Until this past weekend, I hadn’t been to San Diego since 2002. It’s funny how differently you view a place when you’re in college and just looking for a good time versus when you’re all “grown-up” and value attributes like peace and quiet.
After Holly’s wedding in Carlsbad, SVV, Moose, Jemima and I stayed downtown in the Gaslamp Quarter the following night at one of the Kimpton’s newest properties, Hotel Solamar, which had funky accoutrements like animal-print robes (love!). It was lovely…until it turned into MTV Spring Break. Observe, the pool.
And its patrons.
I’m sorry, did I return to Vegas without knowing it?! The all-night party in the hallways and on the streets made me feel as if I did. But the next morning, the city was deserted.
SVV and I did find an abundance of quality dining while there. For example, the Solamar’s Jsix restaurant, which was, simply put, amazing. We didn’t feel guilty indulging in the chef’s tasting menu…until we got back to our room and couldn’t move until the next morning. To put it in relatable terms: I had a box of four beauties—lemon raspberry, orange chocolate chip, vanilla caramel and peanut butter—awaiting me from Heavenly Cupcake and couldn’t even stomach a bite!
Moose, SVV and I spent all of Labor Day lounging on Coronado Beach and enjoying the (technical) final day of summer (though it’s really just beginning up in our ‘hood).
I’m really not sure what’s going on here. Bear claw jazz hands mayhaps?
I feel we look a lot like crazy Maryann in True Blood. Then, we drove all the way to the border—see that? that’s Tijuana in the distance—and give Moose a hint.
She didn’t catch on. Until she realized there was Corona in Mexico! SVV, however, was more keen to carry his bride-to-be over the threshhold border and make it official…now!
All in all, an excellent weekend—though one of those vacations where you feel like you need a few days to recover from said R&R!
*All photos taken with a Canon XTi, 17-85mm lens, 50mm or 10-20mm lenses, housed in a LowePro SlingShot.
**For more Photo Friday fun, head over to Delicious Baby.
***Those annoying ever-present spots—lingering effects from SVV’s run-in with the whooptie—will hopefully be gonzo as of today when we get the sensor cleaned.
FUN! I love San Diego. It is number one on my list of places to retire to. As long as I win the lottery.
The W in San Diego has a pool like that. I went to a Super Bowl party there a few years ago. It looked about the same as the photo of the pool at your hotel!
San Diego is one of my favorite places! I love your photo of the guys at the pool…it did look just like Vegas!
What a fun vacay!!! I lived in SD for a year and it was *such* a special place to live. I was always crossing the border into Mexico. 🙂
PS Cuuuuuute dress!
I love San Diego, I mean we only spent two days there for Jon’s marathon but it was downright lovely
San Diego is the best. And that dress is adorable.
Great pictures! I was in SD for a business trip a couple of years ago and stayed at the Solamar and spent far too much time contemplating the logistics of passing off the leopard print bathrobe as ‘casual business attire’.
YAY! We’ll be in San Diego a week from tomorrow and are staying at the Solamar the last two days of the trip. We’ll avoid the pool as we’re in our 30s and probably not allowed in.
I’m going to a wedding next May in CA and I can’t wait!
I love that dress! (and Moose’s shoes aren’t bad either).
I can’t wait to go back there in January!
Did you go to see the baby panda?! http://www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam/index.html
I desperately want to go and see this adorable fluff ball before he gets big.
Ahhh, I love San Diego. It’s my go-to getaway when I need a break. Seeing your pics makes me want to return asap. Love it!
I don’t know which I love more: the hat and briefs ensemble, or that you caught him picking his wedge.
(And digging the dress, as always.)
If there is one thing that you could be envied more for than your job, it would probably be your wardrobe 🙂
You always have a fun picture, I love that.
San Diego is so beautiful, I want to go back someday!
Whoa! The poolside scene is a little insane.
Looks like a fun trip, though.
Thank you all! And for those of you who mentioned the dress, I bought it this summer from Free People (though I’ve seen it in various boutiques that carry the line), and I imagine you could probably find it for a very good steal now that summer’s over!
I haven’t been to San Diego since 2002 myself – loved it though. Must. Go. Back.
Love that fella’s bathing suit!
There should be more jazz hands in the world. I’VE FOUND MY CALLING. Boy, you guys are going to regret asking me to choreograph your wedding dance. [stifles evil chuckle]
That beach looks AMAZING!
Oh.. I can’t wait for my trip.. But the pool scene is a bit much for my taste. 🙂