20th Anniversary Trips: San Diego & Disneyland Edition (A July/ August Trip Report)

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Hello Everyone!!! Welcome to my next trip report!!!

If you are new to my trip reports, I'm Ariella the planner and schemer of all of our trips. My husband and I had our 20th wedding anniversary this year. So, we planned a few trips for the year. This is the fourth trip for us this year This one was the whole family! Our first trip was a short cruise just Andy and I. Andy and I had never been on a cruise before. ANY cruise. So, if you want to hear about a first timers perspective, you can read that trip here. Our second trip was a trip to Disney World after taking a detour to SCAD for a college tour for our oldest. You can read that trip here. Our third trip was a trip with both my sisters and there families to Maine. I did not do a trip report for that, as there was zero Disney things with that trip.

That brings us to this trip! This was the big trip for the year. The main event! We had planned to go to San Diego a few years ago but life got in the way and we had to cancel that trip. So, this was to be us finally getting out to San Diego! And then this was our 3rd time in Disneyland.

What to expect from this trip report...

• Visiting both Zoos in San Diego
• Some ComicCon Fun
• Braving a Slot Canyon
• Trying great food in San Diego
• Seeing all of the 70th Anniversary Stuff
• 3 Nighttime Shows
• More great food in Disneyland
• Finding 3 Backside of Water!

Who we are:
Ariella
Morgan, Momma and Gwen
This is me! (And Morgan and Gwen) I realized during these trips that I almost never have photos of me by myself! I am the planner of this trip, and all of our trips. I was a little stressed planning this trip with trying to find what we wanted to do for San Diego. But it all worked out!

Andy
Untitled by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
Andy was very much looking forward to the San Diego portion of this trip. He enjoys our Disney trips but he was looking for us expanding our trips just a bit.
Morgan
Morgan
Morgan is our oldest, she is getting ready to apply to colleges and is super stressed about all of it. Morgan really enjoyed this trip and tried to take lots of inspiration for her upcoming AP Art projects!

Gwen
Untitled
Gwen is our youngest, she is a sophmore in high school and she is not stressed about college. She is just living her best younger sister life right now. Gwen really enjoyed the Disneyland portion of the trip. Not that she didn't like San Diego... but Disneyland was more her speed.

Where:
The San Diego portion, we decided to stay at the Sherton La Jolla.
Screenshot 2025-03-25 at 6.57.07 AM
We found out after we booked the flights, that ComicCon San Diego was going to be happening, so we decided to stay outside of city limits. And it turned out to be the best idea. We really enjoyed La Jolla.

And then for Disneyland we decided to stay at The Anaheim Hotel.
Screenshot 2025-10-12 at 9.22.01 AM
the Anaheim Hotel is a good neighbor hotel. I tried to figure out a way to make staying at a Disneyland Hotel make sense, but all of the hotels in the surrounding area were just so much cheaper.


When:
Our trip was from July 23rd all the way to August 2nd. We wanted to have a nice long trip to make the flight across country feel worth while and boy did we!

I hope everyone will follow along as I re-live our summer trip! Up next a very small travel day!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Travel Day

Since we had so many trips this year, Andy and I worked today. Gwen also had Color Guard Sections this morning. Morgan was the only one who had a relaxing morning.

Our flight was leaving at 6:30 PM. Once we were done with work and practice, we grabbed an uber to the airport. Our uber driver took us a strange way to the airport again. They all seem to use GPS and more and more it takes them the strangest ways to save 30 seconds.

But we got to the airport with no issues and got checked in and through security. Andy and I have TSA Pre-check and it makes the Philly airport so much easier!! You never know what you are going to get.

It was about 4:30 when we grabbed a seat at Chickie and Pete's for an early dinner.
Vacation Cheers! by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
It was a crazy week leading up to this trip and Andy and I were just not feeling a vacation kick off drink. So, we went wild with waters and a diet coke all around!

Crab Fries by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
Chickie and Pete's is a local Philly chain and they are known for there crab fries. So we had to order some. They are french fries with Old Bay Seasoning with warm cheese sauce to dip in. Delish!

