San Diego

Ever since I made a trip down to San Diego last summer with my family, I knew I had to go back and spend more time exploring the city. My boyfriend and I decided on a date, and I spent the entire week ahead of time planning exactly what we would do during our day trip.

Our fist stop and what I was most excited about was La Jolla Cove which is known as Seal Beach because of the dozens of seals that hang out year round. During the winter months, Children's Beach, which is probably the most photographed area of La Jolla Cove, is closed to allow the seals to give birth in peace. The day we went there was actually a one day old baby with its mother. There are other parts long the cove that are accessible during the winter, and you can still get pretty close to the seals. After stopping at Children's Beach, we walked along the cove going out on the rocks wherever we could. We were able to stand just feet away from all the sunbathing seals. The smells is pretty terrible, but the experience was incredible. We kept walking and eventually came to Sunny Jim's Cave store where you can pay $5 to go down 145 man-made steps and end up in a sea cave. This cave was cool, but I wouldn't pay the money to do it again. Overall we spent about 1.5 hours at La Jolla Cove exploring the beaches, rocks, and caves. 

Children's Beach

Seals just chilling

The water is so pretty

Mother and one day old baby

Looking back at Children's Pool

More seals on the rocks

With boo <3

Waves

Tide pools

My new friend

Caves

Steps down to the cave

145 steps

View of the sea cave

Back up we go

So pretty

After leaving La Jolla, we drove further South to San Diego. Our next stop was Balboa Park which is a huge park in downtown San Diego with gardens, museums, and the zoo. Parking was impossible to find on a Sunday afternoon. We drove around to every parking lot and also looked for street parking for at least 30 minutes. After we finally found a spot, our first stop was the Museum of Man. We didn't go in (costs $12.50), but I really just wanted to see the architecture and paint colors from the outside. If I go back I would like to climb the tower to get a bird's eye view and take pictures of the entire park below. After taking pictures at the museum, we then walked to the Botanical Gardens. It's free to enter, but I wasn't impressed with the inside gardens. It was nice, but noting special. I did enjoy looking for fish in the long pond outside. Next we went to the Japanese Garden ($6 to enter) which is currently under renovations to expand the gardens and waterfall. The garden was very peaceful and quiet. I would love to go back when the construction is done next year. Balboa Park reminded me a lot of Central Park in NY where you have the city all around, yet there is a beautiful park right in the middle. I could have spent an entire day in the park, although we only spent about 2 hours in total. I can't wait to go back hopefully when it is less busy. 

Museum of Man

So pretty

Another museum 

Water fountains 

Inside the botanical garden

Very green 

Pond outside the botanical garden

Inside the Japanese Garden

Koi pond

Tea, cheers 

I love you

Our next stop was to drive across the Coronado Bridge onto Coronado Island. Although not really an island since it is connected by a small part of land, the "island" has views of both downtown San Diego on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. We first went to the ocean front Hotel del Coronado which is a famous hotel seen in many movies and is also thought to be haunted. We walked around the grounds of the hotel and also along the beach. There were people taking engagement photos, building huge sandcastles, and enjoying the historic hotel. Here we decided to sit on the rocks and watch the sunset over the ocean. It was one of the most beautiful sunsets I've seen since moving to California. 

Hotel sign

Entrance 

View from the beach

Goodbye sun

Enjoying the sunset

After the sun had set we then headed back to the other side of the island for dinner at Peohe's. The decor is this restaurant was really incredible. There was a waterfall, fish tank, and breathtaking views of downtown San Diego. I felt like I was on a cruise ship. It happened to be San Diego restaurant week so Peohe's was offering a 3 course meal for $40. I had the crab stuffed tilapia and my boyfriend had a steak for our main course. The food was just alright. I wasn't blow away like I was with the ambiance inside. With alcohol, tip, and an additional appetizer, everything came out to be about $200.

View of downtown 

Front of restaurant 

Wine and a view

Appitizer

My tilapia 

Boo's steak

Dessert 

After dinner we were really stuffed so we decided to walk off some of our dinner before heading home. The view of downtown San Diego from Coronado Island was really awesome. The entire city comes alive when the buildings light up. We were exhausted from an incredible packed day so we made the hour drive home and crashed on the couch. I had such a great day in San Diego and can't wit to go back in the summer time.