5 Cities
15 Restaurants
13 Bakeries
8 Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt Shops
4 Drink Places
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008
My 38th birthday. Think I’ll go somewhere warm.
Nice view from the hotel. 72 degrees.
While checking in I think I see something out of place and lean over the counter to confirm. “Is that a space heater?” I incredulously ask. “There’s a breeze”, as the young lady guiltily points to an open door. I explain, “When I left the house this morning it was 16 degrees. That’s when you need a space heater.” “Oh my, how can you live like that?! It gets to 50 here and we are freezing.”
After getting a week membership at the San Diego Athletic Club only 2 blocks from the hotel stumble upon…a bakery.
The Gaslamp Quarter is San Diego’s premier destination for shopping, dining and nightlife.
This area exposes a rich heritage of grand buildings showcasing the architectural grandeur of yesterday. Intricately detailed facades evoke great workmanship which inventories decades of character.
A typical SoCal shopping and entertainment complex Horton Plaza’s multiple levels twist and turn in a kaleidoscope of consumerism.
A jut into the bay Embarcadero Marine Park is an oasis of green granting views of the skyline and water.
Seaport Village ambles along the coastline with fine courtyards, twisting streams, calming fountains, and brick paths leading to a variety of pleasant shops.
Yeah, who's going to pass up this display? The Chocolate Chip had more nuts than dough.
Coronado is the only town on North Island lying in the San Diego Bay. The ferry to Coronado affords a winning view of the San Diego skyline.
On July 12th, 2003 I had the honor to attend the commissioning of the USS Ronald Reagan at Norfolk Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia. Half of North Island is occupied by the Naval Air Station and is the home port of this aircraft carrier. So I was able to admire this mighty vessel again.
Near the ferry dock is a polished complex of retail and dining oriented toward the skyline view.
Coronado’s shopping district lays on the other end of the island. The remarkable examples of Art Deco buildings are so pristine you’d think you’d stepped into the 1930s. The famed Hotel Del Coronado was outlined in beaconing lights.
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
In a neighborhood north of downtown Hob Nob Hill Restaurant is a remainder of mid-century deluxe urban coffee shops and evokes a spirit of civility.
To the northeast of downtown is a treasure of acres of undulating terrain called Balboa Park.
This remarkable complex houses numerous museums, countless immaculate gardens, 2 golf courses, pools, San Diego Zoo, an amphitheatre, lawn bowling, trails, miniature railroad, restaurants, tennis, etc, etc.
Along El Prado is a treasure trove of Spanish Baroque buildings. Their complicated details were spellbinding and required head craning and swiveling.
The San Diego Automotive Museum houses a small collection spanning the history of motoring.
As luck would have it they had a Ferrari exhibit for the winter. This necessitated staring to study these works of art and engineering masterpieces.
Botanical Building
Walking northward out of the park in the climbing heat a welcoming respite was this frozen yogurt concept common in the town. Self-service pay by the ounce non-fat frozen yogurt in several flavors with dozens of toppings. Garnishments run the range from chips, candy, cereal, fruit, sauces, granola, cookies, nuts and sprinkles.
Café on Park has an American Bistro feel with a creative menu and wall of windows bathing the chic interior.
Uptown’s flair is eclectic. Look, another yogurt place!
Although I don’t care about the whole (pun intended) organic, natural, free range thing I love Whole Foods Market. Now I have been to 20 of their stores. This store abuts the Hillside neighborhood featuring a trendy vibe.
Crest Café’s roots go back to the 1940s and retain that era’s vibe while having a swank update.
Being a lover of cumin this California Chopped Curry Chicken Salad was a joy to delve into and revere its many elements.
More yogurt!
A mixture of historical sites and tourist trap Old Town is marked by carts of trinkets and restored buildings of San Diego’s founding.
In Plaza Del Pasado mature trees offered shelter from the sun and character. A Mexican bakery was a chance to revel in the sugary crunch of the splines of a Churro.
