San Diego "Association" Style

Since my usual preference is to utilize timeshares whenever possible, the Gaslamp Plaza Suites was high on my list of possible accommodations for my five day trip to San Diego. Unfortunately, I was unable to score an exchange through RCI, so I was left facing hotels within our group's "block" of rooms. With nightly room rates of between $189 and $250 (plus tax), I was really concerned about spending that much of my association's money. Fortunately, I learned from another timeshare owner friend that Gaslamp Plaza Suites actually rents their units through an online broker system. I was able to pick up my four nights for a total of $625 including all taxes. Truly a bargain in just about any resort destination city!

The resort has units from what I would consider to be a standard hotel type "suite" to more spacious two bedroom units. For just me, the hotel unit was just fine. The room was cozy, but had all of the amenities that one might want for an extended stay. In addition to the usual bed and bathroom, there was also a nice set up that included a mini-fridge, microwave, personal coffee maker and dishes/silverware for four guests.

The building was built in 1913 and is described as an old European style hotel that has retained much of her glamour and ambiance of an era long gone. I loved the beautiful marble walls of the hall of my floor. There are photos of the hotel and downtown San Diego throughout the property to give you a feel of what it was like back 50 or 75 years ago.

As a guest here, whether you are an owner, timeshare exchanger or renter like me, there is a daily complimentary breakfast served from 7:00-10:00a daily up on the rooftop terrace. The view faces down the Gaslamp District and out to the San Diego Bay. A very lovely way to start the day, indeed.

In the lobby level of the building is Dakotas, a restaurant that is open for lunch Monday through Friday and for dinner seven days a week. As a guest at Gaslamp Plaza Suites, your room key serves as at $10 dining discount ($40 minimum purchase). They also provide room service to guests in the building.

All in all, I could not be happier with the accommodations and services. Unlike most timeshare resorts, there were daily housekeeping services to include making the bed and refreshing the bathroom towels and toiletry items.

I would recommend Gaslamp Plaza Suites for anyone looking for nice downtown accommodations in San Diego - right in the middle of everything that's happening in the Gaslamp Quarter.

San Diego is a remarkable city and very easily navigated without a car. It's amazing to me to observe all of the ways people get around this place. I should say that at night, while out and about, I felt very safe. The city is clean with lots of people out and about.

As I walked down the hill to meet a friend for dinner, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the mix of what appeared to be locals and tourists. Many of my ASAE cohorts were out and about, as noted by their "convention badges" worn proudly around their necks. Walking is a great way to get some exercise in a climate that almost creates the need to be outside!

But after a few days of walking the hard floors of the San Diego Convention Center, it is easy to want to find an easier way to do things, especially at the end of a long day of standing and walking. This review is written in honor of all of the vendors who bring fun alternative ways to getting around San Diego.

Perhaps the most unique that I saw was the group of segway riders. Looking more like a tour than a mode of transportation, it still looked like a great way to get around. Since all of America has probably seen the video of President Bush wiping out on a segway, I guess we are to assume it does take some amount of coordination to navigate on the stand-up two wheelers.

A more relaxing and even romantic way to see the city is by horse drawn carriage. Many cities offer this as a way to impress your lady or simply get from one place to another. I saw several carriages throughout the weekend, day and night.

Pedi-taxis are sorta like a rickshaw pulled by a bike peddler versus someone just pulling the cart along. After watching them for several days, I decided I would take one "up hill" to my hotel after an evening of dinner and adult beverages. The price was $15 for the seven block ride. While I felt very comfortable with my driver, I did see on cut across traffic resulting in horn blowing and brake jammin'. The most fun seen by travelers using this mode of transportation was this group of young women singing along with their dreadlocked peddler.

If you are down along the waterfront without a vehicle and interested in going over to Coronado, you really owe it to yourself to take the water taxi. At $6 each way for the seven minute ride, it really is a neat way to be on the water and getting to a change of scenery.

