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

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

San Diego Day One - Afternoon Exploring La Jolla

We had parked by a mueseum, who had a sculpture made out of kayaks.
Museum - Canoe Art by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

I had one more spot for us to check out today. Children's Pool La Jolla.
The Children's Pool in La Jolla, also known as Casa Beach, is a small beach area partially protected by a seawall. Originally intended as a safe swimming area for children, it has become a popular spot for harbor seals and sea lions, especially during pupping season. The beach is known for its picturesque views and is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike

it was to be a 10 minute walk from where we were but we were being lazy! So we drove. We lucked out in being able to find street parking both times. I think it helped that it was getting later in the day, folks were heading out from being at the beach all day.

Bird Rock by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
This area was more of a place to swim and hang out. It was also busier. We just checked out the birds all swaming on a rock.

Sun baithing Seals by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
And the few seals that were sun baithing.

Morgan, Momma and Gwen by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
There was a cove area that was protected by this wall that you could walk out on to see the seals and just get a good view. It was VERY beaten up by the weather and had lots of bird poop.

Seals baithing by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

Photographer Morgan by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
Morgan taking more photos!

Herron by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
There was also this bird trying to hang out on the rocks, and there were these sea gulls dive bombing the bird! Morgan and Gwen were really enjoying watching the drama of the 2.
This stop was shorter of a stop. But still fun to see!.

I had one more place to hit but it was Sunny Jim's Sea Cave and we would have been walking and we were tired from it being our first day and the hike this morning. So, we skipped it.

I suggested on last stop before we headed back to the hotel. Stella Jean’s Ice Cream. This was another find from You Tube. It was 10 minute drive south of where we were but it was only 5:00, so we had time.

Stella Ice Cream by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
This was in Pacific Beach area, which had a beach town vibe to it. Andy wanted to walk around a bit but we were all not feeling it.

Pacific Beach Location by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

Ice Cream Flavors by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
They had alot of different flavor ice creams.

I got the Yuzu Ice Cream and it was so good! I loved it. But I had to get the kiddie scoop as I was still full from our burrito. All of the flavors were great and we talked about possibly coming again. But that didn't happen.

After our ice cream we hopped back in the car and headed back to the hotel. We just relaxed and went to bed early!

Up next... Nerdy Day...

 

[rdkeim]

Good first day! You were brave to take on that hike - the stairs would have stopped me. Also, so narrow in places. Hmmm no. You got so many great pictures between the hike and the beach. Thanks for sharing!

 

[missjackiemcg]

What a fun day! That taco stand food looked INCREDIBLE--what a great YouTube find! Gwen's especially sounded amazing.

Looks like Morgan was able to get awesome pictures for her projects. I hope you'll share her creations whenever she gets around to completing them. She definitely got some gorgeous inspiration from nature!

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

La Jolla looks so beautiful! We are doing a Disneyland/Hawaii trip for my son's graduation trip (approx 1.5 years from now) and we do plan some San Diego time on the way back. I may have to convince my husband to stop in LaJolla

And that taco stand looks amazing - and that is coming from someone who lives in South Texas so I eat good Mexican food all the time. Cali Mexican food is different but just as good, so I'd love to try that place!

Great update!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

La Jolla looks so beautiful! We are doing a Disneyland/Hawaii trip for my son's graduation trip (approx 1.5 years from now) and we do plan some San Diego time on the way back. I may have to convince my husband to stop in LaJolla

I honestly enjoyed La Jolla more than San Diego. It just had a nice vibe! And it's beautiful. Nothing wrong with San Diego, but I would def stay in La Jolla again!

And that taco stand looks amazing - and that is coming from someone who lives in South Texas so I eat good Mexican food all the time. Cali Mexican food is different but just as good, so I'd love to try that place!

We dream about that burrito now that we are home. It's just not the same here on the east coast....

 

[alohamom]

The Taco Stand came up a bunch of times. There were multiple locations with one in La Jolla. So that was our destination today.

OMG-I LOVE THE TACO STAND!
My daughter and I did a similar trip to SD and DL and we ate at three different locations LOL
The food is incredible.
I originally read about it here on the DisBoards and I have been dreaming about this little restaurant ever since I ate the food!

I also really enjoyed La Jolla, it is so unique.

