Travelogue: San Diego-Libs 320A

Alain de Botton suggests that traveling is more about the mindset than the destination. However, I am here to insist that San Diego will impress even the minds of the anti-travelers. People travel from all over the world to visit the infamous San Diego, California. Growing up, I never quite understood what was so special about my hometown. Then I moved away for college. From the famous San Diego Zoo (where I worked for two years), to Seaworld, to Pacific Beach and Belmont Park- San Diego has something for everyone. From morning until night (and from night until morning) the San Diego lifestyle is active, unique and full of opportunity. Hot brunch spots like Morning Glory in Little Italy consist of all gold bathrooms within the hot pink restaurant. Thrift stores line the beach areas, or you can go inland towards Hillcrest and catch the extra trendy stops. Spend your weekend in Pacific Beach, walking the streets of beach clubs and rooftop bars with a perfect view of the ocean. Or if you are celebrating something special, head into La Jolla for endless options of five star sea view restaurants and specialty desserts. Sun went down? Head downtown to experience an unforgettable take on night life. The Gaslamp district beholds some of the hottest bars, speakeasy venues, and clubs. Not 21? No problem, check out “The Basement,” an 18+ club. If you are traveling as a family, downtown is still for you. The Ghirardelli Shop is your new favorite destination for all things chocolate. More into sugar? Head to the Sugar Factory- you might run into some celebrities as you sip your sugary drinks! Don’t worry adults, both places are more than happy to spike your sugar. Traveling with animal lovers? Both the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park are noteworthy stops. If you head up to the Safari Park, you HAVE to stop at the Camel Dairy and feed the camels some watermelons. Camel milk chocolate and chapstick is a great souvenir too! Plant lovers? History buffs? Balboa park is the perfect stop for both. Check out the botanical gardens and mazes on the way to all kinds of museums. Balboa park is also a beautiful stop for the romantics, or any proposal photoshoots you may be hoping to schedule!

If you haven’t already figured this out, San Diego has something for everyone. The exciting, the boring, and everything in between. “We are alive to the layers of history beneath the present and take notes and photographs” (Botton, 242). If San Diego hasn’t been on your travel radar yet, now is your chance to make it the top of your bucket list. As I drive past all of my favorite places and see everyone wearing (or not wearing…) masks, I sigh and wish life would go back to normal. I miss going to the zoo with my grandma and brunch with my besties. Life during COVID-19 has made me feel anxious constantly, sometimes trapped at home and convinced that I will never take life for granted again. “I felt despair at being home. I felt there could be few worse places on Earth than the one I had been fated to spend my existence in” (Botton, 239). While this does feel dramatic, I know that my life should be spent exploring, and I look forward to the day where I can be back outside, wild and (mask) free.