The rest of our adventure to San Diego included our son on Thursday then both our son and daughter-in-law the remaining time. After breakfast at The Indigo Hotel together, we decided our plans should include minimal walking since Keith had foot issues and Jake is still recovering from a broken ankle from last springs motorcycle accident. Although he is healed and strong again, it was a good option. On my first trip in 2016 when I stayed two weeks, I enjoyed walking from where I stayed with Jake downtown to Seaport Village making a circle starting along Petco Park to the San Diego Bay waterfront then through the Gaslamp District and back which is about 3 miles or an hours' brisk walk. Of course, I always stopped and enjoyed everything along the way! This day together started with Jake's treat for a Seal Tour which he and Keith had never done before. I had toured my first year in the San Diego Bay but this trip would take us to Mission Bay. All tours begin at Seaport Village.
Jake checks out the huge blooming rosemary bushes and our favorite bird-of-paradise flowers at Seaport Village while we wait for the next tour.
Jake, Keith, & Beti onboard the Seal land/water vehicle
View of downtown San Diego from the land
Going under the Mission Bay Bridge
Nesting grounds for Least Terns (South Americans)
Sea World San Diego viewed from Mission Bay
Sea Lion and Cormorants on a bait barge
Our guides Hal & Cheri are from Columbia, Missouri!
After we got back to Seaport Village completing the Seal Tour, I suggested and offered to treat everyone to take the Trolley Tour which I had done before and included 10 stops where we could choose to get off and then get back on another Trolley Tour which comes around every 20 minutes. It is a great way to see first hand all that San Diego has to offer. I know we all wanted to stop for awhile at Coronado Beach to touch the Pacific Ocean and then eat authentic Mexican at Old Town. And we did as well as Little Italy and all the local history!
Crossed the Coronado Bridge and walked a few blocks to the famous Hotel Del Coronado
Pants rolled up and on the beautiful beach!
Getting wet in the Pacific Ocean with Mexico a few miles away in the background
Beti in the surf
Feet in the water with gold specks in the sand!
Several sand sculptures can always be found in this area which is off the main beach walk from the hotel. Love the sound of the surf so a video was taken to enjoy over and over!
The final stop of the day is Old Town, California's first settlement created in 1769. It's about as close as you can get to Mexico without a passport. We've been here before but this day was about finding the most authentic Mexican food and who better to tell us than the trolley driver? Definitely the right place just a block from the trolley stop is The Old Town Mexican Cafe - Home of the Original Handmade Tortillas of Old Town.
The weather turned chilly at the end of this day so I found this incredibly soft sweater wrap moments before this photo and I kept it on until I went to bed that night...like wearing a bunch of kittens, it was so soft!
Best Mexican food ever!
At this point we were basically close to the end of the tour and a trolley would not be around again by the time we were done shopping and eating. Jake called an Uber and we got left off at the front door of our hotel. Another nap in our room and late night lava cake at the Level 9 Rooftop Bar of The Indigo Hotel.
Friday had no plans but to enjoy each other's company at Jake & Cora's new condo. They both got off work and they continued to unpack and run errands. Keith and I were available to help but they went at a pace that was comfortable for them and got stuff exactly where they wanted it to be. Much was done while we streamed the second season of Ozark on Netflix; the first three episodes anyway. Minimal photos this day but I did get a chance to include our fur-grandbabies, Cleo and Finn!
How appropriate...walking Finn at Petco Park
Old Cleo loves her some sunshine!
Finn with Momma Cora
Cleo with Pappa Jake
After a restful but productive Friday, we walked about a block away for a late supper. Best Thai food is at the corner of 9th and Market Streets - Lotus Thai. Afterward we walked back a short way to our hotel's Level 9 Rooftop Bar. It was a good day!
Saturday was our last full day together and it was a very full day! Keith had been on a quest for the perfect sourdough bread and his research led him to the famous Boudin Bakery which was a few miles on our way to Safari Park.
I believe Keith found what he was looking for...clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl! I know he liked it because he bought the souvenir coffee cup to take home.
Looks like Carb Heaven to me! And if this wasn't enough...there's a Panera Bread across the street but I get enough of that regularly back in Missouri!
Cora & Jake and Keith & Beti
So many photos were taken throughout the day at Safari Park so I put them in 3 separate music videos. It's over 10 minutes so I hope you take the time to relax and enjoy! Best viewed enlarged.
We stayed at Safari Park until closing time. Not far from the park we found a winery and decided to stay awhile and enjoy. The Orfila Vineyards was the perfect calming atmosphere after our wildlife day. There was good live music and snacks to enjoy with a glass of wine.
No nap this evening before supper but a short break to freshen up and get ready for a 7:30 P.M. reservation Cora made at the Meze Greek Fusion in The Gaslamp District. This was quite a treat of award-winning Greek Family Style foods served in 4-5 courses with a couple different wines.
Cora & Jake and Keith & Beti
The main dish has 5 proteins I could count over flavored rice. Appetizers included three different hummus with fresh peta and flaming cheese. There may have been more but that's what I remembered I had and the grand finale was baklava with coffee. The atmosphere was very festive on this lively Saturday night! Thanks to Cora & Jake for this very special surprise treat!
Night blooms on cactus on our way back to the hotel
The late night walk back to The Indigo Hotel was enchanting! The Gaslamp District had come alive with all that a city could offer with colorful bright lights along with varieties of music flowing out of the open door venues in the cool night air. This is a young adult world full of youthful energies and excitement with all the essence of being truly alive that is ever present in the young and young at heart. It was enough to spark some memories of my own youth and made me very happy to connect this energy with my family. I'm still smiling!
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