Best Nature and Wildlife Areas in Grossmont

"Located in the southwest corner of San Diego, the Tijuana Estuary is a wetlands area with beach, dune, mudflat, salt marsh, riparian, coastal sage scrub, and upland habitats that are free to explore. Start at the Visitor Center to learn about the trails, flora and fauna (many are rare or endangered), and various things to do during your visit. Kids can earn junior rangers here and they offer a variety of environmental education resources online."

"At the southernmost tip of San Diego is one of the most serene places that few people know about. Where the Tijuana River meets the sea is where you’ll find the Tijuana Slough with over 2,000 acres of wetlands. Over 370 bird species have been observed there with 5 of them being endangered species that are regularly seen."

"Way down in sometimes-forgotten Imperial Beach is found a favorite landscape for many people in San Diego. This Tijuana Estuary is connected to some couple of parks. You are going to find amazing places such as Tijuana River County Open Space Reserve and Border Field State Park."

"Los Peñasquitos (“little cliffs”) is a great beginners’ trail for those who want to enjoy mountain-feel views without having to hire an expedition crew. There are two approaches (east and west), and the trailheads offer a trek of either 6.5, or 5.5 miles, respectively. The terrain is gradual and level, but the trails are surrounded by the sort of views that gave the area its name: scenic rocky outcroppings, and stony formations that ripple with rubble."

"1555 Camino Del Mar Del Mar, CA 92014 858-847-2284 32 Stores Monday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM  Sunday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM  Major Retailers: Specialty shops, Il Fornaio, Pacifica Del Mar, gourmet market"

"After gazing at ships both antique and modern, walk north to Little Italy, where you can sample more local beers at Bottlecraft before dining at one of the neighborhood’s fantastic restaurants, such as Herb & Wood. After dinner, stroll through the charming neighborhood to reach decadent Extraordinary Desserts. The sugar rush should get you started for a night out in the Gaslamp District club scene; if you prefer something chill, the swanky retro cocktail bar Prohibition Lounge is a great way to finish the night."

"Where to eat: Complete your day with delicious fish tacos in old town (not to be missed!) and cap it all off with a visit to their famous Little Italy for some truly authentic gelato."

"I always recommend seeing at least one baseball game in the city you’re visiting if it’s the right season because every stadium has a unique atmosphere. Baseball might not be the most exciting game for a lot of people, especially if you didn’t grow up watching or playing the sport, but it’s a completely different experience when it’s live and you’re at the park. Now, the Padres don’t have quite the same die-hard fan base that the LA Dodgers or San Francisco Giants have, but Petco Park is a beautiful modern stadium to watch a game from, right near the ocean and downtown."

"Afterwards, take yourself to the south east corner of the Gaslamp area and locate Petco Park (it’s kind of hard to miss). This giant baseball stadium is home to the San Diego Padres and, baseball fan or not (I’m not), is a pretty spectacular sight. If you’re in San Diego during the baseball season, tickets are affordable and make for a great night out. Otherwise, you can take a stadium tour, or just climb up onto the grassy bank opposite and have a nosey from there."

"If it's major league baseball time, why not grab some tickets to a Padres home game at PETCO Park, when they're in town. Not only does PETCO Park have the best sight lines in baseball, there's also great views of San Diego from some parts of the park. Innovative design features provide an a intimate environment for viewing sports and there are also state-of-the-art amenities to suit fans of any budget."

"Located at 675 W Beech Street, Craft & Commerce is Taxidermy & old books line the walls of this hip gastropub, serving seasonal eats & craft cocktails. Craft & Commerce is a pioneer in San Diego’s craft cocktail movement when it first debuted in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood in 2009. You may not be an immediate fan of the eclectic, taxidermy-filled bar, which has a library and African safari vibe to it, but the drinks are instant classics and way more exotic and delicious than your expectations."

"C&C was a pioneer in San Diego's craft cocktail movement when it debuted in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood in 2009. You may not be an immediate fan of the eclectic, taxidermy-filled bar, which has a library-meets-African-safari-lodge vibe, but the drinks are instant classics. Don't miss the Lip Reader (a concoction of gin, pamplemousse rose, and absinthe), the Man Hands (mezcal and sherry), and the Del Boca Vista (a rum-heavy punch bowl)."

"Honor that awesome report card or celebrate a birthday with a glamping dinner in one of the safari tents at One Door North in North Park. From oysters and braised short rib tacos to a kids menu and ready-to-make s'mores, you'll find everyone leaves a happy camper. Make a reservation early, as the two safari tents go fast!"

"Then there’s world-class shopping right here in La Jolla Village, a 30-block shopping bonanza on and around Prospect Street just above La Jolla’s beaches. Here you’ll find a paradise of apparel, accessories, jewelry, specialty stores, quaint boutiques, and art galleries. The world-famous University Towne Centre (UTC) in La Jolla’s Golden Triangle area on La Jolla Village Drive adds to the shopping fun."

"My shopping buddy checking out the clean beauty products on Girard Ave. Photo credit: Christy from Stained with Style. I really like to do a little shopping, or just take a walking tour of the shops (when I am on vacation), Girard and Prospect are my pics."

"1555 Camino Del Mar Del Mar, CA 92014 858-847-2284 32 Stores Monday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM  Sunday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM  Major Retailers: Specialty shops, Il Fornaio, Pacifica Del Mar, gourmet market"