Get to Know San Diego

Do you enjoy small amusement parks? San Diego’s Belmont Park may be just to your taste.

The main attraction is the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster. This is an old, wooden coaster, but it’s still quite exciting to ride. It was built in 1925, but don’t think that it’s boring just because it’s more than 80 years old.

There are more attractions as well. The Beach Blaster swings riders in circles and up into the air. The Chaos will spin you in three dimensions at random, so be prepared to get dizzy! There are also bumper cars and an arcade. (more…)

Seaport Village is perhaps my favorite shopping center in San Diego. I don’t go there often, and it doesn’t have the major department stores, but if you enjoy unique and quirky shops, this is the shopping center for you.

My personal favorite has always been the Lefty Shop. I’m right handed, and they mostly sell tools for lefties, but they have things anyone can enjoy. I love my “counter clock” I bought there. Look at a regular clock in a mirror, and that’s what my clock looks like. The double takes that clock gets is simply classic.

The combination of shopping, park, entertainment and waterfront really makes Seaport Village stand out. Many shops are more geared toward tourists than locals, but there’s plenty for locals to enjoy. (more…)

One of the natural wonders available in La Jolla are its sea caves. These caves have been carved out of the cliffs, and are home to a variety of sea life.

Some of the cliffs are unstable, so you are not able to go near them, but others are just fine. Of course, the ones humans no longer go on or in have more wild animals, such as seals and sea lions, and pelicans and other sea birds. You might see dolphins or harmless leopard sharks in the water.

There are services, such as Kayaking San Diego, which offer tours of the sea caves. That particular service offers an amateur naturalist as your guide, and you propel yourself in a kayak for the best possible view of the sea life and caves. It’s very physical, obviously, but also an amazing tour. (more…)

La Jolla is a part of the city of San Diego in many ways, yet it is also separate. Mail sent to La Jolla addresses is marked San Diego by some but La Jolla by others without a problem.

La Jolla is Spanish for “The Jewel” and La Jolla is lovely indeed. Its beaches are sandy and beautiful, there are palm trees all around, and you just won’t believe the many high class stores. If you’re an art lover, there are plenty of shops for you. Love clothing and fashion? You’ll find plenty of hot styles. Love food? Picking from the many restaurants will take some effort. The jewelry stores are simply fabulous.

Many of the beaches are sandy, but you can also find marvelous tide pools to delight the children. You’ll find a wonderful variety of sea anemones, crabs and even small fish in the tide pools. (more…)