San Diego and Palm Springs-A Brief Trip Report
May 29th, 2007, 05:06 AM
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San Diego and Palm Springs-A Brief Trip Report
Posting this from work and basically from memory. Mainly doing so to thank those who were gracious enough to comment on SD and PS earlier restaurant queries and hoping there might be some information which would be useful, in the future, for others.
We keep hearing that airline travel is becoming more and more stressful and, unfortunately, our little Memorial Day excursion was no exception.
I had booked the reservations about five months out on US Airways and two first class seats were locked in on the "non-commuter" portions from Washington National to Phoenix. These same seat selections remained intact as I periodically reviewed the reservation on the USAirways website for possible "unannounced" time/schedule changes.
So, last Thursday when I did the on-line check-in number you can imagine how I felt when I found out we had been moved into bulkhead row seats. Not a super big deal and I already know there is no point in asking , "How did this happen?" because the answer is always the same: "We/I don't know" so I've stopped asking that pointless question.
No reason to complain other than we, for the first time ever, decided we could do this trip with carry-on luggage only. I am sure there are many who are thinking, "What is so hard about that?" When you wear a size 12 shoe and one pair takes up what seems like more than half the carry-on space you know what I'm talking about here.
I am also not in the majority opinion that bulkhead row seats offer more room even IN First Class but you make the best of it.
The original planwas to spend the entire time in Palm Springs and tickets were bought accordingly. Then, a couple of weeks before departure, "someone" who also occupies the household said, "Do you think we could go to San Diego, too?"
Has anyone else here ever had this happen to them (I suspect the answer is "yes" somehow)? So, after finding out that to change these tickets would cost, literally, over $2000 the decision was made to fly to Palm Springs as originally planned, pick up the planned rental car, and drive the 140 or so miles to San Diego..very doable in this houselhold where travel flexibility has become some sort of watchword.
On the day of travel the dog sitter/house sitter (a close friend) arrived in a timely fashion and drove us to the airport and we made our way to Security. The flight monitor listed out flight to Phoenix as being delayed one hour. This was concerning because we were scheduled to connect to the LAST flight to Palm Springs. This latter is what prompted us to travel with carry-ons only and it paid off big time as you are about to learn.
We made it through Security with shoes off, ZipLok bags containing all the essential jels, pastes, liquids (to include contact lens solution in 3 oz sizes), creams, and even a can of shoe polish..it is amazing what you CAN actually put into one of those bags) not to mention cell phones, chargers, digital camera, a GPS with a windshield mount I was concerned about being taken away because of the "weapons potential" (this happened with a locking bicycle cable in Newark a couple of years ago..."my supervisor thinks it could be used as a weapon..."{the boots I wear could be used as a weapon but what can you do?})
Hung around the USAirways Club room at National (some of the furniture is looking a little worn but at least the "snacks" have a fairly high actual nut content) for that extra hour and then on to the flight.
Is it just me and my old age or do other people have trouble with airport/airline personnel and the PA system announcements (both on and off the plane) and understandingwhat some of these people are mumbling about? I often wonder how foreign visitors who don't have a real great command of English manage to survive this system.
Anyway, onto the plane where we politely but boldly stuffed our within regulation sized carry-ons into the first available overhead bins...no, not the one that was crammed full of the flight crew luggage..those cute little "TravelPro" sets they all seem to roll around and that take up space OR in the overhead bin that has the defibrillator equipment OR the overhead bin that was crammed full of those "icky" blankets which so many Fodorites swear will never, EVER touch their skin and condemn them to some sort of infectious disease purgatory.
The flight to Phoenix was without incident; the service was, as would be expected, very attentive; the food marginal but at least they aren't chintzy with the booze and believe me, it was "paid for."
Arrival in Phoenix and off the plane exactly when the Palm Springs flight was scheduled to leave.
The concourse monitor said it was "on time" and, of course, on a different concourse from our arrival so we made our way to the USAirways service desk...and that's when things got dicey.
US: "Looks like we missed our connection to Palm Springs. Any chance of being re-routed?"
