As a New Yorker going on 8 years in the unforgiving megacity, my frozen exterior melted all over the San Diego sidewalks. The sky is wide and dotted with palm trees and fluffy clouds. The food is fresh and the beer is cold. The streets are open and tropical plants surround houses. You can breathe without inhaling lingering scents of Indian restaurants and truck fumes.
I still love you New York. But my side-piece is California.
San Diego is a nature paradise in the middle of city living. My cold NYC heart grew three sizes that day.
Spanish rooftops, palm trees and blue sky. Is there anything else more Californian? (North Park area)
At the San Diego Zoo, curious creatures abound in a quiet oasis in the southern California metropolis. The funny thing about wild animals is...they don't care about posing for photos. You gotta catch them when they drop an opportunity in your lap.
Like the Capuchinbird, the bald, yet somehow fluffy, South American feathered nightmare. He came to the edge of the cage to stare and shriek, then flew away to terrify another section of the aviary. He was my favorite.
Remember what I said about animals posing for pictures? Mr Zebra would not turn to greet us.
I saw more animal tush than I ever have on that day.
This is the Black Tire Snake™ (name of my own making) because at first glance, you think this fellow is laying inside of a tire. Then you realize he IS the tire. And if you are scared of snakes, this isn't the one that will help you get over your fears.
Pretty badass snek, though.
Oscar's Mexican Seafood in San Diego is a local chain, and the fish tacos do the body, and soul, good. Adobo-seasoned tuna is heavenly on a tortilla with a side of rice (and another taco!).
Margaritas because....well....do we really need a reason? At Blind Burro on J St.
