Hiking Cleveland National Forest in San Diego

14 August 202022 September 2024

It was a beautiful day in San Diego and I had just wrapped up a few meetings and had the remainder of the day off and set out, with my colleague, Peter to hike Cleveland National Forest. Here are some of the photos of this amazing park.

What to See and What to Do:

Cleveland National Forest
10845 Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92127
Telephone: 858 673 6180

Where to Stay:

San Diego Marriott La Jolla
4240 La Jolla Village Drive
La Jolla, CA 92037
Telephone: 858 587 1414
Website:

Where to Eat:

Nozomi La Jolla
4150 Regents Park Row
Unit 190
La Jolla, CA 92037
Telephone: 858 452 7778

My favorite menu item is the Chirashi Salad which is rice, mixed green salad, cucumber, kaiware, small cut raw fish (tuna, salmon, white fish), octopus and shrimp served with famous spicy sauce for $24.

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

A 2010 Return to San Clemente, California

24 November 201919 September 2024

My friend Dani and I decided to take a cruise out of Long Beach stopping in Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. While booking our flights, we decided to arrive in San Diego a couple of days earlier and drive up the coast. I was excited that we would be passing through San Clemente and thought it would be a fun time to reminisce in my old neighborhood of SoCal.

We stopped at BeachFire Grill on Del Mar before we drove down towards the beach. It was a cool evening as we set out towards the pier, enjoying the palm trees and beautiful skies.

We walked at the end of the pier and looked back towards the beautiful surfing town, waiting for the sun to set.

Towards the left were the more private homes high above the cliffs.

Facing south we were looking towards another popular surf area but with the colder weather and lower tides, it was no surprise that the beach was empty.

The sun was beginning to set and we had another hour to drive up the coast. The pier was beginning to clear out as we stood along the beach.

Waiting for the sun to set was worth every minute and as we started the uphill trek towards the parking lot, we had one last view of the beautiful sky. A view never to take for granted.

Have you lived in a place or visited a place that had a lasting impression on you? I would love to hear about it if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

Many thanks for reading about my visit to San Clemente and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Walk the San Clemente Beach and the charming town of San Clemente

Where to Eat:

The Fisherman Restaurant at San Clemente Pier
611 Avenida Victoria
San Clemente, CA 82672
Telephone: 949 498 6390

What to Eat:

Dungeness Crab
Seafood Chowder
Pan-Fried Oysters

Where to Stay:

Casablanca Inn
1601 North East El Camino Real
San Clemente, CA
Telephone: 888 639 3053

What to Read:

California Girl, by T. Jefferson Parker

Photo Guide for San Clemente:

Calafia Beach Park
Del Mar Street
Outlets San Clemente
Pico Park
San Clemente Beach Trail
San Clemente Pier
The Triton Wall

2019 Travel and Blog Schedule for The Suite Life of Travel

5 January 201927 July 2024

2019 will be my busiest travel year to date….and I can’t wait! So many opportunities that I could not pass up, so they are booked and I am counting down the days!

Belize: Port of Belize, Xunantunich, Scuba Diving

China: Beijing, Tiananeman Square, Imperial Palace and the Forbidden City, tri-shaw rides, hutongs, Zhangjiajie (the land of Avatar), Tianzishan Ten Miles Natural Gallery highway, Bailong Elevator, Tianmen Mountains, Gui Gu Plank Road, Highway to Heaven, Tianmen Fairy Fox Show, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and the glass-bottom bridge, Baofeng Lake, Chengdu, Jinli Ancient Street, Qing Cheng Mountains, Dujiangyan Panda Valley, Panda Conservation,

Egypt: Cairo, Giza Plateau and the Pyramids, the Sphinx and Valley Temple, Khufu Ship, Camel Rides, Cairo Museum, Khan El Khalili (Souk), Felucca Ride and Belly Dancing; Nile Cruise starting in Luxor, Luxor, Karnak Temple, Thebes and the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Ramesses III, Dier El Madina, the Locks of Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples, Aswan and the High Dam, Philae (the most beautiful temple in Egypt, Coptic Cairo, Sakkara and diving in Alexandria.

