Walking San Diego

San Diego is known for being very unfriendly to the walker/biker due to its long distances between parts of town which means it's almost necessary to take the interstate to get anywhere. But you know what, you see the world a little different when you walk and my friend Kristin and I wanted to give it a go. We walked our way around San Diego for one day (6.5 hours!)

Starting in Hillcrest, we breakfasted at Bread and Cie bakery on University Avenue before following 1st avenue through Hillcrest and City Heights (2 SD neighborhoods). We found a Self Realization Temple, a 'famous' hotel because it looks like a barn, some very interesting scultpture gardens and much more as we passed through the residential portion.

First avenue brought us to a point where we wanted to cross over to Little Italy and once there we visited art galleries, cafes, and pubs galore! Especially interesting was the gallery of Mee Shim and the Pecoff Gallery. We actually met Grant, the local artist who met his wife and now travels the world as they combine his art and her poetry to inspire (www.pecoff.com).

Next we enjoyed an afternoon drink at the Princess Pub before we ran into the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art where it just so happens that admission for those under 25 is free! We got a tour by one of the gallery curators and then decided it was time to head down to the water. We strolled through the Seaport Village (which is ridiculously touristy, I didn't even realize San Diego had an area like that) before we walked along the embarcadero with its stunning view of Coronado Island and sailboats galore.

Cutting our way up to downtown, we actually went over the San Diego Convention Center (with the help of LOTS of stairs), catching some very unique and beautiful views of the Coronado Bridge and downtown San Diego before we descended into the Gaslamp district. We popped in and out of a few shops (who were all having ridiculous sales) before snacking and refreshing at the Toscana Cafe and Wine bar.

This was the last stop as it neared 5pm and we knew it was time to walk our way back up to Hillcrest. Taking 6th avenue, we found a beautiful path through a portion of Balboa Park that took us all the way back to University Avenue where we began. There Kristin went on to watch a movie with our mutual friend Katie, and I went home to nap before going to a local Art Walk on Ray Street (www.rayatnightartwalk.com) with my friend Lara.

Walking is something that we, especially locals, would never consider doing just for the sake of getting a different perspective. Things seem too far, there's not enough time, or we'd rather just go do something. But WOW the things you notice and learn about a place when you experience it on foot. We ran across so many beautiful buildings and views and shops and experiences that the drive would never allow us to realize! It reminded me of the way that I experienced London 2 summers ago...and the way that I'll be experiencing Europe here soon. (more to come on Europe).

So...if you ever have the chance. Go for a walk. Not to get anywhere, not for exercise, but just to go and see what you can find. I am so fortunate to have a great, wonderful, amazing friend who is just as willing to wander without cause as I am. Thanks for the beautiful time Kristin!!