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Another of our lunch stops was McP's http://mcpspub.com/ Pat traces her linage through Ireland so we thought that we would honor her and the founder of the Pub Greg McPartlin who like me was about the same age as I and was also a Corpsman but he joined the SEAL'S . I had considered joining the SEAL'S for the physical challenge but didn't really want to murder people unless they were hurting me or my family . They are located on the main street where there is a HOHO stop We didn't get a photo of the Toucan in Costa Rica but we did spy one here We had the clam chowder in a Sourdough Bread Bowl and Shepard's Pie The Shepard's Pie was more of a Cottage Pie as it used beef broth and ground beef instead of Lamb like a proper Shepard's Pie . It had a lot of gravy . The soup and bread were good but my wife makes a better Cottage and Shepard's Pie

Clayton's Coffee Shop - A Happy Days rerun . Where we had breakfast when we stayed at the Del . https://www.gosandiego.com/restaurant/claytons-coffee-shop-coronado/ We saw a Top Gun Maverick clone with his back to us outside Complete with Rock around the clock on the table jukebox - A 9 The OJ tasted fresh The eggs Benedict was decent , the gravy with the tiny sausage was like a frozen pizza sausage . The fried potatoes were like a thick chip and very tasty . Please give the Pinnacle Grill the recipe !

Miguel's Cocina

A little walk in the neighborhood The Coronado Dunes

Most everyone knows the old Boat House’s history by now. She was built in 1887 as a template for workers to practice on before constructing the actual Hotel del Coronado, which, they built in 1888, and in under a year. https://coronadotimes.com/news/2016/01/07/coronados-oldest-restaurant-building-outlasts-mother-nature/ We stayed in the Del only 1 night and decided that the busyness was more that we enjoyed . We did request and receive cancelation and had made a request to return to the Gloretta Bay Inn and they reduced the price to $250 a night per night for 2 nights and also gave us a free Calamari at the Old Boat house which was excellent . We also had the Baked Crab and Artichoke Dip Pat had the Rock Lobster and I had the scallops and a Mai Tai We split a very good Key Lime Pie and everything was very good - except the service . We did speak to Sean the Manager who wound up taking very good care us .

The promenade between the beach and the Del Coronado Hotel . The firepit Cabanas are on the right . The Promenade and beach are public property Del Coronado property Please keep the carpet clean Future build Del Keeping it safe

The Winsor Lawn is 26,000 sq. ft. of plastic grass and is a chance to get a drone's eye camera view that I can't get . We were awoken early by a front end loader that began beach resurfacing before the sun came up and we got to see the Majestic Princess sail in from our window These birds was pulling fibers for a nest We stayed in the area that is marked you are here on the map and we wouldn't recommend staying here if you are a light sleeper like I am . The rear parking lot was here and many people came in late all hours of the night directly below us and a number of young ladies we hanging out and talking very loud . After dark a flashing approach light for the North Island Naval Air Station resembling about a thousand feet of strobe light ran all night long and lit the room . At night it wasn't too bad but during the day there is a lot military traffic mostly helicopters and you could almost feel the Osprey as they flew over . We did get to see the helicopters practicing a swimmer recovery at a long distance

A look at the Sheerwater Cafe A couple of views from the Del It helps to have long arms to reach the TP on the door The view from the hall They were placing new boards down on front porch and ramp

A little walk around the Del and checking out dining options Pizza is near the convenience store The Sundeck dining area and menu The Sheerwater Breakfast Cafe and Dinner Menu

We moved our luggage from Glorietta Bay Inn April 27th to the Del Coronado and requested an upgrade. It was quite a splurge with almost $1000/night for a partial ocean view. There were Oceanfront Cabanas with fire pits available for $1879/night . We checked in late afternoon and went for a walk around the hotel grounds and to look for lunch . We split a Mahi fish taco that was very filling

La Jolla A nice place to watch wildlife

The next stop was Torrey Pines Glider port Up , up and away - but beware of gliders and helicopters Reach out and touch someone

