Never leave
I think I’d like to stay here a couple more days.
Ocean,
wildlife,
shopping,
amazing restaurants and yoga,
not much more that a girl could ask for 😉
But I can’t help but wonder, does the novelty wear off? Friends that live in exotic or beachy locales, does it still feel as magical as it did when you first moved there?
I’m glad that we have another full day of adventures before we hit the road back home tomorrow. I can’t wait to kiss Bella’s furry face!
Last night, we went to Nine-Ten restaurant for dinner.
We dined fairly late –since I ended up taking a random hour nighttime nap- so it was very quiet in there. I felt like I had to whisper to the Pilot.
The food was excellent and the service was amazing, too.
A surprise amuse-bouche from the chef:
Salmon with persimmon and chives on a purple potato crisp. The salmon was raw, and I still ate it… and savored every smooth and salty bite.
Appetizer was a fall fruit salad, with apple puree (my favorite part), celery root, pomegranate arils, mandolin-sliced apple and persimmon
and the type of lettuce (frisee) that I always leave in the salad container at home- it pretty much tastes like biting into a tree.
The Pilot’s tuna sashimi:
and short ribs, which he had a gram of shaved truffles from Italy added to:
[I stole one, and it was glorious]
and my perfectly-cooked salmon, with shaved fennel and celery root puree:
It was a lovely little dinner date – we’d definitely go back <3
This morning, I woke up extra early to hit up another vinyasa class at La Jolla Yoga Center.
The Pilot likes to sleep in extra late on vacay –especially since he wakes up balls early when we’re at home- so instead of sitting around being antsy, I’ll workout in the morning while he’s snoozing. This way, by the time I get back to the hotel, he’s barely waking up and ready for breakfast.
Practice this morning was just as noodly as yesterday’s- I really love the beautiful facility and both instructors I’ve had so far. If you’re ever in the La Jolla area, I highly recommend it. I bought the first-timer weeklong unlimited pass for $30- a great deal since single classes are $20 ($17 for military).
This morning, we’re off to grab some bfast and then….? We shall see!
See ya later today <3
xoxo
Gina
Something to think:
“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”
Lao Tzu
Today’s tip: Stand up a little straighter! Better posture is positively correlated with better sleep and brain function.
72 Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I live in an ocean town on Vancouver Island, BC Canada! I always forget the beautiful ocean is there and then when I go and see it, I get overwhelmed with how beautiful it is again.
Have you discussed yoga while pregnant on the blog? maybe i missed it? Just was curious your experience as well as whether you have been taking prenatal or regular classes and how it is different compared to not being pregnant.
here’s a post my friend averie did on it:
http://fitnessista.com/2011/08/prenatal-yoga/
i did a prenatal podcast and it was super lame, so i’ve just been taking regular classes and modifying. the major things are that you don’t want to twist across the midline of your body (so i’ve been doing opening twists instead which is funny because i always look like i’m going to wrong way) and back poses i’ll do on my side instead
Wow – fancy dining. You ate a ton of foods I’ve never even tried before. Way to expose my blog eyeballs to new things.
Glad you are loving it there. I would love to see CA someday. I bet come Jan/Feb I’ll be dying for some sunshine and nice weather!!
While I am not from someplace “exotic”, San Francisco and its surrounding area is gorgeous – fog rolling off mountains into the ocean, redwood trees, hills, wine country, amazing restaurants and hiking and smart people and I think most people know that they live someplace special…however, it wasn’t until I moved to Phoenix that I realized how beautiful both the land and the culture is from where I am from. I have never seen so many strip malls, car dealerships, fast food joints, and CEMENT in my life and I hate it. So yes, I think people that live in San Diego or other nice places do realize everyday how lucky they are!
yes, phoenix is very industrial-looking. buuuuut the malls are pretty 😉
As a yoga lover, I too, am curious about how yoga is different when you are pregnant. My instructors always give a modification during Chair Pose. I’ve always been curious as to why!
