23.09./24.09. San Diego

Today we went to Universal Studios for the second time. However, since we were also heading to San Diego after this, we only stayed until noon. 

The drive from Los Angeles to San Diego took only about two and a half hours, which was really quick. But we had to do a bit of shopping beforehand, so we didn’t arrive in San Diego until after dark.

What caught our eye immediately was the charming architecture of the city. Unlike the tall buildings in Los Angeles, here there are many flat, uniquely designed houses. Each had its own character, and we felt welcomed right away.

Our accommodation was a small, cozy cottage. It was smaller than our loft in LA, but we felt comfortable right away – even though the doors didn’t look particularly secure. 

After we unpacked our things, Moritz treated us to a delicious dinner: chicken with rice and fresh salad. After the tasty meal, we were all so tired that we fell straight into bed.

The night was restful for everyone except Julia, who woke up a few times. The noises from outside reminded her of the bustling atmosphere of Los Angeles, which made her feel a bit uneasy. But with each passing minute in the new cottage, we got used to the peaceful atmosphere of San Diego.

Fresh and rested, we started the day with a delicious breakfast. Julia and Franci dared to tackle the American washing machines. With the help of an online guide, they managed to get the machine running in no time.

After the laundry was freshly washed and the backpack was packed, we set out to explore San Diego.

Our first stop was Balboa Park, a true gem with its countless gardens and historic buildings. We strolled for three hours along the expansive paths, admiring the magnificent flowers and architectural masterpieces. Franci and Julia even performed a little operetta. Unfortunately, there was only one audience member. 😄

A special highlight was a huge, twisted tree that served as a home for many friendly squirrels; they came so close that we could almost pet them.

After this relaxing time in the park, we headed to Torrey Pines. There, we not only enjoyed the breathtaking view of the Pacific but also had the chance to cool our feet in the refreshingly cold water. 

From there, we moved on to Ocean Beach, where we watched surfers riding the waves and enjoyed the numerous volleyball courts. We stopped at a small, inviting restaurant because we had heard about Taco Tuesday, where each taco cost only $3.99. The portions were huge, and the food delicious, allowing us to truly fill up.

With full bellies, we made our way back to the accommodation to explore the nightlife and capture the evening vibe. On the way, we noticed that many houses were decorated for Halloween, immediately creating a spooky atmosphere. Eventually, we found a small Irish pub that immediately appealed to us. To our delight, we discovered that musicians gathered there every evening to play together spontaneously. We sat right across from them, fascinated by the Irish sounds, and ended the evening with some delicious, cold beers. When we finally started to feel a bit tired, we called an Uber to return comfortably and relaxed.