Visiting Our Kids in San Diego (April 15-20, 2024)
- Chris
- Apr 20, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 6, 2024
Contributed by Chris
4/15/2024
In late-2023, our son Alex and his girlfriend Jess relocated from Minneapolis to San Diego. We were very excited to visit and experience their new home in southern California. We arrived in the early evening and were surprised how much cooler 60° on the coast feels compared to 60° in the dry air of Denver. We should have packed more long pants and layers - lesson learned. Alex and Jess live in the Ocean Beach neighborhood - referred to as O.B. or 1502 by the locals. Google describes Ocean Beach as a vibrant, bohemian neighborhood, with a classic SoCal beach vibe where surfers and sunbathers fill the namesake beach. Newport Avenue is the main artery of O.B. lined with souvenir shops, surf boutiques, restaurants, taquerias and brewpubs. Our first night we had a nice, casual dinner at Wonderland Ocean Pub which is across the street from the beach and one block off Newport.
4/16/2024
Feeling the need for outdoor adventure, we headed up the coast to Torrey Pines State Beach. We had a nice hike that traversed the Guy Fleming Trail, Razor Point Trail, and Yucca Point Trail. The wet winter delivered spring growth with lush foliage and colorful wildflowers. The views from the bluffs were spectacular. We made our way down the Beach Trail from the bluffs to the beach. The tide was out so we were able to walk along the beach back to the parking lot. In total, our hike was very manageable totaling 4-½ miles with 600 feet of elevation gain. Our physical exertion earned us a late lunch at Ketch Grill & Taps on Shelter Island in Point Loma. Double cheeseburger, beet salad, and a flight of beers from Ketch Brewing hit the spot. Sunsets in San Diego are magical and everyone seems to slow down, hit the pause button, and watch the sun slip into the ocean. On this night, we took part in this ritual at one of the premier sunset spots - the base of the Ocean Beach pier (slated for demolition due to failing infrastructure).
4/17/2024
We started our day with a whale watching excursion through Legacy Whale Watch in Mission Bay. The cost of a 3-hour tour was a very reasonable $29/person. The water was a little rough and a few passengers did not respond well. Although the sun was shining, it was cold on the water. We saw sea lions, dolphins, a gray whale, and two very active fin whales. The crew did an excellent job creating a memorable experience. After our time on the water, we headed up the beach and grabbed lunch at Woody's Breakfast and Burgers on the boardwalk in Pacific Beach. As mentioned previously, sunsets in San Diego are magical. On this night we headed to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. It was a great spot to watch the sunset and surfers catching the last waves of the day. After darkness settled in, we headed to OB Noodle House Bar 1502. They have a great menu with Asian inspired dishes and a very fun atmosphere.
4/18/2024
After a couple days of non-stop activity, we took a day to slow down and explore the Ocean Beach neighborhood on foot. We saw many pretty flowers in bloom while strolling. The beach at Ocean Beach is great for walking in the sand and searching for seashells and beach glass. At the north end of the beach is Dog Beach, where some of the luckiest dogs in the world can frolic in the sand and water on a daily basis. At the south end is the Ocean Beach Pier. Originally opened in 1966, the pier is currently closed due to structural damage from storms and high surf. The city of San Diego has determined that the current pier will be demolished and a replacement pier will be constructed in its place. At the base of the pier and continuing south are tide pools which are fascinating to explore during low tide. After exploring, we headed a block inland and enjoyed a late-lunch / happy hour at La Dona OB Cantina.
4/19/2024
The day’s adventures started with a visit to Cabrillo National Monument which commemorates the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in San Diego Bay in 1542. This was the first time a European expedition landed on what later became the United States’ West Coast. We hiked the Bayside Trail, an easy 2.3 mile out-and-back trail with 340 feet of elevation gain and spectacular views of San Diego’s harbor, skyline, Coronado Island, the Naval Air Station, and Tijuana off in the distance. We also visited the Old Point Loma Lighthouse which was built in 1855. Next stop was Seaport Village, a waterfront shopping and dining complex adjacent to the USS Midway and the Convention Center in downtown San Diego. Seaport Village caters to tourists and is a stop on the Old Town Trolley. We then ventured across the Coronado Bridge to Coronado Beach. We walked through the lobby of the grand and historic Hotel del Coronado. The resort opened in 1888 and has been hosting presidents, royalty, celebrities, and beach lovers ever since. After walking Coronado Beach and admiring the homes along Ocean Boulevard, it was time for the next adventure. We drove through Balboa Park but time was limited and we were unable to explore. Our next visit to San Diego will absolutely include spending quality time in Balboa Park. We had a fun, casual dinner at Bay Hill Tavern in Bay Park, where our son Alex works.
4/20/2024
Our last day in San Diego started with a tour of Alex and Jess’ new place. They found a charming one-bedroom home in Ocean Beach. While the interior of their home is small, they do have a beautiful, good-sized, private back yard to expand their living space. We were reminded that there is a premium price to live in such an amazing place. Before heading to the airport, we had a great lunch at Mike’s Taco Club - grilled fish tacos for Chris and veggie tacos for Stephanie.
We truly enjoyed exploring San Diego’s beach communities - each one with a distinct vibe and personality. San Diego’s beaches are renowned for their excellent weather, beautiful coastline, abundant surfing, and breath-taking sunsets.
● Coronado: Great place to swim, sunbathe, and people watch. Best known as the home of the historic hotel and beach resort Hotel del Coronado.
● Point Loma: Land of the original founders of San Diego known for its historic lighthouse, famous tide pools, Sunset Cliffs, and Cabrillo National Monument.
● Ocean Beach: Laid-back beach town filled with the best beachy things like surf shops, outdoor cafes, and beaches.
● Crown Point / Mission Bay: Bayfront living with stunning views, wandering paths and home to Sea World.
● Mission Beach: Classic boardwalk beach town with two miles of oceanfront boardwalk, numerous rental shops and the Belmont Amusement Park.
● Pacific Beach: Beachfront neighborhood known for its boardwalk and collection of casual bars, restaurants, and shops.
● La Jolla: Upscale area with beautiful ocean views, ritzy boutiques, and fine dining. Home to the popular hiking trails of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
We look forward to returning for more visits. Perhaps one day, we will call one of these beach communities home.
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