Posts Tagged ‘golf’
Beautiful Del Mar, California
Del Mar by the Sea
By Bobbie Green
Sitting on a bench in Seagrove Park, in Del Mar, California and looking down toward the white capped waves, breaking on the azure sea, dotted with bobbing surfer’s, my mind can compare its beauty to sitting atop a hill, on the Isle of Capri and gazing at the azure sea dotted with bobbing small boats.
This small picturesque town of Del Mar, that literally means “By the Sea” is located just 20 minutes north of downtown San Diego, Del Mar has become a tourist attraction itself because of its coastal beauty.
Beginning in 1882 Theodore Loop discovered what he called “the most attractive place on the entire coast” while working for the Southern California railroad. He built a tent city on the beach and his wife named it Del Mar from the poem titled “The Flight on Paseo Del Mar. The same year Jacob Taylor built a hotel and things progressed from then on.
In 1900’s South Coast Land Company built a new hotel called the Stratford Inn, which became a magnet for the Hollywood stars. Today the L’Aubenge Hotel sits on the old Stratford Property. Del Mar’s famous racetrack opened in 1937 with Bing Crosby, one of the founders, there to greet fans on opening day as president of the Thoroughbred Club. 2010 horseracing season at the track this year will be July 21 through September 8th.
The Stratford Hotel and the racetrack not only brought in the Hollywood crowd, but also many wealthy people began to come here and enjoy the natural beauty of the coastline. And it remains so today.
Our hotel was a few miles inland, the Grand Del Mar, designed with the more affluent in mind. The resort sits on acres of beautiful grounds and is inclusive of a Tom Fazio-designed golf course. The lavish old-world Mediterranean style resort is premier elegance. Pricey as it may be, if compared to a trip to Europe, a week at this resort with no long air flights, airports and pricey air fares to contend with could be the answer to your special celebration or vacation dilemma.
The materials used to create this atmosphere are the finest. They incorporated 30 types of imported stone, 16 different species of wood. There is polished marble everywhere.
Stylishness and grace though out the property from the guest rooms to the pool with under water music. Impeccable yet very friendly service adds to the guest enjoyment. The restaurants are a compliment to the resort. Among the five restaurants on the property is the renowned, award winning Addison’s California’s only Five-Star/Five Diamond restaurant. It is located on the second floor above the Golf Club, not in the hotel itself. Guests are transported to dinner at Addison’s via a chauffeured Mercedes. At the Amays Restaurant, located within the hotel itself, I cannot say enough about the Sea bass that is so expertly prepared. 
The Del Mar area has many golf courses and the Grand does not forget you golfers. The Fazio course at the Grand is designed for all levels of golfers. The back nine are a challenge to the pro’s and the many strategically placed tees throughout the course allow for the less gifted to enjoy their round. Shawn Cox the golf director likes to boast of their human touch feature. All resort players receive caddie services. These professionals read the greens, give distances and help the player with their game—they have found this to be a very popular amenity. Stays at the resort may include a golf package. They also offer lessons with video feedback and hold a summer golf camp for children. Golfing here is exclusively for guest, members and villa owner.
The spa and tennis court facilities are everything you would expect in a five star resort. The staff is the top of their field with many years experience. Many off site activities are available. My spouse enjoyed a pleasant informative 90 minute hike through the undeveloped part of Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve with Grand Del Mars onsite naturalist.
In the mist of this countryside luxury you are only a few miles away from the beautiful beaches and the village of Del Mar with its many boutiques and restaurants to explore. Do make a stop at the trendy Del Mar Plaza– the top level gives a panoramic view of the coastline from attractive relaxing surroundings. This voice of experience urges you to check out all the great restaurants in the Plaza, before choosing one to experience.
The 2010 Summer Solstice will be celebrated in Del Mar on June 17 at the Powerhouse Park. The Farmers Market is held on the South side of the Village on Saturday’s 1-4p.
