A couple of years back I decided to push off for Christmas with a buddy and backpack some of the Stated. First stop was LA, but after discovering rather rapidly that it was a hole, in fact a hole that needs to be filled in, we jumped on a greyhound and a couple of hours later we arrived in Downtown San Diego.
San Diego is everything LA is not, it's clean, the downtown area was well lit with non threatening people.
Prior to leaving LA we had booked ourselves into the Banana Bungalow (BB) in the Northern costal resort of Mission Beach. BB is a hostel right on the beach with a beautiful and large deck out the back where you can just kick back and enjoy the view.
After settling in (staff were way friendly) we decided to explore the local area. Misison Beach is very much a residential resort that is making the most of its beach frontage. The front is full of bars and restaurants, a few motels but as you drift a couple of blocks in land it's residential housing.
The beach was wonderful, clean, long and soft sand and although we went in December the water was still warm enough that you didn't need a wetsuit.
For me there are two reasons why I will be going back and back and back. Firstly I am a triathlete, admittedly not a very good one, but still I have wandered into a world of Swimming, Cycling and Running and Mission Bay (2 minute walk from Mission Beach) was where it all started. Secondly The promenade that runs the full 5 miles from the bottom of Pacific Beach all the way to the top of Mission Beach, giving ample opportunity to rollerblade, cycle or just jog.
With the ability to exercise in such beautiful surroundings and to eat relatively healthy but always good food, you come back to the UK with this Californian lifestyle implanted for good !!!!
Some of the local haunts we frequented that should be experienced are the Open Bar - a great bar with the ever friendly Kristy behind the bar. Green Flash - Amazing restaurant on the front which on Christmas morning at 10am did an awesome Bloody Mary. Flannigans, was friendly and did great food. Kono's is opposite the pier and was a firm favourite for the breakfast burrito.
If you get the chance to go, it will be one of the nicest beach holidays you can do. Sure you'll find better beaches, but will they have the nice people, the great views and the general wholesome environment, probably not.
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