We are home from our trip!! We had such a great, relaxing time, but boy am I glad to sleep in my bed with AC again (Tempurpedic mattresses have a certain calling!)
When I left off we were having a simple breakfast on our patio – pancakes, eggs and pineapple. I ate nothing but sunflower butter for about 2 years and then all of a sudden I got so sick of it. It was almost nauseating! I’ve been into peanut and almond butters for a few months now and tasted my first sunbutter in a while at Karen’s. WOW was it good! I think I’m hooked again!
The beaches in San Diego are so beautiful, but they are also so COLD! Unless the sun was out, I was always freezing. I don’t think I took my cover up off once, and was often wrapped in a towel as well!
The boys didn’t seem to mind that much though! And there was plenty of land activities to keep them happy. The mornings there were so cloudy and gray and the afternoons nice. Not sure I’d choose that over southern sunshine + humidity + heat!
After beach time, we hopped on our bikes and headed towards Old Town. It was about a 5 mile bike ride, but it was all on bike paths. The bike paths there are so convenient!
I tasted Matt’s marg – so good! And had a pork quesadilla myself.
After the long trek back, we headed out to the beach again for a while. The sun was finally out! Little crab hopper!
Later that night everyone was still full from lunch, so we made simple kale salads with avocado and cheese and brought in some locally made seafood soups from a favorite spot of Karen’s. {Mazen mid sneeze!?}
Evening beach time!!
Breakfast the next morning – eggs, banana, toast. LOVED reading that Beach Cottages book!
Our house was super charming and so beachy. The owners did an impeccable job decorating it! Straight from a magazine.
Friday morning I biked about 3.5 miles up to Core Power Yoga to go to a hot power vinyasa class. I love Core Power studios and wish one would open in Cville! The class was great, and just what I needed for a great stretch and sweat. Nice and hot with good music too!
Afterwards I stopped at Juice Wave for an acai bowl! This one was full of blended acai and topped with bananas, granola, hemp seeds and honey. It was DEE-licious but hardly felt like a health food – I’m sure it was very high in sugar and calories!!
We spent Friday afternoon out on the heavy seas in a sailboat!!
Karen is a sailing enthusiast and we took out a 16′ boat. We had lots of fun sailing away from the wind, but we had a terrible time catching it back and ended up having to be towed in. It was still a fun experience though! We had a picnic on the boat for lunch (although since I had had the acai bowl I didn’t have much and ate my half sandwich later that afternoon).
Friday night Gina and Tom picked us up for a night in the Gaslamp district!
Our first stop was Vin de Syrah, a hidden swanky wine bar and club.
We shared this bottle (those of us in drinking shape!) and a few plates of snacks for a light dinner.
Later that evening we went to The Shout House, a dueling piano bar. I LOVED this place and could have stayed out all night singing along! Highlight songs were the theme song from Doug, the Jurasic Park theme, Piano Man, Don’t Stop Believing and Drops of Jupiter.
Saturday morning was the 4th, and Matt was up early making two quiches from scratch to take to the neighborhood block party.
Karen was invited as a local, and the residents there sure know how to throw a party! A group of about 6 houses hosted the brunch, each with a different course: mimosas, bloodys, omelets, savory, sweet. It was potluck, and there were so many different dishes!
Loved these little hamburgers made out of wafers, thin mints and frosting!
We spent all of the 4th afternoon at Karen’s yacht club, where there was a band and a nice swimming area.
M also loved going out in KK’s kayak!
I took the beach road home, and it was CRAZY! As wild as Mardi Gras out there. I was much too sober and overdressed for the occasion! People in Mission Beach sure know how to celebrate the 4th.
Saturday night we grilled BBQ chicken, corn and zucchini and drank lots of white wine. The evening ended with our annual patriotic sing along!
Sunday morning was gray and calm. I had a yogurt bowl before joining Gina for a barre class she taught!
After barre, Gina and Tom picked Matt and I up and took us to a beach for stand-up paddleboarding!! Their friend Alex owns a SUP business, Liquid SUP, and he’ll meet you at any beach in the area with boards. Highly recommended!!
This was my first time trying SUP, and as someone who is not the most adventurous I felt pretty brave! The board was actually rockier than I even though it would be, but I did pretty well and was able to stand up after getting used to it on my knees. Everyone talks about what a hard core workout it is, but I felt it ALL in my legs. I had to be in a slight squat the whole time to keep balance, and that was so tiring – especially after barre!
I fell once, but I fell onto my board and caught myself so there was no dunking in the frozen water. It was really hard to balance when the ripple of a boat wake would rock you back and forth!
Sunday evening we watched the World Cup game – three cheers for the USA team!!!!!!!
We made a giant (literally giant!) bowl of gaucamole, and I think I ate about 2 cups worth.
And that was dinner 
We will definitely be back to visit Karen again in the future and are looking forward to exploring more. This trip was all about sand and sun, but next time we can do more sight-seeing and take Mazen to the zoo!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
What a fun trip! Ohh that acai bowl looks delicious! I love that you got to hang out with Gina!
Amanda @ Slimplify Life says
I absolutely love San Diego! Nothing beats their acai bowls!!
Nikki says
I love your Mom’s dress. What is the brand and where is it from?
Mom says
Thanks! Talbott last year.
Caitlyn says
I’m going to SD in the fall and I’m so excited! So fun you guys got to go see “KK” in her new home! I’m sure she loved the quality time 🙂
Linda @ The Fitty says
Aw! Like mother like son.
Sagan says
All of that activity looks like so much fun!
