We go in every year to celebrate birthdays. Plenty of items to choose from, super friendly staff…read morewilling to help even if you have never done this before. They are super patient and will teach you all the basics needed to create some beautiful items. Our youngest kid loves this place and now has the whole family going to create and just have fun away from all digital noise. They fire everything for you and take great care to ensure you get a good looking piece back. Can't say enough or share the appropriate nice things about these folks. Walking distance to great restaurants and shopping so really easy to plan a great day that includes a stop at this location. Parking is out front or across the street.

We were in SD for my birthday weekend getaway. We had reservations for a restaurant at dinner time…read moreso we had time during the day to do something so we decided to give pottery another go. We took a class at a pottery place in Laguna Beach last year so we wanted to give it a try again because it was pretty fun! We did the one time class pottery wheel try it class. It was $80 per person. Which is on the pricier side, compared to the other class we took last time. I will say this class was more informative than our last class. Our instructor taught us how to start working with our clay, demonstrated how to do it, worked with us, helped us out, showed us different techniques and steps on how to form our pottery. It's was definitely more challenging this time around because I think we didn't have to do as much in our last class we did. My boyfriend said he didn't like the pace of the class and having to work with a whole class. Our last class had less people so it was more intimate and slower, as for this class it was a little bit more of a faster pace. In the end we made 2 pieces. First one was like a practice piece and the second one was when you kind of got the hang of it and the final product looked better. We were only able to take one piece home. Our instructor said she typically does 2 pieces because she teaches faster but we are only able to take one. Honestly, I didn't like my first one too much so I was okay with that but I know some other people in the class wanted to take both. After you are done you have to clean up everything and put everything away. Then you chose the color glaze you want from a choice of 4 or 5. They glaze it for you then they tell you when it's ready for pick up. We are not from SD but it's an excuse to come back down to pick up our pottery.

What a unique and fun experience! Totally worth the time and money…read more I had recently had an amazing experience with Brainy Actz. I saw them on Yelp & found their Groupon. Some existing reviews made me have some initial doubts which led me to attempt contact before I go through with paying for the experience. There were no issues trying to reach the staff via phone to answer any questions or concerns. They were very efficient and helpful in helping me book the experience instantly. When I had to make some same day scheduling changes, they were so accommodating and worked with me on a new time. Upon arrival, we were greeted warmly by Ella. She was thorough in giving us a run down of how our blackout escape room experience works and provided us with useful tips when we needed assistance (and we definitely needed some assistance; the game was challenging enough to maintain excitement but doable enough to motivate you to keep playing). Ella was so kind and encouraging and made our visit feel super special. The blackout experience was so different than anything else I've ever experienced. It's exactly as it sounds. You are in a single escape room that is pitch black the entire time. There's some background sounds to create a somewhat nerve-wracking ambience that got me extra paranoid especially because I couldn't see a thing. There were just two of us trying to navigate the room, and the space definitely felt much bigger in the dark. This would be just as fun and comfortable with a handful of friends. You have one hour to use your remaining senses in the dark to decipher some cryptic hints given through the loud speaker with the press of a button. You're allowed to relisten to these hints multiple times this way. However, if you need further assistance, you will have to communicate via walkie talkie that is handed to you at the start of the game. One of their staff monitoring you throughout your gameplay will guide you through the current necessary action. You're allow unlimited hints but keep it within three if you're competitive and wish to make the leaderboard. I have no shame and did not hesitate to ask for help when really stuck. LOL I which case, Ella's voice would reply over the walkie talkie and provided us aid to help us continue. We managed to finish the game and definitely felt like we were given a full experience delivered in the best way! Whether you're a lover of the more typical escape rooms or just trying to find something new to do, I highly recommend checking out Brainy Actz and experience this for yourself!

***Edit***We went and had an epic time. I forgot to get the ladies name that helped us, but she was…read moresuper nice and attentive. We battled out to a game of old school Mortal Kombat before our rage session and the arcades are free. So fun. Highly recommended! Just want to say we haven't even arrived yet, but we are booked for a few hours from now, and I needed help booking online. I called and spoke with Oliver and he was so nice, helpful, and amazing. Give that man a raise!!!! Awesome customer service!!

