ML Interest Tag: catamaran

San Diego’s Mission Bay Is the Hidden Gem You Should Know About

by Christine Lai

A short flight or a road trip from the Bay Area, Mission Bay is best known as home to SeaWorld but is also an ideal family beach vacation destination. The protected bay with calm, still waters is perfect for sandy play while nearby Pacific Beach and its boardwalk is within walking distance. Nearby attractions San Diego Zoo, LEGOLAND, San Diego Zoo Safari and the brand new Sesame Place makes Mission Bay a great springboard for day trips. From windsurfing and jet skiing to lying on the beach, we loved our time in Mission Bay and think your family will, too!

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Christine Lai

Action Sport Rentals
Want to SUP, jet ski (minimum height 36”), paddle boat or kayak? Action Sports Rentals has you covered and with multiple locations in Mission Bay, is the go-to rental spot. For those who prefer to stay dry and on land, they’ve got bikes (even for kids and trailers for the littles!) and surreys for rent. We tried jet skiing as a family for the first time and our thrill-seeking kids absolutely loved it. Not only was it an adventure, but we got a unique tour of the Bay from the water.

Belmont Park
This oceanfront amusement park is a quintessential family beach vacation must! Kids will love the pay-as-you-play coasters, carousel, bumper cars, zipline, climbing wall, go karts and more. 

Christine Lai

Bahia Belle Sightseeing Cruise
Hop aboard this Mississippi-style, sternwheeler boat for a tranquil one-hour cruise at sunset for views of Mission Bay that you can’t find anywhere else!

Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve
Nature enthusiasts will love the peace and quiet of this saltwater marshland with its raised platforms for birdwatching. Come for a walk at dawn or dusk for breathtaking views. 

Two girls enjoy s'mores and a beachside bonfire

Bayside Bonfires
Chairs, tables, bonfire set up and clean up (say no more) and of course, s’mores are all included in this full-service experience. This means a perfect end to a family beach day is guaranteed while roasting marshmallows under the stars—as a bonus, dazzle the kids with the magic flame add-on! 

Eat!

A table with brunch food with the beach in the background
Christine Lai

Oceana Coastal Kitchen
California cuisine at this elegant bayside eatery is the name of the game and families will love the tabletop fire pits and live music on the weekends. Enjoy pre-dinner craft cocktails while the kids play nearby in the sand—it doesn’t get much better than this! 

Barefoot Bar & Grill
This casual waterfront restaurant at Paradise Point (more below) serves up a mean happy hour and we loved diving into their avocado toast and eggs benedict. Bonus: Kids will love playing by the lagoon while waiting for food and checking out the stingrays and leopard sharks. 

Los Panchos Tacos and Cantina
Since going to San Diego and not having tacos while on a family beach vacation is a sin, we sussed out the best-rated taqueria in the area. This spot is a short drive from Mission Bay and we took advantage of Taco Tuesday and got to try (and loved!) the carne asada, baja fish and cabeza (cow cheek!).  

Two girls slurp ramen noodles
Christine Lai

Sushi Ota
This unassuming hole-in-the-wall sushi joint is tucked in a strip mall but don’t let looks fool you; we had some of the freshest and tastiest sushi ever (the toro was out of this world good)! Udon and beef/chicken teriyaki is also available for the non-sushi inclined crowd. 

Ramen Ryoma
After a long beach day, slurping down oodles of noodles (the shoyu ramen was a winner here) and savory Japanese tapas is my family’s idea of a great end to the day. But save room for… 

Handel’s Ice Cream
Is it even a family beach vacation if you don’t have ice cream? We didn’t think so either. Handel’s has a bit of a cult following and it's not unusual to see long lines at this walk-up counter which is fine as you’ll need every minute to wrestle with which flavor(s) to get as they have a LOT. 

