Coronado Island , San Diego DayCation
Welcome to my first post of the new blog. I do have a blog called " The Altruistic Odessey" for my volunteering adventures, however, this blog will focus more on LifeStyle, Travel and Inspirational Encounters.
However, I have learned to be in a state of gratefulness for every journey. This year I learned the art of redefining what a journey means to me in my life. These days are not like 2016 when I went to Italy & I was booking the best of every hotel, tour, & excursion. These days my journey needs to be under $50 and take less than a tank of gas but also be exciting and fabulous and God willing outside of my zip code. God blessed me with the idea to have a small getaway that was within my budget. Hello DAYCATION!
Have you had an experience where you needed to redefine what a getaway means to you?
I have never had an issue with my car except for the last time I planned a day trip to Coronado Island 1 yr ago! When I got an oil change the guy didn't screw the cover back on and the metal cover was hanging from my car & sparking. Needless to say, I didn't make it to Coronado that day. This time I woke up early to take J to school, I was so excited to explore, enjoy and discover on one of my favorite places, Coronado Island, and there it was as I backed out, "THUD ". When I got out I knew it. FLAT FREAKING TIRE!
I wanted to leave earlier but 10 am was the golden hour to miss rush hour traffic. After safely getting J to school I remembered that I have to renew my AAA but I'm on a super tight budget, Tick Tock! Now it's 8:45 am and I spent some of my daycation budget to renew my AAA so they can come out and fix the tire .. then I found myself at Pepboys to purchase 2 new tires I didn't plan on purchasing. Oh yea and by this time it's 11:15 am and I am in TEARS! ( I needed this day, I needed a day of carefree exploration and no tears )So I made a decision my mom taught me when I was 7. To adjust my attitude.
My friend Jillian and I had a fantastic 1hr and 40 min drive to Coronado Island from the OC. as soon as I passed La Jolla I started to feel like I was........ away.
TRAVEL TIP: In the day and age of "Gimmie, gimmie, right now !" We don't take the time to park far from where we are going. Even if it is free! Why don't we want to walk? What is that all about? In Coronado Island, if you drive along Orange, the main street where all the hoopla is going down it is all paid parking. However, if you simply go a few blocks past you can park for free in the beautiful historic beach neighborhoods. Yes, it is a farther walk to the main street but the walk is so beautiful and charming. You will also be doing yourself a favor, saving money and the walk is stress relieving.
Now for the best part of life and the daycation, FOOD. What a blessing to have an understanding friend like Jillian she was willing to split meals with me to stay within budget. You know it is a bit difficult to go anywhere on a budget with people who ignore the fact that you are trying to both have fun and save your dollars. You know what I am talking about that person who right after you confess "Hey, man I'm really trying to stretch my dollars do you mind sharing?" and they look at you and say "Aw that's cute but I'm getting steak you can eat ice" Well it might not be that bad but you understand . Thank God for Jillian, she was willing to share a salad and an entree.
We really wanted to eat outdoors and enjoy the weather and because it was Jillian's first time I decided to go to a place I went to a few years ago for my annual Mothers Day Trip, Leroy's Kitchen and Lounge. Any place that can get me to put aside maple syrup and ONLY use their Marscapone Strawberry Butter on their French Toast and make me say " OH S*&t!!" when I eat their Garam Masala Deviled Eggs, deserves a second visit!
Ohmygosh! ( see I can clean up my language) Pork Belly LT on a Brioche Bun with Cauliflower Soup and a Wild Arugula Salad. Filling, Healthy and only cost me $ 17.00!
Taking a daycation on a budget is about finding creative ways to explore and enjoy your surroundings. I love home & garden decor, walking around and being enchanted by the trinkets and beauty is a mental escape for me.
What is your simple mental escape?
TRAVEL TIP: Peruse a shop that you wouldn't normally go into like a cigar shop, nursery or even a diamond store. Ask questions and make it your goal not to walk out until you learn something new !
