#whale watching san diego august

[sdwhalewatch-blog]

We would love to be able to show you whales on every trip but sometimes these gentle giants just don’t want to be seen. So our promise to you is this: if you don’t see a whale or dolphin on your tour, your next trip is free.

Address: San Diego whale watch 1617 Quivira Rd. San Diego, CA, 92109 Phone: 619-542-9931 E-mail: contact@sdwhalewatch.com Website -- https://sdwhalewatch.com/

[the-summer-sun-au]

Source: Dolphindronedom, Instagram

[snini-9]

Orcas VS Humans

In the wild, despite centuries of sharing the ocean, there has only been one reliable report of an orca injuring a human being. The attack occurred on September 9, 1972, when 18-year-old Hans Kretschmer was bitten by an orca whilst surfing at Point Sur. Kretschmer noticed some sea lions playing in the waves prior to the attack, leading him to believe the sudden nudge he received was a curious sea lion. When he turned to look at the instigator, he realised he was terribly mistaken. A six-meter-long killer whale had bitten down on his leg with incredible force. In an attempt to defend himself, Kretschmer punched the animal repeatedly, causing it to suddenly let him go. Once free, the shock-ridden surfer desperately swam 40 meters to shore, a swim which he survived. Upon seeking medical attention, Kretschmer’s doctor commented: “it looks like someone chopped your leg with a sharp axe.”

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The injury he sustained was just as graphic with three teeth penetrating bone: narrowly missing a major artery with surgical precision. It required 100 stitches to fix. Although Hans Kretschmer holds the title as the only human being to be seriously injured by a wild orca, there have been five other incidents between humans and wild orcas.

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In the early 1910s, a pod of Antarctic type B killer whales, otherwise known as pack ice orcas, attempted to tip an ice floe on which a Terra Nova Expedition photographer and a sledge dog team were standing. Pack ice orcas specialize in hunting seals by wave-washing them off ice floes. Witnesses theorized the orcas mistakenly identified the barking dogs as a family of seals and initiated their unique hunting technique. Fortunately, no one was injured.

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A few months before the attack on Hans Kretschmer in September 1972, Dougal Robertson’s 43-foot wooden schooner, named Lucette (Lucy), was damaged by a pod of killer whales and sunk 200 miles west of the Galapagos Islands on June 15, 1972. Everyone on board managed to escape on an inflatable life raft and a solid-hull dinghy. After 38 days as castaways, the small group of people was sighted and rescued by the Japanese fishing trawler Tokamaru. No one was injured.

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Almost 33 years later, in August 2005, 12-year-old Ellis Miller was swimming in 4ft deep water in Helm Bay, near Ketchikan, Alaska, when he was nudged by a 25ft transient killer whale. The whale bumped Miller on the left side of his chest and shoulder, then arched around him before returning to deeper waters. Experts believe the orca mistakenly identified the boy as a splashing harbor seal (which frequent the bay’s waters) then realized its mistake and aborted the attack. Miller did not sustain any injuries.

​Reconstruction of the attack on Ellis Miller

In 2011, two crew members of the BBC’s documentary Frozen Planet were targeted by a group of orcas who attempted to swamp their 18-foot zodiac boat with a wave washing technique. The crew filmed over 20 different attacks on seals using this technique within a 14-day period, unaware the pod would test it out on them too. The orcas were described as very tolerant to the filmmakers’ presence, and their attacks on seals were described as training exercises for young calves in the group. Perhaps the pod was making use of this new, more challenging “ice floe” to test their attentive youngsters. Regardless, no one was injured. Watch the incident below:

​https://youtu.be/SBRu3LGceAg

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The most recent incident occurred on February 10, 2014. Whilst free diving in Horahora Estuary, near Whangarei in northern New Zealand, 23-year old Levi Gavin was suddenly approached by an orca who grabbed a catch bag (filled with crayfish) attached to his arm and pulled him beneath the surface. Gavin was dragged for 40 seconds when the rope attaching his arm to the bag finally became loose and he was able to escape. Although his arm became numb, he managed to float to the surface by removing his weighted belt and was aided by his cousin who brought him to some nearby rocks. Once his arm regained feeling and strength, Gavin went to Whangarei Hospital where it was established he did not sustain an injury during the attack.

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Because of the stress involved in being deprived of everything that is natural and important in captivity, orcas have been held responsible for hundreds of attacks, tens of injuries, and the deaths of four humans. Six incidents have occurred in the wild over a period of around 100 years (1910s – 2014), none of which proved fatal. Yet, within less than a fifth of that time (1991 – 2010), 82 aggressive incidents occurred in captivity, four of which proved fatal, at least 9 others causing serious injuries from torn ligaments to broken bones and internal bleeding.

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One of the most infamous captive orca attacks occurred at SeaWorld San Diego in November 2006. Kasatka, a 17ft long, 29-year-old, female orca attacked Kenneth Peters – the marine park’s most experienced trainer. Peters was working with Kasatka during a Shamu Show and dived into the pool to perform a water work behavior. He reached a depth of 10-15ft and was waiting for Kasatka to touch his foot when he heard a loud distress vocalization. He later learned this loud call came from Kasatka’s almost-two-year-old calf, Kalia, who was calling for her mother whilst separated in a different pool. Upon hearing her daughter’s call, Kasatka turned on Peters and grabbed both of his feet in her jaws. She held him underwater for almost a minute, violently rag-dolling him beneath the surface, before slowly bringing him to the surface, spiraling upward and blowing bubbles as she rose.

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Every time Peters’ colleagues slapped the water (a signal for Kasatka to return to the stage) she would only bite down on Peters harder. She responded the same way if Peters tried to pull his foot out of her mouth. Kasatka was keeping him out of reach of the other trainers and away from the sides of the pool. She then pulled him beneath the surface again, thrashed him around, and took him all the way to the bottom of the 36ft deep pool where she laid against him and held him there for around a minute. Once Peters had gone limp, Kasatka finally brought him to the surface again. She released Peters and he managed to make it over a net (which Kasatka also crossed, coming after Peters) and escaped the pool via the slide-out area. Kasatka had broken Peters’ left foot during the attack and he sustained multiple puncture wounds. Regardless, he escaped with his life. Watch the footage of the incident in its entirety below:

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https://youtu.be/RhVbH2NEeLM

Kenneth Peters claims Kasatka’s “aggression had come as a total surprise”. The attack occurred as a result of Kalia’s distress call, who had been separated from her mother briefly so Kasatka could entertain an audience of around 500 people. According to SeaWorld’s own animal profiles, Kasatka finds “being separated from other whales/calf” aversive. As SeaWorld San Diego’s most experienced orca trainer, who had worked with Kasatka for many years, Peters would’ve been more than aware of this fact. Yet, he and his colleagues demonstrated a complete disregard for Kasatka’s triggers and he almost lost his life as a result.

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The heightened level of aggression towards humans in captivity is a clear indicator of how unnatural and unnecessarily dangerous orca captivity is. Here’s a collection of orca attacks caught on camera at marine parks:

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https://youtu.be/Q2ZD4lcJ7EI

Shamu, the original, attacking Annette Eckis at SeaWorld San Diego (April 1971). She recalls the incident almost 40 years later.

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https://youtu.be/BKiGAW2YQm8

Orky 2 crashing into John Silick at SeaWorld San Diego (1987).

​https://youtu.be/Ne4BiacbDNw

Taku displacing a trainer in the water at SeaWorld Orlando (1994).

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https://youtu.be/v3Bfpv7xUzc

Orkid and Splash attacking Tamarie Tollison at SeaWorld San Diego (2002).

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https://youtu.be/j9qtdavR3_Q

Kyuquot attacking Steve Aibel at SeaWorld San Antonio (2003).

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https://youtu.be/Pl1KpCfb0xo

Ku lunges at her trainer at Port of Nagoya Aquarium (Mid-2000s).

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https://youtu.be/hTXE653JPOg

Orkid attacking Brian Rokeach at SeaWorld San Diego (2006).

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https://youtu.be/Yu_yxLXFEo4

Freya attacking a trainer during a show at Marineland Antibes (2008).

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https://youtu.be/b3dRREXe9eo

Shouka repeatedly lunges at her trainer at Six Flags Vallejo (2012).

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https://youtu.be/TipAIojZGNs

Lolita lunges at guests at Miami Seaquarium (2012).

[csnews]

Rare Hubbs’ beaked whale found washed ashore, deceased, at Point Reyes

Peter Fimrite - August 20, 2019

An extremely rare beaked whale was found washed up on a beach at Point Reyes National Seashore this week, prompting animated excitement among normally self-possessed marine scientists.

The dead 9-foot-long whale was found Monday morning on Drakes Beach by participants in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Beach Watch Program, which surveys beaches along the coast every two weeks.

“I’ve been doing this for 16 years now, so whenever you find something different like that it’s exciting,” said Dominique Richard, a retired mathematician, who with his survey partner, Gordon Bennett, found the animal just above the tide line. “It’s rare, and it was completely out of the blue. It was totally unexpected.”

The decomposing carcass had been scavenged a bit by sharks, so it wasn’t immediately clear what species it was. Richard and Bennett measured the whale, which they at first thought was a bottlenose dolphin, and took numerous photographs.

Biologists with the California Academy of Sciences and National Park Service scientists hauled away the entire carcass Tuesday and plan to conduct a necropsy, but they have tentatively identified it as a newborn Hubbs’ beaked whale.

Tissue samples were sent to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla (San Diego County) to confirm the species. That will take about a month.

“The best guess at this point, without having verified its species, though, is that it may have died from “maternal separation” — being orphaned,” said Mary Jane Schramm, spokeswoman for the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, based in San Francisco. “No other cause is suspected.”

Not much is known about the beaked whales except that they are the deepest diving whales. Of the 22 known species, the Cuvier’s, Hubbs’, Baird’s and Blainville’s beaked whales are known to visit Northern California.

The adult whales can measure 13 feet to 43 feet in length and weigh from 1 ton to 13 tons.

One of eight tagged Cuvier’s beaked whales in a 2013 study at the Channel Islands in Southern California was recorded diving to 9,874 feet and staying there for 2 hours and 17 minutes. It was the deepest dive by a whale ever recorded and so unexpected that scientists thought at first that the monitoring equipment had malfunctioned.

Marine biologists still haven’t figured out how beaked whales are able to dive to such depths, where the pressure would kill other mammals.

“They are very cryptic and hard to spot. ... We know so little about beaked whales” because “extremely deep diving animals are rarely seen,” Schramm said. “They are so little studied that scientists cannot comfortably put them into a category.”

One thing that is known is that they are extremely sensitive to noises, especially sonar. The most notable sightings of the whales have occurred during mass stranding events during Navy sonar tests in the Bahamas, Mediterranean and around the Canary Islands, she said.

It is believed that sonar prompts the whales to panic and surface rapidly, causing decompression. Postmortems of stranded beaked whales after sonar tests have found hemorrhaging near the ears.

Sonar is not believed to be the cause of death for the Point Reyes whale, Schramm said, because Naval sonar exercises are not done in the Bay Area.

Beaked whales are named for their beaks, which are similar to those on dolphins. They also lack the central notch on their tail flukes that other whales have. Females of the species have teeth, but they generally do not break through the gums.

