If you have never visited San Diego, I highly recommend you put the city on your list of must-see destinations. From the breathtaking views of San Diego Harbor at Cabrillo Point in Point Loma - to the downtown areas of Seaport Village, Old Town, and the Gaslamp District - to beautiful Balboa Park; home of San Diego’s Hall of Champions, the International Aerospace Museum, and the world-renown San Diego Zoo - to the beautiful shores of La Jolla, Del Mar, and Cardiff-by-the-Sea, it’s hard to refute its self-imposed billing of “America’s Most Beautiful City.”
I’ve had fun times and made good friends in San Diego. Though I am a born New Englander, I lived in San Diego many years, and I consider it my home-away-from-home. Today, I can feel my friends’ pain as I sit here 3000 miles away. So I want my former, fellow-San Diegans to know that I’m really not gloating as I watch my real home-town teams, the Red Sox and Patriots, continue their championship run, while the Padres squandered the playoffs and the Chargers fall from the NFL elite.
Don’t get me wrong, I relished watching the Pats upset the Chargers in last year’s playoff game - then, just recently, beating them again. Ironically, I was in San Diego the day after each of those wins by the Patriots…and it gave me great pleasure to listen to San Diego’s sports talk-radio and its whining fans. Recently, some envious friends foolishly talked about the “cheating” Patriots. Tell me, did Green Bay and Kansas City “cheat” too?
Also, after the Chargers playoff loss last year, I clearly remember many San Diegans calling for the head of Coach Marty Schottenheimer. Probably the same ‘fans’ chanting Marty! Marty! Marty! at the recent home-game loss to the Chiefs. And, maybe LaDainian Tomlinson should have saved his verbal rant on the Patriots last year (and again this year) for his own organization. Rather than his harsh words for the Pats’ players and Belichick, he should have focused on his own teammates and front office - owner Alex Spanos and General Manager A. J. Smith, who made the change to Norv Turner. It’s now only a matter of time for Spanos and Smith to look slightly north for their new savior…Pete Carroll.
Regarding the Padres, they only have themselves to blame. Sure the Rockies played great down the stretch winning 14 of their last 15 games, but the Padres could have derailed the Colorado run by winning more than 4 of the last 11 games. And how does “saving” Peavy for the playoff game look now? It couldn’t have been much worse throwing him out there on short rest the last day of the regular season. Playing for tomorrow is always dangerous in September.
But fret not my San Diego friends, as I lived for years saying, “Wait ’til next year.” Besides, while I’m sitting here in the snow this winter, you can always enjoy the sun…and head to some of my favorite spots in beautiful Del Mar like Bully’s, Jake’s and The Poseidon restaurants, or the famous Yogi’s Beach Bar on S. Coast Hwy. 101 in heaven - a.k.a. Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California.
The Charges really messed up letting Marty go, but don’t count them out just yet. They could still win the AFC West. You’re right about LT. I wish he would just keep his mouth shut and play… but they need to give him the ball more. …And San Diego is as beautiful as you say!
Comment by Boltfan — October 3, 2007 @ 7:54 am
Hey Mr San Diego……You better start Worrying About Anaheim errrrr…the LA Angels of Anaheim……time for Schilling to break out the Red Magic Marker again…..wonder if he got that from Belacheat……..
Comment by ernest t — October 3, 2007 @ 11:07 am
Hey ernest t … sounds like you’re one of those whining San Diego fans of whom he speaks! Or, maybe by the red magic marker comment you’re one of those eastern guys who moved West and cheers for whichever of “your” teams is winning! My guess is you’re really a NY fan … maybe even a Met fan. Sorry.
Comment by GZguy — October 3, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
Hey ernest t, worrying about the California, Los Angeles, Anaheim Angels of Disney World isn’t a concern. Soon they can play some golf with their Padres’ friends.
Comment by Manny — October 3, 2007 @ 8:25 pm
Spanos and Smith have really screwed up a good thing. The Chargers were the best team on paper last year, but the best team doesn’t always win. I do still think there’s hope for the AFC West, though — but, I doubt they can compete with the Patriots or Colts.
I don’t even want to talk about the Padres. Still sick over it.
btw … I love Yogi’s new location!
Comment by SDsportsnut — October 4, 2007 @ 9:57 am
Hey ernest t …. so much for worrying about the Angels. And how about Mr. Red Magic-Marker!
Comment by Manny — October 8, 2007 @ 7:51 am
I love The Poseidon and the new Yogi’s. Congrats Keith!
Comment by Delmartian — October 11, 2007 @ 10:53 am
Hey Don, your Del Mar spots are good, although Bully’s isn’t what it used to be - but, great food. However, my favorite dinner spot on Cardiff’s Restaurant Row is Charley’s — and The Beach House isn’t bad, either - both right on the water.
And don’t forget the funky, fun, dive bar The Kraken across from Charley’s. Lots of fun. What an fabulous area!
Comment by CarDGuy — October 11, 2007 @ 11:22 am
I bet Yogis Beach Bar will be hopping this Sunday. I wish I was there.
Another match up with the Pats, eh? Sorry Chargers’ fans…you don’t have a chance in hell, but at least you have Hwy 101!
Comment by Manny — January 17, 2008 @ 6:19 pm
San Diego is the city to live in. After traveling around the world I would honestly say I wouldn’t think of living anywhere else.
Comment by San Diego Signs — February 21, 2008 @ 2:25 am
As I am a baseball lover, I try to watch games whenever I have time. But, for me, and without doubt for thousands of other fans all over the world, I love the San Diego Padres and I do my best to attend their games though we notice that Padres tickets got a little pricy and hard to be found especially when we talk about some hot games. The San Diego Padres tickets are a little pricy but this should not prevent us from fallowing our favourite team and support it, and this is what means to be a good fan.
Comment by Ashley — July 8, 2008 @ 3:23 am