"San Diego -- A Native's Perspective" San Diego by llcole

Yes, this was the wording on a bumper sticker popular during the 70's and 80's in San Diego (you still see a few around even today). I thought at the time it was directed at tourists, but now I believe it had more to do with the incredible population explosion we've since experienced. Almost no one you meet here is actually from San Diego--they've all moved here from somewhere else. It's understandable: great climate, beautiful landscapes, lots of outdoor activities; proximity to beach, mountains and desert. Cultural activities have become more numerous (probably a reflection of the growing populace). Along with this, however, housing prices have risen to ridiculous levels, gas prices are sometimes the highest in the country, and the job market can't pay enough to make up for it (there's something known as the "sunshine dollar"--you're expected to be happy with less disposable income because the sun's always out and what more could you want anyway?).

For tourists, though, the place is great--lots of hotels, restaurants, beaches, a bustling downtown nightlife (the Gaslamp District), Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Seaworld, Wild Animal Park, trolley to Mexican border (you walk from there into Tijuana--about a 20-minute trek). Also Torrey Pines State Beach (a beautiful hiking opportunity), La Jolla Cove for a nice walk by the ocean and high-end shopping, San Diego Bay or Mission Bay for a leisurely sail or other watersports activities, and the historic Hotel Del Coronado (you don't need to stay there--it's a great place just to walk around). Point Loma lighthouse area for a great view, Ocean Beach for the "counterculture" (or what remains of it--I still can't believe they let a Starbucks set up shop there), and Mission Beach for the more typical rollerblading-on-the-boardwalk-in-California scene.

San Diego has changed dramatically since I was a kid. It's a huge sprawling city now, and has unfortunately caved in to a lot of big-money developers who tend to raze the older buildings that gave the area character and replace them with boring, blocky condominiums. (They haven't knocked down all the neat old places yet, so hurry.) The things that haven't changed are the relatively relaxed attitude of the place and friendliness of its inhabitants. Let's hope those, at least, have some staying power.