San Diego Journals

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Best of IgoUgo

A February 2006 trip to San Diego by samepenny

Kona Kai Resort view Photo - Kona Kai Resort, San Diego, California

Quote: A lovely island in a perfect harbor, Shelter Island, San Diego.

20 Photos

Kona Kai Resort

Hotel

Quote:

Not long ago, this was the Shelter Pointe Hotel, but it has changed owners recently. Taxi drivers know it under the old name. The location is an island in San Diego Harbor with a view of the city, the Navy ships going and coming, hundreds of yachts at anchor and at sale and fabulous sunsets. This hotel's location is a $20 taxi ride from downtown, but it is a wonderful place for a chill-out weekend. The heated pool and sandy volleyball beach is a hit with families. I came to this hotel for a meeting, but a meeting with absolutely outstanding views of the yachts and the sea. The bedrooms of this hotel are in several buildings, most without elevators and often a long walk from the reception area, but the potential of having a great view is high. My bedroom was nothing special, but I truly enjoyed my walks along the yacht marina to get to the conference center. Even during the meetings, I found myself doing a lot of gazing out the windows. There will be many upgrades at this hotel as the new owners get going with the changes they have planned. It has the potential of being a really fine resort (with increasing prices). There is a charge for parking a car, but I think that it too keeps visitors who come to enjoy the sunsets from tying up all the parking. There is a fine restaurant, room service, and a health spa, but for the time of my visit, the gift shop was shut for remodeling. No place to even buy a newspaper or candy bar! That will be improved. When you book, make a specific request for a view room on an upper floor of one of the outer buildings if you don't mind a walk. There are the usual in-room facilities, including a mini refrigerator and coffeemaker. Look for your closet behind the full-length mirror! The hotel's map includes the advice not to walk alone at night along the water or the marina. This hotel will pick you up at the airport if you telephone them when you arrive and will also take you to and from restaurants on Shelter Island if the van is available. Keep the telephone number handy for this service: (619) 221-8000. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 4, 2006

Kona Kai Resort
1551 Shelter Island Drive
San Diego, California 92106
619-221-8000

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Humphrey's by the Bay

Restaurant | "Humphrey's on the Bay"

Quote:

Humphrey's is in the former location of Coconuts Restaurant, for those who remember this great place of the past. It is a beautiful building with a wonderful marina view. The food is great, highest quality, beautifully prepared. We enjoyed it so much for dinner that we went back for a lunch on another day.Everything is fresh, and beautifully prepared and served. The 'Taste of San Diego', with large prawns, shallots, and sherry at $24, is a really nice deal for a fine meal. The salads are wonderful, the desserts incredible; but best of all are the nice people who work there. We really felt welcome.Most nights of the week Humphrey's has the "Back Stage Music Club", with won...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 4, 2006

Humphrey's by the Bay
2241 Shelter Island Drive
San Diego, California 92106
+1 619 224 3577

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Boathouse

Restaurant | "Boathouse Restaurant"

Quote:

Come to this fine restaurant for the Chargilled Ahi Tuna ($23.95) and really have a nice dinner! Of course it has a nice view. This is San Diego! This restaurant is on the 2nd of the man-made islands in San Diego Harbor, and isn't far from the airport. The prices here are very reasonable for the quality of the food and the service. An enormous bowl of clam chowder is $5.95 and Crispy Malaysian Coconut Prawns are $22.95. This is a large restaurant, in an upstairs location, with no elevator. The views are great by day and by night, but the stairs are steep. It is a $15.00 taxi ride from downtown. On the evening we dined here it was unseasonably chilly, so the ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 4, 2006

Boathouse
2040 Harbor Island Dr
San Diego, California 92101
+1 619 291 8011

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AJ's Grill

Restaurant

Quote:

AJ's Grill is in the Kona Kai Resort (once the Shelter Pointe Hotel) and is a very nice place for a meal either inside or on the terrace overlooking the marina. The food is fresh, very well prepared, and properly served. The portions are large and the atmosphere is gracious.There is a bar/lounge off to one side, but the restaurant is separate from that area, so you can feel comfortable bringing the children along. This restaurant has a very high reputation and would do very well on its own entirely separate from the resort, so it is a pleasure to have it in a handy location in the main building.I can't get over having such fine views, blue skies, and fresh air! Sunny and cheerf...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 4, 2006

AJ's Grill
1551 Shelter Island Drive
San Diego, California 92106
+1619 221 8000

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SeaWorld San Diego

Attraction | "SeaWorld"

Quote:

SeaWorld has a wonderful collection of penguins, therefore I had to make a visit. This turned out to be a wonderful day out, with all sorts of things to do and see. Was I surprised the Clydesdale horses were there? Yes! Was I surprised that the food in the Anheuser-Busch Hospitality Center was great? Yes! I did as much as a could do in a long day and evening at SeaWorld, a return trip for me; but purely enjoyable. I even bought a Behind the Scenes tour and highly recommend doing that. Yes, but I was there for the penguins, and penguins I did see and enjoy. The best penguin set up in the world. Best variety of penguins to be seen and the best cared for. We walked, ate, visi...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 4, 2006

SeaWorld San Diego
500 Seaworld Drive
San Diego, California 92019
(800) 257-4268