IPO 2025 just wound down, and wow … what a time. San Diego is a cool place that I haven’t been to since I was a wee lad – so it’s as if I was visiting for the first time.

Zoo

It’s a bit weird that the entire place is cashless (seriously, you cannot pass a bill almost anywhere unless you get off the beaten path). That reminds me, I should take some pre-paid credit cards with me next year.

Zoo

It also takes some getting used to that every time you look up, you see a military helicopter (or three) flying in formation, a nuclear-powered carrier looming across the harbor, or a destroyer go trawling by. Usually surrounded by a pack of jet skis.

destroyer

At the same time, the weather is great, and the whole place is dipped in a SoCal vibe that’s kind of hard to put your finger on, yet unmistakable. I could not live in California for reasons, but I’d sure like to visit again.

morning

As for the conference, the IPO annual meeting is as focused and professional as it gets, bringing together many of the best IP minds under one roof (which is more fun than it sounds like, promise). I was lucky to have several good meetings come together, both planned and unplanned. And I played pickleball for the first time ever, which on its own made the trip worth it.