Traveling to San Diego
Great Weather Year Round Means Anything Is Possible
Prime positioning on the Pacific Ocean makes San Diego home to some of the finest beaches in the United States. While the water may not be as warm as it is further south or on the Atlantic, you can bet that San Diegans sure do take advantage. SD is a surfer’s paradise with countless spots that attract locals and visitors in droves no matter the weather or time of year.
Amazing seafood is a given in a place like this, and it absolutely won’t disappoint. It is served up throughout town in pretty much every manner of preparation you can dream of, from a delicious sandwich, to sushi, to fish ‘n’ chips, to Mexican aguachile or ceviche, to a surf ‘n’ turf burrito, to just being straight up grilled. My mouth is watering just thinking about the possibilities.
You can even go fetch it yourself! Fishing trips leaving out of SD go all over the place, such as the San Diego Bay, all around Southern California, and for those with a couple days available, into Mexican waters where some of the biggest and best fish like to spend their days. You pretty much can’t go wrong, whether you choose a half day departure or an extended trip.
Of course, not everything great about San Diego is found in the water. Hikes and outdoor activities on land are just as easy to find. While it sure has Southern California beach town vibe down, SD was originally a desert, and still has plenty to offer in that respect. You might just need to hop in the car for a short drive to get there. Alpine, Julian and Temecula are all within an hour or two and can offer up small mountain town or desert wine country atmosphere if you want a break from the famous “sand and surf.”
Look, Los Angeles and Orange County receive endless attention on their own without any help from someone like me, and while I have my qualms with LA and its surroundings, it attracts people from places around the globe nonstop for a reason. You can find all the information you need elsewhere, and while I would always recommend SD over LA, if you’re visiting one of the two from somewhere far away, might as well stop into the other while you’re at it.
Tijuana has its supporters and its detractors, for reasons totally fair but also ignorantly unfair. If you decide you want to give it a shot, it can be a quick one-day getaway from an extended visit to San Diego as long as you remember to bring your passport or passport card. While plenty of delicious Mexican food has obviously found its way to San Diego, there still is nothing like the real deal, and TJ has what you’re looking for in that regard. Famous for its street food in particular, you’d be hard-pressed to find tastier in many other cities. Add to that the fact that Valle de Guadalupe lies just an hour and a half south of the border and you might want to turn what was once a simple San Diego trip into a multi-city adventure worthy of the reputation of a Eurotrip.
Easy Access to Just About Everything
We can’t write about coffee travel without providing some tips for where to eat and drink during or after your cup of coffee.
Best Food & Drink
1. Point Loma Seafoods
If you like seafood, there is no way you can miss this spot. Breaded shellfish sandwiches like the scallop sandwich, fish & chips, etc. My personal go-to is a crab sandwich on sourdough with their housemade tartar sauce, and a rainbow sushi roll (with real crab inside). So good. Point Loma Seafoods Map pointlomaseafoods2. Sugar & Scribe Bakery
Stop in here for breakfast and you won’t regret it. Egg dishes of all sorts, lemon ricotta pancakes, and my personal favorite the Eire Hash. When you’re done, treat yourself to one of the many baked goods they have on offer, along with a coffee to go. Sugar & Scribe Map sugarandscribe3. Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill
I always recommend Blue Water for any fish-based meal in San Diego. My favorite is the Ahi tuna torta with lemon butter and an order of the lobster tacos. That said, any fish you get here is guaranteed fresh, where you can design it yourself and order as a sandwich, taco, salad or plate. Blue Water Map bluewaterseafoodsd
Check out the San Diego episode for more information on coffee culture in SD.
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