Old Town Mexican Cafe has been making corn tortillas in the front window for twenty-five years.
Trains stations are a window to a bygone era.
Touring the USS Midway aircraft carrier joins other fascinating naval visits including USS Yorktown, USS Laffey, USCGC Ingham (Charleston, South Caroline); USS Wisconsin (Norfolk, Virginia), USS Ronald Reagan (Norfolk, Virginia); USS Alabama (Mobile, Alabama); USS Intrepid (New York City); US Cobia (Manitowoc, Wisconsin); and even Queen Mary (Long Beach, California) which was put into service for WWII.
The Midway's amazing life span started at the end of WWII and continued through Desert Storm.
On every one of these ships it is amazing to imagine their long service and myriad of action they saw.
Walking tours offer glimpses into the complicated operations of cramped quarters and adapting use of new technology.
Littly Italy is ripe with al fresco dining, small markets and shops churning out fresh pasta.
Time for some healthy nourishment with this amalgamation of spinach, succulent grilled Portobello, meaty sun-dried tomatoes, acidic but sweet grilled onions and crunchy toasted hazelnuts.
Healthy was needed knowing the next stop down the block was Extraordinary Desserts.
Do they do their name justice? You be the judge
Thursday, December 4th, 2008
A bus ride brought me to the north part of La Jolla and 2 hours of walking to the coast.
How is this for a breakfast setting? Brockton Villa.
The famed Cove is across the street.
Downtown La Jolla embraces high end retailers.
Yeah, who is going to pass this up?
With inviting outdoor seating The Cottage was next on the list but with no room for more breakfast had to fall back on bakery. Doubt this Health Muffin was so based on its density and presumed use of oil. But it was good enough to make it on the favorite muffins list.
Next on the list Juice Kaboose in this octagonal building provided healthy liquid nourishment with a Rejuvenator- a mixture of carrots, beets, parsley and garlic. Jeez, another bakery. Their Pesto Bagel tasted like rosemary.
Another 2 hour walk down the coast. During which I came to the conclusion I should have rented a car for the day. Not that I don’t mind walking, too much is not an efficient use of time.
With occasional gazing to my right at the ocean trudged on. Should have worn the Saucony Triumphs. Their Progrid sole has better cushioning.
Pacific Beach is a typical ocean side community. The super nice guys and laid back atmosphere at Kona’s Surf Club Café evoked the spirit of surfing.
Barely made a dent in this mound of food.
This close to the Pacific and didn’t even dip a toe in.
With the next planned lunch place gone I reverted to more frozen yogurt.
Aw heck, one more. And it is hot. Loaded up this time with a cavalcade of flavors- pumpkin pie, eggnog, peanut butter, taro, NY cheesecake and mochachinno.
Captivated by Coronado, today’s schedule was manipulated to allow another visit for more time to explore and admire.
Bus, train and feet provided transportation back to the Coronado ferry and another great view.
Hotel Del Coronado was built in 1887 and is one of the largest wooden structures in the U.S..
Inside and out is a showcase of the craftsmanship and beauty of wood. The Victorian exterior is resplendent with turrets, shingling dormers and altering angles.
The warmth of wood is apparent throughout the lobby and regal hallways.
Daylight allowed better photography of Coronado’s gracefully curved streetscapes which provide longer views of the fine architecture.
Who can pass up an old coffee shop’s horseshoe shaped counter luring one to park their elbows on the well worn aqua counter and sink into a vinyl stool.
The evening ended with a relaxing dinner and this view.
Friday, December 5th, 2008
Breakfast at the trendy Café 222.
A 20 minute train ride south to Chula Vista.
As luck would have it the first stops were bakeries. (OK, it was planned). First was one of these crescent shaped breads sweetened with agave nectar.
Then the robust calabaza.
Chula Vista has a proud downtown. And one more bakery treat in the shelter of a gazebo.
San Diego to O’Hare to Milwaukee. Car encased in ice. Seventeen degrees. Home to shovel. More snow the next day. Groan.