 

[piglet1979]

Notice how Gwen still has her sneakers on.... This is why we go to Disney and not beach vacations... sigh...

I am with Gwen. I am fine with sand as long as my feet are dry but I can't stand it sticking to my feet. We have only taken the kids once to the beach and it was the day before our Disney cruise. Kids loved it but I didn't leave my chair. DH went in the ocean with them.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

OMG-I LOVE THE TACO STAND!
My daughter and I did a similar trip to SD and DL and we ate at three different locations LOL
The food is incredible.
I originally read about it here on the DisBoards and I have been dreaming about this little restaurant ever since I ate the food!

I also really enjoyed La Jolla, it is so unique.

Was the food better at one location over the other? I dream about the food there too!

I am with Gwen. I am fine with sand as long as my feet are dry but I can't stand it sticking to my feet. We have only taken the kids once to the beach and it was the day before our Disney cruise. Kids loved it but I didn't leave my chair. DH went in the ocean with them.

She mostly didn't want to put her sneakers back on after but that might have been her excuse.

 

[alohamom]

Was the food better at one location over the other? I dream about the food there too!

It was all really consistant and honestly all excellent.
I also thought they were really good value for the money, the quality to price ratio was great.

After my daughter and I were in Cali, they opened a location in Anaheim!
240 W Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92866, in case any one reading this is interested in checking it out.

They do have locations in Miami and Las Vegas and I wonder if they might not be as good but I guess I will have to try them out if I am ever at either of those cities.

 

[JenLovesMM]

Being from the East coast of Canada, I love beaches and those ones you visited looked really neat! You had my kind of afternoon... food, beach and ice cream!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

It was all really consistant and honestly all excellent.
I also thought they were really good value for the money, the quality to price ratio was great.

Good to hear. Doesn't suprise me, it def seemed like they had it down to science there.

After my daughter and I were in Cali, they opened a location in Anaheim!

I just looked it up. Looks like you might need a car to get there. But it would be worth it!

Being from the East coast of Canada, I love beaches and those ones you visited looked really neat! You had my kind of afternoon... food, beach and ice cream!

It was a nice afternoon.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

San Diego Day Two: Nerdy Day!

Today I deemed Nerdy Day! Morgan and Andy had requested a visit to the Comic Con Muesum. And Andy wanted to check out Comic Con San Diego that was going on downtown. So, that was the plan.

The Comic Con museum didn't open till 10:00 AM, so we were able to take it slow this morning. We all woke up, showered and had breakfast in the room.

We left the hotel around 9:30 to head to downtown San Diego. We weren't sure what the traffic would be like, but we had no issues getting there. We arrived around 8:45.

The Comic Con Museum is in Balboa Park and there was a few other things I wanted us to do there. Since we got there early, I suggested we check out the Cactus Garden as it was just across the way from the Muesum and sounded like it was a shaort expierence.

So, we headed there.
Untitled by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

It was kind of tucked on the side of the hill and wasn't too big.

by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
Morgan enjoyed taking more photos.

by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
I was actually born in Arizona and my mom used to call me a catcus baby. I have always loved cactus. And well, us east coasters don't see them much.

by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
The area wasn't that big. It was only about 10 minutes to wander around and see the area.

by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
It was a perfect little thing to do before we headed to the muesum.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

San Diego Day Two: Nerdy Day!

After that we headed back to the muesum and had maybe a few minutes to wait till they opened the doors.
by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

IMG_8387 by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
We were able to buy tickets that day. And headed in.

IMG_8387 by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

z by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
There was a small Star Wars section right when you waked in. Andy of course needed to check that out.

IMG_8394 by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

IMG_8387 by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

They had a scavenger hunt you could do, so the girls grabbed those. They are suckers for that kind of stuff.

We headed down stairs first. There was a Kawaii exhibit down there.
by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
The display was mostly focused on tokidori merchandise, which the girls like but not crazy about. But we browsed the area.

There was a room off to the side with some costumes in it.
by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
Some were professional items, and some were well known cosplayers. This one was a cosplayer.

