Living in San Diego was a dream. It is a unique city with great food, constant sunshine, friendly people, surfing and (surprise!) a lively theater scene.
Driving home on interstate 5 from La Jolla to Golden Hill, if it was the right time of year, I’d nearly get in a fender-bender every 20 seconds. The majesty of the sun setting over Mission Beach: Fiesta Island in the foreground, palm trees blacked out by the illumination of the sun behind them, the sky an entire sherbet rainbow, and the ocean sparkling grey underneath it… sighhhh, then BAM! I gotta slam on the breaks because I’m about to pound right into the Prius in front of me.
It was actually good that the traffic on my commute home was always thick. If I was able to fly home, I wouldn’t have had time to gaze out the window at the incredible scenery and appreciate every second of it. I’m grateful for that traffic because eventually we’d move. And when I think of San Diego, that’s the image that pops into my mind.
About The Less Worry More Happy Blog
We are a family of four, passionate about adventure, nature, travel, and writing about it as we go. We moved from San Diego five years ago to be closer to family while we started our own. While there are plenty of beautiful sights in Maine where we live now, I still dream of those gorgeous sunsets, and a few other traits unique to San Diego that I’ll list below!
If you move to San Diego from elsewhere, here are five things you’ll probably love about it. If you move away from San Diego, be warned of future longing!
The Food Living In San Diego Is Unique
Mostly the burritos. Oh my god the burritos! When we moved from San Diego to Maine I was pregnant. There is no sadness greater on earth than a starving pregnant woman who wants a burrito that’s 3,000 miles away (ok fine there is. But I was really sad). The Mexican food in SD is unparalleled and something I dream about on a regular basis– even after pregnancy. Honestly, I was deeply offended by what was considered passable as Mexican food in Maine.
But that’s not the only food item I miss: the never-ending fresh fruit, sushi, interesting infusion restaurants, and acai bowls, –we ate one every single morning when we returned for a visit– There’s so much amazing food in San Diego!
A Few Of Our Favorite San Diego Food Spots
Pomegranate Located in Golden Hill, they serve Russian/Gregorian food. Seriously, go have a bowl of Borscht and a giant Russian beer. You’ll thank me!
Priority Public House in Leucadia is worth the drive. Their menu is full of exquisite pub fare with a beer and cocktail menu that cannot be beat. Top it off with a super chill atmosphere and you don’t wanna leave.
Zen Five Sushi serve killer sushi and play reggae exclusively. Plus, you’re in the heart of the coastal scene in Pacific. I mean, there’s not much more to say.
Robertos and Rigobertos may sound crazy to locals, but you don’t need to get fancy about it, which is one of the best parts about Mexican food. You can step in, or drive through one of these unpretentious taco shops and grab the best damn burrito of your life– if you’re new to Southern California at least.
San Diego’s Constant Sunshine
The weather just cannot be beat. It’s one of the few areas in the world with a mediterranean climate. I will forever miss the fact that I could walk out the door 364 days a year and not have to even think about coats, boots, hats, gloves, raincoats etc. Now that I have 2 kids, I can’t even fathom how much easier it would be to not have to carry around 62 articles of clothing every time we leave the house! Not to mention planning for outdoor activities.
Two years after leaving, we returned with our daughter and showed her the majesty of the beaches… and acai bowls.
An unexpected bonus: I’m from the Midwest where the climate and terrain are the exact same for the entire region. One thing I loved about Southern California is you can drive 2 hours away and find a completely different climate and nature. If it was October and I was in desperate need of crisp air and changing colors, we’d drive to Julian for the day. Get a peek at the town of Julian.
Or, one of the coolest trips I remember from our time in SoCal was staying in Palm Springs and enjoying the desert climate for a couple days, then driving an hour up the mountain to Idyllwild, where it snowed during our hike!
Transplants: It’s So Easy To Make Friends In San Diego!
Something we learned the hard way after we left is not all communities are warm to new folks. When we moved to San Diego we had no problem finding a new tribe. So many people in San Diego are transplants themselves, so it’s normal to invite newcomers into their crew. People are insanely friendly there– maybe it’s the sunshine? This is something I definitely feel is special about San Diego in particular.
Surfing San Diego Is A Must
Thanks, Captain Obvious. I know. Clearly the surf in San Diego, coupled with the perfect weather, is a match made in heaven found nowhere else in the U.S.
Great surf? Sure. Amazing weather? Yeah maybe. But nowhere in the States can boast both year-round! In other areas of the U.S. there is a small surfing community who are hardcore enough to put on their 5mm wetsuit and brave the cold water year-round. But in San Diego, it’s just part of the culture.
In fact, if you want to understand the various beaches and communities, Explore The Most Stunning Beaches San Diego Has To Offer, by Savvy Cali Girl has you covered.
Enjoy The Theater Living In San Diego
I never would have guessed the theater scene would be so lively in San Diego! It makes sense, I guess, being close to LA, but San Diego holds its own in the theater crowd.
The La Jolla Playhouse, Moonlight Stage, Coronado Playhouse and Finest City Improv are just a few that are worth many visits!
Living In San Diego Is About Embracing The Sunshine
Don’t get me wrong, I love living in Maine! But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I die a little inside when I see my San Diego friends posting pictures of beachside burritos post-surf on the beach in the middle of February. I think they do it just to torture me! If you’re moving to, or moving from San Diego, know that it is a very special place and soak in every sun-drenched minute!