Honduras: Port of Honduras, Altun Ha, Scuba Diving,

Israel: Qumran, Caesarea Maritima, The Dead Sea, Masada, Mount Arbel, Capernaeum, Mount of Beatitudes, Church of the Fish and the Loaves, Sailing the Sea of Galilee, Cana, Nazareth, Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemene, Sepphoris, Mount Zion and the Upper Room, Jerusalem, David Center in Jerusalem, Southern Wall Excavations and the Teaching Steps, The Western Wall, Pool of Bethesda, The Via Dolorosa, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, The Temple Mount, The Garden Tomb, Ein Karem, Nebi Samuel, Valley of Elah

Mexico: Cozumel, Cancun, Chitzen Itza, Tulum, Cenotes, Underwater Park

United States:

California: Yosemite, Napa, John Muir State Park, Hearst Castle, San Francisco, Sausilito

United States:

Connecticut: East Haddam, Gillette Castle, Mystic, Hartford

United States:

Michigan: Upper Peninsula: Soo Locks, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Pictured Rocks National Seashore

United States:

Ohio: Cincinnati, Bellefontaine, Dayton, Greenville, Yellow Springs, Ohio Wines

United States:

Louisiana: New Orleans

What travel plans await you in 2019? I would love to hear about them, so list your future adventures in the comments section below! Wishing you an amazing 2019 and lots of Happy Travels!

What’s Happening in 2018? My Travel and Blog Schedule for Next Year

12 January 201816 September 2024

I am so excited for the many opportunities I have for travel this year! Here is an overview of my travel schedule for 2018 and what you can expect to read on The Suite Life of Travel!

Travel Schedule, 2018:

Will start out celebrating the New Year with a week in San Francisco and a long weekend in Las Vegas!

My best friend will be marrying late winter/early spring, so a few days in Miami and a few more in Tampa to check out possible real estate! Super excited!!

Work will take me to Montreal and Quebec City, where I will extend my stay in Canada with a vacation along the east coast.

Photo Credit: Best of Italy Photos

I will wrap up my spring travel plans with a Mediterranean cruise….ALL EXPENSE PAID!! This is my first writing assignment as the ship I will be sailing has an all new itinerary!

Summer plans include exploring more of my home state of Ohio!

Photo Credit: AFS

Late summer, I will spend ten days on African Safari and visiting friends in South Africa, many thanks to some friends that live there! I will make the drive up to Victoria Falls, check out a rescue where I will volunteer to assist and interact with animals that require medical care before heading back to the States….a possible side trip to include Madagascar??!!

Photo Credit: VRBO

My last overseas (tentative) trip, will be spending a couple of weeks on the island of Sicily taking cooking classes and exploring the island by rail. Any suggestions or recommendations for places to stay are appreciated!

I will be speaking at two conferences this fall….one in San Francisco and Seattle, so a couple of added days to my itinerary will fit in just perfect.

Wow! So much to anticipate and so many more plans to make. I have quite a few writing projects in the works and look forward to seeing where this year leads!

Blog Schedule, 2018!

Continued coverage of my Ohio outings (lots of posts about Cincinnati this year) as well as Wine Wednesdays will continue!

Winter posts will include my December west coast trip to San Francisco and Las Vegas as well as last year’s last minute trip to London, Windsor, Bath and Stonehenge!

Check out my National Parks in the West/Midwest series coming in May and July.

Paris takes center stage in August with a side trip to Versailles.

September makes a detour back to the US with a weekend in Yosemite.

I can’t wait to share my insights on New Orleans, which is full of restaurant recommendations and amazing things to do in the “Big Easy”!

And the rest of the year will cover my recent trip to Jordan and Israel which will carry on into 2019!

Hang out with me to explore some amazing locations across the world and to hear about my exciting adventures! Thanks for reading my updated posts to “The Suite Life of Travel” and wishing you many Happy Travels!

