San Diego

San Diego sits at the very end of the Southern California coastline, filled with dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, sea caves, and Mission Bay, an oasis for water lovers and nature lovers. The coastal city is not as busy as Los Angeles or San Francisco, but definitely just as fun, with many charming seaside towns like Pacific Beach and Ocean Beach, filled with lively restaurants and bars, along with long, wide sandy beaches and good breaks for surfers.

GETTING THERE

There are direct flights to San Diego's main airport SAN from major cities across the USA, and also Canada, Mexico, and Japan. Drivers can get there by going down the 5 Freeway from cities all along California's west coast and the Amtrak 'Pacific Surfliner' train is an easy three hour ride to San Diego from LA.

AMAZING EXCURSIONS

I found water sports rentals of all types on Mission Bay including boating, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, parasailing, and more. In addition, miles of scenic walkways and bike paths meandered along the bay, over bridges, onto islands, past marinas, and through the Northern Wildlife Preserve. I saw several majestic Great Blue Herons wading in the preserve, with their long legs and long necks. I very much enjoyed walking every path, in every direction, along the bay.

La Jolla Cove and Sea Caves were closeby and overflowing with interesting marine life! I sat for hours watching dozens of Sea Lions lounging, playing, chasing, and barking at each other. I saw Dolphins swimming, Pelicans diving and Cormorants soaring along the shoreline. I hiked a little farther up the coast and saw Leopard Sharks breeding in a kelp filled cove. There were many people kayaking through the caves and with the sharks.

I did another excursion to the Torrey Pines Gliderport and spent hours watching people run and jump from the cliff to take-off, then soar through the air. There was a cute outdoor cafe too, where people sat and enjoyed watching the colorful spectacle.

Downtown San Diego had high-rises, high-end restaurants, and a waterfront area. The fascinating USS Midway was also docked there. The retired aircraft carrier was a floating museum with interactive exhibits and unique experiences. It also offered overnight adventures, to sleep in bunks, eat navy food, and see behind the scenes action.

There were many other activities from downtown including whale watching, sunset harbor cruises, and amphibious vehicle tours.

I took a daytrip to Coronado Island, a charming village, with beaches, hotels, unique shops, restaurants, and a waterfront golf course. It was also home to several Navy bases, and a hidden shipwreck offshore, which partly appeared some times in low tides after storms. I visited the historic Hotel del Coronado, sitting on Coronado's prime beachfront property, with soft sand that felt like powdered sugar. The old Queen Anne style hotel had white walls which constrasted with its red roof, a winding balcony with rocking chairs, and several ornate turrets. It had a stunning lobby with dark wood columns, beams, and panels, and also many beautiful stained glass windows.

Seafood and Mexican food were my favorites in San Diego. Tacos, Carne Asada Fries, Burritos were some of the most delicious I've ever had outside Mexico.

Just a few miles from downtown was the world renowned San Diego Zoo and also Sea World, both offered overnight experiences. The smaller Belmont Park had rides and games, and an indoor plunge pool with a water course for children.

There were many other fun and interesting side trips from San Diego, including wineries, Legoland, San Diego Safari Park, and also Del Mar Fairgrounds and Racetrack.

An easy to use local rail system called 'the Trolley' connected San Diego to many beautiful oceanside cities up the coast, and also down to Tijuana, Mexico where I literally walked over the border for a quick visit.

San Diego offered some of the best Southern California beaches and surf breaks, along with a laid-back lifestyle. Add to that the stunning and sporty Mission Bay, which made San Diego an action packed yet also relaxing destination.