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Home » Recipes » Anything and Everything

From East To West

December 5, 2011

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After rolling ourselves (and luggage) to the airport, we slowed down our rushed pace of the city and headed to the West Coast for a couple nights. Eric and I dream of living on the West Coast some day…it’s on our bucket list. We’ve been planning a visit to So Cal for about a year now, so when we saw a seat sale we figured it was a sign. The best part was that we booked it all with air miles, including our rental car. That was a sweet bonus! Neither of us have ever been to California before so we were pumped.

We booked our hotel once again with Hotwire and got a great deal on the US Grant Hotel.

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We were really happy with the hotel. Excellent, friendly service and very clean.

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The only thing we didn’t like about the hotel was the noise and single pane windows. It’s located right in the heart of the Gaslamp district (bars and a wild nightlife) and the noise carried through the windows a lot. We put the fan on high before bed and were able to sleep like babies, so it wasn’t a huge issue.

Maybe we’re just getting old.

We picked up some food for snacks and breakfasts to save some money since NYC sucked us dry.

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We had a fridge brought up to our room (love that the hotel offered them!). Nut butter, hummus, brown rice cakes, chips, milk, etc. Eric got cereal for breakfast and I picked up some bulk oats, chia seeds, and almond milk and made vegan overnight oats. It worked out perfectly and was cheaper than eating out for breakfast. One thing I noticed right away about California is that the food is much cheaper than at home.

Reunited and it feels so good.

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….all hail……BARNEY BUTTER!!!

I hadn’t made VOO in such a long time. I was on a Green Monster kick for the past few months and I forgot how much I LOVE vegan overnight oats. You don’t even need to measure if you don’t want to. I just eyeballed it and it turned out great both times! On the side, I had a package of protein powder mixed with almond milk in a water bottle. Not the best tasting thing in the world (or even easy to get that damn powder into the bottle!), but it worked well to keep my hunger at bay all morning long.

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My take on eating while traveling is pretty simple. I try to eat a balance of wholesome foods for my main meals (and try new dishes) and then I indulge in some sweet treats and special goodies that I normally wouldn’t be able to try back at home. It all balances out, especially when walking for 6 hours or more each day! And if it doesn’t balance out, no big deal. Life is short.

Morning teas…I had green and Eric black tea.

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The weather was picture perfect! Sunshine and an expected high of about 18C. We really lucked out with the weather on this trip…it was almost as if we were travelling in early Fall, not December!

Anyone in the San Diego area want to take us in for a while? Maybe 4 years? I’ll be your live in chef.

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We explored Coronado Island to start.

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It was just horrible….dirty….don’t go here.

heh…just kidding.

We saw the famous Hotel Del Coronado right on the beach! I checked the prices for this place and whoa baby, it’s expensive!

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Along the bay, with nice views of the SD cityscape.

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Then we headed to La Jolla which is only about a 10 minute drive from the downtown core. I’ve always heard that the West Coast is very laid back and it really is! How could you not be if you lived here?

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La Jolla took our breath away. My Gosh!!!

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We went to the Cove and saw the Harbour Seals! Oh my gosh, I just fell in love with them!!!

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Seriously, what magnificent creatures. We watched them for at least 30-45 mins. It’s funny when they get in spats with one another!

heh this guy below was so cute stretched out on his back!! If that’s not a head to toe stretch, I don’t know what is.

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Every time the water came up and splashed them they would raise their head and look annoyed.

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When Eric and I started to make voices for them, we knew it was time to go. ;)

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After exploring for the morning and early afternoon, we had a late lunch in downtown La Jolla at a cafe called Lean & Green. It is extremely vegan friendly with all kinds of options marked vegan on their menu! Definitely check it out if you are in the area. The owner is really nice too!

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It was also picked as La Jolla’s best veg restaurant recently.

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You can click on the menus below to enlarge.

