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Hidden San Diego

The Color Purple in San Diego

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I’m a lover of nature. I am always charmed by the ever changing landscapes of San Diego County. Yes it’s mostly brown and green here and it may seem to stay that way, but if you look up close and visit the same places regularly, you will start to see those subtle changes of new growth and cycles of the seasons. Now what you can see scattered throughout neighborhoods and up in the hills among the brown and green, is a vibrant stunningly beautiful purple. Jacaranda trees are my favorite this time of year. They stand regally above most and seem to know how gorgeous they are, waiting to unfold their petals after the superbloom ends. I’m filled with joy and can’t help but smile whenever I see them. You won’t be disappointed either and the walk below is really close to the bridge walks I wrote about in my last post. It’s time to go check them out, they may not be in bloom past July.

You can see them all over San Diego, but you can take a self-hosted Jacaranda walk!

Tidbits about them!

Don’t Go Away! See more from Hidden San Diego

Bridges of SD County

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There are all kinds of hidden gems to hike to and discover in San Diego on your day off or while you’re vacationing. Say you just like to take a short walk into different neighborhoods to catch the flavor, the vibe, whatever it is that draws you there. I do this all the time, this is how you find those less traveled jewels that are memorable. My most recent day off I planned a trip to see and walk over two bridges that reside over canyons within the city. You can combine these with a visit to Balboa park as they are so closely situated to each other. The Spruce Street and Quince Street bridges give you some excitement due to their elevation, but also give you a perspective you don’t get every day. Panoramic canyon views, not to be missed, they are a quick way to make your San Diego walks more thrilling. We take our dogs everywhere we can so know dogs are allowed, but make sure to keep them on leash and be especially cautious with them on the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge as it doesn’t have a traditional railing and it moves with you.

Some quick fun facts can be found on the following sites:

https://www.hillquest.com/quince-street-bridge/

https://www.hillquest.com/history/spruce-street-bridge-capps/

Also, finding these bridges is easy, just type in their names into google maps and you’ll be on your way. Happy Exploring!

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Seadragons & Seahorses

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Talk about Hidden San Diego… How much more hidden can you get than peeking at one of natures most impressive camouflage artists?

Check out Seadragons & Seahorses, new permanent exhibition at Birch Aquarium that features one of the largest seadragon habitats in the world. Seadragons & Seahorses immerses aquarium guests into the underwater lives of seahorses and seadragons, while giving a peek into the work Birch Aquarium’s renowned Husbandry Team is doing to ensure that these species survive into the future. Seadragons & Seahorses is included in the cost of Birch Aquarium admission.

When: Ongoing until Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Sundays, 9am-5pm
Mondays, 9am-5pm
Tuesdays, 9am-5pm
Wednesdays, 9am-5pm
Thursdays, 9am-5pm
Fridays, 9am-5pm
Saturdays, 9am-5pm
Where:
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
2300 Expedition Way, San Diego, 92037

Get directions

Mexico Gourmet Festival

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San Diego has many great restaurants but if you had to choose what regional food category San Diego was known for it would probably be Mexican.

With our close proximity to the Mexican-American border, you’d be hard pressed to find another city in California with as many top notch Mexican eateries.

To that point, the inaugural Mexico Gourmet Festival will take place on the evening of June 1 at the Embarcadero Marina Park South in the San Diego Bay, from 5 – 9 p.m. This festival is a one-night tribute to the flavors, colors and sounds of Mexican culture and will feature both traditional and modern gourmet takes on beloved dishes.

Guests will have the chance to discover the hidden flavors of Mexican dishes they know and love with unlimited tastings from the most prominent chefs and restaurants from both sides of the California-Mexico border.

Holiday Happenings in San Diego

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Few things are as uniquely local as the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. Now in its 45th year, the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is guaranteed to make you reconsider holiday traditions. Imagine a flotilla of sparkling boats, all decked out for the holidays, of all shapes and sizes sailing up and down the calm waters of San Diego Bay and you’re well on your way to understanding what it means to be a San Diegan.

Continuing its long-standing San Diego tradition, the 45th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights promises to dazzle and entertain bayfront crowds during the evenings of December 11 and 18, 2016. Participants in this year’s highly anticipated holiday boat parade will decorate their boats to fit this year’s theme, “It Began with a Roar – San Diego Zoo Celebrates 100 Years.”

Presented by the Port of San Diego, the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights brings more than 100,000 San Diego residents and visitors to the shores of San Diego Bay each year. The procession of approximately 80 lavishly decorated boats has become one of the most iconic events in the region.