Cheesesteak Nachos by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
We also go some chicken fingers to share. Along with some cheesesteak nachos! Everything was good and it was just enough to hold us over for the flight.

We took our time at dinner and then headed to our gate. We had just enough time to take turns using the rest room before they started calling folks to board.

6:06 we were ready to board
Boarding the plane by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

Thankfully our flight was uneventful... long but uneventful.

And before we knew it, we were in California!!! It was 9:30 California time.

We got off and found baggage claim.
San Diego Airport by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
It took FOREVER for our bags to come out. There was so many of us just looking around wondering where all the bags were. But they finally all came out.... except one of our bags! Eek. Once we realized that all the bags had in fact come out, Andy went over to find an office to see where our bag was. Turns out some how one of our bags got on an eariler flight!!! And was waiting in the office for us to show up!!! No idea how this is even possible, but thankfully we had all of our bags.

We decided to rent a car for the San Diego portion of the trip since we were going to be in La Jolla. So, we headed to find the shuttle to the car care area.
Off to the Rental Center Shuttle by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

We only waited a little big for a shuttle to show up. And it was maybe a 5-10 minute shuttle to the car care area. The car care area was HUGE!! We found our rental company area.... waited for what felt like forever. But finally got our car and headed to go find it.

Brake Light "Art" by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
It was now 10:46 california time, so 1:46 for us. So we were READY to get to the hotel! The car care center had a lot of art made with car parts. This was break lights!

We managed to get everything into the car and how to use the gps with our phone and we headed out! It was only a 15 minute drive from the San Diego airport to our hotel. The Sherton hotel was right off of the highway, which turned out to be very convient!

We checked in and went promptly to bed! It was a long day!

Up next our first day in San Diego! Will the time zone get to us?

 

[hardcorestitch]

Glad you made it to SD safe. Little fun fact: a lesser known Disney character, Hailey Banks, was based in this area in a town north of there.

 

[DLo]

Following along . Looking forward to reading more. We have gone to San Diego twice - once with the kids and once for our anniversary. So much to see and do. Still haven’t made it to DL

 

[hardcorestitch]

Following along . Looking forward to reading more. We have gone to San Diego twice - once with the kids and once for our anniversary. So much to see and do. Still haven’t made it to DL

Kinda the opposite for me...

By the way, did you guys have the chance to visit that Disney store near the US/Mexico border in San Ysidro?

 

[rdkeim]

Ready to follow along! Although a late arrival, pretty uneventful travel day which is always good. We've been to Disneyland twice. I think it's a nice change of pace from the World. Thanks for sharing!

 

[SEAGULL59]

Following along!

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

I am excited to follow along on your TR! We went to Disneyland for the first time last year and loved it, so I am looking forward to seeing your pictures and memories

 

[DLo]

. Oops double posted

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

San Diego Day One - A Morning Hike

Since we knew it would be a long night, we didn't want to have anything that we wanted to be getting up super early for. So, we didn't set an alarm or anything.

We all woke up and Andy and I took the car around the corner to a shopping plaza to get some breakfast stuff, and waters. Our hotel was just outside of UC San Diego campus, which worked out well, we were right off the highway and there was a number of options right there as well.

We went into a Whole Foods and this whole foods was super earthy crunchy.. They had no major brands. But we got some breakfast food, stuff for coffee, waters and some snacks for the room.

After we went to the local coffee shop and got coffees and headed back to the room. We all showered and had breakfast.

Finally a little before 10:00, we finally headed out for our first adventure!

This morning we were headed to Annie's Canyon Trail.

When researching what to do this is what I found as a description of the trail: Experience this 2.3-mile loop trail near Solana Beach, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 6 min to complete.

This was a 15 minute drive north of our hotel, I found a couple addresses for the trail and we went to the one I had decided on before we left. But when we got there it looked like just a parking lot and no where near anything. So I looked up the other address and we drove to that.

It was basically a dead end road in a residential area.

This was the entrance. It didn't look like much but there were plenty of cars parked and people coming and going from the area.


This was our view before even starting anything!


Us before we started the hike. Would we look like this after the hike....




