10 Things That Make San Diego So Hard To Say Goodbye To
San Diego is an easy city to fall in love with. And as I’m slowly figuring out, a difficult place to leave. From the hustle and bustle of downtown, to the relaxing waves of every beach, America’s Finest City has captured my heart, over and over again, for the past 18 years. Here are just a few of the many reasons that I’m blessed and proud to call San Diego my home.
1. The beaches
The first things associated with California in general: beaches and surfers. Although not all of us surf (guilty as charged), on any given day, you can find the many beaches of San Diego filled with enthusiastic tourists and laid back locals. From Mission Beach all the way up to Oceanside, you really can’t go wrong with choosing where to take some time to relax and get tan. Every beach has its own charm and each one gives just as warm of a welcome as the next.
2. The sunsets
You’d think that after so many years, seeing the sun go down would get pretty boring. And yet, 6,000 sunsets later, I still am in awe of the boundless beauty that I get to experience every night. Grabbing some friends and watching the colors of the sky disappear over the ocean is one of my favorite past times. My heart drops at the thought of letting go of that nightly tradition.
3. The weather
This is a hot topic (pardon the pun) amongst people who get to live in areas with actual seasons and real changes in weather. Snow? We’ve never heard of it. Temperatures below 50 degrees? Not possible. I’ve always loved being able to wear shorts and flip-flops year round, as stereotypical Californian as it might sound. Of course the result would be that most San Diegans don’t really know how to drive in the rain. But ya win some, ya lose some. I’m glad to have been raised with endlessly sunny skies and perfect weather, and if I ever wanted to experience the cold, the mountains are just a short drive away.
4. The people
I might be a little biased towards San Diegans because I’ve grown up with them. And I’ve had the honor of growing up as one of them. But as far as I have experienced, the people of this city are some of the happiest and most genuine that I’ve had the pleasure to meet. Maybe it’s something in the water. Maybe it’s an endless gratitude for the place they get to live in. But San Diegans have a warmth to them like no other. It’s a beautiful place filled with beautiful people and I wouldn’t trade that for the world.
5. The attractions
There’s no end to the list of things to do in San Diego. If you want to go to a theme park, there’s SeaWorld, Legoland, and Belmont Park. If you’re looking for the bigger rides and shows, Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios, and Disneyland are all just a short drive away. The San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Safari Park give you a chance to see a world’s worth of animals in a day or two. If you want some free activities, you can visit the seals down in La Jolla, take a stroll around Balboa Park, or take a hike up to Potato Chip Rock or the Torrey Pines State Reserve. It’s a pretty difficult task to be bored in a city with so much to offer.
6. The food
Sure, a California burrito (along with pretty much all SD Mexican food) is to die for. But the beauty doesn’t end there. Through Convoy, Hillcrest, the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Liberty Station, Downtown, and everywhere in between, there is an endless supply and variety of flavors to try throughout every little town. Whether it’s an In-N-Out burger you crave, a Board & Brew sandwich, acai in a pineapple bowl, or ice cream served in a cereal-covered sugar cone, San Diego’s got just what you need.
7. The shopping
There’s various malls and outlet malls that hold the big name brands if you so desire. But there’s also little boutiques that are hidden throughout the city. They contain some of the greatest steals you could ever find. The shopping in San Diego is to die for. The diversity in stores makes it easy for anyone to find anything that they may seek. You can almost guarantee that the store you’re looking for is at the nearest mall or shopping center.
8. The balance
As shocking of a statement as it might be, sometimes I’d rather go explore the city rather than lay out on the sand. The great thing about San Diego is that if you’re in the mood for the beach, you can take a drive up the coast and take your pick. If you’re in the mood for a hike, or some nature, go a little inland to find what you’re looking for. If you want to get a big city feel, you can head downtown to get just that. The city is so diverse and it guarantees a place for all types of preferences and personalities.
9. The lifestyle
As Southern Californians, it’s assumed that we drink green juice, consume an endless amount of avocados and Mexican food, do yoga, surf, and relax. A group like that is one that I’ll happily be clumped in with. And one that I’m glad to say that I *kind of* fit into. Although San Diegans don’t perfectly paint that picture, a majority of them do push themselves to be healthy, stay fit, and work hard so that they can live leisurely. Being surrounded by so many people who are driven to stay active and be their absolute best pushes me everyday to do exactly the same. And that’s something that I’ll take with me throughout my life.
10. The atmosphere
With all of these amazing things to wake up to every morning, how could the atmosphere be anything but cheery and upbeat? San Diego is truly flowing with positive energy every second and it’s contagious to be around. It’s an energy unique to the city, and you’ll still be buzzing from it long after you’ve left.
To the city that continues to win me over with something new everyday: thank you, San Diego, for giving me something that is so hard to say goodbye to.