Stay

Paradise Point Resort and Spa
A tiki torch-lined driveway transports you to San Diego’s island resort where gorgeously manicured lawns, lush foliage and lagoons teeming with wildlife will make you wonder if you accidentally ended up in Hawaii. An iconic observation tower offers a bird’s eye view of the resort and its surrounding areas including the five (heated) pools and mini-golf course. 

A mom and two kids stand on an observation tower in Mission Bay

The kids zone activities (on select days) offer a break from the sun with rock painting and tie-dye arts. An island treasure hunt, tennis courts, bike tour/rentals and skateboarding lessons means kids here will be busy…and happy! 

Bayside bungalows open right to the sandy beach where families can enjoy lazy days in the sand and calm waters by simply walking through the back door. The convenience of getting kids on/off the beach without lugging a ton of equipment (and sand!) into the car will give you more time to relax and enjoy the glorious sunsets with the family on the beach—you are in Paradise after all!  

Editor’s note: This trip was sponsored by Discover Mission Bay and Paradise Point Resort, but all opinions expressed here belong to the writer.

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Say Aloha to San Diego’s Best Hawaiian Experiences

by Cherie Gough

Dreaming of a Hawaiian getaway? We can’t promise you a trip to Waikiki Beach, but we can tell you about the best tropical experiences San Diego has to offer. From hula and fire dancers and fruity cocktails to shave ice and Hawaiian food served up with island flair, read on for a list of ways to channel Hawaiian vacation vibes without leaving town!

photo: Duke’s La Jolla 

Duke’s La Jolla
We love Duke’s La Jolla for its decor, ocean view and especially for being so kid-friendly. They make it super easy to dine with the keikis (kids) in tow. Duke’s awesome Keiki Bingo game serves up a scavenger hunt which awards kids with  special prizes. With the littles occupied, focus your attention on the gorgeous surroundings and enjoy a cocktail. Order delicious small bites to share like the poke tacos, Korean sticky ribs, or crab wontons or delight in some of San Diego’s finest, freshest seafood.

Insider Tip: Make a reservation, especially if you want to score an outside table.

Duke’s La Jolla
1216 Prospect St.
La Jolla, Ca 92037
858-454-5888
Online: dukeslajolla.com

photo: Kelly Powell

Tiki Golf and Dole Whip Truck at Belmont Park
A trip to Belmont Park is always on the books for summertime fun. To add a bit of the tropics to this adventure, hit Tiki Town Adventure Golf. This 18-hole Polynesian-themed course features a talking Tiki and a volcano that erupts when someone gets a hole in one.

Read about more of our favorite miniature golf courses here.

3114 Mission Blvd.
San Diego, Ca 92109
858-488-1971
Online: tikitownadventuregolf.com

Make the day even sweeter by visiting the Dole Whip truck located directly under the Sky Ropes Adventure. The coveted Dole Whip used to only be found at the Dole Plantation in Oahu. Now this tasty, creamy treat can be yours during a trip to Mission Beach. Order an original Whip, or one swirled with vanilla soft serve, or even a float!

3146 Mission Blvd.
San Diego, Ca
858-228-9283
Online: belmontpark.com/restaurants/dolewhip

photo: Mo H. via Yelp

Island Style Cafe
Owned and run by a Hawaiian family, this casual restaurant serves up authentic grindz in Tierrasanta. If you’re looking to eat mountains of food, relax in flip flops and plan your next trip to Hawaii, this is your spot. Enjoy huge portions plate lunch style served with mac salad. We love their Loco Moco, a hamburger smothered in gravy, and their crunchy, juicy Korean chicken. Their daily specials offer delicious variety. We recommend stopping in on a Wednesday for curry.

Insider Tips: If your favorite Hawaiian fare is traditional kalua pork, visit on a Friday, the only day it’s served. Don’t miss their homemade POG, a combination of passionfruit, orange and guava juices. Closed Mondays.

