When we left Desert Hot Springs in 2004, we headed to San Diego, which is pretty much the closest place to Paradise climate-wise that we can get to with the RV. Our park was actually in Imperial Beach, about 8 miles south of Coronado.
We stayed at Bernardo Shores, right on Mission Bay. When we were there (April through mid-May) the Bay was partly drained, but the wetlands provided a great view from our living room window. Bernardo Shores was an interesting contrast to Caliente back on the desert. Not only because we had water nearby here, but also because Caliente was a resort with lots of organized activities and Bernardo was quiet (but friendly)with few in-resort activities. Planned activities are really not needed in this city. We thought it was fun to have a taste of both kinds of places in one season.
Although we'd been to San Diego a few times with kids and grandkids when we lived in Oregon, we enjoyed going back to all of the usual tourist stops in this beautiful city. Old Town, Mission Bay, Balboa Park (even the Zoo), although we did opt out of Sea World. Some things you really need to have kids with you to enjoy.
We did a lot of walking and bike riding. There was a bike/walking path around the bay and we could get on it from our spot. It was easy to walk or ride our bikes into downtown Imperial Beach and to the beach itself. A grocery store was a few blocks away and right across the street from us there was a small strip mall that had a terrific sushi bar and a small natural food store.
We caught the city bus right outside the RV Park and that is how we traveled when we wanted to go to San Diego or Coronado. We also could take the bus across Imperial Beach to the train, and ride it into San Diego and beyond.
One day we took the city bus to the Mission Bayfront and then walked on to the ferry back to Coronado for dinner, then the bus home. (The picture at the top of this post was taken from the ferry.) Tough life!
One time, we threw our bikes on back of the truck and drove to Coronado, then spent the day riding around that very interesting little city. But the truck didn't move too often from its parking spot at Bernardo Shores. I think we also took it out a couple of times to stock up on groceries and that was about all. Good public transportation is one of the definite advantages of a big city.
The picture below is the Tijuana Estuary. We could walk there from Bernardo Shores. It was a good place to walk and bird watch. Of course, you can see right into Mexico here.
We often meet RVers who will not go to California. There is a rumor that you are required to have a CDL (professional trucker's license) to drive a big RV there. Maybe you have to if you are licensed in California, but you do not if you are from another state. Some people are afraid of the big cities as well. We have never been hassled for driving our "big rig." I think Bill would be capable of passing the CDL (if there's no age limit ;>) ) but he doesn't have to have one in South Dakota. As far as San Diego, we loved the advantages of the city, were never afraid and never had any problems. Of course you have to be alert and maintain your "street smarts" as we all should everywhere.
Bernardo Shores is high on our favorite list. Really,the only reason not to go back is that we still do want to see as much of the country as we can.
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