SimoneSassett

Hi, there. We're now looking at doing a last-minute weekend trip to La Jolla (instead of Big Sur) for our anniversary.

I've narrowed it down to Grande Colonial La Jolla & the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa.

The rate comparison:

Grande Colonial: $269/night for a King Full Ocean View Room, including breakfast.

Estancia: $279/night for a Veranda King Room, no breakfast.

Which is closer to the heart of La Jolla? We don't want to do much driving once we're down there. (We're coming from OC)

We check-in Friday afternoon and I planned on having dinner at the hotel restaurant on Friday night... but for a nice dinner out on Saturday, where should we go? Looking to spend average $150 for dinner (I don't drink, but husband will order a glass of wine) and want a non-chain restaurant.

Where can we rent bicycles to tour La Jolla?

Any other things to do while in La Jolla?

Or good websites where I can find this info is appreciated, too. Thanks!

GLMDesigns

Crab Catcher restaruant - beautiful

SimoneSassett

I visited www.crabcatcher.com and the menu sounds great! Of course, it could be because I've not had breakfast yet and I'm starving.... but I do have a question: what is the dress code? Is it a nice, quiet, sit-down restaurant for adults, or more of a kid-friendly Red Lobster-type of restaurant where shorts and flip-flops are the norm for dinner? I have no problem if it's casual, but would like to know first, before we dress up... Husband hates it when he's the only one in a suit....

mclaurie

Simone the Estancia is not really in downtown La Jolla. It is near the Torrey Pines Golf course and the beautiful Lodge at Torrey Pines. It is a brand new hotel and reviews on tripadvisor are good

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...alifornia.html

The Grand Colonial is a much better location if you want to be right in town. I've eaten at their restaurant Nine Ten and it's quite good (written up in Gourmet Magazine).

The best meal I've had in the San Diego area is at Thee Bungalow in Ocean Beach. It's not fancy (in a residential area in a small house) but the continental food was just terrific.

http://www.theebungalow.com/main.html

If you want to stay in La Jolla village, George's at the Cove is the big "splashout" place with ocean views and most people love the food. They have 3 levels/dining areas

http://www.georgesatthecove.com/

Tapenade is the fancy French rest. also in the village. I ate there on Bastille Day and had a set menu I didn't like, but I think the regular menu is good. No view.

Roponggi is an Asian restaurant. I had a very good dinner there.

http://www.roppongiusa.com/main1.html

Brockton Villa and The Cottage are the preferred breakfast places in La Jolla. Brockton is across from the water with great views and is a good spot for a walk along the water and seeing the seals and the caves. The Cottage is inland.

If you've not been to San Diego, I strongly suggest you drive over to Balboa Park. The zoo is there along with beautiful gardens and many museums.

Coronado island is also a great stop. The beach there is terrific. Stop and see the famous Hotel Del Coronado.

Heavens

I don't like to contradict, but I would never go to Crab Catcher for a special dinner, especially when there are so many wonderful local restaurants in the same area. It is part of a chain, and personally I have never had any wonderful food there.

One of our favorites is Trattoria Aqua. Usually gets very good raves from the critics and the pollsters. Mediterranean I believe. George's At the Cove, downstairs, has some of the best food you will ever have. I have heard wonderful things about Brockton Villa, though I have never eaten there. Piatti's is also good, not so fancy or no view as the others would have. La Jolla has some of the best restaurants in San Diego, many exceptional. I would also talk to your concierge, they usually know the best places.

Try also this website, you might need to do a search for www.signonsandiego.com and go to entertainment, then restaurants and then neighborhood and look up La Jolla. Wonderful selections. Or you can also do a search for San Diego magazine. Each year in August the print an issue with the top restuarants in the city. Have a great time.

I would also recommend for a breakfast the Cottage, Harrys (our favorite) or Brockton Villa. Don't think you would be disappointed in any of these spots.

Happy Anniversary.

Maggi

How about Azur in La Jolla? Great views, food and reviews, (and not too pricey):

http://www.azullajolla.signonsandiego.com/1.html

mclaurie

BTW, I can't think of any place where your husband would need a suit. There are places where a jacket might be appropriate (like Tapenade and maybe George's) but La Jolla is very casual and it's an early dining town. Many places stop serving at 9 or 9:30.

Found this website for bike rentats but I have no personal experience with them. They also have other activities you might like.
http://www.hikebikekayak.com/biking.php


I forgot to mention if you do decide to stay at the Estancia, I can recommend the restaurant at the Lodge at Torrey Pines AR Valentien.

SimoneSassett

Thank you so much for the recommendations! I think I'm going to choose the Grande Colonial and go with the non-breakfast Internet rate, since it seems there are wonderful places to get breakfast elsewhere.

Question about The Cottage: is this the same as The Cottage restaurant in Laguna Beach? If it's part of a chain, then I will probably do Harry's & Brockton Villa instead....

Should I cancel our casual dinner at Crab Catcher on Friday night and do Roppongi instead? I liked Crab Catcher for the view.... but if it's only so-so food, please let me know...

Right now, I've got the following planned:

FRIDAY: Make my husband breakfast in bed at home (aren't I nice? Then, head down to SD and arrive around 10:30 to board the Old Town Trolley in Old Town State Park... I was planning to do lunch at Buster's in Seaport Village, and finishing up the tour afterwards, stopping off at places that we find interesting. Check into hotel at 3:00pm, and unpack, nap and walk around La Jolla... Reservations for dinner (casual) at 7:30pm.

