Serene San Diego
Just a little serenity even in pictures might take away the tension that is forever present in this world. Here’s some serenity from San Diego.
Have a happy and serene week!
Where’s This Beach…Hope It’s Within Reach! It’s in Oceanside!
Where is this beauty of a beach?
Is it Tenerife?
Is it Majorca?
Is it Sicily?
No, well, I think you know it by now, as I put it in the title and in the captions……it’s in Oceanside, California, which is just 45 minutes north or so of downtown San Diego. Oh, this beach is so stunning and one of my latest joys and discoveries. You can live by a place, but not even visit it or know of it’s beauty, until one day you stumble upon a part of it, and instantly think, wow, this is so beautiful, how could I never have visited this place before, or even known how beautiful? So, now, I go back to this beautiful beach as often as I can. Here are more pictures.
Beautiful park by Paradise on the Beach (that’s just my name for it) – it’s actually called Tyson’s Park – I believe.
A bit of color by the beach
Take a walk along the Pier
Especially on a day that’s perfect, and the sky is clear
Okay, the sky may not be that clear, but the day was perfect.
Here’s a view from the Pier
Another view from the Pier
Back to the beautiful Pier
More of the beach
Guess what? There’s a restaurant on the Pier, and it was fun eating there, it almost felt like being on a cruise!
Okay, so I had to take a picture inside Ruby’s where we enjoyed lunch, but this one didn’t come out great, I wanted to show the view through the window
Back to the outside world and lovely Oceanside Pier again! Here’s someone else enjoying the view from the Pier.
Here’s someone taking a break from fishing on the Pier
Here’s more people enjoying the view from the Pier
What a beauty of a beach!
What nice waves you have!
What nice trees you have!
Chandi loved visiting Oceanside
I know these people loved the beach
I think anyone visiting would love this place
Life’s more fun with a visit to the beach. I hope the beach is within reach for you
No matter which angle you view it from, Oceanside Beach should be within your reach
Shade or no shade, tents or not
This beach sparkles
Where is Oceanside again?
It’s part of sunny San Diego, just 5 or 10 minutes away from Carlsbad, and 40 or 45 minutes north of downtown San Diego.
Oh, it’s so Oceanside!
By the way, Happy Labor Day!
What To Do On A Lovely Day In San Diego

There’s so much to do in San Diego, that I often have to really think about what I want to do on my days off – we are spoilt for choice. Should I visit Seaport Village, Coronado, San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, La Jolla Beach, Del Mar Beach or Carlsbad? Well, this weekend on Saturday, I decided to take little Chandi to Legoland which is in Carlsbad, just 40 minutes north of downtown San Diego. The weather has been beautiful this weekend, it certainly feels like summer already.
I just bought annual passes for myself, Chandi and her brother and sister. Big brother and sister have had annual passes before when they were young, and now complain that they don’t remember. So, they won and got their way….I indulged them and they now have no excuses for not remembering as they are both quite a bit older than Chandi.
Here’s some pictures taken this weekend (yesterday):
Of course, children come here to play
They also like to dance up and down near the water fountains which are interactive, and either play music when jumped upon or squirt out water
Don’t forget to visit the miniature cities made out of lego bricks
You can surely guess these cities in the USA?
Here’s the Luxor in Las Vegas at Legoland
Here’s another two miniature cities, aren’t they amazing – made from lego bricks – unbelievable!
Don’t forget to take a boat ride on the Fairy Tale Brook, it’s great for kids of any age, and you’ll see characters from all your favorite fairy tales, including Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, and so much more.
Here’s me with Chandi on the day when we got our annual passes
I just love this picture of my three babies all at Legoland
There’s so much to do in Legoland, especially for your kids!
It’s one big playground!
If you want to stay really close by to the Legoland Park, you could stay at the newly opened Legoland Hotel, which is right there in the grounds, less than a twenty second walk away.
Your kids will want to make friends with the Lego characters
-
And they won’t want to go when it’s time to leave.
- Annual passes for Legoland are $129 each for adults and kids over the age of 13 +
- Annual passes for kids from the age of 3-12 are $99 each. Click here for more information on Legoland.
- If you live in California, you might as well buy the annual passes because the day pass is $79, so just by visiting twice – you’ll get your money’s worth! Did I mention that Legoland is just across the street from the beautiful Grand Pacific Palisades, which overlooks the gorgeous Flower Fields? You could start your day out with a walk by the Flower Fields, followed by the rest of the day at Legoland…….. it makes for a really nice day out.
