Southern California and Ensanada, Mexico

Best Things Nearby:
San Luis Rey Mission, San Diego attractions.

Best Things About the Resort:
Nice location on the beach, friendly staff.

Resort Experience:
The Southern California Beach Club is a small resort located right on the beach in Oceanside, California. Since I am physically disabled, my comments will largely reflect accessibility issues.

My room was a studio with an ocean view - nice, but not luxurious. It was wonderful to fall asleep each night with the patio door cracked open and listening to the ocean waves.

Accessibility was so-so: I was able to maneuver my wheelchair through the room, but the microwave was a tough reach, and the bathroom was very small and had no grab bars. I also have a small wheelchair; a larger person or a quadraplegic would need assistance. I believe the resort has some specifically designated handicap rooms -- if so, this was obviously not one of them. There is an elevator which is fine. However, for disabled drivers, the parking garage is atrocious -- there is only one handicap designated space, which was taken when I pulled in. I had a minor accident with my rental car trying to pull into one of the very narrow spaces; and then there was not enough space to unload my wheelchair. Thus, disabled drivers should request a street parking permit (they had some available when I checked in, but it would probably be a good idea to call about it in advance.)

The staff was very friendly and helpful, and very understanding about my little "incident" in the parking garage.

I did not participate in the daily activities, except for one: in conjunction with other area RCI resorts, a bus trip to Mexico is offered on Thursdays. This bus trip is HIGHLY recommended. It is well worth the $85 fare, which includes transportation, insurance, and two meals. It will save you a lot of hassle and waiting at the border, and the tour guide is very knowledgeable.

Since I do not have a family, I was unable to rate the "family friendliness".

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Good
• Family Friendliness: Not Available
• Service: Very Good

This chartered bus trip takes you down the scenic Toll Highway 1-D in Mexico to the port city of Ensanada. Included in the fare is your transportation and two meals.

We crossed the border in early morning and had brunch at the Calafia restaurant near Rosarito Beach. From there we went on to Ensanada, where we had the option of getting off to shop, or continuing on the bus to La Bufadora, a spectacular (so I'm told) blowhole on the ocean further south. I got off at Ensanada.

We all gathered later for dinner at Casamar Restaurant in Ensanada. The food was all-around excellent. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Mexican culture. Her knowledge, and the experience of going to Mexico if you've never been (without the long waits at the border), together with the food make this trip a no-brainer. DO IT!

They bill themselves as the "World Famous" San Diego Zoo and certainly they do good things with endangered species and the grounds are beautiful, but overall I was nonplussed. It didn't seem any better or worse than any other zoo I've been to in terms of entertainment value.

Also, they get points off for the steepness of some of the walkways; in many spots I had difficulty going uphill in my wheelchair, and there were a few things I was not able to see at all.

I think my impression might have come off better if I had spent the extra $10 for the shuttle which gives a guided tour of the grounds.