This was the sign when you went past the gate. And there was a sign saying it was slighty difficult. And if you wanted an easier route it gave you an address to go to. We decided to just forge on...


We headed down the first hill. You can see how we were right next to the highway. It was here that I could see how those fires just jump the highways. It was all so dry and windy, so it would be so easy to just fly over the road, the brush was so close to both sides.


Morgan took a bunch of photos of stuff for art inspriation. Plants, galore.


Still going down. At one point, It occurred to me that we were going to need to walk back up these hills...

We finally made to the official trail!

All of that was just to GET to the trail!

We headed in.

The lure of this rrail was that there was a Slot Canyon here. My father loved to hike and it kind of felt a little like a nice little remeberance thing to him.


Getting farther in.


It was starting to get tight. When we planned this hike, I wasn't sure how Morgan would handle the slot canyon. She doesn't love heights and this just seemed like something she wouldn't like either.


We got to hear, and Gwen was the one starting to not liking how tight it was.

It had been fairly flat up to this point.

And it started to have an incline and was pretty much one way at this point also. And Gwen baled. She did not like it! Morgan said she would go back with her. She wasn't as uncomfortable but not loving it. I was glad I had snapped this family selfie right before that.

So, the girls headed back, when we started there was another easier way to go, so they were going to try that while Andy and I continued on.


Andy grabbed a selfie.


It really was tight!


The remaining survivers! There was a bunch of carvings in the canyon. And not like old carvings, like graffity. People putting there initials in. This is why we can't have nice things.


We came across this ladder. There was a group of women in front of us and they were taking it slow up the ladder. Which was totally fine. But I said to Andy that this is what it's like on Everest, just waiting in a line to get to the top. At least here we weren't going to die from lack of oxygen.

This was also the point I wasn't sure Morgan would have wanted to do. And I am glad she went back with Gwen cause there is no way she could have turned around at this point. It was too narrow to pass anyone.


Up I went!


Andy at the top of the ladder. Honestly the scarest part was getting on and off the ladder. At the bottom, the ladder started bascially at my knees so it was a big first step. And then getting off you felt super exspoded after being in such a tight area.

Meanwhile, Morgan and Gwen had a good time going the easy route. It was a bunch of switch backs and very gradual.

They took this photo trying to make it look all difficult but really they were just on the side of the trail.


This was our view from the top once we got there! It took about 45 minutes for us to get to the top from gate. We were in no rush to get up there either.


There was lot of folks taking photos at the top. Someone took a photo for us.




Shortly after, Morgan and Gwen showed up. Morgan was not intrested in being on the edge. So, just a family of 3...


Morgan was perfectly happy where she was. And that was fine.


there was the highway, still not far away. It was crazy how this slot canyon was so close to the highway.


We headed down the way Morgan and Gwen had come up. There were a few large steps right at the top.


And then rest was these switch backs, so nice and gradual.


And a view looking back at the side of the cliff. It was very beautiful!




The way back was let's just say not great... It was very hot and dry so we weren't fully hydrated. And it was STEEP going back up. Gwen gave the hike back a thumbs down.

We did see that where we first stopped at was in fact the right place. You took a FLAT path under the highway and over. It def would have been easier of a walk.

Even with the tough hike back, we enjoyed the hike. And would def recommend others doing it. My parents would drive hours to go to some of of the National parks with slot canyons like this one. And this was like a beginners hike to get see something like that. Maybe just take the easier path!

We did make it back to the car. It was not easy but we made it! We were all hot and sweaty, so we headed back to the hotel to rest a little and shower!

We made it back to the hotel right around noon. Andy, Gwen and I decided to hop in the pool since we were so sweaty.


Morgan took the first shower while we did that. We relaxed in the room for a bit until we were hungry.

Up next, dinner and checking out La Jolla!

 

[JenLovesMM]

Just found this and happy to get to follow along on this trip report! I may not post a lot but I always enjoy seeing the trips your beautiful family takes I'm from the Eastern part of Canada and we've been to Disney World a few times but never been to California, it is on my wish list that is for sure!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Just found this and happy to get to follow along on this trip report! I may not post a lot but I always enjoy seeing the trips your beautiful family takes I'm from the Eastern part of Canada and we've been to Disney World a few times but never been to California, it is on my wish list that is for sure!

