Summer Vacation Time - San Diego, Hotel Del Coronado, Catalina, and of course DL

[PrincessInOz]

I wondered about your trip through Colorado when I first heard about the fires. Glad you weren't caught up in it and living in a country where bushfires are all too common, my heart goes out to all those people who lost homes.

The Anasazi Indian Cave dwellings looks interesting to me in that the dwellings are so close. I've been to Mesa Verde and it has the added attraction of being on the side of the cliff, and you have to climb down/up to get that close. For $10 it seems outrageously priced as I recall Mesa Verde was only a couple of dollars.

 

[mom2rtk]

I wondered about your trip through Colorado when I first heard about the fires. Glad you weren't caught up in it and living in a country where bushfires are all too common, my heart goes out to all those people who lost homes.

The Anasazi Indian Cave dwellings looks interesting to me in that the dwellings are so close. I've been to Mesa Verde and it has the added attraction of being on the side of the cliff, and you have to climb down/up to get that close. For $10 it seems outrageously priced as I recall Mesa Verde was only a couple of dollars.

We also have been to Mesa Verde and enjoyed it. The hike up and and down nearly did us in though. Katie was only 4 at the time and we almost had to carry her to the finish line!

Honestly, everything in the Colorado Springs area was high compared to the National Parks and such in the southwest. I think it's because a lot of the things in Colorado Springs are privately held. It cost us $9 a head to see 7 Falls.... and that wasn't even close to worth it. We were really happy that Garden of the Gods was free. We popped in 3 times on our trip. Thankfully it wasn't as hot on our visit.

 

[MommyLove]

Enjoying your trip report! Kinda funny about the "Don't call 911 about the fire, We already know" signs. I mean, the fires are a tragedy of course, but that would be kind of a trip to see those signs say something like that.

Great photos too! Can't wait to read & see more!

 

[arthur06]

2-2.5 hours isn't bad at all. I wouldn't mind doing that. As far as Hotel Del Coronado I would think anytime would be a great time to visit. They put up a skating rink for Christmas time out by the beach. Just think...you could ice skate and see the ocean at the same time. When we get to day three you will see way too many shots of one of my favorite hotels of all time.

Our total time to KC will be about 4 hours, about 2 more hours then usual.

I have been looking for a deal on HDC, but so far have not found any that go into November. I look forward to your Day #3 pics.

 

[KCmike]

Wasting no time.

Day 3.

We caught an early flight out of Denver (7am Mountain Time) to LAX to arrive at 9am there time. We had debated on whether or not to drop by Santa Monica Pier and we decided ahead of time not to do it. Do I regret it? No not really. We got our rental car for the week + and headed down the 405 south to the 5 south. We ended up stopping at Dana Point for a quick bite to eat at Mickey D's and then had to stop at the beach there to take in the sights. For those of you that live near the ocean oh how I envy you. I think I am seriously drawn the ocean (especially the Pacific). The Pacific is so much more cleaner than the Atlantic or Gulf. The waters are so blue and cold. I love the huge crashing waves up north in Monterey. If I ever get back up that way I would love to take in the Walt Disney Museum in San Francisco. Here are some photos from the Dana Point area.

At the gate in Denver

Denver from 20,000 feet

Dana Point

Caught the lifeguard relaxing

 

[kaoden39]

Mike, if you ever get the chance you should check out the beaches north of San Francisco. The beaches in Sonoma county are some of the most beautiful. That and at the Point Reyes area. Absolutely beautiful. Of course I could be partial that is my neck of the woods.


I love the pictures from Dana Point. I have thought about going over there but we never have.

 

[KCmike]

First views of Coronado...

Going down Orange Ave. (the main drag on the island)

Turning into the Del

My familia

The next three are from our room/balcony

View to the Left. Looking onto the Sun Deck where you can sit and relax and take in the Del and the ocean

View to the right (Main Building)

Much more to come.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great pics of the Coronado. That's a great room view you have.

