Before someone jumps down my throat, Loews Coronado Bay Resort is a peaceful waterfront escape, surrounded by breathtaking waterfront vistas on its own peninsula. According to the Oxford dictionary, a peninsula is a “piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting out into a body of water” which fits the bill perfectly as it has its own palm tree lined road – and road signs leading to the lobby. But it might as well be an island as it totally feels that way with no water taxi needed! Situated directly across from scenic and idyllic San Deigo, California, it is the ultimate luxury escape from the hustle and bustle of the outside world without leaving the United States.
Situated on a private 15-acre “island” flanked by the Pacific Ocean and the San Diego Bay, the resort is located minutes from downtown San Diego. You can take the ferry for epic boat views if you don’t happen to have a yacht lying around or a 5-minute complimentary shuttle drive to Coronado’s world-famous attractions. Resort amenities include direct access to the pristine Silver Strand State Beach which has RV options, a private 81-slip marina, 440 sea-inspired guest rooms and suites, most with panoramic views of the San Diego and Coronado Bay. The resort’s signature seafood inspired Crown Landing restaurant shines a spotlight on San Diego’s unique character and flavors which I’ll be sharing all the delicious food flavors below.
This press trip kicked off an epic two week adventure starting with squeezing this stay in right before Thanksgiving – or California Friendsgiving in my case. And I was up and at ’em at like 6 a.m. zooming fast on the highways from Phoenix to get there in a personal record-breaking five and a half hours. That is the key to driving anywhere in California by the way, leave at the butt crack of dawn. Mercury Retrograde just started so I knew there would be some mischief afoot so braced myself on the way there. Fortunately for me, it was just minor tech things at this point of my journey. Once I arrived and let them know I was on site, I zoomed around the whole “island” gathering content and mentally noting surroundings and amazing backdrops for my photoshoot the next day. I also enjoyed the most tasty fish tacos from poolside La Cantina fresh from the ocean, a must do when you arrive too!
Welcome to sunny San Diego inspired Loews Coronado in Coronado, California!And in the opposite direction, the road that leads to Loews Coronado with Silver Strand State Beach to the right.A better view of the walkable Silver Strand State Beach.And to the left, the marina full of leisure boats ready to explore the ocean at Loews Coronado. We’ll get into more of this later!So fresh and so clean at Loews Coronado! People in San Diego don’t mess around with trash or pollution on the bay side.Where you drive up to valet or self park in the garage or next to your villa at Loews Coronado.The lobby is insanely massive and this grand staircase makes for epic photos at Loews Coronado. After alerting the team I was there, they were well aware of my arrival and had a mugshot paper laying on the front desk at Loews Coronado.Waiting until my room was ready, I began soaking in all the epic views at Loews Coronado.Just stunning in every direction at Loews Coronado!A very cool space to perhaps do some yoga at Loews Coronado.A water fountain perhaps waiting to be used for warmer months at Loews Coronado.Long hallways connect the hotel rooms to the lobby and you are greeted by these views at Loews Coronado. My villa, the first to the right with the orange roof, was still getting ready for me I was that early!I was growing hungry and also curious about the pool area which was in the middle of the buildings at Loews Coronado.A whole list of water sports and bikes awaits if you want to get into the ocean at Loews Coronado with Action Sport Rentals.Always a fan of eco-friendly everything, having sunscreen on hand really helps save on waste at Loews Coronado. And SPF 50 for reflective folks like me!There were a variety of swimming pools, one adults only and two hot tubs at Loews Coronado.But I was on the hunt for food and the menu here spoke to me at La Cantina at Loews Coronado with it’s beach vibes.My fish taco spread at Loews Coronado! I added sides and extras, even took the third taco with me as well as fruit and guac.Back through the long hallway I went, fully charged again with lunch fuel in my belly at Loews Coronado.A couple shopping options are available inside the lobby area at Loews Coronado. Sandy’s for fashion and Tides for all beach vibes!A true Phoenician now, I was freezing but only on top inside Sandy’s fashion store at Loews Coronado.I made mental notes to have a cocktail at Cays Lounge near the lobby at Loews Coronado.Another pass back at that glorious staircase at Loews Coronado and the light on top changes color.The Silver Strand Exchange came in clutch for my photoshoot the next day, I loaded up on a salad, sandwiches and snacks so we could snarf and get back to shooting at Loews Coronado. Full of small local businesses, I was exploring the flavors of San Diego without even leaving.Completely obsessed with the coconut gelato from Gelato Paradiso, I may have had like three samples of it alone at Loews Coronado. Some of the best I’ve had and I’ve been to Italy ya’ll!Of course there’s a booze section if you need to grab anything with a solid selection to chose from at Loews Coronado. Tons of local snacks too as well as coffee bar and fresh made pastries!A totally reflective vibe to the right of the store at Loews Coronado.I was then drawn outside to the lobby patio at Loews Coronado. Wow!View to the left at Loews Coronado.View to the right at Loews Coronado.A bird of paradise looking very vivid at Loews Coronado.Then I climbed up the grand staircase at Loews Coronado.And was rewarded with these views at Loews Coronado.A step back from the