San Diego: Sun, Surf, and Seriously Weird Vibes (According to My Sleep-Deprived Brain)
okay, so. san diego. i’m still kind of processing it, honestly. i just got back and my brain feels like a tangled fishing net. i’m a touring session drummer, you know? usually, i’m bouncing between cities, playing gigs, sleeping on couches. this was…different. it wasn’t bad, just…a lot.
I landed, bleary-eyed, and the air just…hit me. it’s like someone bottled sunshine and sprayed it directly into my face. i just checked and it’s hovering around twenty-two degrees, feels like twenty-one. humidity’s low, which is a win for my hair (and my sanity). pressure’s normal, i guess? i don’t know, i’m not a meteorologist. i’m a drummer. i hit things.
I was supposed to be scouting locations for a potential music video - some indie band wants a “laid-back, coastal vibe.” yeah, right. it’s busy. like, aggressively busy. everyone’s got somewhere to be, something to do. i spent a good chunk of the first day just wandering around *La Jolla, trying to find a quiet corner where i could actually think. found a decent coffee shop (more on that later).
Speaking of coffee, i stumbled into this place called 'The Daily Grind' - Yelp reviews were…mixed. someone told me that the barista, apparently, has a thing for wearing fedoras. i didn’t see a fedora, but the latte art was pretty impressive. it was strong, too. exactly what i needed.
“Heard a rumor about Coronado Beach? Apparently, the sand is actually crushed seashells. Like, really crushed. Don’t wear flip-flops.”
That was some drunk advice i overheard at a bar. i didn’t test it out, but it sounded…ominous.
I spent a lot of time just…observing. the people, the architecture, the sheer amount of scooters. seriously, scooters everywhere. i even saw a guy riding one while juggling oranges. san diego is a trip.
if you get bored, Los Angeles and Riverside are just a short drive away. i considered it, honestly. anything to escape the scooter vortex.
Pro-Tips (because apparently i’m a pro at something now):
*Sunscreen. Seriously. Even if it feels mild, the sun is relentless.
*Hydrate. Like, constantly.
*Download a scooter-sharing app. You’ll need it.
*Check out Balboa Park. It’s huge and has tons of museums. Balboa Park Website
*Don’t trust everything you hear at bars. Especially about crushed seashells.
I also spent some time checking out the street art scene in North Park*. it’s surprisingly vibrant, a real contrast to the polished tourist areas. i found a few cool murals - definitely worth a wander. North Park Main Street
Someone else, a local i chatted with at a farmers market, warned me about the traffic on the I-5. “Avoid it like the plague,” they said. “Unless you enjoy sitting in a metal box, slowly losing your mind.” fair enough.
Overall? san diego is…an experience. it’s sunny, it’s busy, it’s a little weird, and it’s definitely not boring. i’m not sure i’d move there, but i’m glad i visited. i’m already dreaming of a strong coffee and a quiet corner. and maybe a helmet for those scooters. check out TripAdvisor for more reviews: San Diego TripAdvisor.
And if you're looking for some local music, check out this board: San Diego Music Scene
okay, i’m going to go take a nap. my brain needs it.
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