BY JANET STEINBERG
There are not too many people, or too many places that can
deliver what they promise. But San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau
promises 365 days of ahhhhhhhh! And, let me tell you, that is what
you get in San Diego and its neighboring communities of Coronado and La Jolla.
deliver what they promise. But San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau
promises 365 days of ahhhhhhhh! And, let me tell you, that is what
you get in San Diego and its neighboring communities of Coronado and La Jolla.
And what a town San Diego is…with its fabulous Balboa Park,
San Diego Zoo, Old Town, and Heritage Park. Heritage Park, dedicated to
the preservation of San Diego’s Victorian architecture, is home to the original
Temple Beth Israel, the second oldest synagogue structure still existing in the
American West. The first services were held in it on September 25,
1889.
San Diego Zoo, Old Town, and Heritage Park. Heritage Park, dedicated to
the preservation of San Diego’s Victorian architecture, is home to the original
Temple Beth Israel, the second oldest synagogue structure still existing in the
American West. The first services were held in it on September 25,
1889.
The structure served as temporary quarters for many
religious sects before they established churches of their own. Therefore,
it reflects church styles of the late 1800s. The county now operates this
building, which was moved to Heritage Park in 1978, as a community center.
Today Congregation Beth Israel is a reform temple located in the Balboa Park
area (2512 Third Avenue).
religious sects before they established churches of their own. Therefore,
it reflects church styles of the late 1800s. The county now operates this
building, which was moved to Heritage Park in 1978, as a community center.
Today Congregation Beth Israel is a reform temple located in the Balboa Park
area (2512 Third Avenue).
You can literally eat your way through San Diego. I
can vouch for fabulous meals at Blue Point Coastal Cuisine in the Gaslamp
Quarter, The Prado at Balboa Park, and C Level set on San Diego Bay overlooking
the city’s skyline and Coronado.
can vouch for fabulous meals at Blue Point Coastal Cuisine in the Gaslamp
Quarter, The Prado at Balboa Park, and C Level set on San Diego Bay overlooking
the city’s skyline and Coronado.
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| PRADO RESTAURANT IN BABLOA PARK |
Buster’s Beach House and Longboard Bar at Seaport Village
is a fun place to dine, before or after strolling the boardwalk and exploring
the shops in Seaport Village. Reasonably priced meals at Buster’s should
be preceded by a 24-ounce Big Kahuna Classic Margarita, a deliciously dangerous
concoction of Tequila, Cointreau, Grand Marnier and lime juice. Ask for
two straws and share.
is a fun place to dine, before or after strolling the boardwalk and exploring
the shops in Seaport Village. Reasonably priced meals at Buster’s should
be preceded by a 24-ounce Big Kahuna Classic Margarita, a deliciously dangerous
concoction of Tequila, Cointreau, Grand Marnier and lime juice. Ask for
two straws and share.
For authentic Mexican food in an authentic setting, Old
Town’s Casa Guadalajara serves up a humongous Macho Grande combination platter
that gives the chef’s sampling of carne asada, taco, enchilada,
tamale, chile relleno served with guacamole, rice, beans, and salsa fresca.
Town’s Casa Guadalajara serves up a humongous Macho Grande combination platter
that gives the chef’s sampling of carne asada, taco, enchilada,
tamale, chile relleno served with guacamole, rice, beans, and salsa fresca.
No trip to San Diego would be complete without a day spent
in La Jolla. La Jolla (pronounced la HOY-uh), meaning “the
jewel” in Spanish, is a many-faceted, picture-postcard jewel hugging seven
miles of California coastline some 25 minutes north of San Diego.
Legendary sunsets are said to be a daily occurrence.
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| ROCKY LA JOLLA COASTLINE MAKES FOR LEGENDARY SUNSETS |
La Jolla’s restaurant, Nine-Ten, (910 Prospect
Street) is located in an old pharmacy whose pharmacist was Gregory Peck’s
father. The marble floors and the leaded glass windows from the 1920s add
to the restaurant’s low-key, elegant charm.
Street) is located in an old pharmacy whose pharmacist was Gregory Peck’s
father. The marble floors and the leaded glass windows from the 1920s add
to the restaurant’s low-key, elegant charm.
At Nine-Ten you will enjoy the best of the harvest from
local artisan farmers where produce is selected daily for the restaurant’s
Evolving California Cuisine. The bounty of the sea is also featured with local
fish selections and items arriving daily, Al fresco La Jolla dining is offered
on the sidewalk patio or outdoor ocean-view terrace.
local artisan farmers where produce is selected daily for the restaurant’s
Evolving California Cuisine. The bounty of the sea is also featured with local
fish selections and items arriving daily, Al fresco La Jolla dining is offered
on the sidewalk patio or outdoor ocean-view terrace.
