Anaheim and San Diego, California
Saturday, June 6, 2026 - Friday, June 12, 2026
Ah, a trip 'out west' to two of our favorite locales ever! Jill was receiving an award at the AUPHA annual conference (two years in a row I might add!), plus it was her first official conference as the CAHME CAO! Never ones to miss an opportunity to see the West Coast Mouse, we headed out a few days before the conference to drive up to Anaheim.
Saturday
We left Orlando early on Saturday morning. A direct flight on Southwest from MCO to San Diego. Grabbed our bags and the rental car and headed north up Interstate 5. We knew we would 'lose' half a day in the parks if we started our Disneyland visit on Saturday, so we chose (because you have to choose the days at Disneyland) to go on Sunday and Monday. That opened up Saturday for a leisurly stroll from San Diego to Anaheim, with the opportunity to do a couple of things along the way.
We wanted to stop at the Anaheim Ducks team store to see if we could scope out something for Mike. Luckily, Jill looked at the website (before we got all the way to Anaheim) and found that the team store at the rink was closed for renovation. Instead, she found that the team store at their practice facility in Irvine was open! So that was our first stop (and it was south of Anaheim so it was definitely 'on the way'). The store was at the Great Park Ice facility in Irvine. Four sheets of ice and probably one of the nicest facilities we've ever seen. Checked out the store but, alas, there wasn't anything that really jumped out at us for Mike (nor was there for Mike as we texted him a few things).
Jill made us reservations at an awesome tiki bar in Anaheim (more on that below), but we still had some time to kill. So, with Anaheim having more than one pro sports team we decided to go to Angels Stadium and wander around the team store there. From there we drove past our hotel for the next couple of days, found one of our fave restaurants in Anaheim - the Country Family Cafe (which we weren't able to get to this trip - but wanted to make sure it was still there!), and then to downtown Anaheim where we wandered into the Ducks original practice facility Anaheim Ice (and watched part of a youth game too!).
And now, it was onto our big plan for the day! Strong Water Anaheim! Jill had heard about this place from other tiki afficianados (mostly in Orlando) and knew we would love it! Great decor, GREAT drinks, and great food! We each had two drinks a piece - Jill had a Mai Tai and a Velvet Banana and I had a Painkiller and a Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa. For food, we got Crispy Lumpia to start, and for our main courses Jill had Dan Dan Noodles and I had the Loco Moco Burger with tots on the side. This place is definitely a keeper, and one we will visit time and again when we make a west coast trip!
After brunch/linner (who really knows - the time change messes up what meal we're on LOL) we headed towards our motel. We decided to try out a new motel in the Disneyland bubble (but one we had passed by a bunch of times in the past and it always looked really cool!). The Alpine Inn on Katella was our base of operations for this leg of the trip. Nice - and clean - room! And we were literally right behind Radidator Springs Racers! Got ourselves set in the room and then went for a walk (which only amounted to 3.67 miles this day - nothing compared to the next couple!). Went through Downtown Disney with hopes of getting into Trader Sam's (and hitting up two tiki bars in one day!). Unfortunately, we weren't able to get in. Walked back through Downtown Disney, to the Anaheim Garden Walk, and eventually settled on the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Back to the room after dinner to CRASH OUT!
Sunday
Our first (and only) full day at Disneyland! We 'almost' rope dropped (which is something we don't usually do, but wanted to make sure we optimized our time in the park(s). We also purchased the Lightning Lane for today so that we didn't have to stand in lines as much. The first ride we went on, courtesy of the Lightning Lane, was the Matterhorn. From there we went straight to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride - Jill's favorite and one we can't ride on the east coast anymore since they replaced it! Then Snow White, Pinocchio, and Small World before our next Lightning Lane - Space Mountain! We've always liked this one better because we can sit side by side on it :-). While we were in that part of the park we did Autopia (also a Lightning Lane), before heading to the other side. We tried to go on Nemo, but the line was really long (and it looked like the ride may have been down too). Had a couple of churros in that part of the park as well. On the other side of the park, we grabbed a water and mango snack while waiting for our Haunted Mansion Lightning Lane to kick in - it did, we got in line, the ride went down :-(. We didn't want to wait, so we headed to Indiana Jones. We didn't ride this on our last trip a couple of years back, and wanted to remind ourselves of what they were turning our Dinosaur into. It's going to take a bit of interior redesign if they want the east coast Indy to look like the west coast Indy that's for sure! Tried to go to the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room - just missed the show and didn't want to wait for the next one so...found the train, rode that to Mickey's Toontown so we could ride Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin (another Lightning Lane). At this point, yeah, we had hit a lot of the park and our tolerance for the crowd was waning - so we walked back over to Tomorrowland so we could ride the monorail to the other end of Downtown Disney and get out of the park for a while.