Also, I totally love persimmons this time of year. Especially in salads. Jealous of that beautiful salad…frisee and all! 🙂
what was the chair pose modification? i just roll with the usually pose, but try not to let my belly smush against my legs
I keep seeing persimmons everywhere. I need to pick some up this week!
Dinner looks amazing – what beautiful presentation. I lived in SF last year and while I didn’t love the city, the views were always breathtaking. Never got old.
We are considering a move to West LA – hopefully Santa Monica – (from Boston) just for the beauty and the weather, so curious to see what people say about this one 🙂
Well, I don’t live in a beachy spot, but I would say I’m pretty lucky. I’m in Denver which is tucked right into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Jump on the highway, and in 20 minutes you are completely surrounded by giant snow capped peaks. I’m not über nature girl, and I’d prefer the beach and surfing over snowboarding, but that mountain view takes my breath away every. single. time. I’ve been here for about ten years now, and I’m thankful for the views every day.
Jealous! I live at the beach. It is beautiful and I am thankful for it every day, great for jogging and walking – but I’d actually prefer those beautiful mountains.
I spy a vacation trade in our future. 😉
Loved the last little tip – defintely made me sit up straighter.
We live in San Diego (north county) and no, it never gets old!! I remind my little guys every time we’re at the beach that not all kids get to grow up with their toes in the ocean every other day, spotting dolphins and running in the waves. (I didn’t, moved here 6 years ago). Anyway, so glad you’ve enjoyed our city!
I’m sure it’s not as convenient to where you’re staying, but I’ll also recommend Xtend Barre (either Carmel Valley or Encinitas) if you’re looking for another awesome workout while you’re here. I’m 6 months pregnant and the modifications have kept it totally doable for me (was doing it a year before the pregnancy too). It’s awesome!
*sits up straight* My brother and his wife have lived in San Diego for years and still love it. Perhaps the novelty never wears off.
My husband and I lived in San Francisco for a few years and we still love it just as much. We’re totally over all the touristy stuff though. Anytime family visited we always ended up at Fishermans Warf.
I grew up in the Virgin Islands & have to say that the novelty definitely wears off! Or very likely I just took it for granted. Now that I’m living inland for the first time I realize how lucky I’ve been & miss the coast. Enjoy the rest of your time!
Looks like you’re having a great time! I live in Michigan (definitely far from tropical), but I imagine the novelty of living somewhere exotic would eventually wear off.
I grew up in the Virgin Islands & have to say that the novelty definitely wears off! Or very likely I just took it for granted. Now that I’m living inland for the first time I realize how lucky I’ve been & miss the coast. Enjoy the rest of your time!
So glad you are loving La Jolla Yoga Center!!
As someone who lives in San Diego (a half block from the beach) and works on Coronado island (so I drive across the bridge almost everyday and have that amazing view of the bay) I’ll say that the novelty does not wear off 🙂 I am constantly aware of how blessed I am to live in paradise.
It looks like you’re having an amazing time! I live in La Jolla, and I must agree with Kim – it never wears off for me. My walk to the cove and through the village with my dog is my favorite part of the day. And when I am having a bad day, all it takes is a quick look at the sun setting over the ocean to feel truly blessed. The fish tacos help too 😉
dinner looks amazing! it is so wonderful when restaurants cook salmon properly 🙂 enjoy the rest of your trip.
I Love, Love, Love La Jolla!!! We head there often and enjoy all the food and just sitting at Starbucks there seems so much better 🙂
I hope you have a great day!!
xxoo
I live in Santa Barbara CA with my fiancé and puppy. The scenery hasn’t lost it’s luster (we’ve lived here 6 years now) but often we are too bust to enjoy it. Weekend walk with the dog along the beach bluffs near our house are all it takes to remind us of how lucky we are. We’ve spotted many families of dolphin and have regular sealions sunning themselves on buoys. But come tourist season we try to stay away from hot spots!
