21st Birthday (San Diego)

Oh, how time flies! It was just like yesterday when I was still reading bedtime stories and hosting my daughters' birthday parties; but, now my youngest daughter is an adult facing a lot of challenges in achieving her dreams and trying to be independent. When your child turns 21, it's kind of a relief and a worry at the same time... How will she go handle this big and amazing world? Twenty one years has gone by and she has turned into an amazing and responsible woman. It's even funny that I still treat her like a little girl sometimes. I guess it's hard to let go and realize she is already spreading her wings as an adult.

Looking at her now, I know that I've done something right in guiding her in achieving a very important milestone in her life: graduating college. But, being a mother is not easy. There's no formula that you can master, but it's how you face the challenges and prepare yourself for crises that happen along the way. I know that I'm not perfect, but I did my best to be a mother who she could look up to.

She didn't want a birthday party for her 21st, so we went to a trip as a present instead. I wished that we had enough time to go to all the places that we planned to visit. We had a great time and a lot of memories to cherish. Also, I would like to thank the Ocampo family for helping explore San Diego.

Here are some of the famous landmarks we toured in the city of San Diego. San Diego is located in Southern California not far from the Mexico border, founded in 1769. It has 68 miles of beaches in and around the city for tanning and surfing.

Famous Landmarks

1. Downtown San Diego - It is located only ten minutes from the airport. Modern and historic buildings stand side by side here. This location is also in the downtown Gaslamp district; housing shops and boutiques, trendy nightclubs, and fine dining restaurants.

2. Horton  Plaza - One of California's most interesting shopping centers. It has bright colors with open displays. It contains all kinds of major department stores, shops, restaurants, and movie theaters.

3. Balboa Park - This place is over 1,400 acres and contains historical buildings, museums, gardens. This is my favorite landmark. Even if you don't go inside the buildings, it is simply a beautiful place.

4. Old Town Historic Park - The town has a Mexican look and has early American history. It was founded in 1820. There are interesting shops and restaurants with outdoor patios. It is also the most visited state park in California.

5. USS Midway Museum - This place is a maritime museum located along the San Diego waterfront trail. We didn't go inside, but we took pictures of the ship.

6. Mt. Soledad - This is a place that is a prominent landmark located on top of Mt Soledad in the LaJolla neighborhood. Unfortunately the staff were renovating the cross, so it was covered. As a result, we didn't take any pictures. It was a very peaceful place with a 360-degree view of San Diego.

7. La Jolla - It is a hilly seaside community, occupying 7 miles of curving coastline along the Pacific Ocean. This place has spectacular views.

8. Coronado Island - It is a resort across and around San Diego Bay. It has a beautiful wooden hotel located in the Coronado beach. There is a rumor that it is haunted by a ghost. For me, this is the best place in San Diego. It has a gorgeous view and the bridge is a focal point.

9. Westin Hotel - This is a hotel we stayed at, located in the downtown area.