Destination "San Diego, Coronado, San Francisco & Napa Valley"
Beck Street
Beck Street
has been awhile since I was last in San Diego. A former business colleague and friend, Tina, lives downtown in a condo on Cortez Hill and she invited me to visit!
Downtown San Diego offers great ease in accessing fabulous art, museums, zoo, gardens, delicious multi-cultural cuisines, magnificent beaches, sparkling ocean and bay, harbor cruises and an international airport - all of which are on my list of what to have nearby! Plus, of course, the wonderful weather - daily highs of 66 to 77 degrees fahrenheit every month of the year.
https://www.edgewatergrill.com/
The first night we headed down to Seaport Village and ate at the Edgewater Grille. We enjoyed strolling along the water, and checking out some of the shops. Dinner was delightful with the lovely harbor views on the outside deck. I ordered the Poke Nachos - tasty!
Tina in her pastel dress, lime green designer purse and vintage Dolce & Gabanna sunglasses inherited from her mother.
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POKE NACHOS (GF)
local sushi grade yellowfin tuna, wasabi aioli, red onion, avocado, taro chips |
If you stay in the downtown area, you can take advantage of FRED. It is an electric car service that is FREE within downtown SD. Download the app https://www.ridecircuit.com/fred, order your ride and be sure to tip the driver. It was similar to ordering an Uber, but there can be multiple passengers in the vehicle. Another perk is you do not have to find parking!
Cortez Hill
Cortez Hill is named after the historic hotel El Cortez which is now condominiums. From its opening in 1927 through the 1950s, it was the most glamorous apartment-hotel in San Diego. The large "El Cortez" sign, which is illuminated at night, was added in 1937 and could be seen for miles. In the 1950s, the world's first outside glass elevator was built at the El Cortez. wikipedia
It is a very nice and more quiet neighborhood, away from the hustle and bustle of the inner city, but you can be in busier parts of San Diego in 5 to 10 minutes.
Coronado
We spent an afternoon at the fabulous Hotel Del Coronado. A beautiful Victorian hotel, where they filmed Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot. It overlooks a long gorgeous beach and the Pacific Ocean.
We lunched at The Del's Sun Deck Bar & Grill enjoying the blue skies, fresh air and ocean views.
We both ordered a Jalapeños Margarita. Yummy!
San Diego Fish Sandwich
Charbroiled Mahi Mahi, Beefsteak Tomato, Cabbage Slaw, Jalapeño Vinaigrette, Charred Green Onion Remoulade, Ciabatta, Fries |
The stunning entrance to the hotel.
Loaded Hoisin Fries
Asian BBQ Chicken, Chili Aioli, Cilantro, Cabbage, Jalapeños, Pickled Cucumber, Sesame |
Balboa Park
Balboa Park was created in 1868 and is the largest urban park in the United States. With 1,200 acres full of gardens, numerous world-class museums, theatres, shops, restaurants, walking trails, and the famous San Diego Zoo.
The park gained many of its structures when they hosted the 1915 Panama - California Exposition. Spanish Colonial Revival is the predominant architectural style.
The park gained many of its structures when they hosted the 1915 Panama - California Exposition. Spanish Colonial Revival is the predominant architectural style.
We went to see Monet to Matisse: Impressionist Masterpieces from the Bemberg Foundation at the The San Diego Museum of Art.
Edgar Degas
The Yellow Harloquin ca. 1885 Pastel on Cardboard |
Pierre Bonnard
Nude in a Tub ca. 1903 Oil on Canvas |
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Claude Monet
Boats on the Beach at Etretat ca. 1883 Oil on Canvas 
Henri de Toulouse Lautrec
Head of a Woman ca.1896 Oil on Cardboard |
Piere Bonnard
Misia Sert on Alfred Edward's Yacht ca. 1906 Oil on Canvas 
Paul Signac
The Bell Tower of Saint-Tropez ca.1900 Oil on Canvas |
Golden Hill
Golden Hill, a historic neighborhood, was one of the best places to live in the 1800s and early 1900s. Later it declined and became known for drugs and crime. Today it is back to being a desirable place to live with many trendy bars and restaurants. It is located under the bottom of Balboa Park.
“…The drooping sails of an anchoring fleet/The shadowy city at our feet/With the Mountains’ proud peaks so lofty and still/’Tis a picture worth seeing, from Golden Hill.”
— Daniel Schuyler, who petitioned the city trustees for the name of the neighborhood in 1887.
— Daniel Schuyler, who petitioned the city trustees for the name of the neighborhood in 1887.
Kingfisher is located in Golden Hill and its menu is informed by traditional flavors and family recipes from co-owners Kim Phan, Ky Phan, and Quan Le, the menu reflects the French influence on Vietnamese food and modernizes the cuisine through technique, presentation, and the focus on local and seasonal ingredients. Eater
Here is some of the deliciousness we tasted that delightful Friday night at Kingfisher.
DIVER SCALLOPS
Celery, Pineapple, Tomato, Tamarind, Seaweed, Thai Basil, Rice Patty Herbs. (GF) |
CRISPY CHICKEN WINGS
Tamarind Glaze, Crispy Garlic, Peanuts, House Pickles, Toasted Coconut Ranch |
WILD MUSHROOM CONGEE
Morels, Crispy Garlic, Garlic Chives, Cilantro, Egg Yolk, House Spicy “Sim”bal Sauce. (GF) |
Afterward we wandered the streets of the GasLamp District.