TRAVEL TIP: Even if you cannot afford to stay at a 5-star resort that does not mean you cannot enjoy the resort. Walk around, buy something from the restaurant, get a drink at the bar, enjoy the scenery and the views.
Hotel Del Coronado is 130 years old! Talk about history this is the legendary location of one of my favorite classics, Some Like It Hot. A regular hang out for U.S Presidents, Hollywood Legends and Royalty. The resort has so much to offer from an ice cream shop, chocolate shop, historic ballrooms with breathtaking views, a manicured seaside lawn, several restaurants and a bar on an oceanside deck.
We walked around the ballrooms, got some chocolate truffles $9.00, sat on the lawn and chatted, people watched and enjoyed the ocean breeze. Then Jillian got a Mocktail at the bar that had a gorgeous oceanside deck.
Legend has it that the hotel is haunted by Kate Morgan. A Guest that checked in, in 1892 and never checked out. Guest that stay in her old room has reported many instances of paranormal activity.
Hotel Del Coronado is right on the water. I mean you can walk from the resort icecream shop to the water's edge in 5 minutes. It did get quite cool after 6:30 pm but I had a lovely Pashmina to snuggle in. The view was breathtaking and there was some live music going on at the Beach and Taco Shack. It was the perfect ending to a lovely daycation.
Budget Breakdown
Gas to and from San Diego from the OC: $15
Split Lunch at Leroy's Kitchen: $17 ea http://leroyskitchenandlounge.com
Chocolate Truffles: $9 Spreckels Sweets & Treats https://hoteldel.com/stay/
Touring the Resort on our own: Free
Sitting on the Lawn to eat truffles &: Free
People Watch enjoying the ocean
Mocktail on ocean front bar: $12
(Jillian got one I didn't)
Walking around a charming historic: Free
resort town
Splitting a Lobster Grilled Cheese: $7 ea
I came in under budget and spent $47 for a fantastic Daycation to Coronado Island!
Daycation To Coronado Island , San Diego
This has been the most difficult year of my life. I think I have cried more in the past 12 months than the past 3 years all together and that's actually not an exaggeration. I'm a Sagittarius, I am a natural traveler I don't feel comfortable or "In my skin" unless I am traveling every few months. I would rather travel 80% of my life and come "home" the other 20%.
However, I have learned to be in a state of gratefulness for every journey. This year I learned the art of redefining what a journey means to me in my life. These days are not like 2016 when I went to Italy & I was booking the best of every hotel, tour, & excursion. These days my journey needs to be under $50 and take less than a tank of gas but also be exciting and fabulous and God willing outside of my zip code. God blessed me with the idea to have a small getaway that was within my budget. Hello DAYCATION!
Have you had an experience where you needed to redefine what a getaway means to you?
Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, well screw you I'm going to have a good day anyway!
I have never had an issue with my car except for the last time I planned a day trip to Coronado Island 1 yr ago! When I got an oil change the guy didn't screw the cover back on and the metal cover was hanging from my car & sparking. Needless to say, I didn't make it to Coronado that day. This time I woke up early to take J to school, I was so excited to explore, enjoy and discover on one of my favorite places, Coronado Island, and there it was as I backed out, "THUD ". When I got out I knew it. FLAT FREAKING TIRE!
I wanted to leave earlier but 10 am was the golden hour to miss rush hour traffic. After safely getting J to school I remembered that I have to renew my AAA but I'm on a super tight budget, Tick Tock! Now it's 8:45 am and I spent some of my daycation budget to renew my AAA so they can come out and fix the tire .. then I found myself at Pepboys to purchase 2 new tires I didn't plan on purchasing. Oh yea and by this time it's 11:15 am and I am in TEARS! ( I needed this day, I needed a day of carefree exploration and no tears )So I made a decision my mom taught me when I was 7. To adjust my attitude.
RIDE WITH ME
My friend Jillian and I had a fantastic 1hr and 40 min drive to Coronado Island from the OC. as soon as I passed La Jolla I started to feel like I was........ away.