window reveals the full scene at Loews Coronado.Looking back at the stairwell at Loews Coronado and the color was green now.The full scope on the second floor looking at the window view at Loews Coronado. It’s giving Alice in Wonderland and I love it!A little nook we used for the photoshoot the next day at Loews Coronado with ‘Merica flag waving nearby.A little more close up of the clock on the floor of the grand staircase at Loews Coronado.Popping back outside, I had a case of the exploring zoomies so went across to the marina which was mostly locked at Loews Coronado.To the left of the locked harbor gate at Loews Coronado were so many boats. A lot of real estate here included a dock.I kept walking down to the farthest point at Loews Coronado.And poked around this space which is where they sell all their water activities I suspected at Loews Coronado.If it wasn’t a working long weekend for me, a kayak ride would have been on the agenda at Loews Coronado.Or maybe a jet ski so you don’t have to paddle at Loews Coronado.Or perhaps sail a small boat fit for two at Loews Coronado.Or climb on whatever in the world this oversized chair is for at Loews Coronado. I was laughing!To the very end of this dock, a yacht awaits at Loews Coronado.Back toward the Loews Coronado building, a path of things to do awaits.Riding a bike may be the best way to get around the peninsula at Loews Coronado. I assume you can bring your own if you want too!I walked down to the tip of the peninsula and was curious as to who owned these at Loews Coronado. Were they tech bros?Looking out the other direction at Loews Coronado, you can see San Diego proper.Starting to run out of steam or taco fuel, I went back inside to charge the phone and relax at Loews Coronado.Part of Cays Lounge, you can order food and drinks here and there’s a HUGE flatscreen on the wall at Loews Coronado. I soon went back to the front desk to see if my room was ready as I had no text and that is was – with some confusion of course but I was expecting that!I walked past a small garden which they use for most of their meals at Loews Coronado. If only Arizona had the correct climate for it!And toward my villa for the next couple nights at Loews Coronado! That’s where I stayed on the corner pocket. If you can request only one neighbor, please do so.The view from the front, lucky number 7’s were all around me at Loews Coronado. I always smile when I get 7’s because I know it’s gonna be good.A gorgeous flower awaits right outside the front door at Loews Coronado.First view when you step inside this amazing space at Loews Coronado.Facing the other direction at Loews Coronado. How did my purse get in there?Next was this stunning bedroom with dreamy light coming through the windows at Loews Coronado.The desk which was great for doing my makeup and hair at Loews Coronado.This bedroom corner is such a vibe at sunset at Loews Coronado.Because a lady needs wardrobe, there is a his and hers at Loews Coronado or in my case hers and hers.The his and hers bathroom sinks at Loews Coronado, the jacuzzi tub and shower to the right.Always a good time with jacuzzi jets at Loews Coronado. Just make sure to run it through once to get the gunk out first!The sinks with the best products at Loews Coronado.A private toilet area should be a thing like at Loews Coronado. Call for help if you need it haha!Stepping outside on your private balcony at Loews Coronado is a dream!To the right, the perfect coffee nook at Loews Coronado.To the left is where the sun sets at Loews Coronado. Just breathtaking!I was fighting sleep but wanted those sunset shots and there was a knock on the door at Loews Coronado. Wine is always fine by me!Looking straight out to San Diego at Loews Coronado.And my favorite – right out the window from the bed at Loews Coronado until my eyes and body couldn’t stay awake. I drifted off into a 2 hour vampire sleep on my back with hands crossed and awoke in the same position… glorious!When I awoke, I went to gather items for the next day’s photoshoot and had to try these local coffees from Modern Times Beer at Loews Coronado. It was a great hit in the morning with a healthy yogurt takeaway breakfast and the club sandwiches with chips got us through the day well!After an epic photoshoot day, we made our way back to the room to get ready for dinner at Loews Coronado.Photographer Brian Delfin and I have been shooting since I moved out West and we just keep raising that bar on creativity which I love at Loews Coronado. So I invited him to join me for dinner at Crown Landing so we could relax and shoot the shit!The sunset this night was cooking so we grabbed some last pics and watched in awe at Loews Coronado.Sunset beauty in every direction at Loews Coronado! I’m thinking I may start sharing more photoshoot posts… we’ll see how those resonate for the new year.After we got ready, a couple of dirty martinis to pick us back up worked well at Cays Lounge at Loews Coronado.
Dinner at Crown Landing at Loews Coronado was outstanding! Especially after a long photoshoot day, we were ready for a stiff cocktail and tasting the flavors of the Pacific Ocean at Loews Coronado. Since it is a peninsula on it’s own with views of San Diego downtown, there’s no reason to leave as they have four restaurants and lounges including Silver Strand Exchange where you can taste local small businesses (and that coconut gelato which is like crack for me), poolside La Cantina where I had the best fish tacos for lunch, and grab a drink at Cays Lounge where I think I exploded my guest’s brain with an espresso martini – then learned more delicious caffeinated options at dinner! And if you crave a nightcap in the city of Coronado, take the complimentary shuttle into town. I even left with a box of fresh made pastries (chocolate crossiant obsessed) and was very popular with the California fam! Peep all the mouth watering menus online.
