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We want to give you a little taste of our fall issue Jet Setter story on family travel through the San Diego area. Enjoy our pictorial adventure through the Southern California area between San Diego and Carlsbad, California.
WHERE TO LAY YOUR HEAD
Hotel del Coronado is one of the few beachfront resorts in the San Diego area. This Victorian hotel, built in 1887, is one of the largest wooden buildings in America and one of only a few seaside resorts of this architectural style still standing. Highlights include playing on the beach, ice-cream at the shop on the bottom floor and family beach yoga.
ENO, at Hotel Del Coronado, is an artisan pizzeria and wine bar in an energetic setting reminiscent of a neighborhood wine bar. Their unique community-style seating offers both indoor dining and outdoor dining along the fire pits. The culinary program features Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas and small plates built to share or enjoy individually. Wine enthusiasts will enjoy choosing from a boutique selection of California and international wine producers including a few gems that can only be found at ENO.
Paradise Point Resort & Spa is tucked away on gentle Mission Bay in the heart of San Diego. Paradise Point Resort & Spa features comfortable bungalow-style rooms amidst lush, tropical gardens, tranquil lagoons, and one mile of sandy beach next door to SeaWorld. Scattered across the 44-acre island, you’ll find plenty of room to roam and relax with five swimming pools, beach bonfire pits, a marina, five dining venues, an award-winning spa and endless recreation options. Paradise Point and its amenities offer a unique San Diego vacation experience for both families and couples with a location that is secluded, yet centrally situated; the airport, downtown San Diego and top attractions including Old Town, the San Diego Zoo, and Balboa Park are all just minutes away from the resort.
Perched where land meets sea on the shores of San Diego’s Mission Bay, Tidal is a restaurant that offers a thoughtful dining selection of local seafood and craft beverages that, like the ever changing tides, shift seasonally at Mother Nature’s whim. Anchored by deep Mediterranean influences, Chef Amy DiBiase presents modern, light adaptations of traditional seafood dishes such as olive oil poached halibut, ricotta gnudi and chicken confit. Keeping in even keel with the kitchen, the bar offers an impressive collection of boutique wines, SoCal craft beers and mixed drinks by cocktail craftsmen Snake Oil.
Located just four blocks from the Pacific Ocean in Carlsbad, CA, 30 miles north of San Diego and 55 miles south of Los Angeles, West Inn & Suites is equally renowned for its luxurious detailing and impeccable service. The hotel’s amenities and value added perks along with location offer guests the very best in accommodations for business travelers and vacationers visiting Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego and Carlsbad California. West Inn & Suites is a celebrated and award winning independent boutique-style hotel offering relaxed barefoot coastal surroundings and unlimited recreational activities. Fabulous dining choices include the contemporary and casual Bistro West, along with Zagat rated fine dining option at West Steak and Seafood.
Raul, one of the West Farm’s onsite farmers, treated us to a tour of their 3-acre farm which serves to grow produce for the property’s two dining options, Bistro West & West Steak & Seafood. From micro greens and mimosa trees in the greenhouse to celery root and squash blossoms outside, the farm can grow year-round.
All of the planting is organic, which makes it nice when you can simply pluck a ripe cherry tomato off the plant and pop it into your mouth. Raul says, “Food is like the first medicine for our bodies.”
Raul explained the concept of “three sisters planting,” which is companion planting of corn, squash and beans/ peas so that each helps the other in its own way to thrive.
Nestled along the sunny Pacific Coast in Northern San Diego, Cape Rey is the premier choice for the California traveler who seeks something different and unique. Only 150 steps to the surf, and minutes to LEGOLAND® California Resort and the historic Del Mar Race Track. A short drive will have you at SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park, famous regional wineries, or award-winning craft breweries. For adventurous types we outfit you for local deep-sea fishing, sailboat cruises, horseback riding, paddle boarding, snorkeling, surfing lessons, and kayak explorations.
WHAT TO DO
Jet Boat tour with Flagship Cruises
Go aboard the Patriot Jet Boat for an unforgettable San Diego experience. Zip and zoom around the bay on an entertaining tour of the waterfront’s most scenic spots—past military ships, along the downtown skyline, and under the iconic Coronado Bridge. The 70-foot Patriot comfortably seats 139 and offers fantastic views in every direction. With rock music pumping, your highly skilled captain will narrate and navigate while executing 360-degree turns and reaching speeds upwards of 50 mph. Propelled by two 1,400 horsepower jet engines, it’s the adrenaline adventure of a lifetime!