Schramm said the beaked whale might never have been found if it weren’t for the beach watch program, which has surveyed 54 beaches, from Point Arena in Mendocino County to Año Nuevo State Park in San Mateo County for the past 25 years.

A Hubbs’ whale was found alive on Ocean Beach in 1989. It survived for several days before succumbing despite round-the-clock care, Schramm said.

[nevadacurrians]

The Best Whale Tours Options in Samana

Whale watching is the best way to spend a vacation in the Pacific Northwest. You can choose from private or commercial whale watching tours in Juneau. You will get the most out of your experience if you choose to depart from one of the main harbors in the town, which is located near the church. Whale watching tours in Juneau can be booked throughout the day. You'll get to see these amazing creatures in their natural habitat.

Whale watching isn't a very active activity but it's a wonderful experience. Not only do you get to see the largest mammals in the world, you'll also get to learn about the species that inhabit the ocean. You will be accompanied by a naturalist or marine biologist on your whale-spotting tour. They will help you to identify and understand the unique behaviors and habits of these animals.

There are many opportunities to whale-watch in Punta Cana tours. Kayak excursions are offered by many whale-watching outfitters to allow for a closer encounter. This area can host up to 200 orcas in the spring and summer. Other than orcas, there are grey, humpbacks, and minke Whales.

Juneau is frequently referred to as the best spot for whale-watching in Alaska. It is also one of the most popular spots worldwide to see humpback whales. Jayleen's Alaska, which is owned by local whale watching experts, takes small groups on tours to spot humpback whales. If you're fortunate, you might be able to spot orcas when you visit the area in July or August.

If you're tight on budget, you might consider a kayak ride. Many kayak tours are only $15 an hour, and are an excellent way to see orcas and blue whales from the water. Make sure you check the weather conditions before going out to see whales. These tours are popular among travelers to San Francisco since they can be taken directly from Pier 39.

Iceland is another wonderful location to whale watch and is one that is very popular around the globe. Iceland is home to several whale watching boat tours in Husavik, Dalvik, Hauganes, and Reykjavik. Several of these tour companies offer whale watching tours in the Faxafloi Bay. Some whales have been known to come close to the boats.

Whale watching in San Diego, California is a highly popular activity. There are many different ways to view this natural wonder. Some whale watching tours begin by taking passengers on a boat to a designated viewing area. For instance, blue whales are usually seen between November and February. There are many humpbacks that can be viewed throughout the year. Their breaching behavior is a big draw for whale watchers. On your tour, you might see harbor seals, dolphins, and California Sea Lions. If you're lucky enough, you might be able to see orcas in the area.

[olympianpandback]

May 10

We headed to Crater Lake fairly early because it is a 3 hour drive. It is always a scenic drive On the Volcano Scenic Byway.  We parked behind an RV from Alaska and the lady who was in that RV came up to talk to us about our RV. She has friends who are looking for a leisure travel Van. We head a nice long chat and went over to look at Crater Lake.  It's impossible to really describe and I am sure the pictures won't do justice for the sights we saw. There is still up to 8' of snow around the buildings.   We found a campground along a river that was nice and quiet until after we went to bed.  We had no idea about any train tracks somewhere near us, at least 4 trains rumbled through that were not very loud, except for the train whistle. We met our neighbors who are from Beaverton. He is a retired financial guy and his wife Faye finally retired from part time work at the church so they could travel. He was in the army from 59 through 61 and extended for a year because of the Berlin wall and the Cuban missile crisis. He was supposed to go to Germany but got a fever 3 days before the unit shipped out and the shipped unit out without him and 2 of his buddies. He never worked in his MOS (military occupation specialty), in artillery again. He spent 2 years in the active reserves and  2 years in the inactive reserves and got called back to active duty again. What a “lucky” guy. His wife worked as a ground crew member for American Airlines for 10 years then took a leave of absence for 5 years so she got credit for 15. They flew a lot to Europe mostly to France and travelled as much as they could on her D1 pass. The campground owner Steve has Scottish Highland cattle on his 140 acres because they eat the BlackBerry bushes and all the other brambles that no normal cattle will eat. He doesn't even have to feed them during the wintertime because they just disappear into the BlackBerry bushes and stay healthy during the weather. If he gets a male cow, they eat it. On the way to this campground South of Roseburg Oregon. we saw a great deal of devastation from recent for fires. It actually looks like it happened in the last year not later than 2 years. There is a lot of cleanup and trying to salvage usable lumber. We rounded one curve and there was the stump of a tree lying across the guardrail that was at least 2' in diameter that had just been cut out of the road not long ago from the looks of the cut. I can't imagine how long the delay had been before they got a crew out with the right equipment to move that log off the highway. Just another trip of discovery for us seeing such beautiful scenery and meeting so many nice people it's hard to describe in words or pictures.

May 11

We left mid-morning after another good conversation with Rich and Kay. We headed for the coast and got here midafternoon after stopping to get some to die for Apple walnut fritters at a local bakery. On the way here, we saw a spot that is called the Dean Creek Elk viewing area. Supposedly up to a 140 elk use this area as grazing ground. We didn't see any when we stopped on the way to the next campground. The campground is nice, but the bathrooms are closed and it's only private campgrounds that are having their bathrooms closed according to the host. We found out later that was probably a cop out to keep from cleaning them. This is an RV resort that people stay at year-round a lot of time. After dinner we went back to the elk viewing area Around 7:15 and saw about 40 or more cows grazing in the field. We hung around for about 20 more minutes hoping to see a bull, but none showed up. At least we can say we have seen elks and cross that off our list of wild animals. Tomorrow we head north a couple of hours to depot Bay. We hope to see some whales from the shore and will definitely take the 1 and 1/2 hour whale watching Tour, if we can book one.

May 12

On our way out of town we decided to go by the viewing place one more time period There were 40 or 50 cows out there but again no male elk. We headed North to Depoe Bay to try to do a whale watching cruise. We had checked with a campground just North of there who said their bathrooms were open. It was one of campgrounds in our group for big discounts. We drove there and found out that they had no cell phone signal. Even though I don't keep up with the blog as much as I would like to, we still need cell phone signal. We came back to town to another campground. Their bathrooms are open and it was a nice campground. They didn't offer a discount for veterans and I started to leave but Elizabeth wanted to stay there so we signed in. Marilyn gave us a 10% discount because I was such a nice man. Her words not mine. She also suggested a whale watching tour with a marine biologist area We were going to book a 12 o'clock tour, but we would have been on the boat for an hour and a 1/2 without anything to eat so we pushed it forward to the 10 o'clock tour. We got a text later saying that the 10 o'clock tour had been pushed up to 9:30 because they expected heavy seas that afternoon.

May 13 Whale watching trip

We were worried about a place to park the RV so we got there very early and parked in front of the jump off point. The leader was a very nice marine biologist who was passionate about her work we got a 15 minute lecture on whales before we went down to get on the boats . We got on the big boat which is a navy seal assault boat that had been retired. They asked who wanted to sit up front and we volunteered. It was a raw day and going to be cold and windy no matter where you were sitting. There are a group of whales come North from Mexico and hang around Depoe Bay while others continue on to the Alaskan water for feeding in the summer.ie Carry the biologist had named all the whales who stay around the area.  It was foggy and around 46 degrees when we left. Sees were chopping but not too bad at first.  We went buoy that had some sea lions on it. Then we meandered around following the other boat and listening for spotters looking for spouts. Carrie had also trained a dog that she rescued to smell the whale spouts which smell like the worst fart you've ever smelled and the dog Coda had been trained to detect those smells from an early age. Coda ran all around the boat from side to side and front to back sniffing the air, but we never saw a whale. We saw a lot of kelp and birds. The marine biologist says if we come back in August-September, the whales will be swimming up next to shore and we heard the same from locals later. So much for good timing. The Internet said whales should be here now!  We will head north trying to find some more whales because they only move at 4 miles per hour and we can overtake them. As we came back into the dock area we saw a mama seal and her baby seal who just been born that morning. On the way back to ,the dock Carrie asked if we were ready for some bumpy rides. We had no choice but to say yes and she opened up that seal boat with its twin 200 (I guessed at the size) HP Evinrude engines. We were hitting the bottom of some waves and riding over the top of many of them. It was a very fun ride for me and Elizabeth enjoyed it somewhat. We decided to eat in town and got to a restaurant just dead opened so we didn't have to wait area I had a seriously good clam chowder Elizabeth had a beer-based Tillamook cheese soup. It was in a brewery so we had craft pilsner for lunch. Everything was very good and I took a nap we got back to the camp after setting the RV up.  I spoke to our neighbor to our South who is a retired Air Force avionics technician, meeting his children here for the weekend into two other RVs.  We had a nice chat about the military, his travels around Europe and working on F-15s and 16s. He also gave me some insights into the Olympia peninsula where he and his wife had lived for many years. Our neighbor to the North is a retired civil servant, mechanical engineer who helped build the submarine base in San Diego and worked there most of his career. We briefly discussed COVID and his wife who is a nurse says they were waiting to get the Johnson and Johnson shot because it doesn't use MRNA to send signals to your body to protect yourself from the virus but actually uses a strain of the virus to make you immune to it like a flu shot. He said it wasn't really worried because it only affects a minor percentage of the population who have comorbidity issues most of the time. He and his wife have been full timers for several years in their 5th wheel. Again, you meet some of the most interesting people just by casual conversations. You know how shy I am so it's hard to meet strangers.

May 14

We drove north to the Washington border and found refuge at a National Guard base with an electric only hook-up for one night $15.  It’s clean, quiet and near the “latrine”.  Elizabeth prefers bathhouse/restrooms.

[explurgertravelapp]

Top 10 Destinations to visit this summer

Planning a summer vacation is fun, but the options are endless, so it’s important to use certain techniques in your search. Some summer vacations are seasonal while some are busy all year round!

In places like Canada or an area like Iceland, with a harsh winter season, summer is a great time to visit because the roads and trails will be open for you to fully experience what these places offer. Plan your next vacation from the list of the top ten best places to visit in the summer.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

While summer is the busiest time in the Grand Canyon, there are many ways to get access to this destination during the summer peak season. People can roam around the park, take a short walk along the paved streets, or just relax through the Grand Canyon Village.

Rome, Italy

Visits to famous ancient sites such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon are plentiful and that’s the reason Rome is the best place to explore. The cool summer weather makes it a great place to hike to experience new food or to throw a coin at Trevi Fountain.

San Diego, California

San Diego is one of the most blessed cities with good weather all year round, but summer is the best time to visit this California city. With a 70-mile beach, the beach is never far away. Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, and Coronado Beach are the top three beaches you can visit.

Nova Scotia, Canada

Traveling to Canada in the summer is always fun but moreover, it’s the best time to go to Nova Scotia. It’s an outdoor area with water activities such as kayaking, rafting, and whale watching.

The Maldives

The Maldives is best enjoyed in the summer when the climate is dry. There are about 1,200 islands in the Maldives, so there are plenty of options for a hot summer vacation. The design of the islands is a deep blue sea, water sports, beautiful coral reefs, and tropical beaches.

Zermatt, Switzerland

Summer weather in Zermatt allows for more than just skiing. Visits in June, July, and August allow for more outdoor recreation, from hiking and mountain biking to kayaking and swimming.

