Spring officially starts in a few days, but you wouldn’t believe it with the snow on the ground and freezing temperatures outside. This blast of winter in mid-March is making me wish I was back in San Diego!
We had such an amazing trip that I wanted to share some of our favorite places that we visited in the week that we were there.
Matt and I looked into a ton of different hotel options but ultimately decided to stay at Estancia La Jolla. We were convinced by the website’s photos of Spanish-inspired architecture and I’m happy to say that it was even more beautiful in person. I should have gotten more photos of the hotel, but I was too busy taking it all in and enjoying the sunshine.
Before we even arrived at the hotel, their hospitality was apparent through tweeting with them. When we did get there, they continued to impress us. Everyone at the hotel was nice and helpful. We were treated with a surprise bottle of champagne and chocolates that we enjoyed for a quiet night in with room service one evening.
Below is a photo right outside of their spa. Matt and I splurged on a couple’s massage and it was completely worth it. Before the massage, I was sitting outside by the fire in a fluffy robe reading my book, pretty sure that was one of my favorite afternoons.
While the weather in San Diego is unbeatable, I didn’t think it would be warm enough in February to go to the pool. Even though I dreaded the thought of putting on a bathing suit, the unseasonably warm temperatures that we had at the end of our week swayed me. How can you not want to live here?
Oh, and the food! We didn’t pick the hotel for its dining options, but I was more than impressed with breakfast. We had gotten a package that gave us a $25 daily breakfast credit so we had a couple of morning meals in-house. Can I just say this was one of my favorite hotel breakfasts ever? It was an egg white frittata with a bazillion veggies and chicken sausage. I skipped the cheese because there were so many flavors and didn’t miss it at all. A little avocado smeared on whole wheat toast with a slice of this frittata was a pretty great way to start the day. Matt and I actually shared it after the first time I ordered it because the portion was so big!
Speaking of breakfast, if you ever visit San Diego, you NEED to go to Snooze Eatery… and promise me you won’t be on a diet that day.
We actually enjoyed our first meal / breakfast at Snooze and what a way to kick off vacation. We had woken up at 4am that morning (well, pretty much every morning), so we had no problem arriving just a few minutes after they opened at 6:30am. The best part of that was missing out on the crazy wait that they apparently get every morning.
We first heard about Snooze from our friends who actually just got engaged this past weekend (!!!), but everyone else who knows anything about San Diego also said we needed to go there.
The first order of business was pancakes. They have an incredible variety of decadent dessert-flavored options on a regular basis, but apparently there is also a Cinnamon Roll option that isn’t even on the menu. Glad I had the inside scoop:-)
The best part? They let you mix and match! We were able to select three different flavors for our order and went with Sweet Potato, “Coffee and Donuts”, and Cinnamon Roll.
This photo is not a joke.
Both of us agreed that the sweet potato was the best one. The texture and flavor of that pancake were so perfect that you didn’t even need any toppings. The cinnamon roll pancake was a close second with its insane toppings (it is the one in front in the photo above). The coffee and donuts was just ok. The coffee dipping sauce was pretty amazing but I would have preferred another sweet potato pancake instead.
Supposedly there is also some crazy good peanut butter cup option but I didn’t want to get one that Matt wouldn’t share. Guess I just need to go back on another visit!
The other thing that Snooze is well-known for is its eggs benedicts. Honestly, this is not something I usually get excited about, but Matt loves eggs benedict and I figured it wouldn’t hurt to add some protein to the meal.
This is another place where you get to mix and match. We got one of the basic Ham Benedict III and one of the Chilaquiles Benedict.
As someone who isn’t a big red-meat eater and really could be vegetarian pretty easily, I have to say that the Chilaquiles Benedict was kind of lifechanging. The meat under the egg was just so melt-in-your mouth perfect and even though it sounds like something that would completely gross me out, it was seriously incredible. I think Matt was more excited about me liking it than he was about eating it lol.
Oh, and we scraped off most of the hollandaise because it was completely unnecessary.
We could not have picked a better way to kick off our vacation. This meal is my new favorite hiking fuel.
I can’t wait to share more photos (and food!) from our trip!
This is not a sponsored post. Matt and I paid for the hotel and meals and all opinions are my own.
Graduation Gourmet Gift Basket 
White Chocolate Pistachio Fudge Cookies 
Smoked Sea Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies 
I’ve been so excited to read your recap and this could not be better timed as we’ll be there in just 4 days time! I’m looking forward to our trip even more having read this : )
Ah I want to go back to be there and see you! FYI I posted in the comment section of this post with a whole other list of things to do: http://keepitsweetdesserts.com/wordless-wednesday-san-diego/
Stop it with those pancakes… I think San Diego is going to have to be our next trip!
Omg Lauren your vacation looked amazing … and the food, outrageous! I know need to plan a trip to San Diego
Thanks Lauren! Will be in S.D. in 2 days and not a moment too soon, so tired of the cold and snow. Looks like Snooze is in our sights.
Have so much fun! Let me know if you make it to Snooze!!
Your trip sounds so amazing!! I’ve never been to San Diego but it’s definitely on my “must” list. Those pancakes are making my mouth water
It is so beautiful there, I highly recommend it! I can’t get those pancakes out of my head…
what a fun trip! looks like you picked a great place to stay!
Sounds like you had SUCH an incredible trip. My fiance (or will be husband by then!) and I are planning a trip to the States next year – cannot wait!
Please tell me you will be making a stop in NY??
I LOVE Snooze!! I went there the last time we were in San Diego, and it was amazing! I love SD in general, and I can’t wait to read about the rest of your trip!
How fun!! My husband took me to Estancia for a night for my birthday last year. So pretty! SNOOZE! I totally didn’t even know about that restaurant. Just looked it up and will be trying that out soon. Funny the things you have no clue about until people visiting check out the fun places! Glad you enjoyed!
ooooh – a new place to try when i’m down in san diego!
I’ve never been to Snooze!! Though I’ve heard that it’s “The” place for breakfast around here. I’m going to have to convince my husband to get up early one weekend and take me. Or better yet… I could do a staycation and stay at your hotel! Thanks for the review, I’m going to keep it on file for when friends come into town.