From Coronado to Paradise

Jason and I have been to San Diego many times but we find ourselves continually returning. This February, Jason’s employer scheduled a management retreat to that temperate coastline and we were obligated to attend. We felt constrained to stay a couple of extra days after his work commitments were over to make the trip worthwhile. Yes, life truly is suffering and sacrifice.

Purely due to chance, we got one of the best rooms at the Hotel del Coronado. We were right on the beach and our patio looked out onto this.
Purely due to chance, we got one of the best rooms at the Hotel del Coronado. We were right on the beach and our patio looked out onto this.

Jason had all-day meetings scheduled for half a week at the Hotel del Coronado, a Victorian beach resort on Coronado Island. All of his management team and their spouses were booked at the hotel while these company discussions were taking place. Given the surroundings, it’s too bad that Jason’s work group had to, well, work. While they were engaged, I didn’t waste any opportunities to read a book near the surf or get a massage at the spa. It was relaxing but without Jason it was definitely lacking.

This Dragon Tree, located at The Del, is over 100 years old and was used as a backdrop in the Marilyn Monroe film Some Like It Hot.
This Dragon Tree, located at The Del, is over 100 years old and was used as a backdrop in the Marilyn Monroe film Some Like It Hot.

Our nights were spent eating. Yes, just eating. It took hours to feed our massive group at the upscale joints we patronized. The cuisine at Chez Loma, Brigantine Seafood and Oyster Bar, and Primavera Ristorante was pretty tasty though.

Coronado Beach, in my opinion, is San Diego's nicest shoreline.
Coronado Beach, in my opinion, is San Diego’s nicest shoreline.
Hotel del Coronado, a beautiful Victorian beach resort, was built in 1887.
Hotel del Coronado, a beautiful Victorian beach resort, was built in 1887.

Since chomping became a prolonged pursuit on this trip, it’s fitting that my favorite activity we did with Jason’s coworkers extended mealtime even further. We took a dinner cruise across the San Diego Bay aboard a private yacht, the Quiet Heart. This 82-foot vessel was pretty posh and its route was definitely scenic. We admired the underside of the Coronado Bridge, the twinkling shoreline, the hull of the USS Midway, and the swirly bay waters as we feasted.

From the deck of the Quiet Heart, San Diego Bay was a swirling dance of water and light.
From the deck of the Quiet Heart, San Diego Bay was a swirling dance of water and light.

After Jason’s business obligations were over, he and I spent a couple of days by ourselves at Paradise Point on Mission Bay. We were right on the beach again, which was rather fantastic again. Jason was exhausted from his meetings and ready to take it easy. I, on the other hand, had been taking it easy for days and was ready to take it somewhere else but I accepted my fidgetiness as a side effect of his prescribed relaxation.

At Paradise Point we stayed in a beach bungalow nestled on North Cove.
At Paradise Point we stayed in a beach bungalow nestled on North Cove.

We rented bikes and rode them along the bay, walked on the beach, read books, and gobbled lip-smacking chow. Tidal, a highly-rated seafood restaurant, was just a ten-minute walk away and their seafood stew was amazing.

We rode bikes along Mission Bay our last afternoon in San Diego.
We rode bikes along Mission Bay our last afternoon in San Diego.

San Diego was a different experience for us this time. For me, it was quite possibly the sedatest vacation I’ve ever taken…maybe a little too restful for this energetic girl. For Jason, it was a blend of productivity, fun, and fatigue; at least fun was in the mix somewhere. I’m certain that we’ll be seeing you again soon San Diego!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *