San Diego. Why do you love it?

[San Diego Native]

My family and I love San Diego not only because we have a great lifestyle, with great weather, but primarily because both my wife’s family, my family, and most of our friends all live here–for us it will always be “home,” and that sense of life is really what it is all about.

Another positive is that, due to close proximity, we have been able to raise our kids here while working in Hollywood, and that has been great, too.

Although we’re only in our 40’s, we remember a time when San Diego (even La Jolla, where we grew up, and still live)had a small-town atmosphere, and everyone knew everyone else. Those times were truly fantastic!!

We’ve lived and visited other places all over the world, and although San Diego is not perfect–all things considered–it’s far more perfect than any other place we’ve ever seen, so, for us, this is IT!

[MadeInTaiwan]

First, I want to list what I don’t like about San Diego.

1) Weather never really changes. It is so boring. I am not saying I want to midwest heat/freeze but a bit of a season, more rain would be nice
2) We are not near the desert, we pretty much live in a desert but most keep trying to have a yard like we are in the Pacific Northwest.
3) Because of 2), very few trees except old established neighborhoods
4) Because we are so spread out there are no real ethnic neighborhoods. For example while there is large east Asian mix along Convoy and Mira Mesa it is a far cry from Litle Tokyo, Koreatown, Monteray Park, up in LA.

But then again I rode my bike home yesterday from work in RB to Encinitas. Going over the connection from Bernardo Center to Carmel Valley Road along the north end of Black Mountain I can see for miles the valley beneath to the north. (Here hoping that the housing downturn will keep it undeveloped for a while longer). I love the feel of the beach towns as I ride through Del Mar, Solana Beach and Encinitas.
This morning as I head South along 101 I see surfers to my right and when the sun hits it just right the ocean surface sparkles like a necklace.

Vegabondo complained that the water is cold. Actually it has been getting warmer earlier in the Season. It used to be common for the water to remain into the low 70s well into Sep. The last few times I went to the beach the water felt much warmer than that already.

[MadeInTaiwan]

First, I want to list what I don’t like about San Diego.

1) Weather never really changes. It is so boring. I am not saying I want to midwest heat/freeze but a bit of a season, more rain would be nice
2) We are not near the desert, we pretty much live in a desert but most keep trying to have a yard like we are in the Pacific Northwest.
3) Because of 2), very few trees except old established neighborhoods
4) Because we are so spread out there are no real ethnic neighborhoods. For example while there is large east Asian mix along Convoy and Mira Mesa it is a far cry from Litle Tokyo, Koreatown, Monteray Park, up in LA.

But then again I rode my bike home yesterday from work in RB to Encinitas. Going over the connection from Bernardo Center to Carmel Valley Road along the north end of Black Mountain I can see for miles the valley beneath to the north. (Here hoping that the housing downturn will keep it undeveloped for a while longer). I love the feel of the beach towns as I ride through Del Mar, Solana Beach and Encinitas.
This morning as I head South along 101 I see surfers to my right and when the sun hits it just right the ocean surface sparkles like a necklace.

Vegabondo complained that the water is cold. Actually it has been getting warmer earlier in the Season. It used to be common for the water to remain into the low 70s well into Sep. The last few times I went to the beach the water felt much warmer than that already.

[MadeInTaiwan]

First, I want to list what I don’t like about San Diego.

1) Weather never really changes. It is so boring. I am not saying I want to midwest heat/freeze but a bit of a season, more rain would be nice
2) We are not near the desert, we pretty much live in a desert but most keep trying to have a yard like we are in the Pacific Northwest.
3) Because of 2), very few trees except old established neighborhoods
4) Because we are so spread out there are no real ethnic neighborhoods. For example while there is large east Asian mix along Convoy and Mira Mesa it is a far cry from Litle Tokyo, Koreatown, Monteray Park, up in LA.

But then again I rode my bike home yesterday from work in RB to Encinitas. Going over the connection from Bernardo Center to Carmel Valley Road along the north end of Black Mountain I can see for miles the valley beneath to the north. (Here hoping that the housing downturn will keep it undeveloped for a while longer). I love the feel of the beach towns as I ride through Del Mar, Solana Beach and Encinitas.
This morning as I head South along 101 I see surfers to my right and when the sun hits it just right the ocean surface sparkles like a necklace.

