Get to Know San Diego

The San Diego International Airport has been in operation for more than 75 years. It’s located near downtown San Diego. Like any major airport, it is quite busy, but things generally run fairly smoothly.

The biggest challenge San Diego’s airport faces is that it is a single runway airport. Many propositions have been floated to find a way to either expand or move the airport, but so far no acceptable solution has been found. A favored alternative, that of taking over Marine Corps Air Station Miramar has many problems, not the least of which is the fact that the military has no intention of leaving that property.

Most international flights from San Diego are to either Mexico or Canada. (more…)

Tecolote Canyon is a sentimental favorite of mine, as I grew up near it. The word Tecolote means “owl”, but you don’t see many owls there these days. The park is about 900 acres and about six miles of hiking trails.

Tecolote Canyon is a park owned by the city, and work is being done to bring it back to its original natural state. It’s quite a challenge. Much of the canyon has homes overlooking it, and many have ice plant growing to help in case of a fire.

You have to watch out for rattlesnakes and poison oak when hiking Tecolote Canyon. Those aren’t the only hazards, but there are the ones most commonly faced. You can see other wildlife in there. Coyotes can be quite a problem for homeowners along Tecolote Canyon as well.

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Old Town in San Diego is fun for visitors and locals. There’s fun shopping, great restaurants and a museum. You can also visit a variety of historic buildings and enjoy living history demonstrations.

San Diego was the first permanent settlement by the Spanish in California. Old Town became a State Historic Park in 1968. Some of the buildings that still stand include the Mason Street School, La Casa de Bandini and La Casa de Estudillo.

Old Town is home to more than 100 shops and 24 restaurants. You can get some great Mexican food, of course, as well as other kinds of food. My personal favorite is Rockin’ Baja Lobster. (more…)