Iceland

The summer months have dry scenery that makes it easy to get to the mountain trails throughout the island. There are small festivals in Iceland in the summer, and also it’s a great time to watch whales.

Seattle, Washington

The city of Seattle is known for two things: good coffee and bad weather. Here, summer has the lowest rainy months, so enjoying outdoor festivals will be fun, though you will still want to take a light coat in the evening.

Marseille, France

A visit to France in the port city of Marseille is one of the best places in the country, to visit in the warmer months. The summer weather, especially in June and July, is amazing, which is why Marseille is popular tourist months.

Whistler, Canada

The Whistler Mountains, Canada, are ideal for a winter ski resort, but the summer solstice means moderate temperatures and other forms of outdoor experience such as hiking and wildlife tourism. Skiers can still hit Blackcomb Mountain even in the summer months, with the exception of heavy gear in winter.

So, if you are planning to visit one of these cities in the coming summers then the groundbreaking social media app – Explurger can make your traveling experience more blissful as it provides several features including a live countdown timer and Explurge-Ins to capture the best travel pictures and mesmerizing it later.  So, download the Explurger app for travelers and embark on a journey that leads to endless adventurous opportunities to explore the world.

[twentythreehourstravels]

California, here we come…

California has been one of the trendiest holiday destinations for the last few years. Los Angeles, Yosemite, Napa Valley, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, San Diego, … I had the luck of visiting twice, during August: first, for friends’ wedding followed by a road trip with a close friend, and this summer, on my own, thanks to work for my company’s kick-off.

California is huge, I am sure you can visit a hundred times but still discover more of its wonders. Let’s start off with San Francisco, probably my favourite of the few cities I’ve visited.

Day 1:

Wake up early to go whales watching. The experience is simply out of this world, you feel so small compared to those giants. Plus, to go to the deep ocean, you will sail under the Golden Gate bridge; that’s definitely a bonus if SF’s fog hasn’t been kind to you!

Boats usually leave from the Transbay stop Embarcadero, after the trip, you can take a short 20 min-walk to Fisherman’s Wharf for lunch. My favourite place is Fog Harbor Fish House, they do an amazing clam chowder but also a delicious lobster roll.

Pier 39, where Fog harbor is located is mostly famous for the sea lions. There are probably fifty of them, fighting for space, to the delight of tourists!

Continue on Jefferson street and you’ll arrive to a small beach where, if you’re lucky, will see the Golden Gate. The Golden Gate behind you, take a right on Hyde street, and a few blocks later, you’ll arrive on the famous Lombard Street. It is best to start from the top, as it is quieter, you will then be able to walk down the very steep street.

Walk further down and once you’re at Jones street, take a left to go to Chestnut street. There, you have the San Francisco Art Institute. Not only very cool with a Diego Riviera wall art and cool galleries, the SFAI has a huge patio with yet another amazing few of the city and its surroundings such as Alcatraz, the Golden Gate and the Coit Tower.

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A post shared by Sophie (@twentythreehours) on Aug 23, 2016 at 1:28am PDT

Day 2:

Visit Alcatraz, taking the Transbay to Embarcadero, grab the Alcatraz Feries on Pier 33. Again, make sure you book in advance. The visit of the famous island will take roughly three hours, during which you will go through all kinds of emotions.

For lunch, you can go to Boudin Bakery, reputable for its sourdough bread. If you’re as in love with clam chowder as I am, they have a lovely clam chowder in a bread bowl.

Continue to Alamo Square, via Stockton street, Market Street and Hayes Street. It is over a 1-hour scenic walk which will take you through Chinatown. Alamo Square probably sounds familiar to you, thanks to the “Painted ladies“, a row of Victorian houses featured in movies and TV shows such as Full House (yes, the series with the Olsen twins!).

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A post shared by Sophie (@twentythreehours) on Aug 23, 2016 at 11:30pm PDT

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A post shared by Sophie (@twentythreehours) on Aug 23, 2016 at 1:17am PDT

On the way to the Golden Gate Park, you can stop Alta Plaza Park, to admire the panoramic views of the city. To cross the Bridge, you can either rent a bike or walk. I’m cost-conscious and love walking so choose option 2; which took me around 45 min. Make sure to take some warm clothes as even during summer, SF is quite chilly and windy. You can walk up to Vista Point, and then go to Sausalito. This small community is full of boutique shops, art galleries and outdoor cafes with stunning views across the bay.

To go back to SF, you can either take the ferry back to Fisherman’s Wharf for $5 or the Golden Gate Transit.

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A post shared by Sophie (@twentythreehours) on Aug 23, 2016 at 11:24pm PDT

Day 3:

Visit Mission Dolores Park, between the 18th and 20th streets (with Transbay, get off at 16th street/Mission). The view from the park is amazing.

– Walk around The Castro,  which was one of the first gay neighborhoods in the US. It is now very trendy with stylish shops and bars.

Go shopping on Haight Street, the place where hippy culture started: Quirky and psychedelic describe it best, thanks to all the painted houses, the street art and the unique boutiques.With a limited time, we only did the essentials of the city but of course, I’d recommend staying longer. The first time I went, we finished with a day-trip to the Napa Valley, which I highly recommend if you are a wine connoisseur…

Next up, I’ll take you for my second favourite city in Cali, Santa Barbara!

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A post shared by Sophie (@twentythreehours) on Aug 23, 2016 at 11:32pm PDT

[sdwhalewatch-blog]

Book trip of blue whale watching season at https://sdwhalewatch.com/our-trips/field-trips/  A sea adventure of whales, dolphins, sea lions, and birds Narration by a certified marine biologist. Please call 619-839-0128 and reference this promotion when making your reservation.                       All of us at San Diego Whale Watch are very proud to be located in America’s Finest City. In order to maintain the beauty that surrounds us, we conduct organized beach clean-ups every other month. See below for more information on our next beach clean-up. If you’d like to be a part of our clean-up efforts, please email contact@sdwhalewatch.com to RSVP and we will send out more details.

Address: 1617 Quivira Rd. San Diego, CA, 92109 Phone: 619-542-9931 E-mail: contact@sdwhalewatch.com Website -- https://sdwhalewatch.com/our-trips/whale-watching/

[cetacean-content]

Kasatka

We are saddened to share the passing of Kasatka today (August 15, 2017) at SeaWorld San Diego. Following lengthy treatment for a bacterial respiratory infection, or lung disease, Kasatka’s health and appetite significantly declined over the past several days, despite continually tailored treatments. Kasatka’s veterinarians, who are experts in marine animal medicine, and her caretakers made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her to prevent compromising her quality of life. Kasatka was the beloved matriarch of our orca family. A mother of four, grandmother of six and great grandmother of two, she was considered by the most current research as an older killer whale at nearly 42 years old. Kasatka passed away at approximately 8:15 p.m. surrounded by members of her pod, as well as the veterinarians and caretakers who loved her. All of us at SeaWorld are deeply saddened by this loss, but thankful for the joy she has brought us and more than 125 million park guests.

“Today, I lost a member of my family. I have spent the past several years with Kasatka and was truly blessed to be part of her life,” said Kristi Burtis, orca behaviorist. “Although I am heartbroken, I am grateful for the special time we had together and for the difference she has made for wild orcas by all that we have learned from her. I adored Kasatka and loved sharing her with millions of people. I will miss her very much.”

While Kasatka lived a long life, we had been treating her for lung disease for the past several years. This type of respiratory condition has been identified as the most common cause of mortality and illness in whales and dolphins, both in the wild and in zoological facilities. Because of the great relationship Kasatka had with her behaviorists, she participated in daily check-ups by her veterinarians and her individualized care such as treatments using a custom-built inhaler allowing the medicine to go directly to her lungs. Over the past year, as her immune system aged, it became more difficult for her to fend off the illness and her medication took longer to have an effect. Her behaviorists and veterinarians passionately provided the finest care possible ensuring her illness was properly managed and that she continued to live a quality life up until the time of her death. The veterinary team will conduct a full post-mortem examination known as a necropsy to examine the extent of her illness and how it impacted her organ function. It may take several weeks before results are finalized. “Nobody knows more about caring for killer whales than the professionals at SeaWorld,” said Dan Ashe, President and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “Having the privilege of working with these animals daily provides veterinarians and other animal care staff with the expertise and insight to make very difficult choices, like with Kasatka. Certainly, this was a difficult and wrenching decision, but I have absolutely no doubt that it was made with Kasatka’s best interest in mind. On behalf of the entire AZA family, we offer condolences to the dedicated SeaWorld professionals who have loved and cared for Kasatka throughout her life.” At this time, the SeaWorld team’s attention remains focused on the rest of the orca pod to provide the care and attention they need. We’d like to thank our fans and friends for their outpouring of support during this difficult time.

Q&A:

When did Kasatka die? At approximately 8:15 p.m. today (Aug. 15, 2017), Kasatka passed away at SeaWorld San Diego’s Orca Encounter facility. She was nearly 42 years old. What happened…was she sick? Kasatka had been diagnosed with a bacterial respiratory infection, or lung disease, several years ago. The diagnosis was made following analysis of blood samples and through a bronchoscopy, which allowed veterinarians to obtain a culture from deep within her lungs. Was Kasatka suffering? Was that why you decided to euthanize? Kasatka was being treated for a respiratory bacterial infection, or lung disease, for several years but as she aged she had a more difficult time fending off the illness. Kasatka had a dedicated team of veterinarians and care staff providing critical care. Despite their best efforts, her health and appetite significantly declined over the past several days despite continually tailored treatments. Kasatka’s veterinarians and caretakers made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her to prevent compromising her quality of life. Who was with Kasatka when she died? Kasatka passed away surrounded by members of her pod, as well as the veterinarians and caretakers who loved her. What type of medical treatment did she receive? Because of the great relationship Kasatka had with her behaviorists, she participated in daily check-ups by her veterinarians and her individualized care such as treatments using a custom-built inhaler allowing the medicine to go directly to her lungs. How long had she been sick? Kasatka was diagnosed with this condition in 2008. The diagnosis was made following analysis of blood samples and through a bronchoscopy, which allowed veterinarians to obtain a culture from deep within her lungs. How are the behaviorists taking the news? Any loss of a SeaWorld family member brings great sadness. The passing of Kasatka is especially difficult for the staff that cared for and loved her. Kasatka’s behaviorists shared a special bond with Kasatka and are deeply saddened by her passing. Was Kasatka’s condition contagious? Since she shared the pool with 10 other whales, are they in danger of becoming ill? No. Her condition posed absolutely no threat to the other whales. How are the rest of the killer whales doing? The other 10 orcas appear to be doing well, but we’re monitoring and watching for any changes in their behavior. While the loss of Kasatka is heartbreaking for the animal care, veterinary and training teams, as well as the entire SeaWorld family, our focus is to continue the care of the rest of the orca family at the Orca Encounter facility. How many whales currently live at SeaWorld San Diego? 10 killer whales: five females and five males. How many killer whales does SeaWorld care for now? With the loss of Kasatka, SeaWorld now cares for 21 orcas at its three facilities in San Diego (10), Orlando (6) and San Antonio (5). Did Kasatka have any calves? Kasatka was a mom, grandmother and great grandmother. She bore two daughters and two sons (Takara, Kalia, Nakai and Makani). She also had six grandchildren (Kohana, Trua, Sakari, Kamea, Amaya and Kyara) and two great grandchildren (Adan and Victoria). Was Kasatka involved in any research programs? Yes, Kasatka participated in a number of important studies that could help killer whales in the wild. Most recently, Kasatka participated in the following research: Audiogram (hearing) study Photographic assessment of body shape changes study Breath sampling (CO/CO2) study These studies are not published yet; for information about already-published studies involving killer whales, visit SeaWorldCares.com and HSWRI.org. Are any of Kasatka’s family members living at SeaWorld San Diego? Yes, Kasatka’s daughter, Kalia, and two sons, Nakai and Makani, as well as her granddaughter Amaya (daughter of Kalia), all live at SeaWorld San Diego. Are any of Kasatka’s family members living at other SeaWorld parks? Yes, Kasatka’s oldest daughter, Takara, and granddaughters, Sakari and Kamea live at SeaWorld San Antonio. Her grandson Trua lives at SeaWorld Orlando.