The Very Unhelpful Desk Person: "Oh, it's been bad all day here. You might be able to get out in a couple of days."
In a couple of days????????
US: "Could we fly into another airport in Southern California?"
TVUDP: "It's been very bad here all day. You could try getting onto another flight maybe."
US: "How about a flight to San Diego?"
TVUDP: "There's one that's leaving in a couple of minutes. If you want to rush down there and try that you can. I'll put you on the 'shortlist.'"
Off we RUN to the San Diego flight gate; as we arrive they are about to close the jetway door...
US: "Please don't do that."
Gate Agent: "Are you trying to go to San Diego?"
US: "Yes!"
GA: "There are only middle seats left."
US: "We'll take it!"
Turns out we were not on any sort of "shortlist" and that we could have gotten out the next morning and not in "a couple of days" (who ARE these customer "service" representatives", anyway?
GA: "She's probably one of the new hires."
Onto the plane and in middle seats...big deal..the flight lasts less than one hour.
We wait....and wait....and wait....45 minutes at the gate, aircraft door not closed, no announcements (mumbled or otherwise...nothing. Lots of ongoing cell phone conversations (understandable) and amazingly enough, nobody was shouting.
The aircraft door closes and we start to push back...the gentleman to my left decides that nowis the time to make a cell phone call.
The FA thinks otherwise and tells him to stop. There are nasty words exchanged including, "I'm an attorney..." but courtesy (and the "taller and stronger than you are" FA) prevails.
More later.
We keep hearing that airline travel is becoming more and more stressful and, unfortunately, our little Memorial Day excursion was no exception.
I had booked the reservations about five months out on US Airways and two first class seats were locked in on the "non-commuter" portions from Washington National to Phoenix. These same seat selections remained intact as I periodically reviewed the reservation on the USAirways website for possible "unannounced" time/schedule changes.
So, last Thursday when I did the on-line check-in number you can imagine how I felt when I found out we had been moved into bulkhead row seats. Not a super big deal and I already know there is no point in asking , "How did this happen?" because the answer is always the same: "We/I don't know" so I've stopped asking that pointless question.
No reason to complain other than we, for the first time ever, decided we could do this trip with carry-on luggage only. I am sure there are many who are thinking, "What is so hard about that?" When you wear a size 12 shoe and one pair takes up what seems like more than half the carry-on space you know what I'm talking about here.
I am also not in the majority opinion that bulkhead row seats offer more room even IN First Class but you make the best of it.
The original planwas to spend the entire time in Palm Springs and tickets were bought accordingly. Then, a couple of weeks before departure, "someone" who also occupies the household said, "Do you think we could go to San Diego, too?"
Has anyone else here ever had this happen to them (I suspect the answer is "yes" somehow)? So, after finding out that to change these tickets would cost, literally, over $2000 the decision was made to fly to Palm Springs as originally planned, pick up the planned rental car, and drive the 140 or so miles to San Diego..very doable in this houselhold where travel flexibility has become some sort of watchword.
On the day of travel the dog sitter/house sitter (a close friend) arrived in a timely fashion and drove us to the airport and we made our way to Security. The flight monitor listed out flight to Phoenix as being delayed one hour. This was concerning because we were scheduled to connect to the LAST flight to Palm Springs. This latter is what prompted us to travel with carry-ons only and it paid off big time as you are about to learn.
We made it through Security with shoes off, ZipLok bags containing all the essential jels, pastes, liquids (to include contact lens solution in 3 oz sizes), creams, and even a can of shoe polish..it is amazing what you CAN actually put into one of those bags) not to mention cell phones, chargers, digital camera, a GPS with a windshield mount I was concerned about being taken away because of the "weapons potential" (this happened with a locking bicycle cable in Newark a couple of years ago..."my supervisor thinks it could be used as a weapon..."{the boots I wear could be used as a weapon but what can you do?})
Hung around the USAirways Club room at National (some of the furniture is looking a little worn but at least the "snacks" have a fairly high actual nut content) for that extra hour and then on to the flight.
