San Diego, CA

Torrey Pines State Park

So going from Hawaii to San Diego isn't a bad thing, right?   The weather is consistent year round in both locations.   We stayed 14 days at Sweetwater Summit Campground about 9 miles from downtown San Diego.   The temperature never got over 85 while there and in the shade it was very comfortable with constant breeze.   We heard on the evening news they were going through a heat wave.   Really, 85 degree heat wave?  

So for most of our trip we have been on the go trying to get in as much in at each location as possible since we didn't spend much time at any spot.   For San Diego, we decided to do a combination of exploring and hanging around the campsite......recharge our batteries a little and also save some money.   

We did do the touristy thing and took the San Diego Trolley around the city to get a flavor and history of the city and make sure we didn't miss anything.   There were 12 stops along the way and we could get off and on the trolley as needed to walk the area.  First, San Diego is fairly large with 3.2 million resident and located in a desert.   We assumed since the weather is consistently between 72-82 degrees it would be lush and green.   The area has trees and landscaping but everything you see was planted by man and it barely rains with 12" per year (the early Spanish missions built adobe homes and churches since there were no trees).   Some highlights from the trolley tour was Old Town (historic area), where the missions started, the island of Coronado that has the famous Hotel De Coronado built in 1888, and Balboa Park with 1200 acres of open spaces, museums, botanical gardens and the San Diego Zoo (the park was very nice and busy the day we were there).  

We did see a Padre's game since they were playing the Washington Nationals (Kami's team).    Unfortunately, the Nationals traded Juan Soto and Josh Bell a couple of days before the game and Josh Bell hit the home run that sealed the win for the Padre's.  National's World Series win is an ancient memory. 😜  After the game we walked into the Gas Lamp district for Sushi.  

We went to several beaches as well......Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, along with Torrey Pines State Beach.    Torrey Pines State Beach was nice with hiking along the cliffs over looking the water.   Mission Bay was another nice area were you could ride your bike around the bay or take it onto the beach board walk where Mission and Pacific Beach are located.   

From Torrey Pines we took route 101 further up the coast another 20 miles and come across small towns that where the images I expected to see out of California. 

Nice campground in Bonita (9 miles from downtown San Diego).  14 days with highs of 85 during the day.  In the shade with breeze was very comfortable.   

We spent more time around the campground just to relax.  Playing Mexican Train and teaching Kami Backgammon.

Had a few indigenous species at the campground. This is the first time I have actually seen a Roadrunner and they are fast running birds true to their name.   Jack Rabbits where also plentiful in the campground.

Took a couple of hikes at the campground.   As I have described, San Diego is a desert.   

View from trail back towards campground about 3 miles away.  We are next to reservoir.

What are my shoes doing in this blog?   I bought these shoes before was started this trip.   I have used them religiously on every hike we have taken and they are on their last steps......the bottom grip is rubbed out and I have holes throughout.   Can I get a few more miles out of them? 

Hotel De Coronado built in 1888 on the island of Coronado.   Beautiful grand old hotel with lots of history.

Backside of Hotel De Coronado.  

The backside of the hotel with beach and boardwalk.

The picture up top is from Torrey Pines State Park.   This is the trail that takes you down to cliff side of beach.  Danger abound as the signs says but Kami doesn't care.  She seeks out danger!  

Almost down to bottom of cliffs.   Danger sign shows rocks falling but Kami doesn't care.  She smiles at danger. 

On the beach from cliffs.  At high tide the water comes up against the cliffs.  Look down at my feet to see the shoes!  They have been on the Rock Mountains, Moab Desert, and now West Coast beach.  

Mission and Pacific Beach are side by side.  We took the bikes for a ride along the boardwalk.   On the other side of the beach is Mission Bay where you can also bike and walk around the bay.   Nice area!

Had to go see a game since the Washington Nationals were in town.   We wore our colors at the game.

  

We got there early to watch batting practice.  Padres won the game with Josh Bell home run.   

After the game we hit the Gas Lamp district right beside the stadium for Sushi.   Once we got back to the campground we had margaritas  😀.   Got the mix from Costco.

So our last day at San Diego we went to Sunset Cliffs.   Unfortunately it was cloudy that evening.

Surfers on the water.   Cliffs and protruding rocks made it somewhat dangerous. 

And this is what we got for sunset.   See ya San Diego.