TRAVEL TIP: In the day and age of "Gimmie, gimmie, right now !" We don't take the time to park far from where we are going. Even if it is free! Why don't we want to walk? What is that all about? In Coronado Island, if you drive along Orange, the main street where all the hoopla is going down it is all paid parking. However, if you simply go a few blocks past you can park for free in the beautiful historic beach neighborhoods. Yes, it is a farther walk to the main street but the walk is so beautiful and charming. You will also be doing yourself a favor, saving money and the walk is stress relieving.
FEED ME ....
Now for the best part of life and the daycation, FOOD. What a blessing to have an understanding friend like Jillian she was willing to split meals with me to stay within budget. You know it is a bit difficult to go anywhere on a budget with people who ignore the fact that you are trying to both have fun and save your dollars. You know what I am talking about that person who right after you confess "Hey, man I'm really trying to stretch my dollars do you mind sharing?" and they look at you and say "Aw that's cute but I'm getting steak you can eat ice" Well it might not be that bad but you understand . Thank God for Jillian, she was willing to share a salad and an entree.
We really wanted to eat outdoors and enjoy the weather and because it was Jillian's first time I decided to go to a place I went to a few years ago for my annual Mothers Day Trip, Leroy's Kitchen and Lounge. Any place that can get me to put aside maple syrup and ONLY use their Marscapone Strawberry Butter on their French Toast and make me say " OH S*&t!!" when I eat their Garam Masala Deviled Eggs, deserves a second visit!
Ohmygosh! ( see I can clean up my language) Pork Belly LT on a Brioche Bun with Cauliflower Soup and a Wild Arugula Salad. Filling, Healthy and only cost me $ 17.00!
What To Do, What To Do .....
Taking a daycation on a budget is about finding creative ways to explore and enjoy your surroundings. I love home & garden decor, walking around and being enchanted by the trinkets and beauty is a mental escape for me.
What is your simple mental escape?
TRAVEL TIP: Peruse a shop that you wouldn't normally go into like a cigar shop, nursery or even a diamond store. Ask questions and make it your goal not to walk out until you learn something new !
TRAVEL TIP: Even if you cannot afford to stay at a 5-star resort that does not mean you cannot enjoy the resort. Walk around, buy something from the restaurant, get a drink at the bar, enjoy the scenery and the views.
A Legendary Location
Hotel Del Coronado is 130 years old! Talk about history this is the legendary location of one of my favorite classics, Some Like It Hot. A regular hang out for U.S Presidents, Hollywood Legends and Royalty. The resort has so much to offer from an ice cream shop, chocolate shop, historic ballrooms with breathtaking views, a manicured seaside lawn, several restaurants and a bar on an oceanside deck.
We walked around the ballrooms, got some chocolate truffles $9.00, sat on the lawn and chatted, people watched and enjoyed the ocean breeze. Then Jillian got a Mocktail at the bar that had a gorgeous oceanside deck.
Legend has it that the hotel is haunted by Kate Morgan. A Guest that checked in, in 1892 and never checked out. Guest that stay in her old room has reported many instances of paranormal activity.
Beaches never lie honey!
Hotel Del Coronado is right on the water. I mean you can walk from the resort icecream shop to the water's edge in 5 minutes. It did get quite cool after 6:30 pm but I had a lovely Pashmina to snuggle in. The view was breathtaking and there was some live music going on at the Beach and Taco Shack. It was the perfect ending to a lovely daycation.
Budget Breakdown
Gas to and from San Diego from the OC: $15
Split Lunch at Leroy's Kitchen: $17 ea http://leroyskitchenandlounge.com
Chocolate Truffles: $9 Spreckels Sweets & Treats https://hoteldel.com/stay/
Touring the Resort on our own: Free
Sitting on the Lawn to eat truffles &: Free
People Watch enjoying the ocean
Mocktail on ocean front bar: $12
(Jillian got one I didn't)
Walking around a charming historic: Free
resort town
Splitting a Lobster Grilled Cheese: $7 ea
I came in under budget and spent $47 for a fantastic Daycation to Coronado Island!
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