San Diego 'Hike-about'

If you want to skip all the post-Thanksgiving shopping madness and burn off some of those pie calories then head to the great outdoors for some fresh air and beautiful scenery.  San Diego is not called “America’s Finest City” just because of our sparkling beaches, our mountains and forests are just as inviting.  We’ve highlighted some of our favorite hikes this week, so you know exactly where to go and what you’ll see.

Torrey Pines, just north of La Jolla, is the perfect place to hike with over 2,000 acres to explore.  On Saturdays and Sundays, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, rangers are available to give tours.  Torrey Pines is a reserve not a park, so dogs are not allowed (except for service dogs), in order to help protect the eco system.  For first time visitors, it’s hard to know where to start, so we’ve listed some of our favorite easy trails below. 

Walk through Whittaker Garden (which has markers that identify the local flora) to start the Parry Grove trail for a short half-mile loop.  Parry Grove is known for their California wildflowers in the colder, wet months.

You can combine this short hike with the High Point Trail by walking up the stairs, or just head to the High Point trail for a nice walk with the oldest tree grove in the reserve.  Some of the tall trees shading the trail are over 200 years old. 

Yucca Point Trail is an easy hike that is little over a mile with a gradual elevation change of about 200 feet.  One point of the trail offers access to the beach and either way you walk you are treated with lovely views.

Another easy trail that won’t take too long to hike is the 1.3 mile Razor Point Trail, which also offers dramatic vistas.                                                                                                                                 

The Beach Trail is a little steeper than some of the other easy trails, but is still manageable and only ¾ of a mile.  This is a fascinating trail for budding geologists as you can observe the diverse changes of the rocks and terrain as the trail winds from the shore to the forest.

Guy Fleming Trail is 0.7 of a mile and also offers breathtaking views, making it easy to spot dolphins and whales in the winter months.

Twenty five minutes from Mission Bay is Mount Cowles, the highest peak within San Diego city limits, located in Mission Trails Regional Park.  This hike is so popular, it sees more visitors scaling to the top every year than Japan’s Mount Fuji.  It’s such a gradual incline, it is a good beginner’s trail, however there isn’t much shade so be sure to pack a hat and sunblock during sunny days.  This three-mile hike is ideal when the sun is setting, where you can take in the colorful sunsets and city lights as the night grows darker.

Also located in Mission Trails is the Oak Canyon Trail, another popular hike, in the 5,800 acre regional park.   The path is lined with tall sycamore trees and because of some steep switchbacks, is more of a moderate climb in difficulty.  However, the views of Lake Murray, the Pacific Ocean, downtown San Diego and Mexico, make it worth it.  With some even pacing, anyone can push through to the top. 

To really get outside of the city, head over to Los Penasquitos Canyon (about 20 minutes north of Mission Bay) for a tranquil stroll through rolling hills and a babbling brook.  The trail that meanders through the canyon is about five miles long, and has a waterfall about 3 miles in, so if you don’t want to make the entire trek, you can turn around at this point.   The paths are wide and safe for the whole family, and keep your eyes peeled for deer that wander around. 

From exploring the trails at sea level to climbing the highest mountain in the city, and everything in between, San Diego has some of the most gorgeous hikes in the world.  For the cooler fall months (mid-60s is chilly for us), heading outside for a brisk hike is the perfect way to enjoy our great town.  Book a stay at one of lovely properties at Mission Bay Vacation Rentals and start enjoying Mother Nature. 

Kid Tested & Adult Approved Eateries

With a world-famous zoo, sunny beaches, and a toy-themed amusement park, it's no wonder families flock to San Diego (and these are just a few of the kid-orientated options our town has to offer!).  Sometimes it's hard to plan on where to go for a sit-down meal with a young brood that satisfies both young AND older taste buds. Here are a few of our favorites that are casual, offer delectable fare, and best of all, welcome rambunctious little ones. 

Corvette Diner is a popular retro food joint that promises not only a tasty meal but also a rockin' party every time you visit. Servers dress in '50s garb from head to toe (beehives and all) and will even occasionally break out in song and dance, encouraging audience participation.  Portions are generous and it's hard to choose between the yummy salads, every type of hot sandwich, or pastas.  Don't forget to order one of their old-fashioned fountain drinks (like an egg cream) or thick milkshakes in one of their creative flavors (like Banana Berry Bingo).  The kids will especially love the attached arcade that offers everything from classic skeeball to modern day guitar hero. Come hungry, and we suggest you make reservations for weekend evenings.

For a family-friendly California-take on the classic beer garden, head to Station Tavern. Indoor and outdoor picnic tables give it a laid back feel, while the sandbox and playground will keep the kids happy as you wait for your food.  The kids’ menu's prices start at $3.50 and they also have a great selection of local brews, which will keep any parent happy.  Known for delicious burgers and tater tots, you also don't want to miss the amazing garlic fries and The Yardbird (a free range chicken smothered in pepper jack cheese and house made barbecue sauce).   “Station” (as locals refer to it) opens at 11:00 a.m. and is closed on Mondays. 