Is it just me and my old age or do other people have trouble with airport/airline personnel and the PA system announcements (both on and off the plane) and understandingwhat some of these people are mumbling about? I often wonder how foreign visitors who don't have a real great command of English manage to survive this system.
Anyway, onto the plane where we politely but boldly stuffed our within regulation sized carry-ons into the first available overhead bins...no, not the one that was crammed full of the flight crew luggage..those cute little "TravelPro" sets they all seem to roll around and that take up space OR in the overhead bin that has the defibrillator equipment OR the overhead bin that was crammed full of those "icky" blankets which so many Fodorites swear will never, EVER touch their skin and condemn them to some sort of infectious disease purgatory.
The flight to Phoenix was without incident; the service was, as would be expected, very attentive; the food marginal but at least they aren't chintzy with the booze and believe me, it was "paid for."
Arrival in Phoenix and off the plane exactly when the Palm Springs flight was scheduled to leave.
The concourse monitor said it was "on time" and, of course, on a different concourse from our arrival so we made our way to the USAirways service desk...and that's when things got dicey.
US: "Looks like we missed our connection to Palm Springs. Any chance of being re-routed?"
The Very Unhelpful Desk Person: "Oh, it's been bad all day here. You might be able to get out in a couple of days."
In a couple of days????????
US: "Could we fly into another airport in Southern California?"
TVUDP: "It's been very bad here all day. You could try getting onto another flight maybe."
US: "How about a flight to San Diego?"
TVUDP: "There's one that's leaving in a couple of minutes. If you want to rush down there and try that you can. I'll put you on the 'shortlist.'"
Off we RUN to the San Diego flight gate; as we arrive they are about to close the jetway door...
US: "Please don't do that."
Gate Agent: "Are you trying to go to San Diego?"
US: "Yes!"
GA: "There are only middle seats left."
US: "We'll take it!"
Turns out we were not on any sort of "shortlist" and that we could have gotten out the next morning and not in "a couple of days" (who ARE these customer "service" representatives", anyway?
GA: "She's probably one of the new hires."
Onto the plane and in middle seats...big deal..the flight lasts less than one hour.
We wait....and wait....and wait....45 minutes at the gate, aircraft door not closed, no announcements (mumbled or otherwise...nothing. Lots of ongoing cell phone conversations (understandable) and amazingly enough, nobody was shouting.
The aircraft door closes and we start to push back...the gentleman to my left decides that nowis the time to make a cell phone call.
The FA thinks otherwise and tells him to stop. There are nasty words exchanged including, "I'm an attorney..." but courtesy (and the "taller and stronger than you are" FA) prevails.
More later.
May 29th, 2007, 07:06 AM
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Actually, it wasn't all that miserable...more frustrating than anything else, especially the first agent in Phoenix.
I am certain others have had far worse travel circusmtances.
To continue...
We finally arrived in San Diego whichg even after 10:00 PM seemed plenty busy passenger arrival wise. I noticed a lot of people taking advantage of those "old fashioned" wooden rocking chairs in the arrivals area...perhaps they were stuck there...who knows?
Since we had no luggage to retrieve (wonderful feeling) we headed straight for the area where the rental car shuttles make pick ups. We had flown into San Diego for a one-night pre-cruise stay a couple of years ago so were not familiar with the car rental arrangements.
The pick up area was mobbed and this on a Thursday night (before the holiday weekend); there did not seem to be any designated spot for the individual shuttles to stop so we waited with everyone else.
Fortunately, Hertz wasn't long in arriving and a bunch of us jumped on. Somebody kinda berated the driver by saying, "You should have more busses"...I guess he was in a bigger hurry than the rest of us.
Short ride to the off-airport counter and I was easily able to change the pre-existing rental reservation out of Palm Springs to one in San Diego with a drop off at Palm Springs.
Being a #1 Club Gold member is worth the membership fee at times like this even if we don't rent that many cars every year. Everything was smooth and we were off the lot in about 10 minutes and on the way to the hotel.
We opted to stay at the Marriott Marina location on West Harbor Drive. We seriously considered staying at the Hotel Del Coronado but by the time I tried finding space there was little to be had. The other off-putting circumstance was/were the very mixed reviews of the Del on TripAdvisor.
