Wyndham Oceanside Pier Resort – 10/19/2015-10/24/2015

October 19-24, 2015

Michael is busy working on the place in Prunedale. Our renter was supposed to be out months ago but had a hard time getting into the place she wanted because her new landlord was working on it (very slowly). We finally gave her (another) deadline and had to stick to it and have her move out as Aaron and Arla were getting ready to move in at the end of the month. We’ve only been back in our home for a few days. I had made these reservations months ago and didn’t want to lose them so we decided I’d take some “alone time” and go. I left Monday afternoon, right after Aaron and Arla got to our house to drop off a load of furniture. I wanted to see them before I left. The drive today was to Lebec, about 250 miles. By the time I got there, I was ready to stop. Before I arrived at the hotel, I got gas and then went to a Del Taco to get a taco salad to take back to my room. I booked the room off the Wyndham site for 3,000 points and about $45.00. It was a Microtel and pretty new and nice (but very small, hence the Microtel name).

The Microtel Hotel. Nice and new but the rooms were very small.
The Microtel Hotel. Nice and new but the rooms were very small.

I got up early and had breakfast in the hotel. They had the usual – cereal, waffles, muffins, yogurt, juice, coffee, tea. I left with the weather looking pretty bad. I was worried I might get rain. A week or so ago there was a big mudslide on the Grapevine so I wanted to avoid rain if possible. The ride today was around 200 miles (because of a detour I took to Rosemead) to Oceanside. The traffic was the usual Southern California – horrible, slow, too many cars, crazy drivers, etc. My least favorite part of travel.

I made a slight detour to go into Rosemead, California to see with my own eyes (and not on the internet) the statue called “Reflect,” which is dedicated to the victims of September 11. It’s a lovely piece with over 2,000 small metal doves that make up the hands that hold a piece of the World Trade Center building. Very lovely but much smaller than I thought it would be. It was also nice to get off the congested freeway for awhile.

Took a little side trip to Roseamead, California to see this memorial to 9-11.
Took a little side trip to Rosemead, California to see this memorial to 9-11 called “Reflect”.
Then hands are doves of the number of lives lost on 9-11. The hands are holding a piece of metal from the twin towers.
“Reflect” – the hands are doves of the number of lives lost on 9-11. The hands are holding a piece of metal from the twin towers.

When I got into Oceanside, I stopped at a Walmart to get a few items and also stopped at an “Einstein Bagel” place to get something to eat in my room. We’ve eaten at Einstein Bagels before and have always liked them. Got to the Wyndham Oceanside Pier Resort around 3:30 PM and my room was ready after just a few minutes. I enjoyed walking around the lobby and outside to view the ocean literally right across the street. The staff were wonderful and called me when it was ready. The parking was below and very easy to access. Beautiful area where you go through the old downtown Oceanside area with restaurants and small stores. The resort is also right across the street from a 1200 foot pier, and just a couple of blocks away from the house Tom Cruise used on “Top Gun.” At the end of the pier is a really fun restaurant called “Ruby’s.” It’s like an old time diner that mostly serves burgers, fries, and shakes. The staff at the Wyndham said if you showed them your key, you get a discount.

Workers doing their thing.
Workers doing their thing.
Lobby of the Oceanside Pier Resort.
Lobby of the Wyndham Oceanside Pier Resort.
View down the street of the Wyndham Oceanside Pier Resort.
View down the street of the Wyndham Oceanside Pier Resort.

After I had checked in the front desk person had me go over to get my “parking pass.” The parking pass people invited me to go to an “owner’s update,” to which I declined because I was without my husband and could not purchase anything. They assured me it was not a sales presentation, just an update on how to use your points and I didn’t need my husband to go. When they said they would give me a $100.00 Visa gift card and breakfast, I caved. I’m weak.

I got up to my 7th floor room – beautiful with a view of the ocean. I also went to the Sky Lounge (also on the 7th floor) which has a front view of the ocean, a wrap around type balcony, and a great place to just sit and watch the sunset. I went back to my room and just enjoyed, did some laundry, watched television, took a bath (felt guilty for using water but sure enjoyed it), and relaxed. Wonderful.

Master bedroom.
Master bedroom.
Kitchen - well stocked but I couldn't figure out how to use the high tech coffee machine.
Kitchen – well stocked but I couldn’t figure out how to use the high tech coffee machine.
View from my room. Loved it, especially at sunset.
View from my room. Loved it, especially at sunset.
Sky Lounge, 7th floor, Wyndham Oceanside Pier Resort.
Sky Lounge, 7th floor, Wyndham Oceanside Pier Resort.
View from front balcony of the Sky Lounge.
View from front balcony of the Sky Lounge.

