Take a breath, relax.  I’m not leaving out San Diego.  SD is like the laid back friend in the cool clique that you don’t always realize is there, but you sure as hell would miss them if they disappeared.  Fly into San Diego airport and you immediately realize that even though it’s a major city, it doesn’t have that on the go, high intensity crush that the cities up the state have.   Totally different vibe.

Getting There

We’d usually drive down and again, you’ve gotta be flexible with traffic.  Avoid morning rush hour and the afternoon rush.  There’s nothing much to see until you get almost out of Orange County, right about San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente.  We’ll circle back to both these cities because yes, there’s stuff to visit here, but this post is all about SD.

Oceanside & Carlsbad

Oceanside/Carlsbad is where you’ll find Legoland.  Indulge your inner kid.  If you have kids, then all the better.  I always feel like any kid who might be an engineer or architect when they grow up would find their purpose if they ever visit Legoland.

San Diego County

There’s plenty to see/do in San Diego County.  Notice how I say that in every post talking about a different part of the State.  LoL!  From Balboa Park with tons of museums, the zoo and the Old Globe theater to the beach.  One thing about SD, you’re never far from the water.  If you’re still indulging your inner kid, check out Mission Beach which has Belmont Park.  It’s a boardwalk amusement park and has the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster.

Sports

For the sports minded, yes the Chargers moved upstate to LA, but check out a Padres game at Petco Park.  It was ranked the #1 baseball stadium…best sightlines, great food and the best craft beer from all around the San Diego area.  Finding the stadium isn’t hard.  It’s downtown so you can combine a stroll through the Gaslamp Quarter with a baseball game.  Just cross the skybridge to get to either.  Good city planning right there.

Navy Base San Diego

San Diego is known as a Navy town because Navy Base San Diego has a significant presence.  If your timing it right and you’re interested, check out Fleet Week which happens in October and November.  Activities include air and sea parades and ship tours at the pier.  I’m prior service in the Navy, so I’m always going to share Navy things with you.  If you can’t time Fleet Week, there’s still the USS Midway which is a great opportunity to get onboard a carrier.  There’s also the Maritime Museum to add to the mix.

San Diego’s got you covered from museums to sports to beaches and even the Navy.  I didn’t cover everything here, but you know the pattern by now…more detail in upcoming posts.  Until then,

May the road rise to meet you and the wind be at your back,

Jae