San Diego!!

We have been in San Diego for almost 3 weeks, staying at the San Diego RV Resort in La Mesa.

We have had such a great time.  Thanks to Terry and Janice we have seen a lot of the city and surrounding areas ... we have been able to get our bearings and stop for a while.

While in Yuma we bought an American flag ... it seems
 appropriate and we fly both flags with pride.

We had the service on the RV.
A new part was needed  for the ice maker water line which had to be ordered in. We went back to the RV Service Centre a couple of days later and had that work done;  a replacement water line and water valve.

We are good as new and can't speak highly enough of the service we received.

Most importantly we can make Margaritas again, although after tasting Terry's Margaritas we need to do a bit more experimenting with the recipe! Sounds like fun!

Pacific Ocean

On our first day in San Diego Terry takes us touring. We drive north and out to the coast at Del Mar and ...  there's the Pacific ocean.
What a wonderful sight. We feel  close to home. Well - with some imagination or is this the Royal  'we'? I certainly have a lump in my throat!

We drive down the coast, passing by Torrey Pines Golf Course, the nation's foremost municipal golf course. Situated on top of cliffs  towering above the Pacific ocean, it is named after the Torrey Pine, a rare tree that grows in the wild along this local stretch of the coastline.

Then on to La Jolla (pronounced 'la hoy ah'), known as the jewel of San Diego. La Jolla, a hilly seaside community occupying 7 miles of curving coastline,  features luxury homes and upscale shopping and ... beautiful beaches.

The 'village' of La Jolla

The Children's Pool

The Children's Pool, located close to down town La Jolla is a small cove protected by a concrete breakwater. It was originally built to create a safe swimming area for children but is now taken over by seals and sea lions who beach themselves on the sand with their young.

There are lots of seals all along the coast line lying on rocks basking in the sun.






















We continue our drive down the coast through the coastal suburbs of  Pacific Beach, Mission Beach and Ocean Beach - a quintessential California surfing town with a 60's flavour.

Hang gliding area ... or a high jump if you are in the way?

And just to make sure 'y'all' remember that I came along for the ride, Terry contributed some photos. Thanks Terry!











We had lunch at Mitch's Seafood on San Diego Bay in the fishing neighbourhood of Point Loma overlooking the bay and the sports fishing fleet. A wonderfully understated cafe with fabulous food. We sat out on the deck; ate fish tacos and had a beer.  Pretty nice!

Then we were off again driving to the extreme end of Point Loma Peninsula where stands the Cabrillo National Monument, a statue of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo the first European to set foot on the West coast of the US. On 27 June 1542 Cabrillo set sail north from Mexico, then called New Spain; on 28 September 1542 he entered what would become San Diego Bay. He continued north to the Bay which is today, Los Angeles. He claimed the whole of the area for Spain.

We climbed the Old Point Loma Lighthouse (yes there is a 'new' one). Fantastic views and lots of history. A second lighthouse was constructed below the Old lighthouse to overcome the problem caused by fog and ensure that the light could be seen.






A wonderful introduction to San Diego thanks again to Terry.

Art deco perhaps?

San Diego is defined by the sea. Extending to the border with Mexico, its coastline has 70 miles of magnificent beaches, rocky and high cliffs, coves and seaside resorts.

Cabrillo National Monument

San Diego is the 8th largest city in the US and 2nd largest city in California with a population of approximately 1.3 million.

It is the birthplace of California; known for its year round mild climate, natural deep water harbour, extensive beaches, long association with the US Navy and recent emergence as a health care and biotechnology development centre.

Naval Base San Diego - also known as 32nd St. Naval Station - is the largest base of the US Navy on the west coast of the US. It is the principal homeport of the Pacific Fleet.

Ocean Beach Pier