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La Jolla Coast Walk Trail-Let’s Go!

I am ashamed to admit, that even though I have been living in the San Diego area for over 30 years, I have never heard of, much less been on, the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail.

Do not get me wrong, because I have been up and down the coast of La Jolla (pronounced La Hoya) more times than I can count. It is one of my most revered areas in San Diego hands down.  So when I came across this hiking trail while researching, I knew that I must go! Would you like to join me on a tour of the La Jolla Coast Trail?

Before we start our tour, I would like to mention that I have written extensively about walking the La Jolla coastline in a previous post- Let’s Take a La Jolla Coast Walk.

But to be fair, that post only concentrated on the area just west of Downtown La Jolla and ended at The Cave Store. Today I would like to continue the hike, by following the path past The Cave Store and walking on the official La Jolla Coast Walk Trail. Confusing? Well, I sure hope not after you finish reading this!

Ready?

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San Diego Bay Cruises-Get on the Water!

Hornblower 2 San Diego Bay Cruises

So are you visiting San Diego and want to experience the water? I know of a great way of doing just that, but without getting seasick. May I suggest to you, a San Diego Bay cruise?

I believe that there is no better way to enjoy the saltwater environment than being on it. After doing a little research, I found some interesting cruises. Take a look for yourself, at the wide variety of San Diego Bay cruises that are available.

It should be noted before I begin, that I will only be listing San Diego Bay cruises, not whale watching or fishing tours as I have written about both extensively. If you would like more information regarding whales or fish, please refer to the two previous posts that I have linked.

Let’s now see all of the San Diego Bay cruises and which one is best for you, shall we?

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Mission Bay Cruises-Get On The Water!

Sailboat Mission Bay Cruises

One of the best ways of experiencing a marine environment is being out on the water. The purpose of this post is to concentrate on Mission Bay and list all of the available Mission Bay cruises that are offered.

To begin with, I want to take the time here to mention that all cruises that I will be listing do not include whale watching or fishing. I have written extensively on both previously, so please click on the above-underlined links if you would like to get any further information.

Mission Bay

Mission Bay Park Google Map

Mission Bay, home to San Diego’s pride and joy, Seaworld, is located just 13 miles north of Downtown San Diego.

Originally a salt marsh, the city of San Diego put a concerted effort to transform Mission Bay into an aquatic park known as Mission Bay Park. The development of the park initially started in the mid-1940s and continued throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

Mission Bay Dana Landing Mission Bay Cruises

Once finished, Mission Bay Park spanned over 4235 acres with a combined total of 27 miles of coastline, making it the largest man-made water park in the country! In fact, if you like ratio’s- Mission Bay Park is 54%water and 46% land.

That is a lot of water! So let’s get on the water now!

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Oceanside Harbor Cruises- Get on the Water!

Oceanside Adventures Oceanside Harbor

One of the best ways to experience Oceanside Harbor up close and personal is to go on a Harbor cruise. Or even better, going out of the Harbor and exploring the coastline.  Here, I would like to present to you a list of all possible Oceanside harbor cruises.  As you are about to see, Oceanside Harbor cruises have a little bit of something for everyone. Just have a look!

I have previously written and listed all of the possible whale watching tours as well as all San Diego Sportfishing Party boats offered in San Diego County in two other posts. Please click on the links above for any additional information concerning whale watching or fishing tours in Oceanside.

A Variety of Oceanside Harbor Cruises

There are many cruises to choose from so let’s see what Oceanside Harbor has to offer, shall we?

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San Diego Bay-A Photo Tour

San Diego Bay Naval Ship Leaving

Today I would like to take you on a mini photo tour of San Diego Bay! Will you join me?

First off, fun fact.

Did you know that the San Diego Bay was mentioned in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848?

 After the U.S-Mexican War, the Treaty (which is still in effect) specifically pointed out that the entirety of the San Diego Bay would belong to the United States.

San Diego Bay Google Map Satellite

Discovering San Diego Bay Via Photos

Sailing San Diego Bay
Sailing San Diego Bay

The San Diego Bay is a natural deepwater harbor which is found minutes away from the border of Mexico and the United States and is the third largest bay in California after San Fransico Bay and Humboldt Bay.

