10 Days of Dining at Disneyland and Southern Cali with Pictures!

[DLFan123]

The next morning, we slept late and skipped breakfast. We stopped for an early lunch at a little restaurant right across from our hotel. Anthony's offers table service in a more formal setting in their restaurant, and then they offer quick service at a walk up stand outdoors. For this area, they have covered, enclosed booths and tables all along the water with some seating out over the bay. We have eaten at both their nicer restaurant and the outdoor grotto area, and we prefer the food at the quick service. We weren't as impressed with our choices when we sat down indoors.

So today we already knew we'd be eating outdoors at the grotto. We had been planning to order their fish tacquitos. This is what we'd had 2 years earlier and had been dreaming about them ever since. Unfortunately they'd changed the menu so they no longer offer the fish tacquitos. The woman at the window said that they just weren't that popular an item.

Instead, I selected this:

The shrimp and crab cocktail.

This was very good. The seafood was fresh and delicious. The cocktail sauce isn't traditional cocktail sauce. Instead, it was more like a hot sauce base with pepper added. It was sufficient, but I would have preferred traditional cocktail sauce. The diced celery under the seafood was a nice addition and really went well with the hot-sauce tasting cocktail sauce.

This turned out to be a smaller dish than I had thought. (For some reason I expected a salad also.) Thankfully DP let me share with her.

She had ordered this:

The fried fish and shrimp combo with cole slaw.

The cole slaw was yummy! The fish and shrimp were crispy and fresh. I like when my fried fish is smaller pieces like this one, which equals more breading per bite. DP thought the fried fish at Harbor Fish in Carlsbad was better. I think this is just a matter of preference. I thought this was better.

Either way, it was good. We left this place saying what we always do-we only wish we could eat there every day. It is just so good, and the outdoor seating is wonderful, the views are amazing.

All that being said, it can get a little chaotic up in the ordering area, and the dining area can get a bit of a mess, especially during crowded times. This is a very casual, beachy feeling place. If you want something nicer, the indoor restaurant definitely has that vibe. (The indoor restaurant also does a Sunday brunch which we have never been able to try, but hope to someday.)

 

[OurDogCisco]

Thanks for sharing your trip report. I can't wait for our DL trip in August...

 

[DLFan123]

Thanks for sharing your trip report. I can't wait for our DL trip in August...

I hope you have a great time in August!

 

[DLFan123]

That evening, we decided to venture out of the bay area and headed over to Old Town for some shopping and dining. We were in the mood for something other than seafood by now.

We ended up at Coyote Cafe in Old Town and requested a table outdoors to enjoy the dusk and atmosphere. Here is the view from our table.

We started with complimentary chips and salsa and split a margarita, but I didn't get pics of those.

DP ordered the vegetarian combo.

This includes a guacamole tostada, cheese enchilada and bean taco. She enjoyed this.

This was my plate.

I ordered the nachos supreme without the meat and without jalapenos. This was just ok and overall was pretty heavy and not that exciting.

We enjoyed our meal here, and we would probably eat here again, simply because they are one of the few Mexican places in Old Town that doesn't make/cook their tortillas and/or chips in lard.

Also the outdoor ambience and views are great!

After dinner, we walked down the main street and did some shopping. We ended up in the little part of Old Town with all the historic buildings. We spotted this hotel and also stopped to use their facilities.

This is an original building that has been maintained as a small hotel and also has a restaurant and bar area. How neat would it be to stay in this historic hotel! We put this on our must-do list for our next trip!

 

[DLFan123]

The next day, we were up early and decided to take the ferry over to Coronado Island to enjoy the beach and ooh and aah at the hotel.

We purchased tickets and waited at the ferry landing.

I had only ever driven to Coronado Island in the past, while DP had experience using the ferry. Once on the ferry, this was our view:

In just a few minutes, we arrived and stepped off the ferry boat. There are quite a few fast food restaurants and shops right at the ferry landing. We stopped at information to ask the best walking route to the hotel, and after receiving instructions, we set out. Let me say, this is a long walk. Thankfully we'd asked which route would take us past some eateries.

By the time we spotted the Coronado Brewery, we'd already been walking quite a while. We decided we needed a break from the sun, so we chose to eat here. We were very glad we did.

There seemed to be lots of locals eating here (always a good sign), and it didn't smell like hops like a lot of breweries do. It was cool and dim inside; just what we needed. DP ordered their version of a veggie burger.

She loved this and still says it is one of her favorite meals of our whole trip! It was served with a chipotle mayo on the side.

I decided to go with a nice, light option, the seafood salad.

This was seasoned shrimp, scallops and salmon layered over a mixed green salad with tomato, onion and avocado. I requested the feta vinaigrette on the side.

This salad was so delicious! It was hearty and filling but also light and cool, just what I wanted this day. Also, DP really dislikes salmon, but she tasted a piece of this salmon and declared it the best salmon she has ever had. This is the closest to enjoying salmon she will ever get. The fish was mild, and the seasoning was great, like a slightly less salty blackening spice. I love bay scallops, but I don't always see them on restaurant menus. It was nice to have some, the perfect last lunch of our trip!

