SAN DIEGO

After a few attempts over the past year, we finally made it to San Diego. Despite the fact it was only for a couple of days and it was one of the hottest weekends of the year we were able to enjoy a small part of Southern California. Flying first to Orange County we returned to Newport Beach which was the very first place we visited together, over 20 years ago. The Marriott Bay View Hotel was just OK, we were given a nice room for the night but we much prefer The Marriott Newport Beach Hotel & Spa just down the road. We had to buy a new camera before leaving home due to "drowning" two in St. Martin this past July so it was christened with our favorite elevator shot.

We rented a nice little Beetle convertible bug, perfect for the weather but not really manly enough for Tony. We were interested in seeing how things had changed so we took a nice drive down around Balboa Peninsula and on to Balboa Island. We found a great old neighborhood bar, Shore House Cafe which serves breakfast all day and huge portions of everything you decide to order. After far too much food we had to walk it off along the beach front. Forgot the towels to sit on the beach but Cheri did not want tan lines anyway so we walked an admired the million dollar houses that any where else would be in the median price range. Maybe not this one though!

A little bit of shopping for mini skirts and it was back to the hotel for a quick drink in the bar. Somehow baseball on television or live was making Cheri do some crazy things this weekend.

Dinner was at Fashion Island but Cheri did not know what to wear, go in her new denim mini skirt or a little more formal. She picked a "formal" look.

The next day we headed south down Highway One, it's a great route by the ocean and through quaint but crowded seaside towns until you reach Dana Point. A late breakfast at JR's was just what we needed before we hit traffic on I-5 and lane upon lane of slow moving vehicles nearly all the way to San Diego.

The San Diego Marriott in the Gaslamp District gave us a great room over looking PETCO Park where the SD Padres were playing the LA Dodgers that evening.

The hotel has a bar called Altitude right up on the roof which attracts a big crowd even when a baseball game is not playing. It's rated one of the best party bars in America for the view, the people and the music. We had to take a look before we cleaned up.

The concierge suggested somewhere different for dinner this evening. Chive, a sleek contemporary restaurant on 4th Avenue, but Cheri still had to find it on the map. Smaller plates allow you to graze and they recommend ordering at least four "entrees" each, we settled on three and a half (we shared the last one) and this was sufficient for us. It certainly was a new experience, but the waitress took a little while to warm up despite the heat.

The next morning Cheri could not wait to get to Black's Beach, one of the few clothing optional beaches in California. But first we had to cool down at The Hard Rock Cafe in La Jolla.

There is no easy way to Black's Beach, except get on Torrey Pines Scenic Drive and turn in to The Gliderport parking area. The lot is not paved so expect a very dusty car on your return. From there it's a steep hike down to the beach and a hard climb back up.

Cheri gets ready for the beach.

It's a wonderful stretch of beach but the water is a little colder than in St. Martin. But after that hike and the heat reaching it , getting in was quite refreshing.

People on the beach are very friendly and will watch your stuff while you go for a walk. They will also invite you to play volleyball, horseshoes and even offer beverages after your stroll, something we appreciated as we forgot to bring anything except our towels.

A mile long walk to the rocks at the north end brings you to border of the nude and clothing beach. The lifeguards make numerous trips to see if anybody needs to be rescued.

When in Southern California you have to eat Mexican food and again the concierge was right on when he suggested La Fiesta. A great restaurant right in the heart of the Gaslamp area with tremendous food and just as good service. We both agreed this was the best overall Mexican restaurant we have ever eaten in.

After dinner we walked around The Gaslamp area and found it to have significant night life, very similar to Key West, a lot of bars and open air restaurants. We did have the highly rated roof top bar at the hotel so we headed back to have a nightcap. One advantage of staying at the hotel you do not have to stand in line.

Despite it being past midnight the heat was overbearing as we got back to our room and Cheri undressed even before we could find the key.

In the morning we decided to have a walk around the city and along the waterfront. Today was even hotter than the previous one. Believe it or not we were a little sunburned from yesterday, so the beach was out; plus we did not fancy the hike down the hill again.

Cheri enjoys being at the centre of The Historic Heart of San Diego, USS Midway is an awesome site docked in the harbor and the city has very interesting parks, even The Hard Rock Cafe has a great ceiling above the bar. No baseball game today and up at Altitude you can get a great view over Petco Park and Coronado Island.

After checking out the hotel we decided to trace our "steps" north on Highway One and cool off on the ocean drive through Dana Point and on to Laguna Beach. A nice stopping off point once you find a parking place with contemporary shops and art galleries. A nice walk back up the hill to The Cliff Restaurant which gives you a complete view of the ocean and beach below. Plus they have a nice Happy Hour with good prices.

Now we were back at The Marriott Newport Beach Hotel & Spa, how it's changed from 20 years ago. A complete renovation giving it the feeling it would not be out of place in South Beach. A very modern lobby and bar, plus wonderful suites overlooking the golf course.

We were looking forward to a sushi dinner but on Monday's the hotel sushi bar is closed so the manager suggested 930 Sushi in Newport Beach. Excellent choice, great sushi and inexpensive.

Cheri went looking for a new dress, but her favorite stores could not help at Fashion Island so the white one had to do for the evening.

Up early the next morning, which is needed if you are flying out of Orange County as their security check points are some of the slowest in the country and long lines are very common, leading to missed flights.