Southern California

San Diego ~ a look at our favorite beaches

shaunaaguirre — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 17:08:55 +0000

As avid beach goers, we hunt for the best beaches when we travel. We are fortunate to live in San Diego where there is an abundance of great beaches to visit. We will share our 5 favorite beaches in San Diego with you. Whether you’re looking for the perfect swimming /surfing beach or a long walk to watch the sunset, it’s all here. La Jolla Shores Considered one of the top 10 beaches in the Country, this beach has something for everyone. If you have kiddos, this is a perfect beach for them. The waves rarely get big here and the gentle shore break make it easily accessible for children. Because this area is a marine preserve, the snorkeling here is some of the best in the city. During the months of July thru September, the leopard sharks come here to spawn. You can find hundreds of them here. They are harmless to humans as they feed on clams, shrimp and fish eggs. They range in size from 1-4 feet and are an exciting site to see. The north end of the beach has a gentle wave that is perfect for the beginner surfer. In addition, there are several kayak rental places located close by. They offer kayak tours to the La Jolla caves. This is a bucket list experience for tourists and locals alike. to Torrey Pines If it’s a picturesque, long walk on the beach you crave, this is the storybook beach for you. From the Shores, you can walk for several miles to the North. You’ll pass by the Scripps Pier, flat rock beach and can go all the way to Torrey Pines state beach. Sunset’s from this beach are epic. It is not uncommon to see dolphins & seals playing in the waves. During the months of October – March the California Grey Whales are migrating and whale spotting is common. TPSB is accessible from the parking lot along California State Route 1 to the North of La Jolla, just South of Del Mar. The parking here is ample and provides easy access to the beach. Additionally, you’ll find plenty of public restrooms and fresh-water showers. The swimming here is fun! If you are into fishing, this is just North of the preserve and surf fishing is world-class. The presence of sandstone cliffs makes this an incredibly picturesque location. Just like The Shores, you will often see Dolphins, seals and during the whale migration, plenty of California Grey whales. If you’re looking for an amazing beachside hike, this is it. The trails that lead up from the parking lot allow for an easy yet scenic hike and end with a path down to the beach. OB is our “home” beach. Nestled in the quaint hippie community town of OB, this beach features “swim” only and “surf” only areas. There are many surf shops available nearby that offer rentals. This is a perfect beach for the beginner surfer. If you’re into swimming, the waves are generally small and a perfect place for kiddos to boogie board. Just to the south is the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier. Built in 1966, it is the longest concrete pier in the world and the second longest ocean pier in California. Stretching just under ½ mile long, you can enjoy a great walk while checking out the surfers in the waves below. Just a short walk to the North is the unique Dog’s beach. Everyday, you’ll find hundreds of dog owners with their fur children enjoying the waves, water and company of other dogs. One of our favorite places to ride bikes, Stand-up paddle and fish is Mission Bay Park. Mission Bay Park is the largest aquatic park of its kind in the country. Mission Bay boasts 27 miles of shoreline, 19 of which are sandy beaches with eight locations designated as official swimming areas. There are several landmark hotels that line the bay and offer private beaches, bonfire pits and beach front accommodations. At the west end is a network of channels and islands – a perfect spot for everyone from windsurfers to water- skiers. There are numerous places to swim or rent boats and paddle boards. Our favorite jump off point on the bay is Dana Landing. This location is a hub for all bay and ocean activities. They offer day rentals of everything from SUP’s, kayaks, small boats, jet skis and fishing charters. This one stop shop features beachwear, a full-service bait and tackle shop and one of the best deli’s in San Diego. Whether you’re looking for a great pair of sunglasses, flip flops or a place to stock up on sandwiches, beer and wine and snacks for your day on the water, The Dana Landing has it all! Coronado State beach No visit to San Diego is complete without a visit to the island of Coronado. You can get there two ways. A ferry ride from the docks at the Broadway street pier or a drive over the 200-foot-tall bridge. This is one of the most special places Southern California has to offer. Coronado state beach is set against the backdrop of the Hotel Del Coronado. This beach boasts miles of walking, great shelling, spectacular views of the Point Loma peninsula and at the North end, a great dog beach. Ferry Landing Marketplace offers a sandy beach area adjacent to fishing/ferry pier. With a grassy lawn and sweeping views of San Diego Bay, this is a great place to take in views of downtown San Diego while enjoying the tranquil waters of the bay. Coronado beach dunes Access to the main Coronado Beach is from the area near the “Hotel Del.” There are free parking spaces along Ocean Boulevard. This wide family-friendly beach gets crowded, but it is wide enough that you can find a place to spread out comfortably. Sometimes near the hotel there are elaborate large sandcastles to view and photograph. Apparently, sometime back in the 1980s, a city maintenance worker who cleaned up the beach sand with heavy equipment was trying to get rid of tons of seaweed washed on shore after a big storm. Having no place to dispose of it, he started piling sand over the seaweed, creating the dunes. However, in a fun twist, he decided to be creative and formed the dunes to spell out the word “Coronado.” Although only visible from the air, these dunes provide a fun place for children to play, a great place to exercise and are a historic piece of Coronado. While in San Diego, be sure to visit one of our favorite places, Old Town!

