San Diego is My Home

01
May

Fleet Week

Author: HelenKay, Category: Beaches, Events & Happenings, Military, Special Shows

There was a Sex In The City episode dedicated to Fleet Week in NYC.  This is nothing like that.  This is San Diego’s Fleet Week Sea and Air Parade. I doubt Sarah Jessica Parker will be here, so don’t be disappointed about that. Instead, come and enjoy the salute to the military.

The U.S. Navy will display it’s ships and aircraft in a parade on the water. The event is this Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This thing was crowded as…well, let’s just say it was really crowded last year. Shelter Island and Harbor Island are said to have the best views. Frankly, whenever 100,000 people gather, it’s going to be hard to see. So, get there early and enjoy.  

30
Apr

Red Bull

Author: HelenKay, Category: Beaches, Events & Happenings, Military, Special Shows

In this case, I’m not actually talking about the beverage.  I’m talking about the San Diego leg of the Red Bull Air Race World Series.  This is a competition where expert pilots fly an obstacle course and otherwise wow the crowd below.  It’s a test of speed and precision and, honestly, it’s so amazing that it doesn’t seem real. 

You have two chances to see the pilots in action.  Saturday is the qualifying day.  Sunday is the finals.  The pre-show starts at 1:00 p.m. and the races start at 2:00 p.m.  Head to the Embarcadero Marina Park close to the Seaport village.

25
Apr

Shark Attack

Author: HelenKay, Category: Beaches, Environment

Not to cause mass hysteria, but…  There was a fatal shark attack north of Fletcher Cove this week.  For those not sure where that is, think North County/Solana Beach.  This is extremely rare, but you should know that beaches in Solana Beach, Del Mar and Encinitas are all closed for now.

 Apparently the sea lions have been beaching themselves in and around the area.  Experts take this to mean there’s a predator (shark) in the water.  San Diego, Carlsbad and Oceanside beaches are all open.  Lifeguards are warning swimmers about the nearby attack, but you can go in…if you want. 

18
Apr

Day At The Docks

Author: HelenKay, Category: Beaches, Events & Happenings, Neighborhoods, Sports

Know anything about sportsfishing?  Me either.  But here’s your chance.  This Sunday (April 20th) is the 29th annual Day At The Docks event.  Eat, learn to fish, take a boat ride and attend seminars.  There’s a little bit of everything for everyone.

The event goes from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at  San Diego Sportfishing Landings in Point Loma. Check here for more details.

01
Apr

The Superfrog

Author: HelenKay, Category: All For Charity, Beaches, Exercise, Military

Love Coronado?  Love the Navy SEALs?  Love exercise?  Love at least one of those…?

Sunday (April 6th) is the Superfrog Triathlon.  That’s just the best name ever. It stands for a triathlon consisting of a 1.2-mile swim, 54-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run.  The highlight, of course, is that you get to race along with the SEALs.  The other good news is that this benefits a great cause.  The proceeds go to the Naval Special Warfare Foundation, an organization that honors those who have served in the sea commando services since WWII.

The event takes place at Silver Strand Beach.  You can register here.  Or, if you’re like me, just come out to watch people who are in such great shape get even more fit.

27
Feb

Go Fly a Kite

Author: HelenKay, Category: Beaches, Festivals

N0, really.  Saturday (March 1st) is the 59th Annual Ocean Beach Kite Festival.  I’m not making that up.  It really is the 59th one of these.  There’s a kite-making class, a parade, carnival rides, food and, yes, kite flying.  The “best kite” contest starts at 1:00 p.m.  The festivites start long before then.  The event goes from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Since Ocean Beach is a big place, so go to the OB Recreation Center at the corner of Santa Monica Avenue and Ebers Street to get started.

29
Jan

Blame It On The Rain

Author: HelenKay, Category: Beaches, Weather

The beaches are not the place to be right now.  Thanks to seweage-laced runoff from Tijuana, the Coronado beaches are closed.  The closure goes from the Silver Strand to North Island.   Not to cause a panic, but the beaches near the border have been closed since November 30th. 

In other words, stay out of the water.   When the signs come down, you can go back in.

15
Jan

Cannon Battle

Author: HelenKay, Category: Beaches, Events & Happenings, Museums, Special Shows

Ever want to be in the middle of a cannon battle?  Go ahead, you can admit it.  There’s something oddly intriguing about the idea.  Well, wonder no more.  This weekend the Maritime Museum will present Navy battle reenactments.  It goes like this:  the Californian (San Diego’s official tall ship) is busy defending the harbor when the Lynx comes by and a battle ensues.  And you’re on board to watch.

It’s a different experience and one you can only get if you’re lucky enough to live near water, which we are.  The battles take place from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  You board at the Museum at the Embarcadero.  Tickets are a little pricey, but this is kind of special.  For more information, try here.

14
Dec

More Seal News

Author: HelenKay, Category: Beaches, Environment

You just thought the issue of the seals and their residency at The Children’s Pool in La Jolla had been settled by the courts.  Not so fast… 

The courts have said that the beach belongs to people and not to the seals - ie, people needing one more place to play in the water trump nature here.  Problem is, the seals birthing season is January through May.  The city usually puts up a rope and signs to protect the seals during this time.  The court’s recent decision saying San Diego should no longer protect the seal sanctuary threatens this year’s birthing season.  In response, the National Marine Fisheries Service has asked that the beach be closed for the birthing season.  The city doesn’t know know what it can and should do.  To figure that out, the city asked the court for a hearing to determine if putting up the usual rope is a violation of its order mandating the removal of the seals.  The hearing is scheduled for Janaury 4th.

All of this so that a bunch of swimmers and some kids can have easier access to the water.  Sounds ridiculous if you think about it for two seconds.  The seals congregate in one area.  Why not give them the area?  And, who’s going to explain the court’s ruling to the seals?   

05
Dec

Big Wave Day

Author: HelenKay, Category: Beaches, Weather

This morning was a surfer’s dream at Swami’s Beach (North County).  And by “morning” we’re talking 4:00am and shortly thereafter.  Ten to twelve foot waves greeted those brave enough to paddle around in 60 degree water, fight the currents and hunt down parking spaces.  By 9:00 a.m. the lifeguards had fished out some folks out of the water.

But all that good surfing has a downside (in addition to the water rescues).  Waves caused some structural damage to the Ocean Beach Pier, flooded Restaurant Row (near Swami’s Beach) and washed up at La Jolla Shores.  You can thank a storm  coming at us from Alaska for the good and the bad.  

For those who don’t surf and aren’t great in the water, it would be best if you watched from a distance.  For the rest - enjoy!