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My customized wrap was great! I stuffed it full with all kinds of veggies (carrot, roasted red pepper, avocado, cukes, tomatoes, red onion, artichokes, shrooms, etc) and hummus.

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I had their veggie juice to go with it. Fresh veggie juice is such a treat when travelling. I’m  too lazy to make it at home these days and I don’t find it very cost effective in the off season. Smoothies are my drink of choice when at home, but fresh juice all the way on vacation.

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See you for Part 2!

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PS- Today is the last day to enter the One Lucky Duck Gift Pack giveaway!

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Keven
14 years ago

angela. have fun in san diego! I grew up in Coronado ( I miss it) and your pictures just made me jealous :) San Diego is the best. Theres a great vegeterian/vegan restaurant in Pacific beach called Isabels Cantina, if your in the area.

-Keven

Reply
Angela Liddon (Oh She Glows)
Author
Reply to  Keven
14 years ago

Thanks Kevin! How neat that you grew up there. :) Thanks for the restaurant suggestion, I’ll have to check it out next time I’m in the area!

Reply
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes
14 years ago

So pretty! That wrap looks so yummy :)

Reply
Amanda
14 years ago

You are making me crave a vacation. I think going from NYC to SD is an awesome balance between super busy/fast-paced and laid back, and both are spectacular in their own ways.

When I was living in San Francisco last year, I was shocked at how much more chill everyone was compared to Boston. I found it made me antsy after a while, but it’s lovely for a vacation. :)

Reply
Lia
14 years ago

Bah! You’re soooo lucky! We’ve been wanting to check out socal forever and we live in the US. What is your means of getting miles? We don’t aseem to get many and wonder if we’re doing something wrong that is preventing us from have more adventures.

Reply
Angela Liddon (Oh She Glows)
Author
Reply to  Lia
14 years ago

We have air miles credit cards…that’s where it’s at!

Reply
Lizzie
14 years ago

Ah Angela I am so jealous (in a good way of course!). NYC and California, lucky girl. I thought at first when I read “west” that you took a trip to Vancouver. Have you ever been there?

Reply
Angela Liddon (Oh She Glows)
Author
Reply to  Lizzie
14 years ago

Hey Lizzie, Nope we’ve never been, but would love to go someday.

Reply
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
14 years ago

OMG everything looks so picturesque! I loved the harbour seals in San Francisco – they were one of my favourite parts of the trip. You guys really lucked out with the weather, it looks gorgeous! And oh my, all the food choices…. I think I’d need to stay for weeks!

Reply
Alyanna
14 years ago

Hi Angela! I don’t know how long you two will be in San Diego but if you feel like getting your exercise in and explore some nature at the same time you should definitely check out Torrey Pines state park (gorgeous gorgeous views) or climb Cowles Mtn for a view of the entire city!! Wow that was a really long sentence… Enjoy San Diego!

Reply
Angela Liddon (Oh She Glows)
Author
Reply to  Alyanna
14 years ago

Thanks for the suggestion! We’re actually home now, but we’ll def check out the park next time (we only drove by it). Heard it was beautiful.

Reply
Sarah
14 years ago

I just moved from the San Diego area in July and seeing your pictures made me miss it so much! I’m in DC now and hope to get back to San Diego in a few years. It is just always perfect there and you are right, everyone is pretty laid back. Enjoy your time there!

Reply
kate
14 years ago

wow so jealous of this trip!! looks like you guys are having a great time. enjoy!! that wrap looked awesome.

Reply
Cait's Plate
14 years ago

Ah!! I’ve been in that exact place! How great is Coronado Island?? I absolutely fell in love! Looks like you’re having such a blast! I’m so jealous!!

