Coronado and La Jolla

We spent our cloudy San Diego day at Coronado exploring. We took our bikes up with us and biked around to explore the fancy houses around there. We also checked out the Fire+Fly pizza place, which was very tasty. We just chilled on the beach enjoying the waves from a distance because that water was way too cold to be in.

Riding around town

The perfect pizza for Matt because it was drizzled with  ranch.

Still pretty bright out, squints

The Hotel Del Coronado was built in 1887. Matt said it was  cool because it was haunted.

On the beach at Coronado 

Balboa park

Smooshy smooch 

 We also walked around a bit in Balboa Park. This was a fantastic little park, which is an understatement because this park is huge and has tons of museums you can explore (and certain ones are free on Tuesdays throughout the month) 

This violinist was playing the sweetest love songs, made me miss my violin

We also went to the LDS temple here in San Diego. I've always wanted to go to this princess castle looking temple. It was breath taking as we rounded the corner to arrive at it. It was just as gorgeous on the inside too. It was so peaceful there despite the fact that there was a freeway pretty much right by it. Going to the temple today and learning about all these animals lately, has really made me grateful for this world we live in. So incredible that all of this was created for us.

Hey oh!

La Jolla was our stop for lunch and we ate at the Promiscuous Fork as recommended by my friend Kayla and I had one delicious sandwich (The best fork'in chicken sandwich)! I love sandwiches a lot and this definitely topped the list as one of my favorites. We explored a few beaches and had a few waves sneak up and soak us! We went to the cove to check out the sea lions. There were lots of them hanging out and they didn't give a care about all the people around them interrupting their naps. I really thought some of them were dead because they just laid there totally knocked out.

At Windansea beach (6800 Neptune Place)

Matt taking a turn at being behind the camera

This guy decided to take a nap right by the stairs

He looks comfortable

Love sea lions. We wanted to pet them.

Lots of sea lions, they kind of look like a lot of dead fish.

Matt and I decided that if we moved to the San Diego area we would like to live near La Jolla, it just had a small town feel to it, and ya know the whole ocean view isn't too shabby either.

Zooooo

Ok this zoo was incredible! And I am pretty sure we saw every inch of it while we were there. (I was exhausted by the end of the day!)  They have so many different animals here and you feel like you are in a forest with them most of the time. I learned that elephants can poop up to 300lbs everyday! And I thought being a nurse was rough. If you are in San Diego and are deciding between the three places I would definitely put this one on top of your list. 

This funny bird is a cock of the rock

Tucan! We saw a lot of birds, I was kind of done with the aviaries by the end

This baby hippo was born 5 weeks ago, I believe weighing in at 50lbs! 

It was so sad that one of Matt's favorite animal was not there, the only exhibit  like this too!

Love these sleepy koalas

Supposedly this mom has a baby sticking out of her pouch but I still can't see it

Oh hey there chillin' Cheetah

Matt loves cats

I don't know if maybe it's just the color, but I love flamingos

Giraffes have a special valve in their heart to help keep blood in their head when they bend down so they don't get light headed, pretty cool huh? 

Asian elephant. You can tell by its little ears

The cutest baby jaguar ever

Oh hey there sloth

This Lion was patiently waiting for its meal

Another one of Matt's favorite is the Red Panda who was snoozing or camera shy

Panda Bear

Look at these grizzly bear's claws, yikes

These bears were the most fun to watch. They went swimming and played around quite a bit too.

These are silver monkeys but they are orange when they are babies

Top Tips for the Zoo

1. Take the bus ride tour to get a feel for the park in the morning

2.Take the safarisky ride when you are tired and don't want to cross the whole park

3. They allow you to bring your own food so munch away

4. There are tons of volunteers and other staff that is more than willing to help with directions or any info you want to know on the animals.

Mormon Battallion

While in San Diego we checked out the free Mormon Battalion museum there near old town. It was really well done, it did feel a bit like a ride a Disney. We learned a lot about the area and how this battalion of mormons was sent here to help fight the Mexican war. They were promised that they would never have to be in a battle if they were obedient, which is exactly what happened for them. It still was not easy and lots of sacrifice but pretty cool to have that promise. They helped build up the area and established a lot of the first businesses and printing press for the area. I highly recommend coming here, it is really informative, interesting, and very welcoming (not pushy at all)

Matt panning for gold

He found some

At the museum they take your picture, print it, email it all for free

One Ocean

We visited Sea World and a had a blast! Then Matt had me watch blackfish afterwards which may have tainted my visit there a bit. From our point of view it was a bit of propaganda and it stretched the truth quite a bit. Sea world has a whole rebuttal about it on their website too. After visiting there though and learning so much about all the animals you don't really get the whole shady blackfish vibe and I've been to a few of those parks. At least I really hope so! It is a little sad that their tank is kind of boring though. Either way these animals are majestic and it is amazing what they can do. There are so many interesting creatures in the ocean and so diverse.

Outside ready for sea creatures. (Please excuse Matt's sunglasses, they were free)

Petting Sting Rays

About to go for a dip. These polar bears are acclimated to CA and don't like it colder than 55 degrees.

Polar bears eat 140 lbs of meat (sea lion) and thats just one meal

Impressive skills Seamore

Uh oh here comes killer

When they are resting they turn off half of their brain (keep on the breathing part thank goodness) and they just float on their backs like this and come up for air occasionally.

Top Tips for Sea World:

1. Its all about the shows here, so plan your day around which ones you want to see, but of course the killer whale show is a must see.

2. You can't bring food in to this park, we kept a cooler in our car and just went out there to eat to save some mula

3. Weekdays are awesome here no lines! 

4. If you fill out a survey they give you a 20% off coupon for their stores