The Suite Life of Travel has a Facebook Page and you can follow my photos on Instagram!

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

A Photographic Review of My 2017 Travel Blogs

5 January 201816 September 2024

I have had so much fun writing about my many travels that took place in 2017 and past travel as well. Here is an overview of my blog posts for this past year. Don’t forget to select the link to check out more photos and additional information regarding each attraction. Enjoy!

Indonesia: Bali

Kuta Beach

An Evening Stroll Along Kuta Beach

North Bali

Ulun Danu Temple: The Most Photographed Temple in Bali

Mexico: Cabo San Lucas

El Arco in Cabo San Lucas

Mexico: Mazatlan

The Port of Mazatlan, Mexico

Mexico: Puerto Vallarta

A Port Day in Puerto Vallarta

Turkey: Istanbul

Hagia Sophia

The Facade of the Hagia Sophia

United States: Arizona

The Grand Canyon

The Colorado River Runs Through the Grand Canyon

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Indian Settlement at Montezuma Castle National Monument

The Painted Desert

The Spectacular Colors of the Painted Desert

Rawhide

Rawhide, Arizona

United States: California

San Diego

Spectacular California Sunset

Sebastiani

An Amazing Visit to Sebastiani

Viansa Winery

Acres of Vineyards in Sonoma, California

United States: Colorado

The Rocky Mountains

Camping in the Rocky Mountains

United States: Louisiana

Mardi Gras

Celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans

New Orleans: Black & White Photos

The Old Absinthe Bar

United States: Ohio

The Farm Restaurant in Adena

Enjoying a Fabulous Dinner at The Farm

The Merchant House

Enjoying a Fabulous Dinner at the Merchant House

The Old Arcana Restaurant

The Bourbon Praline French Toast

Cincinnati: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Columbus: Inniswood

Having Fun with my New Camera

Columbus: Ohio Village

Celebrating 100 Years of Beatrix Potter at Ohio Village

Springfield:

Farmer’s Market

The Historical Springfield Farmer’s Market

Westcott House, Frank Lloyd Wright

The Westcott House

Clifton Mill Lights at Christmas

Gorgeous Holiday Lights in Clifton

Ohio Wineries:

United States: Tennessee

Nashville’s Belle Meade Plantation

Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville

United States: Washington DC

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery

United States: West Virginia

New River Gorge

Floating down the Lower Gauley at the New River Gorge

I hope you enjoyed checking out all of my travels and post-related photos for 2017! I look forward to seeing what 2018 brings! Happy New Year!

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

An Amazing Weekend in San Diego

11 June 201531 August 2024

It was a successful conference in San Diego and I stayed a couple of extra days in Southern California to explore this amazing coast. My plans were to snap some photos of the local scenic views, hike the Anza-Borrego, shop Coronado Island and sneak off for a couple of hours in Tijuana. My home-base hotel would be the Wyndham San Diego Bayside (with amazing views of the bay), the perfect location for enjoying the beach and hanging out on the south side of town.

My friends suggested that I visit the Cabrillo National Monument for its scenic views of the bay and Navy Base. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo is credited as the first European to step foot on California soil in 1592. From the Mexican city of Navidad, Cabrillo and his ship, the “San Salvador” reached the west coast, what is known today as San Diego. At the top of the hill overlooking Point Loma is a statue of the Spanish explorer commemorating his voyage.

In addition to the monument, the New Point Loma Lighthouse is one of the main draws to Cabrillo. Replacing the original lighthouse where the memorial now stands, the new light shines from the Point Loma peninsula in San Diego. The tide pools surrounding the cape are home to an amazing number of sea creatures that include starfish, anemones and barnacles.

Only a thirty minute drive to Coronado, I left Point Loma, hopped on Interstate 5 driving south and crossed over the bridge to reach the famous Hotel del Coronado. Built in 1888 in grand Victorian-style, The Del was once the largest resort in the world. Its iconic red rotunda provides views of the bay, ocean and city of San Diego. Hosting numerous United States Presidents and British Royals, the Hotel Del was the place to stay for celebrities such as Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Katherine Hepburn and Ginger Rogers. The resort is best known as the backdrop to the movie Some Like it Hot starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon.

