Family staycation
This weekend, we enjoyed a little staycation here at the house since my bro, Meg, Lindy and Luna came to stay with us. I mentioned this in my last virtual coffee date post, but we are going to have a ton of company this summer! The guest room revolving door has already begun, and it’s awesome. It feels even more like vacation with visitors here as we get to show them our favorite spots.
We spent a lot of time here in OB, because there are so many amazing favorites we had to share.
Tiki Port:
(Cafe by the Bay was getting up there for the acai bowl winner for the pure reason that they have a peanut butter acai bowl, BUT Tiki Port will add PB to your bowl for $0.50. They’re still holding strong to that number one spot.)
We went to OB Noodle House,
two beach trips,
a picnic with Pizza Port to-go
(maybe the best post-race food ever)
and finally learned the hype that is Hodad’s. Hodad’s is a “world-famous” burger joint (meaning that Guy Fieri featured it on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives) and at any point during the day, the line to get in wraps around the exterior of the restaurant. Despite the fact that it’s insanely busy, the vibe is very laid-back and chill. You don’t feel rushed, and the food is INSANE. Not healthy in the least -it’s a fried extravaganza- but wow, it was incredible. I got the veggie burger wrapped in lettuce (with all the sauces, pickles, onions, etc. that it comes with), and enjoyed the fries and some vanilla shake. In N Out is dead to me.
The girls:
the guys:
the Loons, during a little family naptime.
(I asked her to stay here with us, but she politely declined. This means she shook her tail, grunted, and kissed me on the mouth.)
We also had a night out to celebrate Meg’s birthday, and we went to the Almost Famous karaoke bar downtown. It was a blast. The DJ played fantastic music in between the karaoke songs, and we saw a proposal happen! I may have happily wept for perfect strangers.
This morning, it’s back to the swing of things and time to replenish the fridge. I’m also taking a barre class as part of my training.
Hope you have a wonderful day!
See ya later with a new side dish recipe 🙂
xoxo
Gina
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I love getting to witness proposals! It’s such a special moment! I’m so glad you’re having such a wonderful summer!
staycations are the best!! Looks like such a fun time with family 🙂
It’s so nice to have family come and visit and it sounds like you had a great weekend! That acai bowl looks amazing!
New reader 🙂 I remember the Hodad’s episode of DD&D. Can someone explain the In N Out hype to me? We have locations in Dallas and I don’t understand it.
Can’t wait for the recipe!
Aw looks like you are enjoying, so happy for you. Have fun! I wish I we would’ve lived there at the same time 🙂 You guys have to check out The Pearl.
I’m moving to San Diego in a few months (super excited and scared!), so I love reading all about your food/restaurant recommendations! Sadly, the east coast has yet to hop on the acai bowl train, so that’ll be one of my first stops!
Aren’t staycations the best! I love getting to show friends and family all of the hidden gems around my home. Looks like a great weekend!
Having visitors is always fun especially when you just moved to a new place. It gives you an excuse to explore and get out even more!
Hm, I need to make it down there to try Tiki Port and we have a Pizza Port up here so I’ll have to make the drive there at some point now. Love that you’re trying everything out so that I know where to go next time I’m in San Diego!
Wow I wish I had had these recommendations last week! My boyfriend and I were in San Diego for the first time and I hadn’t done my research. Ended up at La Jolla seal watching and exploring the nature preserve on the beach. I did get an acai bowl, though– they are just as amazing as they look! Already dreaming of going back, it was such a beautiful city and we were not there for long enough 🙂
I can’t believe I’ve never heard of Hodad’s! And I love Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.. I’ll have to get over there soon!
I think staycations are always fun! I love having visitors and exploring my own city. Even though I’ve lived in Seattle my whole life, there are lots of places that I haven’t been to or haven’t gone to in a long time. Looks like you had fun!
I love watching Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives! I always get hungry every time I watch it! lol
Have you tried Five Guys before? That is by far my favorite burger joint. Although I’ve never been to Hodad’s before!
Can’t wait for the healthy recipe! Staycations are the best especially with your family.
Glad you tried Cafe by the Bay’s bowls. 🙂 My husband and I have been loyal customers for years, but we finally tried Tiki Port a few weeks ago (YUM!), so now we have to do one Saturday and the other Sunday, every single weekend. Can’t. Get. Enough.
they’re both SO good!! the little cafe next to cafe by the bay looks like it has amazing breakfast sandwiches, too
It does have amazing breakfast sandwiches. The Lean La Mancha and The Med will not disappoint. If you haven’t already, try Ranchos in OB for good, health(ier) Mexican. Sooo many good eats in PB and OB!
Ranchos is SO. GOOD.
i’ve heard of it! i can’t wait to check it out!!
and yes, pb and ob are my favorite spots by far 🙂 lots of amazing places!
Stay-cations are the best! You get all the fun stuff of a vacation without dealing with all the hours travelling. Great way to get to know your own city too… PS Your beach pictures are just killing me. So beautiful.
every time you write OB, i’m like, when did she go to the Outer Banks? what do you actually mean by OB? lol.
sorry about that! ocean beach 🙂
Best burgers ever, we ate in the little car when I went.
I love living so close to the beach, and it looks like y’all are enjoying it too! Nothing like a beach sunset!
THE BEST
That bowl looks amazing! And so do all you ladies. Looks like you had a fantastic family weekend!
47k people got to witness our engagement haha.
NO WAY. that is amazing!
Aye aye aye, woman, you are giving me major acai bowl envy! I need to check out Tiki Port next time I’m in SD!
yes you do! 😉
Awe looks like such a blast!
We’re going on a mini-vacation to San Diego in a few months – what are the absolute MUST visit places?
the cottage in la jolla for breakfast, the seals in la jolla, acai bowl at tiki port, out for drinks in the gaslamp!
i have a ton of restaurant recs, depending on what you’re in the mood for. if you like pho, ob noodle house is a must
Thank you so much Gina!! 🙂
We’re going for my father-in-law’s 60th, but the hubby and I are planning on doing a lot of exploring and maybe a nice date night out together. After all your posts about both la jolla and the tiki port acai bowl, I am definitely putting that on the to-do list! Any amazing date night places you’ve discovered yet?
Thank you again, you’re always so helpful.
searsucker would be great for date night! bo beau in ocean beach is supposed to be amazing, too: http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/bobeaukitchenbar
I’ll be coming in 2 weeks for a conference downtown at the W. I really want one of these Acai bowls. Are there any down in that area of downtown that you like? Any other recs for places to eat?
Also, I live in Portland and you posted about the Kure juice bar. It’s my new fav and I’ve lived here for 12 years and had no idea! Thanks 🙂
there’s a place called coffee & art in the gaslamp downtown that’s supposed to have great acai bowls 🙂
if you’re downtown, definitely check out searsucker + any of the italian restaurants. they also have a hodad’s if you want a killer veggie burger (or any kind of burger!)
glad you liked kure, too! <3
Thanks!
How fun to have so many visitors at your new place! It’s always fun having people you love over, especially when showing them around at all your favorite spots. Looks like a fun-filled weekend!