Staycation in San Diego: When Summer Ends
San Diego Staycation at the Summer-to-Fall Equinox
As summer softly bows to fall, San Diego reminds me that every season is a chance for a staycation, where light and warmth meet in gentle balance.
Day and night now share the sky,
summer waves, and autumn sighs.
The change is subtle, but the days already hint that fall is arriving.
Today is the Equinox, officially ending summer and marking the beginning of fall. The rest of our summer staycation was filled with night concerts at the Rady Shell, plenty of paddleboarding, playing with Jax at the beach, relaxing in our backyard, watching the H-1 Hydroplane Unlimited finals, and trying a few new restaurants.
Best San Diego Restaurants for Summer Staycations
A few of the restaurants we explored were Pho Point Loma & Grill, Benedict’s Brunch, and Ironside Fish & Oyster. We loved all of them for their specialties.
Pho Point Loma: Fresh Noodles and Flavorful Comfort
Sorry, I never stopped to take a photo of my food. It was very yummy though. / Photo by Whaldo Digital Content
At Pho Point Loma, I didn’t get the pho, but I had a noodle dish with homemade noodles, chicken, and vegetables. The flavors were rich, and the portion was huge. I even had a complete second meal from my leftovers. I added some chili sauce to give it heat, and the unsweetened jasmine iced tea was to die for. The service was fast, and everything felt fresh and made with care.
Benedict’s Brunch in Ocean Beach: A Must-Try Breakfast
Benedict’s was a delightful surprise. It is a food truck located at the corner of West Point Loma Boulevard, near the OB Dog Beach parking lot, within the Ocean Villa Inn lot. My husband and I shared a breakfast burrito and coffee after playing at OB with Jax. The burrito was creamy, rich, and filled with eggs, cheese, potatoes, bacon, and their signature Benedict’s sauce. Usually, we would add hot sauce, but the sauce made it unnecessary. The serving was generous and perfect for sharing. The coffee was freshly brewed by the barista, who was also making smoothies for other customers. Everything was fresh and delicious.
J.S. Whaldo chowing down on a breakfast burrito at Benedict’s Brunch / Photo by Whaldo Digital Content
Ironside Fish & Oyster in Little Italy: Fresh Oysters and Creative Cocktails
At Ironside Fish & Oyster in Little Italy, we intended to share a serving of six oysters and shrimp during happy hour, but ended up ordering another. They were freshly shelled right there, and I only got a slight shell once. The red wine vinegar with chopped onions also had finely chopped cucumber, which made all the difference. We each ordered a cocktail instead of just beer or wine. Mine was a fruity sparkling creation, light and refreshing, perfect for a sunny San Diego day.
Oysters and Peel Shrimp at Ironside Fish & Oyster - Happy Hour Rules Here! / Photo by Whaldo Digital Content
Paddleboarding and Beach Fun with Your Dog in San Diego
Jax is becoming more comfortable on the paddleboard and now gets on eagerly. His new game is "let's look for fishies." I have even caught a couple of minnows and let him sniff them before setting them free. It is so much fun to see him enamored with the water and its creatures.
Jax is not the only pup who loves to play on boards at the beach / Photo by Whaldo Digital Content
Mission Bay H-1 Hydroplane Boat Racing: A Local Summer Tradition
The H-1 Hydroplane boat racing finals happen every year in Mission Bay. There is an entire festival around it, but we skipped that part. We went to Fiesta Island’s Dog Park, one of our favorites, and watched from the cliffside. It is loud, but the dogs do not seem bothered. After a while, we moved to another area so Jax could play in the water and have his fun.
None of the photos of the boats turned out. They go too fast. Here is Jax and George hanging out in our backyard. / Photo by Whaldo Digital Content
San Diego Summer Concerts Finale at the Rady Shell
At the Rady Shell, we saw Jon Batiste, The Big Money Tour, and Classic Albums Live - Prince’s Purple Rain. Both shows were excellent with fantastic weather down by the San Diego Bay.
Why San Diego Staycations Are Perfect Year-Round
Looking back on our summer fun, one thing strikes me: it never really ends in San Diego. The climate is gentle and pleasant year-round. Now that the tourist season is over, it feels like there is even more to do. We don’t fight crowds, parking at the beach is easy, and local festivals are just beginning.
We have some trips coming up in October and January, but aside from those, we will be here. I’ve decided that our staycation doesn't have to end just because summer is over.
We will continue to explore, and as we have new experiences, I will come back and share them, continuing this series.
Stay tuned. There is a whole lot to do in San Diego at all times. Please join me for the ride.
- J.S. Whaldo