I enjoyed the rest of my afternoon hanging out at The Del and met up with some friends who were staying at the resort for the weekend. We enjoyed fruity drinks and light appetizers overlooking the bay. We booked a reservation at the restaurant and returned to the terrace to watch the extraordinary sunset.

I rose early in the morning to hike Anza-Borrego which was about a two hour drive from San Diego. The weather was spectacular and I could not wait to spend the morning there until meeting up with friends before they flew back to the east coast. While I really wanted to hike “The Slot”, I learned that I would need a four wheel drive vehicle, so I opted to explore the 3-mile Palm Canyon trail. Parking at the campground, it took me nearly 2 hours to complete the hike which included extraordinary palm groves, waterfalls and typical desert plants.

Arriving back at the Hotel del Coronado, we all agreed to make a quick run across the border into Mexico for some fun and margaritas. We parked on the San Diego side, crossed through border control and grabbed a taxi for Avenida Revolucion. Stopping by Dandy del Sur, we learned that this is the oldest bar in town. The drinks were cheap and strong and of course we had the most fun people-watching. We stayed for a couple of hours, found a taxi and stood in line to wait for border patrol. Street vendors were selling churros so we bought a few orders while we waited and finally made it across to the US.

I had another great weekend in San Diego and since I booked the red-eye, I packed up my belongings, ordered In-N-Out through the drive through and arrived at the airport in plenty of time. With so many things to do in SoCal, I never tire of visiting whether it’s for work or pleasure. One day I am going to hike The Slot at Anza and can’t wait to mark this off of my bucket list.

Have you visited San Diego and do you have a favorite place in town you like to visit? I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for catching up with me in one of my favorite US cities on the west coast and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Cabrillo National Monument
1800 Cabrillo Monument Drive
San Diego, CA 92106
Telephone: 619 557 5450

Hotel del Coronado
1500 Orange Avenue
Coronado, CA 92118
Telephone: 619 435 6611

Anza-Borrego State Park
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Telephone: 760 767 4205

Admission Fee: There is no charge for visiting Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk; The visitor center is open seven days a week from 9AM to 5PM.
Amenities: Camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, historical/cultural site, picnic areas, parking
Scenic View: The vista point provides scenic views of the park.
Length of Visit: Over 3 hours
Tips for Your Visit: February and March are the best times to visit to see the spring flowers. Cellular and internet service may be limited at times. Make sure you have plenty of water and snacks and that you fuel up your vehicle before entering the park. Because this is the desert, make sure you have plenty of sunscreen as temperatures can be very warm.

Where to Stay:

Wyndham San Diego Bayside
1355 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
Telephone: 619 232 3861

Hotel del Coronado
1500 Orange Avenue
Coronado, CA 92118
Telephone: 619 435 6611

Where to Eat:

In-N-Out
3102 Sports Arena Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92110
Telephone: 800 786 1000

I either order the animal style burger with lettuce, tomato, mustard, pickle, extra spread and grilled onions or the protein style which is wrapped in lettuce rather than a bun.

What to Eat:

Mexican cuisine, especially tamales
California wood-fired pizza
Southeast Asian foods
Sushi
Seafood
Local Wines

What to Read:

The Dawn Patrol, by Don Winslow
San Diego Noir, by Maryelizabeth Hart
I So Don’t Do Mysteries, by Barrie Summy
Under the Perfect Sun: The San Diego Tourists Never See, by Mike Davis

Photo Guide for San Diego:

The Botanical Building and Lily Pond at Balboa Park
Greetings from San Diego mural on the sidewall of Belching Beaver Brewery
Sunset Cliffs
Old Town San Diego
Hotel del Coronado

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

Moving to the OC, 2004

30 April 201531 August 2024

I was so excited when I was offered a clinical trial position in Southern California. I had a couple of weeks to pack my belongings and make the cross country move. My brother had a few friends who said they would help me pack and then he would drive with me to San Clemente and stay for a few days enjoying the California coast.

