On this stop of our Southwest Loop Adventure we explored the city and nature in and around San Diego.

Pictures from the Chula Vista Bayside Birding & Walking Trail, and the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge:

Northing Mockingbird

While it's, unfortunately, invasive on the coast here, ice plant is prolific and beautiful when blooming.

A Snowy Egret looking for lunch

There were so many cactus blooms at the Wildlife Refuge - beautiful!

More ice plant.

Next, views from a San Diego Harbor tour:

The San Diego skyline.

The Coronado Bridge.

Sea lions basking in the sun.

Brown Pelicans and Cormorants.

This independence-class littoral combat ship was one of many ships within the harbor as part of the US Pacific fleet.

Next we visited the Maritime Museum of San Diego, an amazing museum where you can tour nearly a dozen ships including several sailing ships, steam-powered vessels, even a submarine.

(Far) The Star of India, built in 1863 - the world's oldest active sailing ship. (Near) The MS Surprise – A replica of an 18th-century Royal Navy frigate. This vessel was featured in Master and Commander.

H at the helm of The Star of India. We were able to go aboard and tour every ship and were nearly the only ones there - it was fantastic!

T taking a turn at the helm on the MS Surprise.

The San Salvador – A beautiful recreation of the galleon that first explored the West Coast in 1542.

 Inside the USS Dolphin – The deepest-diving submarine in U.S. Navy history.

 Next, Balboa Park...

Inside the Botanical Building.

The Spanish Village Art Center.

A Dragon Tree.