Waypoint Public has an inventive menu (thanks to Executive Chef, and Top Chef contestant, Amanda Baumgarten) and a designated kids’ area complete with AstroTurf and a white picket fence.  Waypoint is known for its impressive beer selection (over 100 choices that are either on-tap or bottled), and most are locally brewed.   The staff not only know their drinks, but they are also great with kids.  It's hard to make a wrong choice with the impressive menu (think pub fare with inventive twists) but we highly recommend the “BLT Deviled Eggs” as a starter and the hearty and enormous "Waypoint Burger."  Call ahead to reserve a table next to the kids’ area. 

One of our favorite things about Beaumonts in La Jolla is that their kids’ menu offers small portions for tiny eaters ('Little Bowl of Fruit') and larger options for big kids with bigger appetites (chocolate chip pancakes with fruit).  The kids’ menu is also geared toward picky little eaters ('Oodles of Noodles are plain noodles with butter with Parmesan) as well as kids with healthy appetites ('Mini' house salads).  Adults are going to love the exotic flatbreads (Wild boar, anyone?), mouth-watering sides (goat cheese mashed potatoes, yes please!), and delicious entrees (the braised lamb shank with mint chimichurri is divine!).  This place is great for foodies and foodies-in-training.  

We've mentioned The Wave House in Belmont Park before, but as far as great food with a kid-friendly environment goes, this place is a clear winner.  Not only is the food great, but there's always some kind of thrilling entertainment thanks to the FlowBarrel wave machine located just steps from the tables. Sitting outdoors you have clear views of surfers braving the man-made waves, which will enthrall patrons both young and old.  Kids can nosh on fish and chips while grown-ups can enjoy the blackened cod sandwich, and everyone can share the nachos and truffle fries.  

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and this is the perfect time to pack up the whole family and book a home from Mission Bay Vacation Rentals.   Of course our housing options have lovely kitchens, but for those meals when you want a break from cooking, we've got you covered.  Picking a kid-friendly dining experience doesn't mean you have to sacrifice fine dining or a good time for everyone in the family.

Exploring an Aquatic Ecosystems

Of all the many ecosystems you can explore, very few let you spy on their natural state as the tide pools along the shore.  Formed when water is trapped in depressions on rocky shorelines, and fully exposed at low tide, these mini-worlds are filled with fascinating tiny creatures and beautiful flowering plants.  November to March is the optimal time to explore the many tide pools of San Diego, and here are just a few that we love to visit.

Flat Rock, at Torrey Pines State reserve, is named for the horizontal slab of rock that look like it's emerging from the ocean during high tide.  During low tide it is a captivating tide pool filled with sea anemones, mussels, hermit crabs, and sea stars.  A visit here requires a bit of a hike, but one that’s lined with tall pine trees and a cool ocean breeze.  

For those wanting to explore a smaller rocky intertidal zone (a fancy word for an area that is under water during high tide and above water in low tide), than check out Shell Beach in La Jolla.  Located at the south end of Ellen Browning Scripps park, this tide pool gets big crowds during the weekend because of the occasional seal which suns itself atop the reef so we recommend visiting during the week.  

We love the tide pools under the Ocean Beach Pier (at the foot of Newport Avenue) because they are so accessible.  They’re a close drive from Mission Bay and do not require a hike, so it's easy to explore with little ones.  If they look too crowded or the tide isn’t low enough, you can always grab a bite on the pier or at some of the great eateries in Ocean Beach and wait for better conditions.  

At the north end of Pacific Beach, you’ll find Tourmaline Surfing Park's tide pools,  which are carved into the sandstone.  This is not your typical pool, as it does not see as much flowing sea water over the rocks, so you’ll find different marine life here than at a traditional tide pool.  

One of the more famous tide pools in San Diego is at the base of Point Loma, below the lighthouse of Cabrillo National Monument.  Like Flat Rock, this reef also requires a hike, but the vast area and unique formations are well worth a visit.  Ideally, you’ll get there as soon as the park opens at 9:00 a.m. to avoid excessive waiting, as the parking lot will close temporarily when the tide pools get too crowded.   Stop by the park’s visitor center for an educational slide show about the pools before you make the trek.  There are also rangers wandering around who can offer tips and interesting facts about the area.  

Birch Aquarium in La Jolla offers two ways to explore these under water communities.  The first is at their Preuss Tide-Pool Plaza on site, where they have recreated the ecosystem in three different pools.  There are glass windows that look into the complex intertidal worlds and docents are also averrable for any questions you might have.  The Plaza sits above La Jolla and also offers gorgeous panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and San Diego.