IMG_8387 by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

And then downstairs there was also a small exhibit about a comic strip Luann.
by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

I wasn't familar with it, but it was fun to see the art and read about the story of hte creator.
by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

There was an area to add notes to the speach bubbles. Morgan and Gwen enjoyed adding something in for the day.
by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

Morgan got a prime spot since it was so early.
by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

We headed upstairs next. Which housed there rotating exhibit. At the time it was Doctor Who. Which sadly, we have not seen... So, we weren't that excited to see. But Morgan and Gwen had the scavenger hunt, so we HAD to go in.
by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

I really don't know what ANY of the stuff was.

by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

It was all a little creepy probably more so since I didn't know what the stuff was!
by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

Untitled by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
It was pretty quiet in the muesum and Gwen decided she wanted a photo wiht the show on her...

After that we headed to the top floor where they have a Mexican Wrestling exhibit.
Untitled by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

This was also not really something we were super into but the costumes were fun to look at.

We finished up the scavenger hunt and headed back down to claim there prizes.... Which turned out to be posters of the new superman movie. They also had random comic books you could take for free. Most were for little kids, so we picked out one each for my sisters kids to bring to them.

Untitled by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
We checked out the gift shop and then headed out.

We were probably in the muesum for about 1 hour. You probably could have spent more time if you were really into the featured exhbit and wanted to read every single sign. But probalby no more than 2 hours, it is a smallest space. But I would recommend if the featured exhibit was something you liked.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

San Diego Day Two: Nerdy Day!

We were probably in the muesum for about 1 hour. You probably could have spent more time if you were really into the featured exhbit and wanted to read every single sign. But probalby no more than 2 hours, it is a smallest space. But I would recommend if the featured exhibit was something you liked.

I have another YouTube place in mind for lunch. It was a little early but we had a dinner reservation that we were looking forward to, so eating early would leave us hungry for dinner.

We were headed to a food truck called Shawarma Guys
Untitled by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

They had a few locations as well, but this food truck location was the closest to Balboa Park. It was basically in a neighborhood. And as we waited for our food, Most folks just picked up the food to go. We obviously ate there, at one of the 2 high top tables they had.

Untitled by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
They kindly moved the table in the shade for us, and we had to go into the liquor store for drinks that was right there.

This place was also featured on Dinners, Drive Inns and Dives....
Untitled by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

I dream about this meal as well. It was so good!!

We got 3 things and shared between the 4 of us.
Untitled by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
First was a combo Shawarma platter: Marinated wagyu beef shawarma and marinated chicken shawarma drizzled with our signature garlic sauce and served with yellow rice, hummus, tabbouleh, and a side of pita bread.

This was so good. The beef was well seasoned and all of the flavors together was delisious.
Untitled by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr

by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
We also got the Fattoush Wrap: Marinated chicken shawarma, romaine lettuce, cucumber, sumac, tomatoes, red onions, radishes, bell peppers, pita chips, lemon dressing, and topped with our signature garlic paste wrapped in a flour tortilla.

I loved this.... Andy did not. The lemon dressing was very vinegary which I love but Andy doesn't love vinegar. It was very light but filing at the same time.

by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
But this ended up being the star of the meal...

Chicken Cream Chop Fries: Chicken, french fries, house gravy, and topped wwith our signature lemon garlic paste..

The garlic paste sauce was sooooooo good. It was lemony and garlicy and literally I could have drank it. The youtuber I watched said the same thing and I agree!

The other star of the meal was the Shawarma Guys Hot Sauce that came on the side... Everyone coming to pick up food asked for extra of this stuff and we found out why. It was soooo good. It was spicy without burning your mouth. I came home and was searching for how to make it. (with no luck...)

by Ariella Saucier, on Flickr
It was all excellent and we had leftovers to take with us!

If you are in San Diego, highly recommend stopping at one of the locations!

After, we needed to find a bathroom, and tried to go into the target that was a block away. It was the most California Target I had ever seen. It was tiny and felt more like a CVS than anything. And didn't have a public bathroom.... So we head to our next destination in hopes of finding one around there.

up next, how would we fare at Comic Con....

 

[hardcorestitch]

Nice! Did you guys happen to see the Phineas and Ferb activation while you were at SDCC?

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Nice! Did you guys happen to see the Phineas and Ferb activation while you were at SDCC?

NO! I don't even know what that is/was... we love Phineas and Ferb and probably would have loved whatever it was. It might have been right before we got there. We missed meeting them in Disneyland...