The first time I visited San Diego, as a teenager, I felt like I had arrived in a tropical paradise. The waters were shimmery and foliage was lush with palm trees waving in the soft breezes. I hadn't been to San Diego in years, so when a professional conference Scott and I were planning to attend was scheduled in town, we jumped at the chance. The Bahia Resort, the first beachfront hotel built on Mission Bay, has a mid-century modern vibe with a mediterranean twist. Interiors have been updated over the years and, thankfully, they have left the retro exterior in the original form.

I enjoyed strolling around the property with my camera. I've always found this style of architecture intriguing. This design seems to offer more privacy and a unique perspective to these retro spaces. It's especially cool when the view is a beachfront.

Our suite was nicely equipped with a kitchen, dining table, separate bedroom area (with luxury linens) and that beachfront patio.

This is definitely a good way to decompress after a day of trainings on how to handle trauma in schools (follow-up note: I returned to work the following Monday morning to 2 full days of grief counseling at a local High School here.  Unfortunately the timing on this training was perfect.

My sister, Dorie, and her guy, Michael, joined us in San Diego for a couple of evenings. They took us to one of their favorite spots, James' Place in La Jolla, for sushi. Our evening with famed sushi chef "Big Mike" as our sushi whisperer was an unforgettable foodie experience, just as they promised. Our thanks Big Mike!

Another day of meetings, with a break beach-side....this is the life!

Time for a beach side happy hour at the suite...

and toasting to the pleasant combination of work and play in San Diego with my guy.

For our last night in San Diego we dined at the famed Croce's Park West, with live music, and ended the evening with a walk and poolside lounge at the stylish Hilton Bayfront.

When the sistas get together there is endless fun...at least we think so!

Love this view!

Healthy, active lifestyle options, like beach cruiser biking on the beach path and watersports, abound in San Diego. I've always wanted to try SUP (Stand Up Paddle Boarding) which is super popular on Mission Bay. Though I didn't have time to try it on this trip, it's definitely on my list for our tropical getaway this summer. #splash ;)

A few fun photos I snapped on Instagram.

San Diego is notoriously photogenic.

My birth family

The Bahia Resort has a sister property, the Catamaran, just across the bay. The Bahia Belle is a Mississippi style sternwheeler that cruises between the two resorts offering music, cocktails and dancing. It's free for guests staying at the resort.  If you are looking for a beachy getaway in California, for couples or for families, I highly recommend Bahia Resort. To book this getaway Bahia Resort Hotel and for other recommendations in San Diego contact me.

Are you making travel plans for summer yet?

What's next on your travel bucket list?