And this: “I ate nothing but sunflower butter for about 2 years and then all of a sudden I got so sick of it.” I hate it when that happens. Within the past year I suddenly stopped being able to eat both eggs and sushi – came out of NOWHERE. Really hoping that my distaste will magically go away as suddenly as it appeared…
Alex @ get big, go to work says
Looks like you had so many delicious meals in San Diego! And lots of fun adventures too.
Elizabeth Beil says
We are going to San Diego in August and can’t wait! Your trip has been a great guide! 🙂
Elyse says
What an awesome trip! So glad you could visit KK!
Shel@PeachyPalate says
One mighty bowl of guac!!! Love it! I lived off Sunbutter for a couple of years too, haven’t had it now in so long. I have to buy it from iherb.com and no other sunflower seed butter compares here, and it’s the one nut/seed butter that I just can’t recreate the texture of flavour of at home!
Sarah says
Bummer that you found the beaches cold! We were in San Diego last summer and compared to the East Coast, I thought they were super pleasant (always sunny, not too humid, warm & clear water). Maybe it was a weird week? The weather there is usually really consistent. Hopefully you’ll get warmer weather on your next visit – and definitely visit the zoo! You’ll love it!
Sam @ Grapefruit & Granola says
The pictures of you and Mazen are SO great!!
I tried SUP this weekend as well. I definitely felt it in my core… my abs were incredibly sore the next day. Definitely a great workout for sure, and a good way to enjoy the water and sun! The water was super choppy where I was (on a lake on the 4th of july with a ton of boats) and I fell in like 10x.
Kelly @ Laughter, Strength, and Food says
What a fun trip! And, I can’t believe how grown up Mazen is!
Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life says
Mazen seriously has the SWEETEST smile. I look forward to the day when Lucas wil actually smile for a camera. 🙂
Breanne says
HA! Apparently I should have read BOTH posts before commenting because apparently your week was last week and I was more behind than I thought. Glad you had a great trip! Old Town definitely has some great food and so fun that you made it out to Syrah and Shouthouse – two of my favorite places! 🙂
MW says
As a native San Diegan, let me tell you… Your problem is you came in June! June is the time for “June Gloom,” when it’s gray in the mornings and cool. Still, glad you enjoyed our city!
KathEats says
I know!! I need a re-do when the gloom ends 🙂
Karen says
I can’t get over how grown up Mazen is looking in these photos – and so handsome and happy. He has clearly learned how to turn on the charm for the camera. Your mom is looking really pretty these days too – hope she’s healthy. What a blast of a trip -glad you are home safe and sound.
Cassie says
So jealous! SD is a great vacay spot! I just got back from SF and had a blast 🙂
polly says
what an awesome post! and great trip! Gina seems so sweet, huh? I want to go to Cali and paddleboard with you two! i would most surely would have fallen In! haha.
Mazen is adorable as ever. and that quac!! you know me… I could have eaten 2 cups worth also but only if it was just avocados, lime, and sea salt. I am such a wimpy eater!
have a great week, Kath. xoxo Polly
KathEats says
Haha I love your “wimpy” eats!
Phoebe says
I think you will enjoy this – on first glance I read the Duke t-shirt as a “dyke” out and proud t-shirt and thought yeah! Karen has a new partner! Then looked closer and thought, hmmm, is that Kath’s Mom? Is she out??? What is going on??? Finally I realized that t-shirt is probably Duke.
Either way, yeah US Supreme Court! 🙂
KathEats says
Ha!
Denise says
love reading your posts! I live in Pacific Beach (next to Mission Beach) and was at the yacht club that night listening to the band (my husband was one on the musicians) and watching fireworks! Come back in Sept or October for our beautiful weather. someone commented about the June gloom which has flowed over into July 🙁 Big fan of Core Power too!
KathEats says
Ooh cool….such a small world!
Tazneen says
Nice post. We are also planning on taking a trip to Yosemite next month. You always seem to be getting the best vacation cottages. Is there a particular site where I can go to rent a nice one. I`ve had enough of hotels for the time being. Thanks!
KathEats says
We use VBRO a lot!
Lori S H says
What a fun trip! I just love Mazen’s expressions. He looks like such a happy camper on this trip. : )
Sarah Kate says
I spy Matt’s Modern Times shirt! I hope he got to enjoy their beer while y’all were here. (It’s my favorite.)
Claudia says
Kath! I used to read your blog every single day in grad school but have slacked for almost two years now – I just checked in and I can’t believe how big and beautiful Mazen is!!! Looks like the whole family had a great weekend.
Now I’m going to get back to work and hope I don’t end up sucked into all the posts I’ve missed…
KathEats says
: ) Welcome back!
lea @ healthy coconut says
Pre-kiddo, we spent our San Diego weekends at Gas Lamp. But now with a toddler, we mostly go to zoos, safari park and beaches.
I think the beaches in La Jolla are more warm than there are around Mission Beach. Next time you go, try the beaches around La Jolla. also there’s a free water park downtown that my kiddo loves to splash in.
Kate says
Hey Kath,
What a fun glimpse into your vacation! I went to school in SD and loved it but totally know what you mean about the weather. That sucks that it was so bad just at the time of your visit, but definitely agree you need to go back again soon!
On another note – that shirt that Matt is wearing to the potluck is so hilarious!! I think I need to get one for my brother who would REALLY appreciate it! 😉 😉 Mind sharing where he got it? Or Matt, could you share if you’re reading?
Thanks!!
Kate
KathEats says
It’s by Modern Times Beer!
Kate says
Awesome, thank you!! : )