Pocket Guide SoCal Edition
S OFFER E INSID
SAN DIEGO from North to South
Discover the Best Family-Friendly Vacation Spots
OCEANSIDE CARLSBAD Enjoy the space of a vacation rental without sacrificing resort amenities—all with a 110% Best Rate Guarantee. ResorTime offers low nightly rates at more than 1,000 resorts and hotels, including more than a dozen in San Diego County.
DEL MAR
For a great deal on your next vacation, look no further than ResorTime. For more information, visit ResorTime.com or call (877) 477-7368
SAN DIEGO CORONADO
Pocket Guide SoCal Edition
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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C O N T RI B U TO R S
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OC E A N S I D E
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C A RL S B A D
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5 T I P S F O R L E G O LA N D C A L I F OR N IA
Meet the writers and bloggers who helped us put together this pocket guide to San Diego.
This eclectic beach town north of Carlsbad is a favorite with surfers, foodies, and families.
Known as the Village by the Sea, Carlsbad blends European charm with a SoCal beach vibe.
Discover when to go, what to do, and how to save at one of Carlsbad’s most popular attractions.
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DEL M AR
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DOW NTOW N SAN DI EGO
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CORONADO
Vacation like the rich and famous in one of San Diego’s most affluent beachfront cities.
From the Gaslamp Quarter to the Harbor, downtown San Diego is the place to be.
This adorable community off the coast has a rich history and one of the best beaches in the U.S.
CALIFORNIA
DREAMIN’ DISCOVER SAN DIEGO COUNTY
The sunny weather, the swaying palm trees, the 70 miles of pristine coastline— there are a million reasons to visit San Diego County. In October, several writers and bloggers visited San Diego to experience all the area has to offer. See what they discovered in Oceanside, Carlsbad, Coronado, and a few places in between!
— CONTRIBUTORS —
HEATHER RICCOBONO is a Phoenix-based lifestyle blogger living in Arizona with her two daughters and husband. Take a peek into her family travel experiences, crafts, and more. briebrieblooms.com
ALLISON WAKEN loves finding new ways to create memories with and for her kids whether it’s through vacations, road trips, every day fun, or even projects around the house. allforthememories.com
STEPHANIE SHEAFFER is the Editor-inChief of Tucsontopia.com and a freelance contributor to several publications. Be in the know about where to go, what to do, and how to live your best life in and around Tucson, Arizona. tucsontopia.com
HENRY LEWIS & VANESSA McGILL are young professionals who love more than anything to ditch the monotony of the day job to explore America’s Finest City. sandiegoville.com
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We would be honored if you shared your memorable moments with us during your stay.
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OUR SCAVENGER HUNT FOR MEN & WOMEN’S HEALTH
Movember & Send Me On Vacation Receive $1,200 Each While in San Diego with ResorTime, the bloggers who contributed to this guide competed in a weekend scavenger hunt to raise money for the Movember Foundation and Send Me On Vacation. In the end, the teams tied and both received a $1,200 donation from ResorTime’s parent company, Grand Pacific Resorts. Henry Lewis and Vanessa McGill from SanDiegoVille joined Stephanie Sheaffer from Tucsontopia to raise money for Movember, a foundation committed to men’s health. The charity is a natural fit as vacations are elemental to emotional well-being. Allison Waken from All for the Memories and Heather Riccobono from Brie Brie Blooms competed in the scavenger hunt for Send Me On Vacation. Our partnership sends two breast cancer survivors on lifechanging vacations each year; this donation will send a third. W H AT M AT T E RS T O YO U, M AT T E RS T O US Tell us what cause you would like ResorTime to support next. Share your giving story and learn more about our giving program at ResorTime.com/Giving
OCEANSIDE
Carlsbad’s Neighbor to the North
The eclectic beach town north of Carlsbad has a blossoming food and craft brewery scene. It’s also home to Old Mission San Luis Rey, a surf museum, and the Oceanside Pier. Southern California Beach Club is right on the beach, and every condo has a private patio or balcony where you can enjoy the ocean breeze. FOR DETAILS, CHECK OUT ResorTime.com/North-County-Dining
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city sign in downtown Carlsbad, Carlsbad beach, courtyard at Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort, splash pad at Grand Pacific Palisades Resort & Hotel, flautas plate served at Fidel’s, morning yoga at Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT:
CARLSBAD The Village by the Sea HEATHER RICCOBONO : BrieBrieBlooms
Carlsbad holds a very special significance to our family because it’s the first destination my husband and I road tripped to while dating. Our six-year-old daughter calls it her favorite beach while I will always deem it my favorite lunch spot because of Fidel’s flautas. My husband loves the simple beach town vibe and it’s where our youngest daughter spent her first week-long vacation away from home. A FAMILY TRADITION
MAKING NEW MEMORIES
Imagine waking up every morning with the cool Southern California breeze blowing through your open patio doors and a perfect view of the beautiful blue ocean. The Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort is everything you would imagine for a perfect Southern California family vacation.
