Loose Cannon

Thanks for the Trip Report and Pictures. For what it's worth I was born in Coronado.

seat38a

Interesting that Amtrak is running the consist with Superliners. I wonder what happened to the Surfliner Coach cars that usually run on the line. Also, those seats in BC the bottom slides out instead of the seatback going down. Its one of those reclines that is not supposed to intrude into the people behind you.

davesam12

Enjoyed this so very much. So many wonderful past memories (and future ones) of this area of Southern California. Since childhood had family who lived on Coronado and San Diego area. We continue to visit cousins and friends annually. I have spent countless hours on the Surfliner for business and leisure. Loved the San Juan Capistrano pics. For years had an important business client in Dana Point. Many business lunches and dinners at San Juan Cap restaurants. We still love to visit as “tourists”. So easy to hop on the Surfliner instead of driving. The extra cost of Business Class is always worth it, as one has a reserved seat. Train can be full and sold out during summer tourist vacation months and finding an open seat in Coach cars can be dicey. Thank you for sharing. Look forward to part 2.

SFO777

Thank you Duck1981. Surfliner was a real and relaxing treat.

Agree although it looks like it may take another couple of years to finish.

Thanks so much 757. Between the weather and the scenery, San Diego is a great place to visit.

Thank you HawaiiFlyerDC8. It was a really enjoyable day.

Thanks very much seat38a. Ah, so those are slider recline seats?! I tried sliding but I guess my toggle technique needs some help.

Thank you Loose Cannon. What a great place to grow up.

Thank you very much davesam12 for your kind comments. After this quick trip, I'm sold on the Surfliner. What a great way to travel So Cal and so much more relaxing than I-5. May even try going north to Santa Barbara or Simi Valley.

davesam12

Took the Surfliner from San Diego to Santa Barbara one time several years ago. First stop and main Amtrak station in Santa Barbara is downtown at the south end of State Street. There was a Hertz at the station if you needed a rental. The train then makes a second stop at Goleta near the SBA airport.

PresRDC

I will never understand why Amtrak thinks it makes sense for a pair of two seats not to have an armrest between the seat.

stevie

Hope your family are safe and healthy after this.

SFO777

Good to know. Thanks davesam.

Well it is Amtrak after all.

Thanks Stevie. All good here and now all good in Dubai.

SFO777

Back to San Diego and Lunch at the Del

While Amtrak's Surfliner is a great, relaxing way to travel down the coast, we decided to pass on Amtrak and drive today, so we could leaving and return when we wanted. Driving was also much faster and we got to the Coronado Bridge about an hour after we departed home. Another gorgeous day in San Diego although temps weer only in the mid-60s, not as warm as a couple of weeks ago.



Back in Coronado...



And back at the Hotel de Coronado.



Talk about luck. We found free street parking, which was much better than the Del's $70 daily parking. Seriously?

































We arrived just in time for great seating with view.



Delicious lunch.



Seafood salad...



... and San Diego Fish Sandwich.



On our way out, some great vintage Del pics from years ago.

SFO777

San Diego Zoo

After lunch, we headed back to the mainland and the 20 minute drive to the zoo.







We lucked out today as there was no line to enter.





We spent a pleasant two hours with few other people here today.

wakesetter93

After reading along on your website I'm coming to your house for Thanksgiving next year, those meals looked delicious!

PresRDC

Who have thought that there'd be a Notre Dame bar on Catalina. Anyone know it's story?

SFO777

Food, food and more food...

Lots of home cooking and a few great restaurant meals this Thanksgiving week.









Thanksgiving dinner at Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach.









My attempt at recreating our fave Buvette Croque Monsieurs.







Grilled filets with gorgonsola butter. Yum.





And dinner at Arc in Costa Mesa, one of our OC faves.









]

SFO777

Private Helicopter Charter to Catalina

The kids had never been to Catalina and it's been 5-6 years since we've been. So we decided on a day trip. Options were scheduled ferry service (75-90 minutes each way) and at inconvenient departure times or a prohibitively expensive boat charter. IEX helicopters offers regularly scheduled service from Long Beach, but also charter service from more convenient John Wayne. We arrived at FBO operator ACI Jet, about 30 minutes before our flight.



















After a safety video, we waited for our pilot Garrett to arrive to fly us to Catalina and then a sightseeing tour of the island.



Our AStar.





And away we go.

















Lots of dolphins along the way.











Avalon.



































And some of the buffalo that still roam Catalina.























And finally, the Avalon helipad.

SFO777

Our pilot Garrett had called ahead and a Catalina taxi was waitiing for us when we landed at the helipad. Less than 5 minutes later, we were in the heart of Avalon. And then another 15 minutes to rent our golf cart.























We headed up the winding roads towards Mt. Ada for some touristy pics.









And then back to the other end of Avalon harbor to the Casino, a classic old theater which, despite its name, never was a casino.











Lunch was an adventure as all restaurants were restricted to take-out only... since Catalina is part of LA County which is basically shut down. After lunch, we headed up the hills on the north side of Avalon...





... and over the hills and canyons.



Yeah. that's a hard no today.









Back in town, we returned the golf cart and ordered a taxi to take us back to the helipad.







Ready to board our return flight.







Relatively clear SoCal day with the LA skyline visible in the distance.



And tony Newport Beach.









Approaching John Wayne.





















What a great day on Catalina and the only way to get there.


For more pics and an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com...

• Off to San Diego
• Coronado Ferry
• Hotel Del Coronado
• Old Town Trolley
• Amtrak Surfliner back to The OC
• Back to San Diego for Lunch at the Del
• San Diego Zoo
• Food, food and more Thanksgiving food
• Charter Helicopter to Catalina Island
• Avalon and Catalina Island

And then...
• Off to Dubai in Emirates new 77W First Suites