Michael got up early, went to the airport, rented a car and came back and picked us and another couple up. 4 total couples went to Santa Barbara (actually Solvang, CA) together. Drive from San Diego took about 4.5 hours with a potty stop.
We checked into the Hadsten House Inn. I picked Hadsten House based on 1. price, and 2. good reviews on tripadvisor.com. It is much like an upscale motel. Very nice for the price (AAA rate of $203). Other hotels we looked at were in the $300+ range, which I feel is out of touch with the reality of how little we would be in the room (although I am not against paying that if I am going to be in the room/resort more).
Then went to eat lunch at the Mermaid Inn. Most had Danish food, I played it safe and had grilled cheese. I know, sometimes I am just not so adventurous.
We then walked around Solvang window shopping and stopping in various wine tasting rooms. For dinner, we went to Hitching Post II, where a lot of the movie "Sideways" was filmed. It reminded me of a place one's grandparents would like. Food from the 1950s, but still very good. Michael got a honking big piece of steak, I had the petite filet.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
San Diego, Thursday, June 4
On Thursday, more meetings about the meeting next year. While the guys were meeting, I went on a walk to Balboa Park. 3.5 miles from the Hyatt, pretty straight, with a slight incline all the way there. Nice, easy walk, took less than an hour (and I was chatting on my phone most of the way).
Balboa Park is the major city park in San Diego. Think of it like Central Park in NYC. The famed San Diego Zoo is attached to it. Many, many museums line the main drag, including the San Diego Art Museum. There are also some museums for kids, like the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum. There is also a model train Museum.
Balboa Park is the major city park in San Diego. Think of it like Central Park in NYC. The famed San Diego Zoo is attached to it. Many, many museums line the main drag, including the San Diego Art Museum. There are also some museums for kids, like the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum. There is also a model train Museum.
Dog Park in Balboa Park
Entrance to Balboa Park
I walked around for about and hour and took a taxi home (Michael wanted me to come back so that we could all go to Coronado Island, which we decided we were to tired to do). I would have walked home otherwise (especially since it was downhill!).
For dinner, we went to Ray's in the Marriott. Very nice, and the walk was maybe 2 minutes! I think that the Trustee's Dinner will be there (although I am not a fan of the fact that it is now a chain).
Checked out the next morning on our way to Santa Barbara for wine tasting!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
San Diego
We arrived on Tuesday around 11. Checked into US Grant and Michael took me on a tour of his haunts. He comes here every July to go to the San Diego Comic-Con. We walked down to the water, walked around the Marriott (seems pretty nice, with a nice pool). Went to lunch in the Gaslamp District at Asti. I know that the Gaslamp District is supposed to be this happening place, but it was pretty dead in the daytime. After a nap, we went back out and went to this antique car shop.
We then got oysters at Blue Point, and then went and had Salsa lessons at Sevilla. That was really fun, surprisingly. Definitely a way to meet people. The instructor made the men change partners every so often. We took a "pedi-cab" (a bicycle cab) back to the hotel...all of 3 blocks...$20/person...WAAAAAY too much...don't do it!
Yesterday we checked into the Hyatt. I was able to join Michael for lunch, then we went on a tour of the Midway, which is where they are considering having a reception. Very cool. For dinner, we checked out 2 restaurants for the Trustees dinner. We had appetizers at Osetra (and promptly vetoed this place as the walk would be too far for some, and the food didn't wow us). Then we went to Salvatore's (about 2 blocks from the Hyatt...definitely doable in the walking scene). It was great. We all shared a sample platter of gnocchi, which was the very best I have ever had! It was described as cloud pillows and it was! Then I had a bolognese with homemade fettuccini. I so love bolognese. Michael had a lamb chop. Others had risotto or fish. Definitely a great restaurant, and I would go back. Definitely on the list for the Trustee's dinner.
