Top Down San Diego Style in the 2016 Mazda Miata

I couldn’t WAIT to test drive the 2016 Mazda Miata, I was literally counting down the days, envisioning myself with the top down, my hair blowing in the wind. I’ve always been pretty partial to convertibles having driven two ( a Volkswagen Beetle & Ford Mustang) over the past 10 years. Yes they’re small, and perhaps a bit impractical for folks needing space, but the amount of FUN you have in a convertible is so worth impracticability!

In looking to maximize the fun factor in the Miata I thought it would be perfect to take it to as many places that I would enjoy with my ceiling missing. Read on to see just where that was

I’m pretty accustomed to beach cities having lived in Long Beach most of my life, so it was only fitting that I soak in one of my favorite California Beach cities in the Miata, so me and my girlfriend set out for San Diego to soak up some sun Sheryl Crow style.

I knew I wanted our little vaca to be both fun and active, while also cost-effective, so I looked for excursions that would encompass this. Our first stop was Torrey Pines a gliderport located in La Jolla which is about 11 miles north of San Diego. Torrey Pines not only offered a strenuous hike, but was also home to one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been on. Blacks Beach is the treat you receive for a job well done at the end of your hike. The sand is black and the water blue and if you’re in to naked people freely dangling around non-pulsed by your presence they’ve got that too. No seriously there were nude people on the beach, so to say the view was scenic is a bit of an understatement.

The Miata made me feel pretty fearless so when I saw the opportunity for this photographic moment I jumped at it (well actually I walked really really carefully and then kinda sat down and scooted to it).

To keep costs low on our trip, we Air BNB’d a cute townhouse in Pacific Beach a cute little town with tons of shopping and about 20 minutes from the San Diego’s Gaslamp District. While I love being pampered at a 5 star hotel, I have to say I really enjoy the privacy that Air BNB offers.

We were able to save on meals and the amount of space in our rental was perfect! It also didn’t hurt that we were so close to shopping and Fig Tree Cafe, one of the yummiest breakfast cafe’s in all of San Diego county, their California Bennie is worth the trip alone!

In keeping with the “top down” theme of the trip, we visited Hotel Del Coronado – a San Diego resort that boasts a killer view of the Atlantic ocean, fine dining, and shopping. We walked right into the resort without a problem, plopped down in a cabana and watched the sun set over cocktails. It was divine!

If you want to do something cultured I suggest going to Balboa Park – a, 1,200-acre cultural park with open space areas, natural vegetation zones, gardens, and walking paths, it contains museums, several theaters, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Come here for the sites or just bring a lunch and enjoy the scenery, either way it’s somewhere you must go if you’re in the area.

So back to my car review. If you couldn’t already tell, I loved the Mazda Miata! Besides just being fun to drive, I felt safe in the car. Because it’s a two-seater the wind wasn’t an issue so for those worrying about ruining perfectly styled hair, then have no fear. Here are a list of some of the other features I loved about the car.

Dual side temps
Mp3 player and satellite radio
Bluetooth
Blind-spot and rear-cross-traffic alerts
Proximity key
Seat Warmers
Rear camera for easy parallel parking
Although small the trunk was pretty big. We fit all of our luggage AND a 25 inch tv in it (which is another story all in itself)
The “Sport” button I mentioned in this post could also be found in the Miata.
GREAT gas mileage! I filled up one time the WHOLE week and that included getting to and from San Diego!
I loved the sleek body and plush leather interior
Easy to retract convertible top, it was all manual but I could do it easily with one hand
Crisp and clear sound system