Memory Lane in Cali + San Diego Travels Part I

3 years ago I walked down a chandelier filled aisle to say “I do” to the love of my life. It has been almost three years since that day. When we jumped in our taxi at the San Diego airport I was filled with a well of emotion. Tears rolled down my eyes as I remember taking the same ride while being bright-eyed, giddy, and ready to add that MRS. title to the front of my name. San Diego was just as beautiful as I remembered it.

It truly felt like a walk down memory lane as we checked into The US Grant. I had the top-tier of our wedding cake recreated by the lovely Sweet Cheeks Baking Co, and as we walked through the halls where we became husband and wife it felt almost unreal.

I never thought I would get married. Or quite honestly, that there was one person I would ever want to spend forever with, seems like an awfully long time. But truth be told I am a hopeless romantic, believe wholeheartedly in love, and cry at all the silly girl movies (I could probably recite Sex in the City back to you verbatim).

But in my twenties, I lost hope in love. I was so jaded from a terrible break up, that it almost stole my very will to live. When I met John ten years ago my heart wasn’t even up for grabs. He made me believe in love again, remember what it felt like to have those heart pounding moments, to have your hand feel tingly from holding on too tight…He made me realize relationships can be one of the most beautiful, challenging, and life altering experiences.

So, San Diego means a heck of a lot to me. A city offering everything under the sun. You can make this trip whatever you want: surfing, relaxing, spa, zoo, wineries, beaches, literally anything you can imagine is a stones throw (or Uber ride) away. My husband prides himself on planning our vacations and he is amazing at it, but this time I snagged the planning reigns. So much fun slowly revealing a new activity as a new day would arrive.

Trying to remember everything was a bit of a task! Below is a quick review of the places we love to stay, see, and dine at while visiting the gorgeous city. Stay tuned for Part II review on one of my favorite little gems, La Jolla.

STAY

US GRANT HOTEL, Andaz, Hard Rock, Marriott Marquis, Sofia Hotel, W Hotel, Tower23 Hotel, The Keating Hotel

EAT 

Cafe Gratitude (Gracious Salad) , Grant Grill (scallops + foccacia bread),  Eddie V’s (seafood is all good – the calamari is outta control), Poseidon on the Beach (mahi mahi tacos),  Juice Saves (acai bowls are outta this world), Davanti Enoteca (get the honeycomb and fresh ricotta to start – my mouth is watering typing about it), Stellas Public House ( brussel sprouts)

SEE

The San Diego Symphony –  Summer Pop Series, Ocean Beach, Torrey Pines State Beach, Seaport Village, Sunset Cliffs Beach, Del Mar, San Diego Zoo, Gaslamp Quarters, Little Italy, Hornblower Cruises, Private Yacht for a day trip out to sea, Temecula Wineries