Introduction
Winter in the USA often brings chilly days and shortened sunlight hours, urging many to stay indoors. However, for our family, especially as seniors relying on US-residing family members for mobility, special occasions like Thanksgiving become a window for cherished family moments. San Diego, with its brighter sunshine, pleasant temperatures, and vibrant attractions, emerged as the perfect destination to compensate for the winter gloom.
Seaside Bliss at Coronado Island
Our family embraced six days of warmth in San Diego, choosing accommodation on Coronado Island near the beach in the El Cordova hotel. A mere two-minute walk from Coronado Central Beach, we basked in the Thanksgiving festivities, enjoying Mexican cuisine, beach umbrellas, the sea’s roar, and the unique architecture surrounding Hotel Del Coronado. While some beach areas were not recommended for swimming due to sewage discharge, the overall ambiance, especially during the holidays, made it a memorable experience.
Cornado Beach: Sunshine around the year
A View of Hotel Del Cornado from the beach
Sunset on the beach
Beauty by the Evening
The Walkway by the evening
The Thanksgiving Celebrations
Serene Environment
Evening by the Beach
City Exploration: Trolley Tour Extravaganza
To explore the city thoroughly, we recommend a trolley tour, allowing passengers to hop on and off at various spots. Starting from Coronado Orange Avenue, the tour covered key stops like Balboa Park, Little Italy, and the Old Town. Little Italy, with its charming Parakeet Café, offered a delightful start to our travel days. (Photos of Little Italy) The Old Town, with its historic architecture and live Smithy workshop demonstrations, added an enchanting touch.
A view of the City from Trolley
The History of Old Town
San Diego- Little Italy
San Diego-little Italy
Old Town San Diego The State Historic Park
Old Town San Diego-State Historic Park
The Balboa Park
The Old Police Headquarters
San Diego Harbour
USS Midway Museum: A Glimpse into Naval Glory
Our journey continued to the USS Midway Museum, a retired aircraft carrier that played a significant role during World War II. Exploring the challenges faced by US Marines and the technological advancements of that era was both thrilling and educational.
Inside the Giant Aircraft Carrier Museum
In the Hangar of USS-Midway
The planning within the ship
Experience the control room
The Runway on the deck
Legoland: A Poetic Journey of Lego Creativity
For families with children, a visit to Legoland is akin to a pilgrimage. The Lego-styled hotel, imaginative rides, and enchanting structures crafted with Legos showcased boundless creativity. From Ninja’s quests to the Amazon rainforest journey, Legoland offers a plethora of attractions, making it hard to experience everything in a single day.
Lego Elephant Sculpture
A colourful version of Elephant Sculpture
A Lego Bison
The Adventureland
In Company of Bunny
The Thrill of ups and downs
A Lego Robot
A Lego Bull
The Festivities-Legoland Way
The Legoland Hotel
Thrill of rides
The Driving School
The Golden Bridge-San Fransisco
The Manhattan Skyline in Lego
The Wind Farms
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
India’s Taj Mahal in Lego
The giant wheel London
The Jurassic Park-the Lego Way
San Diego Zoo: A World of Wildlife Wonder
Renowned as the best-organized zoo globally, the San Diego Zoo, managed by the San Diego Wildlife Alliance, houses over 4,000 animals of 650 species. Spread across Balboa Park, the zoo’s well-designed trails, forest replicas, and aviaries provide a close-to-nature environment. Our exploration included the urban jungle, Tiger Trail, Monkey Trail, Asian Passage, and more.
The Entrance to the San Diego Zoo
The lush green environs
The Pygmy Hippopotamus
The Gorilla
The Aviaries
The Monkey Trail
The Hippopotamus
The Giraffe
The Flamingos
The Kookaburra Aviaries
The Cheetah
The Mountain Lion
The Comodo Dragon
The word of turtles
Historic Landmarks: Fort Rosecrans Cemetery and Cabrillo Monument
A visit to the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, a former coastal artillery station, offered a solemn experience. Named after General William Starke Rosecrans, the cemetery’s 77.5 acres pay homage to American Civil War heroes. Nearby, the Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma Peninsula commemorates Juan Cabrillo’s landing at San Diego Bay, offering breathtaking views of the city and Coronado Island.
The Rosecrans Cemetery
The Visitor Centre: Cabrillo National Monument
The Light House
A view from the light house
Nature’s Wonders: Tide Pools and Marine Life Driving down, we reached well-managed tide pools, allowing visitors to learn about marine life. Adjacent cliffs revealed sediment layers dating back to the Cretaceous Era. The tide pools, showcasing diverse sea life, were a unique experience, emphasizing the need to preserve this natural beauty.
The Cliffs and the Tide pools
Informative Exhibits at the tide pools
Evening Charms: Ferry Landing Park and San Diego Marina
While we didn’t take a ferry tour, an evening visit to Coronado Ferry Landing Park provided stunning views of the well-lit skyline and the USS Midway Museum. Spiros Restaurant, by the waterfront, offered an excellent family dinner spot. Adjacent markets and French bakeries added to the picturesque setting.
USS -Midway and the harbour From the Ferry Landing Park
Scenic Seaport Village: A Family Haven
A sunny afternoon at Seaport Village, with its waterfront walkway and local crafts, offered a beautiful family retreat. The Embarcadero Park North provided a green space for watching vessels on San Diego Bay. The 14-acre village, with casual eateries and waterfront restaurants, was a perfect spot for snacking and lunching.
Eateries by the bay
A relaxed ride
The Colourful Sea Port Village
Culinary Adventures: San Diego’s Gastronomic Delights
San Diego, like the Indians from Punjab, loves good food and takes pride in its culture. Whether American, Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, or Indian, every cuisine we tried was delicious. Our culinary journey included visits to Parakeet Café, Miguel’s Cocina Coronado, The Tandoori Palace Encinitas, Nonna (Little Italy), Café Coyote, and Craft Beer by the Bay sidewalk.
Closing Thoughts: A Remarkable Family Time
Our time in San Diego was nothing short of excellent, filled with family bonding and exploration. While we missed some landmarks like the San Diego Maritime Museum, the convention centre, and a detailed exploration of Balboa Park, we remain hopeful for future opportunities to visit this vibrant city.
Inspire Positivity 