You Stay Classy San Diego

National Park Road Trip – Days 9-12

San Diego          

We were lucky enough to have lived in Encinitas for 3 years.  It was some of the best and the worst times we’ve ever had.  Best because we met amazing people there, got to explore a new city, and had 70+ degree weather a majority of those 3 years.  Worst because G and I never saw each other due to his business travel, I basically lived alone, and we lost our beloved four-legged only child way too soon.

After moving to Portland to be closer to G’s work, I still worked remotely for my old job in San Diego.  I was lucky enough to get to travel back to San Diego on a fairly regular basis to get my SD fill.  I got to visit with friends and work buddies, but G never really traveled back there except one time when we went once to a Padres Giants series.  As we pulled into town I was giddy.  We were getting to check off a bucket list item by camping at San Elijo State Park in Cardiff.  This park is infamously difficult to get reservations.  The fact that we pulled in on a Sunday night in February when a rainstorm was expected all worked in our favor.  We got an amazing ocean front spot where you could hear the waves crashing from our bed.  The spaces are sparsely dotted with trees so there isn’t a lot of privacy, but with that view, who cares?! 

The first night we entertained a very close friend of mine, originally from South Africa, but now happily living in Encinitas.  While she and I chatted, G went over to Seaside Market to grab something for dinner.  Seaside Market is absolutely amazing, and even more gorgeous after an extensive remodel and addition.  If you are ever in the area you must get their famous Cardiff Crack.  Don’t ask questions.  Just do it.  We barbecued chicken satay, pork tenderloin, and fresh Ono, enjoyed our newly acquired Fort Ross Pinotage, and settled in by the fire with some Girl Scout S’mores Cookies. 

The following morning we planned to go to our favorite neighborhood spot Besta Wan.  When you are traveling to cities where you know a bunch of people, but are on a time crunch, oftentimes you need to combine efforts and see a bunch of people all at once.  That’s what happened at Besta where we got to see G’s sister and family as well as my former boss and co-worker.  Besta Wan is known for two things: being very dog friendly and their infamous “Man-Mosa”.  It’s a pint glass of the most pale mimosa I’ve ever seen, and they are deadly.  They have a great selection of food options from breakfast to pizza to burgers to salads that will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

Waiting for everyone to arrive at Besta Wan Pizza House in Cardiff by the Sea.

Besides visiting with friends and family over the next few days we mainly just relaxed and enjoyed the sun when it finally decided to pop out.  As Portlanders, we truly felt that we dragged all the bad weather wherever we traveled.  It had finally caught up with us and rain showers drenched us at San Elijo.  However, our last afternoon ended up sunny and clear.  We ate dinner that night with friends, had our last campfire and said goodbye to beautiful San Diego the following morning, but not before we ate at Besta Wan one last time.  Which one?  The Besta Wan!!

Public Service Announcement:  The showers at San Elijo are operated with a token, rather than quarters.  Some state campground showers are free and some you have to pay for.  We had not yet had to use tokens, but I assume that this is to ensure that the showers are being used by those staying in the campground.  I moseyed on over the shower on our last day, stripped, got my soap out, hung my shampoo/conditioner on the shower knob, and laid everything out so it was ready to go.  The more you prepare before putting those tokens in the more time you get to spend in the shower!  I was 100% ready for shower time.  I placed the tokens in the slot and…nothing.  Hmmm.  Annoyed, I take a look at what I have in my bag that will fit in the slot as I can see there are a few tokens in there that need to be gently pushed down the slot.  I have a thin brush that I can sacrifice as I have two of them.  I bend it so one of the prongs can possibly fit into the slot and attempt to push the tokens down.  This did not work.  So, out of pure frustration I take another token to see if that will dislodge them and BAM the shower starts.  Yessssssssssssss!!!!!!!!  I furiously start wetting my hair and get the shampoo process going and BAM the shower stops.  It had to be less than 60 seconds.  I make a feeble attempt with the brush again to see if I can dislodge the lost coins.  I come to the realization that I’m going to have to leave this shower for another shower, but I’m now left with an insufficient amount of tokens.  If I had my cell I would have texted G to bring me additional tokens, but of course I left it in the trailer.  Now I’m really mad.  I throw on my t shirt and wrapped my towel around my bottom half.  I looked like a crazed, braless, shampoo headed zombie stomping up to my trailer to take out my frustrations on my innocent husband.  I grab the tokens, huffily make my way back and uneventfully complete my shower.  It was my first temper tantrum on the road, and it was an absolute doozie.  I’ve now learned to take extra tokens or quarters to the shower and keep a metal nail file in my shower bag. 

Highlights:

Besta Wan Pizza House

Seaside Market

San Elijo State Beach Campground – While we stayed in Space 15, I would recommend Space 18 for it’s unobstructed ocean views. 

Claire’s on Cedros

Solterra Winery

Other San Diego Favorites that we didn’t have time to visit this time around:

Buon Appetito

Dumpling Inn

Fish 101

Elizabethan Desserts

Blue Water Seafood

C Level