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

[KCmike]

Awesome TR! Thanks so much for sharing!

What a great vacation so far and I love your photos!

Thanks! My style of trip reporting is to show a lot of pictures and just a little insight of what was going on. I brought home probably 3000+ pictures this time around. I get a little carried away sometimes.

 

[KCmike]

Beautiful! I need to count my spare change.

Now that is a bathroom!! Plenty of counter room and sinks for sure.

It would be a beautiful place to live for sure. I really hope someday that my wife and I can make it to an ocean or be within driving distance for a place to retire when we get older. Does everyone have this dream?

 

[kaoden39]

It would be a beautiful place to live for sure. I really hope someday that my wife and I can make it to an ocean or be within driving distance for a place to retire when we get older. Does everyone have this dream?

I live about 45 miles from the pacific ocean so mine is more along the lines of retiring in the mountains.

 

[mom2rtk]

It would be a beautiful place to live for sure. I really hope someday that my wife and I can make it to an ocean or be within driving distance for a place to retire when we get older. Does everyone have this dream?

Nah.... I'm living the dream already...... right here in KC..........

I'm shocked you don't feel the same way.....

 

[KCmike]

I live about 45 miles from the pacific ocean so mine is more along the lines of retiring in the mountains.

Isn't it funny how people want something different from where they are currently? Does anyone ever dream of the midwest?

 

[mom2rtk]

Aren't you attending the home run derby tonight? I just heard fighter jets fly overhead VERY close. And I saw the blimp earlier. We're just a few miles away. I would have loved for Robbie to get to go to something related to the big game. But the tickets were all just crazy expensive.

 

[KCmike]

Alright we are closing down on day 1 at the Hotel Del. Similar to the Disneyworld resorts they will show movies at the pool on certain nights. Tonight's movie was Lady and the Tramp. It was cool because it was Disney. They let the whole movie play out including credits and at the end was a documentary of sorts where Walt's children where talking about Disneyland. My head perked up and it was just so "meant to be". Also at the resort they have free smores on the beach on certain nights. Be careful because they also charge for your own private ones where you have a fire pit just for yourself. I think its a nice touch though during the summer time. They set up several fire pits and bring out tables with prepackaged "smores kits" in plastic baggies. So much fun. Is there anything better than the ocean in the dusk? Walking the beach in your bare feet as the ocean gently tides in. I also love the reflections you can get when looking back at the land behind you. I have several of these such photos and will post them in order. Here are the photos for today's installment:

Life Guard's car tracks

One of the aforementioned fire pits being set up

First night photo at dusk (they get better)

You can rent beach toys from the Del but can get them across the street for half the price and all day long.

Up next my random shot of Disneyland...

 

[KCmike]

Little Mermaid at DCA

 

[3inthefamily]

I was reading about the smores pits...so they have them for no charge as well? I was going to call to see how much they cost, but maybe now I don't need to?

We used our DVC points for the Del and splurged on a full ocean view room. No idea what to expect.

The pics of the beach at dusk are amazing and getting me so excited for next month!

 

[mom2rtk]

What a gorgeous beach! And the sunset shots..... awesome!

 

[KCmike]

Aren't you attending the home run derby tonight? I just heard fighter jets fly overhead VERY close. And I saw the blimp earlier. We're just a few miles away. I would have loved for Robbie to get to go to something related to the big game. But the tickets were all just crazy expensive.

My brother is there tonight and tomorrow for the All Star Game. He's got season tickets (I have them for the Chiefs) and I think he payed $175 for the All Star Game but not sure how much the home run derby is.

 

[KCmike]

I was reading about the smores pits...so they have them for no charge as well? I was going to call to see how much they cost, but maybe now I don't need to?

We used our DVC points for the Del and splurged on a full ocean view room. No idea what to expect.

The pics of the beach at dusk are amazing and getting me so excited for next month!

Certain nights are free. Ask the person at the front desk for which day(s). The private ones run well over $100.

This is one of my favorite finds from our last trip. If you take the very old elevator (original from when they built the hotel and still manned by staff) and take it to the top floor, then get out and go around the elevator and take the door outside to a balcony. This is the view and gift you receive.

 

[KCmike]

What a gorgeous beach! And the sunset shots..... awesome!

Thanks Janet! I think I was born to live the SoCal lifestyle.

My daughter is watching Les Miserables and I know in the back of my mind the All Star Game is on right now. Oh the sacrifices.

 

[mom2rtk]

My brother is there tonight and tomorrow for the All Star Game. He's got season tickets (I have them for the Chiefs) and I think he payed $175 for the All Star Game but not sure how much the home run derby is.

Yeah, the problem for us is that we don't have season tickets. I think the smallest packag we could get and then get access to a ticket (singular) for my son to go would have been $850.

Next best thing....... my husband just took them for a drive out past the stadium. Sort of the same, right? LOL! But as close as we'll get.

We lived so close to the stadium in 1985 that we could actually hear the roar of the crowd from our front porch when we won. Long time ago........ galaxy far far away......... And I'm so sad our boys will never get to experience a winning team like that. They're stopping on the way home to by tickets to a game this weekend though.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Very nice pics of the beach Mike.

My brother is there tonight and tomorrow for the All Star Game. He's got season tickets (I have them for the Chiefs) and I think he payed $175 for the All Star Game but not sure how much the home run derby is.

That is neat that your brother is at the Home Run Derby tonight and going to the All Star Game tomorrow. I am watching the Home Run Derby on ESPN.

 

[KCmike]

Very nice pics of the beach Mike.



That is neat that your brother is at the Home Run Derby tonight and going to the All Star Game tomorrow. I am watching the Home Run Derby on ESPN.

Luckily I was able to dvr it. After watching the first two hitters I had to hit the live button and am all caught up. Can't believe they are still swinging for the fences. I've always semi watched it in the past.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Luckily I was able to dvr it. After watching the first two hitters I had to hit the live button and am all caught up. Can't believe they are still swinging for the fences. I've always semi watched it in the past.

They are still swinging at the fence and it looks like Prince Fielder is going to win the Home Run Derby. Jose Bautista better be on fire in order to catch him and win the Home Run Derby.

 

[disneyismyheart247]

I think I was born to live the SoCal lifestyle.

I love living in California. I can't imagine living anywhere else. Who knows, maybe you and your family will end up moving! Your pictures are very beautiful, BTW.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great sunset shots!

Love the pictures of the Coronado. They sure show what a great hotel it is.

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Hi Mike

So glad to have found your trip report! I have been marvelling at your photos on the Photography board for a while now so very happy I get to see more!
I too have a Canon 60D which I will be taking to Disneyland in October. My hubby just bought it for me so I would have plenty of time to get to know it before we leave. I used to work as a photographer about 20 years ago, so a DSLR is a whole new world to me! Happy to say I am out and about and have taken some amazing shots so far! that 10-22 lens is something I may just ahve to start saving for. I have 2 lenses so far and am really hoping for a third before we go.

Can't wait for the rest of the report and more of those amazing pics!

Sue