The Flower Fields Are Ablaze With The Beauty of Color – Carlsbad, CA (San Diego)
Spring is in the air, flowers are everywhere! Or should I say the hills are alive with the beauty of flowers? These flowers are like music to my soul, and they bring joy. They also bring much joy to my little angel, Chandi.
Here is the Princess of The Flower Fields (I nominate her for that):
Here’s Chandi dreaming of more flowers.
Here she is, ever so content with all the flowers around her.
I should tell you a little more about the Flower Fields – they mainly grow ranunculus flowers here – and the early ranunculus blossoms resembled Poppy blossoms. Here’s a little more history on this:
Here’s some close-up pictures of the ranunculus flowers
Little kids love to come to the Flower Fields – they get to meet others their age, see fish in the little lily pond basins
They can play in the playground
They will see see hens and will even see some fresh laid eggs on the ground!
They will love taking a ride on the wagon that goes around the fields full of flowers, and have a narrated tour. Most of all, if they are just like Chandi, they will like to be out in the fresh open air, smelling the sweet smell of Spring, and seeing flowers everywhere!
Here are the fields ablaze with color
Here are some people picking the flowers (most likely employees) – these flowers could surely brighten anyone’s home, and will likely find their way into the stores.
Here’s me and my baby enjoying some Mummy and me time!
Who wouldn’t like to bring their little baby here, and see their face light up with joy? Chandi’s face lit up with joy, is all the happiness I need. Here she is once again, Princess of the Flower Fields.
Also, let me tell you where Carlsbad is in relation to San Diego…..it is a 40 minute drive up north from downtown San Diego. Take the Highway 5 North and exit Palomar Airport Road, then make a right onto Palomar Airport Road, make a left onto Paseo Del Norte, and make a right into the Carlsbad Outlet Mall Shopping Area, and then make another right and head into the parking lot close to the Flower Fields entrance.
Prices: $11 for adults, free for kids under 3 years of age, and kids from 4 to 11 – $6
Also, don’t forget – locally grown strawberries are for sale right here at the Flower Fields, and don’t forget to try a yummy Strawberry Milkshake or one of the other scrumptious desserts made from strawberries.
Also, don’t forget to visit sometime soon, as the flowers will only be in bloom up to a certain point in April, so hurry fast and visit Carlsbad, CA – part of greater San Diego.
**This is an addition to the post. Went back to visit again on March 30, 2013 (last week I visited on March 23rd) – there’s a big difference in just a week as far as how much the flowers have bloomed. Here’s what they looked like today, however, these pictures were taken from a distance – we did not get right into the fields like we did last week.
The Flower Fields as of April 20, 2013
The Flower Fields from a previous years:
April 16, 2011
April 19, 2009
A Room With A View

A room with a view is the desire of anyone who travels whether on business or on pleasure. The title of this post was inspired by British pop group Duran Duran’s song “A View To A Kill”. I know that title is a little questionable, and different to mine, but if you listen to their song, and look at my pictures, it’s easy to replace the words, and highly encouraged.
You can see their video right here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp4CR2HcHLQ , and perhaps every time you think of a room with a view, you might think of Duran Duran. Perhaps, the truth also is that I like Duran Duran, and used to be one of their biggest fans, and still like their songs. If you listen to one of their songs, it kind of just sticks with you for days. I keep hearing the tune of their song (of which I enclosed the link to their video) in the back of my head and of course, I have replaced it with the words “Watching you with a View To A Room” – that probably doesn’t make sense, but that’s how my song goes.
Well, here’s the view:
I tried to picture the timing of this photo to get the US Navy Ship (I’m not sure what type of ship it is exactly, but presume it’s a Navy ship) just when it neared the Coronado Bridge
On one side of this hotel are the city views
And on the other side are the Bay Views
You can also see the Coronado Bridge
I have always said that San Diego is like Paradise on Earth. Take a look at this lush tropical landscaping – doesn’t it remind you of Paradise?
If you come to San Diego for business, you may want to consider that the Marriott is right next to the San Diego Convention Center!
If you come to San Diego for leisure or to mix business with pleasure, want to know two places that are really beautiful that are very close to this hotel?
Seaport Village is a must-see area that is Paradise in itself.
Coronado is another must-see area that is also Paradise, but you can’t see that from this picture….I just wanted you to see the bridge and how you are now on the side of Coronado and not San Diego.
