California and Las Vegas take 1
This is the trip report from our recent trip to California and Las Vegas. As we have now been back for a month or so, it is interesting to look back at how much we did get to see and do.
Firstly a little background. I would go to Florida all the time if that were possible but the other half is not as keen and decided it was time for a change. This trip was for a major occasion our 30th anniversary, so in the interests of matrimonial bliss and a little self preservation I agreed to look at an alternative. We had talked about California for our 25th but for various reasons did not get away that year (2 Daughters at university).
In all honestly we have both always wanted to do quiet a few things on the west coast, like the coastal drive, San Diego zoo, san Francisco the grand Canyon and Las Vegas to name a few of the obvious ones. I made out a rough itinerary and as you may know I asked for some suggestions on this site. Thanks to all those who offered advice some of which we took, even the suggestions we did not follow contributed to the overall planning process.
Day 1; the flight to Newark was on time and the service was good, customs and immigration went smoothly as did the terminal transfer. I knew it could not be that simple, this was the Thursday when Hurricane Irene was moving up the east coast, it was not due to get to New York until the Saturday but was having an effect on incoming flights. So I was and had been a little concerned that it may have an effect on our trip. After clearing security in the next terminal we looked at the departure board and the heart sank a little, San Diego flight cancelled. After checking at information and the gate we were told this was a mistake and all was well. Then the gate said it was cancelled, then they changed to, it’s an hour late and from a different gate. This turned out to be the case so once airborne a slight delay was a minor inconvenience. We got to Sand Diego less than an hour late collected the bags and got the bus to Alamo, as this was getting on for 9.30pm we only had one person in front of us. Collected the hire car set the sat nav and we were in the hotel about 20 minutes later, so although a little long, not a bad trip. We Stayed on Shelter Island at the Bay Club Hotel and Marina, Shelter Island is known as San Diego’s Hawaiian Island. The room was excellent, a little larger than I expected with a walk in closet area, best thing was the balcony overlooking the Marina. My wife started with her normal routine as she always does, which is to unpack and get everything organized, while I helped from the safety of the balcony. It did not take long and once finished she joined me and took a seat to admire the view. The most important thing from my point of view, the other half was impressed. She said I had chosen a good hotel and she liked both the room and the view, so off to a good start. I was definitely in the good books when I produced the Champaign and chocolate covered straw berries.
If I get the San Diego weather comment out of the way now it will save repetition as it was the same for the 4 nights three days we were there. Hot and sunny with temperatures above average in the high 20’s and it even managed 30 on a couple of occasions.
Day 2; we spent the day at the safari park which is actually outside of town. Had a great day lots to see, I got to do the zip line which I had looked forward to. We left at about 3 as we wanted to get back early to allow time to get ready for the Hawaiian night (Luau) this was held on the beach outside the Kona Kia hotel at the end of shelter Island. It was an excellent night, which turned out to include entertainment from different Polynesian islands not just Hawaii, the basic program was: Welcome Lei Greeting and Mai Tai or Hawaiian Punch Cocktail, we went for the Mai Tai. It went down so well we even managed a few more after the free one (its hard work but someone has to do it). The Conch Shell Announcement and Imu Pig Presentation followed by the Luau Dinner Buffet and Polynesian Entertainment during dinner. Food was good and plenty of it, more if you wanted. “Spectacular Polynesian Dance Show with Authentic Hula and Fire Dancers”, that’s taken from the publicity blurb but I would have to agree, all in all a good night out. The walk back was only about 10 minutes, after getting back we had a drink outside by the pool and listened to the group playing next door at Humphrey’s. They have a small outside arena with groups playing at the weekend, it appears popular and can get quit busy.
Day 3 after breakfast we drove to Coronado Island we travelled on E Harbour Drive and the freeway arriving at the south end of the island. This took us past the Naval Dock yards which had some impressive looking ships berthed. We got onto Coronado Island at the South end and travelled north stopping at the shopping area just past the Coronado hotel. We walked along the beach round past the hotel, then as recommended had a walk around this very impressive looking old hotel. Everywhere we went from day one on Shelter Island, and the rest of the west coast we saw weddings either in progress or at some other stage in proceedings. It appears outside weddings are all the rage in California and certainly in San Diego. We had a quick walk round the shops then left the island via the high bridge which has a great view and can be seen for miles. We then spent a couple of hours walking round the Gaslamp quarter again plenty of shops and restaurants to see. If we get breakfast we tend to only have a coffee and snack at lunch time. Somehow we finished up in the Ghirardelli ice cream and chocolate shop. We had a coffee and what can only be described as an obscenely large ice cream. If you have not tried one and like ice cream and or chocolate this is a must. It was so bad we finished up in two more Ghirardelli’s during later parts of the trip. From the Gaslamp quarter we went to look round the USS Midway an aircraft carrier now acting as a museum. It was interesting to look round the big carrier, 3 things stood out for me, the size of the hanger deck, the tiny cramped accommodation for the crew and the aircraft and missiles displayed on the flight deck. They appeared to have all the different aircraft and helicopters the carrier had used over its years of service. Even my wife found it interesting, the Americans are so good at putting on this sort of display. We headed back to the hotel had a walk round Shelter Island before driving over to Sunset Cliffs. We parked up had a short walk and watched an amazing sunset then back to the hotel for dinner (that way I could have a glass of wine with dinner). Turned out to be a good meal the restaurant overlooks the marina which helps. I like seafood and steak so I had the fillet Oscar, I don’t know who Oscar is but he knows how to cook a steak. Then out by the pool for a night cap and a touch of next doors music in the background.
Day 4 (Sunday) this is the one I had been looking forward to from the start, the world famous San Diego Zoo. I am not going to go through everything about the zoo but I will say it lived up to expectations. Plenty of animals to see, I noticed they had more birds than other zoos I have visited, they were in large walk through aviaries. The zoo is big and needs a full day to do it justice. We had arrived first thing and left at about 4 so we could have a quick walk round Balboa Park, which a number of people had recommended. If I was to do this trip again I would want more time to look round, I was surprised at just how much there is too see in terms of museums and art galleries. Even without going in to many because of the time it is a nice place to walk round. We headed over to old town to round off our last day in San Diego, first impression was its full of shops selling tourist tat. However it has authentic places mixed in and some of the shops were selling what looked like better quality goods. We had a good walk round and finished in a local restaurant or I should say a restaurant full of locals, which I take as a good sign and it was. A long day over we headed back to the hotel for some well earned feet up by the pool time and a relaxing drink. We talked through our impression of San Diego and the amount we had managed to fit in and of course planned the next day.
I know a lot of people don’t bother with San Diego and go between San Francisco an LA but I would highly recommend going. It’s a very laid back sort of place, great weather and lots to see (more than we had time for). At one point we were only about 4 miles from the Mexican boarder so you have that option. Would I go back defiantly would I recommend it, without a doubt. (Part 2 soon)