Last month in June, I did a tour at Encore Event Center. I worked with a gentleman named Peter…read moreCharles. He seemed to be friendly, but very fast talking and very salesy. Sad to say I fell for the okey-doke! We were made to believe that they are completely booked up all the way till 2027 and the only way to possibly book the date we were interested in was to pay $1000 booking deposit. He also quoted us $15,000 for an all-inclusive package, which is a great deal, but we noticed him changing the numbers on the quote to get it to equal a certain amount which we thought was a little bit shady. other venues we viewed, it was cut and dry what their cost was and what each element costs. Anyways, we put down the deposit because we were told that we have two weeks to decide and we did not see any harm in holding our date while we figured out what we were doing. Fast-forward only 4 days later, we decided not to go with them because we found a venue we loved with staff that were very transparent. It took me three days to get a response from Peter to get a refund. He only wanted to do things on the phone, he avoided trying to text me details. But I wanted things in writing. he called me and dropped our package down to $10,000! Because he didn't want us to cancel. I thought that was interesting that he was able to cut our price down so easily within seconds down to 10,000. That shows me he was just trying to make a sale instead of genuinely helping us on the biggest day of our lives. He told me it would be 10 business days to get my refund. I waited 10 business days and never seen a refund. I even have text messages of him telling me that I'll get a confirmation once the refund is processed. He absolutely confirmed that my refund was on the way. So after 10 business days,. I then called the venue and spoke with Maria. She told me Peter never requested my refund or never notated that I wanted a refund! Sounds like he was trying to run the clock out on my two week grace period. It's now been a month and I'm still going back-and-forth with them and now taking legal action. I just wanted to share my experience with anyone considering Encore Event Center. They are definite scammers. Not to mention, the venue itself was messy, the floors creaked , everything was outdated and tacky. He was trying to offer us the tiniest room for 140 people. There was no way we could fit 140 people in that space. While I'm excited to plan my wedding and create the most beautiful day of my life, it's starting out so dampend and dark because of Encore Event Center. Nobody has reached out to me, I still have not gotten a refund after a month. I have no confirmation emails that this has been worked on. It has been an absolute nightmare! I've worked in customer service over 10+ years. Nobody has tried to check in on me and make sure I'm OK or needed anything or communicated that things were in process etc. It's like crickets over there. Do not waste your time!

Had a great time at my company holiday party that was held here! Beautiful venue inside but you…read morewould have never have guessed from the outside, since it's located in a business park around Miramar/Mira Mesa. The walls inside were beautifully painted like a dark fairy tale forest with unique lighted trees and hanging plants as chandeliers. Haven't seen a place like this before. They had buffet style food, bar, dance floor, DJ and even a photo booth. My coworkers had me vote before the party for what menu I would like, so I know there are about 4 menus to pick from if I remember correctly. I came late so there wasn't as much food out, but I did enjoy my plate. The food isn't fancy, but there was a good variety... wedge salad, prime rib, au gratin potatoes. I just remembered that it wasn't exactly hot anymore when I got there Think we had about 10 tables, which was a tight fit. They had a dance floor I've never seen before! It had a purple glow and was squishy when you stepped on it. I'm obviously easily amused. They did have a bar as well, which accepted cash and card. Sodas were free so my coworker told me a life hack... instead of buying a mixed drink, for example a coke and whiskey... just order a double shot and a side of soda for the same price! More liquor and not watered down. The bartender there on December 1st 2017 was really friendly and down to earth. Photobooth was fun too Great for events like weddings, baby shower, holiday company parties and kids birthdays!

We had a sip & paint with Mona last week for my best friend's bachelorette party and we had so much…read morefun! The setup/decor was beautiful and Mona even got my friend a 'bride' headband and some bridal decor. It was an amazing night and Mona is so sweet and funny!

I recently attended a painting class hosted by Vima Gallery, and it was such a wonderful…read moreexperience! The atmosphere was fun and relaxing. I created a piece during the class that has become one of my son's favorite objects in his nursery--he loves it Mona is an incredible instructor who made the process easy to follow, even for someone like me with little painting experience. Highly recommend for a memorable experience!

