Notices
Disneyland California and West Coast Trip Reports Trip Reports

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 23 Sep 18, 06:27 PM  
Link to this Post
#1
Pumba75
Imagineer
 
Pumba75's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 09

Pumba75's Reviews
Hotel Reviews: 6
Restaurant Reviews: 23
DIBB Villa Reviews: 2
4 go La La in La La Land - Day 7: In a Cantina in San Diego

Tuesday 7th August 2018

We were now coming to the end of week 1 and were becoming accustomed to the time zone. Today it was nearly 6am before we woke up!

Breakfast plans this mornings were a cafe just up the road from the hotel - the amusingly named “Marvelous Muffins” - there was a great selection of muffins (as you’d expect!) and other pastries.




Melissa and M opted to share a Choc Chip Muffin and Donut Cinnamon Roll between them. They also had these warm. E also went for a Choc Chip Muffin and I chose the Chocolate Bear Claw.








It was all good but, being a bit of a Bear Claw purist, I took issue with mine - firstly, I’m not sure whether, strictly speaking, you can have a chocolate Bear Claw. Secondly, it wasn’t shaped like a bear’s Claw, which is kind of the point - it was basically a pain au chocolat with some icing drizzled on top - but it was warm and tasty so I won’t complain too much. The muffins were, apparently, indeed marvellous, the coffee, however, was not!

With breakfast finished, we got back in the car and headed to Balboa Park where we had planned to spend the morning. The great thing about San Diego is that it’s a really compact city, so you’re never really far from anywhere. It was only about a 15 minute drive, although I missed a turn on the satnav so had to detour a bit - that said, as a result we ended up taking a route that took us on the scenic road that ran through the centre of the park. The other good thing about San Diego is that a lot of the parking is free - such a pleasant change from home! We parked up and decided to hop on the free tram that runs around the park.








Once we’d got our bearings we got off at the main centre of the park and began exploring. Balboa Park is home to a lot of different museums and, if we were staying here for more than a few days, we’d probably have spent some time visiting some of them, but we really wanted to take in as much of the area as possible so we just walked around the park itself.
















It really is a beautiful park, with some lovely architecture - the buskers, however, left a lot to be desired - in particular two old chaps armed with a guitar and questionable harmonies!

After a morning of exploring, we decided it was time to head off. Our other plan for today was to visit Old Town, and we wanted to have dinner there later in the day. As it was still only around lunchtime we decided to go back to the hotel and have some relaxation time. As we were so close to the Downtown area, we decided to drive back this way - we drove through downtown, the Gaslamp Quarter and then along the Harbour Road, and it looked a really nice area.

They had even named a road after me!




We were beginning to get a bit peckish so thought we’d get some lunch - Melissa had done a lot of research in the build up to this holiday and had made notes on a few recommended deli’s - unfortunately she hadn’t made the notes on her phone so we couldn’t try to find any of them! In the end we stopped at a “Ralph’s” supermarket close to the hotel. We’d never been to Ralph’s before but were impressed - it reminded us a lot of Publix.

The girls were always amused to read how the American media reports differently to the British media! We learnt lots about the Royal Family. Meghan is also pregnant apparently! Anyway I digress...




We picked up some sandwiches and salad from the deli counter and took them back to the hotel to share for lunch.






We then spent some time relaxing - this may have meant a nap for me! Melissa was a bit more active and went for a ride on one of the bikes that are available for resort guests to use for free, exploring the local area.








At around 3.45pm we got ourselves sorted and back in the car to go to Old Town - this was only a short drive from the hotel and in no time at all we were parking up in another free parking lot.






There are two parts to the Old Town area - the Historic State Park, which is a bit like a living museum interspersed with some restaurants and specialist shops, and then the surrounding streets, which have more “touristy” shops and more restaurants. I’m not sure if it was quite what we’d expected or imagined, and the historic state park element was different. We wandered around and soon it was time for dinner - we’d originally planned to go to a place called Cafe Coyote, which had been mentioned on The Dibb - however, when we’d been at Bath and Body Works yesterday, we got into conversation with the lady serving us and she’d recommended another place called Fred’s, which she said was better. They were practically across the road from each other, but we preferred the look of the menu at Fred’s so picked that one.






