It's the best time of year here in Pacific Beach, San Diego, and we're sharing our top 3 favorite activities during this time we call "Locals Summer!" Read on or watch the short video!
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We are incredibly lucky in San Diego to have one of the nicest climates on earth, and while the rest of the country is transitioning into fall, we get a last shot at summer! Usually the tourists have gone home by this time of year, and us locals have the run of the land.
This year we have more people than normal working remotely from the beach, but it's still a great time to get out and explore all the amazing resources we have right at our back door here in Pacific Beach.
For a period of time between August and October, the leopard sharks come into the shallow waters in La Jolla Cove to breed. It just so happens that the weather conditions this time of year are also ideal for snorkeling! The exterior temperature has been in the 80s, and the water temperature has been 70 degrees, making it very comfortable for swimming and snorkeling, even without a wetsuit.
The leopard sharks congregate in the 3-5 foot deep water, making it also very easy to see them from a kayak or stand-up paddle board.
The majority of La Jolla Cove is also a marine preserve, with a ton of additional wildlife to see, including Garibaldi (the California State Fish), Calico Bass, spiny lobster, lots of cool kelp and sea grasses, and sometimes even turtles.
There are also a lot of sting rays, and you need to be careful to not step on them when getting in and out of the ocean. Be sure to do the "stingray shuffle," where you push your feet through the sand while walking so that if you encounter a sting ray, you'll bump them and they'll swim off, rather than stepping on them and getting stung. Watch the video for a demonstration!
Mission Bay is one of San Diego's most beautiful natural landmarks and we are so lucky to have it right here at our back door in Pacific Beach.
Mission Bay has over 12 miles of flat, scenic boardwalk, which is perfect for exploring on your beach cruiser! I enjoy riding my bike along these paths all year round, but it can get overcrowded during the height of tourist season, and I tend to stay away from the most densely crowded areas at that time, like right in front of Belmont Park.
After Labor Day, the bike paths open up and you can cruise at your own pace, while taking in the sun, fresh air, and beautiful scenic bay and beach. I love riding on the bay side because it's usually less crowded than the beach and has a much more local feel.
You can also enjoy the calm waters of Mission Bay on a sailboat, kite board, stand-up paddle board, or jet ski.
Either way, it's an amazing place to clear your head and enjoy this beautiful aquatic recreation park!
Italians have a phrase: "Il Bel Far Niente," which means the beauty of doing nothing. As Americans, I think we have a hard time with this, but there is truly beauty in giving yourself the freedom of a little time off.
When you live in an area that is a major tourist destination during the summer, it can get a little claustrophobic. Most Pacific Beach locals hunker down and focus on work during the summer, and try to not let the tourists drive us crazy.
When they go home, we breathe a collective breath of fresh air and reclaim our community. There's no better time of year to slow down, take a few days off, relax, and congratulate yourself for making it through another summer.
Pacific Beach is a great community and I highly recommend living here, but if you want to live within a few blocks of the beach, you will trade that for high density and traffic. If you are willing to be 10+ blocks from the beach, you will enjoy a lot more space and peace, and you'll still be a short beach cruiser ride away from the action.
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