As an amazing birthday present my sister decided it might be fun to take a vacation, so along with her boyfriend Will we decided on the southern coast of California in San Diego! Our trip was only for four days, but we ended up doing a lot. The first day we got there we visited the famous San Diego Zoo where we saw so many animals from all over the world. On the second day we rented a car and went exploring on the coast- up to the La Jolla Coves and Torrey Pines State Park. This alone was reason enough for me to never want to leave California. I have never before seen such diverse and lush plant life and landscape in my life, it was beautiful to say the least. While hiking through the state park we were introduced to different scenery, each vastly different from the next, ranging from desert shrubs and sand to breathtaking cliffs and ocean views. Oh man, I want to go back now! Interspersed with our adventures outside we also had the opportunity to take advantage of San Diego’s local cuisine.
Before leaving for San Diego I asked a lot of people for suggestions on what to do and mainly what to eat. The resounding answer to this question was fish tacos. I couldn’t go to San Diego and not try them so while we were driving through La Jolla we stopped and asked a stranger on the street where we should go to get good fish tacos and he pointed us in the direction of Rimel’s Rotisserie. Wedged in the middle of a strip mall (albeit nice strip mall) we would have never spotted this restaurant or had thought to go in. The tacos were really good, made with fresh pressed corn tortillas from the place next door filled with fresh mahi mahi and topped with cabbage and cilantro. What’s more- we got to eat outside! What more could we ask for?
Another suggestion brought us to our next destination which was brunch at Cafe on Park. We found this place located in the Hillcrest neighborhood near Balboa Park from a city guide to San Diego on the blog Design*Sponge. We were all very happy with our food ranging from house made granola with tons of fresh fruit and yogurt to sundried tomato and basil scramble. It was great to have a breakfast akin to something we would like to have at home (made better) and to explore a new neighborhood.
Before seeing a show at The National Comedy Theatre we had dinner at The Linkery in the neighborhood of North Park. This was another Design*Sponge suggestion that did not disappoint. As you can see by the sight of this cheese board, we were in the right place. Known as a great farm-to-table restaurant along with local cask beers and wine this is a place in San Diego you should visit. Our entrees included provolone and grana padano cheese flatbread, pesto mushroom flatbread, and the portobello burger.
If the scenery of San Diego weren’t enough, the food we enjoyed during our trip put it over top. I think all three of us wonder why we aren’t living there right now- maybe one day…
