Happy Friday! I’m going to finish up my California vacation posts today with a recap of our time in San Diego. Next week we’ll be back to regularly scheduled programming (aka whatever random thoughts I feel like sharing…).
Pressed Juicery
I was actually excited for the drive to San Diego because I heard great things about the scenery. Once we got outside of LA it did not disappoint. Another thing that did not disappoint: Pressed Juicery Freeze, which we stopped for on our drive. Pressed Juicery is a well-known juice bar located mainly in California and on the west coast (but now in NYC!). Their “freeze” is a spin on frozen yogurt made by freezing some of their most popular juices and smoothies. It is only made with fruits, vegetables, almonds and coconuts. All-natural (they aren’t just saying that) and so delicious.
I had the “vanilla freeze” (almonds, dates, vanilla bean and sea salt) and the “greens freeze” (kale, apple, celery, cucumber, lemon, parsley, romaine, spinach, dates and coconut) topped with sliced almonds and blueberries.
While my taste buds loved it, my stomach didn’t unfortunately. Probably more sugar (even though it was natural) than I’m used to.
La Jolla
Probably the highlight of our time in San Diego was our day in La Jolla. My mom warned me I would want to move there immediately and she was right. We walked by the water, ate lunch outside at Caroline’s Seaside Cafe (LOVE), shopped in the cute town (so many awesome stores, both name brands and boutiques), saw the seals and spent time on the beach.
Workouts in San Diego: Core40 + Running
We took a megaformer class at Core40 in downtown San Diego. This was our third megaformer class of the trip (I think I got them hooked)! It was a regular class but we used the Pilates ring for some leg raises and pulses, which was different from normal. Core40 was a small but very nice studio in a building with a wine bar, smoothie bar and massage studio. We joked that we would live in that building if we lived in the area.
I also ran along the water in San Diego! My first and only run of the trip. 5 solo miles throughout the Gaslamp District and along the water. I didn’t really have a plan for my run so I just wandered the streets and then made my way to the path by the water. I saw signs all over town for the San Diego Half Marathon, which was the day after we left. Poor trip planning on my part :)
Hotel del Coronado
On our last night of the trip we went out to a fancy dinner at the Hotel del Coronado on Coronado Island. Not only was the food delicious, but the view and hotel property…seriously stunning. It is a well-known California “landmark” so I feel fortunate that we were able to visit. We watched the sunset and ate dinner outside. A quintessential California evening :)
Cafe Gratitude
For those who are unfamiliar, Cafe Gratitude is a plant-based (vegan) restaurant with a focus on local, organic foods. For some reason I was afraid I wouldn’t be full after the meal here (such a dilemma…) but that wasn’t the case. I ordered the “Pure Salad,” a sushi-like salad with kale, nori, sprouts, avocado, carrots, cucumber, basil, sea palm and almonds along with the garnet yams (aka roasted sweet potatoes, my favorite). Everything was so delicious and fresh!
Our waitress was incredibly helpful suggesting options that would suit our allergies/preferences. They even had a book that listed exactly what was in each menu item, including how it was prepared. So helpful for allergies! Most things had beans (they don’t sit well with me) but the options were creative and intriguing. Go eat there if you have one near you!
Click To Tweet
After some reading, shopping and one last dinner out (at the Red Door, my picture was too dark) I took the red-eye home. It wasn’t too awful but combine that with Daylight Saving Time and I was in major nap-mode all weekend. No complaints!
View from the plane landing at home
I will probably try to weasel out one more post from the trip (thoughts, planning tips, etc.) but, for now, let’s just say it was just the adventure I needed.
So, San Diego is heaven?
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Favorite Podcasts for Running, Working, Chilling
Pretty much. I’d be happy growing old there!
I want to go back to San Diego! I went once when I was essentially too young to remember it. It’s so, so pretty. Looks like you had an amazing trip!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday recently posted…Five Friday Favorites 03/18/16
I hadn’t been since I was really young (like 4 years old) so it felt like the first time visiting!
I absolutely love San Diego! I actually was trying to move there after college to work for the company I interned for but it didn’t work out. And yes, La Jolla is amazingggg. Can you imagine living there with that beauty as your back yard?!
Christina recently posted…Basil Pesto Hummus
Wait, want to move now? ;)
I want to hop on a plane to San Diego right now! I have had an overnight flight from Alaska to Minneapolis and although it was only a 5ish hour flight (i think), I lost 4 hours due to time change so I was just a mess for like a week straight. I do not handle time changes well so that flight just did me in! haha
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…{Friday Favorites} 3/18
Yes it was a 4 and a half hour flight but I lost 3 (and then 4 hours with the time change) so I was a wreck. I don’t know how celebrities travel cross country regularly!
Looks like you really made the most of your California adventures! Love all the workout classes and beach views… and can I steal your wardrobe?
