SoCAL FOR 72
David and I are really lucky. We both have great jobs with wonderful perks! One of those perks for David’s position is an annual trip to a typically tropical location to celebrate a successful year of hitting previously set goals. His employer pays for the travel, accommodations, and most activities and no one is expected to work! It’s simply for pleasure…and maybe a little networking! Some advice: never leave a job like that!
This year’s destination was San Diego, CA in March 2020. Thankfully, David met his 2019 goals, and we were on the list to head to sunny SoCal! We originally planned to be there for 5 days, but COVID had other plans (stay tuned for how that went down). We ended up spending a total of 72 wonderful (& jam-packed) hours in The Golden State and can’t wait to go back!
TUESDAY
After spending Monday night at a hockey game, we woke at the crack of dawn on Tuesday to catch an early flight to paradise! We touched down in San Diego and it was still morning time! God Bless a 2 hour time difference and being able to spend the whole day exploring a new city! We actually stayed on Coronado Island, CA which is just across the bay from San Diego. It made for beautiful views of downtown SD from our hotel. I had heard that San Diego is known for their out of this world Mexican food (seems fitting since it’s only a hop, skip and jump away from the Mexican border) so we had lunch at a Mexican restaurant and relaxed with a mid day Sangria since we were on vacation time! The rest of the day we settled into the hotel, took a dip in the pool, and explored the island. A highlight was watching a Dole ship bring bananas into the port!
WEDNESDAY
We must have won the rainy weather lottery because we saw an abnormal amount of rainfall for SoCal. What happened to 75 and sunny all year ’round? Thankfully, the rain cleared up by mid day, and we were able to hit the beach! As I mentioned, our hotel was bayside so obviously, the ocean was on the other side of the island. We were naive and decided to hoof it all the way to the beach with beach bags and chairs in tow. If we had to do it again, I would have taken an Uber but ya live and ya learn. Coronado Beach was unlike any beach I’ve ever been to. It seemed like we walked a mile from the entrance of the beach before we were in the water. There was no shortage of sand and space to sprawl. This beach was located next to San Diego’s naval base so naval ships and jets were seen in every direction. In the evening, we took a ferry to downtown SD to eat at a restaurant near the home of the San Diego Padres and explore the Gaslamp Quarter which is an area filled with restaurants and bars. We even drank a beer at the oldest pub in San Diego!
THURSDAY
We woke up to news that the events that brought us there for David’s work were cancelled (we arrived in SD a few days before the events were set to begin). At that moment, we were glad we went a few days early to get a taste of this fine city but also concerned about our plans to return home. After many back and forth calls with the Southwest reps, we were booked on a direct flight home the next day. Bless! To make the most of the rest of our time, we rented bikes for the afternoon! We biked around the island and down the Silver Strand which is a narrow piece of land that separates the Pacific Ocean and the San Diego Bay. Half way into the ride, we stumbled upon more rain…BUT I am so glad that we did. We stopped at a restaurant for a late lunch and let the rain pass. David and I both got fish tacos, and I am here to tell you they were some of the best tacos I’ve ever eaten. Boy, did that place know their way around Mexican seafood! That evening we ferried back over to San Diego to walk by the USS Midway Museum which is an old naval aircraft carrier turned into a museum. We also paid a visit to the Little Italy neighborhood. It was nearly heaven…Italian restaurants for blocks!
FRIDAY
We ate breakfast at the hotel (no joke, 1 single pancake cost $9) and boarded a mid morning flight back home. We were sad to be leaving early, but it was best considering all that was happening in the world.
After visiting, I can see why San Diego’s nickname is “America’s Finest City” between the beaches, attractions, views, and food! We really enjoyed the trip even though it was somewhat of a roller coaster (thanks, COVID). The next opportunity we get, we are going back for more sun, sand, and fish tacos for every meal!!
Chat soon!
Kelsey