We had a bay view balcony room in the North Tower at the Marriott. Valet parking was effortless ($6 more per say than self-park) and check in was very fast. I will post a review on TripAdvisor but will say here that we had a room with king bed; main part of the room measured 16 X 22 feet; bath adequate and the housekeeping was good.
No noise from outside; bed was the newer Marriott "soft" number and it is definitely comfortable and i prefer very firm beds.
Friday morning we were up early and drove over to the Del to have breakfast and check it out.
Coronado (and San Diego) have obviously changed a great deal since I lived there back in the early 60's. In those days it was definitely a "big Navy town" with lower Broadway dotted with locker clubs and little else. The two buildings (among I am sure a few others) which prominently remain (in my memory as well) from that era are the US Grant hotel which, at the time, seemed like the ONLY hotel in town, and the YMCA building.
The ferry over to Coronado has long been supplanted by the bridge.
Coronado itself obviously has some newer buildings but many of the homes looked as they did when I was first there...very neat and orderly and even peaceful.
The Del...self-parking on this early friday morning was somewhat of a nightmare since some of the spaces were taken up by construction company-related vehicles and we were almost ready to give up when a space opened up and we jumped into it.
There is construction going on in a lot of places on the hotel grounds except in the inner courtyard we made our way through to get to the main lobby and eventually into that wonderful 100-year-old PLUS elevator complete with attendant in uniform with cap as we made our way down to the lowest level and the oceanfront dining area.
Had no trouble getting a table outside overlooking the lawn..and more construction activity.
Service was attentive; great Bloody Mary's garnished with big stuffed spanish olives and a pickled string bean.
"Dress code?"..forget it..the usual shorts and T-shirts resort type stuff mingled with dressier folks...very relaxed which is exactly what we wanted at this hour.
Buffet with the usual offerings but one of the best omelets (made to order) I've had in a while.
The place keeps on going and it is interesting to see the changes that have been made such as the obvious additions of sprinkler systems with external pipes over room balconies prompted by fire code requirements I am certain.
I wonder how much longer the elevator guy will last...and just glad there were no "Tower of Terror" elevator moments although without injury that would have added immensely to the visit.
I am certain others have had far worse travel circusmtances.
To continue...
We finally arrived in San Diego whichg even after 10:00 PM seemed plenty busy passenger arrival wise. I noticed a lot of people taking advantage of those "old fashioned" wooden rocking chairs in the arrivals area...perhaps they were stuck there...who knows?
Since we had no luggage to retrieve (wonderful feeling) we headed straight for the area where the rental car shuttles make pick ups. We had flown into San Diego for a one-night pre-cruise stay a couple of years ago so were not familiar with the car rental arrangements.
The pick up area was mobbed and this on a Thursday night (before the holiday weekend); there did not seem to be any designated spot for the individual shuttles to stop so we waited with everyone else.
Fortunately, Hertz wasn't long in arriving and a bunch of us jumped on. Somebody kinda berated the driver by saying, "You should have more busses"...I guess he was in a bigger hurry than the rest of us.
Short ride to the off-airport counter and I was easily able to change the pre-existing rental reservation out of Palm Springs to one in San Diego with a drop off at Palm Springs.
Being a #1 Club Gold member is worth the membership fee at times like this even if we don't rent that many cars every year. Everything was smooth and we were off the lot in about 10 minutes and on the way to the hotel.
We opted to stay at the Marriott Marina location on West Harbor Drive. We seriously considered staying at the Hotel Del Coronado but by the time I tried finding space there was little to be had. The other off-putting circumstance was/were the very mixed reviews of the Del on TripAdvisor.
We had a bay view balcony room in the North Tower at the Marriott. Valet parking was effortless ($6 more per say than self-park) and check in was very fast. I will post a review on TripAdvisor but will say here that we had a room with king bed; main part of the room measured 16 X 22 feet; bath adequate and the housekeeping was good.
No noise from outside; bed was the newer Marriott "soft" number and it is definitely comfortable and i prefer very firm beds.
Friday morning we were up early and drove over to the Del to have breakfast and check it out.
