Find out what the nation's pre-eminent expert on travel likes to do when he's in San Diego in an NBCSanDiego.com exclusive.
Emmy award-winning writer and producer Peter Greenberg is the Travel Editor for NBC’s TODAY show as well as a best-selling author and host of the nationally syndicated Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio show. He shared with NBCSanDiego what he's up to when he spends time here:
For starters, I love to bring my boat down from Los Angeles into San Diego Harbor and then over to Coronado, where I berth it at the Loews there. I love San Diego Harbor -- so much is happening. Never a dull moment! And staying at the Loews marina is a great experience.
Some other stuff I like to do:
Shell Beach: At low tide, the San Diego area has some very cool natural tide pools for wading, and spotting fish and other marine life swimming around. Shell Beach in La Jolla is a great spot to see the tide pools -- particularly the Children’s Pool, aka Casa Beach. Shell Beach is also home to Seal Rock Reserve, where you can check out the seals from a cliff above.
Oceanside Farmer’s Market: Visiting a local farmers market is always a great way to get a sense of the local vibe, and that certainly holds true at the Oceanside market, which takes place every Thursday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Not only is there fresh produce from at least 30 different farms, but there's also real San Diego-style bites like ceviche. There are plenty of other farmers markets throughout the city, but this one is especially convenient.
The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla: This luxury resort is located next to Torrey Pines State Reserve and offers hourlong guided hikes at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. every day. The guided portion of the hike takes you into a grove of the rare Torrey pine trees, where you can catch views of the ocean. The resort also offers maps if you want to continue on your own onto the beach (there’s even a nudist beach nearby). Another special feature about this resort is its culinary programs. Every Thursday it hosts an Artisan Table communal dinner that pairs food and wines from local producers.
Julian: This is one of the great day trips/one-tank trips from San Diego. It's only an hour east but has all the trappings of a quaint little mountain town. Once a booming mining town, the town is actually now known for its apple orchards. It's especially fun in early fall when farmers' stands are filled to the brim with freshly picked apples. The rest of the year, a stop at Julian Pie Company on Main Street is a definite for me.... And, yes, I have two slices! (And buy a pie to go.)
Wine: Not a lot of people know this, but this part of California actually produces decent wine! The 11-acre Bernardo Winery, which is about 25 miles north of downtown, is the oldest operating winery in San Diego (est. 1889). Also, not everyone knows great wine can be found right in downtown. The San Diego Wine and Culinary Center is an "urban winery" where you can partake in regular happy hours, with $5 glasses of wines and cocktails, as well as hands-on cooking classes.
Stargazing: On the first Wednesday of every month, you can view the stars at the Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater. Experts from the San Diego Astronomy Association set up telescopes, and members of the public can gather at dusk for free stargazing.