After a couple of nights in hotels, we finally arrived and rested an additional night before moving into my second floor, one-bedroom apartment. With some help from my new colleagues, we finally completed the move and had some time to visit the beach before sunset. Fishermen cast their poles over the edge in hopes of catching their dinner. We opted to visit Fisherman’s Restaurant on the pier.

We found a parking spot in the lot surrounded by palm trees and I wanted to step onto the beach and was curious to see if the water was cold. We learned that the haze was a part of June Gloom which is what the locals call the month of June. The temperature is a consistent 70 degrees most of the days in San Clemente and all year around.

The sunset was an incredible golden and orange as it set out into the horizon. From that moment, I promised myself that I would make my way to the beach each night just to witness the beauty of the setting sun.

It was darker now as we drive through the center of town, back to Avenida Vista Montana. I could definitely become accustomed to the beauty of SoCal and will make the most of it as long as I am here.

Have you ever moved to a new state or country and felt like you had just moved to paradise? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave

What to See and What to Do:

Walk the San Clemente Beach

Where to Eat:

The Fisherman Restaurant at San Clemente Pier
611 Avenida Victoria
San Clemente, CA 82672
Telephone: 949 498 6390

What to Eat:

Dungeness Crab
Seafood Chowder
Pan-Fried Oysters

Where to Stay:

Casablanca Inn
1601 North East El Camino Real
San Clemente, CA
Telephone: 888 639 3053

What to Read:

California Girl, by T. Jefferson Parker

Photo Guide for San Clemente:

Calafia Beach Park
Del Mar Street
Outlets San Clemente
Pico Park
San Clemente Beach Trail
San Clemente Pier
The Triton Wall

San Francisco’s Iconic Golden Gate Bridge

26 January 201514 September 2024

Whether it is the Arch of St. Louis, the Alamo in San Antonio, or the Space Needle in Seattle, very few iconic images compare with the glorious representation of a city than San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

It is impossible to imagine San Francisco without thinking of its spectacular bridge. Regardless of the number of times I travel to San Fran, I am not satisfied until I drive over it or walk the span for breathtaking views of the city. Once the largest suspension bridge in the world, visitors can walk, bike, drive or ride over the two-mile platform that connects the city of San Francisco to Marin County.

It was an overcast day on my last visit, but I layered up and made sure I would be comfortable for a stroll across.

The Golden Gate Bridge was not named for its color but for the strait that it spans, Opening in May of 1937, this steel suspension bridges retains a main span measuring 4,200 feet.

As cars drove across the bridge during my walk, I could hear the whirring sound of the tires and the hollow thumps from the grates that offer views into the water below.

The men who designed the bridge were Joseph Strauss, Irving Morrow, and Charles Ellis. But it was Joseph Strauss, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, who provided oversight for the day-to-day construction of the bridge beginning in January of 1933.

It is said that Strauss became fascinated by bridges during a hospitalization in Cincinnati. With a view of the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge from his hospital room, he would later be employed by a company that specialized in building them.

The view of the bridge from the southeast side visitor parking lot shows the roadway straight through to the other side. The visitor’s center, gardens and café are accessible from this lot and it is a great starting point for enjoying scenic overlooks and vistas.

The Golden Gate Bridge is open 24 hours a day and it is estimated that approximately 110,000 vehicles travel over the bridge on a daily basis. That does not include the 10,000 pedestrians and 6,000 cyclists that cross as well.

Tolls are only collected in one direction as you head into San Francisco from Marin County. There is a toll charge of $7.25 for 2 axles and motorcycles (as of this writing).

Enjoy the San Francisco rite of passage by walking or biking the Golden Gate Bridge and you will see San Francisco from a whole new perspective.

