Banking over Joshua Tree National Park.
Over Indian Wells and Palm Desert.
Thai Lettuce Cups with Spicy Pork & Asian Slaw
Beet Stack with Pistachios & Gorgonzola
Wednesday, January 25th, 2023
Now this is how you treat Ahi- quick sear, keep it raw. Good job Oceana in Palm Desert!
2) They were the #1 rated restaurant on Yelp in 2018 for the entire country.
3) How is a sandwich shop in Indio, CA the #1 restaurant in all the USA?
4) Wow, these sandwiches are outstanding!
Pesto Chicken Ranch Club
Italian
Chicken, Provolone, Bacon, Avocado, Mayo, Mustard, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pesto, Ranch Dressing on a Parmesan Roll
When the tree in the backyard gives you lemons, make pie.
Friday, January 27th, 2023
First up was a container of Shrimp, Avocado and Mango Ceviche.
Then a Quesa-Taco. They grill the cheese, top it with the tortilla, then flip over and fill with the choices of Asada and Chorizo.
Dinner time
Rooster and the Pig is at the southern end of downtown Palm Springs.
Jasmine tea leaf, Napa cabbage, medley seed, peanut, crispy shallot.
Lemongrass pork, dates, rice noodles
Sautéed mushrooms, enoki, trumpet, shimeji, red onions, frescos, shallots, scallion, crispy garlic
Shaking Beef
Saturday, January 28th, 2023
The familiar drive south on I-15.
Crossing the Coronado Bridge to the peninsula of its namesake which is one of my favoritist places on earth.
You can have one of the 1,000 square foot well maintained homes for a bargain $2 to 6 million.
Orange Avenue arches through Coronado providing vantages of vintage buildings.
Lined with boutiques, services and restaurants of all kinds.
So lovely to stroll.
Third time on Coronado, and will be back.
Hotel del Coronado was started in 1887 and opened in 1888. That's right, this beauty was built in 11 months.
You might remember last year (my 2nd visit) it was under renovation and closed off. But maybe someone found an unlocked door and had a look at the lobby. It looks even more glorious now.
What an amazing history of so many guests, Presidents, royalty and celebrities.
Beach wasn't as busy as in summer.
Balboa Park was initially for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition and later the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition.
The entire 1,200 acre park has a golf course, sports facilities, museums, shops, gardens, theatres and natural areas.
It's intricate Spanish architecture is so photogenic.
Speaking of photogenic.
The California Quadrangle is the northern entrance.
Alcazar Gardens
So fun to amble about thinking of its rich history.
Highly recommend the Air & Space Museum (center) and Automotive Museum (right).
Japanese Friendship Garden. Didn't make any friends.
Walked and driven by it a few times, but have never been to the San Diego Zoo. I know, need to get out more often.
Zoo workers hide food so the elephants can search for it to simulate the wild.
Ethiopian
Monkey Trail
Aviary
Awwwww. Koalas sleep 18 to 22 hours a day.
Cheetahs. No cheetos though.
My favorites.
Madagascar
From the Skyfari looking at the 1915 Cabrillo Bridge and San Diego beyond.
The Aviary and Bashor Bridge.
Up to the North Park neighborhood for food!
Went with Antelope. Having already had elk, alligator, ostrich, wild boar, buffalo and camel.
Down the street having organic Coconut Ube soft serve.
Then over to fabric gelato themed An's Dry Cleaning and having Canvas (olive oil and rosemary gelato). They also have Dungarees (vanilla, cardamom, blood orange jam), Herringbone (Earl grey tea, chocolate, pistachio white fudge and Foulard (cream cheese, berry jam, graham crackers).
Sunday, January 29th, 2023
Morning run.
Elmer's is a Palms Springs favorite, odd since it is a regional chain based in Oregon.
Ice cream after breakfast? Yes, if it is Lemon Meringue Pie from Kreem.
Which is the best match?
A trip to Desert Valley is not complete without Shields Date Garden.
Dinner in La Quinta.
Local Date Plate
Blue cheese, toasted almonds, chive oil
Thai Shrimp Cakes
Togarashi aioli, sweet soy, sesame, microgreens, lime
Ahi Sesame Poke Wonton Nachos
Togarashi aioli, avocado, sweet soy, wasabi caviar
Palm Springs Airport is more bearable in February than summer.
Taking off looking north.
Then south to Desert Valley. Left to right is Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indio Wells and Indio.