See my post of Sunsets in Coronado to see what you can expect to see on this beautiful island that is just a ferry ride away (catch the ferry at the Marina just outside the Marriott) or take a drive that will only take about 15 to 20 minutes or so to get from the Seaport Village area to Coronado.
Anyway, next time you need a Room With A View, think of Duran Duran, and their song, and think of some of the places I mentioned and you won’t go wrong. By the way, sorry if the picture clarity is not as good as it could be….I used my I-Phone for most of these pictures, instead of my regular camera. I wish you all a Happy February!
Sunsets in Coronado, San Diego
Sunsets can be spectacular in San Diego, and Coronado which is only a two mile drive or so from downtown San Diego is no exception. Some of the best sunsets can be found right here.
Me and the kids went to one of our favorite places in the San Diego area – across the Bay – and onto the island of Coronado. Coronado is only a 5 minute drive or so from downtown San Diego – you head down Highway 5 and take the 75 South to Coronado, then when you see Orange Avenue, make a left and you can head to the Hotel Del.
I think this picture below would have come out nice if the car hadn’t got in the way, but I think the passengers wanted to see the sunset too. I can’t blame them.
I think the sunset looks pretty like this too
Most of these pictures were taken right before we got to Hotel Del (just a few minutes walk away), and some further down the page were taken at the beach in front of the hotel.
I think these two trees below might be the same ones that were in my personal favorite sunset picture that I took in Coronado (seen below the one directly underneath)
My favorite sunset picture taken just over a year ago on Christmas Day (2011)
The Hotel Del is swell! It’s a great place to visit, or even stay at (I stayed there once for three nights in 2008). Top your visit off with some gelato from Mootime Creamery, their wonderful ice-cream store.
Well, I will leave you with a few more sunset pictures, this one was taken right in front of the Hotel Del
This is on the way to the Hotel Del, just a few minutes walk away right now.
This picture was taken right in front of the Hotel Del
The clouds were even a little black today, we’ve had quite a bit of rain the past few weeks.
There’s nothing like bringing in the New Year in with sunsets, and that’s just what we did this year – that’s when these pictures were taken (except for the Christmas Day, 2011 picture). Remember, to get to Coronado from San Diego is not very hard at all. It’s just a two mile drive or so from downtown, across the Coronado Bridge.
To get this view of the San Diego skyline (seen below), all you do is go across the Coronado Bridge and make a right at Orange Avenue, you would then make another right, and park on your left hand side where the shops are and where the Il Fornaio restaurant is. Some of the hotels seen in the San Diego skyline are the Hyatt Grand Manchester, the Marriott Marquis & Marina and the Hilton BayFront (I’ve also stayed at all these hotels). Please feel free to get in touch with me for making hotel reservations, or recommendations. As you can see, these hotels are fairly close to Coronado, and should definitely be on your list of hotels to consider staying at when you come to San Diego. You will have the best of both worlds – be close to Coronado and still be close to all the other fabulous attractions near these hotels, such as Seaport Village, the Gaslamp District, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Sea World, and shopping at one of the most gorgeous shopping malls in the entire world – at Horton Plaza. Please see my previous post: Scenic San Diego.
By the way, I wish you all a Happy New Year, and I’m so sorry for not writing as frequently, time is in short supply….but I will try harder. May the New Year bring you plenty of spectacular sunsets, and much happiness.
Get Into The Splendor!

Get into the Splendor – the Carnival Splendor! The Carnival Splendor is a beautiful ship, in fact it is splendid! Some quick facts: it first sailed in 2008; it holds approximately 3000 people; it has a number of swimming pools; and it has the only Indian restaurant I’ve ever seen on a ship – the Tandoor. Quite simply put: it has all the splendor you would need on a cruise vacation. I’m not going to go into all the details of the Splendor, and my cruise on it, but you can take a look at a write-up I did directly after the July, 2011 cruise – my review of the Carnival Splendor. Here are some pictures:
That’s me in the Black Pearl Dining Room
That’s me in the Lido Dining Room
If you want to stay connected while you’re on your cruise, it is an extra cost (not included unfortunately) – just go visit The Web, which is the name of the Internet Lounge.
The El Morocco Lounge is so beautiful, that I just had to include another photo
Bollywood dance lesson time, and even my little Chandi (in the pink dress) got into the groove, and she was just 20 months old at the time!
Here Chandi is with two of the UCSD Zor dancers
UCSD Zor – one of the top Bollywood dance teams in the nation entertained my group – the Bindi Group – this time with Bhangra!
