California Archives - Page 23 of 24

Legoland: The Holidays and Star Wars Miniland

January 24, 2011 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

Having spent the holidays on the road, we returned to CA from Arizona via San Diego. With a few nights in the Carlsbad area, we took our 3 kids to Legoland for our second visit. Theme parks at the holidays are just so amazing! We were able to visit after Christmas but just before New Year’s Eve and got clear but very cold weather in Southern California, but really, can we Californian’s complain? No. Despite the extra long lines, and the extra long waiting, the decorations and creations you’ll see at a place like Legoland is beyond awesome! Once you get through the gates, you are greeted by some incredible photo opportunites, mainly the soldier on stilts and the gigantic Lego Christmas tree!

My kids had one thing on their minds…RIDES. But, what like I had mentioned before, lines were long, some even being an hour or more. Knowing we had lots of time, we got in a few lines, but after about 10 minutes, the kids were antsy and we weren’t moving much. So what we did was get the “shopping” part out of the way first. My son is a Lego-maniac and we visited stores and outdoor kiosk shops and got him some of the kits and figures he wanted. Once people were stopping for lunch, we decided to try a few rides we hadn’t gotten to on our last visit, as well as some of the non-ride attractions like the Lego factory tour.

My youngest daughter had her first rollercoaster ride on The Dragon and if we didn’t have an hour wait on there, we would have gotten in line again! Holidays are fun, but our summer trip, we definitely got more ride-time! Miniland is always fascinating to both my engineer-husband and my son, and the holidays came through there as well…

Legoland, CA is introducing an all-new, dedicated Star Wars Miniland area for the very first time! Guests can enjoy seven of the most famous scenes from the six live-action Star Wars movies, as well as a scene from the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars all made out of 1.5 million Lego bricks built in 1:20 scale. Guests will be further immersed into the Star Wars experience as they pose with life-size Lego models of Chewbacca, R2-D2 and Darth Vader.

Following a chronological path through the Star Wars timeline, Legoland guests retrace the major events of the beloved Saga. Some of the 2,000 Lego models will be more than 6-feet-tall. Interactive buttons will allow children to activate animations throughout the scenes. “Our guests have really enjoyed our Lego Star Wars Days over the years and we’re certain this new area is going to ignite the imaginations of adults and children alike,” said General Manager of Legoland California, Peter Ronchetti. “We are opening this Star Wars Miniland display just in time for spring break.”

Guess which family member(s) want to go back this spring??
We were provided with press passes in exchange for a review.

Country Inns and Suites Review, Ventura CA

January 10, 2011 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

We recently had an unpleasant stay on New Year’s Eve at the Ventura, CA Country Inns and Suites property. Having stayed at San Diego North (’09) and San Bernadino/Redlands on Christmas night (’10), I had recently signed up for Goldpoints, knowing that this was a hotel that couldn’t go wrong. I should be careful what I assume.

Upon check in, I was about 5 minutes until away from the end of Happy Hour. After having driven for 5 hours from San Diego that day, I could have used a glass of wine, and it was New Year’s Eve. The lady in front of me took forever to checkout, and by the time I was done getting my room keys, it was “over.” My family got into the elevator and were appalled at the smell of smoke.! Our room was on the 3rd floor and while walking down the hall, you’d think there were dozens of smokers hanging around with their cigarettes lit. How is this possible? There were fans on down the hallway, but the air was dank and stale. Our room was not fresh, though the sheets and bedding did not smell, so we decided to check out the other floors to see if it was just this one. All hallways were the same with such a strong odor. My husband noticed the non-smoking signs on our section of the hallways, where the other end (other side of the elevator) had none, though my kids and I could smell the smoke all throughout the hotel.

We were exhausted and had no desire to leave and pay for another stay somewhere else. We were in bed by 9:30pm and checked out after 9:30 in the morning. On the way out, the only fresh scent was from the open doors of the rooms that were being cleaned by the housekeeping staff, but in the morning that smell was still there. Aside from odor, the shower curtains in our room were stained and dotted with marks. When I showered I was disgusted. Plus had I known we were so close to train tracks and our 3rd floor room shook each time the train went by, we’d never have stayed!

I had to remind myself that my other 2 experiences with Country Inns and Suites were stellar, because I couldn’t believe I was in the same chain, and paid $130/night.
Country Inns and Suites, San Diego North
Country Inns and Suites, San Bernardino/Redlands, CA

The plus side, we had a good breakfast before we checked out with cooked eggs and bacon, cereals, danish, and breads and juice for the kids.
This review is our honest, tried and true experience, we paid full price to stay at this hotel.

The Half Moon Bay Inn: Comfortable and Cozy!!

November 5, 2010 by The Mom Jen 2 Comments

Last weekend, we were stressed that we hadn’t taken our kids to a pumpkin patch yet and it was the day before Halloween. Luckily we had planned to drive up the central coast of California into Half Moon Bay, the fall’s best spot for pumpkin patch fun. Each year in mid October, Half Moon Bay hosts a Pumpkin festival, though we missed it, there were plenty of pumpkin farms to discover as we came up hwy 101 and over to 92. Just beyond the farms in this quaint ocean-front city, down in the heart of main street you will find the Half Moon Bay Inn.