And if you like the Pacific, feel free to come see it from my side of the Ocean. I'm always up for a DisMeet. I might even be good for a home cooked meal (although I don't guarentee that the meal will be good).


Much more to look forward to.

 

[KCmike]

Mike, if you ever get the chance you should check out the beaches north of San Francisco. The beaches in Sonoma county are some of the most beautiful. That and at the Point Reyes area. Absolutely beautiful. Of course I could be partial that is my neck of the woods.


I love the pictures from Dana Point. I have thought about going over there but we never have.

Someday! I hope.

 

[KCmike]

Great pics of the Coronado. That's a great room view you have.

And if you like the Pacific, feel free to come see it from my side of the Ocean. I'm always up for a DisMeet. I might even be good for a home cooked meal (although I don't guarentee that the meal will be good).


Much more to look forward to.

What's your Disney home park?

It would be awesome to visit Australia someday.

 

[PrincessInOz]

What's your Disney home park?

It would be awesome to visit Australia someday.

There is no Disney in Australia .

Our closest Mouse visit is either Hong Kong at 8 hours flight, Tokyo at 10 hours and DLR at 13.5 hours. Let's not even talk about WDW or Paris; both around or over the 20 hour flight time mark.

But we do have different kinds of "mice" here.....kangaroos, koalas, wombats, etc...and the sea. Take your pick...Indian or Pacific.

 

[kaoden39]

The Coronado is beautiful! Is it truly haunted like I have heard?

 

[kylie71]

Hey Mike,
Really enjoying the trip report! Interesting for me, as I have not been to San Diego since I was a little girl..
I agree with the Northern Ca coastline, and the Carmel area... the Sonoma and Napa Valley's, are treasures!

Can't wait for more!

Lori

 

[KCmike]

There is no Disney in Australia .

Our closest Mouse visit is either Hong Kong at 8 hours flight, Tokyo at 10 hours and DLR at 13.5 hours. Let's not even talk about WDW or Paris; both around or over the 20 hour flight time mark.

But we do have different kinds of "mice" here.....kangaroos, koalas, wombats, etc...and the sea. Take your pick...Indian or Pacific.

I guess I should be lucky its only a 3 hr flight to WDW or 3.5 to Disneyland!

 

[KCmike]

The Coronado is beautiful! Is it truly haunted like I have heard?

They say it might be. I think they do it to add to the allure of it all. We have never had any ghost sightings. We absolutely love it there for sure. More pics from around the resort are on their way.

 

[KCmike]

Hey Mike,
Really enjoying the trip report! Interesting for me, as I have not been to San Diego since I was a little girl..
I agree with the Northern Ca coastline, and the Carmel area... the Sonoma and Napa Valley's, are treasures!

Can't wait for more!

Lori

We did visit the Carmel area on our 20th anniversary. It was gorgeous. Need to make it to the north side of San Fran someday though. One of my favorite souvenirs we took from our last trip was the DO NOT DISTURB sign from the Del. It has a picture of the Del and it says "California Dreaming"!

 

[KCmike]

Thought I would mix in some Disneyland/DCA pictures as we go along. Here is one of the new Carthay Circle.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Fantastic! We too may drive 8 hours to fly out of Denver when we visit WDW next *hopefully 10/13* we have family there and it's quite a bit cheaper to fly DEN in to MCO, + we can get a direct flight on Southwest; out of SLC we'd have stop(s) and a flight change.

I'm looking forward to the next post!

 

[kaoden39]

They say it might be. I think they do it to add to the allure of it all. We have never had any ghost sightings. We absolutely love it there for sure. More pics from around the resort are on their way.

I am sure that it helps to fill the rooms for sure. My oldest daughter had a friend in middle school that swore they saw ghosts there.

Thought I would mix in some Disneyland/DCA pictures as we go along. Here is one of the new Carthay Circle.

That is so beautiful!!

 

[3inthefamily]

We are taking our first trip to Southern California next month and spending 6 nights at Grand Californian and then 3 nights at Hotel Del. Im getting so excited reading your trip reports! Any good recommendations for the Del and surrounding area?