California Paradise

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The hotel complex is spectacular. The red-roofed, wooden structure is elegant, with a sweeping veranda and instantly recognizable cupola towering over the beach. The hotel has a wonderful pool, complete with pool bar and outdoor patio restaurant (serving sandwiches, salads, burgers and hot dogs, etc...) The Del is situated on a gorgeous stretch of beachfront property. The wide beach, made famous in the Marilyn Monroe film "Some Like it Hot," looks much now as it did in the movie, with a magnificent view of the grand old hotel behind you as you lie on the sand. (Just be aware that the other end of Coronado is home to an Air Force base, and low-flying military planes are a regular occurance.)

My favorite part of the Del is the rich, wood-paneled lobby. Decorated in the dark, heavy style of the Victorian-era, it is a great place to meet for a drink. The old-fashioned elevator, complete with filigreed "cage" is a beauty. The "Crown" dining room, which features crown-shaped chandeliers designed by "Wizard of Oz" author Frank Baum, is the where Sunday Brunch is served - don''t miss it! Although the brunch is a tad on the expensive side (I don''t remember the exact price) the food was very good and plentiful and dining in the famous room is a real treat.

The Del also has a basement shopping concourse, with very nice shops and services, as well as an interesting photo-history of the hotel lining the walls.

There is also a spa. I had a massage and whirlpool in the 20s-style spa and was very pleased.

I also attended a small wedding held in one of the beach-front cabanas - the food and service were excellent.

While the rooms are so-so, the hotel itself is perfectly lovely. Go there for the whole experience - if you are only looking for a room to sleep in while you check out San Diego, I wouldn''t recommend staying here. However, if you are looking to spend some time at your hotel, a few days at the Del is a vacation in itself.

http://www.hoteldel.com/

Glorietta Bay does not have a restaurant, but there are plenty (including the Chart House and the Hotel Del''s many restaurants) within walking distance. They have a decent swimming pool, and boat rental (kayak and sailboat) is located within walking distance. The beach is just across the street with access by the Hotel Del. The front desk rents bicycles for a modest fee - it''s a great way to see Coronado!

The Marriott Hotel and Marina is a huge complex, with two high-rise towers and over 1000 rooms. There are numerous banquet and conference facilites, several restaurants, and a lovely pool area. The hotel is within easy walking distance of a very nice waterfront pedestrian shopping area that features several restaurants and bars, and is also within walking distance to the historic Gaslamp Quarter.

Rude clientele aside, the food was excellent. We shared thick steaks and seafood that night and were extremely pleased with our meal, once we were finally left to enjoy it in peace. We had an incredible dessert, a cookie-crusted ice cream pie, that was worth every calorie. The staff was efficient when it came to describing and serving the food, and sympathetic but unhelpful when it came to giving us room to actually eat the food.

As great as the sunset from George's Terrace is, if you would like to have a nice romantic dinner wait until the sun has already set to enjoy the great food.

The food is delicious. Their pizze are incredible, and they make a really great Penne Piemontese (red sauce with veal, pork, and white wine). Their seafood and salads are also very, very good. Can't comment on their dessert - never had room for it by the time I was done eating dinner (the appetizers and entrees are that good - I usually NEVER skip dessert!).

Try Trattoria Acqua for a romantic meal in La Jolla instead of George's - the view is prettier, the setting is more romantic and the food is out of this world.

Fish tacos are not my thing. I had the chicken soft tacos, which would normally be my thing, but not from this place. Stick to the fish tacos, apparently, that is what they do best. Enjoy!

The park has several pathways which "loop" through the zoo, enabling visitors to see all or most of the exhibits (depending on which loop you choose to take). You can walk the whole thing at a leisurely pace in about 3 hours or so. Don't let them con you into paying the higher price to take the tram tour of the zoo unless you really cannot walk any distance at all. You get a better view and can go at your own pace if you walk the park yourself. Plus you never know when the animals are going to decide to show themselves, and on the tram you can miss them if they choose to hide when the bus rolls by.

The gorillas are fascinating, and are housed in a beautiful new exhibit which features a very realistic recreation of their natural jungle habitat. Also of note is the hippopotamus pool, which affords underwater and above-water views of the giant creatures. Polar bears can be viewed in the same fashion - it's amazing to see these huge animals swim so gracefully underwater.

Just a note - food and beverage prices are very inflated in the park. Bring your own bottle of water and make a direct donation to support the animals instead.

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/zoo/homepage.php3

Torrey Pines is a quiet beach, visited mostly by couples and people looking for some peace and quiet. The beach is located in the Torrey Pines State Reserve, home to the rare, twisted Torrey Pine tree. I recommend spending half a day exploring the park (there are some great trails with beautiful views of the ocean), and the other half relaxing on the beach.