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All posts for the month August, 2019

Surprising Oregon Wines

Posted by golfkat on August 27, 2019

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Who ever thought Oregon would ever rate as one of the ten best wine destinations (Wine Enthusiast)?

The story of Oregon wine no longer begins and ends with Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, as many of the state’s most exciting new offerings hail from Southern Oregon. The region’s six American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) begin at the California border and extend north nearly to Eugene, with many of the 120 wineries clustered around the town of Ashland, famous for its annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Crater Lake, the Oregon Caves, Rogue River rafting and miles of pristine seashore are among southwest Oregon’s plentiful year-round attractions, rounding out a visit for any wine lover. —Paul Gregutt

Generally, I could care less about how Oregon rates. I am just concerned that the wines are good, and reasonably priced. Since I have a particularly liking for sparklings and champagne, I am not a big buyer of Oregon wines. But I do think some of their wines are quite good.

Which ones?

Here are their ten best: Adelsheim Vineyard (syrah), Archery Summit (Pinot), Argyle (sparkling), Chehalem Wines (2014 winery of the year), Domaine Drouhin (Pinot), Domaine Serene (90 point wines), Elk Cove Vineyards (pinot trilogy), Eyrie Vineyards (pinots and chardonnay), Ponzi Vineyards, and King Estate Winery (organic). I am only familiar, obviously, with Argyle, and not for their socks or sweaters.

I like Reverse Wine Snobs website and newsletters. Here are some of their Oregon recommendations (under $20):

Underwood Rose’ Bubbles

Scott Kelley Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Left Coast Cellars Cali’s Cuvee Pinot Noir

Ransom Reds

Kirkland Signature Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (Costco)**

Troon Red Label Zinfandel

Ponzi Pinot Blanc

Ponzi Pinot Gris

Winecrasher Pinot Gris

Ponzi Willamette Valley Pinot Gris

Sokol Blosser Evolution White

Keeper Cabernet Franc

Brooks Willamette Valley Riesling

Brooks Ara Riesling

Seufert Smith Canyon Vineyard Syrah

Abacela Estate Temperanillo

Elk Cove Pinot Blanc

(most were pinots, so I tried to list some others for you)

So, if you are looking for a decently priced wine, or happen to be driving to or through Oregon, I suggest you stop at one of these fine wineries. With Lexi in the car, my stops will be dictated by wineries with an outdoor seating or tasting area. Better yet, stop by Bread and Wine in downtown Bandon. Nacy will give you everything she knows about the area wines!!! bread wine

**Can you believe Costco sells more than $4.4 billion in alcoholic beverages annually!!!

To Bandon with Abandon

Posted by golfkat on August 26, 2019

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Chances are, if you have heard of Bandon, OR, you are a golfer or a fisherman. My previous trips up to Bandon were for golf. With four world class courses (Bandon Dunes), I felt the courses calling my name in years past.

But fast forward to today, and the desire to get out of the valley heat, and head to cooler climes. And why not a road trip for Lexi? So, while it is a 10+ hour drive up here, we divided the drive, roughly in half, by stopping overnight in Redding.

Apart from the famous golf resorts at Bandon Dunes, the sleepy little town of Bandon has a charm of its own. Mostly looking like a typical fishing village along the southern Oregon coast, it draws tourists like us from California during the cool, and sometimes foggy summers.

They portray themselves as the home of year round fishing, golfing, hiking, cycling, and beach going. Hard to believe the population is just above 3,000, somewhat like our old hometown, Kingsburg, back in the Sixties. Best of all, the average temperature in July and August is 69 degrees F.

But I would not be truthful if I told you this town is a fancy resort area. It is not. It is mostly a collection of old wooden buildings and shacks, within a 3 wood of the ocean. It is a collection of Fifties style motels, weather worn shops, and comfortable old coffee shops. Sprinkled within are some newer structures, like chain restaurants and gas stations.

Rather than confine ourselves to a hotel room, we rented a house (duplex) with a view of the beach. Hopefully, that gives both Lexi and us some room to roam around a little, while we are here for the week. We even have an extra bedroom for unforeseen guests!

