pore over the menu of traditional and modern Indian fare.

Most of the dishes are vegetarian, but there are lamb and chicken curries and entrees, as well. Rasoi also features several Indo-Chinese dishes such as the spicy-sweet ginger chicken served with rice. Be sure to try the fan favorite chicken tikka masala, which is a classic chicken dish marinated in a savory, spicy tomato sauce. An added bonus: if you check into Rasoi Curry Point on Yelp, you’ll get a free mango lassi with your meal!

Rasoi Curry Point
678 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 442-1560
www.rasoicurrypoint.com
www.yelp.com/biz/rasoi-curry-point-tustin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/sara marlowe