San Diego

San Diego is one of my favorite special places. The second largest city in California and the ninth largest in the entire US, San Diego is a melting pot of agriculture, tourism, telecommunications, ship-building, and more. Home to the world-renowned San Diego Zoo and the Pacific Fleet of the US Navy, the city somehow manages to maintains a calm, laid-back approach that makes it one of the best places to experience Southern California away from the hustle and bustle that is Los Angeles. The city is packed with sights and sounds, from the harbors, the Gaslamp District, the beaches, the parks, Sea World, Wild Animal Park, the Point Loma Lighthouse, the various Spanish buildings preserved in Old Town, to the various sports teams like the Padres or Chargers, and you will find it impossible to pack it all into just one trip. 

San Diego is a major hub of technology and defense contractors for the US. There are five major military bases within 50 miles of the city, so the entire telecommunications and defense industry is a major draw on the economy here. In addition there are various biotechnology firms in the area, and plenty of video game companies. The food is as diverse as anywhere in the world, and is totally dependent on what part of the city you are in, with a major influence being Mexican. In fact, San Diego is right across the border from Tijuana, which is one of the most visited Mexican cities by American citizens due to its location right across the border. 

Outside of the tech and defense industries the most popular thing to do in San Diego is surf, sail, or just laze on the beach. There are literally miles upon miles upon miles of beaches, ranging from beach towns like Ocean Beach to La Jolla to places like Imperial Beach or Coronado, just across the San Diego Bay. But, is also access to the Cuyamaca Mountains, the Cleveland National Forest, or Laguna Mountains, so it really depends on what you want to experience when you come to the city.