This year, for the first time, the parade will proceed to the pier at Cesar Chavez Park before making the turn to Coronado, giving spectators another area to view the parade.

For more information about this event, and where the best views of this city tradition, visit sdparadeoflights.org now.

Seven Bridge Urban Hike

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Ever hear about Seven Bridge urban hike that meanders across bridges and follows along several old streetcar routes near down town San Diego?

San Diego is an amazing city with a lot of really cool things to see and do. There are the usual touristy type experiences like the world famous San Diego Zoo and Seaworld, but then there are experiences that are off the beaten path and even better, free. One of those experiences just got a nice write up in the San Diego Reader, the Seven Bridge Walk, which is as beautiful as it is a fascinating look into the San Diego of old. Read all about it here.

10 Best Hikes in San Diego 2016

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A new year is upon us and a new list of great hikes in San Diego recently surfaced! San Diego is a great place to live, work and play and if you’re anything like us, play time usually means exploring the city, the wilds, or the suburbs of San Diego by foot. Check out this great article on the 10 best hikes in San Diego! Did your favorite make the list?

Scavenger Hunt Adventure

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I must have been under a rock, but something really amazing has been happening in San Diego for a while.

Turn San Diego into a giant gameboard with this fun scavenger hunt adventure. Combine the excitement of The Amazing Race with a fun city tour.

Simply use your own smart phone and see the sights while solving clues, completing challenges and learning local history. Available 365 days, Sunrise to Sunset. Signup at www.UrbanAdventureQuest.com

Cost: $9 – $20
When: Any day of the week through December 31, 2015 from 10am to 6pm
Where:
Old Town State Historic Park
4002 Wallace Street, San Diego, 92110
Get directions

Comic-Con for Outsiders

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If you are anything like us, you will be outside looking in when Comic-con starts in July. Yeah, we couldn’t get tickets either, but fear not ticketless heroes! There are plenty of things you can do even if you’re not invited. Below you can peruse a list of cool things happening in and around downtown loosely associated with geekdom’s official gathering.

Family Movie Night
How to Train Your Dragon 2
WHEN: July 7, 2015 @ 8:30 pm
WHERE: Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station
2816 Historic Decatur Road
San Diego, CA 92106
COST: Free

The Art of Comic-Con
WHEN: June 20 – August 30
DESCRIPTION: San Diego Public Library is pleased to partner with Comic-Con International in the presentation of The Art of Comic-Con exhibition in the Art Gallery. Providing unprecedented access to original art by over 60 comics artists, the exhibition traces the history of Comic-Con through art and provides a sneak peek into the evolving process of creating comic art.
WHERE: Central Library 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
COST: Free

Jay and Silent Bob Get Old Live
WHERE: The American Comedy Company (Site is currently down)
WHEN: July 10, 2015
COST: $30
This is what fans everywhere have been waiting for – an opportunity to see their heroes on stage doing what they love, telling stories.

The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail
WHERE: The American Comedy Company (Site is currently down)
WHEN: July 10, 2015
COST: Free
The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail weird, hypnotic, hilarious relationship will draw you in and make you feel like part of their family.

Summer Pops – Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions
WHERE: San Diego Symphony
WHEN: July 9, 2015
COST: $25-$90
Brought to life by the San Diego Symphony accompanied by exciting visuals on giant screens, Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions will take audiences on a powerful musical retrospective through the popular video game franchise’s most memorable melodies.

The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses
WHERE: San Diego Symphony
WHEN: July 11, 2015
COST: $35-$150
Journey back to the land of Hyrule with Master Quest, the next chapter in the acclaimed world tour, The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses, a never-before seen or heard multimedia experience that celebrates the beloved Zelda franchise.

Total Combat Zombie Attack
Total Combat Paintball
WHERE: 1699 Main Street
San Diego, CA 92113
WHEN: Jul 9 – 12, 2015
COST: $40
Enter the darken TCP Warehouse, the only light you will have is the light reflecting from your headlights. You will need to clear 3 Zones without being converted into zombies.

Doug Loves Movies
WHERE: The American Comedy Company (Site is currently down)
WHEN: July 8, 2015
COST: $18
Comedian Doug Benson (“Super High Me” and Comedy Central’s “The Benson Interruption”) hosts a podcast where he talks to his hilarious special surprise guests about his first love…movies!

Geek & Sundry’s Heading to SDCC
WHEN: Jul 9 – 12, 2015
COST: Free
WHERE: Petco Park
Geek & Sundry will be heading to Comic-Con International: San Diego, Southern California’s hottest celebration for all things nerdily geektastical.