The Aquarium also offers ‘San Diego Tidepooling Adventures,’ where you can visit Dike Rock, just north of the Scripps Pier, and learn about this amazing environment.  A trained naturalist will explain exactly how all these creatures can survive in such contradictory climates (wet and dry in both salt water and fresh, depending on the rainfall).  You must be at least 2 years old for this tour and pre-purchased tickets are required ($12 for Aquarium members and $15 for non-member). 

All visits should be planned during low tide, and you can track the tide schedule HERE.  Tide pools are known for being slippery and the rocks can have very jagged edges, so non-slip shoes that you won’t mind getting wet are ideal.  Always face the ocean when walking and examining so you are aware of unexpected and approaching waves.  

Remember, tide pools are a very fragile eco-system, and while they provide fascinating entertainment for us, we must be careful not to get too close to the animals living there.  These areas are protected so no poking or picking up sea creatures, or taking ‘souvenirs’ (this includes  shells, which are where hermits crabs call ‘home’) with you.  You can truly observe these eco-systems in their most pure state when observing and not touching.  We want these pools to last forever so we need to make sure we tread lightly when visiting.

Looking closely into the clear waters on these rocky reefs is like spying on life forms on another planet.  The San Diego coastline is brimming with these pools that can captivate both adults and children.  Spend a fews days with us, at Mission Bay Vacation Rentals, exploring these dazzling and delicate ecosystems.  

Saluting Our Soldiers

With a US Marine Corps base in north San Diego county, and an United States Naval Base downtown, San Diego is definitely a ‘military town.’  With that in mind, this is going to be the perfect place to celebrate Veterans Day next week on November 11th.  Even if you won’t be able to honor veterans next Wednesday, there are plenty of ways to pay tribute to them any day of the year.  Here, we've highlighted a few places to visit on Veterans Day and beyond.

 Originally a holiday meant to commemorate the end of World War I, when on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month all major hostilities ended in 1918, Veterans’s Day was actually called Armistice Day for many decades.  In 1945, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks had the idea to expand Armistice Day to honor all veterans and not just those from World War I.  Two years later, Armistice Day in the United States encompassed all veterans, thanks to Weeks, who is known as the "Father of Veterans Day."  In 1954 Congress officially changed the day’s name to Veterans Day.  

The San Diego Veterans Day Parade is a San Diego tradition planned and organized by 'Veterans Week San Diego,' an all-volunteer group who want to honor those who have served our nation.  Visit the website HERE for specifics on where to catch the parade route.  The theme of the parade will be honoring 'America's Greatest Generation' and celebrating the 70th anniversary of the ending of World War II.  The mile-long parade will begin at 11:00 am (and is expected to end around 1:30 pm) at North Harbor Drive and West Broadway and will run past the USS Midway.

 As soon as the parade winds down, you’ll want to head over to the USS Midway for a full day’s celebration.  Visitors will have the chance to serve the community with the San Diego Blood Bank Blood Drive, taking place on Veterans Day at the Midway starting at 10:00 am.  If you make your appointment in advance HERE and donate blood, admission to the Midway is free that day.  The 70th anniversary of the end of WWII is the main influence the festival, with live music and entertainment and vintage war planes flying overhead.  There will be food, prizes and give-aways, and a special ‘Kidz Zone.’  Along with active military, admission is free to all veterans with a veterans ID. 

 If you can’t make it to the historic aircraft carrier on the 11th, you will definitely want to make a trip out to the Navy Pier another time.  Although it was constructed during World War II, the USS Midway did not go into operation until one week after the war ended.  At the time of its completion until 1955, it was the largest ship in the world.  It operated for almost 50 years (1945-1992) and had over 225,000 (wow!) sailors serve aboard the ship.  There are over 60 exhibits to visit, including original sleeping quarters, the ship’s jail, and flight control deck.  Check out the Air Wing, where you can climb into a cockpit and see what it felt like to sit in the pilot’s seat.  For the more adventurous, there are three flight simulators you can take for a spin and really feel like you’re racing through the air.  For some authentic military grub, visit the Fantail Cafe, which features items from its original 1945 menu.  There is also a 90-seat theater which plays a 15 minute multimedia film about the history of this great ship.

Another option to pay homage to veterans is a stop to the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center in Balboa Park.  All branches of the military are covered here and is a home to all veteran groups.  There are military artifacts from World War I all the way to Desert Storm, like the first American flag that fell in the Philippines in World War II.   Military photographs and artwork that date back to the Civil War to present day are part of the permanent collection.  Take a living history tour with a veteran docent and hear first hand, what occurred in some of these historic battles.  The museum, housed in a former chapel of the Naval Hospital, is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The Veterans Day celebration in downtown San Diego is a touching way to recognize those who have sacrificed for our country's freedom.  Next week, book a stay with us and take your time attending the Veterans Day Parade, visiting the USS Midway and the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center.  Mission Bay Vacation Rentals would like to extend a heartfelt "Thank You" to those who have served in the armed forces.