September is for Locals

Ahh, September! San Diego locals know something most tourists don’t: September is about the best time to come to our beautiful city.

The weather is what the rest of the country expects it to be in May and June: Sunny, warm days, with balmy evenings.  The kids have gone back to school, and most of the tourists have gone home, so the world famous attractions of San Diego are less crowded.  Beyond that, there are a whole month’s worth of great events happening, truly something for everyone.  Why not make September the month you “Visit San Diego!” and play tourist in your own city.

Where to start? The Padres and Chargers are both playing in town, and September 18th-20th also brings Thunderboat racing to Mission Bay so sports fans have some great choices for things to do. Foodies love Restaurant Week, Sept. 20-27th this year, with 180 locations participating. Culture fans can enjoy Coronado’s Art Walk on the 12th and 13th and the annual Trolley Dances (Saturday and Sunday
September 26 - 27 & October 3 - 4!).  

If you are dreaming of foreign travel, get a taste of Brazil at the Brazilian Day Festival in PB on the 13th or imagine you are in Germany at El Cajon’s Oktoberfest (the first two wekends in October) .  Music fans can catch legendary band ZZ Top or or a soulful night with local favorite Earl Thomas.  If you are a wine buff, you no doubt have a favorite San Diego County winery like Cordiano or The Blue Door Winery (right on Morena Blvd.!)  to visit for tastings. And craft beer fans in Clairemont and Bay Park barely have to leave the zip code to taste locally-made beer at Societe, Coronado Brewing Company, or Helms breweries, to name only a few.  

The CC News asked some folks in the neighborhood what their favorite things to do are when they are “playing tourist”.  Hope you their ideas some inspiration to get out of Clairemont and explore this great area!

Judy Bramer, REALTOR: I still love the Zoo with lunch or dinner at Albert's Tree House in the middle of it. My sister and I enjoy Summer's Past Farms in Flinn Springs. And Point Loma's Cabrillo National Park is a fave too. All of these places are low key, walkable, and pleasant scenery as well. Of course if you ask my husband, he'd probably say visiting the ocean on a boat fishing!

Dr. Roy Phillips: Boogie boarding once the ocean warms up ( September average ocean temperature is 70°).

Elaine Woodson, Horizon Planning: My favorite things in San Diego are the zoo, Sea World, strolling through Sea Port Village, taking the ferry to Coronado and going to the shops at the landing, driving up to Julian for an afternoon lunch…anything spontaneous.

Richard Morris, Real Estate: My favorite thing to do is visit the top of Mount Soledad, the view is incredible, you can see everything: Mexico, Clairemont, La Jolla, the Pacific Ocean, etc.

Julee Jenkins, Clairemont Community of Schools: Hit Law St. and go boogie boarding! Take the kids to the zoo or hike Cowles Mountain

Hilary Kearney, Clairemont Beekeeper: I love going to Torrey Pines! I hike down to the beach, go for a swim and hike back up in my bathing suit. Every time I am there, I am amazed by how beautiful it is.

Kimberly Bruch, Tiny Tots: The intertidal area at Cabrillo National Monument provides an inexpensive, yet amazing, experience for all ages. The cost to enter the National Park site is $5 per vehicle and you turn right just after the welcome booth to reach the tidepools area. Wind down the hill, park, and take a stroll down the nature trail to the tidepools area. For details about low tide days/times, see http://www.nps.gov/cabr/naturescience/low-tide-best-dates-and-times.htm.

Christi Ianoco, In Rhythms Yoga: We love to hike down to sunset cliffs to sift through the tide pools at Garbage Beach. As a family, with a 19 and 8 yr. old, we love to stand-up paddle at La Jolla Shores to swim with the leopard sharks. When the tourist season is over, it is easier to find parking!