Those disappeared way too fast so we went to dinner early at Crown Landing and of course I got my Old Fashioned and Brian tried a Spanish style cocktail with coffee which was much sweeter.Tuna tartare to start was the creamy fish of my dreams at Loews Coronado.I love crispy brussel sprouts and turned Brain into a fan too at Loews Coronado. Soooo good!Gooey brie cheese was also a hit at Loews Coronado.Crisp, fresh shrimp is a delight at Loews Coronado. I could eat two or three of these plates!My obsession with dirty martinis continues when staying next to the ocean at Loews Coronado.Our server recommended this fresh pea pasta and I was impressed with how fresh the flavor was at Loews Coronado.Crown Landing sous chef for the night Andrea Vazquez stopped by to chat for a bit and we were gushing over her dishes at Loews Coronado. Also, how refreshing to see a female chef!The diver scallops and truffle fries were up next and I could have eaten that whole bowl at Loews Coronado.Our server talked me into a lemon drop, so very circa college Cass and it was much more tasty than I remembered at Loews Coronado.Last but not least, the S’mores Lava Cake at Loews Coronado was heavenly.Just look at the gooey insides at Loews Coronado!
After all of this gluttony, it was time to relax and watch a movie in the villa. Some woman asked if we were going out and I said if you mean to bed then yes! Matrix III I think was on at the time and I ended up nodding off asking where Neo was. The next morning it was back to Crown Landing for breakfast as I wanted to sit down and enjoy many cups of coffee at once.
There was pouring rain overnight and it had made the most beautiful clouds reflecting in the water at Loews Coronado.Now you could actually see the bright blues of the Crown Landing sign by the light of day at Loews Coronado.Including the picturesque hallway at Loews Coronado.The roundness of the Crown Landing restaurant is seen here at Loews Coronado.We sat directly across from the marina just like the night before at Loews Coronado.Pretty sweet views if you wanted to sit outside too at Loews Coronado.And our breakfast booth for the win with coffee at Loews Coronado.I loved the fresh juice selection each morning, this one being the green infused at Loews Coronado.Smoked salmon benedict is not a normal breakfast for me but when in Coronado with fresh guac too!My guest enjoyed this amazing French toast at Loews Coronado.
Right after that, I gathered up my room items to checkout… but into another room at Loews Coronado. This one was on the second floor and looked directly down at the villa I stayed in the previous nights. I think it’s good for ya’ll to see the hotel rooms vs. the villa as not everyone has the same price point.
The new digs overlooking the villas at Loews Coronado.The roundness of the building made photo taking fun at Loews Coronado.It has the same vibes at the villa room but smaller at Loews Coronado. Most importantly the best beds, a requirement when I travel.View from the bed at Loews Coronado.And shower bathroom at Loews Coronado. I opted for a hot bath later that day as the hot tubs had kid soup in them! That water is scalding hot and I love it.I took the complimentary shuttle to Coronado to do a walkabout that afternoon but soon found I was very tired from the day before so heading back shortly thereafter at Loews Coronado. Spend a day floating through the shops and poking around new beaches if you get the chance!I spotted this car which seems like a good idea as well, the Island Express.If you’re a Doors fan, you might dig this too.If you hate walking or cannot physically, opt for this trolley tour in Coronado.There are many artsy fartsy stores like this one as well in Coronado. Do you recognize the hotel on the right? Very popular but too many people in one place for my tastes.This is where the shuttle drops you off and picks you up, there’s an app for it too so you can follow it like Uber or Lyft.Back to my new hotel room at Loews Coronado and enjoyed the last sunset before I had to leave. So many layers here!That night I went back to Crown Landing and had a simple steak with truffle fries which I was craving again at Loews Coronado.And the city at night at Loews Coronado. After a great night’s rest, I was up and at ’em the next day ready to explore again!I grabbed a Gotham Mocha Coffee to go and went for a walkabout to the nearby beach at Loews Coronado. I like this idea of adopting a beach!Silver Strand Beach looking good at Loews Coronado.These birds made the strangest sounds at Loews Coronado.An aquatic center nearby also offers water sports from this pier.Walking back to the marina, I realized I would miss this zen space called Loews Coronado.So I are my feelings in chicken and waffles, got a coffee to go and grabbed some pastries for the road and was back on the road again to Friendsgiving. Until next time Loews Coronado!
California Cass is back in Arizona packing for the next leg of my trip! A whirlwind, epic stay @loewscoronado following by the best Friendsgiving and back again got me ready for some warm breezes, palm trees and crystal clear blue waters. Can you guess where I’m off to next? Here’s a hint: my middle name is Marie.