5950 Santo Rd., Ste K
San Diego Ca 92124
858-541-7002
Online: islandstylecafe.com

photo: Shirley H. via Yelp

Wahine Kai Shave Ice
When you think of the North Shore, do you dream of light, fluffy shave ice? At this small shop, pile your shave ice high with authentic Hawaiian flavors like guava or lychee and add condensed milk or a scoop of coconut pineapple ice cream. You’ll also find great Kona coffee and an aloha spirit here, where the vibe and the tunes reflect laid-back Hawaiian culture.

10545 Scripps Poway Pkwy.
San Diego, Ca 92131
858- 831-0931
Online: wahinekaishaveice

photo: Catamaran Resort Hotel

Sunset Luaus at Catamaran Resort Hotel
For an unforgettable family outing this summer, we recommend this splurge-worthy affair. The Catamaran Hotel’s Sunset Luaus feature amazing entertainment including hula and fire dancers that create an authentic Hawaiian feel. Kids love the rhythms of the fast-paced music and interactive entertainment. Sunset Luaus have been known to call all the kiddos onto the stage to learn the hula.

Every guest receives a lei and is treated to an all-you-can-eat buffet and a mai tai for parents. Little ones will enjoy tasty choices just for them like Hawaiian chicken and pineapple and ham pizza. Luaus are held Fridays at 6 p.m. from June 22 -Aug. 31, and Tuesdays, from July 17-Aug. 21.

Insider Tip: Stick around after the luau ends to grab a photo on the lawn with the Polynesian performers.

3999 Mission Blvd.
San Diego, Ca
858-488-1081
Online: catamaranresort.com/dining-entertainment/sunset-luaus

photo: Kara P. via Yelp

The Grass Skirt
Time for some adult conversation and a real date night? If your Hawaiian dreams are filled with tiki lounge fun and fruity drinks, head to The Grass Skirt in Pacific Beach. Its secret entrance through the freezer door of adjacent restaurant Good Time Poke starts the evening with adventure. Once inside, you’ll be immersed in a tiki world surrounded by hula girl lamps, a wall filled with glowing sculls and a tiki idol fire pit on the patio. The atmosphere is right for letting your hair down. Go ahead! Fill your glass with a tipsy tentacle made with black rum and several tropical liqueurs. Munch on their acclaimed pork belly bao buns or on an order of fresh, savory poke. The evening will have you proclaiming, “Ono!” (Delicious!)

910 Grand Ave.
San Diego, Ca 92109
858-412-5237
Online: thegrassskirt.com

photo: Cee M. via Yelp 

Fairweather Rooftop Bar
You wouldn’t expect to find aloha vibes while watching a Padres game, but Fairweather Rooftop Bar, one of San Diego’s best rooftop locales, offers a super relaxed tropical atmosphere with a great view of the game. Succulent wall planters, tiki god beer handles and plentiful sunshine create an afternoon perfect for lounging with friends. Make it a girls’ day out and order up classic tiki cocktails complete with colorful umbrellas.

Insider Tip: The bar is upstairs from Rare Form Delicatessen.

795 J St., Fl. 2
San Diego, Ca 92101
619-578-2392
Online: fairweatherbar.com

–Cherie Gough

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Beach Parties and Sunset Luaus: Summer Fun in Mission Bay

by Leah R. Singer

Get ready to rewrite your San Diego summer bucket list with two traditions you’ll want to experience at least once (and probably twice). The Bahia Resort Hotel offers an authentic California Dreaming Beach Party complete with Beach Boys tunes, barbecue, dancing on the beach and fun activities the kiddos will talk about for days. The Catamaran Resort and Hotel brings a taste of Polynesia to SoCal with its Sunset Luau experience. Whether you’re looking for a nostalgia on the beach or a taste of Hawaii, these summer experiences will take your San Diego summer to an entirely new level.

California Dreaming Beach Part of the Decades
Nothing says summer like sandy beaches, surfing’ safari music, clam bakes and barbecue. The California Dreaming Beach Party at the Bahia Resort Hotel has it all! This summer mainstay is a perfect family treat where you can live out your California Dreams and celebrate summer and enjoy a beachside concert.

