Where is it 75 degrees and breezy 365 days a year? Carlsbad, California (North San Diego Country), that's where! That may be a slight exaggeration, but not by much. San Diego always makes it into the top ten list of cities with the best weather in the entire country. I wish I could say the Hidden Hills, where the sweltering summer temperatures often start in May and don't ease up until November.
So where better to go enjoy the dog days of summer, before school begins (next week), than Carlsbad? Only a short two-hour drive (and sometimes less, depending on traffic), from Hidden Hills and you feel like you're a world away.
We spent this past week there, not only celebrating the dwindling days of summer break, but also the upcoming birthday of my favorite twins, Catherine and Graham, who will turn 10 tomorrow, August 20. It was one of those trips that were absolutely perfect. The weather was 75 degrees and breezy every day; our hotel and room were nothing short of magnificent; and no one got Covid! What else could you want from a vacation?
For me, the glorious weather was the high point. I would look at my phone app every day and check the weather in Hidden Hills, just to make myself feel even better about being in paradise. Most days it seemed to be holding steady in the upper 90s back at home, which quite frankly, would be considered a moderately cool summer day in Hidden Hills. The triple digits are not at all uncommon here. My friends, who are scattered throughout the city, and the country for that matter, can attest to this as I often send them screenshots of my phone app showing the oppressively hot temperatures I have to endure. I am quite sure they have grown tired of receiving these texts from me, but that doesn't stop me from sending them. Misery does love company after all. Everyone is fair game for my summer weather app texts.
While I sat under an umbrella, by the pool, in the perfectly lovely weather of Carlsbad, I browsed Zillow, one of my favorite websites, looking for houses to buy there. I thought that perhaps if I found one, I could just send for my stuff, without ever having to return to scorching Hidden Hills. A girl can dream, can't she?
Aside from the absolutely perfect weather, which I now realize I dedicated much of this blog post to, we had a wonderful last summer hurrah in Carlsbad. Not that you're ever really ready for school to start, but after this utopian getaway, we're as ready as we're ever going to be to face another school year head on.
Not only did we stay in a really special place, that I have been fortunate enough to have been visiting since I was pregnant with Garin, but our travel agent, Ileana, arranged for us to be upgraded to a Villa, from the lovely, but more simple room we had reserved. It was amazing! The resort staff decorated the entire villa for the twin's birthday, as a surprise (balloons, gifts, banners, and even a Ferris wheel filled with decorated cupcakes in a variety of delicious flavors). Additionally, Ileana surprised us with a gorgeous fruit platter, chocolate cake pops, assorted beverages, and a lovely assortment of French macarons. We were blown away when we walked into the room. Thank you to Ileana, for helping to make this the most magical end-of-summer trip ever!
All I can say is that our Villa was amazing!
A huge balcony overlooking the tennis courts and cozy kid's robes for everyone.
On our first night, we attended the weekly s'mores bar party held at the pool. We had our very own golf cart limo to drop us off.
After dinner we walked over to the Park Hyatt Aviara, the hotel on the property, to take in the extensive remodel that took place during Covid. Absolutely gorgeous!
On two of the four nights, we cooked dinner in our Villa, including using the barbeque they provide. Just like at home, everyone lent a helping hand.
After long days at the pool, everyone slept like babies, including Sloathy.
On our last night, we visited with my longtime and very dear friend, Linda, who lives half the year in Carlsbad with her dogs, Mocha and Ccino (lucky them!). Linda and I went to Business School together. We always make a point of spending time together when we visit Carlsbad, which needs to be more often. We took in the gorgeous sunset and walked to dinner at a delicious, local Mexican restaurant. It was a wonderful way to end our trip.