Tourist In My Home Town

Five months after leaving Vermont, I was home in San Diego for the longest stay I've had there since moving east 20 years ago. Everyone loves America's Finest City for good reason, and I made an effort to take in the sights that tourists take in, and locals sometimes take for granted.

San Diego Mission and Mission Trails park

I made a couple of trips out to East County to hike and run on these trails, and met really friendly people every time.

Mission San Diego de Acala

Rebuilt in the 1900s, this mission was founded in 1769 by Father Junipero Serra, the first of 21 missions the Spanish would build in California to force the conversion of Native Americans to Catholicism.

San Diego Mission de Acala

Inside the mission's church.

Old Mission Dam

A few miles up Mission Valley in what is now Mission Trails park sits the brick remains of the dam that provided water to the mission and its farm fields.

Mission Trails Regional Park

Rugged chaparral sagebrush grows over the rocky, sandy terrain through the park. Miles of great hiking, hemmed in by highways and suburbs.

Mission Trails

Welcome! Avoid the mountain lions.

Mission Trails Regional Park

At the top of Fortuna Mountain. Just another perfect January day in San Diego.

Missional Trails Regional Park

Looking west from Fortuna.

Hamilton!

The touring show of Hamilton was in San Diego right after New Years. Years of hype didn't set expectations too high: it really was spectacular! (Even thought I already knew how it ended.)

Point Loma

My mom moved to this coastal part of San Diego five years ago, a funky mix of residential neighborhoods, historical landmarks and military installations. The north-south peninsula protects San Diego Bay and afford gorgeous views.

Cabrillo Lighthouse

The historic lighthouse at the top of the cliff only operated for 37 years, until someone pointed out that a light at the base of the cliff would actually be a better idea....

Cabrillo Lighthouse

Detail of the glass lens of the light.

Point Loma tidepools

Below the lighthouse, on the ocean side of Point Loma the tide pools are full of creatures.

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

Acres of uniform white tombstones look out to sea from the ridge and slopes of Point Loma.

Balboa Park

A gem of a park in the middle of the city, Balboa is acres of green space, trails and gardens arranged around a central promenade of museums and Spanish-style buildings. I ran here a lot while I was home.