Vegabondo complained that the water is cold. Actually it has been getting warmer earlier in the Season. It used to be common for the water to remain into the low 70s well into Sep. The last few times I went to the beach the water felt much warmer than that already.

[MadeInTaiwan]

First, I want to list what I don’t like about San Diego.

1) Weather never really changes. It is so boring. I am not saying I want to midwest heat/freeze but a bit of a season, more rain would be nice
2) We are not near the desert, we pretty much live in a desert but most keep trying to have a yard like we are in the Pacific Northwest.
3) Because of 2), very few trees except old established neighborhoods
4) Because we are so spread out there are no real ethnic neighborhoods. For example while there is large east Asian mix along Convoy and Mira Mesa it is a far cry from Litle Tokyo, Koreatown, Monteray Park, up in LA.

But then again I rode my bike home yesterday from work in RB to Encinitas. Going over the connection from Bernardo Center to Carmel Valley Road along the north end of Black Mountain I can see for miles the valley beneath to the north. (Here hoping that the housing downturn will keep it undeveloped for a while longer). I love the feel of the beach towns as I ride through Del Mar, Solana Beach and Encinitas.
This morning as I head South along 101 I see surfers to my right and when the sun hits it just right the ocean surface sparkles like a necklace.

Vegabondo complained that the water is cold. Actually it has been getting warmer earlier in the Season. It used to be common for the water to remain into the low 70s well into Sep. The last few times I went to the beach the water felt much warmer than that already.

[MadeInTaiwan]

First, I want to list what I don’t like about San Diego.

1) Weather never really changes. It is so boring. I am not saying I want to midwest heat/freeze but a bit of a season, more rain would be nice
2) We are not near the desert, we pretty much live in a desert but most keep trying to have a yard like we are in the Pacific Northwest.
3) Because of 2), very few trees except old established neighborhoods
4) Because we are so spread out there are no real ethnic neighborhoods. For example while there is large east Asian mix along Convoy and Mira Mesa it is a far cry from Litle Tokyo, Koreatown, Monteray Park, up in LA.

But then again I rode my bike home yesterday from work in RB to Encinitas. Going over the connection from Bernardo Center to Carmel Valley Road along the north end of Black Mountain I can see for miles the valley beneath to the north. (Here hoping that the housing downturn will keep it undeveloped for a while longer). I love the feel of the beach towns as I ride through Del Mar, Solana Beach and Encinitas.
This morning as I head South along 101 I see surfers to my right and when the sun hits it just right the ocean surface sparkles like a necklace.

Vegabondo complained that the water is cold. Actually it has been getting warmer earlier in the Season. It used to be common for the water to remain into the low 70s well into Sep. The last few times I went to the beach the water felt much warmer than that already.

[dharmagirl]

Marion,

If you want to “go coastal”, there is variety in SD County. Esp is you’re willing to live a few miles east of the beach. You certainly don’t HAVE to be in the La Jolla area to enjoy a nice beach.

I owned a 1400 sf condo in La Costa (Carlsbad). I loved living in SD and thought I would HATE North County – but, much to my surprise, I liked Carlsbad a lot. I was (I think) just under 3 miles from the beach – I could jump in my car and be watching dolphins play in the waves at Tamarack Beach in about 7-12 minutes.

Walking that beach every Sunday morning was my own personal “church service.”

I dont think I ever used my a/c in summer, and I had nice ocean breezes.

I’ve also been following the condo that I sold a few years ago for $385K (bought in 2003 for $300K) just for giggles. Zillow’s value range on the place now is $245-315K!! So, that area is certainly affordable by SD standards.

Some of the negatives about living at the beach: May Gray and June Gloom…summer tourist traffic and water that isnt swimmable for most of the year. Mind you, I still love the coast, but if you want to dip your toes in the water there are only a few months out of the year when you can truly do that.

Say, didnt you just buy a home in Harveston? If so, you may be there for a while….