While we are intimately familiar with the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort because of our many stays there, staying at the Grand Pacific Palisades Resort & Hotel recently was our first time at the family-friendly location. Our love for Carlsbad just grew with another fabulous resort to call a favorite.
The first time my husband and I stayed there almost 15 years ago, we didn’t have children. We have watched as the courtyard has been renovated and shared in the excitement each time we notice something new. The weekly activities include events like movies on the lawn and parties. There are also activities catered to those traveling without children, like wine tastings and morning yoga.
When we weren’t at the beach, visiting our favorite tourist locations, or dining, we were playing at the pool. The kids’ area was great for our baby, and our older daughter enjoyed splashing right alongside her sister.
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TIPS FOR
STEPHANIE SHEAFFER : Tucsontopia
LEGOLAND California is a theme park based on the best-loved and best-selling toy. Recommended for ages one to ten, the park features a number of rides for small children and a few thematic shows. Don’t make a mad rush for the rides. The best part about LEGOLAND, by far, is the awesome displays made of (what else?) LEGOs!
MiniLand is not to be missed, where you’ll see miniature versions of popular world landmarks (Eiffel Tower, Golden Gate Bridge, The Capitol, etc.) completely made of LEGOs. You’ll also want to see all of the Star Wars characters and get your picture with Darth Vader (even if you’re not a fan). Arrive early. On the day of our visit, the park officially opened at 10:00 am – with turnstiles opening at 9:00am and select attractions opening at 9:30 am. It was definitely worthwhile to arrive a few minutes early because we were able to take photos, map out our strategy, and walk part of the park before the crowds descended.
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Pick up a FREE 1st Visit to LEGOLAND button to pin on your shirt from the Guest Services window.
Here are the “don’t miss” rides on our list: Volvo Driving School (and Volvo Jr. Driving School), Coastersaurus, The Dragon, and Fairy Tale Brook.
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DEL MAR
Where the Turf Meets the Surf Del Mar is one of the most beautiful communities in Southern California. Hike the bluff at Torrey Pines, take the train along the coast, or simply soak up the year-round sun. The town is also home to the Del Mar racetrack, the Torrey Pines Golf Course, high-end boutiques, and world-class restaurants. Del Mar Village is only two blocks from Wave Crest Resort and Villa L’Auberge, yet when you’re at this private seaside retreat overlooking the Pacific everything else melts away! Spend your vacation lounging on the beach, exploring the bluff trails, or cheering on the horses at the racetrack.
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No Car? No Problem! If you’ve ever visited San Diego, you know that parking is at a premium in popular areas like the Gaslamp Quarter. But you don’t need to worry about it if you plan your trip right. With a little foresight and minimal expense, you can use San Diego’s public transportation system to zip all over the county.
San Diego Trolley The trolley system is a great way to skip the expense of parking in the city. If you’re headed to a big event downtown, park at Fashion Valley or Old Town and take the Green and Orange Lines to any number of stops, including Seaport Village, the Convention Center, Petco Park, and the Gaslamp Quarter.
