The Pacific Coast Highway, which connects the entire west coast of the United States, was jammed despite its 7 lanes of traffic. We were leaving Los Angeles for San Diego on the Mexican border. On our right, the ocean was calmer than ever! My dream of surfing in the Pacific had been dashed long ago, as, as the local surfers informed me, there were no waves at all at that time… However, the landscapes and experiences more than compensated. As we approached our destination, the climate became warmer and more pleasant. After all, the area is in the top ten of the best climate conditions in North America!
– Our first stop is the graphic Old Town San Diego Historic Park in the city center. It is home to the first settlement established in 1769, with well-preserved buildings from the early Mexican-American period. The setting is very reminiscent of Mexico and includes museums, historical exhibits, and a plaza where Mariachi bands will be playing their guitars. Admission is free to the public, and the restaurants have a range of choices, mainly Mexican cuisine.
– Our next stop is USS Midway Museum. It is the most visited aircraft carrier-museum in the United States. It was decommissioned in 1992 after 47 years of service and since 2004 it has hosted a series of war exhibits and activities, while a tour of the ship's countless spaces can take many hours. A special highlight is the veteran officers who volunteer to provide information and tell stories from life on the aircraft carrier! Nearby is also the San Diego Maritime Museum (Museum of Naval History) with 9 period ships and 2 decommissioned submarines, which attract many sea lovers.
– The Seaport Village It is a shopping center-settlement in the port area, which caught our attention due to its accessibility, the pedestrian and bicycle paths that cross the settlement. There was even a Greek restaurant with Mexican waiters of course!
– The island is located in San Diego Bay Coronado, known to Californians as a tourist destination since the early 20th centuryth century! We crossed the 3.4 km bridge by car and arrived at the island. The view of the skyscrapers of San Diego is unique, while the beaches of the island are excellent! After a meal at the Italian restaurant The Coronado Baker, we headed to the historic hotel Hotel Coronado, which first opened its doors in 1888 and has been operating ever since! It has been a favorite residence of US Presidents and Hollywood stars, while the movie "Some Like It Hot" with Marilyn Monroe was also filmed there.
Other areas worth seeing in San Diego:
– The Balboa Park. It's a beautiful area, a breath away from downtown San Diego with 17 (!?) museums and lots of greenery! One day might not be enough to see them all… The park's most famous attraction is the zoo with over 3,700 animal species, while the San Diego Automotive Museum and the Air & Space Museum are also particularly noteworthy.
– San Diego means beaches. Two of the best are Mission Beach and the Pacific BeachBoth are famous for their cafes and bars that create a "lively" atmosphere, while it is worth taking a moment to observe the surfers in the waves of the Pacific Ocean...
-The beach La Jolla It is another stunning coast with impressive caves and wonderful seafood restaurants. You may also encounter seals there, who seem to prefer the caves and rocky shore to sunbathe!
– The neighborhood Gaslamp quarter, located in the heart of downtown San Diego with restaurants and vibrant nightlife.
– Little Italy: A stylish, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, filled with trendy restaurants, creative cocktail bars, shopping malls and cafes.
What we gained from the San Diego, either because of the ideal climate or because of the mix of culture and civilizations, is that it is an ideal holiday destination, worth visiting. The simple people who did various activities, such as cycling, surfing, jogging, etc., the marina with the numerous boats create a relaxed atmosphere, ideal to relax and feel truly beautiful. It is one of the few cities in the world, where we could comfortably live there….
For our stay in San Diego we chose the Holiday Inn Express, which we were completely satisfied with...
H continuity of roadtip here…
