Surrounded by Animals – San Diego

The amount of wildlife on display here in San Diego has made me acutely aware of the lack thereof in many other parts of the country (at least that I’ve visited). After the incredible fishing trip when I first arrived where I was thrilled to see:

Dolphins

Pelicans

...and Sea Lions

I had the pleasure of visiting the World Famous San Diego Zoo!

Thanks to Amy, Colin & little Sophie from Orange County

Some of my favorites include:

two Giraffes eating

a Camel chewing marshmallow fluff

the Panda gnawing on bamboo (reminds me of Girlpawn - her favorite)

the Condor

and the Lion...

thankfully not spraying!

Then the other day at the beach I caught a few more…

Harbor Seals during pupping season...

Baby Seal learning to move on land (similar to an inchworm)

and this Seagull chillin' on the rocks caught my attention with that bright orange beak and there was something about his demeanor that was incredibly calm and free.

My other favorite animals here in San Diego are of a very different variety…variety being the operative word:

Prospect Bar & Grill’s

Spicy Garlic Chicken Wings

Burger Lounge’s

Turkey Burger w/white chedder, grilled onions and lots of basil

PrepKitchen’s

Tuna Melt of poached Albacore, remoulade & aged Gouda (by far the best I've ever had)

Bare Back Grill’s

Bare Lil Lamb Burger - blue cheese, mint dressing, beetroot, house chutney, aioli, & LTO best topped with a fried egg. You'd be hard pressed to find a better burger in Southern California.

Dobson’s Bar & Restaurant’s

Sauteed Sea Bass & Shrimp w/ a light sauce, carrots, asparagus and mushrooms over mashed potatoes. Be sure to try their fresh baked sourdough bread, it's phenomenal.

Flavor Del Mar’s

Veal Cheek Cassoulet w/Beef Short Ribs, Pork Belly & Duck Breast, potatoes, cranberry beans, pearl onions and a rich red wine reduction. This dish is a carnivore heaven.

Côté Sud Bistro’s

Mousse de Foie Gras served over diced sauteed apples with cornichons

and

Moules Marinieres - Steamed Mussels served over the best white wine sauce ever created by man*

(*I can’t even begin to tell you how much I’d hate for you to prove me wrong. #wheredidiputthatsarcasmfont?)

- The Groupawn

4 Comments

Joanie says:

February 28, 2011 at 6:47 pm

I need to move where I can enjoy sea lions living in their natural habitat on a daily basis. I actually want one for a pet — but my pool may be too small. I also agree with Girlpawn, Panda’s are pretty cool too. But so are the giraffes and the lions and tigers and bears. Oh my! I can’t stop — the dolphins are also awesome. Yikes.