I’ve always wanted to visit California. I’ve even contemplated moving there once upon a time ago. With only 3 inches of rain per year, the perfect year round weather, situated right on the pacific coast, it’s like living on a permanent vacation.
I was super excited to get a 2 week work assignment in San Diego. Unfortunately this work trip hogged all of my time but I didn’t have to work much the first two days. After completing my assignment I decided to stay an extra day. Looking back I realized how much I got to see to only have a few days to spare which is crazy!
This is not a beginning, middle, and end narration of the trip like some of my previous blog posts just because of the majority of the time was spent working. Most of these places I traveled to in the first two days and then the extra day I stayed behind. I really hope I can make another trip to this beautiful city in the future. This time re visiting old favorites and new places I didn’t get a chance to see.
With that being said, here’s some cool sites I visited in SD !
Balboa Park, one of the oldest parks in the US, filled with museums, lovely botanic gardens, the San Diego zoo, and delicious bites to eat all within the park. The detailed architecture is so visually stunning such as the museum of man.
Barley Mash – The Maine Event at Barley mash. Doesn’t look like much but it’s made up of anejo tequila n butter poached Maine lobster meat, white truffle oil, Parmesan, and bread crumbs served over cavatappi noodles, and a 3 cheese blend. This was so heavy I couldn’t finish but it was very good. The Surf and Turf is another popular dish here
Holy Matcha – because why notcha , horrible lol. This is a super cute instagramable shop that serves matcha tea drinks and light bites. I had a refreshing glass of matcha lemonade infused with rose water and the avocado toast that’s dressed with red crushed pepper flakes and house made lemon seasonings. It’s probably the best glass of lemonade and avocado toast I’ve ever had. The small chic shop smelled so good, with all the fresh roses and plants around. if you love matcha anything, this is the place you’ll want to visit.
La Jolla Cove – one of the top San Diego must see attractions. A small cove and mini tucked away beaches surrounded by cliffs. There’s a nice board walk lined with lush plants and California palm trees. The highlight for me was getting to see the sea lions and seal families several feet away. There is a smell though from all the bird/seal feces so be prepared for that. The further you walk away from the animals the better the smell gets.
Sunset cliffs – I’ll never forget how I missed the sunset in route to this location like really? You miss the sunset at sunset cliffs? Lol Arriving just minutes until complete darkness but I stayed for a little bit. Even in darkness it’s still so soothing listening to ocean waves. there were other people around too.
Torrey Pines State Beach – scenic views from 300 ft. above looking down on Blacks beach. I enjoyed watching the sunset from above rather than below on the beach. It would of been great to bring lawn chairs and have a glass of wine. There’s hiking trails that lead down to the beach, I didn’t walk down but I’ve read it is pretty steep and strenuous walking back up. In the Northern Territory of the beach, nudity is still legal but if you’re trying to enjoy the views with fully clothed people around you can go to the southern territory.
Catalina Island – the most exciting part of San Diego was making the day trip to Santa Catalina. An island just southwest of Los Angeles. There’s a few transportation options you could travel by such as by flight, ferry, or helicopter. I took the ferry from Dana Point. Dana point CA is only an hour drive from San Diego. My departure time from DP was 745a and it was about an hour and a half boat ride to the island. The weather was beautiful. A sunny and cloudless sky. Once I arrived I only had 4 hours before heading back to the boat by 2pm. That was more than enough time for me but there are hotel options for staycations. There aren’t any rental cars or Uber/lifts but there are taxis, shuttles, bikes, and the most selected mode of transportation, golf carts. Go with the golf carts, it’s so much fun. You rent them by the hour. I was given a map with easy to follow instructions on getting to different areas of interest all within Avalon, the islands only city. I rode the golf cart on one half of the city and I walked the other half of city. THE prettiest deep blue water and ombré skies!
Pancake cottage – Fruit bowl &avocado
Mi Casita – yummy Mexican food
The company I used – Catalina Express
Cost 37.75 each way 14.00 for parking total : 89.50 (cheaper than flight and helicopter)
Favorite Lunch Spots
Rubio’s Coastal Grill – Chula Vista – California bowl (citrus rice, black beans, and fresh romaine lettuce topped with handmade guacamole, salsa fresca, chipotle sauce, grilled chicken, grilled veggies)
Taco el Gordo – located in Chula Vista, I had the taco de adobada and steak tostada w/ horchata 🙂
Royal Mandarin – E plaza Blvd.
In-N-Out – Kind of like east coast five guys
Breakfast and Dinner spots I visited
Edgewater Grill – breakfast
Brockton villa restaurant (La Jolla) – seafood dinner
Indigo Grill – Latin cuisine, pretty modern decor and an outdoor fire pit, located in little Italy
Recommendations from Local’s and Colleague’s
I didn’t get to visit many of these places but I’m saving a list for a return trip lol
Embarcadero – waterfront boardwalk
Oscars Mexican Seafood
Whale watching
Pacific Beach – water bar, maverick beach club, nightlife
California Burritos
Bali Hai Restaurant – Mai Tai cocktails, Polynesian food, bay views
Las Cuatro Milpas
Hard Rock Hotel, Sunburn Pool Lounge – Gaslamp quarter
The Pool House Rooftop Bar
Pigment – art, floral, furniture shop, pretty decor
Communal Coffee – south park, light bites, vintage trailer
Ocean City Beach
C level San Diego – steak and seafood, waterfront views, upscale-casual lounge
George’s on the Grove – elegant setting, ocean views, American cuisine, La Jolla
Hash House – market-fresh midwestern, brunch and dinner, signature bloody Mary’s
Top of the Hyatt – rooftop lounge and bar, spa, waterfront, temp. closed
San Diego Zoo
Laguna Beach
Barbusa – little Italy, Sicilian cuisine, pop art decor
Altitude Sky Lounge – Gaslamp Marriott
Gaslamp Quarter – 4,5,6 Avenue 40th avenues recommended
Nobu San Diego – Gaslamp district, Japanese, sushi bar, cocktails, upscale
Iron Side Fish & Oyster – Seafood fare and cocktails, renovated warehouse, nautical design accents
Underbelly – Ramen and Japanese comfort pub
Tajaim – authentic Japanese cuisine and ramen
Karl Strauss – craft brewery, tasting room
Coronado island – Order mojitos, bay island, historic town with beautiful beaches, naval base, parks, boardwaalk, great food, popular tourist site
Little Italy Mercato Farmers Market – every Saturday 8am – 2pm
San Diego 2018
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