After we finished up, we continued our trek to the Hotel del Coronado. Finally we arrived!

We looked around the hotel for a bit and enjoyed the AC. Such a nice property and some day, we will stay here!

We used their facilities to change into our swimsuits and stepped out onto the public beach just out the backdoor of the hotel.

We had a wonderful time. It was a nice, quiet day with very few people out by the water. It was almost like having our own private beach.

We thoroughly enjoyed this day and our meal at the Coronado Brewing Company. We would definitely repeat that meal. I will say, it was quite a walk from the ferry landing to the hotel, all together 45-50 minutes each way, and that was at a brisk pace. I probably wouldn't do that again. Next time, I'd drive and park near the beach, or I'd take the local bus from the ferry landing to the hotel. Who knows, maybe next time we'll be staying on the island!

 

[DLFan123]

It was our last night, and we were excited to do something we'd never done in San Diego. We visited Little Italy and took in the atmosphere before choosing one of the many little Italian places that line the street.

I wish I had pictures for you, or even knew the name of the place we chose, but I don't. Since I didn't take pictures, I don't even remember what we ate! So sad! I do know we enjoyed our meal and took a business card from the restaurant so we could return, but I can't seem to track that card down...It was a nice, quiet, dimly lit place with close quarters, so we didn't want to disturb people with our flashes.

Since I didn't take pics of the food, here is an unexciting picture of one of the signs on the street.

This picture doesn't really do the area justice. It is actually a pretty quaint little section of street. Here is one of me sitting by one of the little fountains.

We enjoyed our dinner in Little Italy and would recommend this area to anyone staying in San Diego. Also, if you stay at any of the hotels right across from the cruise ship depot, you can walk to Little Italy.

The next day we were up early and hit the road for our long drive home. We had flown into Orange County and then rented a car for the duration of our trip. We figured we might as well add a couple of days to the rental and return it in Denver, since I love a good road trip.

Here are some of our last pics.

The hot, dry, California desert.

This was taken somewhere in Utah.

This is another glimpse of Utah's natural beauty.

Finally, we made it back to home sweet home, colorful Colorado!

It was a wonderful trip filled with lots of yummy food and great adventures! Until next time!

Stay tuned to one last post, a brief breakfast review of Carnation Cafe in Disneyland from our trip in October 2012.

 

[DLFan123]

We returned to DL in October to meet up with my DM and Dsis for a little family fun. We did not take food pics on this trip, except for our last breakfast at Carnation Cafe. It was just DP, DM and me; my sis had already left us by this time.

We didn't have a reservation and were told there was a 20-30 minute wait. We took a buzzer and shopped on Main Street until our table was ready.

We were seated outdoors and it was a beautiful day.

My mom chose the ham and cheese omelette, served with breakfast potatoes and fruit (grapes).

Look at my mom in the background with her fork in hand! It cracks me up! She was ready to dive in and I almost had to smack her hand to stop her while I snapped this quick photo. (She had never seen people take pics of their food before this.)
She enjoyed this but could only manage half the omelette. She said she'd get it again if she had the chance.

I went with my old favorite, the huevos rancheros with the eggs fried.

All I can say is YUM! In fact, this is so good that I am mad I just returned from DL and didn't get a chance to eat this on our most recent trip. What is wrong with me?

DP decided to branch out and ordered the spinach and tomato egg white frittata, served with cafe breakfast potatoes and grapes.

Look at DP waiting patiently in the background. She knows the rules!!!
She thought this was good, but decided the huevos rancheros here are better. I tasted this and I agree; it was ok. No need to order this with the huevos on the menu!

We had a great breakfast, and once again Oscar stopped by to say hello and check on our meals. What a lovely touch! We will definitely be back!

 

[jedijill]

Your report was fantastic! Thanks so much.


Enjoy the snow today.

Jill in CO

 

[DLFan123]

Your report was fantastic!

Enjoy the snow today.

Jill in CO

Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the report and stuck with it even after Disney food was done!

I know, right? We are holed up indoors. Seems like it'll never end, but I know it will and then they'll clear the roads tonight so we can all get to work tomorrow.

Looks like you have a DW trip coming up very soon! I hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[jedijill]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the report and stuck with it even after Disney food was done!

I know, right? We are holed up indoors. Seems like it'll never end, but I know it will and then they'll clear the roads tonight so we can all get to work tomorrow.

Looks like you have a DW trip coming up very soon! I hope you have a wonderful time!

I liked the non-Disney food reports too. I need to get back out to DL and San Diego some of these days. It's been 8 years since my last In-n-Out burger.

I'm so not looking forward to the drive in to work tomorrow. Ugh. My driveway and sidewalks just got cleared...best $30 I've ever spent.

