Till next time

During my last two days in San Diego I balanced out a solid day of beach time with some education in the form of wandering the museums at Balboa Park. As it turns out, falling asleep on the beach before applying sunscreen has some consequences but it was worth every weird tan line. (Jessie's dermatologist boyfriend had a near stroke when he saw me that night)

Sadly it was finally time to return to real life after five days in paradise but luckily Jessie will be living there for at least three years so there will be plenty more visits. Till next time San Diego!

My first In-N-Out experience - animal style of course

Balboa Park

I came for the dinosaurs, I stayed for the mammoths

Because I'm a weirdo and obviously paid extra to gain access to the torture museum...

BEERology exhibit...it's like they know me here

In case you were confused about the difference?

Coronado Island

Coronado is a beautiful island with amazing views of the San Diego skyline. It's the perfect place to pack a lunch, wander around town and, of course, explore the beach. So naturally we crossed the famous Coronado Bridge and did just that.

Coronado Bridge

Reunited and it feels so good!

That night we picked up Jessie's boyfriend (who was being a good doctor and studying all day) so we could hit up some of the famous San Diego microbreweries. I was foolishly unaware of all the delicious beers being brewed up out in California and Jessie was quick to teach me. We hit up Green Flash and Ballast Point and they did not disappoint. With $1 tasters we ordered multiple flights so we could taste as many beers as possible.

Beach, beers, and friends...a mighty fine day if you ask me!

San Diego Zoo

After catching up on jet leg we spent the next day at the San Diego Zoo. The main draw was, of course, the pandas. The koalas were a close second - it is Koalafornia after all. But it's tough to beat Mama Panda sitting there like a boss just chomping away at her bamboo.

Took an obligatory picture with the flamingos due to my family's weird "flamingo-ing" history.

I mean, honestly, is that not the cutest thing ever?

After the zoo we hit up Old Town for some of THE best guacamole and homemade tortillas I've ever experienced. They also tried to convince me that "Maine Lobster" was the special of the day - you're not fooling anyone San Diego.

That lady is working hard to make the most delicious tortillas I've ever had.

Hmm, I don't know about this...

And on our way home I made the car stop so I could take a picture with this establishment which resulted in me getting heckled by a car full of old men. Oh Boston, you follow me everywhere.

San Diego - Drink it in, it always goes down smooth

I'm officially back on the east coast after my sunny San Diego adventure visiting my love Jessie.

San Diego is gorgeous and a whole lot of fun - definitely on my list of top 5 US cities now. Add getting to reunite with Jessie on top of the San Diegan beauty and you have an all star vacation my friends. The first day was a lot of exploring without any real direction followed by dinner with Jessie and her wonderful boyfriend.

Finally in San Diego (cool tourist group behind me)

All you really need.

After dinner we went out for a night on the town starting with Vin De Syrah, which has a hidden entrance with cameras set up so everyone inside could watch you struggle to earn the right to a beverage. Well played San Diego.

We just want cocktails Vin De Syrah, let us in please!

We followed this up with a lovely establishment called Wet Willies which is a frozen daiquiri bar set up a la 7-Eleven slurpees. And nothing's more refreshing than a frozen drink in the warm west coast weather.

So. many. daiquiris.

Then it was time to call it a night for us old kids because I'd been awak since 4 am EST and a pillow was calling my name.

Speaking of calling it a night, a red eye home followed by a full day of work makes for one tired Meeshy so... San Diego Zoo pictures to come later cus this girl needs some serious sleep in her life!

California Dreams

It's official... I'm off to sunny San Diego in one pretty little month!!

This getaway couldn't come at a more perfect time and I can not wait to hang out with some of my nearest and dearest from college. There are so many things to do and see but these are currently topping my San Diegan adventure wish list:

San Diego Zoo

Bike around Coronado Island

Shopping and eating my way through Old Town

La Jolla Kayak Tour

ATV Adventure

...and whatever else we can think of!

37 days and counting :)