The other good thing was that, being a Tuesday, everywhere was doing “Taco Tuesday” offers. All of the restaurants were set up Mexican Cantina style, with most of the seating being outside, basically open onto the street. Virtually all of them also had the tortilla cooking area open to the street so you could see them being prepared.






We had a great server, and he helped Melissa pick a Margarita from the extensive menu - she eventually opted for a frozen strawberry one which, when it arrived, was in a glass that was almost as big as her head! She really enjoyed this.




We were then brought some house made tortilla chips with guacamole and queso dip - oh my word, the queso was so good - there was a real danger that I would eat too much of this and then not be able to manage a main!




As it was Taco Tuesday, it would have been rude to order anything else! Melissa and E went for Chicken, M for Crunchy Chicken and I chose the Surf and Turf option - steak with Cajun shrimp. They were amazing - tasty and filling, and after 1 each we were done, which was bit of a shame as it would have been good to try some of the other options!








All in all, the bill came to just under $50, which was great value for brilliant food.

The girls were keen to visit Coldstone Creamery, which was next door, so they shared a small tub for their dessert stomach!




We headed back to the hotel and headed to the smaller pool this time. Girls went swimming, Melissa sat in the jacuzzi/hot tub and I sat on the sun lounger all enjoying the sunset. Perfect.




After showers etc, the girls got into bed whilst Melissa and I spent some time out on the balcony. Another great day done.


Tomorrow - Exploring Downtown and Coronado.
Pumba75 is offline Boy Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 24 Sep 18, 06:03 AM  
Link to this Post
#2
Aims
Imagineer
 
Aims's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 09
Location: San Diego, CA USA
That looked like a successful day Lots of good eating, and good sightseeing. Now, I've been hearing about Marvelous Muffins but have yet to try it- after seeing your pics, I have got to get over there soon! That all looked so scrumptious. And yes, you can have a chocolate bear claw...this is California, we set trends. Although, I never would have guessed it was a bear claw looking at it either...


Glad you enjoyed Balboa Park and Old Town. Love all the photos, they are all great! Cafe Coyote is still one of my favorites in Old Town, but your food looked good and I'm glad you had a great meal there. Just give me Mexican food and a big fat margarita anywhere and I'm good to go.
__________________


Planning a trip to San Diego? Check out my San Diego planning guide at the link below:

https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/sho... php?t=1047941
Aims is offline Girl Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 29 Sep 18, 05:05 PM  
Link to this Post
#3
flo-tinka
Apprentice Imagineer
 
Join Date: Oct 10
Like you, I would definitely like to go see more of San Diego generally but particularly Balbao Park as only got the zoo, which was amazing btw.
flo-tinka is offline Girl Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 29 Sep 18, 05:41 PM  
Link to this Post
#4
slow.jo
Very Serious Dibber
 
Join Date: Nov 10
Balboa Park looks beautiful!

Margarita as big as your head - that’s my kinda place!

What a great day.

Jo xx
__________________
IG: joannesear

Stewboy's Trip Reports
slow.jo is offline Girl Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 29 Sep 18, 07:15 PM  
Link to this Post
#5
i love jack
Apprentice Imagineer
 
i love jack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 07
All my comments are going to be food related!
I was wondering which was the bear claw
Love the look of your lunch in the boxes,
And Fred’s also looks amazing
__________________
Emma
i love jack is offline Girl Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 30 Sep 18, 09:34 PM  
Link to this Post
#6
Pumba75
Thread Starter
Imagineer
 
Pumba75's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 09

Pumba75's Reviews
Hotel Reviews: 6
Restaurant Reviews: 23
DIBB Villa Reviews: 2
Originally Posted by Aims View Post
That looked like a successful day Lots of good eating, and good sightseeing. Now, I've been hearing about Marvelous Muffins but have yet to try it- after seeing your pics, I have got to get over there soon! That all looked so scrumptious. And yes, you can have a chocolate bear claw...this is California, we set trends. Although, I never would have guessed it was a bear claw looking at it either...


Glad you enjoyed Balboa Park and Old Town. Love all the photos, they are all great! Cafe Coyote is still one of my favorites in Old Town, but your food looked good and I'm glad you had a great meal there. Just give me Mexican food and a big fat margarita anywhere and I'm good to go.
Ah, but surely the bear claw has to look like a bear's claw...?!

