San Diego Beach Secrets

February 20, 2019May 24, 2024

Five Best San Diego Beaches You Must Visit!

Have you ever been to San Diego? With over 70 miles of coastline, San Diego has some of the most enchanting beaches in the world! Do you love the beach as much as I do?

Today, I would like to give you my shortlist of the five best San Diego beaches you must visit if you are ever down here!

I have written extensively about each area, so click on the appropriate link. I have also included a short video for each site to help you get a ‘real’ feel for each beach. Please have a look!

Top 5 Best San Diego Beaches

I would first like to state that I am covering the entire San Diego County (where the 70 miles of coast refer.) I will be listing exciting things to do at each location.

Ready? Let’s go!

Trestles- San Onofre State Beach

3929 S El Camino Real, San Clemente

Video of Trestles

Continue reading “Five Best San Diego Beaches You Must Visit!”

January 22, 2019March 11, 2023

List of San Diego Launch Ramps

Are you thinking about coming down to visit San Diego with your boat or sailboat? Did you know there are ten San Diego coastal boat launch ramps?

Here is a complete list of all available San Diego boat launch ramps. I will concentrate on the entire county of San Diego but only on the coast.

Also, I will be including smaller launch ramps where you may enter smaller boats, kayaks, and paddleboards.

Where are all of the San Diego Boat Launch Ramps?

South Shores Launch Ramp Mission Bay — South Shores Launch Ramp- Mission Bay

Did you realize that San Diego County has three separate bays to launch out of- Oceanside, Mission Bay, and San Diego Bay? Altogether, there are ten different boat launch ramps.

Continue reading “List of San Diego Launch Ramps”

January 16, 2019August 20, 2022

Coast to Crest Trail-San Dieguito Lagoon

A couple of months ago, I went down to the San Dieguito Lagoon in Del Mar to walk on the Coast to Crest Trail. Did you know that San Diego County has six coastal lagoons? The San Dieguito Lagoon is the largest of them all.

This past year, I have been having a blast visiting all of the San Diego Lagoons and Nature Centers, and this was the last lagoon to see on my list.

Walking the Coast to Crest Trail at the San Dieguito Lagoon

The San Dieguito Lagoon is located in North County, San Diego, 21 miles north of Downtown San Diego. The lagoon is part of the San Dieguito River Park, which spans over 92,000 acres!

Continue reading “Coast to Crest Trail-San Dieguito Lagoon”

December 11, 2018August 24, 2022

La Jolla Coast Walk Trail-Let’s Go!

I am ashamed to admit that even though I have lived 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 than I can count. It is one of my most revered areas in San Diego. So when I came across this hiking trail while researching, I knew 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?

Continue reading “La Jolla Coast Walk Trail-Let’s Go!”

December 5, 2018August 1, 2023

San Diego Bay Cruises-Get on the Water!

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 in it. After doing a little research, I found some exciting cruises. Take a look for yourself at the wide variety of San Diego Bay cruises that are available.

Before I begin, I should note that I will only be listing San Diego Bay cruises, not whale watching or fishing tours, as I have written about both extensively. Please refer to the two previous posts I have linked if you want more information regarding whales or fish.

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

Continue reading “San Diego Bay Cruises-Get on the Water!”

November 29, 2018December 23, 2022

Mission Bay Cruises-Get On The Water!

One of the best ways of experiencing a marine environment is by 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 to mention that all cruises 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 want further information.

Mission Bay History

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 into transforming Mission Bay into an aquatic park known as Mission Bay Park. The park’s development started in the mid-1940s and continued throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

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

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

Continue reading “Mission Bay Cruises-Get On The Water!”

November 23, 2018June 17, 2021

Oceanside Harbor Cruises- Get on the Water!

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 and 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?

Continue reading “Oceanside Harbor Cruises- Get on the Water!”

November 8, 2018July 31, 2023

San Diego Bay-A Photo Tour

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 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) pointed out that the entirety of San Diego Bay would belong to the United States.