So much to see . . . so many ways to get there. No need to rent a car if you're planning a downtown visit.

For my last evening in town, I decided a quiet simple dinner in the restaurant downstairs on the street level of my resort was my best bet. It was really very good . . . I'm glad I dined at Dakota Grill & Spirits before heading home after my five days in San Diego.

A "white linen" type of place, it was comfortable dining alone. I thoroughly enjoyed the large windows on the two outer walls of the building. The view as evening approached, the hustle and bustle of the Gaslamp District, was a nice diversion to dining alone.

The menu offered a rather simplistic assortment of entrees, most of which included potatoes and fresh string beans. Salad was an ala carte, but I passed in order to assure I'd have room for dessert. For dinner I had the prime rib (end cut, medium well), which was a huge portion . . . I think probably 14 or maybe even 16 ounces. Served with au jus and horseradish, it was really a prime cut and had outstanding flavor.

After dinner I ordered the apple pastry, that came with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The pastry was light and flakey, served warm with a strawberry garnish.

My meal came to $43 but with my hotel/resort key, there was a $10 discount. So dining for $40 total in San Diego was a wonderful value given that most nice, fine dining establishments are more in the $50+ range.

There is an upper level that is accessed via a lovely wide staircase that brings guests right to the large bar. With a TV mounted on the back wall, patrons can sit and enjoy an adult beverage while catching a ballgame or perhaps the evening news.

If you are driving to the Dakota Grill & Spirits, there is valet parking next door at the entrance to the Gaslamp Plaza Suites.

It is always nice to travel and enjoy a wonderful meal with colleagues, friends or family. San Diego has many outstanding options for visitors. This review is on two that I had the opportunity to experience first hand while attending my ASAE Conference.

Oceanaire Seafood Room
400 J Street
San Diego, CA 92101
PH: 619-858-2277
Web: http://www.theoceanaire.com/Location/Default.aspx?id=6
Reservations Recommended

A friend and I chose this restaurant based on a recommendation from someone working at the Marriott on Harbor Drive. We were definitely NOT disappointed.

As you enter the building and ascend the open air staircase, you can feel the ambience of a first class establishment. Our table was ready at our reserved time, and we were promptly seated. Service was immediate and attentive throughout the evening.

With water glasses filled, it was time to take a look at the extensive menu for the evening dining. Each night the menu is prepared based on the fresh ingredients available to the chef. My choice was easy . . . crab cakes. My friend has an encrusted halibut. All sides and salads are ala carte and large enough to share. We opted for a fresh strawberry and pecan with crumbled blue cheese salad and the garlic mashed potatoes with our entrees. A wonderful loaf of piping hot fresh bread was served before our salad, along with a small relish tray.

Our food was prepared perfectly and simply awesome! Pricing was a bit on the high side, but as a first class restaurant, it was well worth the price paid. My dinner including gratuity was just under $60, with ice tea to drink and no dessert.

Speaking of beverages, they did have a very expansive wine list and a full service bar. I would highly recommend the Oceanaire Seafood Room for anyone visiting San Diego and the Gaslamp District.


Peohe's
1201 First Street
Coronado, CA 92118
PH: 619-437-4474
Web: http://www.peohes.com/home.html
Reservations Recommended

Peohe's is located on Coronado, right at the water taxi dock connecting it to San Diego for an easy $12/person (round trip) ride across the San Diego Bay. It is a wonderful experience that is enhanced by the wonderful view of the San Diego cityscape. Inside, Peohe's takes you to the Polynesian tropics, much like many of the outstanding restaurants in Hawaii.

We were here on a very busy Saturday night. Many arrived disappointed to learn it was a 90 minute wait for anyone without reservations. It was easy to see why this place is so popular. Between the wonderful exotic cocktails and outstanding view, not to mention the gourmet meals, Peohe's was well worth the $50+ price for dinner.

I started my dining experience with their Peohe's Salad that featured orange slices and candied walnuts with a light orange-ginger vinaigrette.

