San Diego's Paradise Point
........Makes for a Perfect Day in Paradise
Article by Margot Black
Photograph by Robert Aboulache
 

Arriving at the Paradise Point Resort and Spa, located on a private 44-acre island in San Diego’s spectacularly scenic Mission Bay, is like entering your own private playground. It is a world apart – yet just ten minutes drive – from the heart of downtown San Diego and five minutes to Sea World and The Zoo.

The resort’s comfortable California beach bungalow style guest rooms are nestled amidst lush, tropical gardens and lagoons. Rooms feature a kitchenette nook, and Adirondack chairs that beckon on the outside deck.

Begin your perfect day with an early morning stroll on the bayside walkway located right outside your room, with cup of coffee in hand, breathing in the fresh crisp ocean air and let your soul revel in the tranquility of nature at its finest. Or spend the morning relaxing on your deck in PJs with a pot of coffee, croissants and a newspaper or book.

As lunch time nears, check out the resort’s Barefoot Bar and Grill which offers casual bayside dining with a large outdoor patio overlooking a marina with its hypnotic shimmering waters. It is the perfect setting to enjoy an ever popular plate of pub style fish & chips, or options such as soup, sandwiches and salad choices all expertly prepared California style. You might also glimpse a most unusual and exotic lunch companion, a Blue Herring, which regularly grace the marina from nearby Sea World.

And what perfect day is complete without spa treatment? Paradise Point features a world-class Indonesia-themed spa (SpaTerre) offering Thai and Javanese style massages and treatments. It is decorated with warm mahogany wood, bamboo and is softly illuminated with hand-blown glass lighting that creates a tranquil haven for the ultimate in rest and relaxation.

The treatment rooms and the spa décor are beautifully appointed with a Zen-like ambience. Check out their signature Balinese Massage, a combination of acupressure, rolling motions and rhythmic thumps. SpaTerre features its own line of skin care products named for Sundari, a goddess of beauty. Spending the afternoon in Spa Terre certainly can make mortal men and women feel like gods and goddesses.

Before sunset, be sure to go for a leisurely walking tour of the island. This resort is beautifully designed and has lots of parks, gardens, nooks and crannies for both adults and kids to enjoy exploring. Admire the magnificent lilies in a pagoda garden, mesmerizing in their beauty, or stroll down to the resort’s general store to find unique shell themed gifts or mementos. Relax by the pool or waterfront and take in the ever warm San Diego sunshine.

Treat yourself to an upscale dinner at the resort’s BALEEN restaurant– specializing in seafood cuisine and al fresco dining– overlooking beautiful Mission Bay. The menu offers a “seafood-centric” array of items sure to please even the most discerning palate. A whimsical flair is evident throughout BALEEN from preparation and presentation to décor and ambience. The result is an award-winning savory, stylized cuisine in a magical waterfront setting.

Before retiring for the evening, take your shoes off and stroll the beach for some stargazing with the waves gently lapping at the sand, and build a bonfire and toast S’mores if you saved room for desert. It’s the perfect end to a perfect day in Paradise.

What & Where:
Paradise Point (1404 Vacation Rd; 858-274-4630)
 

About the Contributor: Margot Black developed a love of travel and tourism as a senior account executive at an international public relations/marketing firm in New York City. She has traveled extensively in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America and the South Pacific. A move to Los Angeles expanded Margot's expertise and writing skills into the world of entertainment/comedy. She has appeared on NBC, A&E, TNN, GSN and Comedy Central. Her writing has appeared in Written By, She’s So Funny, Joke Soup, and The Comedy Thesaurus. Always an avid traveler, Margot Black knows how to say “what’s for lunch?” in twelve different languages.

 
 OTHER DESTINATIONS: If you're looking for other perfect days, be sure to check out more 52Perfectdays.com articles on Portland, Chicago, Santa Monica and La Jolla.