Clay Artists at the Vineyard is both a gallery and a workshop where to study the ceramic arts. It…read moreis much bigger that I thought it was, and I have been neglecting a visit for a long time, maybe because is 'on the other side' when all the action seems to be packed on the right side of the Rancho Winery premises, once you park your car and go to where all shops and the winery itself are. However, there is no way to miss this is you observe the woody signs with nice colors that indicate the way. Once there, you are welcomed to check the artisans working (mostly students) and you can see the oven operating plus a section that is somewhat an art gallery, where you can buy pieces from different students/artists. Prices are very economic for the hand and har work and the love each artisan put in each of their creations (at least when I have done ceramics, I don't even want to sell them, they are my babies!), so I did not find the prices outrageous at all. Plus the location inside the RB winery is another pleasant experience by itself. Very recommendable for a visit even if you are not into clay.

Beautiful and unique pieces by local artists. I found some beautiful and functional pieces that I…read moreknow I will take joy in using every day. Definitely a must see.

Been here many times and have always had a great time! Pick a painting you like and enjoy the…read moreexperience. The instructors are all upbeat and funny in their own ways and will entertain you while teaching you how to paint step-by-step. They have a class schedule with plenty of options to choose from - there's something for everyone. The music is always fun and some songs will get the whole class singing. There's a bar inside for the indoor classes that offers wine and local and craft beers. There is usually street parking but that can be tricky depending on the time, so plan to give yourself time to arrive accordingly.

I went here with my friends for a birthday & we had a fun time! They have a special birthday apron…read moreso make sure to let them know if there is someone celebrating. Our instructor was kind & there was another staff member walking around refilling our paint. It was a very large class & the last time I did a Paint n Sip, I felt like we had more hands on instruction with the instructor. The class did take longer than anticipated so it felt a bit rushed towards the end. Dress light because it is very warm in there. They have wine & beer you can order & snacks.

The canvases are getting smaller and smaller and the space is too tight. Maybe it's more about…read morequantity, not quality, and I am not up for it. You come home with this tiny painting, and it's not worth it. And your painting may or may not come out right. I have thrown out couple of my paintings. I wasted my money. There are many other painting classes in town which you can attend. I do not recommend this one. Next!

Karissa is the best. I have only painted once before (minus finger painting as a kid) and it was…read moreawesome! Had a great time, met some great people and had some great beer. Thanks for the instruction, I will be back for sure!

My husband and I did rug tufting at Tutu Fun and it was such a memorable date. I totally recommend…read moreit! If you've never done rug tufting before, I recommend going for one of the smaller sizes, because it took me quite a long time to finish my "small" canvas. You send the staff designs ahead of time and they review it and confirm whether it's doable as a rug design. When we got to the studio, the designs had already been prepped at the stations. We got a quick lesson on how to use a tufting gun, got to pick our yarn colors, and got started! I actually found it to be pretty challenging, but at any point if you need help, the employees are super friendly and will assist you. Really fun, 10/10 experience! I would consider doing another one of their many crafts here, and the merch they have for sale is also a really good selection.

Service: 4 Selection: 4…read moreValue: 4 We came to Tutu Fun in La Jolla for my daughter's birthday and had such a fun and creative experience! It's located in the mall toward the outer edge, so it's actually really easy to access once you park, which was nice. We did decoden art and got to decorate a photo frame, a mirror, and a keychain. The lady working there showed the kids how to get started and explained what to do, and then it was really up to them to get creative! They could go back and forth and choose from all the different little charms and decorations they wanted to use. There were SO many to choose from, which made it even more fun. The whole experience took us about an hour to an hour and a half from start to finish, and the kids got to take home their own unique pieces of art that they created themselves. This is such a cute place with so many different types of crafts to choose from. Even if you're not there to do a craft, they have lots of adorable things you can buy as well. I would definitely recommend Tutu Fun if you enjoy decoden art, crafts, or just want something fun and relaxing to do. It's a great activity for kids, birthdays, or even just a creative day out. We had a great time and I would definitely come back!