Specializing on seafood, all meals are prepared with only the freshest fish available. For those look for meatier choices, prime steaks are also on the menu. I thoroughly enjoyed my shrimp trio (grilled, coconut and teriyaki) served on a nice bed or wild rice.

While I had no room for dessert, they did have a wonderful offering providing choices that included a fun hot chocolate lava cake prepared with Godiva chocolate liqueur and topped with macadamia nut ice cream.

Peohe's is an experience that I would also highly recommend!

San Diego is a beautiful city with perfect weather. Many of the restaurants and bars throughout the Gaslamp District are open air, no windows, no doors . . . just open space and fresh air. It is really nice to sit outside, whether you are enjoying a beer with a friend, as I did at The Field . . . or grabbing a bit to eat, which was how I spent my first afternoon in town at Bare Back Grill. Not only can you casually drink or dine, there are several very nice restaurants that offer outdoor cafe dining . . . like Lou & Mickeys.

In the Gaslamp District, the choices are almost endless. I don't think that in just a few days you can really to the area justice. But I thoroughly enjoyed my "Average Joe" burger at the Bare Back Grill. Complete with cheese, toppings and condiments, along with a generous portion of fries and a diet coke, you're looking at $15. There are some discount coupons available in the hotel's restaurant recommendation rack if you're looking to save a couple of bucks.

Nothing is really inexpensive in San Diego. I guess it is the price you pay for the great weather! The night we stopped for a beer at The Field, I was a bit shocked at the $6 price tag on my pint of New Castle. That's OK . . . the great open air and friendly local folks was worth the extra buck (or two). The Field also offers bar food if you're interested in snacking, as well as a traditional Irish pub menu.

As I walked by Lou & Mickeys, I remember my night out with Susi back in 2005. That night it was exotic cocktails after the Hall & Oates concert. On this night, it was more a fond memory as I walked by because it was too early to eat supper . . . and definitely too early in the evening to be drinking wild drinks served in "monkey" mugs.

When you go to San Diego, be sure to get out into the street and experience the Gaslamp District. It really has a hip, urban feel that is exhilarating.

My sister was able to come down to San Diego to spend some time with me and breakfast on her last morning in town was our last opportunity to get together. Meeting at the San Diego Convention Center, it was nice to just have to go a couple of blocks into the Gaslamp Quarter for breakfast.

We entered from the 5th Avenue sidewalk and chose to sit outside because the morning was so beautiful. Our server Mickey was attentive and patient as we took our time to place our orders. After several visits to our table, we finally decided on the lox and bagels. Accompanied by the usual red onions, capers and ripe red tomato slices, and of course cream cheese, it was very good.

The bagels were large and flavorful, and toasted perfectly. Accompanied by what tasted like freshly squeezed orange juice, breakfast was about $20 each (including tip).

Perhaps as nice as the meal was the comfortable sidewalk cafe seating that allowed for people watching and open chat. The inside "diner area" was very modern and very open. The contemporary decor is consistent with its location in the Hard Rock Hotel.

If you are attending a convention in San Diego and want something a little nicer than the Starbucks inside the convention center, give MaryJane's Coffeeshop a try!

The Embarcadero Marina Park is a lovely place whether it is for a special event like the ASAE Welcome Reception or a family picnic. While the park is often closed for private parties, there are a lot of times when visitors and locals can enjoy the San Diego Bay while watching the boats sail or cruise by.

Located on the north end of Harbor Drive, through the Seaport Village shopping area, this really is a beautiful place to sit and enjoy the sea breeze through your hair. The park faces across to Coronado providing a nice backdrop for photos.

If you are looking for a nice location for a private function, I would highly recommend considering the Embarcadero North or South areas. In fact, it appeared that there was a wedding reception going on across the way over at the north park.

There is limited parking, requiring that you find someplace in the Seaport Village area. It's an easy and short walk from there, so enjoy your seaside stroll!