Let's Take a Day Trip

Without question, Southern California is one of the most beautiful places in the nation, if not the world. But normally, when I would say that, I was referring to the greater Los Angeles area.

For the first time, with my son and niece in tow, I went to San Diego and visited La Jolla Cove.

Wow, what a stunning sight.

San Diego quickly climbed my list of favorite destinations. Everything about the city felt welcoming, laid-back in a way that Los Angeles sometimes isn’t. The traffic was manageable, the pace was calmer, and even as a visitor, it felt like a place you could settle into without trying too hard. And the crazy part? I only got a small taste of it.

But let me tell you about La Jolla Cove.

Parking was surprisingly abundant along the street, which was refreshing—especially considering how most destinations like this usually come with a premium just to park nearby. From there, we walked up a steep sidewalk, anticipation building with every step, before making our way down toward the cove.

And then… it opened up.

The cliffside views were breathtaking—layers of rugged rock meeting deep blue water, with waves crashing rhythmically below. It didn’t feel real at first. It felt like something out of a travel magazine, except we were standing right in the middle of it.

What stood out most, though, was how alive everything felt.

Birds lined the cliffs in what seemed like endless numbers, perched like they owned the place. And honestly, they kind of did. Sea lions casually made their way onto the beach, completely unbothered by the people around them. There was no barrier, no separation—you weren’t just looking at nature, you were in it.

I’ll be honest—the smell was something you had to get used to. It was strong, unmistakably “the sea,” mixed with the presence of all that wildlife. But somehow, even that added to the authenticity of the experience. It reminded you that this wasn’t curated or cleaned up for tourists—this was real.

And it was beautiful.

What made it even more special was sharing it with my son and niece. Watching their reactions, seeing them take it all in—it reminded me why I travel in the first place. Not just to see places, but to experience them together.

The next day, we made our way over to Coronado Beach—another standout in a city full of them.

The drive across the Coronado Bridge alone was an experience. As we ascended, the view slowly revealed itself—the San Diego skyline rising in the distance, cutting through a layer of low clouds and fog. Even with the overcast skies, it was captivating. Maybe even more so. It gave the city a different kind of beauty—softer, almost cinematic.

And then we reached the beach.

Coronado Beach felt completely different from La Jolla Cove. Where La Jolla was intimate and rugged, Coronado was wide open and expansive. The shoreline stretched endlessly, and the sand—bright, almost sparkling—felt softer and cleaner than most beaches I’ve been to.

Even with the cloudy skies, people were out walking, relaxing, just taking it all in. There was a calmness to it. No rush. No pressure. Just space to breathe.

Standing there, looking out at the Pacific Ocean, I realized something—San Diego isn’t just a place you visit. It’s a place you experience.

And for me, it won’t be the last time.