San Diego Beach Guide

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San Diego has a lot of beaches but each one has its unique cool thing. So in this guide, we will give you the highlights of the best beaches and the things they are best for. These are the best beaches in the sense of what they are best for.

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is the best beach for taking a walk on a pier. Ocean Beach has California’s and the West Coast longest pier. The pier takes about five to ten minutes to walk down to the end. It’s the best place to watch big waves because big waves will crash into the pier. There will always be a big group of people standing by the parking lot watching the waves crash, making it the best place to watch people surf because you can get right above the action and watch the surfers and close up. Finally, Ocean Beach is also best for antiquing. On Newport Avenue which is Ocean Beach’s Main Street, they have several antique shops which are nice if you are into that sort of thing.

Mission Beach

The best beach for-wheeled activities in Mission Beach. Mission Beach has a huge boardwalk that runs from mission beach all the way up to the Pacific Beach which is really great for riding a bike, rollerblading, skateboarding, segways, and anything on wheels. Mission Beach is also the best beach to ride a roller coaster. There is a historic roller coaster here in Mission Beach, it’s a wooden roller coaster that offers lots of fun.

Pacific Beach

The Pacific Beach is just to the north of Mission Beach and it is San Diego’s best Beach for partying and by partying we mean enjoying an alcoholic beverage. Pacific Beach as a neighborhood has the most bars per square foot of any neighborhood in all of San Diego. One of the most famous drinking establishments in Pacific Beach is the Lahaina Beach House. It is literally a house that is on the beach but has this crazy outdoor patio on it. It is definitely an exciting place to come and enjoy your outdoor alcoholic beverage. If you like people watching, the best place in Pacific Beach is Woody’s Breakfast and Burger.

La Jolla Shores

The best beach for learning how to surf or kayaking is La Jolla Shores. This beach is a very flat beach with very calm waves and there are also several companies that rent surfboards here for beginners. This makes it an ideal place to learn how to surf or learn how to see kayaks because you can rent the kayaks here too and take them out to the caves of La Jolla. La Jolla Shores is also great for tide pooling when the tide is low. If you go to the south part of the La Jolla Shores right in front of the marine room, there are some great rocks that are exposed. You can see the starfish, sea urchins, and all sorts of sea creatures. There are also reasonably good tide pools to the north but those aren’t quite as good as the ones in the south.

Black Beach

Black Beach is famous for two main things – big wave surfing and a nude beach. Black Beach has some of the best big wave surfing in all of San Diego. Being a nude beach, Black Beach is an unofficial nude beach. You will find many people that will be nude and there’s a section that people really don’t get ticketed on if they decide to bear it all. So if you are in San Diego and you are looking for a beach that will get you away from some of the hustle and bustle of the main beaches like Pacific Beach or Mission Beach check out Black Beach.

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5 Gravity-defying Places in Europe

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Acrophobia or the irrational fear of heights is quite common, some may vary with the severity but one thing is for sure, they’re not comfortable in high places. But some may argue that the higher you are the more vantage point you get and this would entail seeing the best views of the place. Across Europe there are just so many bird’s eye-view tourist attractions that are not for the acrophobic but definitely for thrill seekers.

Dachstein Galcier Skywalk, Austria
An acrophobic’s worst nightmare would be a stairway high up in the mountains which leads to nothingness. It may be a bit scary even for those without the non-clinical phobia but there is actually a place called Stairway to Nothingness, and this is in Austria. With a stellar height of 8850 feet, the Dachstein Glacier boasts 14-narrow steps that leads you to a small platform made entirely of glass which gives you the feeling of being suspended high up in the air on top of snow-capped mountains.

The Sphinx Observatory, Switzerland
At 11,332 feet stands this astronomical observatory above the Jungfraujoch in Switzerland and is named after this snow covered rocky cliff it is perched on. The Sphinx Observatory won’t test your hiking skills and endurance because you can just ride one of the trains in Jungfraujoch railway station. The panoramic view of the icy peaks and snowy landscapes you’ll see up there is just breath taking.

Trolltunga, Norway
Trolltunga, which translates to troll’s tongue in English, is a thin slab of rock that extends out horizontally into a dizzying 2300 feet above the Ringedalsvatnet Lake. It’s an Instagram-worthy place but before you reach this vantage point of the gorgeous ravine below, you need to hike a total of 10-12 hours which will really require real trekking expertise because of the difficulty of the climb.