Have you visited San Francisco and was the Golden Gate Bridge on your itinerary? How did you cross it? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my short post about the Golden Gate Bridge! Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Golden Gate Bridge
P.O. Box 9000, Presidio Station
San Francisco, CA 94129-0601
Telephone: 877 229 8655 or 415 486 8655

Admission Fee: Walk or bike the Golden Gate Bridge at no charge. There is a fee to travel by car, so check the website for the most recent information.
Hours: The Golden Gate Bridge is open 24 hours, seven days a week.
Amenities: Parking, welcome center, cafe, bookstore, historical site
Scenic View: From several vantage points from the Golden Gate Bridge, explore the Pacific Ocean and surrounding mountains.
Length of Visit: 1 – 5 hours depending on how you explore the park
Tips for Your Visit: Access the bridge from both the north and south. Where comfortable shoes for walking across the bridge. The six lanes for cars is tight, so be mindful of other drivers and keep your eyes on the road.

Where to Stay:

Sheraton Palace Hotel, now The Palace Hotel
2 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Telephone: 415 512 1111

Where to Eat:

Castagnola’s – The restaurant is known for its soups served in bread bowls. Select the clam chowder bread bowl or the lobster bisque bread bowl.
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company – The world famous hot fudge sundae is the best seller.

Where to Drink:

Iron Horse – Their signature drinks include the James Bond Martini, Goldfinger, Alice in Wonderland, Tiki Temple and Happy Fortune.

What to Read:

Cool Grey City of Love by Gary Kamiya
San Francisco Stories by Jack London
Zodiac by Robert Graysmith
Alcatraz-1259 by William Baker

Photo Guide for San Francisco:

Aquatic Park is the best place to photograph San Francisco’s waterfront
Broadway Street in North Beach for its neon signs and was formerly known as the area’s “red light district”
Chinatown is absolutely amazing for taking photos of America’s oldest Chinatown.
Coit Tower for 360 degree views of San Francisco and the harbor
de Young Museum Observation Deck located at Golden Gate Park is perfect for panoramic photos of the city. Bypass the line to enter the museum to reach the Hamon Observation Tower to take your photos.
Fort Point is a decommissioned military base on the waterfront which provides outstanding views of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge
The Marin Headlands is one of the best places to photograph the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge
Treasure Island for spectacular views of San Francisco’s skyline
See the entire city of San Francisco from Twin Peaks

A Collection of Blog Posts from 2014

29 December 201421 July 2024

What a great year for travel! Here are some of my adventure blog posts for 2014:

ASIA:

Philippines

Arriving to the Mission by Tuk-Tuk

Pre-School and Pampering at Naomi’s Heart

Haircuts for the Amazing Women at the Mission

CARIBBEAN AND PORTS OF CALL:

Antigua

The Bahamas

Freeport, Grand Bahama

Barbados

Malibu Beach, Barbados

Belize, Honduras and Mexico: Altun Ha

Altun Ha Mayan Ruins

Costa Rica: A Photographic Review

Gorgeous Beaches in Costa Rica

Jamaica: Dunn’s River Falls

Climbing Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Mexico: Cozumel

Downtown Cozumel, Mexico

Hurricane Gilbert

The Massive Destruction of Hurricane Gilbert to the Yucatan Peninsula in 1988

EUROPE:

Italy: Venice

A Morning Stroll Through Venice

Monaco

Views from the Perfume Factory

UNITED STATES:

United States, Arizona: Jerome Historic State Park

Hotel at Jerome State Park

Meteor Crater

Meteor Crater, Arizona

Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Wood

United States, Arizona: Sedona

The gorgeous rocks of Sedona

United States, California: San Francisco

Alcatraz Island

Approaching Alcatraz Island

United States, Florida: Cypress Gardens

Enjoying the Beautiful Grounds

United States, Florida: Key West

Beautiful Sunset from Mallory Square, Key West

United States, Florida: Walt Disney World

The Magic Kingdom

United States, Hawaii: Diamond Head

The Hike is Worth the View

United States, Hawaii: Pearl Harbor

USS Arizona Memorial

United States, Hawaii: Hanauma Bay

Amazing View of Hanauma Bay

United States, Hawaii: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Exploring Hawaii’s Volcanoe National Park