The  San Diego Bay is over 12 miles long and 1-3 miles wide and is separated into two sections:

  1. North Bay-North Island, Shelter Island, Spanish Landing, Harbor Island, Coronado, Embarcadero
  2. South Bay -National City, Chula Vista, Siver Strand, Imperial Beach

So today we will be starting our tour up north at the mouth of the bay. We will then continue to make our way on the east shore of the Bay going south and finally making our way back up north on the western shore of San Diego Bay.

Ready? Let’s go!

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Best San Diego Birding Hotspots

Loma Alta Creek San Diego Birding

Here I  present to you a comprehensive list of the best San Diego birding hotspots. I will be including all of San Diego County starting first to the north and making my way south. Each site will consist of a link to an address; as well as, habitat type, amenities,  tour information (if available,) and finally any notable birds of interest.

Did you know that there are many free San Diego birding tours offered all over San Diego County? I will also be including any insider information that I turn up in my research; such as prime locations within each site.

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Slough What? Discovering Famosa Slough

Famosa slough sign ocean beach california

Hi! Have you ever explored a wetland before? Well, today I would like to share with you a place that you would never expect to be so wonderful-Famosa Slough in Ocean Beach. First off, what is a slough? According to the dictionary, a slough (pronounced slōō)  is a swamp or shallow lake that is usually the backwater of a larger body of water with relatively low water circulation.

In other words, we can think of a  slough as a wetland a little farther from the shore compared to say, a lagoon where the mouth opens to the ocean. Another way to look at is, is that a slough is the part of the estuary where fresh water from creeks and urban runoff mix with the salty ocean water that is transported by the tides.

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Touring The Living Coast Discovery Center

Sweetwater Marsh National Refuge San Diego Bay

At the beginning of Summer, I took my two daughters to go and check out the Living Coast Discovery Center, located in the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. I had not been there for over 30 years, so needless to say I was super excited to go back!

Where is the Living Coast Discovery Center?

First off, The Living Coast Discovery Center is in South Bay, San Diego-Chula Vista which is 12.4 miles from Downtown San Diego.

San Diego South Bay consists of everything south of Downtown San Diego all the way to the Mexican Border; which includes National City, Chula Vista, Coronado, and Imperial Beach.

San-Diego-Bay-Map-Living-Coast-Discovery-Center

1000 Gunpowder Point Dr, Chula Vista, CA 91910

(619) 409-5900

http://www.thelivingcoast.org

Hours  10am-5 pm daily

Adults (13+)            $16
Children (3-12)        $11
Children (0-2)          Free

#please click on any photo to see a larger version

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Five Hidden Gems In San Diego

Del Mar Dog Beach Hidden Gems In San Diego

I have wanted to write this post for quite some time. Ever since I started this website, I have found some gorgeous hidden gems in San Diego while out in the ‘field’ doing research and I am here to share!

San Diego Hidden Gems? 

So what do I mean by a hidden gem? Hidden in plain sight might be a better way to put it Not much is know about it. Maybe locals are keen, but the average San Diegan and the new to town tourist have no idea.

Coastal Hidden Gems in San Diego

Also, today I am going to be concentrating just on the coastline of San Diego County- seventy miles of coast that stretches all of the ways down to the border of Mexico.

Please click on any photo to see a larger version and I have also included a video featuring each hidden gem in San Diego.

Let’s have a look at the top five places that I have on my list so far, shall we?

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List of All San Diego Sportfishing Party Boats

Helgrens Sportfishing Boat going into dock

I would like to present to you a complete list of all public San Diego Sportfishing Party Boats. First off, what is the difference between and Party Boat and a Charter Boat? Well, to put it simply, a Party Boat is available to anyone who would like to come. While on the other hand, you can say that a Charter is a private rental, where the public is not welcome to join.

I will be listing all available Party boats in San Diego County, starting first up north in Oceanside Harbor.

A Few Much Needed References

I have included here a link to Sportfishingreport.com.  If you look towards the bottom of the list, you will see all of the San Diego Sportfishing party boats as well as all Charter boats that go out daily.  Have a look! Every Sportfishing boat in California is listed here. What I like about this site is that every fish that is caught is recorded.