Alpspix Viewing Platform, Germany
The two crisscross bridges is a unique structure that offers a panoramic view of the stunning Alpspitze mountainscape and the neighboring Zugspitze, the highest peak in Germany. It may not be a comfortable place for those who are afraid of heights, but for those who are adventurous enough, this 8600 feet (from the ground) platform injects the right amount of adrenaline.

Trift Bridge, Switzerland
What can be more terrifying than a suspension bridge high in the Swiss Alps? The Trift Bridge is a pedestrian-only bridge that is 170 meters in length and is the safe alternative in reaching the Trift Hut of Swiss Alpine Club. The feel of the cold wind on your skin while walking across this 100 meter high bridge is the best place to get a 350 degree view of the blue lake and the spectacular rocky glacier.

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Aalesund, Norway Travel Guide

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Aalesund is perhaps the most beautiful city in all of Norway. After being devastated by a raging fire in 1904, the city was rebuilt in the distinctive Art Nouveau style with local architects adding their own unique touches. Today Aalesund resembles something from a fairy tale with its buildings brightly colored and decorated with spires, turrets, and ornaments. Here are the top must see attractions in Aalesund, Norway.

Take a Walking Tour Around Aalesund
A guided walking tour around Aalesund is an excellent way to see these intricate facades up close. You will have the benefit of a knowledgeable local guide who will make sure you don’t miss any of the highlights. They will also tell you the captivating story of how Aalesund rose from the ashes of the devastating fire. On a recent trip to visit family, the owners of Performance Chiropractic + Sports Rehab spent countless hours just exploring Aalesund and shared some amazing stories with me from their adventure.

Mount Aksla
To see Aalesund in all its colorful beauty, a journey up Mount Aksla is a must. Here the panoramic views are simply stunning. You will be able to see the archipelago of tiny islands that surround Aalesund which were the center of power during the Viking Age. Thanks to a series of bridges and tunnels, it is now easy to explore these quaint islands by coach. There are over 400 steps you can climb here but only do this if your health supports it. However, there are restaurants and cafes at the top of Mount Aksla where you can replenish your lost energy with some ice cream and water.

The Island of Giske
The island of Giske is home to one of Norway’s most remarkable churches. Built from white marble, this church dates back to the 12th century and was once the private chapel of a local family.

Alnes lighthouse
Over on the island of Godoy, you will find a pretty Alnes lighthouse. If you climb to the top on a clear day, you will be rewarded with lovely views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Sunnmoere Open-air Museum
Back on the Norwegian mainland, Sunnmoere Open-air Museum is a fascinating place to visit. With its vast collection of old timber houses and boats, this museum provides an insight into how the Norwegians lived centuries ago.

Atlantic’s Art Nouveau
Another of Aalesund’s popular attractions is the Atlantic’s epoch built into the Atlantic coastline. The park is home to an array of Norway’s weird and wonderful sea life. It is an ideal option if you would like to do something a little different when ashore in Aalesund.

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Places to visit before you die

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Whiles some people consider traveling to be a luxury or even see it as an unnecessary burden, others believe that traveling around the world is the key to living a happy and fulfilled life. The world is full of so many amazing natural wonders and human made masterpieces, that it’s practically impossible to visit them all in one life time, but if you have the freedom and a little extra cash at your disposal, you can always try. So whether you’re an ecological tourist who loves seeing natural landmarks or you are keen on seeing some of the greatest human engineering achievements, here is a list of some of the most spectacular places to visit before you die.

Pyramids of Giza – Egypt

We’re starting of our list with the three Pyramids of Giza, located just outside the city of Cairo these are the only surviving ruins, of the original 7 world wonders. Archeologists believe that the pyramids were built somewhere in 2560 BC, with a soul purpose of being the final resting place for the pharaoh. The Great Pyramid of Giza, which stands tall 146.7 meters was the tallest man made structure for over 3.800 years until it was dethroned by the Lincoln Cathedral.

Plitvice Lakes – Croatia

The Plitvice National Park is located in Croatia, stretching for more than 295 meters square, it features 16 interlinked lakes and a large forest complex which make up for some of the most spectacular sceneries in Europe. The Lakes distinguish themselves for their unique azure, green color, blending in with the vivid greeneries in the background.