Styled in Mexican Revival architecture, the corner lot provides lodging for those on business or pleasure, on romantic getaway or family vacation. Our family was invited to stay in the Hacienda Familia on our trip over, a spacious, extra large room with the most comfortable amenities and extra special touches. With entry directly off the street, we could literally drive up to our room for easy in and out with our bags. We were also pleasantly surprised that being in town by the street, we heard no outside noise!!

Upon check in, the day was cool and crisp and we needed a moment to come in and warm up. We were pleasantly surprised to see comfy beds and so many extra blankets draped on the chair, bed, and day bed to cozy up with! The room had plenty of seating including the desk and the leather chair and ottoman, with a family of 5 everyone had their space. We were pleased to find out the second bed in the room was a trundle style, so all 3 of our small children had a comfortable spot to sleep and rest.

My husband and I found that our bed had a lovely down comforter on top of a ultrasoft mattress, heaven on our bodies for sure! Lighting was plentiful for relaxing and reading, with the wall to the street side had plenty of privacy with the wood blinds. The hardwood floors gave the room a cozy cabin in the woods feel, I loved that the atmosphere put you in a different world yet stepping out the door you’re in walking distance of shopping, coffee shops, and the beach.

With normal amenities (coffee maker, fridge, and microwave), we also were treated to a two quality robes to enjoy during our stay, and luxurious shower gels and shampoos in the ADA compliant bathroom the kids dubbed the “family shower.”

Little specifics had me falling in love with the room, old-fashioned crystal door knobs were precious, the mini vase with fresh rose on the desk felt so personal, the artwork on the walls made me think of my grandparents who came from Mexico and this is definitely something you could have seen in their home. Lastly the decorative wine chiller and glasses was a bonus for couples who enjoy wine and don’t want to use the paper cups in the bathroom! 😉

It’s Italia is the adjacent restaurant where you can find some delicious smelling wood-fired pizza, pasta, and wine, dining indoors or on the back patio that backed up to our room. The room included the full menu on the desk to peruse. In the morning of our overnight stay we welcomed clear skies and walked up and down main street taking in the great small bookstores, delis, cafes, and art galleries. Had it been a different time of year, the beach is a 1/2 mile walk where you can see surfers in the water year ’round.

The Hacienda Familia room is fabulous, staying longer would have been blissful. Check out is at a great time of noon, so you can enjoy your morning, take a walk, have breakfast, and not feel rushed.

If you want to head to a great city on the California coast, make sure you stop into Half Moon Bay and stay at the Half Moon Bay Inn!

Our stay was compensated for one night, our opinions are our honest 100% tried and true experience.

Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf: Cafe Fina and Dominico’s Restaurant Reviews

September 20, 2010 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

For as long as I can remember, the Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, CA was a place we’d go on the weekends to see sea lions, shop like tourists and where my parents would eat fine seafood. As a picky child, I would order burgers and grilled cheese, and I’d look forward to the sweets at the two fabulous candy stores, but now that I’ve extended my palate I love heading to the wharf and taking in the fabulous cuisine of all the restaurants that are there.

Last week my husband and I had the amazing opportunity to dine-around two awarding-winning restaurants that I look forward to sharing with you and venturing back to in the future! Midway down the wharf you will find Cafe Fina, known for it’s homemade pasta and seafood specialties, this restaurant was also made famous on the Food Network when Rachael Ray stopped in and dined on her show $40 a Day! Walking into the restaurant you find a cozy, yet welcoming space with photos on the walls that include Ray and many other celebrities, you immediately know you’re in a great company.

We were taken upstairs to a corner table that overlooked the sunset on the harbor and we were delighted with a sea lion show below and were amazed at the millions of jelly fish visible. It was a Thursday night and the restaurant had quite a crowd, another good sign. We were greeted by the wonderful Roxanne who let us know that we’d be enjoying our first few courses there then would be taken over to Domenico’s across the wharf for our next selections and dessert. Roxanne was a delight, very attentive and full of rich history of the restaurant as well as the food preparation.

We were started with fresh french bread and homemade garlic butter they make in the restaurant, and sadly do not sell. If they had, I’d buy it in bulk, spread on warm bread the scent was pleasantly pungent and the taste creamy and delicious. Soon after our Heirloom Caprese came out, and I was shocked at the size of the home-grown tomatoes! Topped with soft fresh mozzarella, balsamic vinegar, basil, oil and an anchovy, I immediately dipped my bread and soaked up all the goodness before I took to the tomato which was juicy and perfectly ripe. My husband headed straight for the anchovy that was a signature salty touch to this italian favorite.

Knowing much more was coming our way, we held off on too much bread and soon the Mussels arrived. Cooked perfectly, the mussels were tender not chewy and were in a tasty wine and tomato sauce with a kick, perfect for bread dipping as well!

So this ended our visit at Cafe Fina, next we walked across the wharf to Domenico’s and were introduced to James, who gave another fabulous table with a gorgeous night view!