The Grand Del Mar Resort helped make my time in beautiful Del Mar really grand.
IF YOU GO
Del Mar Race Track
858-755-1141
Del Mar Visitors Info
858-755-9313
The Grand Del Mar
858-314-2000
The Stratford Inn
Best Western
858-794-6838
Angels Camp, Noteworthy Stop in Gold Country
Angels Camp a noteworthy stop in Gold Country
By Bobbie Green
In the late 1840’s the discovery of gold in the Sierra Nevada foothills area of California brought on a rush of gold seekers, the miners established many new towns. These historical little towns are testimony to American development and make informative and fun get-a-ways and vacations.
Angels Camp, one of the Gold Rush town founded in 1849, is located in Calaveras County along Hwy 49. In the towns hey day there were about 4, ooo miners. Today its population is around 3,000. The entire town is honeycombed with miles of mine tunnels. Tourist can visit the past at the Angels Camp Museum featuring carriages, wagons and gold mining equipment, and Main Street is still functioning within original buildings. However unlike Columbia, this town is not all historic, this is the place visiting golfers and wine enthusiast can get their fix.
Calaveras County is home to many vineyards, especially around the little town of Murphys. Only a short drive from Angeles Camp on Hwy 4, visitors can enjoy the quaint little town that is known for wine tasting from the local vineyards.
Visitors park their cars and walking up and down the main street will find 12 wineries spread in between the boutique shops and best of all the tasting is free and served by a friendly host.
I recommend the good food, and a unique menu found at the Murphys Historic Hotel Restaurant.
From the town of Murphys there is a sign saying Ironstone Vineyards, this is one vineyard visitors do not want to miss. Only a few minutes by car this family owned winery has achieved a level of fame not only for their wines but also for the beautiful culture & arts milieu they have created on their grounds.
The Visitors center has a 36 foot long tasting bar and an enormous stone fire place 42 feet high 13 feet deep and 16 feet wide. Visitors are given a free tour of the winery and grounds, do not miss it. The tour includes the Amphitheatre and lakeside park with multitudes of seasonal flowers. They have a 1927, 15 rank pipe organ in the Alhambra Theatre which is played for guests on the tour.
This winery is phenomenal. The small museum houses local Native American art and, books etc. and the largest specimen of crystalline gold in the world. It was found in near-by Tuolumne County in 1992. Crystalline gold is the rarest form of gold and a rare treat to see. This 1150 acre winery estate is home to many special events, concerts, weddings, car shows and such.
Also in this area there are two caverns to visit, Moaning Cavern offers visitors a chance to repel 165 feet down into the cave or take a guided walking tour. Mercer Caverns is a subterranean wonderland with unusual crystalline formations, stalactites and stalagmites. There are many stairs, but they are graduated.
Angeles Camp is the perfect location for your stay while visiting these sites.
Greenhorn Creek Vacation Cottages proved to be the perfect place for us.
These rentals sit on the 18-hole, par 72 tree lined Greenhorn Creek Golf Course. The stay includes all the amenities like pool, fitness center etc. for guest to enjoy. This Trent Jones redesigned golf course was built around three historical sites, the Rock Wall and Well on #4, the Chinese Oven on #5 and the Tree Well on #17.
A dedication and monument on the #1 hole honors the firemen lost on 9/11. The Andy Fredrick’s Memorial Golf Tournament is held here each year.
I found Greenhorn Creek to be very inviting and I especially liked the French Onion Soup served in the Camps Restaurant.
Angel Camp is home to the annual “Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee” the third week May. This event is attended by 4000 frogs and 50,000 people during the 5 day event.
Gold Country is still beckoning to fulfill visitor’s dreams, be it a hole-in- one or a fun filled day at the winery or finding a gold nugget.
IF YOU GO
Calaveras Visitors Bureau
800-225-3764
Greenhorn Creek Resort
209-729-8159
www.greenhorncreekvacationcottages.com
Ironstone Vineyards
209-728-1251