While in LA, we took a trip to the beautiful Manhattan Beach, where I ventured waste deep into the ocean, the furthest I have ever ventured at a beach for fear of drowning or freezing to death. Even in a heatwave, the shoreline that I normally visit here at home is always cold. I didn't have to worry about that down in Hollywood, where the sun was ablaze and both the sand and sea were warm and inviting.


However, I did have to worry about being pushed down and swallowed by a wave, which resulted in me losing my favorite sunglasses!


I had a blast though. I am so jealous of my LA family who can hit the beach on a daily basis if they want to. I'm not a fan of the sand, but I always make an exception for the beach!

Once in San Diego, we got all cute and hit the gay strip. I've never met so many nice people in one place in my life. Well, except for the parent community at Cal, and the blogosphere, but yeah, it was hard to say goodbye when the time came. Made me super ashamed that I am a Bay Area native and I've never been to the Castro. Hell, just merely admitting that brings me great shame. It will surely be my next first adventure!

Our first night in SD landed us at a nice bar, where a cute queer named Tyler thought I was fabulous and asked me to dance. I regret not getting my booty up off the barstool, but I was exhausted from the drive down, and the 2 Malibu and cranberries that I had didn't help. The bartender was equally as hot, and thought that the straight tourists in the spot were such an addition that he bought us all a round of shots. We were totally working the whole minority thing up in there.

The party continued the next day as we headed to have lunch at a place called Baja Betty's. Great food and great happy hour Margaritas. Who knew that non-alcoholic Barbara would be drinking too days in a row... and for lunch at that! Again, us tourists were working the joint; with my friend Gina befriending the cute bartender Paco, myself becoming new friends with Gina's old friends, and all of us just enjoying a good laugh and an all around good time.


And what'll ya know... Paco bought all of us a round a shots!


Thanks Paco.

After making a stop in a book store and gawking at The Big Penis Book, we went back to a friend's house for a movie, which turned out to be more of a group nap when I looked around and noticed that everyone had passed out on me. I woke up to realize that Gunner the cat had drank my water while I was asleep... why else would there be a tickle in my throat? Always a possible result after happy hour, right? Let's just say that was my last alcoholic beverage while on vacation.

The next days brought beautiful sites like Old Town San Diego and the historic Hotel del Coronado.


Both were extraordinary. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures this time, nor did I get to visit the museums of Balboa Park. We chose to go there on the same day that everyone else in the city did! Just one more reason that I'll have to return soon for more adventures.

Have you taken your summer vacation/staycation yet?