[krystangreen-blog]

October is the perfect time to visit San Diego as both residents and tourists can enjoy the annual Kids Free San Diego offers. These cover many of the best things to do in San Diego with kids, including over 100 museums, attractions, tours, hotels, and restaurants in 2019.

Based on the feedback and questions I get from readers, the offers below are among the most popular.

How to Take Advantage of Kids Free San Diego

You’ll need to read the terms and conditions of each offer. Sometimes, you’ll only need an adult ticket and a child can enter free with you. Other venues will require that kids also have a printed voucher.

There are also limits on how many kids per adult can go free in addition to age restrictions. The most important thing is that you carry an eligible ticket as some sightseeing passes don’t qualify for Kids Free San Diego promotions.

Discounted adult tickets for select attractions that are eligible for Kids Free San Diego are available at aRes Travel. This means you’ll save even more in October. Most of these discounted tickets offer the ability to print and go straight to the gate. In some cases, you may also need to print an eligible child ticket.

San Diego Zoo

A ticketed adult can take up to 10 children for free to the San Diego Zoo between October 1–31, 2019. This offer is valid for children 11 and under and a coupon is not required for free kids entry.

Simply purchase an adult ticket and you’re good to go. Buy your adult tickets at aRes Travel at a discount for further savings. If three or more adults are visiting together, click to call 1-888-795-371 for our exclusive savings.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

A ticketed adult can take up to 10 children for free to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park between October 1–31, 2019. This offer is valid for children 10 and under and a coupon is not required for free kids entry.

Simply purchase an adult ticket and you’re good to go. Buy your adult tickets at aRes Travel at a discount for further savings. If three or more adults are visiting together, click to call 1-888-795-371 for our exclusive savings.

LEGOLAND California (Available Now)

LEGOLAND California is incredibly popular during October anyway because of its Brick-or-Treat party nights. And, Kids Free is already in effect so enjoy it during August, September and almost all of October.

The Kids Free San Diego (one child ages 12 and under goes free with a paid adult) offer is valid now through October 31, 2019 and kids do need a printed voucher. Get it below.

SeaWorld San Diego and Aquatica (Available Now)

Children ages 9 and under go free with a paid adult at both SeaWorld San Diego and Aquatica San Diego starting now.

The SeaWorld San Diego promotion is valid now through October 31, 2019. Aquatica San Diego closes for the season on October 6, 2019 and is open on select dates until then. Check the Aquatica calendar for details.

Belmont Park

Belmont Park participates in Kids Free San Diego promotions but you’ll need to sign up for their newsletter to find out what the deals are.

See also: 12 Things to Do at Belmont Park

Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Up to two kids ages 12 and under go free with a paid adult to Birch Aquarium. Download the coupon from the San Diego Museum Council.

See also: Guide to Birch Aquarium at Scripps

USS Midway Museum

Up to two kids ages 12 and under go free with a paid adult to USS Midway, our famous aircraft carrier museum.

See also: Tips for Visiting the USS Midway

Kids Eat Free at Some San Diego Restaurants

A variety of restaurants and San Diego hotels are offering kids the opportunity to eat for free. Here are a few highlights.

Galaxy Taco in La Jolla Shores offers kids combos complimentary for a maximum of two kids ages 12 and under per adult. We love the tacos, which have a gourmet spin and it’s a nice place for a margarita, too.

Up to two kids ages 12 and under per paying adult also eat free at Carnitas Snack Shack Embarcadero in downtown San Diego. This is one of our favorite places to eat should you be visiting the USS Midway Museum, Maritime Museum of San Diego, or taking a San Diego Bay tour (like the Coronado Ferry, whale watching or Patriot Jet boat) departing from right here.

Kids Cruise San Diego Bay Free

San Diego Bay tours are the best things to do in San Diego for tourists but something that we residents usually don’t take advantage of enough.

 Flagship Cruises & Events is offering six free children per paid adult on all 1- and 2-hour San Diego Harbor Tours during the month of October. Plus, the adult tickets are even at a slight discount.

Kids cruise free on any daily San Diego Speed Boat Adventures Harbor Cruise that is valid with the purchase of two adult tickets. One free child per boat is eligible between October 1-31, 2019.

Kids Travel for Free

Families traveling across the U.S.–Mexico border can now save time and money with the Cross Border Xpress (CBX), a unique pedestrian bridge connecting the Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) with San Diego. When flying into TIJ, children ages 12 and under, can get a free single trip CBX ticket from Tijuana to San Diego with purchase of an adult ticket. The offer is not available online and you must ask for the promo at CBX counters at TIJ and also present proof of a reservation in a San Diego hotel or attraction.

Kids Free October at San Diego Museums

Up to two kids ages 12 and under can go free to the below list of museums with a paid adult.

To participate, families need to download the free coupon for every museum they wish to visit and present it at the participating museum’s admissions desk.

A Museum Mash-Up event in honor of Kids Free October will be held at New Children’s Museum Park on Sunday, Sept. 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Coupons can be downloaded online from the San Diego Museum Council.

For local families, this is a fantastic opportunity to check out a new museum.

See also: A Local Kids’ Guide to the San Diego Natural History Museum

Here’s the list of San Diego Museums participating in Kids Free October:

Barona Cultural Center & Museum Birch Aquarium at Scripps Bonita Museum & Cultural Center California Center for the Arts Escondido California Surf Museum Coronado Museum of History & Art Fleet Science Center (Galleries only) Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House Heritage of the Americas Museum Japanese Friendship Garden La Jolla Historical Society Living Coast Discovery Center Lux Art Institute Maritime Museum of San Diego Marston House Museum & Gardens Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum Mission San Luis Rey Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego Museum of Making Music Museum of Photographic Arts New Americans Museum Oceanside Museum of Art San Diego Air & Space Museum San Diego Archaeological Center San Diego Art Institute San Diego Automotive Museum San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum San Diego Chinese Historical Museum San Diego History Center San Diego Model Railroad Museum San Diego Natural History Museum (the Nat) The New Children’s Museum The San Diego Museum of Art The Water Conservation Garden Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center Timken Museum of Art USS Midway Museum Veterans Museum at Balboa Park Visions Art Museum Warner-Carrillo Ranch House

Visit the San Diego Tourism Authority for the full list of offers.

Buy Discounted Adult Tickets and Kids Go Free Tickets at aRes Travel.

[thingstodoinsandiego-blog]

Things to do in San Diego in July 2019

Things to do in San Diego in July 2019

 San Diego is a terrific place to visit all year long, but during the month of July, the possibilities are endless. The weather is perfect and the city is rich in history. The city is fifty square miles of san, sun, and shops and is one of the busiest places in the United States of America.There are plenty of things to do in San Diego during the month of July. The dry weather makes a lot of things possible. Here is a list of things that should be done during the month of July if you can find the time for them all.Visit the ZooVisiting the San Diego Zoo in the summer is something people of any age should enjoy. You can buy tickets online or buy by choosing the events you wish to visit and save an extra 55% on the combined attractions. Some July events will have separate tickets so buy ahead to skip the lines.The San Diego Zoo is one of the best zoos in the entire country. It is home to some of the most unusual and exotic animals. It also has giant pandas. Visiting the zoo is a must this July for any family with kids, but also if you are an animal lover. The park is massive so be prepared to be amazed and do a bit of walking. There are trams available if you need them.There are a lot of activities and events planned for this summer including talks given by animal care professionals that highlight how specific animals are cared for. Three are also special tours that can take you behind the scenes in select areas so you can watch the animals get their yearly checkups or teeth brushed.Right next to the regular zoo is the San Diego Zoo Safari Park which has animals you would find on a typical African Safari including Tigers, lions, rhinos, and elephants. The tiger exhibit is a family favorite and if that is not enough, the Walkabout Australia exhibit is right next door where you can see the outback animals like kangaroos and wallabies living it up in the sun.There is a special event happening known as “African Rocks”. It highlights the plants and animals of Africa and discusses their endangerment and future survival. You should also check out the “Nighttime Zoo” which showcases the animals that only come out at night and some of their particular habits and pastimes.San Diego Harbor Cruise If you are looking for something a little more on the water than you should check out any of the several boat cruises that run around San Diego Bay. You can explore the harbor on some of the educational ones and learn about the animals that are swimming right below your feet. You can also learn about the diverse selection of maritime plant life that they feed on while letting that cool air slide by.