Coronado (and San Diego) have obviously changed a great deal since I lived there back in the early 60's. In those days it was definitely a "big Navy town" with lower Broadway dotted with locker clubs and little else. The two buildings (among I am sure a few others) which prominently remain (in my memory as well) from that era are the US Grant hotel which, at the time, seemed like the ONLY hotel in town, and the YMCA building.
The ferry over to Coronado has long been supplanted by the bridge.
Coronado itself obviously has some newer buildings but many of the homes looked as they did when I was first there...very neat and orderly and even peaceful.
The Del...self-parking on this early friday morning was somewhat of a nightmare since some of the spaces were taken up by construction company-related vehicles and we were almost ready to give up when a space opened up and we jumped into it.
There is construction going on in a lot of places on the hotel grounds except in the inner courtyard we made our way through to get to the main lobby and eventually into that wonderful 100-year-old PLUS elevator complete with attendant in uniform with cap as we made our way down to the lowest level and the oceanfront dining area.
Had no trouble getting a table outside overlooking the lawn..and more construction activity.
Service was attentive; great Bloody Mary's garnished with big stuffed spanish olives and a pickled string bean.
"Dress code?"..forget it..the usual shorts and T-shirts resort type stuff mingled with dressier folks...very relaxed which is exactly what we wanted at this hour.
Buffet with the usual offerings but one of the best omelets (made to order) I've had in a while.
The place keeps on going and it is interesting to see the changes that have been made such as the obvious additions of sprinkler systems with external pipes over room balconies prompted by fire code requirements I am certain.
I wonder how much longer the elevator guy will last...and just glad there were no "Tower of Terror" elevator moments although without injury that would have added immensely to the visit.
May 29th, 2007, 09:44 AM
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Gotravel...no, we paid for the FC tickets and did not use miles...we did not get bumped into anything..the flight from Phoenix to San Diego was full in First Class so we took the seats which were available.
More later.
More later.
May 29th, 2007, 09:48 AM
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Great Trip Report Dukey..
How did you like staying at the Marriott across from the airport?
Did you have the famous brunch in the Crown Room on Sunday? They do make good omelettes..
Where else did you go to eat?
Did you make it to Belmont Park?
We changed from Palm Springs as well and stayed for the weekend downtown at the US Grant and it was a zoo with the Jazz Festival going on..did you make it to the Gaslamp area?
Glad you had fun!
How did you like staying at the Marriott across from the airport?
Did you have the famous brunch in the Crown Room on Sunday? They do make good omelettes..
Where else did you go to eat?
Did you make it to Belmont Park?
We changed from Palm Springs as well and stayed for the weekend downtown at the US Grant and it was a zoo with the Jazz Festival going on..did you make it to the Gaslamp area?
Glad you had fun!
May 29th, 2007, 10:02 AM
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I am going to continue this from home where I left my notes but in the meanwhile...no, we did not eat in the Del crown room which was in use for a private function.
yes, we went to Belmont Park..more on that in a bit.
I would stay at the Marriott again even though the weather wasn't real good for the pool but the place is certainly within an easy walk to the "gaslamp" district..remind me to tell you what THAT was like 40 years ago..LOL.
yes, we went to Belmont Park..more on that in a bit.
I would stay at the Marriott again even though the weather wasn't real good for the pool but the place is certainly within an easy walk to the "gaslamp" district..remind me to tell you what THAT was like 40 years ago..LOL.
May 29th, 2007, 03:43 PM
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I just posted a continuation and hit the wrong key and the whoile thing disappeared so I'll try again.
After leaving the Del we tooled around Coronado a bit more looking at the houses and such.
What are those trees covered with purple blossoms???? They were beautiful and we saw them in various places.
Drove to Belmont Park. Easy free parking and we bought a bunch of tickets so we could ride the Dipper...several times. The thing is great as woodies go...perhaps not the most extreme we've ever been on but great fun and wonderful, of course, that it has been preserved.
Lots of kids riding the coaster and some of the other attractions. One group was carrying out a physics project..counting the timing and number of revolutions of the "chaos" or whatever the "spin you into oblivion" thing was named.
