I hate layovers. The thought of running through an airport, bus, or train terminal to catch the next leg of my journey gives me hives—I’m sweating, my heart racing, attempting to sprint while a duffle bag awkwardly bangs against my legs. The more direct the route to my destination, the better.
Sure, it can sometimes be about the journey—a scenic drive along California’s central coast or down Valle de Guadalupe’s Ruta del Vino, for instance—but for a weekend getaway you want minimum travel time, maximum you-time. That was the idea that inspired this month’s cover story. We’ve rounded up 23 locales that are a quick car or plane ride away—no stopover hassles, no neck pillows needed. Lucky for us in San Diego, we’re surrounded by water, mountains, forests, and big cities, so there’s something for every type of traveler, whether you crave an infinity pool, skyline views, outdoor adventure, farm-to-table freshness, or just a great glass of wine. It’s a new year; time for new travels.
The new year also heralded one of the biggest changes ever to hit San Diego, and the state as a whole. Thanks to the passing of Proposition 64 in 2016, recreational, adult-use marijuana is now legal. But before you assume that our fair city will devolve into stoner central, read Troy Johnson’s in-depth look at the big business of the little bud. In “The New Face of Weed,” he explains how marijuana has gone from public enemy number one to a medical miracle drug and sophisticated product that responsible, professional adults are enjoying. As Jena Perez recounts of her cannabis-infused Mind Tricks Toffee, “Soccer moms are hitting me up and say they just want a tiny dose instead of their glass of wine at night.” It’s a fascinating read on the history, politics, and entrepreneurship of the evolving billion-dollar industry.
Ready or not, San Diego, it’s time to start seeing green.
The Ultimate San Diego Summer Guide 2017
Letter from the Editor: Right at Home in San Diego
Letter from the Editor: New Year, New Travels
Taking a (long) weekend getaway to Ojai, four hours north of San Diego, has become an annual pilgrimage for me, my husband, and our dog. We stay at the same cabin every year and follow the same itinerary, which includes a stop at Meditation Mount (pictured) to watch the sunset.
