Carolyn’s mother had a birthday in April and to celebrate, Carolyn planned a midweek getaway to the Torrey Pines area to end the month. Our flight to San Diego had us in town by 7:30 and up the coast we drive.

First stop is a breakfast stop at Farmer & The Seahorse. What a cool venue located around offices with outdoor seating and a farm to table menu. The service was phenomenal and not many guests during the 10 o’clock hour. Carolyn and I split the Harvest Bowl and it was filling and delicious. We were glad we found this spot. After breakfast/brunch we have decided to try a new to us hiking area that features a slot canyon.

Located in Solana Beach in the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve is Annie’s Canyon Trailhead and trail. I had picked this hike out due to it’s easy access, newness to us, great views, and the bonus feature of a slot canyon in Southern California.

On this Wednesday morning there are some hikers out, some with masks, some like me–maskless in the great outdoors. Our hike takes us about 2.5 miles from start to finish and a total of 240 feet elevation gains. Carolyn and I ventured into the short sandstone slot canyon and it was pretty neat. Not a very long slot but not many can say they did a slot canyon in the San Diego area.

After our hike, we stop at the Viewpoint Brewing Company for a quick brew sitting outdoors overlooking a lagoon. Very beautiful place for a craft beer and our second time being at Viewpoint. They have a seasonal beer the Apricot Belgian Blonde that is incredible.

We check in to the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines. Being a Diamond Member has its privileges plus being a team member of Hilton just adds to our ability to travel. Our rooms are great but we aren’t sticking around and quickly get back to our car for a drive up the coast through Carlsbad and on to Oceanside. The skies are clear, the beaches pristine, and the drive is a good one. Driving on the Pacific Coast Highway through Del Mar, Carlsbad, and Oceanside allows for some great sight seeing and our first stop is at a brewery in Oceanside that we haven’t been to. The Breakwater Brewing Company is located on PCH in downtown Oceanside. Breakwater has a great atmosphere with an outdoor patio and a decent midafternoon crowd. We share a pretzel to hold us over until dinner and enjoy a Kali Krush, a unique, hoppy American pale ale with California sage brush added. Something completely different and very tasty. I step out of my comfort zone and decide to try their 6-time San Diego International Beer Festival gold winning Rasbiscus Mead, a ruby red colored honey wine brewed with a raspberry puree and hibiscus flowers. I’ve never been a mead person but wow, this was fabulous. Sure glad that I stepped out of my tasting comfort zone. In talking with the employees, the recall of Governor Newsom is a hot topic as well as trying to stay in business and overcoming the CA challenges.

Back to the hotel and head off to eat some oysters at the Seasurf Fish Company. During happy hour, the oysters are a buck a piece and delicious. The fish tacos and calamari were not as good but the oysters. The restaurant was busy for happy hour and yes masks required etc. Back to the hotel and a sunset walk along the golf course area that was already prepping for the US Open in June. This will be the second time the US Open has been at the Torrey Pines course and it sure is a scenic stop for just about anything.

After breakfast at the hotel we drive to the Torrey Pines State Park. Carolyn and I had visited here in November and it is a beautiful place with some interesting history. Our hikes at the park take in some great ocean views with eroded cliffs and plenty of hikers. We end up hiking close to six miles and I believe that Carolyn and I have now been on every trail in Torrey Pines State Park.

We return to the hotel for a short rest and to get around for our next happy hour adventure at one of our favorite Southern California stops, the Brigantine. By prepare, that means that Carolyn is going to run the six miles from our hotel while Carol and I drive to the location. Our timing is off and Carolyn beats us to Brigantine and secures us a spot outdoors that overlooks the Del Mar Racetrack and the lagoon.The place is always hopping and especially since CA had relaxed some of their COVID requirements for restaurants. This place never disappoints. Our server was fantastic and excited about being open again. Carolyn gets some clam chowder and it is great. The fish tacos are indescribable and the calamari is awesome. Great atmosphere with great food and great service.

To end our evening we take a sunset walk along the Torrey Pines State Park Beach. Another beautiful day and evening in the books. We head back into San Diego Friday morning and I have convinced Carolyn and Carol to allow me to visit the original Price Club warehouse. What a great experience for me a loyal 40 plus year Costco (Price Club) member. It is still in the original condition of being an old warehouse. With that my trip is complete and we all make our flight back on a 100% full plane. Carol and I are literally the last two on the plane since two passengers failed to show up. We had already prepared to just hang out in the airport and wait for the next flight but sometimes it just works out.

Next stop on our travel adventures involves a hot hike to an Arizona Hot Springs. Stay tuned.