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Tag: travel


park hyatt aviara

25
March

palm trees park hyatt

It’s no secret that I am enamored with the state of California and It is always exciting for me to get the opportunity to stay in a hotel in there – especially when it is one that I have never experienced.

park hyatt aviara lobby

Recently, I had this opportunity during a work trip.  The hotel I visited rivaled any hotel located right on the coast (my usually faves).

lobby park hyatt aviara

The hotel was the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad (about 30 miles outside San Diego).  Even though I was busy working while there, the aesthetics of this hotel were hard to miss!

It is magical – from it’s foggy early mornings…

lights at park aviara

…to it’s late night “campfires.”

smores at park hyatt aviara

The food at the hotel is fabulous – with many healthful choices.  I so enjoyed the assorted varieties of chia seed puddings at breakfast as well as the ‘chef’s choice’ of fresh juice each day.  One morning this was a mix of orange, mango and banana.  So yummy!

chia seed pudding

juice at hyatt aviara

And, for cocktails, there are some fun choices from the “Mixologist’s Lab” – like my favorite:  a Yuzu Jalapeno Popsicle – a cocktail containing a popsicle with a jalapeno frozen inside!

popsicle cocktail

jalapeno popsicle

Unfortunately, because I was working, I did not have the opportunity to enjoy all the hotel has to offer.  This includes a golf course, spa, and a Richard Blais restaurant called Ember & Rye (check my Instagram stories for some photos of this fabulous restaurant – overlooking a golf course and owned by one of my culinary heros).

lobby table at hyatt aviara

I hope you enjoyed a little peek at this great resort in California!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a fabulous weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

2 comments » | travel

coquina

20
March

ocean side

Coquina is a new oceanfront restaurant set to a backdrop of the ocean breezes of Amelia Island, Florida.  While staying at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Coquina is a great place to order up local seafood and coastal dishes inspired by the island’s Spanish heritage.

private seating

This al fresco restaurant serves dinner under some beautiful coastal lighting (click here to see more) overlooking the resort’s dune-lined beaches. Coquina’s menu includes ceviche made from freshly caught fish and shareable tapas.  A full-bar overlooking the ocean is a great spot to order a signature cocktail.  (See some signature drinks by clicking here.)

indoor tables

cool seating poolside

One of the first to sit in this beautiful new spot with friends, I happened to be staying at the Ritz at the time Coquina opened, just this March.

firepit action

firepit

I hope you enjoyed these few photos of the new restaurant Coquina on today’s Friday field trip!

new seating

ritz bar

Thanks for stopping by!

seating inside pool

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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everywhere you look…

16
August

painted ladies

No trip to San Francisco, no matter how short, would be complete without a stop at the famous Painted Ladies.  These are a row of colorful Victorian houses located at 710–720 Steiner Street, across from Alamo Square park.

So, of course, on my first trip to San Francisco, one of the stops on a 9 mile walk around the city included Alamo Square park to snap a couple shots of the famous ladies!

I am sharing my glimpse of these gals here for today’s Friday field trip.

painted ladies in sf

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

P.S. The title of this post, if you don’t recognize it, is taken from the Full House theme song ;)

Comments Off on everywhere you look… | field trips, travel

alcatraz

2
August

waterview at Alcatraz

One of the places I did not expect to go when I started thinking in advance about my recent California trip was a tour of Alcatraz!  However, my son set up a tour and I was enthusiastic to check it out!

Alcatraz

One and a quarter miles offshore from San Francisco, this small island was once a fort, a military prison, and a maximum-security federal penitentiary (closed in 1963).  It is also the site of the first lighthouse on the West Coast.

building at Alcatraz

Alcatraz Island is a designated national historic landmark and the National Park Service does an excellent job of preserving the island.  It also provides tourists a very well organized ferry ride out to the island with a great self-guided tour once on the island.

cell at Alcatraz

supplies at Alcatraz

I have never seen any prison in my lifetime so it was a little creepy to tour a vacated federal penitentiary, but so very interesting!

looking up at Alcatraz

outdoor building at Alcatraz

I spoke with a guard who was working on the island at the time the penitentiary closed and he told me his family never even locked the doors of their home while living on the island!  Learning that the island housed prisoners who continually caused trouble at other federal prisons (including the notorious Al Capone), I think I would locked my door if I was an island resident!

sign at Alcatraz

What a great historic tour!

the library at Alcatraz prison

This was the library – I wish the books were still there!

I hope you enjoy seeing some of the photos I took while on Alcatraz Island today on Friday field trip!

upper at Alcatraz

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fabulous weekend!

vintage wall

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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an ocean view

26
July

wave view on the pch

I can’t imagine enjoying any drive more than the one I took on the Pacific Coast Highway on my recent California trip!

another awesome beach view

another gorgeous beach

In a previous post, I showed you one of my favorite scenic spots.  Today, for Friday field trip, I am sharing a few random views during a drive on the coast of Northern California just so you can see how breathtaking it is!

