Full set of pics here
Monday
-mental soundtrack ---> Golden Shoulders
-a morning drive from Oakland to LA, pausing at every rest stop and vista point along the way
-lunch at Wurstkuche: vegetarian smoked apple sage sausage + Belgian fries + ginger beer
-the memory-laden drive from LA to San Diego
-my lovely city-view room at Hotel Indigo
-dinner at Underbelly: boiled edamame + kimchi/pickles served in a jar + buns with tempura eggplant, shiitake mushrooms, cilantro, spicy mayo + vegetable ramen + a Hitachino white
-a saison with gin botanicals + an imperial stout with Thin Mints at Ballast Point
-a Spicy Ginger on the patio at Level 9
-Sleepytime tea in my room
Tuesday
-mental soundtrack ---> Sky Larkin
-breakfast at Cafe Chloe: poached eggs with wild mushrooms and sage-truffle beurre blanc + a spicy Mayan mocha
-the Santa Fe Depot in all of its Spanish Revival glory
-Richard Serra, Maya Lin, Allan Sekula, Ana Teresa Fernandez, Michael Arcega and a lot more at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
-the new downtown public library
-lunch at Lucky Liu's: mixed vegetables stir-fried with water chestnuts in a garlic sauce
-a Scallywag by the water during happy hour at C Level
-a satisfyingly terrifying ride on the Giant Dipper at Belmont Park
-dinner at Carnitas' Snack Shack: beet terrine + fried Brussels sprouts + chips and guac + peanut butter Cap'n Crunch truffles + a Modern Times Fortunate Islands beer
-pinball and dual-player Rampage at the Coin-Op Game Room
-old-timey atmosphere and an Ocean Side at Polite Provisions
Wednesday
-mental soundtrack ---> The Mastersons
-breakfast at The Cottage: soy chorizo hash + a Mexican mocha
-Robert Irwin's luminous sculptures at Quint Contemporary Art
-one osprey and zero rattlesnakes on our Torrey Pines hike
-lunch at Island Style Cafe: coconut shrimp salad with house mango dressing
-bright sun and peaceful gardens at the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala
-a glass of The Debutante at Societe Brewing Co.
-dinner at Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill: tacos with cabbage, tomatoes, avocado, Cheddar cheese, homemade white sauce, and local halibut marinated in spicy chipotle
-a "cream soda" at the Aero Club
-St. Vincent utterly transcending the faux-rebel corporate ridiculousness of the House of Blues and proving herself a goddess yet again (Noveller totally ruled too)
Thursday
-mental soundtrack ---> Pink Martini
-breakfast at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters: spinach and cheese croissant + a Trophy Wife
-a personal tour of the R/V Melville at the Nimitz Marine Facility
-pinnipeds cavorting in the surf out at Cabrillo National Monument
-lunch at Extraordinary Desserts: a tofu club + raspberry Linzer Danish
-an exhilarating electric bike tour through memory and history in Balboa Park courtesy of San Diego Fly Rides
-a mango-chili paleta at Viva Pops and homemade peanut butter fudge ice cream at Mariposa Ice Cream
-dinner at Starlite: goat cheese and strawberry bruschetta + quinoa salad + spring risotto + dark chocolate tart + a Sloe '75
Friday
-mental soundtrack ---> Beck
-breakfast at Snooze: quinoa almond oatmeal brulee + a mocha
-the long haul home, with a stop for gas and a late lunch at the Kettleman City In-N-Out (a grilled cheese + a Neapolitan shake)