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Old Town San Diego ~ The Birthplace of California

shaunaaguirre — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 04:26:36 +0000

Whether you live in San Diego or are just visiting, you’ll want to spend some time in Old Town San Diego. Considered the “Birthplace of California” it is a cultural and historic destination. As a child growing up in San Diego, it was the location of my father’s favorite restaurant and we would come here at least once a week. Here, you will experience the Hispanic culture that built the state of California. You’ll visit the sites of some of the first homes, ranches and churches in the State. Fiesta De Reyes ~ Plaza in Old Town Our favorite way to experience this area is a walking tour that will visit historical places and will treat you to some of the best handmade tortillas and collections of tequilas the city has to offer. We start our tour in the town center at Fiesta de Reyes. This town center offers genuine Mexican restaurants, adorable Mexican-influenced souvenir shops and an opportunity to be immersed in the local culture. Casa de Reyes Restaurant From the time I was 10 years old, our first stop in Old Town is always the tortilla factory shack. Some of the ladies making tortillas here have been doing it for over 20 years. They are some of the best tortillas you’ll ever have. Ask for a pat of butter to put on your warm tortilla; it’s a bit of heaven on earth. Lunch at the adjacent Casa de Reyes will not disappoint. Their “Bird Bath” margarita is an attitude adjustment that will last all day! Personal History As a child, my father became good friends with the mariachi band that played here. The trumpet player had his instrument stolen, and he couldn’t afford a new one. My sweet and generous father purchased one and gifted it to him, making him part of our family. We were weekly regulars in this restaurant. Although it has a different name and ownership, we still love going here. The Presidio ~ The birthplace of San Diego From here we set out for a hike up to The Presidio. Across the street and to the South at the corner of Juan and Mason St. you enter a path that takes you behind the golf course and up to the Presidio. As you pass by the backside of the golf course, you’ll see the remnants of a brick wall that was once part of one of the biggest ranches in the area. Once you arrive at The Presidio, there are a few things you’ll want to see. The Presidio itself is a fort established by Father Junipero Serra in 1769 as a stronghold to protect the European settlers from the indigenous Kumeyaay people. In 1821, the presidio came under Mexican control, and was officially relinquished by the Spanish in 1822. From 1825-1829, it served as the Mexican governor’s residence. The. Junipero Serra Museum is here. There are three statues to see on Presidio hill. An Indian statue that honors the indigenous Kumeyaay Indians, A statue of Father Junipero Serra and a statue of a Mexican Vaquero to honor the early Mexican settlers in the region. Just below the Junipero Serra Museum, is the Serra cross, considered one of the most important landmarks in San Diego. Built in 1913 with tiles from the original Presidio, this spot is considered “The birthplace of California.” Additional trails around here are rich in historical monuments to explore. The continuation of the trail to the South will take you back to Old Town with so much more to see Cemeteries & Churches The “haunted” El Campo Santo Cemetery sits in the middle of the town center. The graves here date back to 1849. Just outside the cemetery, you will discover some grave markers. These were placed when the road and street were built. If you’re lucky enough to visit Old Town on Nov.ember 1st-2nd, you’ll experience the Mexican celebration of Dia de Los Almas (All souls day) and Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead.) These are two of the most important of Mexican holidays with parties and decorations that are a sight to see. Immaculate Conception is a beautiful old Spanish style church worth a visit. Just to the west of the Cemetery is the town center. Here you’ll find one of our favorite souvenir shops, Casa de Aguirre (for obvious reasons! ) Here you’ll find everything from piñatas to Mexican clothing, talavera pottery and locally made hot sauces. If you travel into the town center, there are many museums to see including the site of the first SD Union-Tribune and the first printing press in California. Dining in Old Town We have two other favorite restaurants in Old Town. El Agave boasts the largest collection of tequila in the city and Old Town Mexican Café. While there are many restaurants to choose from in Old Town, these two are the most authentic in cuisine and beverage choices. Old Town Mexican Café has been in operation for more than 40 years. The tortillas are made fresh in a large display window so you can watch from outside. The food is some of the best authentic Mexican food in all of San Diego. They have two large bars with indoor and outdoor seating and the local mariachi’s add a musical component that you won’t find elsewhere. As mentioned previously, if you are able to visit Old Town, SD on the first or second of November, you will see this community in all of its glory as they celebrate the spirits of those that have passed. In our other blog of Old Town San Diego, we dive deeper into the historic sites to see! Check out our other blogs of our favorite places to visit in San Diego, our favorite beaches and our favorite restaurants.

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Borrego Springs, Ca ~ Desert Wild flowers, camping & hiking

shaunaaguirre — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 07:00:00 +0000

Borrego Springs, Ca is one of our favorite places to go for a day trip or a couple of nights. This desert town is a 2 hour drive from San Diego, Los Angeles and Palm Springs. It’s easy to get there and worth the journey. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California. Five hundred miles of dirt roads, twelve wilderness areas, and miles of hiking trails provide visitors with an unparalleled opportunity to experience the wonders of the California desert. The park is named after Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and the Spanish name borrego or bighorn sheep. Everything from outback camping and off road trails to 4 star resorts, with luscious swimming pools, it’s all here! Our favorite places to stay in Borrego Springs There are some great hotels here. Depending on your budget, they range from motels to 4 star accommodations. Some of our favorites are: Palm Canyon hotel and RV Resort which has the feeling of an old western town. If you aren’t planning on being in the room much, it’s perfect, casual and has a cute bar/restaurant. The Borrego Valley Inn is lovely and each room has a patio/courtyard. This hotel is adults only so, very serene and picturesque. Our all-time favorite though is La Casa del Zorro. The accommodations here range from 1-3 bedroom casitas, many with their own pool to beautifully appointed deluxe suites with fireplaces. The restaurant and bar offer breakfast, lunch and dinner and sometimes live music. If camping is your vibe, Palm Canyon Campground has tent and RV camping. There is drinkable water, restrooms and coin operated showers. It sits at the entrance to Palm Canyon and the trailhead for one of our favorite hikes. This hike is 4 miles r/t and is easy for all ages. If you’re not into the campground scene, you can camp anywhere in the park. The best Wild flower viewing areas The peak season in Borrego early February thru late April when the desert wildflowers bloom. This is one of our favorite annual trips. The best flower viewing is usually in Henderson Canyon but it varies year to year and a quick stop at the visitors center in town will get you to the best bloom areas. Our favorite places to visit in Borrego Springs Some of our favorite places to go in Borrego Springs are Font’s Point, Slot Canyon, Coyote Canyon and the Pumpkin Patch, but you’ll need 4wd to get to them. If you don’t have 4wd, check out Palm Canyon, Henderson Canyon and all of the metal statues on DiGorgio road. As you drive around Borrego, you can’t miss the giant metal sculptures by artist Ricardo Breceda that are everywhere and have become a tourist destination on their own. We hope you get a chance to visit this special town.

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