Discovering San Diego Bay Via Photos

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

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

North Bay-North Island, Shelter Island, Spanish Landing, Harbor Island, Coronado, Embarcadero
South Bay -National City, Chula Vista, Silver Strand, Imperial Beach

So today, we will start our tour north at the mouth of the Bay. We will continue to make our way on the Bay’s east shore, going south and back north on the western coast of San Diego Bay.

Ready? Let’s go!

Continue reading “San Diego Bay-A Photo Tour”

October 18, 2018March 6, 2023

Best San Diego Birding Hotspots

Here I present a comprehensive list of the best San Diego birding hotspots. I will include all of San Diego County, starting first to the north and going south. Each site will have a link to an address and habitat type, amenities, tour information (if available), and any notable birds of Interest.

Did you know many free San Diego birding tours are offered all over San Diego County? I will also include any insider information in my research, such as prime locations within each site.

Continue reading “Best San Diego Birding Hotspots”

October 5, 2018August 22, 2022

Slough What? Discovering Famosa Slough

Famosa slough sign ocean beach california

Hi! Have you ever explored a wetland before? Today, I would like to share 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, 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 than a lagoon where the mouth opens to the Ocean. Another way to look at it is that a slough is the part of the estuary where fresh water from creeks and urban runoff mix with the salty ocean water transported by the tides.

Where is the Famosa Slough?

4275-4283 W Point Loma Blvd

The Famosa Slough is located directly south of the San Diego River Flood Control Channel and is 6 miles north of Downtown San Diego in the lovely town of Ocean Beach.

Famosa Slough comprises 37 acres of wetland between the San Diego River Channel and the residential neighborhoods surrounding the San Diego Sports Arena.

South Channel Famosa Slough saltwater marsh — Southern Section

Continue reading “Slough What? Discovering Famosa Slough”

September 19, 2018August 21, 2022

Touring The Living Coast Discovery Center

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

San Diego South Bay consists of everything south of Downtown San Diego to the Mexican Border, including National City, Chula Vista, Coronado, and Imperial Beach.

1000 Gunpowder Point Dr, Chula Vista, CA 91910

(619) 409-5900

http://www.thelivingcoast.org

Hours- 10 am-5 pm daily

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

Continue reading “Touring The Living Coast Discovery Center”

September 10, 2018August 23, 2022

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. Since starting 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 known about it. Maybe locals are keen, but the average San Diegan and the new-to-town tourists have no idea.

Coastal Hidden Gems in San Diego

Also, today I will concentrate on the coastline of San Diego County- seventy miles of coast that stretches all of the way down to the border of Mexico.

I have also included a video featuring each hidden gem in San Diego.

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

Continue reading “Five Hidden Gems In San Diego”

September 3, 2018August 22, 2022

List of All San Diego Sportfishing Party Boats

Helgrens Sportfishing Boat going into dock

I want to present a complete list of all public San Diego Sportfishing Party Boats. First, what is the difference between a 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 list 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 and 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 caught is recorded.

Here is a valuable page as well-The Current California Recreational Fishing Regulations.

The Captains and crew are well aware 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.

Continue reading “List of All San Diego Sportfishing Party Boats”

August 23, 2018August 22, 2022

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 ask anyone who knows me, they will tell you that I am a little crazy about 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 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 excited for this day!

First, 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.

Continue reading “Whale Watching in Southern California”

August 6, 2018August 16, 2023

Walking the Batiquitos Lagoon Trail

Batiquitos Lagoon sitting bench plants lagoon hills

Are you looking for a relatively easy trail to hike on in San Diego? Well, look no further as I have found the perfect spot! The Batiquitos Lagoon is between Carlsbad and Encinitas, and 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.

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 from the Interstate 5 freeway. Here are a couple of references for you. The first is a map of the lagoon and a list of all possible birds seen here. Finally, I added the Self-Guided Batiquitos Trail Map, highlighting several sites.

Fun Fact- Batiquitos translates to ‘little watering hole” in Spanish.

Continue reading “Walking the Batiquitos Lagoon Trail”