The beach will never ever EVER get old for me. I could stay there forever and still appreciate how beautiful it is!
Mmmm the tuna sashimi sounds good! I don’t live in a beachy locale, but I’ll be the first to volunteer to test one out and report back on whether or not it loses its magic! 😉
I just moved back to the states from the USVI and I will say that the novelty does wear off! It was fabulous to drive around and always have an ocean view but going to the ocean and bringing sand into the car and house wasn’t something that I wanted to deal with non stop. I only went to the beach when family came to visit. We realized we missed the modern conveniences of living in the states and living is much cheaper. For what we’re saving we can take a nice beach vacation!
I’ve lived in San Diego for about ten years now, and sometimes I have to admit that novelty DOES wear off. I think it’s because there are those days where I crave a faster paced lifestyle. But all I need to do is drive 20 minutes to the beach, or eat on Harbor Island (beautiful waterside views of the SD skyline) and I’m reminded of how beautiful this city can be. I’m from LA county, where life is faster but smog covers beautiful blue skies and the water at the beach isn’t nearly as blue (or clear hah).
That food looks so good!*
I always wonder if the novelty wears off too. I think it would, which is why I just choose to soak up every special moment. Have a great rest of the day!
I agree with many of the others… San Diego never gets old. I grew up about 2 hours north in Long Beach, but going to college in San Diego was the greatest experience ever. After my husband got out of the USMC we moved away (about 8 years ago), but we always talk about moving back whenever life allows. Our little girl is due in 2 weeks (eek!), so I am really enjoying your San Diego posts since travel isn’t exactly in my timeline at the moment. Enjoy!
I’ve often wondered about that, for people who live in, say, Hawaii. Is every day just breathtaking?
Looks like a great mini-vacay!
Nine Ten is ALWAYS perfect. The food, the service, I’ve never had a bad experience there. Looks like you guys enjoyed every minute of it…looks perfect!
“But I can’t help but wonder, does the novelty wear off? ” <– No, not for me. I tried to move to AZ because property is so much cheaper there and we could afford to be home owners there but I never adapted, missed San Diego terribly….and 9 mos later, we were back in San Diego and never plan to leave 🙂
I hope you guys enjoy the rest of your trip!
Gina have you guys eaten at George’s At The Cove yet? It’s been years since I’ve been there, but my dad goes to San Diego every year for work and cannot leave without a visit to George’s! The food is amazing and the view is even better. Don’t know if you guys have time for one more night out, but you should take a look!
http://www.georgesatthecove.com/
Love, Laura
Looks like an amazing vacation!!!!
Yay for California! I love living here because we are so close to the beach. I agree, we have some of the nicest yoga studios, too. I recently found one that I love and can call my yoga home base!
The food looks fabulous!! I’ve never lived anywhere exotic, but I often wonder the same thing. When I was in Vegas for my wedding we booked massages. The woman that was doing mine moved to Vegas with her hubby. It was supposed to be just for a year or two. They wanted to live there to have the time to take it all in, see the shows and all that Vegas offered. She said it was the worst decision ever! She had been there almost a year already, and after working the last thing she wanted to do was be in the crowds, and the hotels. For her the glamore of it all, quickly disappeared. Look forward to seeing your readers responses! Enjoy the rest of your trip!
great quote
I think appreciation for where you live can come with age. For example, my husband has lived in our town (Durham, NC) since birth and he has much less appreciation for its beauty than I do (and I’ve lived here half of my life). On the other hand, I was born in Buffalo, NY and never appreciated it until I went back for a visit last Spring. I noticed architecture and little quirky “northern” things more than I ever had as a child. Neither Buffalo nor Durham are particularly stunning, but I figured I’d chime in. 🙂
Glad your vacation was so wonderful!
Those pictures are absolutely beautiful! No wonder you don’t want to leave!
