For all you Biologists out there heading to Experimental Biology 2018 in San Diego at the end of the month (April 21st – 25th), we at Pipette.com have put together a little list of some fun things for you and your lab group to do, in between networking and soaking up the SoCal sunshine! Some of these suggestions may even be a good opportunity to do both simultaneously, while sampling San Diego life. Enjoy!
Eat Tacos!
San Diego has FANTASTIC Mexican food! Two of my personal favorite places to get fish tacos are Oscars Mexican Seafood, which has multiple locations around San Diego including one in Pacific Beach that is just off the beach, and The Fish Shop in Pacific Beach, which has a huge selection of seafood fillings to choose from, a bar with great craft beers (and everything else you might want) and a really cool fire pit! They also let you bring your own wine which is pretty cool!
If fish isn’t your thing, then check out The Taco Stand, which is equally amazing and delicious, but with less of a fishy vibe! There is one in La Jolla and one downtown.
Take a Stroll Around Balboa Park
Balboa Park is the green and leafy oasis in the heart of the city, where a multitude of activities and attractions can be found. It’s big too. In fact, Balboa p
ark is larger than New York’s Central Park! It contains open space areas, natural vegetation zones, green belts, gardens, and walking paths, as well as multiple museums, several theaters and the world-renowned San Diego Zoo.
It’s a great place to stroll around and do some exploring, or simply soak up the sun. You can also play Frisbee golf at the north end of the park! There are some lovely restaurants located in and around the park too if you get peckish, and anyway, downtown is not too far away.
Go Snorkeling in La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove is part of the La Jolla Underwater Park and is teaming with wildlife! There are many different varieties of fish, in a multitude of colors, as well as seals and other wildlife that you can get right up close to. The sheltered cove gives rise to calm and tranquil waters that are warm and ideal for snorkeling in and exploring the underwater world with ease.
The cove is located in the heart of La Jolla village and is ideal for not only snorkeling but also scuba diving and swimming. You can also rent paddle boards and kayaks at the beach just around the north corner of the cove, and these are a great way of going around the outside of the cove and seeing the cove and La Jolla from the sea.
Beer and Games in Coin-Op
Coin-Op Game Room is San Diego’s go-to destination for games, expertly made cocktails, local craft brews, and refined food all in the one location! This relatively new and extremely popular mix of classic arcade games and drinks creates an energetic and fun atmosphere to unwind in after a long day of talks! Offering the best of retro arcade games, top-ranked pinball machines, multi-player games, and popular sports games, Coin-Op has something for everyone. Snack on some pizza, drink some drinks, crush some pennies, and visit “the guy”, all while destroying space invaders or dance-dancing your way to a high score. Who is the most competitive in your lab group...?
Catch a Sunset at Sunset Cliffs
There are so many great places to watch a sunset in San Diego that it makes it pretty hard to pick just one. However, Sunset Cliffs is aptly named. Situated just south of Ocean Beach, Sunset Cliffs is a beautiful stretch of cliffs (upon which some amazing houses are built!) where many people go every day to sit and watch the sun go down over the Pacific Ocean. Many do so with a picnic, or head into Ocean Beach after the sun goes down for some tasty grub!
This is also a great spot to get a picture of the sunset or to potentially catch a glimpse of the elusive green flash. Other great places to see the sunset include by the pier in Pacific Beach and atop Mount Soledad near La Jolla.
Devour a Burger at the World Famous Hodad’s in Ocean Beach
After watching the sun go down from Sunset Cliffs you might be hungry! Hodad’s is an iconic burger joint in Ocean Beach, established in 1969 and serving the “world’s best burgers” ever since, due to great fresh ingredients, huge portions and a vibrant and buzzing atmosphere. Depending on the day and time there is usually a line. But don’t worry, it moves fast and is most certainly worth the wait! It is also located in the heart of Ocean Beach and only a few blocks from the beach, so you can always walk off the calories when you’re done!
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
If you still feel like you need a little more exercise or an outdoor activity to work off the rest of that Hodad’s burger, why not go for a walk, or mild hike, in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
Located just north of La Jolla, Torrey Pines is 2,000 acres of coastal state parkland situated within the San Diego city limits. However, this coastal stretch of natural reserve feels far more remote and untouched. There are many trails to walk, none of which are overly demanding, and there are some stunning views of the coastline to be had. My personal favorite path brings you along the coastal scrub, then down through the cliffs onto the beach, along which you can then walk back to the start of the trail. A great place to explore and spend a few downtime hours in the morning or afternoon sun!
And there you have it, 7 Great Things to Do in San Diego During Your Stay for Experimental Biology 2018!
There should surely be enough options here to keep you busy during any free time you may have in San Diego while you visit for EB 2018. However, if you are looking for even more options, or something a little more adventurous or different, check out a previous article I wrote here!
By the way, if you are a fan of breakfast or brunch, I’d HIGHLY recommend Café 21. It’s situated along Adams Ave in the middle of downtown, so it’s only a short walk to and from the convention center, and the food is AMAZING!! Check it out some morning!