Reply
Samantha
14 years ago

Hey Angela, I’m a long time reader, but I don’t think I’ve ever posted. I grew up in San Diego and wish I was down there today to take you two on an aerial sightseeing tour. I’m a pilot and San Diego is one of my favorite areas to fly around (Its where I learned to fly, afterall!). You would be amazed at the views and get some incredible photos! My boyfriend and I should trade places with you guys because we are itching to go north and fly up in Canada and Alaska. You miss on any “real” weather living in SoCal! Tough thing to complain about, I know :) Enjoy your trip!

Reply
Angela Liddon (Oh She Glows)
Author
Reply to  Samantha
14 years ago

Hey Samantha, thanks for your comment! We’re home, but would have loved to meet up! Maybe next time :) I can imagine how great the views would be…we saw some while flying out and it was breathtaking.

Reply
Nicole
14 years ago

I’m glad you’re enjoying San Diego!! I’m originally from the Northeast and have been living in San Diego for 2 years now and I love it here! It is definitely a change up from fast-paced East coast living (I’m from the NY area) and the weather is a MAJOR PLUS. And thanks for sharing your Lean & Green experience – I’ve never been there but will certainly try it out now that I know it’s here :)

Reply
Sonia (the Mexigarian)
14 years ago

Ah! You’re in my old college town! UCSD in La Jolla. That’s where I met my Hubby. :) I LOVE it down there. I definitely suggest checking out Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, and Encinitas. Just drive up the coast and enjoy the sights! There are also plenty of trails and bike paths. I suggest Torrey Pines State Reserve Park, just on the coast, just north of UCSD and south of Del Mar. Beautiful views! Enjoy your stay in San Diego!!

Reply
Angela Liddon (Oh She Glows)
Author
Reply to  Sonia (the Mexigarian)
14 years ago

Thanks Sonia! That’s cool you went to school there…Eric and I kept saying how we want to go back to school just so we can live there! ha
We drove along the coast and it was amazing…fell in love with every town we drove through.

Reply
Lauren @ HugsKissesNDishes
14 years ago

Yay in my city! Hope you are enjoying yourself! Go check out Hillcrest if you have time, it is close to downtown and full of wonderful eats, and balboa park is a wonderful place for a picnic (there is a whole foods near it fyi)! Your pictures are gorgeous! Makes me want to leave work and enjoy the scenery.

Reply
Annie
14 years ago

wow those pics are amazing! That beach looks like it’s absolutely gorgeous! and those seals :)) I’m in love :D I’m in europe and I’ve only been to nyc in the US but I definitely want to go to the west coast some time!

Reply
Jenny @ Simply Be...me
14 years ago

I have had a love affair with California since I was in high school! I’ve been to San Diego and am dying to go back! Thanks for sharing :)

Reply
kaila @ healthyhelper
14 years ago

WOAH…two trips in a row!?!?!! I wish I could go on vacation that much! NYC and San Diego are two of my fave places! Its funny because I have pics in all those same places in San Diego…I LOVE CORONADO!! So beautiful! Enjoy your time in the sun!

Reply
Jen
14 years ago

you need to go to the restaurant called Spread. BEST vegan meal I have ever had!! Seriously though, you need to go

Reply
Angela Liddon (Oh She Glows)
Author
Reply to  Jen
14 years ago

Where is it? We’re home, but I’ll keep it on my radar for next time.

Reply
Amber K
14 years ago

I have seriously got to visit California! Especially since I live in Oregon, so it wouldn’t actually be that long of a trip. Just gotta find the money and time. Because that is just plain beautiful!

Reply
Robyn @ Blueberries and Oats
14 years ago

Wow what a great vacation you’re on! My sister lives down in San Diego and I just visited her last month. If you’re looking for a great vegetarian/vegan friendly restaurant for breakfast you should definitely try The Mission!

https://blueberriesandoats.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/zen/

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About Angela

I’m Angela, the founder of Oh She Glows. Since 2008, I’ve been on a journey to glow from the inside out by creating crowd-pleasing plant-based recipes. I’m a New York Times Bestselling cookbook author and award-winning app creator. Click below for my full story!
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