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NINE-TEN RESTAURANT
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The Steakhouse at Azul La Jolla, San Diego’s first
steakhouse experience, one hundred feet above spectacular La Jolla Cove, is
also located on fashionable Prospect Street. La Jolla Village’s premier
ocean-view steakhouse, it serves 100% USDA prime steaks in addition to a
selection of Greg Norman Signature Wagyu™ beef, Milk-Fed Veal Chop, Colorado
Rack of Lamb, Free-range Chicken and a variety of fresh Seafood.
steakhouse experience, one hundred feet above spectacular La Jolla Cove, is
also located on fashionable Prospect Street. La Jolla Village’s premier
ocean-view steakhouse, it serves 100% USDA prime steaks in addition to a
selection of Greg Norman Signature Wagyu™ beef, Milk-Fed Veal Chop, Colorado
Rack of Lamb, Free-range Chicken and a variety of fresh Seafood.
Outdoors, a garden courtyard patio features starlight
dining around an oversized fire pit. Indoors, floor-to-ceiling windows
shamelessly reveal why The Steakhouse at Azul La Jolla was voted best in its
class. An intimate private Wine Room is glass-surrounded, insuring unobstructed
views of the Pacific Coastline.
dining around an oversized fire pit. Indoors, floor-to-ceiling windows
shamelessly reveal why The Steakhouse at Azul La Jolla was voted best in its
class. An intimate private Wine Room is glass-surrounded, insuring unobstructed
views of the Pacific Coastline.
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| PACIFIC COASTLINE IN LA JOLLA |
Following three memorable days in San Diego, we crossed
over the dramatic 2.1-mile San Diego-Coronado Bridge and checked into the Hotel
Del Coronado (affectionately dubbed “The Del”). The Victorian-style Hotel
del Coronado may well be the jewel in the crown of the American Riviera, that
stretch of Southern California that goes from Los Angeles to San
Diego/Coronado.
over the dramatic 2.1-mile San Diego-Coronado Bridge and checked into the Hotel
Del Coronado (affectionately dubbed “The Del”). The Victorian-style Hotel
del Coronado may well be the jewel in the crown of the American Riviera, that
stretch of Southern California that goes from Los Angeles to San
Diego/Coronado.
This National Historic Landmark, a rambling white clapboard
legend with red-peaked roof, crimson turrets, and lazy verandas, is said to be
“one-third sun, one-third sand, one-third fairy tale”. It has sheltered
international royalty, politicians, Hollywood celebrities, and the rich and
famous since 1888. Ten U.S. presidents, from Benjamin Harrison to Bill
Clinton, have visited the Del. Publisher Rand McNally credits The Del as
enjoying “more fame and historical significance than perhaps any hotel in North
America”.
legend with red-peaked roof, crimson turrets, and lazy verandas, is said to be
“one-third sun, one-third sand, one-third fairy tale”. It has sheltered
international royalty, politicians, Hollywood celebrities, and the rich and
famous since 1888. Ten U.S. presidents, from Benjamin Harrison to Bill
Clinton, have visited the Del. Publisher Rand McNally credits The Del as
enjoying “more fame and historical significance than perhaps any hotel in North
America”.
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| HOTEL DEL CORONADO |
In 1958, the Del became the backdrop for the shenanigans of
Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Joe E. Brown, when they filmed
“Some Like It Hot” at the hotel. From my luxurious Victorian suite
overlooking the Pacific Ocean, I could almost see Marilyn and Tony toasting
their champagne flutes as they conned each other on Joe E. Brown’s yacht.
Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Joe E. Brown, when they filmed
“Some Like It Hot” at the hotel. From my luxurious Victorian suite
overlooking the Pacific Ocean, I could almost see Marilyn and Tony toasting
their champagne flutes as they conned each other on Joe E. Brown’s yacht.
When you’re at the Del, check out Otis #61. Otis #61 is not
a perfume. Otis #61 is an elevator…a very famous elevator. One of
the first fully functioning electric elevators manufactured in America, Otis
#61 has graced the main lobby of the Hotel del Coronado since the resort
opened in 1888.
a perfume. Otis #61 is an elevator…a very famous elevator. One of
the first fully functioning electric elevators manufactured in America, Otis
#61 has graced the main lobby of the Hotel del Coronado since the resort
opened in 1888.
In 1960, a Hollywood scenic designer, Al Goodman, was hired
to refurbish The Del’s lobby. Goodman designed a wonderfully ornate,
Victorian-style grill to adorn the lobby elevator. The famous Goodman grill has
been restored back to its original glory.
Sunday brunch at the Del, usually held in the glorious
Crown Room with its beamed ceilings and crown chandeliers, was the perfect end
to a perfect week. This Grande Dame of the Sea had forever cast her magic
spell over me.
Crown Room with its beamed ceilings and crown chandeliers, was the perfect end
to a perfect week. This Grande Dame of the Sea had forever cast her magic
spell over me.
JANET STEINBERG is the winner of 38 national Travel
Writer Awards.
Writer Awards.