On Wednesday morning, I got up and headed down to the “owner’s update.” They had coffee pots where you can make your own coffee, which I headed to right away. Needed my coffee. I also met my “guy” Bryce, a really nice young man. He showed me where to get my breakfast and then we went into another room where Jesse gave a presentation. He was very quick and covered a lot of ground but it was very interesting and I did learn a little bit. It is totally geared to developer bought points but it was interesting to hear his take on how to make the most of it.

After the presentation I went with Bryce to his area and we talked for a little bit. He asked if I had any questions, he answered the one I had (it was about nightly stays through RCI) and then he took me to get my gift. Very short and sweet.

I left the resort and drove to another store to get a couple more things, then I went back to the resort and walked around downtown and onto the pier. I walked all the way down the pier to Ruby’s and had a banana split. It was pretty good. I felt I had worked out enough to get the banana split as the walk was almost half a mile to Ruby’s and then back to the resort. (I love how I can rationalize things.) It was an absolutely beautiful day. There were quite a few people out fishing off the pier, and lots more people in the surf.

Pool area of the Wyndham Oceanside Pier Resort.
Pool area of the Wyndham Oceanside Pier Resort.
Trying to capture the notorious "green flash" at sunset.
Trying to capture the notorious “green flash” at sunset.
Still trying to capture the "green flash."
Still trying to capture the “green flash.”

On Thursday morning I got up and tried to make coffee.  What a horrible mess I made all over the counter and floor.  Michael usually makes the coffee and is the techno guy. Anyway, I cleaned it up but I couldn’t drink the coffee as it was so bad. Sure missed Michael more at that point. At around 11:00 AM, Nicole (a good friend’s daughter) and her two wonderful little boys came to visit and swim. We had a slight communication problem where I was out looking for her while she was in the lobby looking for me, but it was funny and it all worked out. The boys wanted to go swimming right away, which we did, then we went up to the room.  After a bit we walked across the street and down the pier to Ruby’s Diner to have lunch.  When we got back to the resort, the boys wanted to swim again, then to the room to visit and have a little snack. Such a great visit and I’m so glad they came by. Sweet family and great boys. Hadn’t seen them for years so it was good to catch up and reconnect.

After they left, I rested a little bit and then headed out to the Farmer’s Market. It’s held weekly and basically just right across the road. That was a fun place with lots of vendors, music, and things to see and do. I was surprised at how many dogs were out with their owners. Really enjoyed it and would love to come back with Michael to explore more.

For my last night at the Oceanside Pier Resort, I just relaxed, watched television and had a glass of wine. Such a beautiful resort and really want Michael to see it.

I got up on Friday morning and left around 8:30 AM. I got a donut because I checked out before 9:00 AM. I drove down the street to check out the Worldmark Oceanside, which is not in a great location like the Wyndham but it looked like a nice resort.

Next I drove to Mission San Juan Capistrano. I had wanted to see the Mission for a number of years so I went for it. It cost me $8.00 (senior) to get in to explore. There were no audio things for me because of a large group of school kids being there – but it was still very interesting to just walk the grounds and check out all the nooks and crannies. What a beautiful place. I was glad to see there hadn’t been any damage to Father Junipero Serra like there had been at the Carmel Mission.

Such a beautiful day at Mission San Juan Capistrano with the flowers, blue sky and old building.
Such a beautiful day at Mission San Juan Capistrano with the flowers, blue sky and old building.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Interesting view in one of the hallways at Mission San Juan Capistrano.
Interesting view in one of the hallways at Mission San Juan Capistrano.
For some reason I just loved this old wagon in the courtyard of Mission San Juan Capistrano.
For some reason I just loved this old wagon in the courtyard of Mission San Juan Capistrano.
This reminded me of Italy and the old ruins. (Mission San Juan Capistrano)
This reminded me of Italy and the old ruins. (Mission San Juan Capistrano)

I left the mission and drove to Buttonwillow (around 200 miles) to another hotel that I had booked through Wyndham using points. This one wasn’t nearly as nice as the Microtel and I had an issue with someone trying to barge into my room as they had been given the same room. Traveling alone, I did not appreciate being scared like that but it turned out okay. I left early the next morning and got home to start back to work on the Prunedale home.