Here is a very helpful page as well-The Current California Recreational Fishing Regulations. The Captains and crew are well aware of all of the rules and regulations, but it never hurts to get an idea before setting out to fish. Also, I would like to include “Everything Thing You Need To Know About Fishing in Mexico,“, as it can get very confusing.

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Whale Watching in Southern California

Short Beaked Common Dolphin Whale Watching In Southern California

On July 9th, 2018, my husband and I set off to Newport Beach to go whale watching for my 50th birthday present. You see, we both agreed to do something out of the ordinary for our monumental birthdays, I mean how often do you turn 50? Ok once, yes I know, but it is a big deal right?

If you asked anyone who knows me they will tell you that I am a little crazy when it comes to whales. I also love the summer, so summer plus whales, now that calls for a celebration! Summertime whale watching in Southern California is an opportune time to see the most majestic whale there is- the blue whale. Oh, did I happen to mention that the blue whale is my totem animal? More on that later.

Before this trip, I had not been whale watching in Southern California for over 20 years, so I was extremely excited for this day!

First off, I didn’t want to go on the traditional whale watching cruise; I wanted to try something different. So today we would be going on a RIB- a rigid inflatable boat out of Newport Landing, in Newport Beach Harbor in Orange County.

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Walking the Batiquitos Lagoon Trail

Batiquitos Lagoon sitting bench plants lagoon hills

Are you looking for a relatively easy trail to go hiking on in San Diego? Well, look no further as I have found the perfect spot! The Batiquitos Lagoon is between Carlsbad and Encinitas. It is one of the last saltwater marshes in Southern California. Today I will be taking you on a tour of the 3.14-mile Batiquitos Lagoon Trail.

Batiquitos Lagoon Map topography

Let’s go!

7380 Gabbiano Lane, Carlsbad

760-931-0800

Nature Center-9am-3pm daily

Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Information

Batiquitos Lagoon Trail-A Photo Tour

I was so happy to come here for the first time. I have always been curious about this lagoon as you can see it from the Interstate 5 freeway. Here are a couple of references for you. The first is a map of the lagoon as well as a list of all possible birds that are seen here. Finally, I have also added the Self-Guided Batiquitos Trail Map which highlights several sites.

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List of San Diego Beach Camping Sites

San Elijo State Beach San Diego Beach Camping

Here I present to you a list of San Diego beach camping sites. I will be starting up north and making my way down south. I have included RV camping sites as well.  With San Diego having over 70 miles of coastline, I have found for you all of the spots where you can experience the beach up close and personal, be it in a tent or an RV!

Each address is linked to a google map as well as an appropriate website so you may get more information.

Let’s have a look!

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Top Ten Best San Diego Tide Pools

Terramar Tide Pools San Diego Tide Pools

With over 70 miles of coastline, San Diego tide pools are not as common as one would expect. You see, it all depends on the topography of the shore. Here I would like to present to you the top 10 San Diego tidepools. I will be starting in North County San Diego and finally will be ending at the most southern location in Point Loma.

San Diego County Google Map San Diego Tide Pools

I have linked each address to a Google Map to make it easier for you. Also, please click on each photo to see a larger version.

As a rule, you should always check out the Tidal Chart before heading down to the beach. The best time to check tide pools is during a low tide.  Anything below a +1 is an opportune time to visit. In fact, if you can go during a negative tide, now that would be far superior, but most of those only happen in the winter time.

I have also included a pamphlet, courtesy of the Cabrillo National Monument, which will help you identify some of the tide pool specimens. Have a look and print it out!

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Dog Friendly Beaches in San Diego

Dog Beach OB Sign Dog Friendly Beaches in San Diego

Say, are you looking for dog friendly beaches in San Diego? As a dog owner, there is no better feeling than sharing the outdoors together! And what better place to explore than at the beach!

Here I would like to present to you a comprehensive list of all the dog friendly beaches in San Diego. I will be covering the entire San Diego County, first starting up north and making my way to the U.S./ Mexico Border.

I have added a # to specify which location is leash free.

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