Hawaiian Luau

Enjoying the Luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center

The Epic Kauai Experience

The Gorgeous Landscape of Kauai

United States, Illinois: Chicago

Chicago Fountain, Illinois

United States, Louisiana: New Orleans

Jackson Square, New Orleans

United States, Michigan: Hale

Arriving in Michigan – The Start of our Vacation

United States, Michigan, Hale: 1st Day of Vacation

The View from Our Vacation Rental

United States: Michigan

Mackinac Island

Shepler’s Ferry

A View of the Grand Hotel from the Ferry

Mackinac Island Harbor

Bike Rentals on Mackinac Island

Beautiful Flowers in the Shopping District of Mackinac Island

Transportation to the Grand Hotel

United States, North Carolina: Bodie Island

Bodie Island Lighthouse, Outer Banks

Bodie Island Lighthouse

United States, North Carolina: Carolina Beach

Choosing our Campsite

Currituck Heritage Park, Corolla

Currituck Heritage Lighthouse

United States, Ohio: Conkle’s Hollow Gorge Trail

Exploring the Gorge

United States, Ohio: Eagle Sighting at Highbanks

Spending the Afternoon Searching for Eaglets

United States, Ohio: Marietta

Road Trip to Marietta

United States, Ohio: Living Word Outdoor Drama

The Resurrection of Jesus

United States, Ohio: Renaissance Festival

Strolling the Medieval Town During the Festival

United States, Ohio: Battelle Darby Creek

A Lovely Winter Hike

United States, Ohio: Living Word Outdoor Drama

Living Word Outdoor Drama

United States Ohio Christmas:

Columbus: Alum Creek Lights

Drive Thru Christmas Lights

United States: Rhode Island: Cliff Walk

The Chanler in Newport

United States: Sioux Falls, South Dakota

My First Buffalo Sighting

United States, South Dakota: Needles Drive

The Needle

United States, South Dakota: Sylvan Lake

Beautiful Reflections off of Sylvan Lake

United States, South Dakota: Custer Park

Custer Park’s Wildlife Drive

United States, South Dakota: Yellowstone

Where the Buffalo Roam

United States, South Dakota: Yellowstone

A First Impression of Yellowstone

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

United States, Texas: Galveston

Todd Shipyards, Galveston

United States, Wyoming: Yellowstone

The Grand Lodge at Yellowstone

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

My First Visit to San Diego, 2002

22 December 201431 August 2024

It’s hard to believe it has been fifteen years since I first visited San Diego. I remember how much I fell in love with this city. Its history, weather and scenic views were the reasons I returned so often each year and eventually moved to Southern California.

Attending a conference with several colleagues, I always welcomed their recommendations for an amazing hotel and fabulous restaurants. We spent many a night at Old Town Mexican Café and Restaurant drinking margaritas and noshing on chips and salsa.

Although we spent the majority of our day at the San Diego Convention Center, we had some time to entertain our clients and plan dinners with potential customers. Each time I visit San Diego on business, I extend my trip to catch up with friends, hike and explore new places.

My first weekend stay was at the Catamaran Resort Hotel on Pacific Beach, about twenty minutes from the trade show. I loved the location because it was on the water, it offered privacy from the convention and I wanted to learn how to surf. Pacific Beach, known as PB to the locals, is the perfect getaway from business meetings and events. While it is known as the “party beach” for the twenties crowd, I enjoyed its laid-back atmosphere and spectacular sunsets.

One of my favorite places to visit is Balboa Park, a short drive from downtown. A mega-complex with seventeen museums and extraordinary gardens, it is also home to the city’s famous San Diego Zoo. While I have not attend a cultural event here, I have strolled through its 1200 acres making a stop at The San Diego Museum of Art.

