San Diego, California

Normally I would rent a car or drive my own car down south for a San Diego show, but I decided to go by rail this time. I didn't feel like driving in traffic, let alone rain.

I started by catching the Metrolink Train in Lancaster at 6:45AM Sunday morning. It's early and there are very few people on the train. They recently started Sunday service to Los Angeles which saved me from driving to LA and parking. I arrive at Los Angeles Union Station at around 8:30AM. Union Station is an interesting place to visit. This is actually my first time here and I was born in LA. Union Station was built in 1939 and has beautiful Terra Cotta Tile and Marble floors.

From Union Station, I take the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner down to San Diego Station. By 12:30PM, Superbowl Sunday, I am in San Diego. I have to work right away at the Convention Center but am done by around 4:00PM so I can see the rest of the Superbowl.

I am staying at the Marriott Gaslamp which is only about 3 blocks from the convention center. Normally I stay at the Marina Marriott but the last couple of years I have stayed here. This is one of my favorite Marriott Properties now. I have a nice room on the 20th floor with a view of the bay on one side and Petco Park on the other. There is no game going on but they were having some kind of social event on the field last night.

I didn't realize it but San Diego has a Mardi Gras Celebration this week as well. I just returned from New Orleans and missed the Mardi Gras by one day. Maybe I will check out San Diego's version this week. It starts at 6:00PM costs $20 to get in. No cameras allowed so I won't be posting any pictures.

I wrap this show up on Thursday night and will head back on the Amtrak Friday morning. I'm home for 4 days this time and then head on to Baltimore Maryland.