What’s on the Menu
The hallmark of the California Dreaming beach party is the signature clambake, filled with steamed mussels and clams, shrimp, linguica sausage, steamed red potatoes and corn on the cob. But make sure to save room for the carved trip tip station, barbecue chicken, baked beans, coleslaw and summer salads.

Kids will love having their own special buffet with items like tater tots, pizza, steak and fruit. Everyone will scream of the tasty s’mores cake and ice cream desserts.

Insider Tip: If you arrive from 6 – 6:45 p.m., you’ll be treated to a tropical cocktail when you walk through the entrance. Kids won’t be left out – a tropical lemonade is ready for them, too!

Family Fun and Entertainment
You won’t hear the words “I’m bored” coming for your kids this evening. Face painting takes places until 6:45 p.m. After that, there’s plenty of interactive dancing, including hula looping, beach ball tosses and the Limbo. Kiddos and adults can dance their hearts (and feet) away to the awesome performance by San Diego’s signature band, The Mar Dels. The fun takes place right on the beach, so shoes are always optional. And if need to cool off, let the kiddos dip their toes into the bay.

Insider Tip: Save time to see the amazing animals at the Bahia. Gracie the Seal and her Sidekick Billy are waiting for kids to check them out.

Dates: Thursdays, June 23 – Sept. 1, 6 – 9 p.m.

Prices: $44-$49/adult; $20/kiddo (5-12 years); free/kids under 5

Bahia Resort Hotel
998 West Mission Bay Dr.
San Diego, Ca 92109
858-488-0551
Online: bahiahotel.com/dining-entertainment/california-dreaming

photo: Catamaran Hotel

Sunset Luau at the Catamaran
If your’e dreaming about a trip to Hawaii, add this San Diego tradition to your summer bucket list. The annual Sunset Luau events at the Catamaran Resort and Hotel are a festive celebration of Polynesian food, music and dances perfect for family and friends. Luau guests are treated to a beautiful lei upon arrival and a fruity Mai Tai (or fruity drink for the under 21 guests).


photo: Leah Singer

What’s on the Menu
Before the entertainment starts, indulge in a tasty all-you-can-eat buffet that includes authentic Polynesian tastes, including Kalua Roast Pig. There’s also tropical fruit, roast salmon with ginger lime cream sauce, Island pineapple coleslaw and guava chicken.

And that’s just for adults. Kids will love their own buffet with pineapple Jello, fresh fruit, Hawaiian pizza, coconut-crusted chicken strips and tater tots. Dessert for the young and not-as-young include pineapple upside down cake, coconut cream cake, passion fruit creme brulle, mini macadamia nut tarts and haupia.

Insider Tip: While the food is delicious and there’s quite an abundance of it, many of the dishes include meat (even in the kids buffet). So if you’re a vegetarian, make sure to plan ahead and expect fewer choices.


photo: Leah Singer

Family Fun and Entertainment
Local luau specialist Pride of Polynesia provides the authentic island music and dance. The performance includes hula and fiery torch dancers. Kids will love the fast-paced music and interactive entertainment. In fact, the Sunset Luaus have been known to call all the kiddos up to learn the hula on stage.

Insider Tips: Stick around after the Luau ends to watch the Sea World summer fireworks across the bay. You can also grab a photo on the Catamaran lawn with the Polynesian dancers and performers after the show.

And don’t think the amazing animals are limited to the Bahia Resort Hotel! Check out the taking birds at the Catamaran. Cockatoos, parrots and macaws await!

Dates: Tues., July 26 – Aug. 23; Fri., June 24 – Sept. 2; 6 – 9 p.m.

Prices: $49-$69/adult; $19-$32/kiddo (5-12 years); free/kids under 5

Catamaran Resort and Hotel
3999 Mission Blvd.
San Diego, Ca 92109
858-488-1081
Online: catamaranresort.com/dining-entertainment/sunset-luaus

Have you attended either of these summer traditions before? What’s your favorite part?

