First trip to the west coast and all I wanted to see was whales. The tour guide was knowledgeable and shared many fun facts about all the creatures we saw from the moment we left the dock. It’s easy to get seasick out there, but they offered something you can put on your wrist (I forget the name of it) that’s supposed to help. We didn’t get to see the majestic beasts but there were plenty of dolphins riding the waves from the boat. I was so happy to see them and equally glad they stuck around for a while.
I returned to Missions a few days later to play beach volleyball. The group I was invited to play with was welcoming, encouraging, and fun! I was nervous at first because I didn’t want to mess up and I know people can be very competitive, so I just didn’t want to throw the game off. Ultimately, I was worried for nothing because I played better than I expected!
La Jolla
Hiking the natural reserve was such a sweet treat because I didn’t know what to expect from the views. My friend, Curtis, invited me out for a hike so I didn’t look up the Google images; I just went with the flow. I’m big on scenery. It’s one of the things that help me decide where I want to go for vacation. As the hike progressed, it became painfully obvious I was a tourist. So many “ooo’s” and “ahh’s” and plenty of photography. Sometimes I would just stop and stare because it was gorgeous! Taking in where the cliffs meet the ocean was long overdue.
Mount Soledad was the next stop. The atmosphere was peaceful and solemn as it was a memorial for fallen soldiers. At the top, you’re able to get a 360-degree view of the city below. On this day, we were able to see the huge blanket of fog covering the beach. There was also an ice cream truck nearby. It’s definitely a place one would come to clear their mind or to have a heart-to-heart conversation.
Little Italy
Looking back, I wish I spent a little extra time here to bar-hop and see more of the area. One of the places I did check out was Underbelly for their ramen. I am pretty sure I saw it in a TikTok video (that’s how I’ve been doing my research these days on what to eat and where to go). This was my first time having real ramen! And the experience really set the standard. My food was amazing. I was slurping and had no shame. Zero remorse.
I ordered beef bao buns, which were also tasty but definitely unnecessary because the ramen was quite filling.
Balboa Park
My eyes were pleased, and though I only spent a couple hours here looking around and taking in the greenery and architecture, I could easily see myself, grabbing a blanket and laying out in the park with great company and a basket of fruit. The park was beautiful and the weather was perfect. There was a plaza full of people where the energy was high, but there were so many areas in the park that were calm and quiet.
Coronado Beach
I went midday during the week instead of the weekend, hoping to avoid crowds, and I got exactly what I wanted. The sun was out, and there was plenty of space on the beach. The tide was low and the water was definitely cold. Unfortunately, I couldn’t frolic the way I imagined so I spent more time frying. Once I figured I had enough, it was time to take a stroll, check out different shops, and pick up some postcards. If I were to visit San Diego again with the desire to only relax, this area would be my base. Nevertheless, I definitely felt the need to explore because this is my first time here on the West Coast! The trip was a success. I’d love to return.
After waking up with a large hood of an Alfa Romeo above my head, I decided it was time to rent a bike and explore downtown. I grabbed my shower items, hopped over to the shared bathroom, and took my precious time because this is a vacation.
I left the main house, went downstairs through the gate and found where the bikes, helmets, and waiver were set up. After filling out the consent form, I sent $10 via Venmo to rent the bike for the day (great price, no?). Before hitting the street, I took a couple of practice rides in a seemingly discreet area. Hopefully, there were no witnesses.
Full transparency! I was a little nervous, but I knew this is how I wanted to explore the city. Once I became comfortable, I peddled my way down Whitaker Street. It was about 70° outside but the sun was hiding and there was a breeze going (without the bike ride) but I was working up the warmth I needed.
I was en route to Collins Quarter (about 12 minutes away), which I heard a lot about on social media. It’s known as a good spot for brunch! Once I arrived, I was promptly seated outdoors. I ordered the Bubble and Squeak which I thought was the cutest name for a dish, but also kind of strange 🙂 My dish was vibrant and caught the eyes of a few by-passers. I also ordered a turmeric latte to knock off the chill.
When breakfast was through, I decided to push on and explore more of the area. I checked out a few gift shops to find a cute (and reasonably priced sweater) because I was chilly! Also, I wanted a small memento from Savannah. I saw the famous girl waving statue and the “bridge of love” with the locks. I was riding my bike all over the area and I finally made my way to the JW Marriott Riverside Plant – the place was breathtaking. I could see why someone would have their wedding reception in that location because it was gorgeous.
After seeing all that I could (gemstones, fossils, skeletons, artwork, mini shops), I decided to go to the rooftop bar called Electric Moon. I ordered the High Beam cocktail (loved it) and some mini quesadillas (not for sharing).