We had Indian food most nights on the cruise in the Gold Pearl Dining Room, here’s a look at just one night’s dishes:
Did you know that there’s an Indian place on the Lido Deck called the Tandoor where they serve Indian food every day at lunch time? Here’s just a little of what’s on the menu:
I just have to share with you some of the wonderful food that I put on my plate from the Tandoor!
Here’s a look at some other food that was served on the Splendor:
If you want to work off all that food with a swim in the evening, this is what it looks like by the pool at night time:
Or if you want to just kick back and try your luck in the Casino
This is where your little ones will be entertained
Don’t forget, there’s always ways to have some good family time with activities such as miniature golf
Now for one last day time pool picture
If you are wondering what the address is for where you can catch your cruise at Long Beach Cruise Terminal, it’s right in this next picture:
I also recently made another video, and since my pictures are no longer on my blog at luchaniktravel.com (it got redirected to my CruiseOne website), that is why I have put some of them here, and on my video. I had spent so much time putting my pictures on my blog, but now they’re all gone. Anyway, that is why I started this blog (Why I Started A Blog In The First Place?)
Here is my newest cruise video of the Carnival Splendor:
This is different to my ship inspection video of the Carnival Splendor that I did prior to taking the July, 2011 cruise to Mexico.
I hope you like my pictures, and my videos of the Carnival Splendor. Remember, life can be full of splendor, you just have to look for it…….just get into the Splendor, and you may find what you are looking for – a wonderful vacation!
Super San Francisco

This was my second visit to San Francisco. I’m not going to write much here, but will just show you some of my pictures taken in July of 2012. Whether you visit for Fishermans Wharf, China Town, Little Italy, the Golden Gate Bridge, or whether you love chocolate and want to visit the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory, there will be something for everyone to see here in San Francisco.
People put their underwear on display to dry in their windows (of all places).
People’s other clothes go on public display out on the balcony. Here in San Diego, we are not even allowed to put things on the balcony when we are not even overlooking a public street – San Francisco seems to be a lot more laid back with its policies.
I did not get very good pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge, unfortunately. The lighting just did not work out for me, and plus it was overcast to some degree.
near the Golden Gate Bridge, I just had to take this picture:
It was so busy here at Ghirardelli – absolutely amazing, and need I say – tasty!
I hope you liked the pictures of San Francisco. It is a beautiful city, and ever so colorful.
Beautiful San Diego

I have decided to start a page where I will add my favorite pictures of San Diego from time to time. It’s no secret that San Diego is one of the best places to live in the world – it’s a tropical paradise with palm trees, the ocean, Legoland, San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Balboa Park, Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds, and so many beautiful places to visit. On this page you will find from time to time new additions (might be old pictures or new ones). Of course, my favorite place in the San Diego area is the Hotel Del in Coronado.
If you don’t live in the San Diego area, but would like to visit, please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to recommend or book a hotel for you, and to recommend local attractions as well as restaurants.
Cornonado, and the Hotel Del (a must see in San Diego). Marilyn Monroe shot one of her movies here, and many famous people have stayed here, as well as Presidents.
The swimming pool at the Hotel Del
It’s so tropical at the Hotel Del
Some pictures taken at the San Diego Zoo on December 18, 2011.
These are my three kids at the Zoo last Christmas in 2011.
Cultural Arts Performance at Neurosciences Institute Auditorium, in La Jolla on December 9, 2011
Hungry for pastries? Try Champagne Bakery in Del Mar – love their Napoleons, and Jesuite pastries.
You don’t have to go to Las Vegas to find casino’s – we have plenty of them here in San Diego. Sycuan is only 35 minutes away.
Great place to visit for the day is the Flower Fields which is in Carlsbad, close to Legoland:
Balboa Park, December, 2011
Spreckels Pavilion – the scene of the amazing Holiday Tree that opens up to display a nativity scene that is inside the tree. This tree is magical, and changes colors!
We have the wonderful Race Track, which has a Grand Opening Day every year which draws thousands of people from all over the country. There is a hats contest, and a big celebration feel to the day. Opening Day this year is scheduled to be July 18, 2012.
Another one of my favorite hotels in San Diego is the Manchester Grand Hyatt. This overlooks the San Diego Bay, and is a stunning hotel
Even though I live here now, I am still a tourist in San Diego – it is a very beautiful place.
Please note, these following links are the additions that I was referring to in the post, where you will see more of my pictures of San Diego: Incredible San Diego – La Jolla and Some Places You’ll Want To Escape To