Getting American Again Phase 1

So, part of becoming American again is appreciating America as much as I appreciate Syria. I trekked the hell out of Syria, and I've come to believe that Aleppo is my favorite city on Earth. Could this be true? Can I live in a country with tens of huge cities and my favorite is halfway across the world?

The reason for this is that I've never really gone anywhere. I've been to Cleveland a few times--most of the times when I was younger (Cleveland Indians and Browns games with my dad). I've been to Cincinnati a few times in the past couple of years, and I'm not too fond of it (though my favorite cafe in Ohio is there--but it's not good enough to make up for how inconveniently spread out the city is. Plus it gives off a vague vibe of being too close to Kentucky.)

I went to New York for a couple hours each going to and coming back from Syria. I had a very mixed experience, but I still intend to explore the city more and hopefully come to appreciate what it has to offer. I went to Pittsburgh once but didn't spend more than a day there--though my first impression was really good.

I grew up near Mansfield (which isn't much of a "big" city to speak of) and I've been living in Columbus for about four years. So I've been to all the big cities in Ohio, Pittsburgh, and New York for a few hours. From growing up in the Midwest, I have an automatic fondness for it, but I haven't even been to Chicago--The Big City of the Midwest. Is it any wonder that my favorite city is in Syria?

So phase 1 of getting American again is figuring out what exactly America is. I can't and haven't made judgments about American cities because I've never even been west of the border of Ohio and Indiana, and up until my trip to Syria, east of Pittsburgh. So part 1 of phase 1 is San Diego. I'm there from now until Monday morning. Updates are forthcoming.

P.S. Moscow and Las Vegas don't count, because I've only been in their airports and hovering above their cities.

P.P.S. Part 2 could be New Orleans in the spring, and Part 3 through X could be part of a train expedition over the summer.

P.P.P.S. I'm taking pictures but didn't bring my connector, so they won't be available until after I get back.