4th of July in Paradise
Paradise to me is San Diego, California. Home of my alma mater -- San Diego State University.Believe it or not, it has been almost 1 year since my last visit...way too long. So my boyfriend surprised me with a 2 day get-away to paradise at the new 4-Star Spa Resort called Estancia. (www.estancialajolla.com) Conde Naste voted them one of the best new properties for 2005. So we went to see if we agreed with their rating.
What I loved about this property first and foremost is the amazingly friendly staff. I give them 5 stars for helpfulness and rapport-building. From the housekeeper to the restaurant manager, each and every person on this property was very helpful and friendly. The pool area was great with these cool little cabanas and big, comfy hammocks. Of course, I took full advantage of the 78 degree sunshine and sun-worshiped in the hammock!
They also have a great pool-side restaurant that grilled up the most amazing chicken kabobs. Now as a pool-side munchie connoisseur, I must admit that the 2nd day of noshing didn't go so well. The yummy looking cobb salad wasn't quite so awesome. But they made up for it with a protein-style hamburger slathered with grilled bermuda onions and brie cheese (yes, I went off the diet just slightly.)
Now for those of you who are hard-core spa'ers like me I didn't venture to the treatments on this trip. I did check in with some very relaxed looking ladies by the pool who truly enjoyed their spa experience. I did get to the gym one day and even though the equipment was adequate, without the music (their system was broken) I just wasn't all that motivated!
Sunday we ventured to George's Ocean Terrace Bistro (http://www.georgesatthecove.com/) in La Jolla for a divine lunch of smoked chicken and black bean soup, sea bass and Caesar salad (am I starting to sound like a food critic yet?) George's is a 3 Start restaurant with the best views of the cove and ocean that La Jolla has to offer. On top of the restaurant is a huge patio --that's where you will find me!
We capped the evening off at a great club in the Gaslamp District called The Bitter End. Here is a pix of us out on the town, getting ready to dance up a storm.
On the 4th, we managed to secure great seats to the legendary La Jolla Cove fireworks show by parking right in front of the gate to the Scripps Institute. We had the best views in the entire beach area and managed to bypass all of the traffic! If you have ever tried to hit the beach during the 4th of July, you learn the hard way to avoid it at all costs.
Back to The Estancia hotel. Now of course we negotiated an out-of-this-world deal at this one-year old 4-star resort. (Let's just say they swore us to secrecy.) There are some beautiful meeting rooms and the bed was one of the most comfortable beds ever. But we both agreed we wouldn't come back. It just doesn't really have that "special something" that a 4-star resort must offer it's guests....
On our way back to L.A. we stopped by a great new find in Del Mar called The Pacifica Breeze at 15th and Camino del Mar. We had two of the best egg dishes I've ever had. We both voted it the best breakfast place IN THE WORLD! You have an amazing view of the ocean coupled with fabulous food. You can also check out the dinner menu at Pacifica Del Mar (0pen for lunch and dinner.)
Another fabulous trip and I've returned completely rejuvinated!!!
Back to planning the next big trip!
posted by Melanie Strick @ 5:04 PM
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