Grand Canyon – USA

The Grand Canyon located in Colorado is one of the world’s most spectacular geological wonders, bringing more than 5 million visitors a year. The massive canyon was carved out of the Colorado river and it stretches 466 meters long, with the canyon walls reaching above 1800 meters in height. Thrill-seekers can partake in several activities which the canyon provides like hiking along the Angel trail or rafting through the canyon on the Colorado river.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is one of the most recognized architectural feats of human history, the construction of the wall started as early in the 7th century, but it wasn’t until the late 1600’s during the Ming dynasty that the wall was actually completed. This massive fortification stretches for more than 20.000 km long and it is built from stones, bricks and wood, serving as a border burrier and transportation corridor through the vast mountains of China. Today visitors have a chance to appreciate this human marvel and the spectacular scenery which it provides, by hiking up the Gubeikou and the less challenging Jiankou trail.

Yellow Stone National Park – USA

The Yellow Stone National park is thought to be the first National Park in the world, attracting more than 4 million visitors a year. This UNESCO World Heritage Sites spans over three states (Wyoming, Montana and Idaho) with the park being home to a large number of rare wildlife species, such as the grizzly bear, bison, wolf and the endangered lynx. Among other things, Yellow Stones is famous for its large number of hot springs and geysers, the park is also the home to more than half of the geysers in the entire world, the most famous one of them all being The Old Faithfull Geyser.

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Rookie Travel Mistakes

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Planning your first overseas trip can be a stressful experience, as you get closer to your departure the fear of the unknown start to set in and your head is bombarded with questions like: How much cash will I be needing, did I bring enough clothes, Did I overbook? I’ve certainly been there and made some foolish first-time mistakes, from which you can learn today and make your first big trip memorable for the right reasons. Here are some of the most common rookie mistakes whiles traveling or preparing to travel, for you to avoid in the future. 

Overpacking

The most common mistakes of them all which we continuously repeat over and over again is overpacking. When it comes to traveling, even on a 7 day trip most of us will bring along stuff that we’ll not get the change to use or wear, besides in most cases you’ll probably do some shopping abroad, so why bother bringing 10 pair of outfits on your holiday trip. So instead, bring just essentials from the first aid kit, don’t pack more than 2 pair of jeans, you can pack however more than 3 pairs of shoes as you’ll be on your feet for most of the time, and trust me you don’t want to deal with any blisters. As for the remainder of the clothes you’ll be packing I use a simple trick, which is pack ½ of the clothes you’ll think will be needed, which brings me to my next point.

Underestimating Travel Costs

I’m sure this one is not a newsflash for you and you’re well aware that everything is going to cost more than you initially thought. Underestimating traveling expenses is quite common for rookie travelers, as they do not know what to expect when they arrive, but starting from the flight tickets, to those few extra drinks and those really good locking shoes you had to cop, you’ll end up spending almost double the amount you initially planned.

Overbooking

Another common mistake first time travelers make, especially one’s going on a solo trip is overbook. Sticking to an arranged schedule whiles traveling is a recipe for disaster, not only does it take away a hefty amount of your traveling expenses, it also takes away your freedom and flexibility. When organizing your trip, you want to make yourself as flexible as possible and in order to do this, you shouldn’t book every hostel, tours, breakfast, lunch, dinner or transfer no matter how daunting it seems.

Trying to see everything

When you visit a country for the first time, you’ll want to see as much as possible, because you’re thinking to yourself that maybe you won’t comeback to this place ever again. This is another common mistake among first time travelers, as they’ll end up exhausting themselves from walking all day trying to cover everything instead of taking it slowly and enjoying the trip. Booking group tours is popular and you get to see more stuff along the way, but it also takes away the pleasure and flexibility of traveling, so instead of seeing 5-6 countries in 12 days, try to see 2 to 3 and make sure you soak up every bit of detail of it.

Eating the food that you are used to

People tend to stay at their comfort zone when it comes to food and they rarely make exceptions when traveling, ordering pizzas, burgers and an omelet for breakfast. People tend to think this is the cheaper and safer option, as they are afraid from getting food poisoning. But in reality traveling to countries with exotic cuisines, food like burgers and pizzas are not a part of their food culture, meaning they are not a top seller on the menu and furthermore the ingredients from which they are made might not be so fresh due to the lack of usage.

Passport requirements

And last but not least always make sure your passport is valid for at least the next 6 months ahead, as some countries like China and Russia have regulations which require your passport to be valid at least 6 months prior to your return.

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