San Diego, California, with no pre-planned itinerary
I knew I was in the right place when I saw miles of people lined up to experience the sunset.
Travel can offer so many opportunities for awe. Sometimes the feelings of awe can be exaggerated by anticipation when itineraries full of adventure are planned in advance. Other times the wow factor can be elevated by the surprise of something unexpected and novel.
I tend to plan according to sunrise and sunset times, unique vantage points, and water features. Each of these elements are sure moments of awe for me.
My San Diego trip was more on the novel side. My planning efforts focused on coordinating schedules with the friends and family that were meeting us at different points in the trip.
Our activities were selected on a day-by-day basis as time allowed. I knew I would visit San Diego again, so there was no pressure to fit in all the adventures in this one trip. With this approach, we were able to spend our time in a much more relaxed pace than our usually packed itinerary allows. I found this contributed to a deeper connection with each experience.
Sun-Positioned Waterfront Hotels
The hotel was the one thing that was pre-planned for this trip. Not knowing where I am going to stay doesn’t add an extra layer of adventure for me as it does for some people.
When selecting a hotel, being waterfront is always important to me. The second important criterion is being able to take in a sunrise or sunset from a balcony.
If I had to choose between a sunrise and a sunset view from the hotel, I would choose a sunrise because it is so early in the morning. It is easier to travel for the sunset at the end of the day. If I had to get up super early and travel for the sunrise, I probably wouldn’t see many of them.
On this trip, it was as easy as rolling out of bed and walking out the front door of the hotel to the waterfront or sitting on my balcony, so I enjoyed the sunrise every morning. This hotel was very well sun-positioned.
Harbor Island in San Diego, California, has waterfront hotels that are perfectly sun-positioned. They offer a sunrise and sunset viewing experience.
The entire city skyline glows and the sunrise reflects on the bay in the morning to the east. To the west, the sun leaves beautiful impressions that ripple across the bay as it slips behind Point Loma.
There is a path along the water’s edge for walking and benches for sitting and soaking it all in. There are many awe-inducing moments to start and end each day on Harbor Island.
Sunrise, Harbor Island
It would be awesome to fly in a superfast airplane that could chase the sunrise around the world for a while. – John Green
By checking the sunrise time each morning and setting my alarm to get outside at least a half-hour early, I started each day watching the whole event as it unfolded.
Sunset, Harbor Island
The sky was gorgeous on the bay side and the marina side.
Other Sunsets
Get outside. Watch the sunrise. Watch the sunset. How does that make you feel? Does it make you feel big or tiny? Because there’s something good about feeling both. — Amy Grant
Sunset Cliffs is one of the best attractions in San Diego. People line up for miles along the cliff-lined shores for a different awe-inspiring scene each evening.
Sunrise and sunset in Huntington Beach
Another great opportunity for a sunrise and a sunset came from an overnight trip to Huntington Beach.
These two photos show the way the sunrise impacts the sky so differently facing toward and away from the sun.
And the sunset from the beach and from the street offer viewing varitey.
Day Trips and Activities
Although my day started with the sunrise and had time reserved for the sunset too, there were plenty of hours left to enjoy the sunshine, city, and beaches.
Parking at the USS Midway Museum parking lot in San Diego offers great proximity to downtown attractions and outdoor waterfront dining (And of course, another sunset.)
The San Diego Botanic Garden got its own story. It is actually located in nearby Encinitas, California.
The trip back to San Diego from Encinitas offered some great little towns to drive through and countless beachside stops to explore. There are many places to eat along the way. We chose Las Olas right across the street from Cardiff State Beach.
We made a quick stop at Torrey Pines. This is on the list for a return trip.
Point Loma was another great vantage point with Cabrillo National Monument, tide pools, and a lighthouse to explore. This will also be on the list for next time. We spent very little time here.
Kate Sessions Park is relaxing with a great view. We brought breakfast and a blanket.
And, the pelicans, seals, and sea lions at La Jolla must be added to the itinerary.
I also wrote more about our time at La Jolla.
Gaining Clarity and Understanding
Watching the Seals and Sea Lions in La Jolla, Californiamedium.com
Restaurant with a view
I found several restaurants with a view. One of my favorites was Tom Ham’s Lighthouse. The history is fun and the view is great day or night. I am not much of a foodie, but the food was good too.
Nature and adventure
Nature most often wins for me. But, these skylines and architecture were stunning. There are also so many more things to add to the list for next time. I would like to spend more time at the farmer’s markets and explore more of the beaches and parks. In some way, I will also get out on the water when I return.
Again, I plan to visit California several more times in the future. I have some ideas about what I want to do next time, but I will lean on novelty, nothing more than a hotel reservation and a very loose itinerary.
Experiencing awe between travels
Awe from travel and adventures awaits you through lived experiences or from images and reading the awe experiences and adventures of others. Read a few of my favorite travel stories from other For Awe writers, Anne Bonfert, David Rudder, and Shannon Fisher:
A Magical Sunrise in the Gulf of Thailand
Overlooking the Bay of Bangkokmedium.com
Santiago Sunrise
Flight.medium.com
6 Days in Costa Rica
Located in Central America, Costa Rica is bordered to the north by Nicaragua and to the southeast by Panama. Costa Rica…medium.com
Thanks for reading. I hope travel and adventures are in your plans for the coming year.
Science suggests there are many benefits from writing and sharing experiences of feeling awe. Share your stories:
Awe Practices and Prompts
Practicing awe with the publication For Awe medium.com
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