Ever since moving here I have been wanting to take a day-cation to San Diego. I was hoping to do it with a friend but when they told me that they weren’t interested, I decided to finally go alone. I woke up a little later than I planned to at around 7:35am and quickly got ready for the day. I left my apartment at around 8:30am and made a quick pit stop to get gas before heading to the highway.
I then began the roughly two and a half hour drive down to San Diego. The ride was pretty straightforward and I got to my first destination, Belmont Park just before they opened at 11am. I got out and put on some suntan lotion before heading straight for the Giant Dipper. I paid for my ticket to ride ($8) then walked right to the loading platform, there was no line. I guess 11am on a Friday morning in December is not their prime time.
I loaded into the front row and the ride attendant asked if I wanted to go right away or if I didn’t mind waiting to see if anyone else wanted to ride. I said I didn’t mind waiting but after no one came, he just started the ride; I was literally the only person on it. The ride was fairly rickety which is to be expected for a coaster that is 96 years old!
After I got off, I texted my Dad to wish him a Happy Birthday; he’s 36 years younger than the Giant Dipper. I then walked across the street to get pictures of the ride. Eventually I made my way back across and out to the beachfront bike/walkway. I looped all the way around and back in the park to hit the restroom before heading back to Horace (my car).
I then drove from Belmont Park to Park It On Market in downtown San Diego. I had put my bike in the back of my car because I new it would be faster/easier to to get to all of the places I wanted to visit rather than walking or trying to figure out public transportation.
I took my bike on the elevator and took the elevator down to ground level. I then biked from the parking garage to Morning Glory; a breakfast spot I’d researched the day before. I was drawn to it because the design of the spot was really unique and interesting. It was around noon and it was super busy, however, sometimes being single has it’s advantages as I was able to be seated basically right away.
I had a spot overlooking the outside. The window was open but the sun was right in my face. Luckily I had a hat and sunglasses. Plus I’d brought my suntan lotion so I did up my arms. One of the things that drew me to this location was the fact that they had a Ramos Gin Fizz on the menu. After recently watching a How to Drink YouTube video about this, my curiosity was piqued.
Though this meal was technically going to be my breakfast, since it was afternoon, I figured booze was ok. It’s not like this is regular thing for me. As per Greg’s instructions, I made sure to ask first if they had the bandwidth to make this drink for me. My waitress assured me it was fine and a long while later I was delivered a very delicious cocktail.
A short while later, my Chorizo Grande came out and it looked as good as it tasted, which was excellent. Also, the coupled that were next to me at the counter left and I scooched over to get their spot in the shade. After I finished I paid and dipped out. I walked a short lap around the Little Italy area before heading back to my bike and continuing on my way.
I ended up by an area on the water where there were olde timey tall ships docked. I followed the coast and eventually found my way to San Diego Airport. I watched a couple of takeoffs before heading back along Harbor Drive to a spot where there was a cruise ship docked. I’ve seen them before but it never fails to impress me how huge they are.
After a quick stop at a public restroom, I continued along Harbor Drive to the San Diego Convention Center, home of Comic Con. I’m just realizing as I write this that had I gone just a week earlier, like I had originally planned, I would have been in SD during the con! Not that I would have been able to go, because I didn’t have a ticket, but it still would have been cool to be there during all that Comic Con energy. I completely forgot that this year they were holding it during Thanksgiving weekend. Oh well.
After drinking in the Convention Center, I used the pedestrian bridge to cross the street and got some good views of Petco Park. I then rode to Gaslamp Quarter, a street lined with cool shops, restaurants and bars. I can imagine it’s super busy in the summer and during the Convention. There were a lot of cool buildings old buildings with interesting architecture.
Eventually I came across a store called Bait. I had heard of the brand before but didn’t know much about them. The shop was pretty rad, it was filled with figurines and streetware and sneakers. I basically just admired all of the cool stuff I didn’t need and wouldn’t buy before heading to Super7.
Super7 is also filled with nerd crap and toys and clothing. More stuff I didn’t need but is also just fun to look at. After looking around there for a bit I rode to Balboa Park. Along the way I almost got hit by a car. Luckily the driver had her window open and heard me yelling in order to get her attention so she would stop. Once in the park I found a place to sit by the Bea Evenson Fountain.
I did a bit of Google Mapping and eventually made my way to the Air and Space Museum. A lot of San Diego’s major museums, along with the famous San Diego Zoo, are contained within this park. I passed a bunch of museums on my way to the Air and Space. Originally I had planned to check it out, but but the time I got there, it was time and money and energy I didn’t have. It was a good preview however because if I ever do go back to SD, I know that you need to dedicate a day or two to Balboa Park.
I then tried to use a nearby public restroom only to find it was being used as a home by a homeless person. I quickly backed out and rode back to the downtown area. I started to make my way back to cruise ship (past Park It On Market) to that public restroom. Along the way I saw another one and stopped in only to find it too was occupied. Eventually I made my way back to the public restroom by the cruise ship and when I was done, doubled back to Park It On Market.
Along the way I took he bike path the sits between the light rail and the regular(?) train tracks. It’s I nice way of avoiding riding on Harbor Drive. SD in general seemed to be very bike friendly. In any case, once back, I loaded my bike into my car and paid for parking.
I then drove to Liberty Station to cap of my day at Stone Brewing. Liberty Station is a collection of shopping and restaurants in the center of a business/industrial park which is actually much more posh than it sounds. I eventually found street parking and walked over to Stone Brewing. I got a seat at the bar where I ordered a Mago-A-Salt beer and a Korean Chicken Sandwich. Both were very good but I was tired from the day and had a moderate drive ahead of me so I didn’t finish the beer. I left at ~6:30pm and after a very straightforward drive, got home by around 9pm.