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! 
golfkat Travel Blog 