Whale WatchingThe San Diego Harbor and beyond San Diego to Newport Landing is full of whiles. There are also several tours you can go on where you can get an up-close and personal look at them. This is perfect to do during the month of July when the sun is out and the whales are playing.With the combination of sun and water, you are almost guaranteed to see one of these amazing creatures. The area is full of them so keep your eyes open. You will also learn about them and their habits as you cruise the waters and watch them play.San Diego Comic-Con Yes, it is time to put on your clock and reach for the Sky. San Diego's comic-con is happening in July and there are a lot of things to see. This is an internationally known convention that all comic book lovers should attend. It is held every July in San Diego and while it primarily focuses on Comic Books and the science fiction/ fantasy book, you can also come dressed up as your favorite character relating to a television show or movie.The show features animation events, anime, toys collectible memorabilia and video games. The building’s capacity is for 130,000 fans, but get your tickets now, they do sell out and last year the crowds overfilled the building.Belmont Park A good way to spend some time at the amusement park in Belmont Park. It is one of the last amusement parks that are still in operation on beachfront property. This is an action-packed park right on the coast so you can enjoy the sun and the cool breeze from the water, but also the view when you are on the top of the Ferris wheel.You can visit the amusement park for the fun and thrills then wander the boardwalk to enjoy some wonderful fair food. There is something about the sun and the surf that will make that hotdog taste better. It is a perfect thing to do in the month of July. Make sure you purchase a pass for unlimited rides so you can indulge the entire time.Balboa Park The Month of July is perfect for a picnic and for that you should visit Balboa Park. It is considered one of the best urban parks in the country and even scores higher than Central Park in New York City. It is full of natural beauty and a wealth of attractions.You can enjoy the museums that are on the property (there are 14) along with the gardens that are specially cultivated for a season or for a culture like the Japanese Friendship Garden and the Cactus Garden.  There is also the Desert Garden and the Botanical Garden.If you time your visit right you may get to enjoy an outdoor performance or cultural event being held at one of the park’s many recreational areas. There is enough activity in this park to keep you busy the entire summer, not just in the month of July.Point Loma Point Loma not only has a beautiful view of the water, but it also has a lovely old lighthouse to explore. The Cabrillo National Monument is on the same piece of property as the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. It is a perfect place to explore for a small day trip and your kids will love exploring the tide pools near the base of the lighthouse.La Jolla Beach This beach is one of the best in San Diego, so to get the most out of your July and your summer; you should pay it a visit. The beach seems endless and the sand makes the water sparkle. It is perfect for sunbathing or enjoying a bit of light swimming.You can also hike to the end of it and cross into Mission Beach where you can enjoy water sports or catch a wave. It is a perfect place to play in the Pacific Ocean.Living Coast Discovery CenterYou can explore the wildlife of San Diego by visiting the Living Coast Discovery Center. You can learn about the ocean and the wildlife and plants that live there. You can also learn about how you can help them live to by caring for the earth and all that live there.If you are interested in animals and the environment; you do have to pay to enter so you might want to buy your tickets ahead of time.San Diego Natural History MuseumThis museum contacts exhibits and artifacts from all areas of San Diego. The artifacts are new and old so be prepared to do a bit of reading. You can also explore theNAT exhibit which has one of the oldest collections of dinosaur bones and gemstones in the area. This is a limited-time event as the exhibit is traveling.PETCO Park One of the best things you can do this July is attended a ball game. The San Diego Padres are playing and it is a perfect thing to do on a summer evening with your family. The Padres offer special events on some game nights and if you go on kids night you are treated to fireworks and special entertainment. Double-check your dates to see what will be going on at the park before you go.San Diego is an amazing place to go no matter what time of the year is, but in July, it has the summer magic working for the experience. Plan your trip well and you and your family will have the time of your lives. You need to make the most of this tri because summer is not that long and things aren’t as bright once August hits.If you are looking to buy tickets ahead of time for special events, double-check your dates and make sure you have everything in order. A lot of events require separate tickets for the entry that is not included on your entry pass.

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[juniperandmagpie]

Our Favorite SoCal Beaches

In honor of summertime, we compiled a list of our favorite beaches in Southern California. From a hiker's paradise, to an adventurer's cove, to a dog lover's heaven, these are THE beaches you want to make an effort to see.

Hey, we live in SoCal after all, and it is just too easy to not embrace your inner weekend warrior and see 'em all when everything is so close!

1. Ranchos Palos Verdes

When we first moved to Southern California, Ranchos Palos Verdes offered up one of the most stunning views of the Pacific I've ever seen. There are several gorgeous beaches within Rachos Palos Verdes, CA, but we chose to head over to the protected ecological preserve of Abalone Cove.

From this beach you can hike out to Portuguese Point at the east end and look down on Sacred Cove and out to Catalina Island. At the base of this rocky point are also a couple large caves to investigate at lower tides. From LA, this is a quick trek South towards Long Beach.

2. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

Sunset Cliffs in San Diego is a beautiful view point, especially (and obviously) to see the sunset from. There are great trails to follow along the cliff line, and endless photo ops. It's an easy stroll, so grab that special someone and get a little romantic!

3. La Jolla Cove

Rent a kayak and paddle through the marine protected area of La Jolla Ecological Reserve in San Diego. Best time to go is in August when the Leopard Sharks are breeding. When there is clear visibility you will see the harmless Leopard Sharks, California's state fish the Girbaldi (looks like a goldfish on steroids), sting rays, and plenty of super cute Sea Lions. Make sure you take the guided tour through the sea caves to see the sea lions diving from the rocks. Worth it!! Our favorite place to rent from is Everyday California. They also offer whale watching kayak tours in the winter when the Gray Whales are migrating!

You can also get up close and personal with the sea lions from the shore. They are used to people, but they'll give you a nice bark if you get too close.

4. Black's Beach

We visited this San Diego beach for the first time in the dead of winter and it was beautiful, with marbled black sands as far as the eye can see. The only thing is, in the summer, as far as the eye can see happens to be towards a naked man strutting down the beach. You guessed it - this beach is clothing-optional, and one of the oldest and most famous nude beaches in the country. If you aren't into baring it all, the beach is still beautiful, unique, and a real eye-full.

If you are looking to avoid the nudists, you can also venture down to Black's Beach via the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and head North towards the "Mushroom House" and away from the nudist southern portion of the beach.

5. Ocean Beach Dog Beach

We take our pups here once a week! SoCal beaches are not usually very dog-friendly, so this is a great option for you animal lovers. It is a crowded beach, and if you are looking to catch some rays and relax, chances are a dog will shake all over you or kick sand on to your towel (this is their domain after all). But if you love dogs and wanna bring your own Rover (or just dog-watch everyone else's pooches) this is a great spot in San Diego to do it.

I love hitting up Sunshine Smoothie for a smoothie and fresh baklava beforehand, and Mike's Taco Club for a grilled octopus taco afterwards!

6. Coronado Beach Bike Path

When we head down to the beach from San Diego, this is our favorite route to go! We drive in to the island of Coronado with our bikes on the back of the car, park wherever we can find a spot, and then head over to the Silver Strand Bikeway. The path starts on Glorietta & 10th, but it runs parallel with Silver Strand Blvd so you can hop on at any point.

The route goes down the peninsula with San Diego Bay on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. You can take the path all the way down to Imperial Beach (practically Mexico). The further you go, the less crowded the beach is.

Bonus: you can also bike along the bay at Crown Cove and dip your toes in before crossing over to Silver Strand State Beach. That is how we recommend seeing the beach from the bike path - the best of both worlds!

7. Point Mugu State Park

Photo credit: everytrail.com

About an hour and a half up the PCH from Los Angeles in to the Santa Monica Mountains you will find the outdoorsman's dream beach: Point Mugu. Bobby (Magpie) used to actually setup wildlife cameras in this area during his time with the National Park Services at the Santa Monica National Recreation Area, and described the crashing waves at the point as Fantasia-esque.

It features five miles of ocean shoreline, with rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, sand dunes, rugged hills and uplands, two major river canyons and wide grassy valleys dotted with sycamores, oaks and a few native walnuts. There are more than 70 miles of hiking trails, including the jagged pinnacles of the Boney Mountains State Wilderness Area. Plus there is swimming (of course) so you can cool off after working up a sweat.

8. Santa Barbara

Photo Credit: SB Chamber

Santa Barbara is a quintessential coastal town in SoCal. 2.5 hours North of LA, it is a great weekend warrior spot to head to for clean, beautiful beaches in a quaint town. Check out Arroyo Burro Beach County Park to go for a swim, fire up the BBQ, and bring your pooch!

Happy sun, salt, and sea breeze to you beachy adventurers out there!

[marymperezga]

15 Best Friendscation Spots To Rent A Summer Beach House

Summer beach house season is just around the corner, and if you’re scouting out the best destinations for group-friendly rentals—the perfect friendscation, perhaps—you’ve come to the right place. We’re highlighting 15 spots with crowd-pleasing properties that you won’t have to crowd into, because a getaway with your friends shouldn’t feel like a game of sardines.

Summer Beach House Rentals

From splashy beachfront rentals overlooking the Gulf to airy island homes on Oahu, you’ll have your pick of multi-bedroom rentals designed with large groups in mind. Open floor plans, extra living areas, and large dining rooms make it easy to ensure that everyone gets a seat at the table.

Use FlipKey to find the right home at the right price, with some fun extras to boot. From tiki bars to heated pools, you could get a whole lot more than beautiful views and five-star reviews when you book a rental in these hot spots—and we’re not just talking about amenities. Many of these beaches boast top-notch boardwalks and buzzworthy entertainment options so you can make the most of every minute with your squad.

Miami Beach, Florida

“Whether you’re with family or friends, you can save a considerable amount by getting a group together and staying here.” – Guest Review

When it comes to affordable group getaways, it’s not hard to make a case for Miami Beach. Thanks to our selection of dreamy waterfront estates, finding your summer beach house has never been easier. Choose from multi-bedroom villas and squad-sized suites with all the bells and whistles (think dock access and rooftop decks). Sure, it sounds extravagant—until you do the math. Split the cost with friends, and you’ll spend less on that private tropical oasis than a budget hotel room.

See all rentals in Miami Beach!

Long Beach, California

“This home was great for our large group. The location was spot-on—close to the water, without a lot of traffic to worry about.” – Guest Review

Plan a friends trip to Long Beach, and you’ll spend your vacation enjoying miles of sunny coastline and unbeatable Pacific views. One of the city’s most popular beachside neighborhoods, Belmont Shore—”the Shore” to locals—is a top spot for beach house rentals. Book a stay in this walkable area for easy access to the beach, bike paths, tennis courts, coffee shops, and a variety of trendy shops and restaurants.

See all rentals in Long Beach!

South Padre Island, Texas

“Everything that I can think of was fabulous during our group trip. We fished off the dock and caught tons of ‘keepers.’ Staying on the bay side provided calm waters and beautiful sunsets.” – Guest Review

Whoever said three’s a crowd never booked a summer beach house in South Padre Island. This resort town off the tip of Texas boasts dozens of roomy rentals, so there’s no need to choose between your friends and your personal space. With amenities like game rooms and hot tubs, you don’t have to worry about catching cabin fever, but there’s also plenty to do nearby. Go jet-skiing, parasailing, or exploring; reviewers recommend Port Isabel Lighthouse and the South Padre Island Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center.

See all rentals in South Padre Island!

Santa Cruz, California

“The house was a quarter of a block from the ocean. I can’t say enough about how nice it was for us to have two indoor gas fireplaces and a stunning kitchen to cook in.” – Guest Review

Even if your crew isn’t spread out across the country, choosing a destination can be the hardest part about planning a trip with friends—especially if you each define “vacation” a little differently. Santa Cruz hits the sweet spot between big-wave adventures and lazy beach days. This coastal city is home to famous surf spots like Pleasure Point, and some summer house rentals offer boogie boards and wetsuits as amenities. Of course, if your picture of paradise involves chilling out on the shore, Santa Cruz also offers 29 miles of beaches.

See all rentals in Santa Cruz!

Wildwood, New Jersey

“We were located near the Surfside Pier at the heart of the boardwalk. The house was exactly as advertised, and we saved plenty of money by using the barbecue grill instead of going out to eat.” – Guest Review

We’re not one to play favorites, but with its pristine beaches and colorful boardwalk, Wildwood ranks among the prettiest vacation spots on the New Jersey coast. From airy condos to rambling Victorians, this time-honored resort town offers perfectly sized properties for friend groups. When you’re not spoiling your dinner with a bucket of Curley’s boardwalk fries, you’ll have all the kitchen essentials you need to make a crowd-pleasing meal for the whole crew.

See all rentals in Wildwood!