Cliff view

views on a drive

If you have not yet had the pleasure to cruise the PCH, you definitely need to put it on your to do or bucket list…particularly if you are a beach lover!

desolate beach

rocks on the beach

Thanks for stopping by!

roadside view of beach

Have a fabulous weekend!

cliffs

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comments Off on an ocean view | sand & sea, travel

first trip to napa

23
July

magic time in napa

With more than 400 wineries, each with its own unique style, setting and history, no trip to Northern California would be complete without visiting a vineyard in Napa Valley!

glasses at William Hill

By staying in a Napa resort and visiting 3 different wineries, I was able to enjoy unforgettable wine tastings, stunning views, and behind-the-scenes tours of wine cellars and caves.

Hill winery

Being a wine connoisseur is definitely not a requirement to have a blast visiting vineyards!  I am the perfect example!  I barely drink alcohol at all, but I had a wonderful time sampling the wines of Napa!  With the gorgeous views and interesting tours, I think I would have enjoyed my time at the vineyards if I drank nothing at all!  Although I am glad I did – what a fabulous experience sampling a wide variety of tasty wines created at vineyards I actually toured!

looking at the fields of grapevines

grapevine leaf

One of the vineyards we visited was featured on the movie Wine Country with Amy Poehler.  It is easy to understand why – with the scenic views spanning a 280-acre distinct property!

vineyard property view

wine glasses ready

Wine is not the only enjoyment when visiting the vineyards of Napa.  Most of the wineries serve food accompaniments.  It was so interesting (and tasty) to discover the pairings created!  It was also a wonderful way to identify some new cheeses!  My favorite was one hand-rubbed with lavender buds and coffee called Barely Buzzed.   When I got back home, I was thrilled to find out I could order it by mail from the Beehive Cheese Company!

wine tray

My first trip to Napa Valley was definitely an unforgettable one!

vineyard viewing

Thanks for stopping by today!

vineyard view

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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first glimpse golden gate bridge

19
July

golden gate with flowers

I guess no visit to Northern California would be complete without a visit to the Golden Gate Bridge.  I was interested in seeing it while in San Francisco, but really had no expectations.

Golden Gate in June

The walk up to the bridge, and walking on the bridge itself, ended up one of my favorite visits on my most recent trip to California. There are so many awesome overlooks along the walk up to the bridge, it is a major sensory overload!  And, the walk across the 1.7-mile expanse provides beautiful (though breezy) ocean views!

Golden Gate

It is amazing to think that when opened in 1937 – over 75 years ago – the Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world!

first golden gate look

It is easy to see why the Golden Gate Bridge is in the top ten of most visited landmarks in the United States.

I hope you enjoyed sharing some of my very first views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

golden gate white flowers

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fabulous weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comments Off on first glimpse golden gate bridge | field trips, sand & sea, travel

pigeon point lighthouse

16
July

West Coast beauty of a lighthouse

I love a lighthouse visit!  I guess growing up around boats and living along the Connecticut coast has given me an appreciation for all things related to the sea.  There were a lot of Sundays growing up when I would spend time by the lighthouse near where I lived when I would join my dad on his visits to the club.

For me, it is always a treat to find a new lighthouse to visit when traveling.

lighthouse Pigeon Point

I was able to visit a great one while in Northern California!   At 115 feet, it is the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast of the United States!

the coast at Pigeon Point

Located just a few miles north of Santa Cruz, Pigeon Point is a lighthouse built in 1871 to guide ships on the Pacific coast of California.

Because of current repairs in progress, it is not possible to enter the lighthouse, but the picturesque views from the grounds are awesome!

Pigeon point lighthouse

I hope you enjoy sharing the beauty of Pigeon Point Lighthouse.

Pigeon Point from afar

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comments Off on pigeon point lighthouse | sand & sea, travel

cruisin’ the pch

12
July

wildflower view fin beach

Cruising the Pacific Coast Highway is a must for any beach lover!  We covered a nice long stretch of the PCH when I visited Northern California recently and every single mile brought enjoyment!

One of my favorite viewing spots was Shark Fin Cove – just south of the city of Davenport, California.

view of fin beach

I am sharing a few photos of this picturesque spot with you for today’s Friday field trip.

You can see by the photos why I love the spot so much!

favorite beach in Cali

The fin definitely looks the best (most fin-like) from a distance.

Have a fabulous weekend!

wildflowers fin beach

Thanks for stopping by!  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comments Off on cruisin’ the pch | sand & sea, travel

barking up a storm

9
July

sea lion in Santa Cruz

Something we do not see in East Coast waters are sea lions.  So, spotting them while in Northern California was something of a novelty for me.

California sea lions

California sea lions are “eared seals” native to the West Coast of North America. They live in coastal waters and on beaches, docks, buoys, and jetties. On my trip, the place I saw the most sea lions was when I walked the Santa Cruz Wharf – they were everywhere!

Many sea lions

These guys weigh 240 to 700 lbs. and live to be 20 to 30 years old.  They are easily trained and intelligent which is why they are commonly seen in zoos and aquariums. They are also very vocal – they sound like barking dogs!  Click on the link below to see some in action!

Video of sea lions in Santa Cruz

They are definitely a blast to watch!

We wondered if these guys made a mess in the boat they jumped into!

young sea lions

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my West Coast pets! ;)

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comments Off on barking up a storm | sand & sea, travel

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