COASTER Commuter Train If you’re staying in San Diego and want to explore North County or vice versa, consider taking the COASTER between the two destinations. You’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the coast—and get to your destination in about the same amount of time as if you took I-5.
A round-trip pass ranges from $8.00 to $11.00 depending on how far you ride.
BEST OF
Del Mar
You can purchase a day pass at any station for $5.00 or a oneway pass for $2.50.
DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO THE G A SL AMP QUARTER Hub of America’s Finest City
The 16½-block Gaslamp Quarter is home to more than 100 restaurants, 40 bars and nightclubs, 100 retail shops, and numerous theaters and art galleries. It’s the place to be if you want central access to everything San Diego has to offer. 14
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Step outside the Sofia Hotel, and you’ll be greeted by city lights, taxis, and a plethora of dining and shopping options. A historic hotel in a historic district—everything you need for a memorable San Diego vacation.
HARBOR HIGHLIGHTS
USS Midway & More
ALLISON WAKEN : AllForTheMemories
San Diego has plenty to do and see besides the beach. I had heard good things about the USS Midway Museum so we decided to check it out while we were in the area. It honestly was one of the best museums we’ve visited. The boys LOVED checking out the ship and all the aircraft, plus we got to chat with a WWII vet who told us just a bit about his incredible life in the Navy. I wish we would have stayed in the area longer because there was so much to do. I know what we’ll be adding to our travel list when deciding where to go the next time we drive over!
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CORONADO The Jewel of San Diego Just 2.12 miles across the iconic Coronado Bridge from the Gaslamp Quarter, or a 15-minute ferry cruise across the bay, lands you in a bustling little downtown along Orange Avenue where tourists and locals alike can be found strolling the sidewalks, peering into art galleries, shopping, or eating and drinking their ways through some of the many diverse and highly praised restaurants. HENRY LEWIS & VANESSA McGILL : SanDiegoVille
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EXPLORE CORONADO BY BIKE There’s no better way to explore the peninsula than by bike. CORONA DO’S HIDDEN GEM
Coronado Beach Resort is situated in the most picturesque location along Orange Avenue, directly across the street from the famed Hotel del Coronado, and offers a resort vacation with home-like amenities, making your staycation that much more comfortable. Guests are invited to rent one of the many bikes, play some leisurely billiards, or venture up to the rooftop sundeck for a relaxing dip in the spa.
Coronado has more than 15 miles of dedicated bike paths, or you can opt for the 24-mile Bayshore Bikeway, which loops around the San Diego Bay.
Silver Strand Bikeway – 14 Miles Out and Back The Silver Strand Bikeway is a multiuse path that runs along the spit connecting Coronado to Imperial Beach. To find the bikeway, look for the paved path where Pomona Avenue meets the main highway.
H AUNTED OR J UST HUNGRY?
No venture to the “Island” is complete without a visit to the iconic Hotel del Coronado, a beautiful masterpiece of a resort built in 1888, occupying 28 acres of some of the most beautiful oceanfront in the United States. Del Beach offers luxurious lounge chairs, halfmoon cabanettes, and plush day beds for your afternoon’s delight with courteous food and beverage service. As our stomachs began to rumble, we perused the extensive menu and decided on a portobello sandwich and what has been professed by Sir SanDiegoVille to be one of his most favorite burgers of all time—the Del’s BBQ bacon burger. We devoured our sandwiches, fries, and fresh fruit before the seagulls caught wind and sank back into the plush day bed under the sun.
Around the Island – 6 Mile Loop Head north along the Glorietta Bay, under the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, and to the Coronado Ferry Landing. From there, continue northwest along 1st Avenue and turn left on Alameda. Alameda merges into Ocean, which will take you past the Hotel del Coronado and back to Coronado Beach Resort. Bayshore Bikeway – 24 Mile Loop Start the ride at the San Diego side of the Coronado Ferry Landing and head south along Harbor Drive. The route passes through National City and Imperial Beach before heading north along the Silver Strand. To make the full loop, you and your bike will have to take the Coronado Ferry across the San Diego Bay.
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