This restaurant has a great bar and lounge area for those wanting to start the night off with a drink, if you’re a sports fan you can also sit on a couch by the fire and watch the game before or after dinner! Both restaurants are so relaxed, you need not be dressed to the nines, but can expect high quality service throughout your evening. My husband ordered some local wine from the gracious Burgess, and our next course was served, Pasta Capri, a Domenico’s original featuring baby bay shrimp, fresh tomatoes, black olives and green onions over linguini in a butter and clam broth. This dish was light but full of flavor with a generous portion of shrimp, and felt like a hearty soup. I will order this dish next time!!

Our last course was something that was new to me. My dad has been making, smoking, and eating salmon for years and I have never had it until this evening. We were treated with the Cedar Plank Wild Sockeye Salmon, which by this time of the evening we were feeling really full from all the fabulous dishes. Cooked directly atop the cedar plank above rosemary and topped with a honey glaze, my first experience with salmon was amazing. The fish was so moist and melted in your mouth. I anticipated a “fishier” flavor, but experience the complete opposite. Lastly, Roxanne returned from the sister restaurant and delighted us with more history of the dessert we were presented, cream puffs, a recipe given to the owners from a local bakery that has since closed.

Our experience could not have been any better, we sampled some of the two restaurant’s best dishes and left satisfied in more ways than one. The service was impeccable and the food was fresh and has made us fans for life. We’re proud to have had the experience and hope you will visit on your next trip to Monterey, CA!

Our meal was compensated in exchange for our tried-and-true experience, thank you David, James, Roxanne, Burgess and the staff of Cafe Fina and Domenico’s.

Best Western, Seacliff Inn: Gorgeous Grounds for a Romantic Getaway

September 15, 2010 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

Living in California definitely has it’s perks. One, is living so close to the coast, as we’re less than an hour from the ocean. Nestled near Santa Cruz on Hwy. 1, about a quarter mile from Seacliff Beach, CA you’ll find a wonderful hotel whether you are vacationing with your family or if you want to grab a loved one for a romantic getaway–Best Western, Seacliff Inn!

The latter worked in our favor last weekend and my husband and I found ourselves in a location we’ll for sure head back to, even with the kids!

The Grounds: click on any photo to enlarge it Upon check-in the staff was very kind and I was already intrigued by the beautiful fish tank in behind the desk in the lobby. Heading to our room I noticed the entire grounds consists of two story buildings, reminding me more of a plantation resort than a everyday hotel chain. The grounds were impeccable and one of the most beautiful I’ve seen in a while!

Gorgeous plants and flowers, an open lawn area in the center of the property near the pool. Wonderful gazebos with benches were placed around. Lots of room to walk around and a few times my husband and I strolled to check out the pool and commented on how really beautiful it was and reminded of us of something we saw in Hawaii. There was even a sail from a sailboat tucked behind some plants that was really neat.

There is a heated pool available and a jacuzzi. Although the beach is nearby the pool is a family bonus alternative, warmer than the 55 degree ocean! The weather turned out foggy the entire weekend I had my mind set on the spa, but it was full every time we checked.

The Room:
The hotel hosts 149 rooms (including 10 suites). The suites have lots of room for a couple and family, with all the amenities of home: television in bedroom and living area, fridge, microwave, two bathrooms, one with a fantastic jazuzzi tub (for when the pool/spa is full), one with an AWESOME rainfall showerhead, and nice long patio with doors leading from both the living room and bedroom.

The living room couch pulls out to a bed, and the room is separated from the bedroom by bifold doors. The gorgeous bed is not only pretty with it’s four poster frame, but so comfortable with a cozy down comforter that was so luxurious in the cool morning. Artificial flowers accent the tables and dressers and compliment the wall art around the suite making feel homey and inviting.
Did I mention the shower head in the smaller of the two bathrooms? Truly like a rainfall, gentle yet efficient, this sells me alone. We only had one night in the hotel, but the jacuzzi tub would have been another selling point for staying in one of the luxury suites. Pop open a bottle of champagne and relax in the privacy of the room.

Adjoining Restaurant: We really enjoyed not having to leave the premises to dine, drink, and enjoy entertainment, Severino’s Bar and Grillis attached to the hotel and is a weekend source of fun.

There’s a restaurant portion serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with indoor and outdoor dining among the beautiful koi pond and waterfall. A lounge and bar area serves appetizers, drink, and even meals and on some weekends hosts bands and dancing! We found a window seat and noticed they had set up for a banquet aside the pond with a buffet.

The full bar hosts all the usual drinks plus house specialties like the Bikini Martini. We ordered appetizers and they were delicious and led us into the evening as the band started up and played fabulous tunes from the 60’s!

The same lounge serves complimentary breakfast each morning for guests and was great source of fun for our Saturday night.

Best Western Seacliff Inn offers a lot for the couple looking for a romantic getaway! I know that if I’m looking for a place to stay that is close to home, yet gives you the feeling of being away on a luxury vacation, I will choose this hotel again…and again. The restaurant/lounge can be visited independently for a nice dinner out with bonus entertainment. Not to mention if the weather were just a tad warmer, the beach is so close!
We were treated to a suite for one night in exchange for our tried-and-true experience.