Finally flying across the country: return trip to San Diego

Finally a trip! It was almost halfway through 2021, but I finally got on a plane for a fun personal trip. (FYI in 2020, from June to December I was flying for work just in case you didn’t know). Besides work, 2020 allowed for a one night adventure to NYC prior to lock down plus a road trip to Boston and Maine last September. Now, I was able to rebook a cancelled 2020 trip and fly out to San Diego in May 2021.

So we were off! (Not a solo trip – had a travel companion) This was our second trip to San Diego and was an opportunity that came about from our 2020 adventure to NYC. Short story: while updating a hotel reservation, Hilton asked me to stay on the line to hear more about a vacation opportunity. The sell was a deal to pick my choice of city, go stay at a resort and all I had to do was attend a presentation for their timeshare opportunities. (You know the deal)

Time to fly – luckily able to upgrade our seats, since flights are now packed full. The crazy surprise when we arrived to check our bags were the TSA security lines. In Philadelphia Airport, long lines aren’t unheard of, but we first went up to Terminal B TSA, and that line was longer than I’ve EVER seen! (Like get there 3 hours early to get through!) We moseyed down to Terminal A where the line was just beginning. Lesson: it’s worth getting to the airport early/on-time so you don’t get stressed out by lines.

The adventure - Sips, Sights and Bites:

Part of the original 2020 plan was to fly into Los Angeles, then drive a bit of the Pacific Coastal Highway – change of plans happened when rebooking the trip and we flew directly to San Diego. So upon our arrival we checked into our hotel and ventured up to Dana Point, the most southern point of the PCH (Pacific Coastal Highway) to take in gorgeous views with many sailboats during the late afternoon/early evening. We enjoyed a quick happy hour at the Wind and Sea Restaurant, with great views on the water and deliciously strong Mai Tai’s. You know those perfectly concocted sips full of flavor and nice vacation level alcohol. There is a section of land, well an island, that is accessible by 1 road, so perfect for a stroll to enjoy the evening air. Then we found the sea lions! Note there are many tourist spots where you can see a lot of them sleeping or loudly “talking” to tourists to back the F up, but this trip we just found a few hanging out on the docks. Fun to watch two smaller ones (assuming younger) knocking one another off the dock and playing in the water. To top off the night we decided to split this overflowing banana split sundae - PS we skip the vanilla ice cream and just do strawberry and chocolate! (Let’s just say we needed to walk a little further before driving.)

TGIF!!! But first… We did have to take a couple hours out of the trip to check out the time share offering of Hilton Vacations (yes, the trip was one of those deals), so that was our Friday morning. I have to say this was the first time I had heard one of these pitches and it was a lot different, even more intriguing than I originally thought. After the tour, we digested the information a bit over a few mimosas by the pool, then it was time to venture out into San Diego. Went back down to the area around the USS Midway Museum (a favorite adventure from 3 years prior) to enjoy happy hour at Carnitas’ Snack Shack overlooking the water. Enjoyed a little conversation with some locals, grabbed some dinner suggestions from them and ventured back up to our favorite sunset spot: La Jolla. Our goal of dinner with a view was a success at Duke’s. Duke’s outside deck is situated perfectly to look out over the water - if you can get a table along the edge of deck, you’ll enjoy a great look out over the coast line! We did a little mix and match to check out the menu, so it was the fish and burger for us to share - DELICIOUS! Went the wine and brew route for drinks to relax after a busy day.

So not every vacation has to be all tourist destinations and food/drink, sometimes you take the time to treat yourself to coffee and a little outlet shopping, you know enjoy the time off and treat oneself to new shoes. Then we ventured off to find Pho and check out a different view. Fun fact for you, I’ve only more recently started eating Pho, so I’m being introduced to how to prepare it with all the sauces and add-ins, so if you’ve got that special technique or recipe of add-ins please share with me! Afterwards we took a little adventure down to Oceanside to check out the views. There were great looking properties right off the beach and all seemed to be readily set up for renting/Airbnb/VRBO. The locations and layouts looked ideal to get a group of family or friends together to enjoy the company and view. Ok, so if you are like me, you want to know more about the food – so let’s go out to dinner!! Our last trip we stumbled upon Coronado island where we enjoyed a wine spot and a good stroll, this time we got a little dressed up and ventured to Peohe’s for drinks, food and a view of San Diego. After a little sushi and two styles of their salmon (top notch choices were made) we decided to go check out another favorite spot: Gaslamp Quarters. We ended up just driving around because it was crazy downtown. Streets closed to accommodate the masses of people and crazy lines to get in places. I don't know if it was that many people trying to go out or if with limited capacities people just had to wait. But masked up and wait they did - the most people I had seen gathered in one area in just over a year. Great to see, but we decided a bottle of wine on the balcony of our hotel room was a better time to end the evening, so back we went. (PS yes I pack a corkscrew almost everywhere I go…just incase) While we sip - check out this delicious meal from Peohe’s:

Sometimes (maybe even always depending on your personality) vacations don’t need to be jam packed with activities and things to do. You are on vacation for a little break and recoup, so Sunday we took advantage of just that and hung at the resort. No rush getting out of the room (we could only get so late of a check out), but we pushed it a little and housekeeping was really awesome about it. Then got a key to the pool and enjoyed a little shady chill time with mimosas and lunch. Then before heading to the airport we did one more stop along the coast to take in views and enjoy happy hour at a spot in the southern portion of La Jolla, Beaumont. Got a few happy sips and bites - fish tacos and salmon (happy hour portion) with Moscow mules - before the flight back.

Return was a red eye flight so we could get back to work on Monday. First red-eye flight since COVID hit and I was a little disappointed that American didn’t restock the plane with anything – I could see limited service, no food, but they didn’t even have water on the 6-hour flight from San Diego to Philadelphia. A little disappointed, even if everyone is sleeping you should still have at least water. I would have actually bought water prior to getting on the flight but the San Diego airport concessions don’t wait until the flights are gone to close. (Couldn’t even buy water…frustrating!!)

If you haven’t already been to San Diego (or thought about it)…start thinking!! Great destination and check out these views… (!!!!)