Marina to Oceanside, California – 2/3/2017 – http://fulltimetimeshare.com/blog

February 3, 2017 (Friday)

We left our very comfortable “home” in Marina after we had breakfast there. We tried and tried, and felt pretty good about our efforts to consolidate and shrink down, but the car was still pretty full. We have one tub that is full of extra stuff for cold weather, just in case we get into some bad stuff on the East Coast.

The ride today was from Marina, California to Oceanside, California – about 400 miles. Further than we like to drive but Michael wanted to spend an extra night to have dinner with our daughter and her boyfriend. The drive should have taken six hours. We were going along really well, and thinking piece of cake (how foolish we were) until we got into Santa Clarita. From there on it was pretty much stop and go for miles and miles and at least two hours extra. We really don’t like Southern California traffic, but we do like Southern California weather – even though it was grey and overcast. Towards the end of the drive Michael had us get off Interstate 5 and go some other roads that showed were moving better. We ended up on a toll road and then back on Interstate 5, but the traffic was moving pretty good so we were grateful.

We got into Oceanside around 5 PM and were able to check in right away. We even got a complimentary internet code to use. Yah! Then over to the “parking pass” people who insisted it was an owner’s update and took only an hour. For our time we got a $50 visa gift card, a hotel reimburse up to $100 (one night only), and 5,000 Extra Reward points. We bit and decided to go. I had done one when I was here a year and a half ago (by myself). It wasn’t high pressure or bad and was more of an informational thing to help you get more use out of your points.

Oceanside is a typical wonderful Southern California beach town.

We went up to our room and relaxed for awhile. Lovely room with a great view of the ocean. Not a full view but a nice side view. I think the only front views are at the higher end presidential type units. It is very comfortable and Michael seems to be enjoying it.

Interesting, odd, and somewhat uncomfortable dining area.

We went out walking and went across to the pier. It was getting dark and it appeared to us that a lot of “seedy” looking people were out and about.

We decided to head back to our home but stop to get something to eat. We had been told about the 333 Pacific Restaurant and headed that way. We got a table in the bar but didn’t get any service so we left after about five minutes. We walked just a little ways to Zig Zag Pizza and got a pizza and salad. I also got a glass of wine (felt I needed it somehow). Very good. They chop the salad right in front of you and it was GOOD!

That was our day. Hope yours was great!