Highlights of an Afternoon in Southern California: Balboa Park, Cardiff Beach, Extraordinary Desserts and Star of India

One of the things I love about Southern California is that there is always something fun to do and it usually involves incredible weather! In only a few hours in the perfect, cool, breezy, cloudless San Diego afternoon, I had four distinctly different and decidedly delightful experiences.

#1  Billed as "the nation's largest urban cultural park," Balboa Park in San Diego houses 15 museums, beautiful gardens, sculpture, and the San Diego Zoo.  Now with 1200 of the original 1400 acres set aside in 1868 for a city park, Balboa was the site of the first World's Fair: The 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition Art and Culture, Gardens and Spanish-Renaissance Architecture.  Many of the beautiful buildings were created for the Exposition.    

Alcazar Garden, decorated with Moorish tiles and named for its resemblance to the design of the Alcazar Castle gardens in Seville, Spain, was built in 1935 and completely restored in 2008.  The Botanical Building offers a lush selection of tropical and native plants and the colorful, Spanish-style artists' village features original works.

During our picnic, a flock of white doves circled above.  The weather was perfect and it was a great way to spend a few hours.  For more information http://www.balboapark.org/

#2  Tea at Extraordinary Desserts at 5th and Hillcrest in San Diego was a sweet feast for the eyes and tooth.  The desserts are true to their name and bedecked with fresh flowers and flourishes that make them very hard to resist.  We sat outside where carved goldfish decorate the wall. I enjoyed a cup of tea and a beautiful slice of fruit tart.  For a feast of photos and more information see their website:  http://www.extraordinarydesserts.com/

#3  Southern California beaches are inviting at any time of day. This was my first visit to Cardiff Beach in Encinitas, just north of Solana Beach.  As the sun was setting, I had just enough time to touch the water and see the tide pools filled with anemones, crabs, fish, and even a starfish.  A lone fisherman looked like he was trying to reel in the setting sun while a few evening surfers enjoyed the waves and dog walkers passed by at a quickened pace. It was glorious! http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=656

#4  What a treasure!  The Star Of India, part of the Maritime Museum of San Diego, is the world's oldest active ship.  It is docked on F Street, near the airport and open to the public.  It is worth seeing, even if you only have time to drive by.  http://www.sdmaritime.org/star-of-india/