Glad you are following along! I didn't think we would ever go to Disneyland but somehow this is our 3rd time! You just never know what life will bring you!

 

[footballmouse]

I would have been with the girls, no tight squeezes for me!

 

[Stasieki]

I missed that you started this one! I am here. Great start but man that hike looked tight.

 

[vacapa]

I lived in San Diego for 3 years and never knew about that trail. What an experience!

 

[missjackiemcg]

Once we realized that all the bags had in fact come out, Andy went over to find an office to see where our bag was. Turns out some how one of our bags got on an eariler flight!!! And was waiting in the office for us to show up!!!

That is SO stressful!!!! A couple of years ago, when we got back to port after a 7 day Disney Cruise, we disembarked and found two of our suitcases right next to each other, but the third one was totally MIA. Nowhere to be found. And of course I have the same Minnie Mouse luggage as half the people on the cruise, so I was in a total panic seeing anyone else walking by with one. AAAH!! We usually walk off with our own luggage since then, LOL.

I thought I had quoted some of the images from your canyon hiking, but I guess I didn't. That was such an awesome adventure--those "ladder" things and skinny passages looked pretty neat. I'm sure it was hot and dusty, but was a great experience.

 

[2vets]

San Diego-based Dis-er here (ridiculously, one who visits WDW constantly but not DL - I've only been to DL twice in 20 years). I'm going to follow this thread . I laughed so hard about your Whole Foods comment - I know exactly which store you're talking about, and agree, it is earthy crunchy but not the worst one here for earthy-crunchiness! Tbf, there is a Sprinkles across the way, so that helps counteract it a bit. The worst thing about that store IMO is the insane parking lot. I used to run by there on my way home from work every week or two, and I finally had to stop because of that freaking lot. Hope you had a great trip - I love living here despite the negatives ($$$$). Now, for your hike, did you consider Potato Chip Rock?

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

I would have been with the girls, no tight squeezes for me!

It was weird with the sky open above you, I didn't feel that squeezed.

I missed that you started this one! I am here. Great start but man that hike looked tight.

Glad you are here!!! The hike was fun. Short! Which was nice.

I lived in San Diego for 3 years and never knew about that trail. What an experience!

Pretty sure I found it off of ChatGPT! And then found a few You Tube videos about it. It was in a strange area.

We usually walk off with our own luggage since then, LOL.

We did that on our cruise and it def seemed like the way to go!

I thought I had quoted some of the images from your canyon hiking, but I guess I didn't. That was such an awesome adventure--those "ladder" things and skinny passages looked pretty neat. I'm sure it was hot and dusty, but was a great experience.

The ladder was def sketchy! It really was a fun hike for beginners. It was tight but not hard.

love living here despite the negatives ($$$$). Now, for your hike, did you consider Potato Chip Rock?

I have not heard of Potato Chip Rock!?! I will have to keep that in mind. We loved San Deigo and would go there again with Disneyland. It's farther than LA but we have no desire to go there again.

Wait! I just looked up Potato Chip Rock! That is crazy looking! I don't think I am brave enough for that!!!

I laughed so hard about your Whole Foods comment - I know exactly which store you're talking about, and agree, it is earthy crunchy but not the worst one here for earthy-crunchiness! Tbf, there is a Sprinkles across the way, so that helps counteract it a bit. The worst thing about that store IMO is the insane parking lot. I used to run by there on my way home from work every week or two, and I finally had to stop because of that freaking lot.

ha! It was intersting. We found a Ralph's to refresh some supplies before we headed to Disneyland and it was more "normal" It was nice to have some of the amenities hear by.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

San Diego Day One - Afternoon Exploring La Jolla

After a rest in the room, we finally decided we needed some food! So we headed out of the room a little before 2:00.

I had watched a bunch of YouTube Videos for places to eat in San Diego and The Taco Stand came up a bunch of times. There were multiple locations with one in La Jolla. So that was our destination today.
The Taco Stand by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

We got there right a 2:00 and there was a line out the door! Which I took to mean we were in for some good food.
Ready to EAT! by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

The line wasn't that long as the counter to order was just inside the building.

