"b1bob's Excellent San Diego Adventures" San Diego by b1bob

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b1bob's Excellent San Diego Adventures - San Diego
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Sean and Debbie are high school sweethearts I met my senior year at Lee-Davis High School. They married in 1990, eloping on the day I set out on my excellent adventures for Madrid. As of 1998, they had 2 daughters: Savannah, then 5 and Holly then pushing 3. Sean's work at a company that sells shipbuilding parts took him to Singapore for 3 years. In 1997, Sean flew all the way to the Richmond area to attend our 10 year high school reunion at which I was conspicuously absent. In August 1997, he turned up on my doorstep by surprise. In December, Sean, Debbie and the girls moved to the San Diego suburb of Chula Vista. They flew back to Richmond at Christmas 1997, popped in on me again, and invited me to visit them in San Diego. In June, 1998, I was randomly surfing the internet and, for fun, decided to price tickets for San Diego. I was bumfuzzled to find a round-trip ticket for $314. The only catch was I had to take the RED-EYE (late-night flight) for the return trip.

Round about noon on 9 August 1998, I finally was off to Richmond's Byrd Airport for a week's trip to San Diego to visit high school friends Sean, Debbie, Savannah and Holly (then pushing 3). As I always do, much to the astonishment of all of my family and some friends, I only pack a carry-on. They say, "You never know what you might need." However, I haven't needed anything yet that can't be stowed under the seat or in an overhead bin. Besides, San Diego isn't exactly outside the realm of civilisation. I travel lightly not only because of that, I have seen people lose their luggage for days on end (my friend Fernando when he came here is one vivid example) and I just don't like to fool with baggage claim when I get to the airport. Besides that, some family and friends have seen their things stolen, presumably by baggage handlers. I call my common sense method of packing THROW, STOW, AND GO. It only took 11 minutes and 9 seconds to pack for this trip (I know, I'm slipping, but I'll do better next time around). Not only do I travel lightly, but I make a checklist of everything I need so I don't forget anything.

I want to thank Linda for going back and photographing some things I didn't deem important at that time, 3 years before joining VT.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:The normally moderate weather.
  • Cons:National City (nothing personal, members from there).
  • In a nutshell:My favourite large city in California.
  • Last visit to San Diego: Aug 1998
  • Intro Updated May 22, 2004
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Reviews (26)

Eastlake High School athletic field - San Diego Amateur softball Sports & Outdoors (2)

Sean and I set off early for Eastlake High School in his open-air Jeep Wrangler. By that time of day, it started to get... more travel advice

People Mover - San Diego Mind the step Warnings and Dangers (2)

We took an upward conveyor belt up to it. Holly rode on Sean's shoulders. Near the top, Holly turned to watch after her... more travel advice

Terra Nova Plaza - San Diego Terra Nova Plaza Shopping (4)

Terra Nova Center is a more stylish strip mall on East H Street on the righthand side as you head away from downtown San... more travel advice

Caffe Tazza - San Diego Frappuccino anyone? Restaurants (8)

On the way out, Debbie saw somebody coming out of this coffee shop with something like an iced coffee sundae with... more travel advice

Comments (35)

  • Reply
    Kevross85's Profile Photo
    Sep 9, 2007 at 7:20 AM

    Thats true we didnt know this when we went and when we went on the bus we found you didn't get to see much at all

  • Reply
    Dumpymotel's Profile Photo
    Jun 20, 2004 at 7:20 AM

    Oh god... Plaza Bonita is now owned by Westfield ? I used to work there.. won't say where though. Our mall here in Palm Desert is now a Westfield as well.

  • Reply
    tpangelinan's Profile Photo
    Jun 19, 2004 at 7:22 PM

    Wonderful page Nat! Sounds like you had a great time here. Love Joe's Crab Shack, we have one here in DE. Would like to go here some day. Thanks :o)

  • Reply
    keeweechic's Profile Photo
    Apr 30, 2004 at 2:18 PM

    Delicious restaurant updates since my last visit. I can never do a buffet justice but great to have the selection. I wasn't thrilled with Joes Crab Shack.

  • Reply
    dr.firas's Profile Photo
    Apr 9, 2004 at 2:58 AM

    Great Updates Nat! :-)) Birds must be happy here! wow good to mention it, now Vters will be carefull! brilliant!

  • Reply
    brazilnut30's Profile Photo
    Apr 7, 2004 at 5:56 AM

    Nat,,, awesome info!

  • Reply
    Jmill42's Profile Photo
    Apr 2, 2004 at 11:58 AM

    Good updates!! San Diego is awesome. I loved Mission Bay! Great page, Nat.

  • Reply
    camilo74's Profile Photo
    Mar 17, 2004 at 5:18 AM

    Really Interesting and good advice (specially about food)

  • Reply
    Leipzig's Profile Photo
    Mar 7, 2004 at 10:12 AM

    Excellent page! Well done, my friend!

  • Reply
    lmkluque's Profile Photo
    Jan 8, 2004 at 7:12 AM

    Nice additions Nat!

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