The park seemed immaculate and well-kept and one thing we noticed there, and other places..the lack of grafitti.
Next, up to Point Loma and the Cabrillo Monument for those wonderfully stunning views...wow!
On to what is left of the Naval Training Center where I spent nine weeks of "quality time" back in February-May 1963. This brought back many memories despite the fact that where there was once the infamous "grinder" (parade field) there is now house after house after house. But there are a few old buildings still intact and I remember those quite well.
Next, we explored the "gaslamp" section. When I was last there this was definitely rundown and seedy, full of bars and strip joints, tattoo parlors and so forth. In those days the big thing was the "old town" section but this seems to have eclipsed that.
After a nap and a shower back at the hotel we ventured out for dinner. There were two high school proms going on in the hotel and it was fun to see the kids dressed up.
More than one of the young men had opted for the "gangster look" with pin stripes, black shirts, and white ties. Some of the young women were just as glitzy..lots of shimmering fabrics not to mention gold or silver shoes. Hopefully the evening weas memorable for the right reasons..the lobby was jammed with people.
Dinner and far too many tequila sunrises at Candelas...wonderful food and great service. We had made reservations using Opentable.com and I'm glad we did because the place was packed.
Walked rather weavingly back to the hotel and fell into bed.
More coming...
After leaving the Del we tooled around Coronado a bit more looking at the houses and such.
What are those trees covered with purple blossoms???? They were beautiful and we saw them in various places.
Drove to Belmont Park. Easy free parking and we bought a bunch of tickets so we could ride the Dipper...several times. The thing is great as woodies go...perhaps not the most extreme we've ever been on but great fun and wonderful, of course, that it has been preserved.
Lots of kids riding the coaster and some of the other attractions. One group was carrying out a physics project..counting the timing and number of revolutions of the "chaos" or whatever the "spin you into oblivion" thing was named.
The park seemed immaculate and well-kept and one thing we noticed there, and other places..the lack of grafitti.
Next, up to Point Loma and the Cabrillo Monument for those wonderfully stunning views...wow!
On to what is left of the Naval Training Center where I spent nine weeks of "quality time" back in February-May 1963. This brought back many memories despite the fact that where there was once the infamous "grinder" (parade field) there is now house after house after house. But there are a few old buildings still intact and I remember those quite well.
Next, we explored the "gaslamp" section. When I was last there this was definitely rundown and seedy, full of bars and strip joints, tattoo parlors and so forth. In those days the big thing was the "old town" section but this seems to have eclipsed that.
After a nap and a shower back at the hotel we ventured out for dinner. There were two high school proms going on in the hotel and it was fun to see the kids dressed up.
More than one of the young men had opted for the "gangster look" with pin stripes, black shirts, and white ties. Some of the young women were just as glitzy..lots of shimmering fabrics not to mention gold or silver shoes. Hopefully the evening weas memorable for the right reasons..the lobby was jammed with people.
Dinner and far too many tequila sunrises at Candelas...wonderful food and great service. We had made reservations using Opentable.com and I'm glad we did because the place was packed.
Walked rather weavingly back to the hotel and fell into bed.
More coming...
May 29th, 2007, 03:54 PM
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Those are Jacaranda trees, and they are beautiful right now. We kind of take them for granted, but my friends out here from the east coast a few weeks ago commented on them also.
Pretty now, but sticky and messy once those blossoms start falling onto your driveway or your car.
Still enjoying your report.
Pretty now, but sticky and messy once those blossoms start falling onto your driveway or your car.
Still enjoying your report.
May 29th, 2007, 03:59 PM
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Too bad you couldn't hit the brunch at the Del. Next trip
My DH was stationed at Point Loma as a geo bachelor for a while and had a room right on the water. We visited and could see why he liked that base so much. I know we always enjoying going back to places years later, and it sounds like you had a good time doing that too.
My DH was stationed at Point Loma as a geo bachelor for a while and had a room right on the water. We visited and could see why he liked that base so much. I know we always enjoying going back to places years later, and it sounds like you had a good time doing that too.
