Spruce Street Suspension Bridge

The Spruce Street Suspension Bridge is a popular walking destination for San Diegans and tourists alike. Of course, you have to find it first. It is located in the Bankers Hill, Park West, area of San Diego very near Balboa Park. In fact, if you park on the Northwest side of the park the intersection of Spruce Street and Balboa Park is only about 2 blocks South from the most Northwest corner of Balboa Park; walk six short block West and you are at the bridge. It provides a pedestrian connection between Brant Street and Front Street. The Spruce Street Suspension Bridge was built in 1912 and designated an Historical Landmark by San Diego Historical Resources January 7th, 1977.  

Okay, so there is all the technical stuff about the Bridge that I could dig up. If you know anything else, please don’t hesitate to share in a comment. What I find unique about this bridge is the location. Walk out on the bridge and you are instantly transported back to 1912. You quite literally feel like you are in the middle of a pristine Southern California Coastal Forest. You can spot a house or two but work with me here. Look both North and South, up and down Spruce Canyon. You have to search to find evidence of civilization. People I’ve talked with love this bridge. It gently sways when you walk out to the middle and instantly the noise from the City disappears.

The day I walked the bridge I shared it with a young couple taking engagement announcement pictures near the center of the bridge. I didn’t know they did that anymore, but this couple was, and is, and they were excited to be able to enjoy and share this beautiful location in announcing their engagement to the world.

After a few deep breaths of sunshine fresh coastal air and I’m off, back along Spruce Street to the park and the rest of my day. Oh, by the way, when you plan your walk to the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge, stop for breakfast, lunch or dinner at Jimmy Carter’s Mexican Cafe’. You will walk past it on you way back to your car. The food is great and the atmosphere is bright and cheery. When you RetireInSanDiego, this adventure is not to miss.

 

Explore San Diego. 

Dare to be an adventurer. 

It takes so little effort here in San Diego. 

There are a plethora of things to be discovered just outside your door. The rich history, Landmarks and people are all there waiting for you, when you RetireInSanDiego.

Mt. Woodson, San Diego County

Mt. Woodson is located just East of Poway Lake, North San Diego County. One thing that you need to know before starting is that Mt. Woodson is not an easy hike. The trail gains 2,000' in about 3.3 miles, which is a considerable amount of elevation for such a short distance. The trail has a few flat reprieves, but they are brief and tortuous even for their brevity.

Yes, that is the Pacific Ocean out there. You can even see Catalina Island from Mt. Woodson on clear day.

A couple years ago, in preparation for a hike into the Grand Canyon, AZ, I hiked to the top of Mt. Woodson and back to the parking lot at Poway Lake twice in one day, a couple of times. That is approximately 8,000 feet of elevation gain and loss over 13.2 miles. The hike down South Kaibab trail to Phantom Ranch and back up Bright Angel is pretty close to the same distance and elevation gain and loss. So, it is a great training hike. In fact, I past up a pair of climbers that were training for an ascent of Mt. Denali. These two had fully loaded packs on, the works. In other words, it’s a great workout.

You can also get to Mt. Woodson from the Ramona site. It is shorter and steeper, I’m told. I’ve never been up that side.

The best part of this hike is Potato Chip Rock. This rock is one of the reasons why Mt. Woodson is such a popular hike. I’m sure if a study was done on “most popular places to get your picture taken” Potato Chip Rock would be up there with the best of them. One of the days when I was at the top taking a break I watched a stream of people taking turns getting their picture taken “out in space” on Potato Chip. It really is worth the hike. 

Happy Saturday from San Diego, CA

A false Spring

When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest. The only thing that could spoil a day was people and if you could keep from making engagements, each day had no limits. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself.

Earnest Hemingway - The Moveable Feast - 1964. A false Spring, pp. 49-1.

Shelter Island - one more quick look

Happy Wednesday from San Diego and don't forget that Day Light Savings Time is this Sunday.

