San Diego at Dusk
A lot of people living in the city may have neglected the power of their feet, for oftentimes, they rely on the power of their wheels. However, walking in the city streets can be another fun-filled cardio exercise that can be enjoyed by the city dwellers, if we only take time and give ourselves the physical exercise our body needs. It may pale in comparison to hiking National Parks, but I believe, city Walking Tours can be equally educational. It may not be as challenging, as serene, and as fun compared to hiking the nature trails in the canyons and mountains, but nevertheless, it is a walk that could open our eyes if we take a deeper look around us. In my case, I probably walk in the city streets of San Diego almost everyday,
Balboa Park, San Diego
only that I neglect the beauty and the drama that lies behind these streets. For I am always thinking of a get-away, away from civilization, towards nature's beauty, towards nature's best, which luckily for me, is just but a matter of minutes in San Diego.
Torrey Pines State Reserve, San Diego, CA
I do not even have to take a vacation away from the city to enjoy what I love the most, that is hiking on unpaved trails with nary a feel of civilization.
Enjoying the Sage Scrub and Matilija Poppies in the Trail
On Top of the World @ Mt Woodson
However, there are some instances that I do choose sometimes to take a walk in the paved city streets to enjoy the world that I may be taking everyday but just do not have the time to observe it because of work. One of my favorite city walks in San Diego is at Balboa Park.
Organ Pavillon, Balboa Park
Balboa Park is actually one my favorite places in San Diego to experience natural beauty (there are canyons and mesas that spans through the park), wonderful art and culture, and stunning Spanish Revival architecture.
California Tower, Balboa Park
Hallways of Casa Del Prado
Even though this kind of city walks is on the manicured paths of the city streets, but nevertheless, it can be a good alternative to hiking the backroads sometimes. City walking tour is definitely a cheap way of sightseeing activity for those who are usually visiting another city. Anyone can look online for some guides to take walking tours like in New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, or London walking tours. If you are planning to have a stop-over at some city in your next vacation, you can definitely take a city walking tour and you can find a lot of resource online to help in your planning. Some of my friends in London for example who are enjoying so much photography right now, are finding tips where to spend their walking tours of London for sightseeing and photography most of the time online as well.
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wow, i simply love all yr pictures!
ReplyDeleteYou aare right Bets, we sometimes ignore what we have in our own backyard. We wanted to explore Balboa Park, but time was not enough. Now that the heat is soaring, we can come back in the Fall for a cooler weather. But San Diego has the best weather year round.
ReplyDeleteKhai's niece would love the Science Center. It is also free. There are at least 8 ecosystems. The Rose Garden is in front of the Center.
I should have linked their web page.
Hi Ebs, thanks, I will look for the website of Science Center in LA, I am also very interested, my favorite museum here in San Diego is the Natural History Museum, Museum of Man and Science Museum, which all have to do with Science :)
ReplyDeleteYes, you do not have to wait for fall for cooler weather, we have very mild weather and cooler than most parts of the country in the summer :)
Such beautiful architecture and landscaping in Balboa Park, I'd love to stroll through there someday. :)
ReplyDeleteIf I hadn't settled in the San Francisco area, San Diego would have been my second choice. It is such a beautiful area and you always so us what to see and do. Your photography, both of nature, flowers, the city, mountains, desert, is phenomenal!
ReplyDeleteSan Diego is a top city, don't miss out on the Zoo
ReplyDeleteBetchai! You got me envious again with your WANDERful photos,lol. I just hope we have those views right here in Marikina so I wouldn't have to dream of going somewhere else to explore.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures, and what a nice place to enjoy! Balboa Park looks wonderful..
ReplyDeleteCity tour is not a bad idea if not because of the hot sun.
ReplyDeleteI love walking in the jungle under the canopy of trees.
I love the view from top of San Diego :)
ReplyDeleteYou make a very good point. There are some very good things in a city that any of us can see. Your pictures help explain that very well also. Near me there are several historical buildings. They each have signs outside that explain their historical significance. Walking to find them would be a fun hike.
ReplyDeleteMiss Beth, the Balboa Park seemed to be both beautiful and interesting...
ReplyDeleteDoing a tour of one's own place can open one's eyes to sights and views that are always taken for granted by the used-to locals...
My favorite pic is the one with the hallway... :)
it's amazing how often you have walked these places and took pictures and yet you still have a lot to say about it. and you're never short of readers. good job! - rca
ReplyDeletegreat pics! Leg work is fine - as long as the weather permits and the stamina is there!!
ReplyDeleteI like the picture of you in the middle of the flower fields Betchai. It's so carefree- great spirits. Love those other scenic pictures too, and San Diego has been going up on my list since I've know you.
ReplyDeleteBetchai, as always I am in awe of you. Your photos not only display but tell stories of journeys and places with such heart, soul and passion. Torrey Pines is gorgeous and I have to see that someday.
ReplyDeleteI will never have a problem with walking when these are the things or sceneries that I will see on the way.
ReplyDeletei can have all the planning from you once we get to iron out any plans of visiting san diego =)
ReplyDeletenytnyt!!!
We spent a lot of time walking around NYC on Sunday. While not as intense as hiking, it is definitely tiring.
ReplyDeleteI love the diversity that you show us!!! Such beauty and fun!
ReplyDeleteNice photos! Walking in the city is OK but I prefer walking in the parks! Haha!
ReplyDeleteseriously i gotta find time to slow down n walk. walking takes time n time is so limited even though most times i end up doing nothing
ReplyDeleteI think if I lived in the city I would walk because I don't like driving, and parking in all that traffic. I did live in the suburbs of Chicago at one point in my life, but you had to drive to get where you wanted to go.
ReplyDeleteTheir city is simply amazing. it's so quiet.
ReplyDelete