Off the monorail and over to the Disneyland Hotel - and on the way there Jill was able to secure a Trader Sam's ressie! Woot! It was a bit of a wait though, so we went to Tangaroa Terrace and got a couple of drinks (and found a nice cool place to sit inside one of the Hotel's towers) and waited for our turn. We were seated inside and at the bar! Of course, I always seem to be 'that guy' that ends up on the shrinking stool LOL! Since this was 'lunch' we got a bbq chicken flatbread and a pupu platter to share (both very good!). To drink, I got the barrel of mischief (so we could get the limited edition mug) and Jill got (need to fill this in).
When we finished up at Trader Sam's we decided to try to get through a few things at California Adventure. Bought a locker for the tiki mug and then - Soarin' Over California! The first time we rode this was in DCA back in 2004, and even though it's had a few different versions (especially in Florida) it was really cool to be able to ride the OG! We also purchased a Lightning Lane add on to ride Radiator Springs Racers (best ride is best!) and went on the Monsters, Inc. ride. Came out of the park (again), wandered Downtown Disney a bit and finally settled on getting a small bite to eat (pizza) and a couple of drinks at the Craftsman Bar & Grill before heading back to The Alpine.
Monday
Monday rolls around and our last day of the not enough time in Anaheim part of the trip starts. We got a little later start today, in part because we had to check out of the motel and move the car - to the Disneyland Parking Lot ($40 to park - really miss it being 'included' in our annual passes back home!). Our day started, and stayed, at Disney's California Adventure. We had park hopper's for both days, but we realized that we had done pretty much everything we wanted in Disneyland (except for Alice) and by the time we would have gone over there we were toast. We headed straight for Cars Land when we got to DCA (and purchased another single Lightning Lane for Racers!). We did the Tow Mater ride, then tried to go on the Luigi ride (but it was down), so instead we grabbed some grapes and a pickle and soda and found somewhere to sit until it was time to go on Racers. Another great time on this ride! (except we're pretty sure for the first time our car didn't win). On Sunday we hadn't even ventured into Avengers Campus, so we made sure to do so today. Went on the Webslingers ride and sat at the bar in Pym Labs and had a drink. Decided we wanted another ride on Soarin', so we did that next (and even got stuck on the ride in the air for a few mintues!). Then went back to ride the Incredicoaster (another great ride! although it seemed slow this time for some reason LOL!). Tried to go on Goofy's Flight School and - that broke down too (seemed to be a trend with us this trip). Instead we headed back to Avengers Campus - Jill got a HUGE taco at the Pym Lab and I grabbed a shwarma at the Shwarma Palace. Rode Little Mermaid after lunch, then stopped at the Lamplight Lounge for a libation and lobster nachos. Toy Story would prove to be the final ride of this trip for us. After that we were pretty beat so we headed out of DCA. Went to World of Disney and the cookie place in Downtown Disney before the final final ride of this part of the trip - the tram back to the parking ramp. Stopped at a CVS for some drinks and then hit the southbound side of I-5 back to San Diego
For this leg of the trip, we stayed at the Bahia Resort (it's where the AUPHA conference was being held). It was a bit away from the main part of San Diego (read: Old Town, Downtown). We checked in, got settled in the room, walked the grounds of the resort a bit, visited with their two blind seals, had a drink and food at Dockside 1953, and called it a day!
Tuesday
We'll call this a 'reset' day. Jill attended the conference, and I stayed in the room to work (on actual work stuff and this travelogue entry). In the early evening, there was a reception on the beach at the resort. After that, Jill and I along with her boss(es) Maureen and Mel, as well as a few others, went to dinner at Cesarina, an Italian restaurant a short drive from the hotel. Jill got paccheri pasta with an arrabbiatissima sauce (less the nduja) and I got pollo alla scarpariello with a side of patate arrosto and scarola ripassata. Both dishes were very good! Back to the hotel afterwards.
