After a VERY busy summer real estate season, I decided to take my first vacation since… honestly, I can’t even remember. Don’t be like me and instead USE your vacation days and don’t be on your computer/phone the whole time! This was the first vacation where I truly unplugged. I told my active clients that I was going away for 2 weeks but I would still be “around” virtually. So where did I go? I went back home to a place that’s always sunny and 75 degrees, San Diego.
The weather was obviously PERFECT. It was only cloudy for maybe 2 days so I got a great tan and I’m really hoping it lasts through the winter – doubtful. This time I brought my boyfriend, Frank, with me and it was his first time visiting California so it was fun playing tour guide! We did a lot of things but also had some downtime to really chill and unplug from our hectic New York lives.
Frank got plenty of golf in at Encinitas Ranch, Vista Valley Country Club, and the famous Aviara Golf Club at the Park Hyatt Aviara – fun fact: the course was designed by Arnold Palmer.
We also attended a Padres game in the Gaslamp District, which is always entertaining on the weekends. The guys thought it would be funny if my mother and I wore the same tacky AF hat so here ya go! We had an amazing dinner at Animae, which is also downtown, but that place is so good it deserves its own post.
Another reason why I went home was to attend my best friend’s bridal shower at the gorgeous Fairmont Grand Del Mar. If you’ve never been, it’s a great place to golf (private course – have to stay at the hotel) or even have lunch. Lebron James also had his wedding there but I’m assuming that was pretty pricey!
One of my favorite things we did was visit the San Diego Safari Park, which I haven’t been to since high school. The Safari Park is different from the San Diego Zoo (also amazing). This park has more activities whereas the zoo has more species of animals so there are a lot more exhibits to see. Frank and I were able to do the wildlife safari, which has you travel in the back of a safari truck into their expansive savanna habitats. We were able to see a TWO WEEK OLD rhino! She was so stinkin’ cute, I wanted to take her home with me! However, at two weeks she was already at 130 lbs. Not sure how she would fit as an adult in my 1-bedroom NYC apartment.
2-week baby rhino!
We, of course, stuffed our faces with PLENTY of Mexican food – especially California burritos – and In-N-Out. It’s nice being back in NYC for the fall season, but after this trip, I really appreciate San Diego and miss it so much. Can’t wait to be back for the holidays!
