San Diego

San Diego is the eighth largest city in the US and second largest city in California with a population exceeding 1.3 million. In 1542 Juan Cabrillo claimed the area for Spain and in 1821, San Diego became part of the newly independent Mexico. In 1850, it became part of the US following the Mexican-American war and the admission of California to the union. 

San Diego is known for its infinite beauty and mild year round climate. That being said, the last 3 days here in San Diego have been very wet; when the rains start, they pour! We were on the 5th hole of a beautiful golf course, Salt Creek, that we had played the day before, when the heavens opened, thunder boomed, and small pea sized hail soon covered the fairways and greens.

We have been to San Diego briefly in the past but have had plenty of time to explore the area this time. We will have spent 9 nights at an RV park in La Mesa, on the city limits of east San Diego. We have toured Coronado Island and Cabrillo State park.



The trolley line is right at the end of the RV Park so we spent a day exploring Seaside village, downtown SD, and the Gaslamp Quarter district.

We didn’t realize SD has so many rolling hills and valleys, and lush and green. Birds of paradise flowers grow wild and are one of Linda’s favorite flowers.

The golfing had been great up until our last outing. Prices are very reasonable (thanks to GolfNow) and the courses are in great shape due to the moisture, which the locals say has been unusual.

One of our highlights was the SD Zoo. We spent the full day exploring and wandering the grounds. Linda’s favorites were the orangutans.

We spent some time at Dog Beach, the nation's first off-leash dog area.  Lots of fun watching all the dogs playing in the ocean 

We made a day trip up the coast to Carlsbad and Oceanside. We enjoyed the beaches and area so much that we are moving on Sunday to the Carlsbad state park on the cliffs above the ocean, for 4 days before heading back to Arizona. If we believe the forecast the rains are nearly over and warmer temperatures are to come.