San Diego is one of my favorite places to visit. I was six the first time I visited, but have made it back many times in my twenties because it has a really laid back atmosphere, tons of beautiful beaches, great food, and a lax dress code.
The Hotel del Coronado is both historic and beautiful. It is known to be haunted, but has been visited by some of the biggest names in the entertainment business like Marilyn Monroe. Located on Coronado Island, it is the focal point with its white walls and red roof surrounded by beach and palm trees alike. A little paradise. It is incredibly fancy, and you’ll feel fabulous just walking around the grounds. It’s pricey, but I’m sure it’s worth it; I’ve never been able to afford it myself. I always grab an ice cream at MooTime Creamery to keep me company while I walk around until I find the perfect bench to read at.
I love Ocean Beach! I have for years. It’s where the hipsters congregated before the word hipster entered the vernacular. It has been a safe haven for the weed smokers before it was legal. It has welcomed dogs as people before it was cool. Known for the dog beach, the pier, the cliffs, the array of people, and Hodads, it’s a fun place to spend an afternoon. I would not recommend it for reading; you’ll be too busy people watching. That is, if you’re not too uptight for the laid-back, coolness that is Ocean Beach. It is bright and bustling all day and well into the night. Lots to do and eat and smell all along the beach. So be prepared to take part or sit and watch!
The dunes are everywhere they can make themselves in San Diego. These particular dunes take up a good deal of space on Coronado Island between the ocean and the ocean wall. They are vast, deep, and rolling hosting all sorts of plants and probably even some critters too. The plants are beautiful and flowering… I have no idea what they are, but they’re pretty and prominent. People can wonder in them without being seen except from above. By the dunes there are beautiful stone life guard huts… Although, I wouldn’t call them huts; they are fairly substantial buildings reminiscent of lighthouses from days of yore.
Oceanside is not actually a part of San Diego, but is often lumped into San Diego because it’s identity is so closely tied. It’s about an hour North of San Diego downtown without traffic, and an hour and half South of Los Angeles. It’s incredibly centralized between the two. It is a hub for the Marine Corps because of Camp Pendleton’s proximity. It has changed a lot in recent years with lots of good food and a cute downtown. I was personally drawn to the Oceanside Public Library. I didn’t even realize it was a library at first because it looks more like the mirage of a desert oasis to me. Whoever designed this library needs to design my future house because I would happily sit down to read a book with a wading pool, palm trees, a fountain, and architecture and coloring reminiscent of Mykonos, Greece. With a pastry shop right across the street, I would often be found in front of this library. I didn’t get a chance to go in, but I’m sure it is spectacular because the outside is so memorably bright and lovely.
