Around the World with…Nathalie!

Hi everyone!

My name is Nathalie and I blog over at Snowflakes in California about my life in the US. It’s been almost two years since I moved from Belgium to San Diego and since Amy was kind enough to let me take over her blog for today I thought I’d show you a (tiny) bit of my adopted city. Ready?

To be honest, I had never heard of this city before I met my husband who grew up here. Everyone around the world knows Los Angeles, but San Diego seems a bit underrated next to its big sister. And for no good reason, because it has the same mild climate, (even better) beaches & waves, some of the best craft beer in the United States (although I’m not particularly fond of it) and LESS traffic. Very important.

THE CITY CENTER

Downtown vs. Old Town

So let me start with the beginning: San Diego is the first place on the West Coast where the Spanish built a settlement many centuries ago and is therefore sometimes referred to as the ‘birth place of California’. Since then it has become the second largest city in the state and the eighth largest (!!) in the country – according to dear Wiki. And even though it all started in the historic center appropriately called Old Town, you’ll find the pretty skyline Downtown.

The Convention Center

If you are short on time and want to get a first feel of the city, Downtown is definitely the place to start. The Gaslamp Quarter provides the perfect surroundings for happy hour drinks or a night out. There’s the convention center to admire – world-famous for hosting Comic-Con – and Petco Park right around the corner if you want to catch a baseball game. And don’t forget the harbor, where you’ll find the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier, now a museum.   

BALBOA PARK

The next stop for every tourist has to be Balboa Park. With 1,200 acres it is the largest urban cultural park in the US and home to 15 major museums. There’s a replica of The Old Globe for anyone who’s into theater and can’t make it to London, you can spend a day at the famous San Diego zoo or you can just wander around and enjoy the scenery and beautiful architecture. Also, as you can see from these pictures it can be pretty cloudy in San Diego. So don’t let anyone fool you, it might never rain in Southern California but that doesn’t mean it’s always sunny!

ACROSS THE BAY

The Coronado Bridge

Hotel Del 

One of my favourite things to do when I find myself Downtown is cross the Coronado Bridge and drive into the city of Coronado. Coronado beach was ranked the number 1 beach in the country only a couple of years ago (according to this list) and you can’t miss the incredible Hotel Del Coronado while you’re there. It’s the second largest wooden structure in the country and a National Historic Landmark. Like any old building in the US – this one opened in 1888 – it’s supposedly haunted, but I wouldn’t know since it’s a bit out of my price range. Nevertheless, I love the architecture and the lobby will simply take your breath away. It always makes me feel as if I stepped onto the Titanic…

THE WAVES 

Mission Beach

La Jolla Shores, Children’s Pool with seals, Torrey Pines State Beach

There is so much to say about San Diego and so little time, but one thing is for sure: there’s plenty of coastline to explore. Whether it’s a good surf spot you’re looking for or you just want to soak up some sun, don’t leave without sticking your toes in the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean. From Torrey Pines or Del Mar in the North of San Diego to the more touristic destinations of La Jolla Shores or Mission beach, there’s something for everyone. Even though I did not grow up near the beach, I don’t think I would want to miss it anymore.

La Jolla Shores/ The Pier

And if you’re lucky you get to see some rain!

San Diego is a fun and laid back city where you can pretty much wear whatever you want wherever you want. I’ve had some of the best food in my life here and my favourite is still the obligatory California breakfast burrito or the fish tacos. You pick. Beer enthusiasts can tour the many breweries and wine lovers definitely have to take a trip to Temecula. Bored of the beach? Then there are plenty of beautiful hikes to do. My only advice would be to remember it cools off quickly at night and it can be pretty cloudy near the coast – especially at this time of year – so don’t be me and bring some extra sweaters on that first visit!

Have you ever been to San Diego? 

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