A Texan’s Guide to Visiting San Diego
Second to Colorado, San Diego may be one of the top tourist destinations for Texans who like to travel. The weather is fantastic, the scenery is beautiful, and although the Pacific Ocean is cold compared to the Gulf of Mexico, we may be used to, the beaches are a slice of paradise. (Don’t try to drive your truck to the water’s edge or bring a cooler full of beer onto the sand.) Our editors took a trip to San Diego and compiled this list of tips and tidbits for Texans planning a trip to America’s Finest City, we call it our Texan’s Guide to Visiting San Diego.
Go, Native at Least a Little
You may feel like you’re at your most comfortable in Wranglers and Ropers, but the vibe in San Diego takes rest and relaxation to a whole new level. Stop in one of the many shops throughout the city (like Sun Diego Boardshop, for example), and pick out a pair of board shorts and flip flops for your vacation. This attire is as acceptable in most restaurants and shops as it is poolside at your hotel or on the boardwalk in Pacific Beach, and once you get used to it, you may never want to go back to wearing regular clothes.
Book an Offshore Fishing Trip
While many of the locals head to the pier in Ocean Beach to cast a line in the water, this is your vacation, and you have access to some of the most amazing deep sea fishing around. Depending on the season, you can fish for bluefin, albacore, wahoo, yellowtail, marlin, or several other species. The weather is beautiful, although you’ll want to bring an extra layer along for the chill on the water. You can book a trip that will keep you in local waters, or, if you bring your passport, you can fish in Mexican waters. In that case, the company you book your expedition with should be able to help you secure the necessary fishing licenses and travel visas.
Yes, You Can Dance to Country Music in San Diego
Your trip to San Diego doesn’t have to be all about the board shorts and flip flops; there is a perfectly happy percentage of locals who love to dance to country music, too. Just do a little research on the internet and read the reviews to find a place that looks fun. And don’t discount the idea of asking around at your hotel. Country music is a universal language!
The Local Beer Might Put Hair on Your Chest
In the Texas heat, we drink a lot of light beer because anything stronger might take football Sunday in an entirely unexpected direction. Out in San Diego, they consider themselves to be the craft beer capital of the world, and they sure drink like it. Whether it’s true or not may be up for debate, but they do make a lot of delicious brew in that town. Just be careful. A standard India Pale Ale (IPA) might run in the 7% ABV range, and they even have something called a Triple India Pale Ale (IIIPA), which can clock in around 10% ABV or more. Imperial Stouts are also known to be high in alcohol. We’ve got to say it now: Always enjoy your craft beer responsibility.
There’s More than Brunch & Beaches
You might get the idea that everyone in San Diego likes to sip mimosas and hang out near the beach all day. However, there is a thriving community of people who are interested in outdoor activities not directly related to sand or pancakes. Hiking is a popular activity by San Diegans from all walks of life, and there are plenty of trails for you to visit. Or try out a haunted ghost tour to make your skin crawl.
In conclusion, Our Texan’s Guide to Visiting San Diego isn’t entirely the stereotypical Southern California vacation-land you might expect it to be; there are activities sure to please just about any Texan, provided you know where to look.