Daytona Beach, Florida

“This property was great for our large group. Bedding set-ups were very flexible, and the fact that the rental was pet-friendly was icing on the cake. The front porch was a good gathering spot.” – Guest Review

If you’re looking for a summer house near one of the most popular beaches in the country, then it’s only natural to start your search in Daytona. Dubbed “The World’s Most Famous Beach” in the 1920s, when drivers held races on the hard-packed sand, this coastal hot spot is now home to Daytona International Speedway. Other top attractions include the boardwalk, Main Street Pier, and Seabreeze Boulevard, a popular place to shop. After an afternoon of sightseeing or a lazy beach day, head back to your rental to sip mojitos on the deck.

See all rentals in Daytona Beach!

Oceanside, California

“We had about 16 people here for a girlfriends getaway, and this rental fit us (and our bags) perfectly! It was nice to have tons of places to sit and sleep. To top it off, dolphins swam by every morning!!” – Guest Review

Gather your friends and get your beach fix in Oceanside this year. Known for its laid-back vibe and beautiful weather, this gem is central to all the activities SoCal has to offer. Bike the San Luis Rey River Trail, play a round of 18 at La Costa Resort, or take a whale watching tour. Whether you book a summer beach house on the coast or a few miles away, the perks of staying in a rental add up fast. You’ll spend less by sharing the cost—not to mention the cooking duties!—which means extra cash for happy hour drinks and jet ski rentals.

See all rentals in Oceanside!

Panama City Beach, Florida

“Our stay at this house was amazing! There was more than enough room, and each floor had its own hangout area and patio.” – Guest Review

You’re traveling with a group, and everyone wants to stay together. Easier said than done, right? If you’re on the hunt for a rental with multiple bedrooms and a massive dining room table, your search ends here. Panama City Beach offers summer beach houses that tick all the boxes and then some—think private pools and sprawling balconies overlooking the Gulf. The neighborhood’s not too shabby, either; this resort city is a hidden paradise for golfers, and outdoor mall Pier Park is a short drive from the beach.

See all rentals in Panama City Beach!

Honolulu, Hawaii

“The house was near all the activities we planned: hiking up Diamond Head, swimming at Hanauma Bay, and dinner in Waikiki.” – Guest Review

What’s that? You’re in desperate need of a tropical escape? We’ve got just the thing: a summer house in Honolulu with all your favorite people. Leave the daily grind behind for an island rental near downtown or your own private cove. No matter where you stay, you’ll enjoy easy access to Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay State Park—plus an enviable variety of activities from surfing and sunbathing to snorkeling and world-class golfing.

See all rentals in Honolulu!

San Diego, California

“We went out to San Diego for a bachelor party with 15 guys and had an unbelievable trip. The house was so incredible that we didn’t go out the first night just so we could enjoy all of the amenities.” – Guest Review

San Diego offers a luxe selection of beach house rentals, from cliffside mansions to modern oceanfront villas. Multiple living areas and lots of kitchen space go a long way toward keeping the peace on a group trip, but that’s not the only reason to book a summer house here. With so many sun-kissed beach spots (including La Jolla Shores and Mission Bay), it’s easy to find somewhere surf, swim, or shop by waves.

See all rentals in San Diego!

Dewey Beach, Delaware

“My kids think this is our beach house. It is exactly what you want for your Dewey Beach vacation: charming, well-maintained, and large enough to sleep multiple families.” – Guest Review

Tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and Rehoboth Bay, Dewey Beach is a destination for classic beach eats, live music, and—you guessed it—great rentals for groups. We can give you a few good reasons to book a summer house here, starting with events like the Solstice Celebration (June 21st) and Summer Vibes Fest (August 11–20). Throw in tax-free shopping and trolley service to Rehoboth Boardwalk, and you’ve got the ingredients for a memorable trip with the girls/guys/whole gang.

See all rentals in Dewey Beach!

Redondo Beach, California

“This house is perfect for a group that wants a nice place to come back to from the beach. I would rent it again for sure.” – Guest Review

This easygoing beach town is just a few miles from the bright lights of LA, but you won’t find chaos and congestion here. If you’re looking for a place where you can walk to the grocery store and hear the waves crash at night, Redondo is the perfect spot. Enjoy the cool breeze and California sun as you catch a wave, build a sandcastle, or start up a game of beach volleyball. Keep an eye out for frequent art festivals and free concerts at the pier.

See all rentals in Redondo Beach!

Topsail Island, North Carolina

“What a great vacation! We didn’t feel like we were tripping over each other. The kitchen was a dream, and being able to sit around the table for dinner together was great.” – Guest Reviewer

This barrier island south of the Outer Banks may be one of North Carolina’s quieter beach spots, but Topsail offers a solid selection of activities for groups. From surfing at public beaches to fishing along the Intracoastal Waterway, you won’t struggle to catch some sun here. With so many group beach houses on the island, it’s easy to find a home with enough space for everyone. Better yet? Design details like floor-to-ceiling windows and cathedral ceilings make local rentals feel equal parts spacious and glamorous. Translation: your real estate wish list is about to get even longer.

See all rentals in Topsail Island!

Cannon Beach, Oregon

“Everything you need is here. We were so surprised how well-stocked the entire home is. They’ve thought of everything.” – Guest Review

Stunning views, coastline hikes, and quaint cafes make Cannon Beach a super romantic spot to rent a summer beach house. Whether you want to hunt for tide pools or hike through Ecola State Park, you’ll find a rental in Cannon with your name on it—within walking distance of the waves. Top area attractions include art galleries, outdoor concerts, and a summer farmer’s market.

See all rentals in Cannon Beach!

Isle of Palms, South Carolina

“I stayed at this home with a group of women. The common areas easily held all of us, and the access to the beach was ideal.” – Guest Review

A picture-perfect location for girlfriend getaways and bonding with the guys, Isle of Palms is located just 20 minutes from downtown Charleston. Choose from beach house rentals with oceanfront views and over-the-top amenities like industrial kitchen appliances, so no one goes hungry. Fill your vacation with charter fishing trips and walking tours in Charleston, or clear your calendar for a week of endless beach days; either way, this gorgeous spot is a win-win for everyone.

See all rentals in Isle of Palms!

This post was originally published on the TripAdvisor Rentals blog. FlipKey is a TripAdvisor company.

The post 15 Best Friendscation Spots To Rent A Summer Beach House appeared first on The FlipKey Blog.

from Tips For Traveling https://www.flipkey.com/blog/2019/07/10/15-best-friendscation-spots-rent-summer-beach-house/

[thingstodoinsandiegotoday-blog]

San Diego Travel Guide

San Diego.

San Diego each voyager's dream! San Diego will fill you with interminable experience; it is amazing region to visit during the time having quite recently the ideal climate. This spot is offered with awesome stunning excellence to charm you. Gee! What euphoria? Who might want to leave this bit of heaven and return home? You can eat your eyes on nature while sitting on sandy shorelines and fabulous long coastline, here you can get over your regular stresses and let yourself free in the nature. San Diego is a finished occasion bundle for family just as couple or a recluse. The occasions and world-class puts in San Diego will keep you occupied for many days. You'll long treasure your this trek to San Diego and the dreams will keep you once again long after your visit.

San Diego for the most part is acclaimed for its extraordinary climate and spellbinding shorelines yet close to the ideal climate the occasions and places of San Diego is likewise consummate. These exercises draw in 30 million travelers consistently with its one of a kind beguilements. The welcome of numerous breath-ceasing occasions is available to individuals having a place with every changed field of life and having diverse tastes. An assortment of different diversion and occasions anticipates you in San Diego.

1. Occasions.

A whirlpool of occasions will encompass you and abandon you wheezing with all the fervor. Keep in mind you ought to have attractive measure of occasions close by for your trek to San Diego, there are a great deal of scenes and occasions worth getting up to speed with and obviously you would prefer not to miss any. Beautiful atmosphere of this eye-getting bit of earth permits having exercises round the year. An epic claim to fame of San Diego is kite brightening and flying challenge held in March on Ocean shoreline bolstered by the ideal breeze kite-flying needs. Balboa Park offers Native American moving, music and workmanship show in American Indian Cultural Days in May while things get going all out with Block party at Pacific Beach hung on Garnet Ave that month.

Celebrated two days Ocean shoreline reasonable and Chili Cook-off Street slam in June is another sweet for the guests, it is combined with three-week Del Mar Fair, a super district reasonable held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, with pennant melodic acts and many jubilee rides. In addition US Open Sandcastle Competition is held in Imperial Beach, south of Coronado in the mid-July. Most sultry month of the year August is stacked with fun and holiday, Hillcrest city Fest Street reasonable is held in one of San Diego's chirpiest inward city zones in August. The Gaslamp Quarter party scene follows in September amid the San Diego Street Scene celebration. Splendid, vivid, decked pontoons coasting in San Diego's harbor will snap firecracker in your spirit with its entrancing vista. This Harbor march of beautified, stunning lit pontoons in December is the following huge occasion else than Christmas with many shimmering water crafts gliding smoothly in San Diego's harbor.

2. San Diego Attractions.

Notwithstanding these invigorating events there are other remarkable must see settings that will fill the thirst of your inclination adoring eye and offer comfort to your spirit with its variety. Room on the sun kissed shorelines while abandoning your impressions on the sandy banks of San Diego let the costal breeze brush through your hair however the gentle dry desert air murmur beautiful unwritten tunes to you. Feel one with water; let the blue green unadulterated water wash your torpidity away.

Ocean world.

Yap! It's a great opportunity to get wet. Get splashed in water with the "drench zone" at the dazzling show adrift world. Ocean world alone is sufficient energizing attractions for the San Diego visit. It merits resulting in these present circumstances spot to be transfixed by these great ocean creatures amusement. You got the opportunity to come early not to miss anything, as there are long queues at this spot. Additionally there is show timing that obviously you would prefer not to miss and it is just rehashed twice day by day. Shamu the electrifying dim executioner whale shows the perfect work of art. The traps played by Shamu are so agile and engrossing that before the finish of the show you'll without a doubt experienced passionate feelings for this heavenly animal of ocean. Shamu-child of ocean wants to sprinkle water on group of onlookers as a trinket to them from him on their visit to ocean world. Seeing the prominence of Shamu, Shamu the executioner whale has turned into an informal image of the city.

You can satisfy your fantasy of contacting a dolphin. Who can oppose cherishing such a charming animal? Guess a high-vitality dolphin appear with cutting edge enhancements. You can bolster them or see others nourishing them. Its principle lead character the star dolly enriches the dolphin appear. She stands like ruler among other individual dolphins. Moreover penguins, the ocean otters and seals likewise display flabbergasting appears. You can have your marine life arranged with all these uncommon creatures. An interesting show of land's pets going to water and appearing for water is additionally exceptionally exciting. In the event that you need to have minor winy break from seeing demonstrates the spooky house can give you a respite tied with rush. Besides you can likewise watch penguins, seals, dolphins, ocean otters and fierce sharks swimming through the unmistakable blue water. Nourishment at Sea world works like an impetus for your visit, any feast you get is sublime in its quality.

Wild Arctic however a more up to date fascination at Sea World yet squares with in interesting guests restoring the custom of Sea world, it gives you a look into life under the northern oceans and ice streams. The principle highlight of this part is it depicts the icy mass picture in full soul; you can really smell of ice and snow and icicle dribble under the overhangs, which isn't not exactly a gift in the burning warmth of summer. Another mystery to Wild Arctic's deference is white beluga whale in the tank at submerged review zone. In any case I can securely says including every one of the marvels San Diego's Sea world remains the kingdom of Shamu, this is an absolute necessity visit place in any event once throughout everyday life. There are additionally "Cinderella carriages" accessible that will take you to a fairyland and seal your vision with enchanting ocean see visit along the harbor. A water ski show will mix it up of excitement Sea world offers. The last obviously not the least the night firecracker show will flabbergast with its terrific greatness.

