Pride Parade - San Diego, CA

One of my favorite San Diego summer activities is attending the Pride parade which takes place each July. I live just blocks from the parade path and have watched the jubilant march down 6th Avenue the last nine years. Considered the fifth largest Pride festival in the country, this year’s parade estimated 150,000 exuberant parade-goers.

As my San Diego neighborhood recovers from the Pride Week festivities that wrapped up yesterday, I wanted to share a few of the highlights with you.

Mission Brewery - San Diego, CA

If you haven’t heard, the craft beer community in San Diego has exploded the last few years. One of the newest tasting rooms to open is the award-winning Mission Brewery. Located in the historic Wonder Bread Building in the East Village neighborhood in downtown San Diego, the brewery officially opened its doors to the public on June 18, 2011.

Open Monday - Saturday for tastings, this dog friendly brewery is also planning to host frequent special events, such as yesterday’s Pints for Pups; an event benefiting Guide Dogs for the Blind.

 

Park Life – Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego, CA

  

Three weeks ago, you may remember that I wrote about my love of parks and the inspirational sculptures that can be found in Vigeland Park. The park I would like to showcase this week is Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego, CA. This national park is named after Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo, who has the distinction of being the first European to set foot on the West Coast of the United States.

Name: Cabrillo National Monument

Location: Southern tip of Point Loma Peninsula, San Diego, CA

Size: 160 acres

Park Highlights

Cabrillo Monument

The monument of Cabrillo commemorates the 1542 landing at Ballast Point in San Diego Bay. The sandstone monument, which stands 14 feet tall and weighs 14,000 tons, was donated by the Portuguese Government in 1939. Additional details of the life of Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo can be found at the Visitor Center.

Picture of the Moment - Japanese Friendship Garden

Overlooking the Koi Pond

Bridges of Bankers Hill - San Diego

There’s a lot to love about living in San Diego. I could lie to you and tell you that it isn’t as great as its reputation, but why would I do that? I would much rather boast about the beauty of this fine city and gloat about the almost perfect year-round weather. All to entice you to come visit this pocket of California, of course.

When I first moved here in 2002, I was fortunate enough to settle into a great neighborhood near Balboa Park where I am able to be pedestrian and enjoy the eternal summer days.

One of my favorite parts of living in Bankers Hill is walking the historic streets lined with turn of the century homes and taking in the canyon views that are sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. Bridges provide the best vantage point for such views and Bankers Hill happens to be home to three of my favorite bridges.

Here are three unsung treasures of San Diego. Next time you are in the neighborhood, come check them out for yourself.

Picture of the Moment - San Diego Bay at Sunset

October Sunset



Picture of the Moment - Sunrise in Balboa Park

Morning walk in Balboa Park