Although I am originally from the East Coast, I spent 3 amazing years living in San Diego. I won't stifle this blog with the reasons for my exit back east, however I just thought I'd relay a bit of info for anyone wishing to maybe take a long weekend, or even spend their spring break, in "America's Finest City". STA Travel has super cheap domestic flights and can hook you up with a rental car too (even if you are under 25!). There are tons of hotels and hostels in San Diego and first you might want to pick an area you want to stay in. There are the beach communities, the "downtown" area, and the mountains and desert.

All of the beach communities have their own vibe. Ocean Beach is a very tiny town full of very colorful people. Most people would describe OB as a hippie town, and it really is. There is no shortage of VW bugs or smoke shops in OB, or street performers, skateboarders, surfers, and college students for that matter. There are lots of fun little bars, and the BEST burritto shop in the world as far as I'm concerned called "Nico's". Next up there is Pacific Beach, which is more of a college town. Tons of bars and shops line the main strip "Garnet Ave" which although spelled like the gemstone of garnet (other streets in the area are diamond, emerald, turquoise and jewell) all the locals say gar-nett (like fishing net). Strange. But here in PB you have some great restaurants, and lots of SDSU and UCSD kids hanging out on the beach, or in the bars. It's a bit more high-end than OB, (like going to the bar may require you to dress a certian way, or at least put on a collared shirt, as oppossed to OB where you can go barefoot almost anywhere and no one will think twice about it) but still definatly a California beach community. You also have Mission Beach, although no one calls it MB. It has a beautiful bike path which runs all around Mission Bay and crosses over to the beach, which is really fun for swimming. It is always a lot less packed on the beach in Mission as oppossed to PB for whatever reason, and I've always found it more relaxing. There is also my Favorite breakfast place called "the Mission" on Mission Blvd. get the french toast! You can rent bikes right on the street for a few hours, a day, or even a week.

The most classy beach community in San Diego is La Jolla. Although an expensive community, it is definalty worth going to take a look at. Most of my favorite places to take out of towners are in La Jolla. You have the high end shops, outdoor restaurants that look over the cliffs onto the turqouise coves, and tons of outdoorsy stuff to do. There is "seal beach" which is actually called the childrens pool, since it was dedicated by Mrs. Scripps as a cove for children to swim, however the calm waters created by a breakwall attracted tons of seals to this beach to spawn, swim, and sunbathe. They are awesome to watch! There is Torrey Pines State Reserve where you can hike, bike, stroll, swim, surf, and sunbathe, it is probably my most favorite spot in San Diego. The hiking trails curve out over the bluffs and you can watch the paragliders sail above. In the spring you can see whales and dolphins out in the ocean. You can rent Kayaks or bikes from La Jolla Hike Bike Kayak or take a Kayak tour through the caves and coves. You can rent snorkel equipment in the summer and wade out at La Jolla Shores beach and snorkel with tons of harmless sand sharks and bat rays, it is so much fun! You can play a round of golf at the world famous Torrey Pines golf course, home of the 2008 US Open, and every February home to the Buick Invitational-but try to get a local to go with you they play for next to nothing while out of towners pay probably 10x that! While at Torrey Pines drop into "the Lodge Hotel and Spa" and get a massage or facial, you pay a lot but its worth being able to use all the facilities including their amazing pool and free yoga classes!.

Head back down past the beaches and get ready to go out downtown. Downtown San Diego has tons of high end clubs and lounges, plus lots of fun sports bars and shops. You can also catch a baseball game at the still gleamingly new Pet Co Park, home of the San Diego Padres. If it's not baseball season, why not head over to the world famous San Diego Zoo right downtown in Balboa Park. If the animals aren't your thing there is also the museums of Balboa Park. A differant one is free every Tuesday of the month, and the Botanical Gardens there are free everyday. There is also a Planitarium and IMAX theatre and rosegardens across the street.

Don't forget the other amusement parks like Seaworld, Legoland, and Knott's Berry Farm...speaking of berry's...Just north of San Diego is a town called Temecula, Southern California's answer to Napa Valley. There are a ton of wineries there with either free, or very cheap wine tasting. You can take a hot air balloon ride over the valley, or a wine tasting tour. If you are going for a special occasion, a lot of limo companies and van companies offer wine tasting trips (say for a birthday or bachelor/bachelorette party). Also north of San Diego is Julian. A mountain town which you ride up the mountians on twisty turney roads, they have the best apple pie ever at "Mom's" and lots of orchards to pick your own apples in the fall. It was always a great escape to Julian around Thanksgiving time to pick our pies up and see some leaves that changed color and feel some cool air, since I missed that New England fall.

San Diego is an awesome city to visit. Weather you just want to relax on the beach for a long weekend, or spend a week or two hiking, biking, surfing, and kayaking, San Diego has something for everyone, and beautiful weather year round! It truely is "America's Finest City"!