Sarah @pickyrunner recently posted…See you later
Very rare for me to enjoy dressing up, but it fit the feel of the area! Everything is from Nordstrom!
I’m so glad you enjoyed your time in San Diego so much. I’ve lived in SD my whole life and still get excited going into La Jolla and visiting the Hotel Del. Cafe Gratitude is the best isn’t it?? I’m obsessed! If you ever come back and need some recommendations let me know :)
Diana recently posted…The Easiest Overnight Oats Recipe Ever
You are one lucky lady! I got a “pinch me” feeling at Hotel Del. Felt very special!
I’ve heard so many good things about La Jolla lately and it looks absolutely beautiful! Also, I love your black and white dress, super cute! I’ve never taken a red eye flight but I kind of want to someday haha. I’m loving reading about your California trip so keep these posts coming:)
Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings recently posted…A look inside our kitchen
For some reason I felt so cool taking red-eye haha. It wasn’t as bad as people made it out to be!
I loved visiting the Del and walking on the beach in SD, strolling along the Seaport Village path downtown, and enjoying all the amazing fresh food on my trip too! My friend tried to convince me West Coast = Best Coast, and while I’m too much of a New England girl at heart, I’d love to spend more time there…
Our hotel was right next to Seaport Village so we wandered through there a lot! I don’t know what to think about “west coast = best coast” (they do put up a good fight) but I like to apply that to the west coast of Florida where I live haha
Yesterday, we were looking at this list of the ‘happiest cities to work in’ and San Diego made the list. It looks like an amazing city to take vacation in too. I love beach sunsets and sunrises. I love trying out new restaurants. My foodie blogger friends always inspire me to step outside of my comfort zone in this area. :)
Emily recently posted…Friday Favorites: Learning to Rest
Yes, I just saw that list too! I completely understand the ranking and hope to return one day.
This looks like an amazing trip! I have never been out west, but have always wanted to. The food all looks amazing! I have been dying to try pressed juicery and the Cafe Gratitude looks amazing! I have eaten at many restaurants that have vegan options, but only one that was strictly vegan. I usually try to get some sort of grain bowl, and its usually delicious!
kerri mcgrail recently posted…Top 5 Running Recovery Must Haves
They had a lot of “bowl” options on the menu! I was so impressed with their willingness to accommodate our requests. Definitely make your way to a pressed juicery (there’s one in NYC, although I don’t know if they offer the “freeze”).
That freeze thingy from Pressed juicery looks so good! I have such a sweet tooth, I’m sure I could handle it! I’m really impressed you did workouts on your trip, you are dedicated.
Megan recently posted…Is competition holding you back?
I went into the trip with a desire to try new workouts so it didn’t even feel like a “chore.” It was a fun way to approach exercise :)
Oh man, the food in San Diego looks unbeatable! That city is definitely a must-see for me now! xx
-Mikayla
http://thetastetracker.com
It was just voted one of the best destinations to visit for vacation! I will definitely be returning.
San Diego is one of my favorite cities on EARTH!!! Glad you enjoyed yourself! I’m familiar with a lot of these areas! :)
I want to explore more of the cute surrounding towns! That area is stunning.
Now you have me craving a trip to the West Coast as well as the East Coast! The combination of fitness classes/ runs + foodie spots + shopping + sightseeing pretty much sums up an ideal vacation and it sounds like you had a brilliant time.
I did overnight flights back from Ethiopia and remember arriving into Gatwick feeling like a zombie so can confirm that the post flight napping is essential recovery!
xx
How about you fly to meet me on the east coast first and then we’ll go to the west coast together. Deal? :)
So glad you made it out to the Hotel Del in Coronado! It’s one of the most beautiful places in San Diego. Love that you tried Core40 and Cafe Gratitude also. I still haven’t been to Cafe Gratitude but my friends all love it!
Kellen recently posted…Costa Brava Tapas – Restaurant Review
You always have the most delicious eats! We usually take a late flight home when we’re heading home from the US (leaving Dallas around 10-11pm and getting back into Sydney early in the morning… sixteen hours later :P) and whilst it’s good to sleep, it always drives me nuts waiting all day long for the flight! Whenever I’m traveling I like to get it all out of the way as early as possible (I’m the person who starts getting antsy the moment her bags are packed, haha!)
Kristy @ Southern In Law recently posted…Recent Things: Baby Puppies, Gluten Free Easter Eggs and Lots of Laughs
Mmmmm this gets me REALLY excited to be moving there in a few months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chrissa – Physical Kitchness recently posted…Pear and Raisin Compote with Crushed Pistachios
You’re moving there? GOALS. So exciting!!!
I’ve seen ‘grams of Pressed Juicery creations on Instagram and they do look so good! Can definitely see how they’d have a ton of sugar, though. Bummer it didn’t sit well with your stomach! So glad you a had a fun adventure in San Diego!!!
Liv @ Healthy Liv recently posted…Hi from the Beach!