[dharmagirl]

Marion,

If you want to “go coastal”, there is variety in SD County. Esp is you’re willing to live a few miles east of the beach. You certainly don’t HAVE to be in the La Jolla area to enjoy a nice beach.

I owned a 1400 sf condo in La Costa (Carlsbad). I loved living in SD and thought I would HATE North County – but, much to my surprise, I liked Carlsbad a lot. I was (I think) just under 3 miles from the beach – I could jump in my car and be watching dolphins play in the waves at Tamarack Beach in about 7-12 minutes.

Walking that beach every Sunday morning was my own personal “church service.”

I dont think I ever used my a/c in summer, and I had nice ocean breezes.

I’ve also been following the condo that I sold a few years ago for $385K (bought in 2003 for $300K) just for giggles. Zillow’s value range on the place now is $245-315K!! So, that area is certainly affordable by SD standards.

Some of the negatives about living at the beach: May Gray and June Gloom…summer tourist traffic and water that isnt swimmable for most of the year. Mind you, I still love the coast, but if you want to dip your toes in the water there are only a few months out of the year when you can truly do that.

Say, didnt you just buy a home in Harveston? If so, you may be there for a while….

[dharmagirl]

Marion,

If you want to “go coastal”, there is variety in SD County. Esp is you’re willing to live a few miles east of the beach. You certainly don’t HAVE to be in the La Jolla area to enjoy a nice beach.

I owned a 1400 sf condo in La Costa (Carlsbad). I loved living in SD and thought I would HATE North County – but, much to my surprise, I liked Carlsbad a lot. I was (I think) just under 3 miles from the beach – I could jump in my car and be watching dolphins play in the waves at Tamarack Beach in about 7-12 minutes.

Walking that beach every Sunday morning was my own personal “church service.”

I dont think I ever used my a/c in summer, and I had nice ocean breezes.

I’ve also been following the condo that I sold a few years ago for $385K (bought in 2003 for $300K) just for giggles. Zillow’s value range on the place now is $245-315K!! So, that area is certainly affordable by SD standards.

Some of the negatives about living at the beach: May Gray and June Gloom…summer tourist traffic and water that isnt swimmable for most of the year. Mind you, I still love the coast, but if you want to dip your toes in the water there are only a few months out of the year when you can truly do that.

Say, didnt you just buy a home in Harveston? If so, you may be there for a while….

[dharmagirl]

Marion,

If you want to “go coastal”, there is variety in SD County. Esp is you’re willing to live a few miles east of the beach. You certainly don’t HAVE to be in the La Jolla area to enjoy a nice beach.

I owned a 1400 sf condo in La Costa (Carlsbad). I loved living in SD and thought I would HATE North County – but, much to my surprise, I liked Carlsbad a lot. I was (I think) just under 3 miles from the beach – I could jump in my car and be watching dolphins play in the waves at Tamarack Beach in about 7-12 minutes.

Walking that beach every Sunday morning was my own personal “church service.”

I dont think I ever used my a/c in summer, and I had nice ocean breezes.

I’ve also been following the condo that I sold a few years ago for $385K (bought in 2003 for $300K) just for giggles. Zillow’s value range on the place now is $245-315K!! So, that area is certainly affordable by SD standards.

Some of the negatives about living at the beach: May Gray and June Gloom…summer tourist traffic and water that isnt swimmable for most of the year. Mind you, I still love the coast, but if you want to dip your toes in the water there are only a few months out of the year when you can truly do that.

Say, didnt you just buy a home in Harveston? If so, you may be there for a while….

[dharmagirl]

Marion,

If you want to “go coastal”, there is variety in SD County. Esp is you’re willing to live a few miles east of the beach. You certainly don’t HAVE to be in the La Jolla area to enjoy a nice beach.

I owned a 1400 sf condo in La Costa (Carlsbad). I loved living in SD and thought I would HATE North County – but, much to my surprise, I liked Carlsbad a lot. I was (I think) just under 3 miles from the beach – I could jump in my car and be watching dolphins play in the waves at Tamarack Beach in about 7-12 minutes.

