Coronado and San Diego: Weekend Trip
Visiting Coronado Island and San Diego was a weekend trip for the books. My husband and I had so much fun exploring, eating and drinking our way through. Our weekend was jam packed but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. There is so much to see, do and taste.
Lodging
We stayed at Hotel Del Coronado (Hilton Curio Collection). I am a Hilton hotel stayer when I travel for work, so the points I have accumulated came in handy here. We stayed in an ocean view room and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. If you are going to stay on an island and by the ocean, why wouldn’t you want to be facing/viewing the ocean?
Our room was amazing. It had a double door entrance and numerous windows facing out to the ocean. The bed was positioned so that while you were laying in bed you were facing out to the ocean. This was incredibly dreamy, and we actually slept with the heat turned way up and the patio door open so we could listen to the wave crash in and out all night. The best white noise of life. A slice of heaven if you ask me. The ocean is just so soothing.
Things I liked about the hotel:
- Ocean views and ocean front (LOVED walking on the ocean)
- Convenience: There are numerous restaurants within walking distance of the hotel and actually some good ones on the hotel property.
- Building Security: security is a huge thing for me. The buildings all locked after a certain time and were only available via key pass.
- The bubbles (aka champagne). I loved that I could grab a glass of bubbles and walk up and down the beach.
Friday Itinerary
Mid-Morning: Hike at Torrey Pines
My husband and I love to hike. This hike was a little different than what we are used to in Colorado, but it was fun. The first part of the hike is a bit crammed with people but as we got going the people became more dispersed and we were really able to enjoy the hike.
Torrey Pines has numerous trails which you can hike on. We did quite a few of them as they aren’t too long and being at lower elevation we felt like we could conquer the world. I have included a map of the trails here. Going down to the beach was one of the highlights of the hike. The stairs to get down there are a bit steep, but so worth it.
Lunch: C-Level
You must try the lobster BLT here. It was extremely delicious and it came with SO MUCH lobster.
Cocktails: On the beach at Hotel Del Coronado
I would highly recommend grabbing a cocktail and walking the beach. It’s the perfect way to start the evening and relax.
Dinner: The Lion’s Share
The lions share was delicious. Quite different and fun food. My husband and I shared:
- Wild Boar Fries (They were HEAVENLY). Who doesn’t love fries and then they come topped with BBQ wild boar, gouda and banana peppers.
- Antelope Slides: These were great. I grew up on wild meat (moose, buffalo, antelope, deer…the list goes on), and so this was a reminder of the good ole days.
- Meat and Cheese Board: This is one of my staples when I go out to dinner. I LOVE cheese, what Wisconsin girl doesn’t.
Saturday Itinerary
Breakfast: Provisional
Talk about service. The Provisional, which is located in the Pendry hotel in San Diego was absolutely amazing. The service was impeccable and they even surprised me with double birthday treats; fruit at the onset of breakfast and then a cookie cake for breakfast dessert. We ordered the waffles and eggs benedict along with a luck and fortune bloody mary.
- Waffles: The waffles come with seasonal fruit and nuts. My husband had these and ate every bite, which coming from him definitely says they were very good.
- Eggs Benedict: OH MY GOODNESS I had this and it was amazing. I don’t know how 2 poached eggs, butter poached lobster and truffle hollandaise on top of an english muffin could be bad.
- Luck & Fortune Bloody Mary: The best bloody mary I have ever had. It was unique and had the most delicious flavor. I love that it came with a fortune cookie. It was super fun. The bloody mary was made with: Absolut Elyx, Sriracha, Soy Sauce, Horseradish, Tomato and Pepper.
I have included a link to the full bunch menu here.
Champagne vending machine: In addition to breakfast the Pendry hotel and Provisional Kitchen boast a Moet & Chandon Champagne vending machine. You purchase a token from the bar or in our case waitress and they bring you a token to use to get a bottle of champagne. This was just so much fun and #allthebliss.
Morning Activity: Sea Cave Kayak Tour (Everyday California)
After breakfast we had the best morning Kayaking the caves in La Jolla. We used Everyday California for the tour. I would highly recommend using them, they knew what they were doing and just made the experience a blast.
My husband and I had a tandem kayak and I sat in the front. Getting out of the waves and into the ocean was quite the hilarious beast. The team at Everyday California, helps push you out and you are instructed to paddle paddle paddle. Well we were paddling and the waves just came crashing over me and I just a started laughing so hard and taking on salt water in my mouth. Gosh it was an experience. A soaking wet experience but SO MUCH FUN!
La Jolla Tootling: We tootled around the beach shops around Everyday California before our kayak tour and got my husband some swim trunks, because we didn’t necessarily come prepared to get a wet as we got. After the tour we posted up at Shore Rider and had a cocktail. I would definitely recommend grabbing a drink there. They were very reasonably priced and good service.
Lunch: Ironside Fish & Oyster
Quite the tasty lunch if I say so myself. We love oysters and Ironside was the most amazing place to grab some. We started off with the oyster platter and tried all 6 different varietals they had on the menu that day. My husband and I definitely like East Coast oysters better than west. East Coast oysters are more salty and West Coast oysters are less salty with cucumber and melon notes. Which type do you prefer?
In addition to the oysters I had a side salad and my husband had a lobster roll. I loved the way Ironside Fish & Oyster did their lobster roll. It was basically a small loaf of bread toasted and butter stuffed with lobster. My husband loved it.
The ambiance of this restaurant and service was amazing. I would highly recommend making a reservation next time you are in the San Diego area. I have included their full menu here.
Sunday Itinerary
Breakfast: Morning Glory
Before jetting off back home Sunday we stopped at Morning Glory and had brunch. The only downside to Morning Glory is the inability to make reservations. I highly recommend arriving early so you don’t have to wait too long for a spot.
The decor at Morning Glory is impeccable. They really paid attention to every detail when designing the place. Not only was the chic ambiance amazing, but the food was heavenly. We had the Morning Glory Fried Rice and Chicken & Waffles.
- Chicken & Waffles: You can go wrong with chicken and waffles. Just amazing in every sense.
- Morning Glory Fried Rice: A delicious fried rice with pork belly topped with an over easy egg. This rice was heavenly and hit the brunch spot.
Ending
What a weekend it was. Whether you live in the San Diego area or are in need of a weekend trip I highly recommend all of the above. My husband and I had a blast. It was the perfect post holiday reset. Maybe not on the calorie meter; haha. What places do you love in San Diego (sites, food, drinks)?