Perhaps this will be the start of a summer tradition? Or maybe not, as it is a looooong drive from the Valley.

BTW, I found the cutest little wine bar and tasting place downtown, called Bread and Wine. Nancy is the purveyor, and quite knowledgeable!!! I bought THREE bottles. willamette

Where to Go??

Posted by golfkat on August 25, 2019

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Summer vacations are special, and often difficult to select and plan. One thought, other than cost, is an escape from the summer heat of the San Joaquin Valley. Often, the easy solution is to head over to the central California coast, such as Carmel or Pismo. But sometimes, going elsewhere has appeal.

With that thought in mind, we thought about heading up to cooler weather in Oregon. We have numerous friends who spend their summers up along the Oregon coast. When our little Buddy was alive, we drove up the Oregon coast, for golf, cool weather, wine tasting, great seafood, and relaxation.

The other major part of the equation is being able to take our little Lexi with us on vacation. Yes, it is a long drive up to Oregon. And it is a long time for a puppy to sit in a crate in the back of our mini SUV. But I think it will be worth it for all three of us. We prefer this to leaving her at the pet resort or with a pet sitter.

The drive up to Oregon is long, and rather boring, along I-5. It is mostly farmland, with lots of almond trees. The highlights are probably Lake Shasta, Mount Shasta, and Mount Lassen. We will probably break the trip up on our way north, though our dear friends in Redding have moved away (to Reno).

I recently read an interview with former President Obama about travel. I think you will enjoy it, if you have not already read it. It is quite insightful, whether you agree with his politics or not.

When asked about how traveling and being raised in other countries shaped his character:
By virtue of my birth and upbringing I am somebody who believes in bringing people together instead of separating them into groups of us against them…If we try to reassert the very hard fixed borders at a time when tech and info are borderless not only will we fail but we will see more conflict, more clashes. One of the benefits of travel industry is to remind people of the incredible value of the diversity of this planet and the differences we have…this is what makes the food in Sevilla different from food in Bangkok– they are both really good. But travel also reminds us of what we share and what we have in common and what things we share with each other. If you are wandering thru a small village in Kenya and you see a mother and child playing and laughing, then you realize it’s not that much different than a mother and child in Hawaii or Virginia.
Thank you, Mr. Obama.

So, we are in the state of Oregon, a place that is light years ahead of the rest of our country in health care, euthanasia, taxation, and clean air. But I find it so difficult to recycle our glass and plastic containers

here. What gives??

The Oregon Coast

Posted by golfkat on August 24, 2019

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Having traversed the Oregon coast numerous times by car, I must profess an affinity to southern Oregon. But which Oregon town or city is the best? Cannon Beach seems to always appear on travel web sites, road trip advice, and suggested places to visit.

Newport and Florence are both little towns that boast fishing, some interesting restaurants, and farmers markets. Coos Bay became famous when their native son, Steve Prefontaine became a world class distance runner, though he met an early and tragic death.

Astoria, near the mouth of the Columbia River is generally the northernmost point of departure for most road trippers. Its main claim to fame is serving as the town for Ahhhnold’s movie, Kindergarten Cop.

Cannon Beach, mentioned above, is often listed as one of the 100 most beautiful places in the world, as well as one of the 100 best art towns in the U.S. The film, Goonies, was filmed here.

Just 90 minutes down the road is the Tillamook Cheese Factory. Can you believe it draws over a million visitors a year? It is a dairy co-op, much the same as our favorite co-op in the Valley, Sun Maid Raisins.

The Yaquina Head Lighthouse is Oregon’s tallest. Located in Newport, it is 93 feet tall. It has been around since 1873. Newport also has the Oregon Coast Aquarium. And MASH actor, David Ogden Stiers is from Newport. Speaking of water, some of you have been drawn here to the famous Rogue River jet boat rides. Having done this in New Zealand, and with Lexi in tow, I doubt this will happen again here.