Wednesday
Wednesday morning rolled around, and the 'real' reason that we came to Cali in the first place was upon us. Jill, for the second year in a row, won an award from AUPHA! She was presented the award at the morning keynote session. Luckily I was able to sneak in again and watch her - so very proud!!
After the awards and keynote, Jill went on to attend other sessions (which turned into her and her colleagues sitting in the hotel restaurant for like six hours instead LOL!) and I headed for downtown San Diego. As luck would have it, the Padres were home for an afternoon game! I've been to Petco Park two times in the past - once (with Mike) to tour it, and once (for Jill's birthday) to watch a game. Best aisle seat I could find was considered a 'club' seat and right behind home plate! I left Bahia and went to Old Town, hoping to park there and take the trolley to the game. No dice though - parking was full. So, my backup plan was to go one stop further up the line and hope to park there - and I was able to! Woot! Got on the trolley and arrived at the ballpark just as the gates were opening. Hit up the team store, walked the concourse, and found the Lexus Club (one of the 'perks' of club seats). Was a nice enough club; grabbed a beer and a brat to eat (brat came complete with a dry/crumbly bun so, there's that) and then went out to my seat. Great seat - aisle right behind homeplate in the shade. There was in seat food service there so I ordered up a Friar Frank. Nothing special really - just a hot dog. Watched the game until the bottom of the 6th inning, made my way back around to the team store (and bought Jill a visor) before leaving in the bottom of the 7th. Trolley back to the car and back to Bahia (light rail is really the way to do it in San Diego!).
Arrived back to Bahia, found Jill and her colleauges in the restaurant. Hung out there with them for a bit and then everyone dispersed. There were no planned events for this evening, so Jill and I wandered down to the boardwalk (which was a quick two/three block walk away). Belmont Park was right there on the boardwalk so we wandered in and around that, hit up a couple of stores. Not really sure what to do about dinner, we finally settled on the Coaster Saloon to grab a drink and bite to eat. Watched the end of the Knicks/Spurs game as well (with an incredible last second ending by the Knicks). Hotel and bed afterwards.
Thursday
Last day of the conference, and a half day at that! Jill headed to sessions early, and ended up in the restaurant (again) with her colleagues. I went down and met them, had some breakfast, then back to the room so we could get ready to go out for the day. We started at Balboa Park, since it was a location we had never been before. Walked around there and did all of the 'free' stuff (there were a few museums there, but they all charged admission so - nah), which amounted to the botanical building (which was cool because it was all wood!) and the Timken Art Museum. From there we headed to Old Town, a location we have been a few times in the past (and even stayed there on one of our trips). Wandered through the shops, bought some candies (chocolate covered cinnamon gummy bears - Yum!), and then found somewhere for lunch. Cafe Coyote is a location that we visited in the past and knew that's where we wanted to go for food in Old Town. Got there just as the Mexico World Cup game was finishing. Got drinks and food in the upstairs bar. Food, to us, is very authentic and tastes nothing like what we get 'back home' (which is a good thing!). Jill got a chicken enchilada and I got two beef tacos - both meals tasted just like what we've had at Nachi Cocum! Finished eating, left the upstairs bar, and when we came downstairs that bar was empty so we stopped for another drink there. Made our way back to the hotel afterwards. Had dinner in the 'other' hotel restaurant (and it was pretty good too!). Back to the room to finish packing and get some rest before our early wakeup.
Friday
Travel day. Up EARLY (4:00), got ready and headed for the airport. Dropped the car at the rental car return (which is all one facility now by the way - not like it used to be where each rental agency had it's own facility). Dropped the bags, through security, lots of time to waste (all that up to this point didn't take as long as I thought it would so we had like an hour and a half before boarding). Boarding was delayed; finally onboard and off to Austin. Got there and had like two hours to waste (even though we got there a bit later, our connection was delayed as well). Grabbed some food and watched the Canadians World Cup match at one of the bars. Finished up, waited, boarded the plane, left the gate...and then parked because Orlando was on a ground stop. Sat on the plane for a bit over an hour; almost went back to the gate because the ground stop was extended, then it wasn't so we were able to leave. Got to Orlando (late - at that point I'm not even sure how late we were but it felt like we were between 2 and 3 hours late) only to find that...our bags were on the 'next' flight from Austin to Orlando. So we waited until almost 10:30 for our bags to finally arrive. Found the car (we had parked in Terminal C parking - the reserved section) and finally, finally got home.