SATURDAY: Breakfast at Harry's Coffee Shop at 8:30am and then head to Hike Bike Kayak and do the La Jolla Plunge bike tour at 10:30am - back around 1 or 2pm, Lunch at a good Mexican place that I still have to find.... hang out by the beach or little pool, and then dinner reservations at 9pm at George's at the Cove.

SUNDAY: Breakfast at Brockton Villa at 8:30am, relax by the pool, check out at 12noon, and probably head home before it gets too crowded on the freeway... or go to Coronado and spend the afternoon walking or rollerblading before heading home.

Any thoughts?

mclaurie

I don't think the Cottage is part of any chain. Here's the website with the menu

http://www.cottagelajolla.com/about.html

I haven't been to Harry's so can't compare. I also haven't been to the Crab Catcher but Brockton Villa is also open for lunch and dinner...

http://www.brocktonvilla.com/5.html

and might be a good option for a casual Fri. night meal. It's a very funky looking place with some romance to it.

One thing to remember...dining late (like at 9pm) the ocean view at most places is NO view. It's blackness. I seem to remember one ocean front rest. has lighting but I don't think it's in La Jolla.

I don't know if the trolley tour you mention is the same one that stops in Balboa Park, but if it does, it also goes to Coronado.

Sounds like a great weekend. Happy anniversary.

TravelDiva

I've neve stayed here personally - but it's always booked and looks extremely romantic - Scripps Inn. I'd stay there in a heartbeat!

SimoneSassett

mclaurie: thank you for pointing that out! I just changed my George's reservation to 7:30pm instead. You're right about it being dark out at night.

I'm still up in the air about Friday night dinner.... I want casual, and since we're splurging on Sat night, I'd much prefer a moderately priced restaurant for Fri night. I'd also like something seafood or Asian cuisine.

Thanks so much for all the helpful info!

Heavens

IMO, would not bother with El Crab Catcher for dinner, maybe for drinks, happy hour.

Try Trattoria Aqua or Brockton Villa for dinner. Or even the Marine Room, but that is pricey, but awesome view of the surf, even at night. Or Roys. Always a wonderful meal there.

There are many places on Prospect Street. You can walk around and look at menus or talk to your concierge. You have probably about 30 restaurants in walking area to the hotel.

Also, forgot to tell you, on Sunday there is a Farmers Market just up the street from the Cottage and Harrys. Up the hill. It is a good walk, but if the weather is cool, it's a nice walk and lots of flowers, food stuff to sample, dogs on leashes everywhere. It is really fun.

George's upstairs, second floor is also a wonderful place for a drink with a great view. Very nice bar, lots of locals stop off here. We have had some fun bartenders.

And don't forget seal beach or whatever it is called, just down the hill from the La Valencia. Great little place to watch the seals sunbath and take a rest from their journeys.

Have fun. La Jolla itself has many things to do and see. I love to just walk around. Warwicks is a great stationary store and Adelaide's down the street is one of the best florists in the city. The village just has a great feel and relaxing atmostphere. Enjoy.

Barbara

The Crab Catcher restaurant in La Jolla is not part of a chain. It is not in any way like the Red Lobster, other than the Red Lobster claims to serve seafood. Like almost everywhere in San Diego, the dress is casual, but not beach casual. I like it, though George's would be my first choice for a very special meal.

rjw_lgb_ca

I do admit it's been a few years since I stayed at the Grande Colonial, but I loved it then, and I have dined at Nine-Ten (the hotel restaurant) fairly recently and was impressed. Note that it's not on the water per se; ocean views, maybe, but it's still a quick walk down to the shore. You're also right at La Jolla Village, and George's at the Cove is a quick walk away (I love that place!). The other recos you've already received are great as well. Hopefully it will cool down by the time you go there!! I mean, it was 100F on the sand in Long Beach (my home) on Sunday, and pretty broiling down in SD as well.... Oh well, you'll love it anyway! Enjoy!

SimoneSassett

Heavens: OK! You sold me! I just made reservations for dinner on Friday at Trattoria Acqua. Their website is beautiful... I can't help it, I get sold on websites easily. hahaha.

I can't wait for this weekend! La Jolla sounds like so much fun, and I haven't stayed IN La Jolla for years... we always drove through or just spent an afternoon there on our way back from SD.

I'm actually hoping it will stay warm through the weekend... I want to spend the weekend in shorts and tanks, and not have to pack any sweaters for the evenings...

SimoneSassett

p.s. to TravelDiva - you're right about Scripps Inn... I called just to see what rates would be and they're sold out this weekend.... But, thanks for the rec.

Heavens

Barbary, dear SD friend, there used to be a Crab Catcher in Maui to which I thought this La Jolla place was connected. Maybe I am mistaken. Don't like it much anyway.

Budman

Has anyone mentioned Jake's in Del Mar? Best calamari app I've ever had.

TravelDiva

There's always next time for Scripps Inn. Also, I want to second that on George's at the Cove - it's my favorite restaurant in SD - I'm from Chicago and we go there everytime we're in town to visit my boyfriend's mom. Try the Tres Leches cake for dessert (great with a glass of champagne!) The best time to go is right before sunset - great view -just ask them what time you should make the reservation for.

Have a great anniversary!

Barbara

Heavens, I don't think it is. Jake's, which I like a lot, is part of a small chain which includes two restaurants on Maui, Leilani's and the Hula Grill. I like them too.