Get to Know San Diego

No matter what the calendar says, summertime hits San Diego pretty early. You may have to accept some May grey or June gloom, but aside from that the weather gets really nice really early in the year.

Obviously in a place like this, you have a lot of options as the weather warms up. The late spring is a great time to go hiking around San Diego county… not so hot that you feel like you’re going to melt if you’re inland, and all the plants are blooming. It’s the time of year that San Diego has plenty of green. (more…)

Windansea Beach is not your typical sandy beach. It’s also not one of those uncomfortable beaches with nothing but small rocks to walk on. The rocks here are big. Really big.

Don’t get me wrong. There’s sand on this beach. Plenty of it. But the sandstone rocks give it a truly unique appearance, unlike what you probably think of when you think of a sandy beach. And it’s beautiful.

Be prepared when you go to Windansea. There’s a distinct lack of restrooms. There are lifeguards in summer and sometimes on spring and fall weekends, as well as separate swimming and surfing areas. (more…)

Located at the Northwest end of San Diego, within the city limits, Torrey Pines offers you over 2000 wild and natural acres. Along with the trees of Torrey Pines, there’s a visitor center, miles and miles of trails, miles of beaches, and a lagoon that’s a vital area for seabirds.

The State Preserve of Torrey Pines not only preserves the trees but the salt marshes and waterfowl refuges as well. The Torrey Pines State Beach here stretches nearly four miles, from Del Mar to the sandstone cliffs of Torrey Pines Mesa.

Also found here is Blacks Beach, located at the base of the 300 foot cliffs. The cliffs here offer paragliding, remote control gliding, and even hang gliding. At the north end of Blacks Beach, clothing is optional. To be on the safe side, always read the signs and follow the rules of the beach.

With plenty to offer, Torrey Pines State Preserve is a great addition to the already vast area of San Diego. You can visit here from San Diego, as it’s a short drive away. Torrey Pines has great beaches and plenty of trails for you to see. As a family trip, Torrey Pines is a great place to spend the afternoon on your once in a lifetime vacation.

Located in San Diego California, the Cabrillo National Monument provides a historic lighthouse with plenty of activities. There are great views here as well, with tidepools, flora and fauna, whales to watch, and even military history.

The Monument offers hiking along designated trails, bicycling on paved roadways, and swimming within the park boundaries. Fishing is permitted here as well, with hook and line - although only one fish may be taken. When walking the trails and exploring, make sure to be on the lookout for cliff areas, as they can be very unstable. (more…)

San Diego’s Mission Beach is a part of The Strand, a stretch of sandy beach over 2 miles long. It’s one of the most popular beaches in San Diego, and no wonder! Beautiful sand, good surf, and if you want to have a little off-beach fun, Belmont Park is right there.

Mission Beach features a narrow boardwalk, which can become crowded at times with all the people walking, skating and riding bicycles. You can only go 8 miles per hour or less - this is not the place to hurry.

The beach does have lifeguard protection, but it varies by season. You may want to check with lifeguards for exact hours, but normal summer hours are 9 AM to dusk. (more…)