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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!