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area has 40 miles of dunes, some of which reach over 500 feet above the ocean. It is one of the most popular places to camp along the Oregon coast.

Florence is known for its famous Sea Lion Caves. It also has a 19th century lighthouse, busy fishing village, and historic Old Town district. I recall a nice seafood place there.

Coos Bay is known for Prefontaine’s home, and the half way point between San Francisco and Seattle. It is also home to the Oregon Coast Music Festival.

Bandon, where we are staying this week, is known for its small town charm, fresh seafood, and gorgeous beaches with over sized rocks. It is also home to the world famous golf resort, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (five golf courses). Bandon is also a center for cranberry production, though us raisin people could care less! The famous Jules Verne book, The Begum’s Fortune, was located precisely here.

So, I think you get the point. There is plenty to see and do along the coast, in the fog or sunshine. And when you get bored, head inland to some of Oregon’s best wine regions.

But the cool weather is what draws most of us from the hot Central Valley here. August generally has highs in the mid 60s, and lows in the low 50s. In other words, just about right. Bring a jacket, build a fire, roast some hot dogs and marshmallows, and save some brandy for the coffee.

We will also be in the area for the Oregon Wine Experience event, based in Jacksonville, OR. Since Lexi is with us, I doubt we can attend any functions. But the vintner dinners sound interesting! And we will see some old high school friends, who spend the summer nearby in Gold Beach.

We had a great barbecue in Gold Beach with three couples we know from back home. We brought a big ring of the fabulous Italian sausage that I make each winter with my younger brother. We had a great time, and they loved the sausage. Thanks to my brother and his buddy, Big Doug!

See you at one of the Oregon wineries or at the beach?? 20190818_075850

Take the Train

Posted by golfkat on August 6, 2019

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Here are some good reasons to take the train, instead of flying:

1.They’re fast. If you think France’s TGV trains and the London-Paris Eurostar are the only high-speed rail routes in Europe, you are way behind the times. Europeans have been developing high-speed routes all over the continent for the past few decades. Depending on the route, high-speed trains in Europe travel 125 to 200 mph. Here’s a list of the major high-speed networks in Europe.

2. They can even be faster than flying. While jets are still a lot faster than trains, and thus more time-efficient for trips longer than about 600 miles, there are many city-pairs where it’s actually faster to take the train when you consider total travel time – i.e., getting to the airport early for heightened security checks; travel time to and from the airport instead of a city center train station, etc.

3. Intermodal connections can be very efficient. Some key gateway airports have built-in rail stations right next to or underneath the terminals where travelers can easily transition from air to train travel. At Frankfurt International Airport, for instance, travelers can connect to trains going all over Germany and beyond, including the nation’s high-speed ICE network. And French National Railroads has a TGV station at Charles de Gaulle Airport. You can get information here on all the major European airports with rail stations.

4. They’re comfortable. Seats are generally bigger than airline seats, with plenty of legroom – especially in first class. Many trains have bar/buffet cars; for first class travelers, meals and drinks are included in the ticket price, and may be served at your seat or in the bar/buffet car. Increasingly, European trains have on-board Wi-Fi. And you can sleep on some trains: For longer rail journeys, some routes operate overnight with trains that offer private sleeping cabins. Here’s a list of Europe’s night train.

5. They take you to the heart of town. Airport stations aside, European rail terminals are generally in the center of cities, so you can easily get to or from your hotel with a short cab ride. In fact, there are usually some hotels within walking distance.

6. Forget about delays. While a big storm can play havoc with airline schedules, trains keep operating through all kinds of weather. And they’re not subject to the kinds of air traffic control congestion that can disrupt on-time flight operations. In terms of operational efficiency, about the only thing that can (and sometimes does) disrupt train travel in Europe is a labor strike.

7. They can be quite scenic. You won’t see much of Europe from the air, but trains bring you up close to alpine vistas, dramatic forests, majestic rivers and other things to see through those big windows from the comfort of your seat. Here’s a list from Eurail of some of Euriope’s most scenic train routes.

Sometimes, the train is a more reasonably priced option. It might eliminate the need to rent a car. And hotels should be within easy walking or Uber distance, as they are in many famous cities, like Washington, DC, Seattle, Vienna, Munich, Tokyo, and London.

You will also meet the most interesting people. I have met people who have won Tony Awards, adopted 60 children, or operated a dairy on an island in Lake Ontario. Or, you might just spend time alone, and get to know yourself a little better?

What else? Take some photos nobody else will have. You will see some of the most beautiful, and most dreadful train stations on earth!! Eat some mediocre food in the dining car. Fall asleep to the clickety clack of the railroad tracks.

Trains in other countries are rarely late. Never late or early in Japan!

I always bring my own food and champagne on my longer trips. Try that (alcoholic beverages) on a plane, you will get reprimanded or fined!!!

Just try it, you just might like it, like me!!! It has been a great ride.

More Bubbly Wisdom

Posted by golfkat on August 5, 2019

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I hope I am not the only sparkling wine fan out there in wine land.

We continue to throw facts at you until something sticks:

The United States ranks second among export markets for Champagne. Only the United Kingdom is a larger export market for Champagne. Champagne sales in the U.S. have increased for six years in a row. Last year, we drank 23.7 million bottles and spent $652 million on France’s finest bubbly.

“Bubbles are emptiness, non-liquid, a tiny cloud shielding a mathematical singularity. Born from chance, a violent and brief life ending in the union with the nearly infinite.” -a university type, who obviously has a different perception of bubbles than you or me!!!

Approximate number of millions (500!!!!!) of bottles of Prosecco DOC produced from last year’s harvest according to Drinks Business. That’s a lot of cheerful (and pretty cheap) Prosecco. But there’s also a higher caliber Prosecco, known as Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG. It costs a few dollars more, but it’s got way more personality and a lot richer flavor. Look for our upcoming Special Edition on Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore later this summer.

My new, and dear English lady friend has provided her review of England’s latest sparklings. To quote her, they are quite “quaffable” in her humble opinion.

Sonoma County’s signature grape varieties are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Those also happen to be two of the predominant grape varieties grown in Champagne, so it makes perfect sense that this coastal region should produce traditional-method sparkling wine.

Sensing the promise of California viticulture, many Champagne companies descended on Napa County in the mid-20th century to try their hand at American sparkling wine. Sonoma didn’t get quite as big of an influx, but there is a European sparkling-wine presence here nonetheless: The Champagne house Piper Heidsieck founded Piper Sonoma in 1980, and in 1986 the Spanish cava company Freixenet arrived on the Sonoma side of Los Carneros to launch Gloria Ferrer.

The county’s two other dominant bubbly houses — Iron Horse and J Vineyards — are all-American, and date back to the 1970s and ’80s, respectively. While J sold to Gallo in 2015, Iron Horse remains owned by the family that founded it. A handful of other notable Sonoma County-based bubbly brands — Ultramarine, Under the Wire, En Tirage — do not operate tasting rooms.

But plenty of other Sonoma wineries dabble in sparkling wine production, with delicious results. After all, the preponderance of two of Champagne’s favorite grapes, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, make the prospect nearly irresistible for a winemaker. –Esther Mobley

California Champagne-method sparklers tend to use traditional Champagne grapes, too: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A third grape, Pinot Meunier, is often used in Champagne but is less common in California. And some trivia: Schramsberg does have a little bit of an obscure white grape called Flora, a cross of Gewurztraminer and Semillon, that they use in their sparkling wine.

For me, cost is an issue, as it is with any wine. I refuse to pay ridiculous prices for my every day wine. Special occasions are okay for a splurge, but my every day budget is around $10 to $20.

And there are many good wines to choose from. Trader Joe’s is particularly good in this price range. And so is having friends in the wine business!!!

No Fog, Please!

Posted by golfkat on August 4, 2019

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My brother and I are going to a Giants game tonight at ATT, make that Oracle Park in the city. Most of the time, we welcome leaving the Valley heat and heading to the cooler Bay Area weather. Here is the most common weather related quote through most of the past century.

Anyone who’s ever spent the summer months of July or August in San Francisco knows that weather can sometimes dip down into the 50s and 60s. Sure, you’re in California but the summer months in San Francisco can often feel like the fall in New England. The summer months are so unseasonably cool here that there’s a witty quote often credited to Mark Twain in which he says, “The coldest winter I ever spent was summer in San Francisco.” Funny, right? The only problem is, Mark Twain never said it. According to the fact-checking website Snopes.com, an extensive review of all of Twain’s writings and private letters can find no instance of the great American author ever saying such a thing. In fact, the origins of the phrase are completely unknown.

So, we will leave home in the late morning, in shorts and polos. When we arrive in the Bay Area, we will have our sweaters, down parkas, and long pants. It is all part of the charm of this great state. And it is a reminder of the days when our Dad drove us up to Candlestick for a Sunday day game. We often had dinner down at Fisherman’s Wharf before heading home. Those were some great memories with our Dad. Each time we go together, reminds us of those great days. Thanks, Dad!!!!

Speaking of long pants, how about a pair of Levi’s? The right field wall at the ballpark is called Levi Landing, for good reason. Here is why.

A native of Germany, Levi Strauss found success in America by selling dry goods. In 1853 he moved to San Francisco to cater to the growing number of gold prospectors that were flocking to the city each day in search of fortune. Strauss saw that the pants the prospectors were wearing couldn’t hold up under rough conditions, so he decided to create something that was more durable. He teamed up with a tailor by the name of Jacob Davis and together they patented the first “waist overalls,” as Levi’s jeans were initially called, in 1873. His iconic “501 jeans” would first be sold to the public in 1890. Strauss passed away in 1902 but today just about every person owns a pair of jeans, thanks to him … and it all started in San Francisco. Side bar: Ironic that Walter Haas, then owner of Levi Strauss, was owner of the rival Oakland A’s across the bay for many years.

So, we will weather the storm in our Levi’s, and enjoy some great seats. My brother’s high school classmate gave us her season tickets for this game!!!! So, a big thank you to KH!!!!

And last but not least, did you know fortune cookies were born in San Francisco?

Fortune cookies did not originate in China. Fortune cookies were first served at the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in the 1890s. They were made by the San Francisco bakery Benkyodo. No one knows for sure how the cookies made the leap over to Chinese restaurants, but by the end of World War II they were popping up in restaurants all across the country.

So, while you are sweltering in the heat, or lighting your fireplace, we will be at the game, misquoting Mark Twain, wearing our Levi’s, and feasting on x rated fortune cookies. And maybe a crab sandwich and a few beers. Perhaps this game will be among the last for some of our hometown heroes, like Mad Bum.

We will drive up Friday, take BART into the City, and have our crab sandwich. After the game, we will BART back to the east bay and stay overnight. Then a quick breakfast with my buddy, Mike, before returning home. It will be a quick overnight trip.

San Diego, Diego!

Posted by golfkat on August 3, 2019

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Let’s see how much San Diego has changed since 2012.

From 2012: The eighth largest city in the US is San Diego. It is also the site of a three game series between our San Francisco Giants, and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in downtown San Diego. I have attended games at the old Jack Murphy Stadium, now called Qualcomm Stadium over in Mission Valley. The climate is mild, the city/suburban area is close to Mexico, and the Navy has a presence, which began back in 1901. Lately, biotech and golf club manufacturers have taken over the areas north of San Diego. One of my favorite golf venues, Torrey Pines is located up the road in La Jolla. It is always rated in the top ten public golf courses in the country.

I had an office here back in the 70s, as well as access to a company apartment, which I did not care for. The office was in Mission Circle (Mission Valley area), near the shopping center, and most of the time, I stayed in a Mission Circle hotel. It was only a ten to fifteen minute trip over to the San Diego Airport. Not many people know that San Diego has hosted two world’s fairs, the 1915 and 1935, well before I was born. I was responsible for setting up the professional relations department, which included peer review, provider relations, and quality assurance for our company.