San Diego Zoo Global is a not-for-profit organization that operates the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. It was founded on October 2, 1916, by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D. The 100-acre (40-hectare) Zoo is home to over 650 species and subspecies, and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. It is located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park.
On March 20, 1999, LEGOLAND® opened for the first time on a 9-acre site. All buildings, landscapes and vehicles were built using standard LEGO bricks, and the park’s success exceeded everyone’s expectations – in the first year alone, 625,000 happy visitors were guests at the park! LEGOLAND California is a 128-acre park geared specifically towards youngsters ages 2 -8. With over 60 family rides, “hands-on” attractions and shows, LEGOLAND California provides education, adventure and fun in this first park of its kind in the United States.
Founded in 1998 by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), the Museum of Making Music, was developed to showcase and celebrate the music products industry. Soon thereafter, in March 2000, the Museum was opened to the public. For over ten years, the Museum has provided opportunities for cultural enrichment while preserving our musical heritage through special exhibitions, innovative concerts and educational programs aimed toward a wide range of audiences. On permanent display are hundreds of vintage instruments, audio and video clips, and a vibrant interactive area. Organized chronologically, each gallery features the historic milestones, popular music and instruments of those eras.
Spend the day in Oceanside:
Wheel Fun Rentals
Wheel Fun Rentals is located just below the Oceanside Pier. Rentals include traditional bikes, as well as surrey bike rentals that can accommodate the whole family. Bike along the beach strand or all the way to the Oceanside Harbor (10 minute ride). For extended experience, the popular San Luis Rey bike trail begins at the harbor and travels along the river trail for 7 miles. Very tranquil, safe and flat route.
Located two-blocks from the pier, CSM is an Oceanside favorite and chronicles the exciting history of surf-related sports. One of the most popular displays is pro-surfer Bethany Hamilton’s actual shark-bitten surfboard from the attack that took her arm when she was 13.
Visit Oceanside Pier
Oceanside is home to the longest over-water wooden pier on the west coast. Stroll along and meet the resident pelican “Charlie” and check out the day’s catch by the pier fisherman. If desired, rent your own pole from the bait shop and try your hand pier fishing.
Lunch at Hello Betty
Diners enjoy a laid-back Baja inspired menu (shrimp tacos are a favorite), ocean views and a front row seat to Oceanside’s iconic “Top Gun” house. Sit outside on the patio, upstairs at the view deck, or inside near the popular and kid-friendly dune buggy.
The Safari Park is an expansive wildlife sanctuary that is home to more than 2,600 animals representing more than 300 species. Its renowned botanical collection represents 3,500 species and 1.5 million specimens. Over half of the Park’s 1,800 acres (730 hectares) have been set aside as protected native species habitat. It is located 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of downtown San Diego in the San Pasqual Valley near Escondido, California.
WHERE TO EAT
Whether you’re looking for brunch, dinner or happy hour in downtown San Diego or University Heights, Café 21 offers mouthwatering gastronomic creations unlike any other restaurants in San Diego and the Gaslamp District. With a flavorful menu crafted by premiere chef Layla Javadov, their dishes incorporate the best local, organic, farm-to-table ingredients to build the finest, socially conscious dining experience.
Bistro West’s seasonally-evolving menu reflects the creativity of chefs who plant, harvest and create from their own three-acre farm, The West Farm. The menu features, “The Classics,” a selection of local favorites such as filet mignon beef stroganoff and chicken pot pie in addition to the hand-made pizzas, pastas, and burgers. The culinary team at West are dedicated to providing you with an exceptional dining experience of farm-fresh, “real food,” served in a casual and lively atmosphere that has you returning to experience what’s new at every season.
Puesto is one of San Diego’s hottest modern Mexican at the quaint seaside village of La Jolla. Puesto is known for their Mexico City-style tacos with crispy, melted cheese wrapped in fresh house-made tortillas served in a fun and energetic atmosphere. The menu, which focuses tacos and traditional Mexican fare, features the freshest seafood, vegetables and meats in house-made braises.
By Marika Flatt
