Hi friends! I spent the weekend in San Diego for a mini reunion with a few of my grad school friends, and it was such a treat to reconnect.
from left – me, Libby, Elle, Lauren
Between the travel, time changes, and packed itinerary I’m wiped out, but it was absolutely worth it. What a fun weekend — I miss these ladies already. <3
We squeezed a lot into a long weekend. Here are the highlights — get cozy with a cup of tea and enjoy the recap.
Hiking at Torrey Pines State Reserve
Torrey Pines is a stunning spot with coastal views that reminded me of hikes in northern California. We did roughly a five-mile loop that finished on the beach — a perfect length for sightseeing and conversation.
Swimming in La Jolla Cove
Lauren had been raving about the open water swims at La Jolla Cove, so we made time for it. The morning was beautiful and the water was pleasantly warm — ideal for a long swim.
La Jolla Cove draws snorkelers, divers, swimmers — and sea lions. Libby and Elle stayed on the beach while Lauren and I swam out to the quarter-mile buoy and then a bit farther. I brought my waterproof camera in a SPIbelt, which worked great; treading water while taking photos was an added bonus workout.
Nerdy caps and goggles FTW.
We made it to the quarter-mile buoy, continued to another buoy about a tenth of a mile beyond it, and estimated the total swim at roughly three-quarters of a mile. It felt so refreshing.
Biking Mission Bay
On Saturday afternoon we rented cruiser bikes and enjoyed the paved path along Mission Bay. We had the bikes for an hour and took it slow, soaking up the scenery and watching other people out enjoying the day.
Lunch at The Naked Café in Solana Beach
We enjoyed a late lunch at Naked Café in Solana Beach, a charming spot focused on healthy options. They even have kombucha. I ordered the Sesame Ginger Chicken Soft Tacos — they were massive and delicious.
Juice and a Snack at Trilogy Sanctuary in La Jolla
I met up with my blogger friend Gina for a quick stop at Trilogy, a rooftop café with fresh juices and healthy treats. The rooftop setting is gorgeous and the menu is full of thoughtful options.
I had an “awaken” juice (cucumber, apple, mint, lime, and cayenne) and an almond flour oatmeal raisin cookie. Both were excellent and definitely inspired a few recipe experiments back home.
Trilogy even has a trapeze and aerial yoga area — I was tempted to sign up for a class but didn’t have time. It looked amazing.
Night Stand Up Paddleboarding in Coronado
After Libby and Elle left on Sunday, Lauren and I joined a nighttime stand up paddleboarding (SUP) tour out of Coronado. The guides outfitted our paddles and vests with glow sticks and attached bright LED lights under each board, which looked amazing once the sun set.
We paddled to the bridge, paused at a small beach to take in the view, then returned with the city lights ahead and glowing boards beneath us. It was peaceful, unique, and magical — I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Running on the Beach in Del Mar
On my final morning I met Lauren for one last outing: a run. We drove to Del Mar and ran two miles on a path above the beach, then two miles back along the sand. The marine layer kept things cool and made for a lovely, energizing sendoff before my flight.
Writing this recap has been a nice way to relive the weekend. I’m on the first of two flights and will land in DC tonight, ready to catch up on email and hit the ground running tomorrow.
Have a great day/evening, everyone!
Have you ever been to San Diego? What was your favorite thing to do or place to eat?