55 Caddy (I think)
55 Ford Pick-up
1966 Chevy
Yesterday we checked into the Hyatt. I was able to join Michael for lunch, then we went on a tour of the Midway, which is where they are considering having a reception. Very cool. For dinner, we checked out 2 restaurants for the Trustees dinner. We had appetizers at Osetra (and promptly vetoed this place as the walk would be too far for some, and the food didn't wow us). Then we went to Salvatore's (about 2 blocks from the Hyatt...definitely doable in the walking scene). It was great. We all shared a sample platter of gnocchi, which was the very best I have ever had! It was described as cloud pillows and it was! Then I had a bolognese with homemade fettuccini. I so love bolognese. Michael had a lamb chop. Others had risotto or fish. Definitely a great restaurant, and I would go back. Definitely on the list for the Trustee's dinner.
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Yesterday we checked into the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. We are staying here while Michael plans the 2011 LES Annual meeting. He is in meetings all day long, and I am checking out the city.
We were given this pretty cool 2 room suite (a function, I guess, of his being a meeting chair, trying to impress, I assume). As I texted Michael yesterday after getting in the room (he was in meetings), "life doesn't suck".
We were given this pretty cool 2 room suite (a function, I guess, of his being a meeting chair, trying to impress, I assume). As I texted Michael yesterday after getting in the room (he was in meetings), "life doesn't suck".
Standard King Room
Connected to living room
With dining area
Kitchen
with only a sink and refrigerator and no utensils or plates
I thought this was another TV
Until I opened it and found a Murphy Bed!
Two standard tub/shower combo bathrooms, but the best part was the toiletries:
On the far right in the back is facial CLEANSER, not just a bar of "facial" soap. It is pretty good.
Shower toiletries
Decent hairdryer
Robe and slippers
Great view from room 3070/3072
While the room is nice, it is pretty standard hotel fare. Pool is pretty boring compared to the Marriott next door. This is a convention hotel.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Bad me...
Okay, so obviously we have traveled a bit since January, but I have been, well, well...okay so I have no excuse. I should have been writing all along about our travels this spring. So far I have been to Curacao in February with my bff (in between ginormous snow storms I managed to fly out), on the Disney Cruise with the family, trip to San Antonio to visit said bff, and am currently in San Diego with my hubby. So I am going to start with San Diego, and hopefully will have time to go back and write about the other trip.
We are here because Michael is chairing an LES (Licensing Executive Society) annual meeting here in October 2011. We (I should say he...) is here with the President-elect of LES and his co-chair (and wives) checking out meeting space, tasting food (I'm participating in this part...), and doing other planning activities. Afterward, we and the other 3 couples are driving up to Santa Barbara County for a weekend of wine tasting/buying.
My favorite "chain" hotels are Starwood, and Starwood is having a promo going on now for their SPG members: For every 3 stays, you get one weekend night free at any of their category 1-6 hotels. Last night was stay #3, so we now have one free night when we go to Nice, France in October. We stayed at the US Grant in the Gaslamp District. Hotel was nice. Lobby is of the fancy "gilded" type with Queen Anne chairs and dark wood abounding. Room was much the same, except the bathroom was very updated. We had a nice, larger corner room with a king sized bed and a dressing room.
We are here because Michael is chairing an LES (Licensing Executive Society) annual meeting here in October 2011. We (I should say he...) is here with the President-elect of LES and his co-chair (and wives) checking out meeting space, tasting food (I'm participating in this part...), and doing other planning activities. Afterward, we and the other 3 couples are driving up to Santa Barbara County for a weekend of wine tasting/buying.
My favorite "chain" hotels are Starwood, and Starwood is having a promo going on now for their SPG members: For every 3 stays, you get one weekend night free at any of their category 1-6 hotels. Last night was stay #3, so we now have one free night when we go to Nice, France in October. We stayed at the US Grant in the Gaslamp District. Hotel was nice. Lobby is of the fancy "gilded" type with Queen Anne chairs and dark wood abounding. Room was much the same, except the bathroom was very updated. We had a nice, larger corner room with a king sized bed and a dressing room.
Cool Headboard
Dressing room
Bathroom with Rain showerhead, no tub :-(
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