Downtown San Diego, where I will stay on this trip, is the home of the revitalized Gaslamp Quarter, home to snazzy bars and restaurants. And the new Petco Park is easily within walking distance from downtown hotels, the harbor, Gaslamp Quarter, Horton Plaza, and the San Diego Convention Center. Both of my sisters have some history here. One, lived just up the road in Del Mar with her husband Norm, and their two now grown boys. My youngest sis graduated from San Diego State here in the 70s.

Obviously, the climate is a big deal here, as San Diego enjoys one of the most temperate climates in the world. The population of 1.4 million would not trade it for the fog of the Bay Area, or the humidity of the east coast (or the smog and traffic of LA). Median income is about $70,000. It is also one of the ten safest cities in the US. Tourism, the US Navy (largest employer), and the port are San Diego’s big three of commerce. The border between Mexico and San Diego is the busiest international border crossing in the world. But be careful if you decide to cross!

Among the leading high tech companies based here are Qualcomm, Nokia, LG, Kyocera, Cricket, and Novatel. Among the leading biotech firms are Elan, Celgene, Neurocrine Biosciences, Nventa, BD Biosciences, Biogen Idec, and Vertex, and research organizations like the Salk Institute, Scripps Research Institute, the West Wireless Health Institute, and Sanford-Burnham Institute. Also, famous golf club manufacturer, Callaway is just up the road in Carlsbad. In fact, I am currently playing Callaway irons that my son bought for me a few years ago.

The major sports teams are the NFL San Diego Chargers (now in Los Angeles), and the MLB San Diego Padres. The current Los Angeles Clippers began their franchise here under the name of the San Diego Clippers, who moved here from Buffalo (Braves). San Diego State University fields Division 1 sports teams. And of course, the successful San Francisco Forty Niners head coach, Jim Harbaugh, learned his trade here at the University of San Diego.

Tourism is a major industry here, led by the great weather and beaches, followed by the San Diego Zoo, Legoland, Sea World, and Balboa Park. Old Town San Diego is worth a stop, if for nothing else but a good southwestern or south of the border meal. It is also a pretty good convention town with lots of great seafood joints, and lively bars, especially in the Gaslamp Quarter downtown. And do not forget to check out beautiful Coronado Island.

Anyone famous from San Diego? Here are a few including Heisman winner Marcus Allen, actress Annette Bening, golfer Billy Casper, Hall of Fame hitter Ted Williams, Ted Danson, skateboarder Tony Hawk, NASCAR’s Jimmy Johnson, Gregory Peck, Tony Romo, the late Junior Seau, Craig Venter, Bill Walton, Pete Wilson* (one of my favorite Republicans, believe it or not), Raquel Welch, Eddie Vedder, Phil Mickelson, Ray Kroc, Wyatt Earp, Cameron Diaz, and Dennis Conner.

I am here only to cruise the Gaslamp Quarter, watch a few Giants games, and enjoy the great seafood and weather here in San Diego. I may have ventured out to La Jolla, and Torrey Pines but the Giants have significantly improved from their lousy .500 start (equal wins and loses). Someone also suggested I go out to the famous San Diego Zoo, more to practice my animal photography than anything else. I think that is a great idea.

Mostly, Go Giants!!!!

*Former Gov. Wilson has been the only head of a state or country who cut the welfare rolls during my lifetime!!!

Fast forward to 2019: The Giants have been resurrected by Reverend Bochy! It is a miracle!!!! I saw two friends, one form the Bay Area, and one from the Valley. The weather was fantastic, and the G-me

n won two out of three.

Sans Clothing Diego

Posted by golfkat on August 2, 2019

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Most everyone knows about the famous nude beach here in San Diego. Black’s Beach is a legend of sorts. Besides it notoriety as a nude beach, it also sits near famous Torrey Pines Golf Course. But there might be more to this famous beach than meets the naked eye.