May 29th, 2007, 05:36 PM
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Dukey:
Yes agree with you 100% about the PA system mumbling of both the airport and airline personnel.
Very glad to hear that you were able to fly directly into San Diego. I am enjoying your detailed report very much.
Looking forward to more. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Sandy
Yes agree with you 100% about the PA system mumbling of both the airport and airline personnel.
Very glad to hear that you were able to fly directly into San Diego. I am enjoying your detailed report very much.
Looking forward to more. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Sandy
May 30th, 2007, 12:51 PM
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Reviving this now...
Saturday we spent the great majority of the day in Balboa Park and environs.
I particularly enjoyed the model train layout/exhibit but it was also nice just being there and wandering around, seeing the various buildings, etc.
In the afternoon we decided to take a short drive up the coast and went as far as Encinitas, Cardiff, and Solona Beach. Driving up 101 was great fun and there were plenty of people on the beach everywhere we went.
I am always interested to see how thse "beach cities" compare with the ones here on the East Coast and in many ways they are somewhat identical. The same sort of old motels and places to eat..kinda quirky. The usual stores selling "beachwear" and all that stuff.
Of course, there seemed to be a few more surfboard places which is to be expected. I can imagine there are people who wouldn't be caught dead in some of these venues but I always enjoy them and the overall atmosphere.
Saturday night we ate at the Coastal Cuisine restaurant. Again very good service and wonderful food. I had some scallops served over spinach with a "mushroom reduction" that was wonderful.
Oh, and thanks for identifying the jacaranda trees, too!
On Sunday we were up early for the drive up to Palm Springs.
The only "difficulty" at the Marriott was the charge for their $5.00 bottle of water which we did NOT open. A call to the front desk got that promptly removed and then video checkout sent us on our way.
We decided to take I-8 eastbound and the climb up to the 4000 foot+ level was great in the early morning with basically no traffic. Rock formations were interesting along the way as were the vistas.
Stopped in El Centro for gas and a bite to eat since we had skipped breakfast. I broke down and bought a hot dog...was offered a choiceof "100% beef" or "the regular." I asked what was in the regular and was told, "everything" so I opted for the beef.
OK, so I am eating a hot dog about 9:00 AM in El Centro..talk about being out in the middle of God's Country (and eating poorly)...but I grew up in a town much smaller than this and just as isolated. Icouldn;t go back at this point in life but I am convinced that many who live in places like that are very contented. I wonder if they have "traffic?"
Up CA Rte 86..I had no idea that those California state road symbols are a miner's spade..who knew? Makes sense.
We wanted to see the Salton Sea and we tooled around along the water's edge in both Salton City and Desert Shores. We noticed a lot of half-finished buildings in both these places. One wonders what these folks do for a living, where they shop, etc.
Arrived in Palm Springs and checked into the Marriott Courtyard near the airport...our first experience in one of these Marriott properties. The place was immaculate and even though the room wasn't ready the front desk agreed to call us when it was and 1/2 hour later my cell phone rang.
We had gone over to one of the casinos just for something to do...the interior wasn't as lavishly decorated as the places in vegas but even at this time of mid/late morning there were plenty of people gambling already!
We met up for brunch at the Marriott desert Springs with two friends up from Los Angeles for the weekend. We had been told the brunch at the Lakeview restaurant is good and it was...very extensive to include custom-prepared pasta, a crepe station, an omelet station, lots of salads, cold shrimp, a sushi station, and a huge dessert offering.
The grounds of the place are well-cared for and it was fun to eat and have the "lake" view.
Later in the day we met with another friend who has retired in Palm Springs and took him to dinner at the downtown PS Chop House. Again, the food was very good..great steak for me and the others had a shrimp dish they enjoyed.
The place was full but somehow not as noisy despite the tile floors. I would eat there again and having the Opentable.com reservation made things nice and easy..no waiting for a table.
Flights back to Washington from PSP through Phoenix were flawless and uneventful and featured on-time arrivals.
An enjoyable break for us.
I'd move back to San Diego in a heartbeat!
Saturday we spent the great majority of the day in Balboa Park and environs.
