BY MARY McGRATH
Life was starting to take a toll on us, so what better way to deal with it than to book a romantic getaway that didn’t require a visit to the airport. In sleuthing nearby locales, we thought La Jolla deserved a visit. We’d only been there for lunch, and were anxious to discover its many charms.
Opulent rooms at a surprisingly good price. Photo courtesy of B&B LA Jolla
I’d checked Tripadvisor.com and decided upon The Bed & Breakfast Inn at La Jolla. We love B&Bs, and this one looked delightful. It was a great decision. So often you go on a web site and are seduced by the pretty pictures, only to arrive and wonder where those pristine travel photos originated.
This place lived up to the hype and it was one of the more relaxing weekends we’d enjoyed in several months. We were lucky to secure their Holiday Suite, featuring a canopied four-poster bed, a large antique armoire, and a real wood-burning fireplace. A definite plus was the large sunken bathtub that easily accommodated the two of us. The rooms all have individual names and are uniquely designed and warmly decorated with different amenities. Rates run $189-$339.
Scattered about were several amusing journals with entries from former travelers, along with a small library of real books, and DVDs. This room was obviously ripe with history, punctuated with numerous accounts of romance and relaxation.
The weather was not in our favor this weekend, with howling winds and torrential downpours, so what better way to spend time than by simply hanging out in the room.
Holiday Suite. Photo: Mary McGrath
We soon got a roaring fire going, sipped some complimentary sherry, took a nice long soak, a well-deserved nap and then made plans for dinner.
La Jolla is home to many fine restaurants, many of which overlook the ocean, but we relied on Yelp for guidance, and found their recommendations to be quite accurate.
Friday night took us to Café Milano, a family-run operation offering a generous 3-course meal for only $17.95. This was the bargain of the weekend. In particular, we favored the Osso Bucco and the tiramisu. Count on attentive service at this quaint place, along with a real homey atmosphere.
Back at the room, it was movie-time and munching on a few homemade chocolate chip cookies before retiring for the night.
Breakfast brought all the weary travelers together, exchanging escapades from places near and far. Although I don’t mind buffets, it’s always nice to be served. Convivial conversation ensued, before everyone departed to enjoy the day.
Rained dampened many of our plans so we headed to the Birch Aquarium, an educational facility that’s great for the entire family. Keep in mind that there are tons of kids here, so watch your step as you enjoy the many types of marine life on display. It’s not a huge facility, and only takes about 45 minutes to enjoy. There are many interactive exhibits available to keep the kids occupied.
Dining Room at the Inn. Photo: Mary McGrath
Lunch was spent at El Pescatore, recommended by the inn. What a wonderful fish market, with family-style seating and an arsenal of seafood selections. We split a salmon burger, and each had a cup of soup. Again, the bargain gods were with us, as the bill was less than $20.
After another nap in front of a roaring fire, it was soon time for dinner. We headed to The Manhattan, a posh Italian-themed place reminiscent of some of the finer places I’ve visited in NYC. Food is top-drawer at this place, but on the pricey side. Not sure the rib-eye steak was worth $41, but the two of us easily devoured it. The scallop special was also tasty, although $29 for three scallops seemed a bit on the skimpy side.
La Jolla is about 2 hours south of LA, and well worth a visit if you haven’t been in awhile. Imagine a blending of Carmel and Laguna, and that’s what La Jolla is all about. When the weather is more favorable, some of the views of the ocean make it an optimum place to visit.
Mary McGrath is a freelance writer and photographer based in Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in many publications including Newsweek, Copley Newspapers, and the LA Times. (www.marymcgrathphotography.com or grathy@aol.com
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