First, Black’s Beach is named after the thoroughbred horse breeding Black family. But the land was later sold, subdivided, and became La Jolla Farms. Black’s Beach did not become a mecca for surfing until the Sixties.

There are multiple routes to the beach, none very easy. Most require rock scrambling and a steep descent or climb. I would assume then, that getting there might best be accomplished while fully clothed, and wearing good shoes.

The trail, as I mentioned is rather treacherous. So, leave it to the surfer’s to “rename” it, fondly as the Ho Chi Minh Trail, after the famous trail in Vietnam. In that same vein, the trial and stairs are maintained by Black’s Beach Bares, a clothing optional advocacy group. They do their best to keep the trial safe, despite any restrictions of the San Diego Municipal Code.

Most people do not know Black’s has two section, north and south. North is owned by the state parks and is still clothing optional. South is owned by the city of San Diego, and is no longer clothing optional. Needless to say, I prefer the north! About the best feature of the south is a view of the famous Salk Mansion.

I know many of my readers were hoping for more revealing photos. But this is a mostly PG rated email. So, if you want more, just google Black’s Beach in San Diego.

While I did not visit Black’s Beach on this trip, I have been there! And I have been to the numerous nude beaches in Europe. There must be an unwritten rule: you must be in good shape and very attractive!!! blacks

Sandy Aygo!

Posted by golfkat on August 1, 2019

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When we were kids, we thought San Diego might as well have been in another state. It sounded far, far away, like Hawaii or Alaska. We just never realized it was just down the road from one of our favorite childhood places, Disneyland in Anaheim. If only we looked at a map back then!

Through the years, we spent many vacations in the San Diego area. We even thought about relocating there when I retired. During my working career, I had an office and company apartment in San Diego, and often flew down twice a month. Alas, we decided to stick closer to home.

But I soon learned one thing, that perhaps saved or at least has prolonged my life. I found out that drinking and eating a big meal, even on a liberal expense account, was not a recipe for longevity. So, I am grateful for the experience, if for no other reason than injecting some common sense into me at an early point in my working career.

Now, on my twice yearly trips to San Diego, I tend to seek out healthier food, specifically seafood. I still have a few beers, and some semi healthy ballpark food. But I have learned my lesson.

On a completely different note, I rarely rent a car down here, unless I plan to drive quite a distance. I prefer using public transportation and Uber. I also try to walk most everywhere, or rent a bicycle.

But Mexican food is a big draw here. The food is a reflection of their proximity to the border. Specifically, the quality of the tortillas seems superior to the more northern parts of our great state. Some of the little Mexican places have their staff out front making fresh tortillas They taste and smell so good, like they are supposed to, and I can eat them without anything on them! It might even feel a bit like Mexico City at times.

The abundance of seafood here seems much superior to other parts of California. It feels like a permanent seafood frenzy down here. Our favorite place of late is Point Loma Seafood, introduced to us by my dear high school classmate, Julie.

Friday nights at the ball game are often craft beer nights. The stadium here, Petco Park, has a nice grassy park behind the center-field fence. They have numerous craft beer vendors, food booths, and of course, the ubiquitous loud (and hardly enjoyable) music. It creates a great (wild and crazy) atmosphere for a party, rather than a baseball game. And it seems to attract the younger demographic, which major league baseball is trying to do. Maybe the rest of the league should pay attention?

Anyway, I think you can easily ascertain that I prefer attending Giants games down here, as opposed to San Francisco. The weather is better, the beer is cheaper and more plentiful, the stadium is actually nicer, and San Diegans welcome us here. About the only aspect of this visit that is worse are the homeless.

With the Gaslamp area getting rather seedy and rundown again, I seem to prefer Little Italy. It has a plethora of places to eat, and a wonderful Saturday morning street market. And it is much cleaner, with fewer homeless, and tourists. And of course, there are always the beaches, those damn beaches!

Note: Despite what they say is a heat wave in SD, it will be cooler than the Valley!

See you there!