Contemporary workmanship historical center.

San Diego shorelines are just about excellent daylight and surfing, unquestionably it has considerably more to offer. In the event that you are not unsurpassed gathering creature and might want to be hypnotized by the nature at that point exhibit of these tremendous spots will snare your consideration; with your visit to each new spot your excitement to see the following spot will be enchanted. On the off chance that you are keen on history or in a progressively learned happiness, the exhibition hall of Contemporary workmanship is the perfect spot for you. Encompassed by captivating and beautiful suburb of La Jolla, Museum of contemporary workmanship observes splendid accumulations of 70s pop craftsmanship and moderate, in addition to you can likewise examine the reasonable works and cross-outskirt craftsmanship from San Diego and Tijuana. Other than this customary kind of exhibition hall you can see a progressively untraditional San Diego's Maritime historical center comprising of three boats. This exhibition hall contains instructive devices for the two grown-ups just as children. These brilliant vessels present a hoisting vision to its gathering of people.

San Diego Zoo.

San Diego Zoo's reality well known prevalence is sufficient for its presentation. San Diego Zoo is standing gladly in the well known Balboa Park and is prominent for a bunch of exercises. One of the primary attractions of San Diego zoo is its accumulation of intriguing creatures fill you with delight. One day isn't sufficient for Zoo; attempt to isolate your visit to Zoo on two days to appreciate and see it completely. This zoo fills in as genuine treat for children. 10 bio-climatic zones from ice tundra to rainforest make this Zoo all the more charming. San Diego Zoo is natural surroundings of more than 3000 creatures going from little to jeopardized types of various creatures. The zoo begins with plants and prompts distinctive zones of zoo including the best part comprising on Pandas show and after that the colossal decent variety of extraordinary uncommon fowls that are elusive effectively. It's extremely incredible enjoyable to see hippos swimming submerged through the glass-paned seeing zone. You can likewise bolster and contact in addition to appreciate viewing the loftiness of wilderness tigers, gorillas and a lot increasingly uncommon jeopardized species.

With Wild Park take a voyage in to virtual world because of its land condition that is recreated in vegetation. Experience the cool sky train safari, which will give you a general captivating perspective on Balboa Park. Gondola vehicles merit taking once to feel the solace of review the entire zone while you mutely coast along.

Mission Bay Park.

This park has San Diego's greatest play ground. 27 miles of shoreline, 19 miles of sandy shorelines, free stopping, extraordinary play areas, outing locales, grills, and ball and volleyball courts what else you need? This spot is a country of numerous exercises like swimming, skating, bicycling, kayaking, fly skiing and waterskiing that offers amusing to children and grown-ups. You can likewise take some cruising exercises, lease a vessel, or play golf or tennis.

Or then again you can basically loll in the sun lying on the shoreline seeing the children laughing on the sandy shoreline. Mission narrows park state-of-the-art you with supportive maps, it additionally have blessing shops where you can purchase trinket for your companions on your way back home.

Different spots.

Other than these imperative spots referenced above there are as yet other amazing spots to see. Intriguing picturesque magnificence will transport you in to a perfect world. You should visit old Down Town San Diego to have look in rich social foundation of this of the best city of America. And furthermore don't miss these hit rundown places La Jolla, Cabrillo National Monument, Gaslamp Quarter, Hotel Del Coronado and Mission San Diego de Alcalá.

[layesica]

Goodbye 2018: A Year in Review with Some Stuff Left Out

Guys… this year, I saw Dear Evan Hansen. Well… I guess we’re done here!

Yeah. You’re not getting off that easy. I would very much like to have a rant here, but I’m resisting the temptation. What’s done is done, so no point in wasting time thinking about it. 

Have I ever done this as bullet points? Do I always do it as bullet points, but don’t remember that because I’m tired? Well, here are the bullet points of a year gone by…

JANUARY

• Started the year with Pack people. No kiss at midnight. This was a continuing trend…

• My schedule was all over the place. Tech and Front of House all willy-nilly.

• Started Grad Revue at Second City. I worked with a whole new group of people because that’s how it worked for me. Worked in the office to pay for it.

• Started my second Whole Life Challenge.

• Auditioned for the Universal Studios Tour Guide Program. Got the callback, but failed the improv. This was a continuing trend…

• For fun? Oh! I went roller skating for Sandy’s birthday. I friggin’ love roller skating, y’all!

• Rediscovered the Los Feliz 3. Saw Lady Bird and I, Tonya.

FEBRUARY

• Things got a little more ordered. Grad Revue, Second City office, Very Famous… all my nights were allocated!

• I started working exclusively tech at The Pack and exclusively Fridays. Hunter asked me to host Go Sketch Yourself, so Katie D. and I did it from the booth. My very niche bad tech sketch went over so well with this crowd!

• Went to the Opera for the first time to see Candide. It had Kelsey Grammar in it? Still enjoyable.

• Met some friends at Gracias Madre. I’d been wanting to try it since I moved here. Finally! Expensive and scene-y, but good!

• At the end of the month, I went part-time at the hotel because… well, there were no benefits to being there full-time, and I have shit to do, y’all!

• Got a Conan taping in there.

• Ordered some Samoas from a neighborhood Girl Scout. Someone tried to sabotage me, but I got those cookies and put them in my face! Finally!

• This year had two themes: 1) Forgiveness and, conversely, 2) You are dead to me now. Forgiveness started at the end of this month. It was an awkward first step, but sometimes it’s good to take a first step. I guess it’s just looking at the big picture of whether, as a whole, someone is a positive in your life or a negative.

• I did something terrible. I killed Gary. He was a delightful little aloe (according to Reddit, an aloe aristata). He was in a sugar skull planter from Trader Joe’s. I couldn’t tell that I was overwatering him. I overwatered him to death. I am a terrible plant parent. I still feel awful.

• Another loss. My trusty Herschel backpack finally gave out. So, I got a new one. Not a Herschel. A cheaper one.

MARCH

• Mom and Dad came to visit. They got a nice AirBNB right down the street from me... but the plumbing was shot. So we got to spend a week at The Hollywood Hampty! (Thanks, George!) We went to a Conan taping. We went to Madame Tussaud’s… um… yeah. Did the double decker tour bus that I get for free because I sell them at work. We dropped by Eataly. I need to go back there. We got free breakfast every day!

• I went to a party! I don’t normally do that.

• I got to be in Book Report at The Pack. Buzz Aldrin was seated in the front row I had to do a quick change into an elaborate costume and ran out with my dress tucked into my tights.

• I learned that when you do someone a huge favor, they don’t always reciprocate in kind, so you should bear that in mind when you choose to share.

APRIL

• Took a day trip to Venice and Santa Monica. Walked around the canals. That was neat.

• I doggie-sat for George and Ian with Parker -- a very, very good dog. Their apartment is so serene PLUS they left me gin and tonic and an adorable call sheet with Parker’s day outlined. Nice!

• I interviewed for the page program at Paramount thanks to Sandy’s recommendation. Didn’t get it. Maybe they felt like I was too old. I don’t know. They seemed impressed with my resume, but I still haven’t been called in for an interview for a regular job. This is a continuing trend… At least I got to have some Texas-style margaritas in the build up.

• Started Sketch 3 at The Pack. Old version. Just talking about the history of comedy and other comedy nerd / writer pursuits with Mike Upchurch . This may have been my favorite comedy class ever. Got some insider Mr. Show information. It’s the fandom that keeps giving!

• Saw Scott Thompson’s Buddy Cole Monologues at UCB. Accidentally made eye contact with Bruce McCulloch. It was a very exciting night for me.

• During Very Famous’s April Show, I gave this gift to my family back in Texas.

MAY

• Gallegos visited and did Go Sketch Yourself.

• He and Eloy came to opening night of my Grad Revue — Clickbait & Switch. Oh yeah! My Grad Revue at Second City opened.

• FYC Season, y’all! Netflix had some good stuff! I got to take a picture of Emily with Marty Short which enjoying the open bar and passed tray foods.

• Lindsey came to visit. Lots of Marvel. I probably will not be seeing any more Marvel, though. Unless they hire me for that job I applied for. Then, I would love Marvel! We went to Universal and my favorite Harry Potter ride broke down. Then, we rode it again immediately. And then I had motion sickness that lasted 7 days

• Brent Forrester started a series of Comedy Knowledge Drops at Dynasty Typewriter. They were so good! He is great!

• Put up a sketch at The Pack’s Ladies of Sketch Night with a dream team of actors. Also, go to dance again, but, sadly, I always end up in the back. Too many ladies!

• My calendar simply says “BOB!” I imagine I saw Bob at something… Oh, Dynasty Typewriter! It was fundraiser for one of their employees to renew her visa or something. Took photos of Emily and a very nice BrBa/BCS fan with Bob before we walked through Murder Park to get to the train.

• An actor that I very much had a crush on stayed at our hotel. He’s been on a downhill slide for a while and was obviously pretty high. He was also a jerk to the person who check him in. But he was nice to me… and when he smiled at me while thanking me for calling a cab, I kind of died a little on the inside. I wish I had the video from our security cam, but I’ll just have to remember it in my mind. When I got home from work and turned on the TV, there he was in a terrible movie.

• Went on an easy hike to a waterfall in Altadena.

JUNE

• Went to ATX fest again! Mom & Dad came and stayed a night at the hotel with me. Lindsey and Andrea met up the second day. It wasn’t as fun because I live in this place where I’m constantly surrounded by TV stuff. They did a Better Call Saul thing, so I got to go to that. I had some TexMex. It was A LOT.

• Flew back from Texas earlier than I had planned because our Grad Revue closed that Sunday. We did our final show, then received our diplomas and t-shirts. I am now a Second City Graduate. But not “Alumni.” That’s different… and also not possible in Hollywood. I also resigned from my work-study job with enough hours to take 3 more classes. It was sad, but I needed that time back to make money.

• Took in some Fringe shows. I’m so supportive! But also, the lack of reciprocal support is not exclusive to comedy people. That’s a thing I learned.

• I auditioned for Sketch at Second City. Didn’t get it. This is a continuing trend…

• Went on a little weekend trip to Long Beach. Checked out the aquarium. Did a whale tour. Saw an actual whale tail. Had some decent barbecue. Got a sunburn. I recommend the Hotel Maya near the Queen Mary. All the cookies you can eat! And they have fire pits!