Many years ago I discovered the trail around the West side of the bay that separates Point Loma from Shelter Island. On one of my first walks on this little trail I noticed this sail boat in the bay. I wanted to be them. Aren't sail boats the essence of freedom? Look at all those masts in the air. All but this one are snuggled into a slip; but not this one. The people on this boat are free, sailing the West coast up to Alaska, through the Panama Canal, up the East coast into Hudson Bay, over to New Newfoundland and on and on.

Yet, here they are in San Diego. My Home. Are you a sailor? Will this be you someday or will you RetireInSanDiego? Once here will you stay here or will San Diego be just another port of call? Time will tell. Keep tuning in and we'll explore this magnificent city together. Good night and pleasant dreams from San Diego.

What do you like best about retirement, or the Idea of Retirement?

After reading his post, please send me your thoughts. The comment box is at the bottom of this post. I am sincerely interested in your thoughts about retirement.

What do you like best about retirement, or the Idea of Retirement? Reading, writing, spending time with family, playing with the grandchildren, gardening, walking, hiking, running, kayaking, sailing, fishing, golfing, exploring new places, going on road trips, living the RV lifestyle, finding new restaurants, learning to play guitar or piano or the bagpipes or a new language, volunteering at the theater, getting involved with the local theatre group and trying your “hand” at acting, or volunteering at the local park or homeless shelter or just sitting on the couch channel surfing and eating Bon-Bons?

By the way, I’m not recommending channel surfing and eating Bon-Bons; however, I am intensely interested in you. Since you are reading this blog it says one, if not several things, about you. Either you are retired or you are thinking about retirement. No? Okay, but retirement is probably somewhere in the equation.  You may also be thinking of retiring in San Diego, although not necessarily.

If you live in the United States are your interests in retirement different than someone who lives in, Germany, for example? If you live in Mexico, do you look forward to doing something different in retirement than our neighbors in Canada, the Ukraine, Poland, France, Israel, South Korea or the Netherlands? Please share your thoughts with me and I will share your thoughts, not using names of course, with all of my readers.

I’m excited to read about your thoughts and ideas. The comment box is just below. Thank you!

Presidio Park

Junipero Serra Museum 

This trellis covered walk overlooks
an expansive groomed lawn in the park

Presidio Park is a historic park in San Diego. It is the site where San Diego was founded in 1769. In 1773 the mission (see San Diego Mission blog posted 2/17/16) moved a few miles upriver while the fort remained on Presidio Hill. The Junípero Serra Museum, built in Presidio Park in 1925, is one of the most familiar landmarks in San Diego. The grounds of the park are sweeping with beautiful vistas of rolling hills and palm trees. There is plenty of space for picnics and there are many groomed trails ready to help you explore the park. Historic markers, statues and ruins are everywhere prepared to share with you the stories of San Diego’s infancy. I have never had a problem finding parking in Presidio Park and Old Town is a short half mile walk South if you prefer to grab a bite to eat there. When you RetireInSanDiego Presidio Park is a must see.

This is a typical vista in Presidio Park

May Grey (or "Gray" if you prefer)

May Grey. Actually, May Grey and June Gloom go hand-in-hand. If you are a San Diegan you know what I’m talking about. If you aren’t a San Diegan and you think you just might RetireInSanDiego, please read on. Both terms refer to a phenomenon that occurs every year here in San Diego. A marine layer, fog, develops off the coast and migrates inland a short distance - every day!  This phenomenon occurs in the months of May and June. I live four miles from the ocean and I watch this marine layer drift inland in the morning and slowly burn off (with any luck at all) as the day progresses.

One would think that since this phenomenon is called “May Grey” and “June Gloom” the marine layer would cooperate and beginning May 1st our beautiful clear blue sky would disappear, being replaced with the ominous marine layer and then about June 30th bid us San Diegans farewell and we’d have clear blue sky’s again. It’s not quite that simple. For example, this year May Grey started in January. Yes. No kidding. In years past June Gloom has stayed around through much of July and sometimes even into the month of August.

