San Diego Mike
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Hi Golden Gophers -- and welcome back to America's Finest City! I was there when Minnesota was at what (I think) was then still "The Murph" against my Aztecs somewhere around two decades ago. I'm excited to get some new blood in the Holiday Bowl.
I was originally going to use this post to drum up some business for my little startup "Naturally San Diego" -- see our FB page for more info for your next vacation of game out here -- but the timing of this year's game is so close to Christmas it makes that impossible. So instead, I give you the free advice I was going to give you anyway if you are making the trek...
These are the three "Must-Sees" to claim you have been to San Diego in my opinion. These are great because all three are beautiful and absolutely free. You don't have to spend a dime if you don't want to, just walk around and enjoy, or you can shoot for the moon and drop a bundle. Most importantly, they'll give you a nice, basic feel for San Diego:
1) The Hotel Del Coronado. Coronado seemingly every other year is voted "America's Best Beach". But the hotel definitely adds another dimension to it, especially right now as it is decorated beautifully for the holidays. If you're homesick for Minnesota, strap on some ice skates and skate on the beach (Yep, the hotel puts an ice rink out right off the deck this time of year!) Two tips: Have your cameras out and ready as you cross Coronado Bridge, and 2) After you're done at "The Del", head back up Orange Avenue to the ferry landing -- You have a great view back across the bay towards downtown, plus you can take the ferry back across the bay to downtown.
2) Balboa Park. I didn't know this until a few weeks ago, but Balboa Park is actually bigger than NYC's Central Park -- and it's very beautiful. The whole park was originally built up to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal (and drum up business for a then-tiny SD) -- and it was supposed to be torn down, until wiser heads prevailed. The museums are great -- and sometimes are free on Tuesdays. If you are bringing out younger kids, head for the puppet show near the aerospace museum. The park also is home to the SD Zoo, and The Prado restaurant is excellent. Pro Tip: Head across Cabrillo Bridge to 5th and Laurel and go to the top of the "Mister A's Building" for drinks and the best view in the city, esp at sunset.
3) La Jolla Cove. Think "Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive meets the cliffs of the Pacific". It's a spectacular natural setting, plus there are high end shops, restaurants, bars and boutique hotels to window shop or leave your mortgage payment at if the mood strikes you. Walk about a quarter mile south of the cove to Children's Pool to see the seals taking a break on the sand from the waves.
So there you have it. My "B-List" is Cabrillo National Monument and Torrey Pines State Reserve -- which I can tell you whatever you'd like to know about either of them, as those two are what my start-up deals in when it comes to the ins and outs of their geology, ecology and history. If you are in town right now, there have been first sightings of grey whales heading down the coast for their annual pilgrimage to Mexico!
If you need restaurant recs, or advice on other activities, let me know below and I'll answer as best I can. I saw some of you are headed to the Holiday Bowl Balloon Parade -- you'll have a great time. I'd suggest Ubering it over to Little Italy (India Street) and walking down from there the 3-4 blocks to the bayfront parade. If you are staying downtown, take the trolley to the stadium for the game. It lets out right there in the stadium parking lot!
Best of luck against Wazzu. I'd say beat 'em and all that, but I'm west coast born and raised and that would be a little disingenuous of me. So let's just say "May the best team win!"
I was originally going to use this post to drum up some business for my little startup "Naturally San Diego" -- see our FB page for more info for your next vacation of game out here -- but the timing of this year's game is so close to Christmas it makes that impossible. So instead, I give you the free advice I was going to give you anyway if you are making the trek...
These are the three "Must-Sees" to claim you have been to San Diego in my opinion. These are great because all three are beautiful and absolutely free. You don't have to spend a dime if you don't want to, just walk around and enjoy, or you can shoot for the moon and drop a bundle. Most importantly, they'll give you a nice, basic feel for San Diego:
1) The Hotel Del Coronado. Coronado seemingly every other year is voted "America's Best Beach". But the hotel definitely adds another dimension to it, especially right now as it is decorated beautifully for the holidays. If you're homesick for Minnesota, strap on some ice skates and skate on the beach (Yep, the hotel puts an ice rink out right off the deck this time of year!) Two tips: Have your cameras out and ready as you cross Coronado Bridge, and 2) After you're done at "The Del", head back up Orange Avenue to the ferry landing -- You have a great view back across the bay towards downtown, plus you can take the ferry back across the bay to downtown.
2) Balboa Park. I didn't know this until a few weeks ago, but Balboa Park is actually bigger than NYC's Central Park -- and it's very beautiful. The whole park was originally built up to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal (and drum up business for a then-tiny SD) -- and it was supposed to be torn down, until wiser heads prevailed. The museums are great -- and sometimes are free on Tuesdays. If you are bringing out younger kids, head for the puppet show near the aerospace museum. The park also is home to the SD Zoo, and The Prado restaurant is excellent. Pro Tip: Head across Cabrillo Bridge to 5th and Laurel and go to the top of the "Mister A's Building" for drinks and the best view in the city, esp at sunset.
3) La Jolla Cove. Think "Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive meets the cliffs of the Pacific". It's a spectacular natural setting, plus there are high end shops, restaurants, bars and boutique hotels to window shop or leave your mortgage payment at if the mood strikes you. Walk about a quarter mile south of the cove to Children's Pool to see the seals taking a break on the sand from the waves.
So there you have it. My "B-List" is Cabrillo National Monument and Torrey Pines State Reserve -- which I can tell you whatever you'd like to know about either of them, as those two are what my start-up deals in when it comes to the ins and outs of their geology, ecology and history. If you are in town right now, there have been first sightings of grey whales heading down the coast for their annual pilgrimage to Mexico!
If you need restaurant recs, or advice on other activities, let me know below and I'll answer as best I can. I saw some of you are headed to the Holiday Bowl Balloon Parade -- you'll have a great time. I'd suggest Ubering it over to Little Italy (India Street) and walking down from there the 3-4 blocks to the bayfront parade. If you are staying downtown, take the trolley to the stadium for the game. It lets out right there in the stadium parking lot!
Best of luck against Wazzu. I'd say beat 'em and all that, but I'm west coast born and raised and that would be a little disingenuous of me. So let's just say "May the best team win!"