Looking forward to the trip especially on a day like today! Lots of signatures this trip culminating in V&A on the last night.

JIll in CO

 

[DLFan123]

I liked the non-Disney food reports too. I need to get back out to DL and San Diego some of these days. It's been 8 years since my last In-n-Out burger.

I'm so not looking forward to the drive in to work tomorrow. Ugh. My driveway and sidewalks just got cleared...best $30 I've ever spent.

Looking forward to the trip especially on a day like today! Lots of signatures this trip culminating in V&A on the last night.

JIll in CO

I wish somebody would come offer to shovel my driveway and sidewalks for $30! DP made a quick run through so we won't get a ticket for neglecting the sidewalk completely (and so Milton, the picky bichon can feel like he is getting at least some version of a "walk" today and therefore will stop the whining). I bet your little wienie doesn't like this snow!

We have never done any signature dining. V&A looks so fancy! Sounds like it will be a great trip you have coming up.

I have never been to an In-n-Out burger! Now I don't see the point since I don't eat hamburgers, but I can't believe my parents never took me there, considering all of our summer trips to CA. You're not the first person to comment on this thread about wanting one.

 

[jedijill]

I wish somebody would come offer to shovel my driveway and sidewalks for $30! DP made a quick run through so we won't get a ticket for neglecting the sidewalk completely (and so Milton, the picky bichon can feel like he is getting at least some version of a "walk" today and therefore will stop the whining). I bet your little wienie doesn't like this snow!

We have never done any signature dining. V&A looks so fancy! Sounds like it will be a great trip you have coming up.

I have never been to an In-n-Out burger! Now I don't see the point since I don't eat hamburgers, but I can't believe my parents never took me there, considering all of our summer trips to CA. You're not the first person to comment on this thread about wanting one.

I made a deal with my lawn guys last fall! It turns out to be a great deal for me! Bailey loves the snow! She is long haired and comes back in with ice encrusted in her "low hanging fur!" I have little trails all through the backyard.

V&A is fancy but so good! Really a dining experience.

Your parents abused you. J/k...I think I've only had 2 In-n-Outs in my life but they have left a lasting impression.

Jill in CO

 

[DLFan123]

I made a deal with my lawn guys last fall! It turns out to be a great deal for me! Bailey loves the snow! She is long haired and comes back in with ice encrusted in her "low hanging fur!" I have little trails all through the backyard.

V&A is fancy but so good! Really a dining experience.

Your parents abused you. J/k...I think I've only had 2 In-n-Outs in my life but they have left a lasting impression.

Jill in CO

Very cute! One of mine loves the snow, the other, not so much. But he loves walking so days like today are hard days for him.

Maybe some day I will work my way up to V&A. I will probably start with California Grill or Flying Fish and go from there. This trip, we thought we'd fit in Flying Fish but we just don't seem to have the open dinner spot. It's hard with so much to do! We are tentatively hoping for a MK resort stay in October, and if that happens, we might just have to try the California Grill while we are there!

 

[DawnH]

Just finished your reviews, have always wanted to try the Blue Bayou, those crab cakes looked so yummy!
I also enjoyed your reviews of Carlsbad and San Diego! Both husband and I love mexican and seafood and I might have found the perfect way to bribe him back to So Cal for a vaca

 

[CupcakeLisa]

great report thanks for sharing

 

[DLFan123]

Just finished your reviews, have always wanted to try the Blue Bayou, those crab cakes looked so yummy!
I also enjoyed your reviews of Carlsbad and San Diego! Both husband and I love mexican and seafood and I might have found the perfect way to bribe him back to So Cal for a vaca

Thanks, Dawn! I hope you can get back to DL and So Cal soon! It's looking like it will probably be 2014 for us, but at least we have some DW trips planned in between to keep us busy.

 

[DLFan123]

great report thanks for sharing

Thanks for commenting and glad you enjoyed it!

 

[QueenJen]

Great report! I have been to DL too many times to count and your TR opened my eyes to many options I never knew about.....guess we tend to commando through the rides! Def going to try rancho del Z and Carnation Cafe (with reservation...thanks never knew to make a reservation anywhere in the parks)

I also wanted to share that In N Out has a great grilled cheese (not on menu..just ask) I love it with grilled onions and a side of hot peppers. It is served with their spread, lettuce, and tomato. I'm not sure....but the bun/cheese may be toasted on the same grill as the burgers - doesn't bother me as I am not a vegetarian....just prefer not to eat much meat.

 

[Stew_Mouse]

Really fun report! I enjoyed seeing you and your DP's picks! I'll be headed to DL in June and thanks to your report, I'm looking forward to trying the Pear soda and pommes frites!

 

[DLFan123]

Really fun report! I enjoyed seeing you and your DP's picks! I'll be headed to DL in June and thanks to your report, I'm looking forward to trying the Pear soda and pommes frites!

Glad you enjoyed it. You'll be making two good choices with the soda and the pommes frites! Have a great trip. It's almost here!