What a 40-Year Local (and a Girlfriend) Learned on the Gaslamp District Tour San Diego has a way of surprising you, even when you think you've seen it all. I've lived in San Diego for four decades. I've eaten in the Gaslamp Quarter, wandered its streets on many a day and evening, and ducked into [...]
The Spookiest Spots in San Diego San Diego has a rich history. The oldest city in California, officially founded in 1769 (but sighted by the Spanish in 1542), San Diego has its fair share of legends and myths. The haunted nature of this city is undeniable – it’s the location of what’s often referred to [...]
Adams Avenue Restaurants Crawl I am a proud food glutton who has padded the pockets of many a food tour operator around the world. After my divorce, the hefty price tag of guided tours killed my appetite—so I started creating my own. This is a self-guided Adams Avenue Restaurants Crawl that will have you feeling fat and [...]
10 of the Coolest Things to Do in San Diego Whether you're a visitor or a local, I recommend that you go to the San Diego Zoo, Seaworld, and one (or more) of our awesome beaches. But, afterwards, I encourage you to veer off the beaten path. Here is my first list of 10 of the coolest things to [...]
Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve LOCATION: Intersection of Camino del Sur & Park Village Road MAP + INFO: LOS PENASQUITOS CANYON PRESERVE PARKING: Free lot LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Easy APPX. LENGTH OF TIME: 2 hours My expectations were pretty low for a hike smack in the middle of suburbia. This was one of those times when I happily embraced my wrongness. [...]
HIKING SAN DIEGO: Torrey Pines State Park LOCATION: Off Camino Del Mar, Del Mar MAP + INFO: TORREY PINES STATE PARK PARKING: If you're lucky, you'll find street parking; $15-$20 in one of two paid lots LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Easy APPX. LENGTH OF TIME: 2 hours The 2,000 acre Torrey Pines State Park ("natural reserve" to be exact) is [...]
Elfin Forest Reserve Hike LOCATION: 8833 Harmony Grove Road, Escondido, CA 92029 MAP + INFO: Elfin Forest Reserve PARKING: Free (in parking lot or on Harmony Grove Road) LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate to difficult APPX. LENGTH OF TIME: 2-4 hours Elfin Forest Reserve is home to 11 miles of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails, one babbling brook, [...]
Fortuna Mountain Hike LOCATION: Near intersection of Clairemont Mesa Blvd. + Rueda Drive MAP + INFO: Fortuna Mountain PARKING: Free lot or street parking near the trailhead LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate to difficult APPX. LENGTH OF TIME: 3-4 hours Mere minutes after exiting one of San Diego's busiest interstates, you'll hit the end of one of the city's busiest surface [...]
Mt Woodson Hike LOCATION: Lake Poway Park at 14644 Lake Poway Rd., Poway, CA 92064 MAP + INFO: Mt Woodson PARKING: Paid lot ($5) near the trailhead LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Difficult APPX. LENGTH OF TIME: 3-4 hours If you miss climbing rocks like you did when you were a kid, the Mt Woodson hike is for you. [...]
Hollenbeck Canyon Hike LOCATION: Near intersection of Campo Rd & Honey Springs Rd, Jamul MAP + INFO: Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area PARKING: Small (free) dirt lot near the trailhead LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate APPX. LENGTH OF TIME: 2-3 hours Who doesn’t love towering majestic oak trees and meadows? Not only does the 3,200-acre Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area have them, [...]
