Happy Monday and happy Labor Day! Since I’m sure you already have your BBQ menu all planned (what’s that? you don’t quite have it finalized? then might I suggest this or this or these as easy last-minute desserts? ???)… And since Labor Day typically marks the end of lazy summer days and start of back-to-school craziness…
One last slow-paced morning sounds just right. The kind where you leisurely sip your hot coffee (or tea—we don’t judge here!) and savor the quiet calm and birds softly chirping in the trees.
Plus… I have some big news to share with you!
So pour yourself a cup of coffee—or maybe even make a healthy homemade pumpkin spice latte because you’re like me and a-okay with pumpkin season lasting all year round—and pretend like we’re having a virtual coffee date!
So if we were actually having coffee together… You’d be laughing at me right now because I’d be bouncing up and down in my seat like a baby in a highchair. I’ve been holding in this little bit of news for far too long!
I moved to San Diego!
In the beginning of this summer, I packed all of my belongings into a large U-Haul (slightly embarrassing that more than half of those things were baking equipment and ingredients!) and drove down to Southern California with my awesome moving team, aka my mom and brother. Mom’s amazing U-Haul driving skills are a story for another day…
But once they helped me unpack the kitchen and office, my family flew back to Northern California, and I went straight back to work recipe testing and photographing and sharing treats with you.
Well, I tried to… But Grandma insisted that I also took time off to enjoy and explore San Diego! And since she’s just the sweetest person and only lives a mile away, I gave in.
So here are some of the fun things I’ve done over the past two months!
PADRES BASEBALL GAMES
Grandma is actually the person who taught me all about the game when I was 9 years old, and she’s one of the main reasons I ♡ baseball (just as much as baking!). We’ve already been to three games, and we’re headed to another four this week! The Padres stadium, PetCo Park, is absolutely incredible. Easy to get to, great seats, tons of yummy food—and even a place for dogs in the outfield! ?⚾️
SAN DIEGO ZOO
The San Diego Zoo is one of the best in the nation, if not the world, and I can totally see why. It’s HUGE! And there are so so SO many animals… Which makes it easy to get lost and wander around for hours without feeling bored. I bought a yearly membership the first time I went, and I’m so excited to go back!
You’ll probably find me with the penguins… They’re my favorite animals! ? (Although they never stay still enough for a good photo when I’m around!)
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
In mid-August, Grandma invited me to see the San Diego symphony perform old Broadway show tunes in a relaxed outdoor setting, a grassy field next to the ocean just behind the Convention Center. They devoted the entire second half of the program to “Fiddler on the Roof,” which was the first musical I ever did! (I played in the pit. I only sing in the shower and in my car when nobody else is around! ?)
LOCAL COFFEE SHOPS
I’ve only been to two that have really stood out so far: Moniker Coffee Co. and Communal Coffee. They’re the cutest places! Spacious interiors, relaxed vibes, white hexagonal tiles… (I’m obsessed with white for kitchens and kitchen-related rooms—that’s the main reason I bought my new house!)
I could hole up in either one every day and work for hours. Cheers to delicious coffee!
And new friends! This is Odette! We virtually met on Instagram almost a year ago (go follow her account! she’s the BEST!), and we finally met in real life this past Friday. She’s just as positive and upbeat and sweet and inspiring and absolutely amazing in person!
Congratulations on the new home! San Diego is a great place. It looks like you’ve done quite a lot since you’ve been there.
Your Grandma is so young. I love seeing that you do so much with her and go to the baseball games with her. I’ll bet she really likes that, too.
Do we get to see some photos of your new home?
Thank you so much Toni! She totally loved your comment about her looking so young. 🙂 Yes, I’ll eventually share house photos in another Coffee Break post — I just need to finish unpacking and tidying up after dealing with all of the cardboard boxes! 😉
Nice!!! I love going to ballgames and zoos too! COngrats on the house, and, yeah, we want to see a picture of it!! Looking forward to more healthy, yummy recipes from your new kitchen!
Thank you so much Saralee! You’re so sweet! 🙂
My daughter and family live in SD and I’ve been visiting for over 12 years now. Of all the wonderful experiences we’ve had we always want to go back to the South Beach Bar & Grill on Newport Ave in Ocean Beach. The BEST fish tacos on the planet!
Thank you SO much for the recommendation Diane!! I’m a huge fan of fish tacos — I can’t wait to check it out! 🙂
We just got back from La Jolla and loved it. Such a great little town, you can walk to the cove and watch the sea lions basking in the sun, so cute!
I’m so glad you had a good time in La Jolla, Heather! That’s one of my favorite places here in SD! 🙂
Congrats Amy on your move! These are beautiful pictures. I am so happy for you.
The pictures of your Mom and Grandmother are beautiful. Enjoy time well spent with your Grandmother.
Thank you so much Janet! That means a lot to me! 🙂
Congratulations on your move! I am a Northern California girl myself and moved to San Diego when I was about 20 years old. I lived there for 10 years until I got married and my husband moved me to Seattle, WA (also a great city!). We are now living in Texas (no comment, since my Mom said if I don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all).
San Diego is a wonderful city to be a young, single woman. Enjoy it! I miss it every single day. I used to go jogging on the beach on my lunch hour. During the weekends I loved hiking on the cliffs above Torrey Pines. I also loved hiking Cowles mountain. You can live such a healthy lifestyle in San Diego! As I said, enjoy it!
Oh my goodness Danielle… I just about fell out of my chair laughing when I saw your quip about not saying anything at all! 😉 😉 I love hiking, so thank you for the recommendations! I’m sure my dad will be game to go on either of those hikes. He’s actually backpacking right now, so I’d probably have a hard time keeping up with him! 🙂
The San Diego Jr. Children’s Theater.
Thanks for the recommendation Antonia! 🙂
San Diego sounds amazing! I’ve never been there but I want to go now! Congrats on your move:)
Thanks so much Tiffany! 🙂 I hope you’re able to visit SD sometime!
This is such a great post! I LOVE being on a virtual coffee date with you!! Also, I love that you bought a year pass to the zoo!! I love the zoo and it’s such a great place to walk around and get your mind off work if you need to! (Or, find new inspiration?) So happy you’re happy in San Diego! <3 <3 <3
Thank you so much sweet pea!! I miss our virtual coffee dates too — we should have one this fall!! 🙂
I have been following this blog forever and I’m not sure I’ve seen posts other than recipes–you are beautiful! Congrats on the move…on my bucket list to visit!
Aww you’re so sweet LJ! Thank you!! That means so much to me! 🙂 I hope you’re able to make it to SD someday soon. It’s totally worth a visit (or more)!