There was plenty of warnings as we made our way along We were discussing how the dark sand reminded us of the Volcanic beach that we saw at Vik , Iceland There are also rogue or sneaker waves that can drag you out to sea Just after we mentioned it and took this photo we had a wave that came up and almost pinned us to the cliff . I jumped to try to keep from getting wet and scraped my knee against the large rock . We started to walk faster and to move away from the narrow area area to the wider beach area before the tide caught us . The Top Gun school for pelicans

After boot camp we were given free time and so I went back to Florida to see friends and family and I drove back to San Diego with my car and surfboard which was a nice diversion while going to Corp school . One thing that I didn't do when stationed there was to hike Torrey Pines at low tide on the beach . It's a very nice hike but our knees were sure glad when we stopped and it took about 45 minutes to walk down ! A Torrey Pine

We were surprised to see that the stores and restaurants closed fairly early and at about 9 PM the restaurant began refusing service . Earlier that evening we had treated ourselves to a walk around the boathouse on the bay and in front of the Del . Breakfast on the next day was a grab and go at the buffet which we ate in the room . It was very good and filling for a busy day coming up .

Inside the suite We asked Marcus for a recommendation for dinner and he recommended Island Pasta for homemade pasta Meatball and ziti backed with cheese . We were beginning to see Island prices

We booked our cruise with less than a month left but when we tried to book the Del Coronado for 3 nights in a row we were told that they couldn't accommodate us for our first night because they had many seminars and conferences . When we asked for a recommendation they mentioned the Glorietta Bay Inn across the street and said that it was available at less than half the price . It was a one bedroom with a kitchen and a living area and included a buffet breakfast . Glorietta Inn Bay seen from the Del Coronado

Guilty as charged . We did do a newer version on the Zaandam that also went to Antarctica and we spent some time Patagonia before our cruise in 2019 . New Years Eve was spent cruising from Antarctica . https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2622650-the-south-american-and-antarctic-experience-on-the-zaandam/ This may have been our favorite cruise followed by the Baltic , Norway and Iceland also in 2019 . https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/topic/2674531-baltic-norway-iceland-and-the-uk-on-the-zuiderdam-2019-with-photos/

Lunch was at Liberty Station. There were a lot of choices. Our daughter-in-law is from Peru. Hawaiian was next door. Lobster next. But I have been craving Chili Rellenos.

There is a Federal Military Cemetery located here There are many good places here for photos

The next stop was the Cabrillo National Park at Point Loma There is an outstanding view of the city and the bay from here . The Naval planes and ships Liftoff with the city and the Nieuw Amsterdam in the background USS John Finn

Next up was a quick stop at the oldest part of San Diego - Old Town

Balboa Park Air and Space Museum Spreckels Pipe Organ is hidden in the building and is more than 100 years old

In 1972 when Vietnam was still going hot and heavy I thought that the Navy would be a better option than being drafted into the army . I was told by the recruiter in Miami that I would go to boot camp in Orlando and go to school in Pensacola to be a Photographer's Mate if I signed with them . On the day that I left Miami in December it warm and I wore a short sleeved shirt . I was the only one given a ticket on an evening flight to San Diego and it was near freezing when we arrived there at about Midnight Pacific Time . We spent Christmas and New Year's Eve in Boot Camp and I was assigned to be the Recruit Chief Petty Officer which meant that I stood next to the Company Commander at photo time and I was in charge of the company when the CC wasn't around . https://www.dvidshub.net/news/293835/rcpo-position-offers-leadership-experience-recruits-boot-camp It was perhaps the longest 3 months of my life and when I finished Boot Camp I was assigned Hospital Corp School in Balboa Park , San Diego . After completing Corp School I was assigned to The Camp Lejeune Marine Base in North Carolina and finished with the Navy in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . This was like where we stayed in in the seventies And this is where we hoped to stay - The Del Coronado Some like it Hot

When our color was called we went into the room with the agents and they took a photo of our passports and vax cards and placed a pink polka dot on our cards which we showed to exit the ship after picking up our carry on luggage . Exiting the ship we got our checked bags and crossed the street to meet our waiting guide Marcus . We first took a quick ride to the Midway tied up near us . The local Fire Department was out for some exercise A drive through Little Italy where this restaurant was a old as my wife