Category Archives: Free and fun

San Diego’s Best (Known) Public Place

Posted on March 17, 2012 by jdewyze

A friend just sent me a copy of a recently compiled list of the Top 100 Public Spaces in the United States and Canada, and it was gratifying to see Balboa Park in the ninth spot. It is a great … Continue reading →

Posted in Balboa Park, Free and fun, San Diego Sights, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 3 Comments

No More Sneaking In

Posted on March 1, 2012 by jdewyze

For years, the only entrance to the section of the Scripps Coastal Reserve that overlooks Black’s Beach was to duck under or climb over a temporary looking wooden gate. The area was open to the public (at least during daylight … Continue reading →

Posted in Beach Culture, Free and fun, La Jolla, On the Waterfront, San Diego Sights, The Natural World | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Highs and Lows

Posted on December 13, 2011 by jdewyze

I’ve written before about the unique pleasures of San Diego’s winter low tides, but last Friday I discovered another facet to them : biking on the wide, hard-packed sand.  My friend Howard Zatkin has organized an informal low-tide beach ride for … Continue reading →

Posted in Free and fun, Great bike rides, On the Waterfront, The Natural World | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Pony Talk and Donuts

Posted on July 23, 2011 by Jeannette De Wyze

I drove up to Del Mar this morning, parked at the racetrack for free, walked in the gates for free, helped myself to a free cup of coffee and chocolate donut with sprinkles, and settled down to listen to three … Continue reading →

Posted in Equestrian, Free and fun, San Diego Sights, The Sporting Life | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Purpose-Driven Hike

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Jeannette De Wyze

I’d never disparage the idea of hiking without a clear-cut destination.  Moving down a trail can be pleasurable in and of itself, even if you don’t care where you’re going. But hiking to something can also be a lot of … Continue reading →

Posted in Free and fun, Letter-boxing, The Natural World | 1 Comment

Black gold

Posted on November 29, 2010 by Jeannette De Wyze

Although this is the traditional shopping season, there are perennial joys in getting something for nothing. In that category, everyone should know about the free compost available at the Miramar Landfill’s “Greenery.”  All compost offers something of the same pleasure.  It’s garbage, broken … Continue reading →

Posted in Free and fun, Money-saving ideas | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The latest crop

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Jeannette De Wyze

I had a chance to stroll by the newest crop (the seventh) of Urban Trees installed by the Port District on the half-mile-long stretch of Harbor Drive (between Hawthorn St. and the cruise terminal). This group of 30 was chosen from … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Free and fun, On the Waterfront, San Diego Sights | Tagged | 1 Comment

The 489 Secret Steps of La Mesa

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Jeannette De Wyze

I was charmed the first time I heard that a hill in La Mesa contains several sets of “secret” stairways.  That was back in 1988.  I drove out, found them, climbed them, and wrote about the experience as part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Free and fun, San Diego Sights | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Festafare

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Jeannette De Wyze

The Little Italy Association claims that its fall Festa has grown over the last 16 1/2 years to rank as one of the largest Italian-American festivals on the West Coast.  I can believe that.  The mob of pedestrians made it … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Free and fun, Little Italy, San Diego Sights | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The local sharkscape

Posted on September 3, 2010 by Jeannette De Wyze

  There’s talk that never before have so many leopard sharks congregated off the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. That would be strange if true.  (And it probably isn’t, according to local marine biologists.) This species (Triakis semifasciata) is known … Continue reading →

Posted in Beach Culture, Free and fun, The Natural World | Tagged , | 1 Comment