By Gina Tarnacki
San Diego Expert, about.com
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San Diego is the land of surf and sun and its laidback attitude,
multitude of hiking trails, gorgeous beaches and booming culinary and
beer scene inspire people from all over the United States – and even the
world – to pack up their belongings and head west. Here are the top 10
reasons to live in San Diego and why you might want to make a similar
journey (or already have).
San Diego's (Nearly) Perfect Weather
This
is a big one! San Diego has the most temperate weather in the United
States. Even nearby LA can’t boast the same as it doesn’t get as much of
the coastal breeze that keeps San Diego from getting too hot. With most
days hovering right around 70 degrees, it’s never too cold or too hot.
And when it does sometimes creep into the 80s and 90s in August and
September, everyone just heads to the beach for a refreshing dip in the
ocean.
Live By the Sand and Salt
Ah, the beaches. San Diego is home to some of the finest stretches of sand in the United States.
The city’s wide, soft, sandy beaches are packed in
the summer months when the tourists flock to San Diego. In winter,
however, the beaches are often refreshingly uncluttered of people and
residents can go for peaceful walks along the shoreline or surf some
waves without worrying about running into a rogue boogie boarder or
swimmer. The Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego also provides
great waves for surfing and calm areas ideal for kayaking and stand up
paddle boarding and other ocean activities.
Craft Beer Scene[post_ads_2]
The craft beer scene in San Diego is one of the best in the world. From the elite Stone Brewing Company and its bountiful beer gardens to tasting-room-in-a-garage breweries like Lost Abbey and Stumblefoot Brewing Company,
plus just about every type of brewery you can image in between, you’re
bound to find a new favorite beer, especially one of the hoppy IPAs San
Diego is known for.
Excellent Restaurants
Suggest
going to dinner to a chain restaurant like Applebee’s or TGI Fridays to
a San Diegan and don’t be surprised if you they wrinkle their nose in
disgust and give you a “what’s wrong with you?” look. With so many
excellent independent restaurants in San Diego, most residents make it a
favorite pastime to continue to try new ones every weekend, while still
making sure to visit their favorites (Mamma Mia, The Patio, Alexander’s on 30th…
the list goes on). San Diego is also home to the world’s best fish
tacos (yes, I might be a bit biased, but don’t judge until you try one).
Nature and Hiking
San
Diego is home to a plethora of scenic hiking trails. For ocean views,
head to Torrey Pines in Del Mar, while those who like to challenge
themselves can head up to Potato Chip Rock in Poway and take in the
high, panoramic views. San Elijo Hills also has a number of hiking
trails, including a trail up to Double Peak, which is the highest point
in San Diego County.
Outdoor Living [post_ads_2]
The
houses are small in San Diego (unless you have a lot and a lot of
money), but no one is too bothered by it. Why do you need square footage
when you want to just be outside enjoying the incredible weather,
anyway? Patios become living rooms in San Diego and grilling is a
favorite American pastime that can be enjoyed year round thanks to the
weather.
San Diego's Vibrant and Laidback Nightlife
Whether
you want dive bars or clubs, you can find it in San Diego. Even the
most high end establishments are refreshingly unpretentious and most
carry local beers on tap. The Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego is
where you want to head for Vegas-style clubs and dancing, while laidback
PB and Mission Beach are known for their beachy dive bars and young
crowd. Ritzy La Jolla and Del Mar are two communities to head to when
you’re looking for a more sophisticated night out with a glass of wine
or old fashioned cocktail in mind.
Fun Day Trips and Weekend Getaways
San
Diego is in close proximity to some great getaways. Head two hours
northeast to Big Bear Mountain for some snowboarding or skiing in the
winter. In the fall, drive an hour east to Julian for some excellent
apple pie and cider. During the summer, try out some new beaches in LA
or head up the coast a bit farther north to do some wine tasting in the
prestigious Santa Ynez Valley. 25 miles to the south, there is Mexico,
full of a wide range of activities, whether you want to brave Tijuana or
hop on a quick flight to Cabo.
Museums and that Famous Zoo[post_ads_2]
San Diego has a host of museums to keep you busy and cultured. From museum-heavy Balboa Park to the Maritime Museum of San Diego,
you can find art, history, science and more. When you want to study
wildlife, head to the famous San Diego Zoo. Many San Diegans with
families get year round passes to the zoo; the pass is surprisingly
affordable and provides kids with a day of entertainment. San Diego Zoo
is also one of the prettiest zoos in the world to walk around thanks to a
plethora of vegetation and smart landscaping.
The Flip Flops and T-Shirt Lifestyle
It
sounds reminiscent of a Katy Perry song, but flip flops and tank tops
are the go-to attire in San Diego and casual comfort is key when
assembling your wardrobe. With the exception of a few clubs in the
Gaslamp and a couple top restaurants in La Jolla, you can get away with
wearing flip flops pretty much anywhere and no one will raise an
eyebrow. Yoga pants and sweatshirts (albeit surf-inspired ones) are also
completely acceptable for wearing around town while running errands. No
one will call What Not to Wear on you.
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