San Diego

Ever since our trip to Chicago, Amy and I have been interested in planning another trip somewhere - anywhere!  As Miles got a bit older, we decided this would be the best time!  We were able to visit for 3 nights and it was a great time!  Our friend, Reese, was able to come along as well which added to the fun.

We opted for a resort setting on the beach and we are so glad we did - it was amazing!  Great views of the bay and having a beach right outside our door really made it feel like we were transported somewhere else.  We spent the afternoon after we got in town to explore the resort grounds and had some yummy dinner. 

View from our patio

View at dinner

The next day, thanks to the time difference, we were up bright and early to head to the zoo!  We went to brunch first at a place downtown called Snooze and actually snagged some scooters to take us the last little way to the zoo.  It was so fun!

The zoo was pretty amazing - the areas for the animals were not as large as I was expecting, but the zoo grounds were immaculate and gorgeous.  We were able to see some animals I have never seen in real life (koalas and pandas!) and got to visit some old favorites (giraffes and penguins!).  Those were the highlights, but the whole day was awesome.

These guys were so funny.  They literally came out and posed for us (see above picture) and then a few minutes later they turned their back to us - like "that's all folks... move along..."

After the zoo, we headed to Balboa park to explore a bit and were able to see the sights there.  Not much was going on during our Friday time, so we headed to Little Italy for happy hour and dinner.

Due to the time difference, I was SO TIRED by 10pm (midnight Texas time - which is really late for me...) and so I pooped out pretty early most nights (sorry guys!).  Amy and Reese had fun chatting on the patio for awhile after I was snoozing.

The next day was the same type schedule - up and out - we headed to La Jolla and had brunch at this amazing rooftop restaurant with views of the ocean. 

After brunch we headed down with the intention of going hiking to find some swings that are on a cliff and the sea lions.  We quickly realized that the sea lions were a tourist attraction and everyone and their brother was there to see them.  La Jolla had some great coastal views, but nowhere to really go hiking unfortunately.  We heard the swings were a 15 minute drive away...  silly.  So, we headed back to the hotel for some pool time which ended up being fantastic.

Sea Lions!

Those things on the beach are all sea lions!!

That evening we got cleaned up and headed to Pacific Beach for dinner.  We were able to snag a great table at a beachside restaurant to watch the sunset - it was amazing!  After dinner it was already getting late (well, for me), but we wanted to check out a few bars in the area.  After one semi lame-sauce bar, we headed back to the hotel.

We were all so sad to say goodbye when it was time to leave - such a fun time!!

I'd love to come back with the kids one day - the zoo by itself was worth the trip.  :)