Little Italy
Little Italy is a chic, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, packed with trendy cocktail bars, brewpubs and restaurants with bustling patios. Upscale clothing boutiques, indie music venues and quaint piazzas dot the area, while the weekly Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market draws crowds to its mix of produce, gourmet food and craft stalls. The green lawns of Waterfront Park have fountains, and offer views of the bay. Google
For Brunch we went to award winning Kettner Exchange in Little Italy. We were able to get a table on the delightful second story balcony. The food, drinks and service were great! A highlight was the Blistered Shishito Peppers with Bonita flakes that danced over the warm peppers as if they were alive.
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BLISTERED SHISHITO PEPPERS
garlic chips, bonito, ponzu |
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Harbor Cruise
We took the Flagship North Bay Cruise after Brunch. It was a perfect day for warm sea breezes and viewing some of the historic, naval and other sights from the yacht.
San Francisco
I went up to Alamo, in the Bay Area to spend a few days with my bestie, Rachel. We decided to go to San Francisco on Saturday and visit her daughter and my goddaughter, Riley. She lives in the Cow Hollow/Marina District. A lively neighborhood with views of the bay, restaurants, shops and more!
Cow Hollow is an affluent section of town that’s popular with young professionals. Union Street, the main drag, is crawling with chic fashion boutiques, pilates studios, juice shops and beauty salons. Restaurants range from French fine dining to Italian bistros to brunch cafes, and there are also sports bars and wine lounges. The area’s historic past is on display at the landmark McElroy Octagon House built in 1861. Google
We met at Balboa Cafe Bar & Grill, which is famous for their Balboa Burgers and Balboa Espresso Martinis. So that is what we had!
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Afterward we were off to the Ferry Building's food artisan marketplace to pick up some tasty items for dinner.
Napa Valley
On Sunday we decided to go to Brunch in Napa Valley at Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc + Addendum restaurant. His casual, delicious, comfort food restaurant in Yountville.
https://www.thomaskeller.com/yountville-california/ad-hoc/restaurant
ONE GUEST AT A TIME.
In September 2006, Chef Thomas Keller opened the doors to Ad Hoc, his casual dining venue for showcasing the American comfort food of his childhood. The name Ad Hoc, literally meaning “for this purpose,” derives from the restaurant’s original purpose: to temporarily fill a space while Chef Keller’s team developed a different restaurant concept. Yet from the first, Ad Hoc was loved by both Napa Valley locals and visitors to the wine country alike, and so this “temporary” restaurant joined Chef Keller’s other Yountville, CA properties as a permanent fixture of Washington Street.
The daily-changing four-course menu, featuring classic American dishes like fried chicken, pot roast and barbeque, is handwritten nightly on chalkboards throughout the restaurant. All courses are served family-style to increase both the conviviality of the Ad Hoc experience and to further recreate the casual comfort of home. The restaurant’s beverage service focuses on the same local producers who can often be found enjoying themselves at the restaurant. While the ability to write a different menu every day provides a significant creative outlet for Ad Hoc’s culinary team they go a step further, frequently offering additional courses as a supplement to the menu showcasing unique or exotic ingredients.
Since its opening, Ad Hoc has received a three-star rating from The San Francisco Chronicle and was featured as one of Food and Wine magazine’s “25 Places to Try.” https://www.thomaskeller.com/yountville-california/ad-hoc/restaurant
In September 2006, Chef Thomas Keller opened the doors to Ad Hoc, his casual dining venue for showcasing the American comfort food of his childhood. The name Ad Hoc, literally meaning “for this purpose,” derives from the restaurant’s original purpose: to temporarily fill a space while Chef Keller’s team developed a different restaurant concept. Yet from the first, Ad Hoc was loved by both Napa Valley locals and visitors to the wine country alike, and so this “temporary” restaurant joined Chef Keller’s other Yountville, CA properties as a permanent fixture of Washington Street.
The daily-changing four-course menu, featuring classic American dishes like fried chicken, pot roast and barbeque, is handwritten nightly on chalkboards throughout the restaurant. All courses are served family-style to increase both the conviviality of the Ad Hoc experience and to further recreate the casual comfort of home. The restaurant’s beverage service focuses on the same local producers who can often be found enjoying themselves at the restaurant. While the ability to write a different menu every day provides a significant creative outlet for Ad Hoc’s culinary team they go a step further, frequently offering additional courses as a supplement to the menu showcasing unique or exotic ingredients.
Since its opening, Ad Hoc has received a three-star rating from The San Francisco Chronicle and was featured as one of Food and Wine magazine’s “25 Places to Try.” https://www.thomaskeller.com/yountville-california/ad-hoc/restaurant
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All the sunshine, wonderful friends, beautiful scenery, great places to go, combined with delicious food and drink, made the trip to my native state, California, a joy!
Go "San Diego, Coronado, San Francisco & Napa Valley" Issue XVII
Click on pictures below for other articles!
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