— Leah R. Singer (photos too, unless otherwise noted)

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Today Is Boat Day

by rtstephen

 

Daily
Today Is Boat Day
A hop, skipper and a jump.
1

You don’t have to own a catamaran to celebrate boating: follow
these simple steps to make a sail-worthy craft of your own.
2

Will it float? Experiment with water and density to find out.
3
Learn how to tie sea-worthy knots to keep your skiff from going adrift.

{ Today’s ideas brought to you by Paddles  }

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Amazing Animals of Mission Bay

by Shannon Reed

A trip to Mission Bay is a pretty universal crowd-pleasing experience. With the smooth sandy beaches, calm waters and multiple playgrounds, it’s a pretty sweet outing. But did you know you can also check out some pretty awesome animal creatures hiding on the resorts? You and your little ones can get up close and personal with birds and a few seals. You’ve just taken the routine trip to the bay  — and your cool parent factor — up more than a few notches. Read on for the details on where to take your little animals to see the amazing creatures of Mission Bay!

Photo Credit: Go Explore Nature

Gracie the Seal and her Sidekick Billy
There is something special about these two harbor seals that permanently reside at the Bahia Hotel. Not only are  they the best of friends, but they are both blind rescue seals. When they were found in completely separate incidents, they were injured and nursed back to health. When they were determined to be unfit to be released back into the wild, the Bahia Hotel stepped up and made a home for them at the resort, much to the delight of the seals and their guests. The best part is you don’t have to be a guest of the hotel to visit Gracie and Billy. Take your little pups right to the hotel and go watch the seals play and sunbathe in their spacious living quarters. Your kiddos will not be the only ones enamored with the two of them, it’s nearly impossible to not fall in love a little with these two best buds.

Insider’s Tip: Try to plan your trip around their 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. feeding times.

Bahia Hotel
998 W Mission Bay Dr.
San Diego, Ca
858-488-0551
Online: bahiahotel.com

Photo Credit: The Catamaran via Yelp

Birds Galore at The Catamaran Resort
If you really want to impress your kids, head to the gorgeous Catamaran Resort located right on Mission Bay and spend some time with talking birds! The cockatoos, parrots and macaws that call the resort home put on quite the show and are very friendly. Your little birdies will get a kick out of interacting with them and will love the adorable mandarin ducks that live at the resort too. There are also two large koi ponds on site filled with the huge and colorful fish that will swim right up right up to your kiddos when they stand at the edge of the water. Feeling adventurous? There are tons of water-sport rentals to check out at the hotel. If your kids are old enough, grab a kayak or paddle boat and see some sea life in their natural habitat!

Insider’s Tip: Plan to get there between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the birds are on display.

Catamaran Resort
3999 Mission Blvd.
San Diego, Ca
858-488-1081
Online: cataramanresort.com

Photo Credit: Phillip J. via Yelp

Paradise Point Resort
With a name like Paradise Point, it’s only natural to expect paradise. But did you know that besides being a beautiful hotel, this Mission Bay hotspot pretty much houses its own Eco-system? There are more than 44 acres of beaches, lagoons and gardens where you and your little explores can catch glimpses of turtles, stingrays, lizards, egrets, ducks and even leopard sharks! There is so much to see here that you may want to grab lunch at one of the kid friendly restaurants on site. Then you can head over to the coolest attraction there; the 70-foot observation tower. It was recently refurbished so you can safely check out one of the best panoramic views in San Diego.

Insider’s Tip: For a real treat, book a water taxi that will take you from the beach outside the Catamaran Hotel to the landing dock at Paradise Point Resort. It’s a great way to check out the Bay up close and personal.

1404 Vacation Rd.
San Diego, Ca
858-274-4630
Online: paradisepoint.com

Have you checked out the amazing creatures of Mission Bay? Did we miss one that should be included?

—Shannon Reed

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