San Diego in February

Last month, we were so excited our Nebraska Traci came to visit! She arrived early in the day and we saw a matinee of Valentine's Day. We went to Trader Joe's and Sprouts, two great health food stores here in Surprise. We had a mellow night on Friday night enjoying the creamy tomato soup referenced here because we were getting up very early to go to San Diego on Saturday!

It is so nice being close to San Diego. San Diego for Surprise is like Kansas City for Omaha or New Orleans for Jackson...a little roadtrip that has plenty of fun and great food!

Saturday, we got to San Diego around lunchtime and went to a burger place, Hodads, in Ocean Beach. Walt and I had been there before and we thought it would be fun to take Traci as it's been on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. The wait was remarkably fast...only 30 minutes. Last time we showed up at 3pm (in between meal times) and it was at least 30 minutes so this was great! Afterwards, we sauntered through a sweets shop and went down to peek at the ocean. Then we went to La Jolla Shores and walked on the beach for an hour while Walt jogged on the beach. We went to see the seals at LaJolla Cove and then sat on the cliffs nearby and watched the sunset.

Walt and Traci loved all the furry friends we came across! (San Diego is a very dog friendly area.)


Waiting in line at Hodad's! (Walt and Traci talking to some locals.)


Festive inside!


Walt's single bacon cheeseburger!


Traci and I after our tasty lunch!


LaJolla Cove. We enjoy coming to see the seals and this is close to where we love to watch the sunset!


Checking out the seals...see the baby with its mama? There were a couple of them.


Smile! You're on Sarah-cam!


Two of my favorite people!!!


Notice my big Husker shirt? Husker pride everywhere! We usually get stopped when we don our Huskerwear!


Settling in to watch the sunset on a cliff. (As warm as it looks, it was quite frigid!)




Walt taking a pic for his phone.






After sunset, we went to Old Town and ate at Casa de Guadalajara. (I take lots of pics and didn't take any after sunset except the one below.)

LDS Temple in La Jolla area...you could see it for blocks! Gorgeous structure.


Sunday, we got up early, worked out, and visited a church in San Diego. Then we went to Brunch at Hash House A Go Go and while we were quoted a 90-minute wait, it was only 30 minutes! (YAY!) We've ate at the Hash House in Vegas and wanted to take Traci to it. Unbeknownst to us, she wanted to try it as they used to have a location in Kansas City! Walt and I split an entree and it was a great meal. We then went over to Coronado and walked around the Hotel Del. We showed Traci where were stayed last year and a few neat shops and houses in the area. It was cold and windy but still felt good to be out in the fresh air.

Hash House A Go Go Hot Chocolate!


Hash House A Go Go Sage Fried Chicken and Waffles (Walt and I split this!)


House across from the beach in Coronado that we'd love to have! (It's one of the smaller ones!)


We wanted an update pose from what we took last year at The Del!


We reminisced about our vacation here last Memorial Day weekend!



We ended the day with shopping and dining at Seaport Village. I enjoyed the boutique for pets and we dined at Buster's. I had the luau pork while Walt and Traci had seafood. We left late and headed back to Phoenix arriving at about 2am. It was a full two days and thankfully, Monday, we planned to have a mellow day!

Tuesday, we went to Scottsdale and headed to Sprinkles cupcakes (originally out of Beverly Hills but there are a few locations across the country including one that we've been to in Dallas.) We then went to Fashion Square Mall, shopped and then headed to Pizzeria Bianco...an infamous pizzeria here in Phoenix and often touted as one of the top pizzerias in the nation. Since we were going on a Tuesday, we only went an hour early. The restaurant only seats 40 people and we were almost in the first seating at 5pm. We had to wait a little while longer so we lounged in the bar next door with an appetizer. The pizza was good. We tried three different kinds and all decided the Margherita was the best. We boxed up the leftovers and headed home.



Traci and I waiting patiently at Pizzeria Bianco!


Yumminess for later!


Sprinkles Cupcakes!


Cupcake Mixes to go!




Wednesday was here before we knew it and it was time for Traci to go back to chillier temps. :(

We can't wait to go back to San Diego over 4th of July with my favorite sister-in-law and one of my favorite nieces!!! :)