Within minutes from Balboa Park is the Bazaar del Mundo, a shopping plaza in the heart of Old Town. When in search of Mexican-inspired gifts, I visited Artes de Mexico and the Guatemala Shop with their colorful, hand-crafted souvenirs. For colorful, hand-painted ceramics and authentic Mexican salsas and sauces, Home Accents offers a variety of kitchen and home décor products.

After shopping for an hour or two, I looked forward to stopping by Old Town Mexican Café to watch them prepare the tortillas in the window. For lunch or dinner, I always start with a margarita and an order of their traditional Molcajete or chicken tamale.

My final weekend visit was a trip to Torrey Pines State Park located north of San Diego in the upscale town of La Jolla. Sitting on 2000 acres along the coast, this amazing oasis of hiking trails is perfect for watching the whale migration from December to April. I spent the afternoon exploring the park and packed a picnic lunch for the afternoon before returning back to PB for dinner.

San Diego is one of my favorite places to visit and with beautiful weather all year long, there are plenty amazing outdoor adventures and excursions to experience.

What are some of your favorite places to visit in San Diego? I would love to hear from you if you will kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to San Diego and wishing you many Happy Travels!

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

What to See and What to Do:

Balboa Park: There is no fee for visiting the park, but there are additional fees for visiting the museums.

San Diego Museum of Art
1450 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
Telephone: 619 232 7931

Admission Fee: Adults: $15, Seniors (65+) and Military: $10, Students: $8
Hours: Open from 10AM to 5PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; Open from 12PM to 5PM on Sunday and closed Wednesday.
Amenities: Daily docent tours, Museum store, restaurant, mobile app, parking
Length of Visit: Over 3 hours
Tips for Your Visit: Check for discounts. San Diego city and county residents enter for free on the third Tuesday of each month. February is Macy’s Museum Month and all participating museums are half price entrance with coupon. Check the website for rotating and visiting exhibitions prior to visiting. During the summer, visit Balboa Park for Food Truck Friday. Bags can be checked at the front door of the museum.

Bazaar del Mundo
4133 Taylor Street
San Diego, CA 92110
Telephone: 619 296 3161

Admission Fee: There is no charge for visiting Bazaar del Mumdo
Hours: Open Sunday and Monday from 10AM to 5:30PM and Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM to 9PM
Amenities: Shopping, restaurants, events
Length of Visit: 1-2 hours

Torrey Pines Natural Preserve
12600 North Torrey Pines Road
San Diego, CA 92307
Telephone: 858 755 2063

Admission Fee: The facility use fee depends on which parking lot you use. South Beach parking during high season (starting at Spring Break until the end of September) costs $15 from Monday – Thursday and $20 from Friday – Saturday. Low season begins in October until Spring Break where fees are $12 from Monday – Thursday and $15 from Friday to Sunday. Note that high season prices may be charged during holidays, so be prepared. For parking on the North Beach, high season (from Spring Break to end of September_ are $10 from Monday – Thursday and $15 from Friday – Sunday. Payment is accepted at the Automated Pay Machine if no staff is available at the kiosk. Low season rates are $3 from Monday – Thursday and $10 from Friday – Saturday. Annual passes are available for $195.
Hours: Open all year from 7:15AM to sunset
Amenities: Visitor center, museum shop, guided nature walks, fishing, parking
Scenic View: Gorgeous views of the coast from the hiking trails and this is the perfect place for watching the sunset.
Length of Visit: 3 – 4 hours, but there are hikes that will take under 1 hour
Tips for Your Visit: This is a popular location for sunset and holidays can be extremely busy. Bring water especially if you are hiking. Food and drink (with the exception of water) is not permitted on the Reserve, but are permitted on the beach. No alcohol on the Reserve and the beach. Dogs are not permitted and there is no smoking allowed. Drones are also banned from the Reserve and beach.

Where to Stay:

Catamaran Resort Hotel
3999 Mission Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92109
Telephone: 858 488 1081

Where to Eat:

Old Town Mexican Restaurant and Café
2489 San Diego Avenue
San Diego, CA 92110
Telephone: 619 297 4330

What to Eat: