This is post 2 for today, Wednesday May 25.
It was our first full day here in San Diego. Phew, we had a busy, fun, hectic, and knowledge FULL day.
We went to bed early, local 8:45 pm, but to our bodies it was 11:45 because Sarasota time is still in us. Which means we both woke up early, say 2:45, which is 6 hours. Of course that's too early for anything, so we tried to get more sleep. Not much luck. Finally at 5:30, after much tossing and turning and quick cat naps, we got up for the day.
After getting ready we headed to the Sea N Air golf course on North Island for breakfast. The course open 35 years ago, just before I pcs'ed from SD to Philly. It has matured into a beautiful course and the clubhouse is very nicely done.
We're in the Navy Gateway Inn
Adriana on the practice putting green
Then off to Coronado to catch the Old Town Trolley tour. Well, they don't start until 9:30 local, so we found a good parking spot ($10.00 for 6 hours! Every thing is expensive in Coronado/SD!) and then went for a walk along the Hotel Del Coronado.
The hotel is old but a classic and of course expensive ($450.00 and much more per night!). The beach is free though and we walked along the beautiful beach with the Pacific in front of us, Mexico to our left (south), Point Loma to our right and just a nice quiet environment all around us. There were the usual suspects - the joggers, walkers, watchers, workers, waves, and even a surfer and jet ski! A very nice setting with the perfect weather!
Did you know the average temperature for San Diego is 70? With less than 10 inches of rain all year!? Take that Seattle!
We got to the pick up point, purchased our tickets, and off we go on a two hour tour around San Diego. We went first to Balboa park to pick up and drop off, then Little Italy, Old Town, the Embarcadero, downtown San Diego and then back to Coronado. It was a great way to get an overview of the city and its history. Lots and lots of cool facts and wonderful places to explore. We really need a week or two to do justice to all the neat places. With just three days we have to make some hard choices.
So, after the tour we stopped in at Mc P's Place for lunch for two reasons. The first is that it was right there at the last drop off point (also our starting point) and second is that it is THE Navy SEAL gathering place. The owner is a former SEAL and his brothers support the place very well.
The food was very good. Adriana had the ruben and I had the Dubliner which combines a hamburger with corned beef. Both were very good.
Then we went and got "Adri", you know, our trusty steed, and off to the South Western Most point, well, as far as we could get to anyways, of the United States at the Border State Park:
This was the closet we could legally get to the South WESTERN most point in the United States
There is a park that is closer (see Google Maps), but we couldn't access it.
There be Tijuana Mexico behind that hill!
To compare:
This was our trip to the Southern Most Point in Key West!
The two points are really, really different in almost every way.
After the Border visit, we headed to Balboa Park.
Man has it changed and not changed in 34 years! Then again, what hasn't!? We found a parking place (free!) near the Air museum. Then walked miles and miles.
First the Air Museum:
But to save time and energy, we decided to skip the the Air museum tours and went on. We chose the Japanese garden for a good visit. We both love them for many reasons - but primarily for their beauty, simplicity and serenity:
The pictures show you that this is a very nice place indeed. It goes up and down the steep Balboa Park hillside and is really a wonderful walk!
We ended that part and went onto the some more - coffee at the Prado, then a walk around the museums. There's art, music, model railroad, science, modern art, and more gardens. A mini Smithsonian set up, but at the local level. Balboa Park is the largest municipal (city) park in the USA. There is a lot!
OK, that's a quick update of our first full day in San Diego. Tomorrow? A Prime Rib buffet at the Golf Course, then the San Diego Zoo. Time permitting Point Loma too! Another busy day for us, fun and safe with God's Blessings and protection.
May God love you and bless and keep you always. TTYT!
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