Where were we – oh yeah – Dude slipped out of our room at Estancia La Jolla while I got my beauty rest.
I eventually woke up and joined Dude in the restaurant. To my delight, while I slept, he booked me a massage at the Estancia Spa.
Before bliss time there was little time for me to eat breakfast and explore the hotel grounds, which were stunning and beautiful and from an eco perspective I enjoyed the properties use of water wise landscaping selections – it was inspiring.
The spa was fully booked save a couple of appointments – so I was surprised that facilities were delightfully serene. It was nice to have time to linger and relish my time at the spa. It was perfection.
After bliss time we decided to take the hike to the ocean that “Ted” suggested – remember “Ted” the bellhop?
Picture a perfect day, stunning vistas and para-sails flitting above the cliffs. We start navigating our way down the winding steep path – if you can call it that. “Ted” definition of this way as a “little aggressive” may have been slightly understated.
We got a third of the way down the path when we had to chose between hiking up to the bluffs or down to the water.
The way to the bluffs involved crossing a narrow ravine via wood plank and what seemed to be an impossibly steep 15′ sheer cliff on the other side of said plank. We made our way towards the water. It was about a third further down the path when Dude packed it in and insisted we turn around.
I was a smidge disappointed until on our way back up Dude decided we should try to scale the sheer path on the way to the bluffs. We climbed our way all the way to the top. We could almost touch the para-sailer’s toes once we reached the top. I was able to torment Dude by moving within 20 fee of the cliff in an attempt to ascertain how high up we were – high.
After a few photos it was time to make our way back to the hotel, but not before I checked out the front of a sign that had caught my attention upon our arrival on the bluff (we approached from the backside) – I was dying to know what it said – it required another photo. Thank you “Ted!”
We managed to safely make our way down the “unstable cliffs” and back to the hotel. Our hike built up quite the appetite for our dinner plans – but for our own safety we decided not to takes Ted’s restaurant suggestion for the evening. We selected Azul La Jolla a Steakhouse with a stunning view of the bay.
Some of you may be dismayed, but Dude and I are big fans of the steakhouse – from a health perspective they couldn’t be much worse for you and the only redeeming thing I can say about them is that the good ones make every calorie fully worth it. I wish all my favorites would start buying their beef from all grass fed ranchers – pretty please! I don’t buy that the steaks won’t be as delectable. Sorry, I digress…
Azul La Jolla did not disappoint. We have dined at some of the best steakhouses and Azul held it’s own – with a view was second to none.
My meal started with a Cosmopolitan that was perfect, ice chips floating in a frosty glass, delicately sweet and smooth. I might have had more than one – it was vacation so no one was counting and no one was driving. It was a perfect sunset dinner, we mingled with our neighbors, invited ourselves to stranger’s home for wine tasting and had a fantastic evening.
One more uninterupted night of sleep and our time at Estancia La Jolla was all to quickly finished. A relaxing breakfast and it was time to slowly wake from our dream and return to reality.
La Jolla, our visit was divine, just what we needed and more. “Ted,” thanks for the adventure, our trip wouldn’t have been the same without you.
We’ll be back soon.
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