I felt like Elin Woods (during her good days) on our trip to Torrey Pines!

Thanks for checking back again, friends! :) 

This adventure started last Saturday, July 6th, on an 8-hour drive from Walnut Creek to San Diego. Specifically, we were to end at Torrey Pines.

Now, as a non-golfer-I-just-go-to-the-golf-course-to-support-my-boyfriend-and-go-to-the-spa, I've never heard of Torrey Pines. But what/who I HAVE heard of is the US Open and Tiger Woods (mostly his scandalous past, of course). Tiger Woods won the 2008 US Open here in 2008, for a little background.

Anyway, the Torrey Pines Lodge is built directly next to both the North and South Torrey Pines golf courses. This lodge was our home for the next 7 days (I know, right?). 

The halls of the Lodge are sided with a deep chocolate wood. Each piece is handmade by some famous California designer. Everything in the rooms, work out facility, spa, and even the patio is this same wood, but a different color. The entire resort's decor just flows effortlessly. 

My room's patio

Anyway, the decor was just a side item. Let's focus on the real reason we came: golf. 

Torrey Pines has two golf courses: The North and The South. Tiger won on the South course in 2008. Timothy played both courses a few times each (lucky, right?) while I spent my days at the onsite spa.

The South course 

In front of the tee boxes on the North and South courses!

On our first morning, I was surprised with in-suite room service. At around 7AM, I heard a knock at the door, and there was a butler with a HUGE rolling table, covered in breakfast items. As a serious breakfast lover, this was the greatest thing ever. Timothy shortly followed, and we began our vacation.

Breakfast on my patio! We could see the golf course from here!

Oh nom nom

The cutest Tabasco bottle ever!

At around 8AM every day, Timothy left to play golf. So I had about 5 hours a day for some fun. 

On the second day, I found this great little hike down to the beach. The front desk told me 2 miles, but when I recored it on my phone, it was actually 6 miles total, with 3 miles being a HIKE down a mountain.

I didn't tell anyone I was going, except the front desk. My life literally almost turned in to 127 Hours. 

After two hours, I finally made it to the bottom. It was...semi worth it.

A real crab!

Real cactus!

My feet in the Pacific Ocean, yall!

The Pacific Ocean

After such a long and treacherous day, I could only think of one thing to do: spa. A 50-minute massage later, I was relaxed and ready to restart my vacation. 

Relaxation Lounge in the Torrey Pines Spa

Also during this trip, Tim and I celebrated our almost-one-year-and-five-month anniversary. What better way to celebrate than with some Italian?

We found this great little place in La Jolla Shores, a great town about 5 minutes away from Torrey Pines. The restaurant, named Piatti, was about 20 yards from the beach. The place was small and modern, with only about 30 tables. 

First thing we ordered: a prosecco and glass of red wine, of course. I haven't had prosecco since Italy, so this was a real treat.

Since we were at a seemingly-authentic Italian restaurant, we began our meal with an antipasti: beef carpaccio. This is raw meat, sliced extremely thin, and usually served as an appetizer. It sounds gross, but it's actually delicious when served with high-qualify olive oil and parmesan. We learned that this dish was originated in Venice, Italy. It was delicious.

For our main dish, I ordered the lasagna and Timothy had a stuffed ravioli. I didn't take pictures (Sorry, Dani), but rest assured, it was fantastic.

The next few days were spent lounging, golfing, visiting the spa, and shopping. We found a few great hole-in-the-wall places, where I had this AMAZING pizza. Overall, San Diego/Torrey Pines/La Jolla is an amazing part of California, and I hope to get back soon.

As a sidenote, thanks to everyone for the amazing suggestions of things to do in California. We are determined to check out everything while we're here! :) 

Stay tuned next time for another Torrey Pines post, plus tomorrow's trip to French Laundry!