People-watching was my source of entertainment as I finished my food. The ambiance was nice and high energy but I came late afternoon before 5:00 PM so there weren’t many people present. Wanting to make the most of it, I grabbed my cocktail and I found the slide that takes you outdoors to the terrace downstairs. This area is where the real fun is supposed to happen! I looked around and noticed a few small pockets of people and everyone seemed pretty cozy and locked in. I checked out a few life-sized games and then headed out. From there, I made my way back to the Airbnb and called a Lyft to take me about 15 minutes down the road to a nail salon. One of my nails broke upon my arrival and I refused to walk around like that during my “me-time” 🙂
My day ended with Netflix and subpar takeout from Fire Street Food. I ordered the teriyaki tofu with steamed rice… my tofu had a burnt aftertaste. Sadness.
May 27th
Up and at ‘em again but with a steady downpour, so no bike riding for me. I figured I’d start the day off with the SCAD museum. My favorite part was the glass-blown light fixtures. The pieces were so vibrant. It took about 35 minutes to go through the whole museum… I was a little disappointed because of how small it was… I had afternoon tea on my mind and saw that the Gryphon Tea Room was within walking distance so I hit the sidewalk! Not only was today wet and rainy but the temperature also dropped and I was ready to quickly get inside. My wait time was about an hour but I knew if I left for a different location, I’d be resetting the clock for the same length. I didn’t mind so much because there was a cute little sofa available and I was able to shake off the chill. There was so much to take in once I got a good look around… the room was grand with warm welcoming tones and dim lighting. Once I was seated, I eventually ordered the root vegetable salad. Because the vegetables were roasted, I thought the salad would be a warm one, but it was cold, to my dismay. I also ordered a chai latte with oat milk and a raspberry scone. I’m not sure why I just didn’t get regular afternoon tea but next time…
The Gryphon Tea Room is FILLED with antiquated books so it tracks that I would receive my bill inside of one. That made me smile (it’s the small things and I appreciate clever presentation). Did I mention that today was colder than usual? 😉 I ordered a Lyft, jumped in the car, headed back to the Airbnb and bumpedup the heat.
After my nap, I figured it’d be a good idea to put something on my stomach before it got too late. There was still some light in the sky so decided to look for something close by. I was a few minutes walk away from a café called Foxy Loxy. I ordered a single vegetable taco. It was tasty (though greasy) and I regretted not ordering another. Something new I tried: a horchata latte. It had espresso in it; an interesting twist I don’t care to experience a second time.
On the way back from my evening snack, I spotted a real-life gingerbread house. It was adorable and a nice treat for the eyes… though I craved something edible to curb my growing sweet tooth. I went to the closest gas station and grabbed a cookies and cream Hershey’s bar.
Today was won by the weather – I didn’t get to see much but I knew I’d make up for it the next day…
May 28th
A slow morning is a lovely way to start the day. I had a book club meeting at 11:30 AM, afterward, I picked out my clothes and took my time getting ready. I decided I would walk downtown instead of taking a bike or a Lyft to see more of the city’s beauty. If you know me, you know I have moments when I’m directionally challenged. I was walking the wrong way for about 10 minutes… As I noticed the city’s charm beginning to fade, I opened Google Maps and quickly pivoted to get on track. A strong five minutes into my reroute, someone in a blue Hyundai Elantra pulled up and began chatting with me. We talked for about 20 minutes before I decided it was safe and I was comfortable enough to accept the ride they offered. (dearest reader, I do not condone this behavior.) I got a mini tour of the area and some extra fun facts about Savannah. I do believe that meeting locals gives you more insight into exploring the area you’re visiting. But please be careful and less trusting than me.
The Friendly Driver dropped me close to the place I decided on for brunch: The Nest. The atmosphere was charged up and designed for lounging and socializing. The DJ outside played a great mix of music that everyone seemed to enjoy.
It took a while for my waitress to come over to me (not gonna lie, I was irritated), but when she finally took my order, she was pretty attentive. I was hard to miss, though! I was a party of one in the middle of the room so I’m not sure how that happened. Fast and Furious was playing on one of the flat screens until a man requested the golf channel which completely clashed with the whole vibe. That should not have been allowed! Anyway, I ordered the vegetable burger sliders with sweet potato fries and a mocktail (a light gingery drink). The Nest was my favorite eatery! I happily relaxed while taking in my environment and polished off each morsel.
Once the check was settled, I headed down to the river walk and began my on-foot sightseeing tour. Though I had read of Jones Street, one of the most beautiful streets in the country, I didn’t expect to come across it. Oh but when I did, I was in awe! It was absolutely dreamy and beautiful in a moody way, thanks to the overcast skies. I took my time here. It’s not often I wish for company during my solo travels but a moment like that ought to be shared.
The full walk back was about 40 minutes, and when I had maybe 15 minutes left to my commute, I was approached by a man on the street, who decided to share his whole life with me. He sipped at his beer as he shared with me the dangers of Savannah, which I thought was ironic since I was alone, and he was a complete stranger (again, dearest reader, I do not condone this). He wasn’t a threat, kept a respectable distance, and had manners.
That pretty much wrapped up my day. I took it easy for the rest of the evening because I had to leave at 12:30 AM to catch my train back home. Would I come back to Savannah?
Zaira Viteria 