I particularly enjoyed the model train layout/exhibit but it was also nice just being there and wandering around, seeing the various buildings, etc.
In the afternoon we decided to take a short drive up the coast and went as far as Encinitas, Cardiff, and Solona Beach. Driving up 101 was great fun and there were plenty of people on the beach everywhere we went.
I am always interested to see how thse "beach cities" compare with the ones here on the East Coast and in many ways they are somewhat identical. The same sort of old motels and places to eat..kinda quirky. The usual stores selling "beachwear" and all that stuff.
Of course, there seemed to be a few more surfboard places which is to be expected. I can imagine there are people who wouldn't be caught dead in some of these venues but I always enjoy them and the overall atmosphere.
Saturday night we ate at the Coastal Cuisine restaurant. Again very good service and wonderful food. I had some scallops served over spinach with a "mushroom reduction" that was wonderful.
Oh, and thanks for identifying the jacaranda trees, too!
On Sunday we were up early for the drive up to Palm Springs.
The only "difficulty" at the Marriott was the charge for their $5.00 bottle of water which we did NOT open. A call to the front desk got that promptly removed and then video checkout sent us on our way.
We decided to take I-8 eastbound and the climb up to the 4000 foot+ level was great in the early morning with basically no traffic. Rock formations were interesting along the way as were the vistas.
Stopped in El Centro for gas and a bite to eat since we had skipped breakfast. I broke down and bought a hot dog...was offered a choiceof "100% beef" or "the regular." I asked what was in the regular and was told, "everything" so I opted for the beef.
OK, so I am eating a hot dog about 9:00 AM in El Centro..talk about being out in the middle of God's Country (and eating poorly)...but I grew up in a town much smaller than this and just as isolated. Icouldn;t go back at this point in life but I am convinced that many who live in places like that are very contented. I wonder if they have "traffic?"
Up CA Rte 86..I had no idea that those California state road symbols are a miner's spade..who knew? Makes sense.
We wanted to see the Salton Sea and we tooled around along the water's edge in both Salton City and Desert Shores. We noticed a lot of half-finished buildings in both these places. One wonders what these folks do for a living, where they shop, etc.
Arrived in Palm Springs and checked into the Marriott Courtyard near the airport...our first experience in one of these Marriott properties. The place was immaculate and even though the room wasn't ready the front desk agreed to call us when it was and 1/2 hour later my cell phone rang.
We had gone over to one of the casinos just for something to do...the interior wasn't as lavishly decorated as the places in vegas but even at this time of mid/late morning there were plenty of people gambling already!
We met up for brunch at the Marriott desert Springs with two friends up from Los Angeles for the weekend. We had been told the brunch at the Lakeview restaurant is good and it was...very extensive to include custom-prepared pasta, a crepe station, an omelet station, lots of salads, cold shrimp, a sushi station, and a huge dessert offering.
The grounds of the place are well-cared for and it was fun to eat and have the "lake" view.
Later in the day we met with another friend who has retired in Palm Springs and took him to dinner at the downtown PS Chop House. Again, the food was very good..great steak for me and the others had a shrimp dish they enjoyed.
The place was full but somehow not as noisy despite the tile floors. I would eat there again and having the Opentable.com reservation made things nice and easy..no waiting for a table.
Flights back to Washington from PSP through Phoenix were flawless and uneventful and featured on-time arrivals.
An enjoyable break for us.
I'd move back to San Diego in a heartbeat!
May 30th, 2007, 02:52 PM
#17
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Well, I'm afarid the most we could get for our house here is about 2.5 million and not usre that's enough to buy a decent house in San Diego and no, we do not want to live in Hillcrest!!!
May 30th, 2007, 05:54 PM
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Yes, I am very familiar with Hillcrest and when i was there in the 60's people referred to some parts as "pill hill" probably because of all the doctor's offices and when i went to church one morning I noticed on the drive up 5th that some of those offices are still around.
I'm honestly not sure where I'd end up wanting to live in SD..so many choices.
I'm honestly not sure where I'd end up wanting to live in SD..so many choices.
