On my recent trip to San Diego I noticed some interesting differences between us and our American friends. North Americans are all pretty similar for the most part but there were a few things worth noting. These observations pertain specifically to Toronto and San Diego.

* Sumo size me
American restaurants feel the need to load plates up with enough to satisfy a sumo wrestler. Towards the end of our trip we were really tired of eating out and told the server we would like something light. She recommended we have their fish dish, but said it might be too small to share as it was only 16 oz. 16 oz!! That is double the size you would get in a comparable restaurant in Toronto.

Despite the immensity of their appetites there were very few obese people. In fact bodies were pretty average. I chalk that up to good weather and healthy active lifestyles.

* California causes cancer
Everywhere you turn there is a warning sign posted saying something to the effect of: "This area contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects and reproductive harm." This sign is EVERYWHERE. Literally. By the pool, on the door of the hotel... pretty much anywhere the general public would go. It was like subliminal hypnotism: You WILL get cancer. You WILL get cancer.

On a positive note I noticed there are a lot less smokers in San Diego than Toronto, where you can't walk downtown without getting blast from someone's cigarette. Huge pet peeve of mine by the way. If you are a smoker, please be aware of those around you. No one enjoys being trapped behind you on the sidewalk inhaling your second hand smoke.


* Weather
This is obvious but it can have a huge impact on a person. San Diego weather is gorgeous every. single. day. Not a cloud in the sky. Perfect, blissful sun and blue skies. Our sky is gray all winter and sometimes even in the summer. Then there are times when it has a lovely brownish hue from the smog. Because of their brilliant weather, San Diegoans have different priorities...

* No fashion
I couldn't find a fashion district. And I looked very hard. Our dollar is strong, their prices are good. I wanted to spend my money. A M.A.C makeup artist with clown makeup recommended HillCrest for it's "string of boutiques and vintage shops". I excitedly hopped in a cab and 15 minutes later found myself in the gaybourhood staring at a goodwill store. I popped into a French restaurant for breakfast hoping they could tell me where all the shops were. The server raised an eyebrow. "Someone told you there was shopping here? All of our shopping is in the mall." The clown had played fool the tourist. All I bought from San Diego were few things at Express and Calvin Klein from the mall. BTW, would love to see an Express store here in Toronto.


* They are just as friendly
Canadians are always accused of being friendly, which we are, but Californians are just as friendly - in some cases even moreso (gasp!). I know this is traitorous of me, but Torontonians can be downright rude and grumpy - especially on the highway. In Toronto if you don't punch the gas as soon as the light changes to green (ideally you have been watching the signal changing in the opposite direction and have already started accelerating), you will get angry honks and possibly even lose your rear bumper. The same goes with escalators. Walk to the left, stand on the right. There are rules for the sidewalk as well. They are simple. Move your @ss.

In La Jolla as we were looking out the window at the scenery like typical tourists at an intersection, a Pink Panther hippie van (am serious) honked anxiously at us, we turned our eyes to the road just in time to see the car ahead of us casually rolling backwards nearly colliding with us. The honk spurred the driver to step on the gas and as we drove away the hippie panther man cheerfully shouted, "You owe me!" A savvy Torontonian would have whipped out their cell phone and made a video of the accident for youtube.

* Restaurants close silly early
What is the deal with restaurants closing at 8:30/9pm - on a weekend?? In Toronto the cool kids would never make a dinner reservation before 8pm. 9 is ideal. Then they hit the clubs at midnight and have pizza on the way home at 3am. We attempted to eat out in Little Italy at 8:30pm on a Sunday and were turned away from every restaurant. On that note...


* San Diego is not a party town
It is a military city with helicopters always buzzing overhead. It is very family oriented but downtown doesn't bustle. It seems like most of the action happens on the beach and in the residential areas. While their downtown is beautiful and immaculate it isn't that busy. Toronto downtown is always buzzing with activity.

* Prices are better
I was really surprised that the hotel and restaurant prices were the same if not better than they are in Toronto. San Diego = climate paradise. I thought it would be a lot more expensive. Everything was cheaper. My favorite shampoo and conditioner from Kiehls were about 40% less than they are here so I stocked up. Designer jeans are also a much better deal there. In the fall I found a pair of J-Brand jeans on sale for $200. At Bloomingdales in S.D they were regular priced $150. Make a mental note: Buy designer jeans in US only. I could go on and on about this.

* Accent
Though we sound pretty much the same, San Diego locals were unable to place our "accent". My brother, who is from Winnipeg received a compliment on his lovely British accent. We were asked if we were visiting from the Netherlands. Question. What does a Canadian sound like?

I still think I would love to live in California. I'm not a winter girl. Am allergic. In fact as soon as I got home I got myself a wretched head cold. Next I would like to visit San Fransisco. Berge at Salon Tonic said I would probably love because there are "lots of wacky people there." What do you think? Which is the best city in California and do you agree with my observations?

Read the daily recap from my trip to San Diego