Walking that beach every Sunday morning was my own personal “church service.”

I dont think I ever used my a/c in summer, and I had nice ocean breezes.

I’ve also been following the condo that I sold a few years ago for $385K (bought in 2003 for $300K) just for giggles. Zillow’s value range on the place now is $245-315K!! So, that area is certainly affordable by SD standards.

Some of the negatives about living at the beach: May Gray and June Gloom…summer tourist traffic and water that isnt swimmable for most of the year. Mind you, I still love the coast, but if you want to dip your toes in the water there are only a few months out of the year when you can truly do that.

Say, didnt you just buy a home in Harveston? If so, you may be there for a while….

[VanMorrisonFan]

I think you don’t fully appreciate the place in which you live. That’s why I think some people who live in San Diego don’t love it as much as people who visit every so often.

I live in Pasadena and try and get down to San Diego twice a year or so. I think there is a lot to like. The San Diego Symphony is wonderful. Their performance space is small – you don’t feel like you are in a football stadium when you go there for a concert. I like the “walk-ability” of much of Downtown. Years ago I had tea at the U.S. Grant Hotel on winter afternoon and it was wonderful. I love La Jolla. I also like the museums in Balboa Park. The photography museum is great.

There’s a great bike ride up PCH from La Jolla beside UC San Diego up into Del Mar. It’s hilly and tiring, but the smell of the ocean air is wonderful. I love Torrey Pines. Driving through there, at night, with the windows down, smelling the pine trees and the ocean, is wonderful.

[VanMorrisonFan]

I think you don’t fully appreciate the place in which you live. That’s why I think some people who live in San Diego don’t love it as much as people who visit every so often.

I live in Pasadena and try and get down to San Diego twice a year or so. I think there is a lot to like. The San Diego Symphony is wonderful. Their performance space is small – you don’t feel like you are in a football stadium when you go there for a concert. I like the “walk-ability” of much of Downtown. Years ago I had tea at the U.S. Grant Hotel on winter afternoon and it was wonderful. I love La Jolla. I also like the museums in Balboa Park. The photography museum is great.

There’s a great bike ride up PCH from La Jolla beside UC San Diego up into Del Mar. It’s hilly and tiring, but the smell of the ocean air is wonderful. I love Torrey Pines. Driving through there, at night, with the windows down, smelling the pine trees and the ocean, is wonderful.

[VanMorrisonFan]

I think you don’t fully appreciate the place in which you live. That’s why I think some people who live in San Diego don’t love it as much as people who visit every so often.

I live in Pasadena and try and get down to San Diego twice a year or so. I think there is a lot to like. The San Diego Symphony is wonderful. Their performance space is small – you don’t feel like you are in a football stadium when you go there for a concert. I like the “walk-ability” of much of Downtown. Years ago I had tea at the U.S. Grant Hotel on winter afternoon and it was wonderful. I love La Jolla. I also like the museums in Balboa Park. The photography museum is great.

There’s a great bike ride up PCH from La Jolla beside UC San Diego up into Del Mar. It’s hilly and tiring, but the smell of the ocean air is wonderful. I love Torrey Pines. Driving through there, at night, with the windows down, smelling the pine trees and the ocean, is wonderful.

[VanMorrisonFan]

I think you don’t fully appreciate the place in which you live. That’s why I think some people who live in San Diego don’t love it as much as people who visit every so often.

I live in Pasadena and try and get down to San Diego twice a year or so. I think there is a lot to like. The San Diego Symphony is wonderful. Their performance space is small – you don’t feel like you are in a football stadium when you go there for a concert. I like the “walk-ability” of much of Downtown. Years ago I had tea at the U.S. Grant Hotel on winter afternoon and it was wonderful. I love La Jolla. I also like the museums in Balboa Park. The photography museum is great.

There’s a great bike ride up PCH from La Jolla beside UC San Diego up into Del Mar. It’s hilly and tiring, but the smell of the ocean air is wonderful. I love Torrey Pines. Driving through there, at night, with the windows down, smelling the pine trees and the ocean, is wonderful.

[Author]

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