Fortunately, the marine layer is typically just fog and clouds yielding only a little drizzle. It rarely rains as a result of this marine layer. Also, if you are in San Diego for the mild climate, not necessarily to see the ocean every day or live near the ocean, May Grey and June Gloom may not be an issue at all for you. As I mentioned, I live about four miles from the ocean and that’s about where the marine layer ends it’s migration much of the time.

If you are a San Diegan, do you have anything to add? If you aren’t a San Diegan, do you have any questions regarding May Grey or June Gloom? If you think that this might be a deal breaker for you it’s worth doing a little research yourself. I would be happy to help. Leave a comment or send me an email. I will respond.

Old Town San Diego

Old Town is a beloved attraction for many people, tourists and residents alike. I know that I read somewhere once that more people visit Old Town than any other attraction in San Diego. I found that “fact” difficult to believe. After all, the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are just up the street and let’s not forget about SeaWorld. I know, SeaWorld has not had the most flattering press these past few years, maybe longer; nevertheless, the parking lots are never empty except maybe long after closing. On the other hand, you don’t need an expensive ticket to get into Old Town either and there are many museums to visit free of charge. Restaurants are plentiful as are souvenir shops.


From the flagpole in Washington Square, the Colorado House, the Mason Street School, Casa Estudillo with the large courtyard and large adobe style oven, Seeley Stable and let's not forget the jail, one could spend several days exploring this unique treasure and not scratched the surface. There always seems to be something going on. Performers are regularly scheduled and frequently you will find plein air artists, with their easels positioned just so, set up all around the park. Take a peek, talk to the artist, ask a question or two. They will feel appreciated and it doesn’t cost anything.

Christian House

The Old Town Jail

Robinson Roze

 

 

Nearby are a collection of homes referred to as Heritage Park Victorian Village. Most of these buildings were built between 1887 and 1893. They have been beautifully restored and maintained. Two of the homes serve as bed and breakfasts and the Temple Beth Israel, San Diego’s first synagogue, hosts weddings, receptions and bar mitzvahs. The McConaughy House, built in 1887, is now the Coral Tea House, serving guests yearning for tea and crumpets.

Parking near Old Town can be horrendous, especially on weekends. If you don’t need to park near the “front door,” do yourself a favor and park behind Caltrans. The parking lot behind Caltrans is been graciously opened up for tourists and locals alike to park free of charge. Turn West on Sunset Street and you will see the sign. The catch is that free parking is only available after 5 pm on weekday and on weekends. If that happens to be when you are visiting Old Town, take advantage of this gift. It’s only a few blocks away and there is plenty of parking. A security guard even keeps an eye on things for you. There is also a trolley station at the SW corner of Old Town and and many places to catch the trolley around San Diego.






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Another San Diego Sunset

Maybe you are one of "those" people. You know the ones I'm talking about: at ten years old they knew they were born to be a quantum physicist and would stumble across the cure for cancer while discovering the tesseract.  Well, I'm not one of those good folks but I hope both are discovered. When I suggest that you RetireInSanDiego I'm talking about retiring on more of a Clairemont budget than a La Jolla budget. 

I hope you read the dialogue and enjoyed the pics I took at La Jolla Cove. It is such a beautiful place. I lived in Wind-n-Sea, just South of the Cove, for many years and thoroughly enjoyed this park-like area. My reality, however, is and was not La Jolla. I eventually bought a great condo in Clairemont. Fabulous location and I do mean FABULOUS. Ten minutes to the airport; four miles to the ocean through Pacific Beach; a grocery and drug store one mile South, a shopping center two miles North and a Target, Home Depot, Von's and Kohl's a mile and a half East. AND, best of all, Clairemont is a neighborhood I can afford. To top it all off I get to enjoy beautiful sunsets every night. If you get tired of me posting them, please send me a comment like, "Okay, enough with the sunsets already." I will understand. But, you have to see this one. Enjoy! and Happy Wednesday.