San Diego Getaway

Last week we found two days spare and decided to have a little getaway in San Diego.

Given that San Diego is not far at all from Los Angeles, and it was on my 'Top 3 List' of places I wanted to visit when I moved to America, I was very excited. We managed to align our weekend away with the San Diego Big 3 swap meet,which left me having to do little-to-no convincing that it was a great idea to Josh. Friday morning we departed, with a bag packed, cash to spend and snacks for the road. Given it was our first time driving south of Long Beach, we decided to drive down Highway 101- which runs alongside the ocean. This route sent us through beach towns we didn't know existed, but we sure are glad we found! Two small beach communities that I loved were Carlsbad and Encinitas. Both had the relaxed lifestyle that beach towns should offer, with everyone out walking dogs, soaking up the sun and having coffee. 

I hope this is exactly how my retirement will look

After a roadside stop, we continued on to La Jolla where we planned on having lunch. La Jolla was  the main reason for me wanting to visit San Diego so badly. All I had known about this town was that it was home to the beautiful La Valencia Hotel, and seals...sold! I am happy to report that La Jolla did not disappoint, the sun was shining, La Valencia was glowing and the ocean was sparkling. All the driving had left us both starving, so we stopped for a sangria and some fish tacos. After lunch we wandered down to La Jolla Cove, where all the seals were sun baking on the rocks, with little smiles on their faces- so cute! Seals would have to be my second favourite animal to a dog, they are just the sweetest things. 

La Valencia Hotel 

In the afternoon, we went to Old Town for a sunset stroll, some drinks and churros. I loved all the souvenir shops in Old Town, they sold everything from Mexican blankets, to beautiful serving dish sets (perfect for taco Tuesdays), and the Spanish style home numbers. 

Beautiful succulent gardens, with tiny birds hiding in amongst the greenery. 

Balboa Park

On our second day in San Diego, we spent the afternoon in Balboa Park before we had to head back to LA, I wish we stayed longer! It was so lovely to spend time in a park, with beautiful gardens, it made me realise how much I miss lush grass and being surrounded by greenery. Balboa Park has so much to offer, housing twelve museums, lovely ponds with handsome ducks floating, and stalls selling ice cream and bicycles you can hire to explore on. The only thing I would do differently on my next trip to Balboa would be to allow more time, and pack a picnic lunch. All I wanted to do while we were there was sit on the grass, and enjoy an antipasto platter. 

Took this photo for my Grandmother, Dawn who orchids always remind me of

San Diego was beautiful, I cannot wait to go back!

With love