April 2022- September 2022

I was fortunate to be based in San Diego, California, for 6 months whilst working on a Superyacht. We were docked in Fifth Avenue Landing, located a 10 minute walk into the Gas Lamp district. Gas Lamp district is full of hundreds of amazing bars and restaurants. I would spend my evenings walking along the seafront path up to to the USS Midway Museum and do a loop back through the city streets. Old town San Diego is like going back in time or onto a Wild West movie set. Catching a ferry over to Coronado Island is easy and fast from Broadway pier. Coronado Island is beautiful on a sunny day and it’s popular to cycle around the island or along the large main beach promenade. We spent a lot of time in comedy clubs, the best being Shout House. You can find live music in almost every bar, Music box is the most popular venue, however if you travel 30 mins outside of downtown San Diego to Solana Beach there is a cool music venue called the Belly Up Tavern. Other beaches that I visited were Pacific Beach, Mission Beach and Ocean Beach. All three of these offer a wild night out, if that’s what you’re looking for!

On my weekends off from work I would go on getaways to Los Angeles to visit friends. Tourist stops in LA include; Venice beach, Santa Monica Beach and pier, Griffith Observatory at sunset, Hollywood walk of fame, Gay pride parade on the second week of June and of course visiting the famous Hollywood sign. Dinner out with friends in Silver Lake provides for a more casual evening. Silver Lake is an Eastside neighbourhood filled with indie bars and cafes. My favourite Hollywood bar is The Highlight Room located on top of the Dream Hotel.

During my 6 months living in California the most unforgettable weekend that I had was spent with my 4 best friends renting a house in the middle of the Joshua Tree Dessert. We drove up on a Friday and spent two days by the pool and driving the national park. I had always been fascinated by the visuals in Joshua Tree and had been desperate to see this landscape for years. Hiring a car and driving the park with my best friends was the best way to experience this bucket list weekend. If you’re in Joshua Tree you can’t miss pulling over into one of the Saloon bars dotted around.

Living in California for 6 months was an experience that I feel so grateful to have had and I would love to go back someday!