Still dreaming of the Tacos from Freds

Originally Posted by flo-tinka View Post
Like you, I would definitely like to go see more of San Diego generally but particularly Balbao Park as only got the zoo, which was amazing btw.
We loved Balboa Park - we didn't make it to the zoo...next time!

Originally Posted by slow.jo View Post
Balboa Park looks beautiful!

Margarita as big as your head - that’s my kinda place!

What a great day.

Jo xx
It was a lovely park.

You would definitely approve of the Margarita's!

Originally Posted by i love jack View Post
All my comments are going to be food related!
I was wondering which was the bear claw
Love the look of your lunch in the boxes,
And Fred’s also looks amazing
Ha - a large proportion of our report is food-related

Thanks for reading all!
Pumba75 is offline Boy Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 30 Sep 18, 09:56 PM  
Link to this Post
#7
mrsdjh
Imagineer
 
mrsdjh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 13
San Diego looks an interesting place to visit with lots to do.

The tacos (and muffins earlier) both look delicious.

Nice relaxing way to end your day.
mrsdjh is offline Girl Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 6 Oct 18, 08:38 AM  
Link to this Post
#8
Goldia
VIP Dibber
 
Goldia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 16

Goldia's Reviews
Hotel Reviews: 5
Restaurant Reviews: 43
The Old Town is great to look around, you're right to have Tacos! You're so close to Mexico it's got to be done!
__________________
Abby
New pre trip report - Summer 2024

Link to all my completed trip reports
2017: NYC and Orlando. Salzburg. Boston.
2018: Orlando. Berlin.
2019: DLP. Orlando. Washington DC.
2020: DLP.
2021: Jamaica. Rome.
2022: Orlando.
2023: Orlando. Niagara and Toronto.
Goldia is offline Girl Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 6 Oct 18, 07:24 PM  
Link to this Post
#9
Pumba75
Thread Starter
Imagineer
 
Pumba75's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 09

Pumba75's Reviews
Hotel Reviews: 6
Restaurant Reviews: 23
DIBB Villa Reviews: 2
Originally Posted by mrsdjh View Post
San Diego looks an interesting place to visit with lots to do.

The tacos (and muffins earlier) both look delicious.

Nice relaxing way to end your day.
We loved it - it's a great city, with great food

Originally Posted by Goldia View Post
The Old Town is great to look around, you're right to have Tacos! You're so close to Mexico it's got to be done!
I'm still dreaming about those tacos...

Thanks for reading all!
Pumba75 is offline Boy Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Old 6 Oct 18, 11:08 PM  
Link to this Post
#10
Lisa_Lollipop
Imagineer
 
Lisa_Lollipop's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 12
Wow San Diego looks just stunning, I love that you were able to borrow bikes from the hotel free of charge! And those trams looks awesome, certainly not hard to spot in that eye-catching green!

Melissa did well with picking that margarita... it looked amazing!
Lisa_Lollipop is offline Girl Mouse Click to view Members Trip Plans Add Member to Ignore List
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:19 PM.


Powered by vBulletin - Copyright © 2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
DIBB Savings
AttractionTickets.com

Get £10 off each Disney Ticket with the code ATDIBB10

Get up to £50 off per room at Disney or Universal with the code DIBBHOTELS


theDIBB Blog
One of the the five worlds found in Epic Universe, How to Train Your Dragon... Read More »
Disney announced that a new nighttime show, “Disney Dreams That Soar,” will run nightly at... Read More »
Walt Disney World Resort guests can get ready to have a “glowing’’ good time when... Read More »


theDIBB Menu


Exchange Rates
US Dollar Rates
ASDA  $1.2366
CaxtonFX  $1.2318
Covent Garden FX  $1.2545
FAIRFX  $1.2350
John Lewis  $1.2380
M&S  $1.2178
Sainsburys  $1.2357
TESCO  $1.2364
Travelex  $1.2353
Updated: 17:00 28/03/2024
Euro Rates
ASDA  €1.1447
CaxtonFX  €1.1407
Covent Garden FX  €1.1514
FAIRFX  €1.1432
John Lewis  €1.1457
M&S  €1.1263
Sainsburys  €1.1440
TESCO  €1.1445
Travelex  €1.1435
Updated: 17:00 28/03/2024

DIBB Premium Membership
Did you know you can help support theDIBB with Premium Membership?

Check out this link for more information and benefits, such as...

"No adverts on theDIBB Forums"

Upgrade Now



X