Ohhhh the gorgeous La Valencia. Growing up in San Diego, I have always admired this pink beauty and stopped in for events, but I never had a chance to stay there. Imagine my excitement when I had the chance to stay there last week!

La Valencia embodies La Jolla elegance in the most unpretentious way. Its boutique hotel vibe and always buzzing lobby bar are welcoming, and you truly are in the heart of all of the La Jolla action. The food alone should attract you, with a young and innovative culinary team creating mind-blowing dishes. La Valencia needs to be on your list whether you are visiting San Diego or are a San Diegan in dire need of a good staycation.

I spent 24 wonderful hours here, and this is exactly how it went!

1pm: Arrival to La Valencia

We arrived to La Valencia early afternoon to optimize our pool time! We dropped off our bags and headed straight for the pool which was heated to 82 degrees, making it ideal year round. I was amazed by how peaceful it was down there, not to mention gorgeous. It is mandatory to order a celebratory “Pink Lady” cocktail (basil infused vodka, watermelon & lime) to kick off your trip!

Book your trip with Passport To Friday and receive early check-in & late check-out (subject to availability)!

3pm: Check-in to your room

After a couple hours of pool relaxation time, it was time to check in to our room and get freshened up for the evening.

We were lucky enough to stay in the ICON Sky Suite which is a real stunner. A corner room with plenty of windows that open all the way up and a small balcony with an ocean view, you truly get the essence of La Jolla. My favorite parts? The mini bar area with gorgeous tile-work, the massive shower, and the spacious living room.

Book your trip with Passport To Friday and receive an upgrade upon arrival (subject to availability) as well as a welcome gift!

5pm: Happy Hour at Cafe la Rue

Starting our evening off on the right note, we headed to Cafe la Rue for happy hour. You can opt to sit outside on the patio directly on the street (great people watching!) or stay cozy indoors. We went for a little bit of both!

The cocktails are strong & tasteful, and the delectable food is not your standard bar fare by any means. I tried the Draper cocktail which has Rye, Fernet, Gancia & Vermouth Blanco. We snacked on the Soft Pretzel Bites with Creamy Whole Grain Mustard and the Spinach Sunchoke Dip with Bruleed Parmesan, Balsamic Reduction & Sunchoke Chips. Don’t order too much and spoil your appetite however, because you have an amazing dinner ahead!

6pm: Dinner at The MED Restaurant

You can’t go wrong with anything you order, but a few of my absolute favorites were the Baja Oysters, Big Eye Tuna Tartare, Salmon Belly Poke & the Grilled Heirloom Carrots. I will have a blog post up about this dinner experience next week!

8pm: Post-Dinner Drinks at La Sala Lounge

We were lucky enough to stay here during the holidays, but La Sala Lounge is always an enjoyable place to end your night with a nightcap. We sipped on Irish Coffees and took in the ambience. There’s even live music Wednesday through Saturday as well as during Sunday brunch!

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NEXT DAY

7:15am: SPARKCYCLE Spin Class

My FAVORITE way to start the day is with a good spin class, and SPARKCYCLE is the studio that made me fall in love with spin. Just a few short blocks walking distance from La Valencia, I suggest trying out a class during your stay! If spin is not your thing, there’s plenty of other awesome studios such as Pilates Plus La Jolla, Barre 59, and Elite Yoga (all of which are on ClassPass – sign up here for $30 off your first month of ClassPass).

8:30am: Room Service Breakfast with a View

Craving some healthy fuel after our spin class, we ordered a colorful, nutritious breakfast to our room and soaked in the view. We tried the Chef’s Selection Green Juice, Acai Bowl and an Egg White Omelet with Spinach, Mushrooms, Sundried Tomatoes, & Onions. It was one of the fluffiest omelets I have ever tasted and by far the BIGGEST acai bowl I have ever seen! We could not get enough of this breakfast.

Book your trip with Passport To Friday and receive complimentary daily breakfast for two!

10am: Shopping in Downtown La Jolla

Downtown La Jolla is filled with the cutest boutiques and all types of shopping. I love the location of La Valencia because it is in the heart of all the action! We walked around for a couple hours window shopping and embracing all of the sites.

12pm: Lunch at The MED Restaurant‘s Terrace

Before heading out, we enjoyed lunch with a view at the beautiful terrace of The MED Restaurant. With sweeping views of La Jolla Cove and a fresh, flavorful lunch, it will tempt you to stay a little longer.

We dined on the Grilled Artichoke, Watermelon Salad with Seared Ahi Tuna, Grouper Special of the Day, and the Sugar Spiced Steelhead with Pink Lady cocktails, of course!

 

Safe travels y’all!

Best,

Chelsea Rose Martin