Topiary Garden Mission Hills

This Secret San Diego find is on the Topiary Garden in Mission Hills. I had seen these crazy topiaries featured on a Travel Channel show a few years ago, knew it existed in San Diego but never bothered to see it in person. I wasn’t expecting to see huge crazy shapes and animals cut and manicured so beautifully, yes, I am picturing a real life Edward Scissorhands.  I have to say if you have time for a car ride to drive through San Diego, this is one of the places I recommend.  This is a private residence so I did not bother to get out of the car, I parked across the street and got a grand view of all the work that this woman has done to make her front yard whimsical masterpiece. IMG_3140IMG_3139IMG_3132

Posted in San Diego

Midget Houses of La Jolla

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View from Hillside Dr.

I heard from a friend a long time ago about these midget houses up in La Jolla. I have always wondered about the location and where these houses were, but never looked into it, but since I have this blog now I have a reason to look into it. I googled “La Jolla Midget Houses” and found a few articles that were written, details and pics but I wanted to see for myself. I went on a field trip to La Jolla, mapped out the directions 7475 Hillside Dr.- 28 min. from my house the directions said. I was semi-familiar with the area. Only have gone to a house on Mt. Soledad once before for a “donor” party from a previous-previous-previous non-profit job I had once-upon-a-time ago. I remember views to Catalina Island, retractable outdoor roofs, endless pools and a elevator in the house. I know that if you need a elevator in your house, you have a serious house.

Upon a few windy roads, I find gorgeous houses and gorgeous views.IMG_2832 Sort of what I expected, looking at my map over and over for the address, I finally get to the house and to what I didn’t want to expect was I didn’t find anything too exciting. But my curiousity is now answered, didn’t find any cool doors or gnome-sized openings.IMG_2838  Not sure if the writing on the house was really the midget-themed font that I wanted to believe, really nice facade on the side and great landscaping but no sign of the yellow brick road or otherwise. Didn’t get the courage to peek through the shutters over the Keep off Grass SignIMG_2836 but did manage to get a few of my own photos. Overall, it was a nice leisurely drive, but I will stick to La Jolla Cove. Read up on the interesting history behind this myth.IMG_2837IMG_2833.

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Posted in San Diego

Secret Staircases in La Mesa

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A view to Downtown San Diego

Here is a secret tip when it comes to fitness in San Diego. Find a walking path that is challenging and fun. Called the Secret Stairs as mentioned on the official La Mesa Website (link will give you details and location),  4 stairwells with 549 steps in total make this walk challenging, fun and beautiful all-in-one.  Originally used to facilitate foot traffic, these public stairwells are a hidden walking treasure in San Diego County. Every house in this “jewel” of a neighborhood is different, no two are alike, there are many different sizes of houses ranging from cottage style to mini-mansion, a few of these houses even have historical status. This hike is perfect exercise to get your endorphins going in the morning (as I experienced) or before sunset to see the beautiful views of the city (on a clear day you can see Downtown San Diego, the Coronado Bridge and beyond). Highly recommended for the healthy, willing and able. Give it a try and let me know how it goes.

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Posted in Wandering

What is Secret San Diego?

This blog, Secret San Diego will be insight into little known places or factoids about San Diego, things that are not “typical” San Diego such as the Zoo, SeaWorld, Legoland, Beaches etc… Secret San Diego will also give me an outlet to get out of my house and explore more of what I have been calling home for the last 15 years.  I hope to get out more and write about what is overpassed by tourists and locals alike. I hope I get a reader or two that will learn something or maybe perhaps let me know a factoid/place about San Diego I didn’t know about. I hope to uncover many places as well as little secrets for cost savings to San Diego establishments such as restaurants and hotels.

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Posted in San Diego

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