annetti

I'm meeting an old college friend for a late breakfast/early lunch next Friday or Sturday. We need a meeting place midway between San Diego and Long Beach. We would like someplace pleasant, not a Denny's, and somewhat convenient to the freeway so there won't be tons of extra driving. Anyone out there with a suggestion? Also, let me know if we need reservations. Thanks in Advance. Annetti

ltt

meet in laguna beach at the "main" public beach. then you can walk to many restaurants. or, if that's too vague, pick at hotel to meet. it's a little closer to long beach then san diego but an easy drive up I5.
or meet at a hotel in carlsbad.

annetti

ltt: Thanks for the thoughts. Laguna is certainly a nice place for lunch, but it would mean extra driving for my friend. I'm hoping for something closer to the 5 freeway so we can avoid the extra driving. My friend's probably not that comfortable with driving the CA freeways and she may have some jet lag. Any other thoughts?

annetti

Anyone else with ideas?

TahitiTams

Hi annetti..
How about Mimi's Cafe in Anaheim off the 5 and Harbor Blvd..
Good food and not alot of driving for your friend..
www.mimiscafe.com

annetti

thank you.

rjw_lgb_ca

Since you're trying to meet halfway between LB and SD, that puts you roughly in south OC/north SD counties. Mimi's is very convenient from LB-- a longer drive from SD.

Maybe it would be easier to look in the Costa Mesa/Irvine/San Clemente areas around the 405 (more mid-way than Mimi's would be). Z Tejas at South Coast Plaza would be fun (even given it's at a shopping mall), to pull one possibility out of my hat. Anyone else who lives in or around Costa Mesa? Maybe Newport around the end of the 55 freeway...!

rjw_lgb_ca

Having said that, Mimi's is just fine for a nice brunch, so it's a good suggestion, all things considered.

annetti

I was thinking South Coast Plaza, though it is a little closer for me since I live in LB. I was afraid that might be selfish on my part. What about Mission Viejo or SJC? Anyone?

paula1470

annetti-A place like Mimi's would be good but going to the one in Anaheim is out of the way especially for your friend coming from San Diego. I was going to suggest something a little closer-in the areas that rjw suggested.

There is a Mimi's in Lake Forest on Lake Forest Blvd about 1 mile east of the 5. However, this is still not really half-way if your friend actually lives in the city of San Diego. This Mimi's is about 31 miles from Long Beach and 77 miles from San Diego. San Clemente is the OC city that would be closest to half-way for both of you. Even then it's still a little longer drive from San Diego. Since you mentioned your friend might have jet lag and is not familiar with the CA freeways, I think it would be nice for you to drive a lot further south than Costa Mesa.

There are some good places in downtown San Clemente but I just now thought of The Beach House in Dana Point. It's in Dana Harbor which is right off the 5. They don't open for breakfast but you could have an early lunch there. I have not eaten at this location but have been to the one in Cardiff and Laguna Beach and enjoyed my meal. They have brunch on Saturdayl

www.thebeachhouse.com/danapoint.htm

annetti

The Beach House sounds good. I looked at the web site. Thanks, Paula. The prices appear reasonable AND it is convenient to the fwy. The only problem is that it opens at 11:30 which means we will both hit fwy traffic going home if we end up meeting on a Fri which may be the only option for my friend. I was trying for an early meal so we could avoid the traffic, but if I can't find something else in Dana Point or San Clemente or around there that opens earlier, I will go with the Beach House. Thanks, Paula and everyone else for giving me ideas and if anyone else has an idea for something that opens earlier, I would be grateful.

paula1470

Hadn't really thought about Friday traffic because you were meeting earlier but you could definitely get into some going home if you have a long lunch.

Someone once suggested Antoine's Cafe in San Clemente as a good place for breakfast but I have never eaten there. If you meet for breakfast in San Clemente then you could also spend a little time looking in the shops on Avenida Del Mar. It's a cute street.

annetti

Thanks for your help, Paula. I'll look into Antoine's cafe. Is there anywhere to walk around nr the Beach House in Dana Point? We could walk first and eat lunch when they open? Thanks again.

Bisbee

Tommy Bahamas in Newport Beach
Pizza Port in San Clemente

www.pizzaport.com

annetti

Thank you, Bisbee.