How to Have an Awesome + Healthy Afternoon in San Diego!

Nathan's Sprints at Sunset

 

On my final Sunday in San Diego, I took the day “off” from work and had a bit of an adventure!

Here’s what I did, and what you could do, too.

And yup, all this happened in just one (ridiculously fantastic) day. :)

 

Go to the Market!

Start out the day at the Farmer’s Market in Hillcrest, one of the best in the city!

Nathan and the Hillcrest Market!

The Hillcrest Farmers Market currently consists of 140 vendors offering a wide variety of locally grown in-season fruit, produce, gifts, arts and crafts, and flowers.

Many of the local farmers participating in the market grow their produce organically or with no pesticides. The market also hosts a large variety of prepared food and hot food items with an emphasis on international cuisine.

Open every Sunday from 9 AM to 2 PM

Lincoln Street and Normal Avenue
3960 Normal Street (Hillcrest DMV Parking Lot)
San Diego, CA 92103

 

See the Sights!

From Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma!

Coronado and San Diego!

A visit to Cabrillo National Monument offers tremendous views of the San Diego region and excellent opportunities to explore the natural and cultural history of the area.

Some of the outdoor activities you can enjoy while at CNM:

  • Hiking – The Bayside Trail is a scenic 2-mile trail that takes you through a prime example of endangered coastal sage scrub habitat
  • Birding
  • Photography
  • Whale watching (during winter months)
  • Tidepooling (during winter months)
  • Enjoying the native plants (year round) and wildflowers (during the spring and summer months)
  • Bicycling along Cabrillo Memorial Drive
  • Watching ships cruise in and out of San Diego Harbor
  • Taking in the nearly-360 degree view of the City of San Diego, Pacific Ocean, Mexico, and the surrounding mountains to the north and east
  • Solitude

There are also plenty of indoor activities, too!

Open 364 days a year, from 9 AM to 5 PM.

The park entrance fee is $5 per car, or you can show a pass if you have one.

Cabrillo National Monument lies at the tip of the Point Loma Peninsula, just west of the city of San Diego. Follow Catalina Blvd. (aka Cabrillo Memorial Drive) all the way to the end.

 

Hang with Friends!

My buddy Greg joined me for the day, and was happy to play tour guide, as we visited a couple of his favorite spots in the area!

Greg at Point Loma!

A very happy Greg—away from the computer and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature! :)

 

While I often explore solo, it’s nice to have a good friend along for the discoveries and the experience. Greg is part of one of my weekly mastermind groups and a fellow WDS‘er, so very cool to be able to hang out with him more in person!

 

Fit in a Hike (or Two)!

From Torrey Pines State Reserve—wilderness and the beach, all at once!

Torrey Pines Hike!

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is located within San Diego city limits and yet remains one of the wildest stretches of land on the Southern California coast!

Because of the efforts and foresight of the people in this area, 2000 acres of land are as they were before San Diego was developed—with the chaparral plant community, the rare and elegant Torrey pine trees, miles of unspoiled beaches, and a lagoon that is vital to migrating seabirds.

There are 8 miles of trails—check out all your options here!

Open 365 days a year, from 7:15 AM until sunset.

12500 North Torrey Pines Road
San Diego CA 92037

The Reserve is located between La Jolla and Del Mar, California, north of San Diego.

 

Find Time for Focus!

Sunset Meditation

I meditate every day, and recently started meditating in the evening as well, and I always LOVE when I can meditate outdoors (even if it’s on someone’s backyard :).

So, when I get the opportunity to connect with nature and myself in such a beautiful location, I take it!! :)

These are the moments that stick with me, and that I’m oh-so-grateful for…

 

Give It All You’ve Got!

Run, Nathan, Run!

It had sure been a while since I had done some all-out sprints, and it just. felt. AWESOME. :)

Granted, I didn’t do them until exhaustion, but the combo of the Vibram shoes, the sand, and the sun (not to mention, a bit of a photo shoot :) made this quite a fun run.

 

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So that’s how I stayed healthy and made it an awesome afternoon in San Diego!

Not to mention: most of the activities were absolutely FREE!

We paid $5 for Cabrillo and $15 to park at Torrey Pines. Not bad for a day’s adventure! :)

 

And if you enjoyed the more artistic shots above (me running and meditating), be sure to check out Greg’s site: Enso Photography!

 

What are your favorite healthy activities in SD?

I’d love to hear your response + any other thoughts you have below.

 

Looking forward to learning more!
Nathan

 

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About

Former life: actor/office worker/virtual assistant; lived in Los Angeles for 11 years. Since then: sold nearly everything, took a $5 flight to Hawaii, lived there for 3 months, wrote an eGuide about all of it, and still traveling. Currently: digital nomad - looking to improve myself, have fun and serve others.