JULY

• This was a light month, but that was fine because…

• I went to Comic Con in San Diego! We got volunteer badges. I ended up catching a ride with my friend, Osiokeh, so I got to spend one night at the hotel connected to the Convention Center. So nice! Well, I spent part of the night because there was a Better Call Saul Panel in Hall H, so I had to camp out waiting for my wristband. Of course, they had issues and that took forever. Then, I slept for 4 hours then went to get back in line. I sat through so much stuff AND that place pretty much emptied out for some boring panels. Not enough for me to upgrade my seating, but I could have just not done that at all.I did not budget enough time to get to my volunteer shift, so I had to scoot as soon as that was over. My volunteer job SUCKED! Gordon was nice enough to come look for me, but they didn’t allow us to have phones, so I missed him. So sad. What a sweetheart, though. :(

• Volunteering at Comic-con… Oof! I just kept getting the wrong shifts. They were torturous! The last day was a complete mess, and I was one of the last volunteers standing… because of course I was. At the end of all this, I was like, “NEVER AGAIN!” I did enjoy finding a hotel to work at and just people watching. I guess the first year is when you learn. I totally missed the badge sale for 2019!

• I finally started Improv 2 at The Pack. Neal Dandade was great! All new people again!

AUGUST

• Did a better convention… CAT CON! Now, this is where I belong. I won a Litter Genie and the cat-weed company gave Penelope a CatIt Flower Fountain. She is obsessed! So, I guess it may have been better than weed. We may never know. I met Cindy from @foster_kittens. She was very nice… but the main event was meeting Felix. He was so soft, but so over being petted by strangers! I signed up to be a foster, but with a chupacabra in our apartment, I decided against it. That’ll change.

• Season 3 of Better Call Saul started. Then I started a class, so I had to miss watching it live. Emily and I watched the first one with… some refreshments. It was so good! I am turning on Jimmy as he turns into Saul though. Like, I super hated him right at the end there. We’ll wait for Gene to roll around. Oh Gene. My heart.

• Went to San Diego for a weekend. Nice to check it out as a tourist. Walked across a swinging bridge. Spent hours at the USS Midway. Went on a paddle boat ride. Checked out a Padres game at Petco Park. Almost died on a Bird scooter.

• Finally started that Late Night Writing class. It finally worked out. I love it. I wrote jokes and people liked them. I guess I can write them after all.

• Took a one-day class on sketch writing from improv with Kevin McDonald from Canada’s Kids in the Hall. It was fun. Lots of nerds. We wrote 2 sketches.

• Went to see David Cross with Emily. Took myself to Umami before hand. We got some Bonus Bob!

• Other shows: So You Do Comedy…? at UCB. Chris had John and Jessie Ennis. That was fun. Kevin McDonald did a variety show at the Lyric Hyperion Theater. First time there. Cute place! We sat so close. Tim Heidecker dropped a guitar stand on me.

SEPTEMBER

• Improv 3 at The Pack Started. Shaun Landry showed us how to be actors. We did prepared monologues for a class that John Conroy subbed. Shaun said he told her he wanted to tape one of them because it was so good. She said Justin. There was no Justin. No one even close except Jessica. So, I’m just gonna assume he meant me. Because I need it for this next thing…

• Submitted a reel to be a performer on my or a TPT Sketch Team. Didn’t get a callback. I’m starting to think maybe I am not a good performer. But giving up isn’t a thing I do, so I’ll keep trucking along. At least I get to feel like I’m SNL-era Bob Odenkirk. And from what I heard from a person who worked with him around this time, we have/had about the same pitching style for this level in our careers. That makes me feel better. But, like, he was at SNL and I’m at a little theater in Hollywood… and also he’s a genius… so maybe not that much the same.

• The good news is that I get to continue as a writer on Very Famous.

• I also got to play a terrible British stereotype in a sketch with friends at Go Sketch Yourself and UCB’s Everybody Get In Here. Multiple people told me how funny they thought I was in it. I accidentally dressed like Oliver Hardy, but thinner and with boobs.

• Dana Gould did Chopping Block at The Pack. That was amazing! They needed extras and, oh, how I wanted to be in something one of my heroes wrote… but also I wanted to watch it. So I chose the latter. I’m good with that.

• At work, a guy from Fox News yelled at me over the phone because of something dumb. I don’t even remember. Cool guy.

• Briefly joined an improv practice group. Quickly realized that I am too poor for that.

• Started another Whole Life Challenge. It had been a while.

• Went to another Conan taping. It turned out to be the last. September 18. 25 years and 5 days after I first watched Conan on late night television. A few weeks after this, the hour-long show would cease to be. A total surprise to me. A half-hour replacement coming in January.

OCTOBER

• Oh yeah! Back in September, Andrew asked if I would like to be in The Ointment at The Pack. Um… OF COURSE! So I got to play a character who murdered her husband… 10 years after she wrote a blog post about how she would do it. I also played an Octopus tentacle. It was so fun!

• Ian asked me to be in some short, blackout videos he was making to remind people to vote. That was fun, too!

• Briana asked me to be in her sketch for Tales from the Laugh Dimension at The Pack. Duh! Of course! I also did a couple of things with her for open mic sketch shows. It was a lot of fun.

• The best thing about all these parts I got was that right around this time, someone who was grasping at straws to make me a bad person declared that I was “angry about all the sketches I didn’t get cast in.” LOL Yeah, about that. So, I guess things do happen for a reason.

• After a couple months of looking for a full-time position, so I could get out of my living situation because of it being a danger to Penelope, I kicked that into overdrive. I wish I could have kept my old place, as I was the only one who really loved it, but also, all the sage in the world wouldn’t be able to vanquish the bad joo-joo. This turned out for the better in the long run.

• But more good things happen! Hunter suggested that I help produce a show at The Pack for Halloween as part of WPCK. We did an exquisite corpse with all-female writers and an all-female cast (but a male director because… I guess… let’s not go overboard?) based on the Bill Joel video for Allentown, the play No Time for Sargents (watch the TV version of this, please) and Ragnar Benson’s series of survival books. I got a pretty big part and memorized the shit out of my lines… only to have my entire intro skipped. So, I had some confusing costuming, but the whole thing was kind of that way… and I guess we can just blame the format anyway. It was still fun. And I got to go eat Doomie’s with some great ladies!

• Finally got to see 1970s-style Hollywood Boulevard thanks to that Tarantino movie. I was only there for the throwback architecture. Walking home after class, I saw Brad Pitt.

• Took myself to the beach again.

NOVEMBER

• November 1. The day I saw Dear Evan Hansen. I was not ready. It was so good! I cried the entire time. I tried to win the ticket lottery every day. I listen to the soundtrack constantly. I may have to wait, like, 3 years to see it again.

• The next day, I picked up my rental. I deserve a break, so I took one in the form of a road trip along the PCH. I ram some errands in Burbank, then drove through Malibu Canyon to start in Malibu. It was beautiful. How have I never been to Malibu before after 2+ years in LA? The first day, I stopped in San Luis Obispo. Oof! At least the Embassy had a good evening reception. I ordered some Santa Maria steak on Postmates and it was so good! Then, I just relaxed. SLO is not that exciting. 

• Day 2, I drove up to Monterey. It took forever. But it was BEAUTIFUL. Just singing Dear Evan Hansen songs and trying to pay attention to the road. In Monterey, I went to some beach locations, like where John Denver crashed his plane. Then I watched the sun set on the beach. The Embassy there did not have a good evening reception.

• On the last day of my road trip, I drove up to San Jose to go to the Winchester Mansion. It was really neat, but not as exciting as I thought it would be. Still enjoyable. Had an expensive burger, went on a disappointing detour trying to find a Peet’s, then drove in the dark on The 5 back to LA. Wow! There is nothing there.

• The last day with the car, I took Penelope to the vet. Got the works. She’s all good. Didn’t even need a teeth cleaning.

• Station Theater’s Can’t Tell Us Nothing won Matt Besser’s Improv for Humans contest. They did a show at UCB, so reunited with some Houston improv folks. And also someone I worked with at the WPCK thing. Worlds collide!

• Saw a screening of Stan & Ollie at IFC Fest. The acting was great!

• There was a book event for Paul Myers’ book about Kids in the Hall at UCB with Dave and Scott. Scott is a force of nature. I love him so much! Also, Paul Myers is Mike’s brother… or Mike Myers pretending to be a guy named Paul who is also his brother.

• When I was in high school and college, there was a stand up / storytelling show in LA called Uncabaret. If I lived in LA, I would have gone. Now that I do, I went to their 25th anniversary show. It was a room full of people from the 90s, still in the 90s. Not a complaint.

• Late one night, I saw that Katie was subletting the apartment she had just moved out of. A studio in Hollywood in my budget, bills included. By the end of the month, I had the keys to that apartment. I should have gone ahead and put my notice in for December 1, but I got nervous. I ended up paying rent on 2 places.

• Started Improv 4 at The Pack. Rich is great! He has the perfect personality of a person I can get along with.

• Thanksgiving at Fogo de Chao is TOO MUCH MEAT!

• Very Famous got into SF Sketchfest! Finally going to San Francisco!

DECEMBER

• Packing! That pretty much sums it up. I rented a car for the small stuff. Asked for help with the big stuff. We did it! Penelope and I are free!

• Ian asked me to be in his directorial debut at Second City — A Fonzie Scheme. We did rehearsals to generate material. It was fun.

• I saw Come From Away. I mean, after Dear Evan Hansen, I thought I would never be able to love a new musical, but this one got me. It was good.

• I got older. For my actual birthday, we went to a Yoga guru’s Winter Solstice Celebration — even though it wasn’t the solstice yet. We did some intention setting and white people dancing and healing breathing and tarot card pulling and labyrinth walking and fireside singing. Then we got ice cream. The following day, I invited some people to bottomless mimosa brunch. It was a great time! A single mimosa, followed by a carafe of mimosa, then another single mimosa is the perfect amount of mimosa. Then, I bought some corn cookies and a slice of crack pie from milk bar.

• Spent the next few days getting the apartment in order, so I could come back home to not a mess after the holidays. I did a lot, so I’m looking forward to getting home to Penelope.

• Capped off a creative year by submitting my very first late night-style writing packet. A warmup for the NBC Late Night Writers Workshop. Guys, I’ve known it my whole life: I friggin’ love late night!

• And just for good measure, my $400 (I got them on sale for $75) sunglasses broke. I was tempted to get some Ray Bans, but opted for some MUCH cheaper Target ones. RIP Jimmy Choo star sunglasses. They were good to me for like 3 years AT LEAST.

• Went back home for the holidays. Spent a lot of quality time with Mom and Dad. Saw Mark and Jacob. Didn’t get nearly enough writing done. Didn’t finish my book. At least I got to mostly relax. Mom let me win at Scrabble a couple times before winning like 12 times after that.

A LOOK AHEAD

Tonight for New Year’s Eve, Emily, Ian and I are going to see Bob and Naomi’s Not Inappropriate Show at UCB. Then later, we are going to the New Years Eve celebration at Dynasty Typewriter. They got a lot going on over there.

I tried to focus on the high points of this past year. The low points were pretty low. I’ve struggled this year, but have done my best to try and stay positive. I lived and I learned.

The word of the year for 2019 is BUDGET. I am going to set myself up with the tools I need to budget my money, budget my time and budget my food. The main focus will be finding a new job. That has been a big issue since I moved to LA. I’m wearing myself out. 

I need to cut myself some slack this year, but also continue to get shit done and be better at that.

I hope the rest of you have a wonderful year. And, if you made it this far, why are we not best friends and going to Salt & Straw every month or laughing and bitching over bottomless mimosas every other weekend? I need more of that!

BONUS

Annual kitty feet, anyone?