That’s a great idea about workouts on vacay! My bf does the same thing he also gets up really early), and I could definitely use the time he’s napping a bit more effectively when we’re on vacays.
I never ever get sick of seeing the ocean as drive down Malibu Canyon. Granted, since I don’t like right on the beach, perhaps that changes things, but I still see it almost every day and it’s so darn beautiful.
If only it fixed all of life’s problems, right? *sigh* 😉
I live in Curacao ( an ex-dutch colony off the north coast of Venezuela ). It is a beautiful island, with sunny weather all year long and amazing beaches. The first 2 years was all about going to the beach (there are around 35 all around the island) , the nice weather and the relaxing live you have on a tropical island. But after 10+ years is not a novelty anymore. I miss the excitement of the city, the traffic (yes the traffic!), to actually have choices when dining out or going out for drinks, the shopping malls and the rain (yes the rain, it never rain here and everything is soooo dry). When planning a vacation we only want to visit big cities or what we like to call *civilization*. But I do recomend to anyone who ask to come and visit, it is gorgeous down here, but only for a week or two.
I live in La Jolla, and yes, it’s still absolutely magical. Breathtaking, every single day.
i still ate sushi *sometimes* when i was pregnant, too. it’s so hard not to eat raw fish…they are delicious, and of course it’s what i craved all 9 months. Go figure 😉
Smoking Crayolas Blogspot
I typically live in a suburb of Philly, but husband and I are living in Los Angeles for six months because of his job. It’s already been a month and a half, and I cannot tell you how much I am appreciating the views, the weather, and the fabulous things to do. I hope everyone else appreciates those things, because I want to stay!
Glad you are having fun on your vacay!
Ah. Ahhhh. Trust me girl, I wouldn’t want to leave either.
I have a brother-in-law and sister-in-law that live in San Diego and have been there for about 8 years and they still loooooove it. They could do without the insane traffic, but they never want to leave. Ever. I hope our life leads us out there too!!
San Diego looks amazing! So glad you’re having such a great time. That restaurant looks delicious!
I was just thinking how I needed to work on my posture and then I read this post. Perfect timing.
I very rarely comment but I have to say for us, the novelty of living on Guam never really wore off. But we were only stationed there 2 1/2 years. We often took advantage of the jewel toned oceans just a mile away by kayaking, free diving, SCUBA or just relaxing at least once a week. (Maybe doesn’t sound like much when you live there but I have 2 young, busy children). We did a lot of the touristy things, and soaked up the outdoors (water sports, hiking, running, cycling, beach yoga) regularly. Not a moment goes by I don’t miss it. Japan is great, but not the same.
the food there looks absolutely amazing
I have only seen the ocean in mexico.. i’m smackdab in the middle of canada, in the coldest province, so not much for water here!
I am so jealous of your vacation! It looks like so much fun 🙂 and our salmon looks 100% spectacular. I was going to make some frozen salmon I have at home for dinner, but I feel like after this, it’s going to look ridic. haha.
Thanks for the posture reminder! I danced my whole life, so when I stand I have great posture, sitting is another story though…
oh I was going to ask, how did you like the celery root puree? I was thinking of doing something different other than mashed potatoes for TG, and this crossed my mind.
it was wonderful. definitely unique, but very savory and would be an awesome holiday side dish
Thanks!!
So very glad that you enjoed your vaycay – dinner looked off the chart good!
As far as the novelty of California – I miss it everyday – and never -EVER took it for granted the 10 plus years I lived there…a piece of me is left in Topanga. I can still smell the ocean and the smell of the earth on that coast. Now living on the Eastern Coast of Canada – Nova Scotia (very Military based FYI) – I can drive 10 min. and I’m in the water…rugged, and rough – this side of the earth has something beautiful to offer too.
La Jolla was where I made my decision to move to California – it wil always be my first love.
So glad you shared it with your love. 🙂
– Natasha
Good Eats! La Jolla is so lovely and charming, glad you got to go. 🙂