Trying to patiently wait by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
There was seating inside but it was full inside, So, i had Morgan and Gwen grab the table right outside that was in the shade while Andy and I waited to order.

Once we ordered, we had our drinks and joined Morgan and Gwen to wait.
Still Waiting by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

It took half an hour from waiting in line, ordering and our food to come up. But it was worth it!!!
Shrimp and Steak Loaded Fries by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
Gwen went with the loaded fries with Shrimp and Steak...

Gwen and her Fries by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
I was jealous of this when we got it! The fries were thick cut twisted fries. Nice and hardy to stand up to the shirmp and steak.

Califorina Burrito by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
Morgan went with a Carne Asada Burrito. She dug in as soon as we got it. She was hungry!
Morgan diving in by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

Andy and I decided to share 2 things. We had to get the California Burrito.
Inside of California Burito by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
This was amazing!!! The french fries that they put in there were spiced. This was super filling.

Fish Taco by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
We also got a fish taco to share. And while it was good, it was over shadowed by the Loaded Fries and California Burrito.

Best Bite tm by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
Gwen shared her fries with all of us as she couldn't eat all of it. Andy called this his "Best Bite tm"

They had a salsa bar in the back, that was self serve and they had a few options.
Meat Carving by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
They made everything to order and carved the meat right there. It was all really good!

Chips by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
We were FULL after our meal. It really hit the spot!

I had a few spots for us to hit after our meal. So, we headed back to the car. Our legs were tired from the hike this morning. So, we drove over to the next destination even thought it was probably a short walk...

Palm Tree by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
We did have a few blocks to walk from where The Taco Stand was to where we parked. It was a beautiful day!

Cactus by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
Another one of Morgan's inspiration photos.

Cactus by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

San Diego Day One - Afternoon Exploring La Jolla

We were headed to La Jolla Tide Pools. This area is known for low tide and lots of area to explore. I had looked up when low tide would be, which was the other reason why we had headed to dinner early.
Pacific Ocean by Ariella Saucier, on
Our first peak at the Pacific Ocean this trip! We got to the beach at 3:15.

Children%27s']https://flic.kr/p/2rkFd9e]Children's Tidal Pool[/url] by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
You can see all the area you could explore with it being low tide.

Gwen just enjoying the view by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
Gwen wasn't loving the sand on her feet, so she found a spot to sit and just relax.

Gwen by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

Morgan and Momma by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
The rest of us replored a little.

Morgan enjoying the ocean by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

Cold! by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
Morgan braved the ocean! It was pretty chilly! but she said it felt good.

Feet in the Ocean by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

The View by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
It was just a beautiful view!

Morgan by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

Andy and Morgan by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
Andy and Morgan ventured out to one of the farthest rocks. Alot of the rocks were pretty slippery, so I decided to hang back with Gwen. But a nice stranger took that pic of Andy and Morgan.

Channel of Water by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
The whole area was just cool to explore. There were channels of water that had formed over the years...

Morgan and Gwen by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
Notice how Gwen still has her sneakers on.... This is why we go to Disney and not beach vacations... sigh...

Rock erosion by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
More inspiration photos from Morgan.

Water pockets by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

Muscles by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

Morgan, Gwen and Momma by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
We just wandered around. Gwen tried to find some good shells but that didn't seem to be a thing on this coast. too rocky...

View of the "rich" houses by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
I also told Andy that I found my dream house, if we ever win the lottery...

My Lottery House by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
This house with the brown weathered siding... I mean it has a stone archway onto the beach!!!

Yup. Dream house by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

And in case you are wondering, how much does a house like that go for?
Def need to win the Lottery by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
YEAH... I might need to win the lottery twice!

Gwen by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

Ocean by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

Seagulls by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

Andy by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
it was a nice and relaxing visit. We noted that it was not like the beaches on the east coast. There were a few people parked for the day but most were like us there to explore a bit while the tide was low.

We spent about half an hour here, heading back to our car around 3:45.